Long life

We have a general desire to live a long life. There are physical, and emotional aches and pains along the way, but we are usually looking for something greater, better each day of our lives. Ancient people were very aware of leaving this world and wanted to be remembered. The Thessalonians were very interested in a pathway to eternal life. Pauls wrote, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. Reading scripture guides one to God has put within each of us an inner sense that life on earth is not all there is. 1Thess. 4:13-18 (NIV). This was also a concern in the Old Testament, “[God] has also set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Many times there is a small internal voice that causes us to yearn for life with a higher being. This desire is satisfied only via eternal life with God. Paul also wrote to teh Romans, “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen . . . so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20). When we embrace Jesus' gift, just as God lives forever, we who are made in His likeness will also live forever.     

Secure

In another post, I presented a concepts called "daily grind of uncertainty." While in our hustle bustle world of busyness, this uncertainty can germinate when we are not focused on godly concepts and flourish when others with critical attitudes and comments cross our paths. However, three items can help us combat such feelings. First, remembering that you are of such importance that someone, God or Jesus, died to release you from anything that might cause uncertainly of closeness to God. Second, the Christian has the indwelling Holy Spirit, God himself, living within them; no person or entity is more powerful that God. Third Jesus will always protect our spiritual lives. We may pass through some times we struggle with many parts of life, but Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:28-30 

Clear perception

We place a great deal of dependence on our eyes and what we can see. When difficulties arise, we usually seek glasses or other solutions to maintain the ability to create images in our minds of those things we observe with our eyes. The eye is only one of our senses, but we tend to depend on them heavily. When we sense something via any of our senses, our minds react to it based on our previous experiences. Sounds, sight, and touch of a loved one remind us of many fond memories. Many visions can excite our perception about the magnificence of God’s creation. What we sense also drives our next actions; will they be positive or negative in God’s sight? If we have a strong previous experience of God’s word, then we can better translate those things we sense to make the better decisions for next feelings and steps. The Holy Spirit, who lives within the Christian desires to prompt us to make the best next actions for glorifying God in some way. He desires to help us make decision that guide us along holy pathways. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psa. 119:105); “The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.” (LK 11:34); “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

Light from Darkness

Many times we do things that in retrospect are either wrong or not best. When those things occurs, most times we would rather no one else knows about our failures and we try to hide them or consider them less serious than they really are. A way to describe not admitting mistakes or defects in our character can be described as "darkeness." A life dedicted to God attempts to admit that even though they are declared sinless by the grace of God, we are in fact, not sinless. When we admit these faults and confess our wrongdoings, we live in the light. A person living in the light doesn't need to fear God's judgment. The indwelling Holy Spirit will help overcome tendencies toward falsehood or dishonesty, if we ask Him. When we admit or confess our weaknesses and ask the Holy Spirit for help, help will come. One person said, "My desire to open my life to the light of God's truth and holiness reveals my desire to do what is right. My reluctance reveals how the power of sin has come into my life and my heart." John would advise this, "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 3:20-21 (NIV)

Prayer empowers

Recently, a picture was published showing a police officer keeling to pray beside his cruiser. This was actually a simple testimony to the power that he thought would protect him that day. Many other policemen pray verbal or silent prayers in their crusiers before leaving or on the way to answer a call, because they do not know what dangers they may face. Many military organizations have troops who will pray before going into battle every day. These examples speak of groups of people who understnd they live in a world of unseen and unexpected dangers. We all live in such a world, although the dangers may be differnt. The letter known as Acts documented the power of the Holy Spirit guiding early believers as they proclaimed the message of Jesus by their actions and words. The same Holy Spirit who empowered those early believers empowers us, to the degree we allow. Prayer is our avenue to His guidance. "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:18-20 (NIV)

Semper Fi

When people become exhausted or experience some level of pain, energy required for patiently addressing many situations dwindles and tempers can flare. Sometimes feelings are hurt or dreams and expectations end in heartbreak. Exhaustion can usually be solved with rest, but pain is a major source of energy drain on people; any type of pain may prevent getting the rest needed to restore healthy body functions. Prominent questions for addressing any pain focus on intensity and cause. Rest and relaxation can usually ease pain caused by simple physical stress and physiological pain can be addressed by a physician, while emotional pain is sometimes more difficult to calm since there may be so many intertwined causes and degrees of distress. Spiritual pain has only one solution, Jesus. Human emotions are an extremely powerful part of our existence. Inputs from any of our 5 senses can trigger thoughts and intense emotional responses; our emotions can quickly gain control of further thoughts and subsequent actions. Can the indwelling partner of Christians help in these situations? Yes! He knows every desire, expectation, thought, feeling, and inclination we have. If we turn to Him and ask, He will help us. The Holy Spirit does not prevent us from having certain feelings or emotional responses. He does not prevent us from making poor decisions or judge us – He wants to help us make good decisions. He does protect Christians against Satanic attacks to the degree allowed, we only need to turn to Him and ask. He speaks to us immediately when we admit we need His help, honestly pray to Him and open ourselves to His guidance. If we want to hear His response, we must open the Bible and listen to His words. Reading scripture and focusing on God can soothe anger, start healing bruised emotions, and provide guidance for next steps for any recovery needed. However, it is imperative we believe He will help and ask for His help. His operation is a continuance of the ways Jesus worked while here on earth. USA Marines have a strong bond exemplified by the motto: Semper fidelis, Latin for “always faithful.” A Christian’s bond to God is stronger; the Holy Spirit is always faithful to stand by us, protect and encourage us, as much as we will allow.

