(Philippians 3:8 NLT) Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
When I share the things that are important to me such as studying the Bible, prayer, and tithing with someone who does not believe in God I can see in their face the confusion and disbelief. “Surely your time and resources could be better spent”, seems to be the underlying message as they try to reason with me but the missing part of the equation is relationship with God. How do you express the overwhelming need to give back to the one who has given you everything until they experience it themselves? It’s not just the need to give back but once you understand just what has been done for you there is a burning desire to know more about this King of kings who gave His life and lives again so that you might live. Every day with Him is like breathing for the first time, every morning His mercies are new and opportunities abound to serve Him in new ways. With simple obedience I can see Him smile, for I know I have pleased Him. It is not always a walk through a rose garden but it is in the hard times that my relationship with Him grows the most, for I am a work in progress. As He leads me through the storm I become something that I was not before and on the other side I find His training has prepared me for battles that I will soon face. You see only after we step into Christ the real purpose we were born with takes action. Inside of each of us is placed an answer to someone’s question and if we don’t allow God to prepare us for His purpose that question will go unanswered. This question may belong to your neighbor and by answering the question (by living for Christ) they will one day come to know Jesus as their Savior or this question may be for a group of people. I have known many pastors and church leaders who point the way to Christ every day but whatever the answer looks like inside of you the road to fulfilling it is knowing Christ and walking in obedience. We all want to something big but that will never be realized until we are faithful with the baby steps before us today!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The sting has been removed
(1 Corinthians 15:55 NLT) O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
2010 will be the fourth consecutive year I will have read God’s Word on a daily basis. I don’t say that to brag but to let you know it changes your perspective on everything. This morning as I catch up on my reading from a busy weekend God reminds me once again just how temporary this life is! Because of that my thoughts go quickly to the question, “What can I do to make this time given to me matter, for soon this life will be over?” If God sees fit for my life to last ninety years on this earth that is still short when you think of eternity. Then it hits me – it does not matter what I have accumulated, yes I want to leave an inheritance for my children and I want to be a good provider now but the difference is where is my heart? What am I thinking of throughout the day? Is my heart on my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ or is it on stuff and how to acquire it? Am I busy being a consumer or am I thinking of my personal relationship with my Heavenly Father? If my treasure is found in God then His Word tells me I need not fear death, for this life is my time to explore the depths of His love and mercy as I walk with Him. My love for Him will compel me to take action, in doing so I will miss the mark many times but it is only then that I will begin to understand His unfailing love for me. For God said this life is like a race and if I run faithfully finishing it I have a Heavenly Father waiting to welcome me home. I don’t know what heaven will be like but I know this time I have now is my time to know God personally, for if I will look for Him He has promised to walk with me, hand in hand and that is how my life will make a difference – following God and being faithful to obey for in doing so I will be given opportunities to encourage and empower others to do the same.
2010 will be the fourth consecutive year I will have read God’s Word on a daily basis. I don’t say that to brag but to let you know it changes your perspective on everything. This morning as I catch up on my reading from a busy weekend God reminds me once again just how temporary this life is! Because of that my thoughts go quickly to the question, “What can I do to make this time given to me matter, for soon this life will be over?” If God sees fit for my life to last ninety years on this earth that is still short when you think of eternity. Then it hits me – it does not matter what I have accumulated, yes I want to leave an inheritance for my children and I want to be a good provider now but the difference is where is my heart? What am I thinking of throughout the day? Is my heart on my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ or is it on stuff and how to acquire it? Am I busy being a consumer or am I thinking of my personal relationship with my Heavenly Father? If my treasure is found in God then His Word tells me I need not fear death, for this life is my time to explore the depths of His love and mercy as I walk with Him. My love for Him will compel me to take action, in doing so I will miss the mark many times but it is only then that I will begin to understand His unfailing love for me. For God said this life is like a race and if I run faithfully finishing it I have a Heavenly Father waiting to welcome me home. I don’t know what heaven will be like but I know this time I have now is my time to know God personally, for if I will look for Him He has promised to walk with me, hand in hand and that is how my life will make a difference – following God and being faithful to obey for in doing so I will be given opportunities to encourage and empower others to do the same.
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