Sustenance

Jesus had much to say about sustenance and life. He used physical life as an example of the spiritual life within us. His hearers knew they needed food and water to stay alive. Jesus relates this need for sustenance to their spiritual lives. Jesus and God were one; we could see Jesus, but not God. Jesus not only demonstrated the qualities of God lived out in human form, but also how He was the solution to ALL spiritual challenges. He was water to quench spiritual; thirst (Jn 4:10), and bread, "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35 (NIV)

Unbelief

Imagine God displayed as Jesus the prophet, trying to point His people back to a teaching they had overlooked. Jesus was the great prophet promised and the solution they so desperately needed, but they would not follow what had been given them earlier. It was their lack of following the earlier information that showed how mistaken they were about Jesus. Jesus harshly scolded the Jewish leaders when He said, "Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” John 5:45-47 (NASB)

Missed Him

The people to whom Jesus came physically, failed to reognize Him. Even though the Holy Spirit gave the words of scripture, these people failed to recognize the source of the message given. He was God with us, Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)  "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life." — John 5:39-40

New Life

Some people fear death, others find it intriguing. In an effort to demystify death, there are stories about those who have returned from death, because it was not their time. These are limited occurrences, but only the people living when Jesus returns will escape eventual physical death. An encounter with God radically changes a person’s viewpoint. What they once thought was desirable or suitable in this physical realm is changed, they view this life as a stepping stone. Their understanding of “life” becomes enriched. Physical life becomes more than mere physical existence. These stories come and go and few participants seem to spread the news, but when the Son gives “life,” it continues; it has new direction and power by the indwelling Holy Spirit. One day all will be raised from physical death and given a new body, then, as God’s children, we will experience His glory. Until that event we long for, Christians constantly live life as a new person. Jesus conquered death, so the death event is no longer viewed as cessation of existence, but realization of true existence. "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it." John 5:21 (NIV)

Anticipate

We are continually faced with challenges and opportunities. We should anticipate these activities because Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). Not only this, but the same Holy Spirit lives within us as Paul, and he said, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Another person said most eloquently, "Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem- free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth." We should ask the Holy Spirit to empower us to overcome all things which the world launches toward us.

Called by our own name

I recently attended a gathering with many people and remembered only a few faces and fewer by name. Memories fade and appearances change with passing years, but some people’s names are never forgotten. The people’s names which we remember most clearly are the ones with whom we have the closer relationships. They know what the name means, why we are valued and what we value. We may be surprised when out of a sea of people, another person recognizes our face and perhaps remembers our name. Have you ever looked around to see a mass of people who were strangers? Did you feel alone? This is not the place of a child of God. To Him every person is precious and everyone matters. The Lord said to the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Isa. 49:16 (ESV) Astounding! "Engraved." Cannot be taken off. Your name is on God’s hand. This is the same image as the Ten Commandments; instructions which did not change, but were engraved or etched in a most permanent medium, stone. Have you ever considered that individually, you have as much value to God as 99 other people? What else could Jesus have meant, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?” Lk. 15:4 (ESV) We are of so much value that He chose to live within us via the Holy Spirit. Paul described God’s acceptance of the Corinthians as, “and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2Cor. 1:22 (ESV). Additionally, "God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:4-7 (ESV). So, children of God are completely and continuously cleansed because of Jesus, known by God and have their eternal future sealed with a promise. Until the promise is revealed, the Holy Spirit is as close as any other can be and will provide as much guidance as we are willing to accept. In the mass confusion of people and activities, we are never alone; we always have a helper beside us.

Glory

Animals and humans especially, are generally motivated by physical sight. What we can see becomes more real to us than happenings we do not personally witness. Jesus was God’s answer to this dilemma. B.B. Warfield described Jesus as, “the visible manifestation of the invisible God.” Jesus was the visible Glory of God. This reflects Jesus’ words to Phillip, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.” – John 14:9-10 (ESV)

Death has often been called “the great equalizer,” since it ultimately affects all animate beings equally. Jesus is also potentially a great spiritual equalizer; in Him there is no difference and no reason for partiality. The Holy Spirit led James to describe Jesus’ desire in this way, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” Jas 2:1 (ESV)

What is in a name

A name represents a designation for, a description of, and perhaps the essence of the person. When Moses asked the name of the power from the burning bush, the answer was a holy name, a name beyond comprehension, “I am that I am.” When we consider the name Jesus, we should realize that it attempts to describe all He stands for, all He did for creation; all He did for those who accept Him.  It is a powerful name and commands control over even the demons. “Some of you were once like that [living sinful lives]. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NLT)

Overcoming imperfections

All humans today are imperfect, all of us have something wrong with our bodies. As opposed to an unknown, lurking disaster, blessed are those who know of, admit these weaknesses, and can avoid more serious injury. Poor choices and mistakes may cause injuries that last for as long as we live, There may be scars inside as well as outside our bodies and sometimes there may be some degree of pain associated with this condition. Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made, which allows some level of physical healing. Besides this, and more serious for our future life, there are the spiritual defects in our existence. How can those spiritual injuries be healed? Jesus is the only way to spiritual healing, and He covers our sins completely. St. Augustine of Hippo is quoted as saying "It is easy to want things from the Lord and yet not want the Lord Himself, as though the gift could ever be preferable to the Giver." Is this true for us, today; do want to be spiritually and perhaps physically healed? If so, actively seek Jesus and be ready for the Holy Spirit to begin changing you and making you whole again! "One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” John 5:5-7 (NIV)