Category: Blog Posts (Page 57 of 91)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In the Bible we see a contrast between what it means to be physically dead or alive, and spiritually dead or alive. Remember God’s word to Adam in the beginning. He could eat the fruit of all the trees in the garden, including the Tree of Life, but if he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would die that very day. Even though he lived to be 930 years old, he did surely die that very day. He lost something. He lost the dimension of life that can only come from an intimate relationship with God. There was a thief at work. This has been the story of humanity ever since.

The Bible describes those who are dead while still living (1 Tim 5:6). Many unconsciously realize this. From the beginning of motion pictures there have been stories of zombies and creatures like those in the popular TV series “The Walking Dead.” What a dramatic picture of mere existence, when we were actually destined to an abundant life in Christ!

Abundant Life

Jesus said in John 10:10:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” (NASU)

Life is a recurring theme in the Gospel of John. We need to understand, however, that he is referring to a quality of life that in uncommon. If everyone was already living life in the full sense that God had intended, it would not have been necessary for Jesus to come!

Listen to what John writes in His gospel:
“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31)

is fascinating to me to learn of the confidence he had in both the story of Christ and how the Holy Spirit would use it to generate faith in our hearts. It is a faith in Jesus that has immediate results!

John 7:37-39:
“On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

In the early chapters of Acts we see how the time had come for the Holy Spirit to be given, and the powerful affect it had upon all the believers there in the Upper Room. They were indeed filled with Abundant Life, depicted as Rivers of Living Water that flowed out into the community, resulting in thousands coming to know Jesus and His Salvation!

Eternal Life

Probably the most well-known verses in the Bible are John 3:16-17:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. “

Also in John’s Gospel we see Jesus praying these words:

John 17:3: “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

Those who know and believe in God and Jesus Christ have a dimension of life that is eternal. Yes, they do have a life that extends beyond the grave, but also a quality of life that is eternal now. It does not diminish in any way. It is real and perpetual.

In the Bible we also learn of an aspect of life known as “Resurrection Life.” Paul writes in Philippians 3:7-15:

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

What a mouthful! But what is he saying? First he refers to his salvation, being made righteous not by works, but by faith. Then he speaks attaining something. That something is resurrection life!

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.“

The Christian Life, the abundant, eternal Life that God has provided through Jesus Christ begins when we receive Him. But at the same time He continues to call us upward into a greater depth of knowing Him. There was a holy dissatisfaction in Paul, and it should be in us as well. God does not want us to be insecure in our salvation, which He has secured for us by His own power. But neither does He want us to be unfruitful in this life. He wants all of us to live and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, becoming more like Him every day.

Instead of missing the mark, we are pressing towards the mark, that is, we are pursuing Christ Himself!

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for stirring our hearts to desire a greater knowledge of You, and for providing everything we need to grow in our relationship with You. Continue to challenge us, like you did our brother Paul, to never become self-satisfied, but always desiring and delighting ourselves in You and You alone. Help us to know you more by following You, loving as You love, serving as You serve, and living by the Faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.
In His Name, the precious Name of Jesus we ask,

 Amen.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In the late 1960’s a Rock band by the name of Chicago had a hit song containing this line, “Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care about time?”

For people in many countries in the world, today’s date, December 31, marks the end of a year. Midnight at the end of this day is recognized as the beginning of the new year, 2021. There will be various traditional gatherings where people like to “bring in the New Year together.” Here in the U.S. the first day of the year is a national holiday and many businesses and institutions will be closed. So I guess people to really care somewhat about time.

Robert Lamm, the author of the song by Chicago seemed to be asking a deeper question. Listen to these lines:

“People runnin’ everywhere
Don’t know where to go
Don’t know where I am
Can’t see past the next step
Don’t have time to think past the last mile
Have no time to look around
Just run around, run around and think why …..”

Times and seasons are really important to us. Maybe the actual date on the calendar isn’t as important as our need to stop and reflect on the passing of time, what we have done and intend to do with the time that has been given unto us. A Biblical Psalm that is attributed to the great prophet Moses brings this request to God:

He says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12).

Those who love and worship their Father and Creator God have the potential of receiving valuable wisdom from Him concerning the time they have been given on this earth. They need not run everywhere, not knowing where to go, or where they are. They can, to some degree actually see past the next step, for their steps are directed by the Lord. They can look back and see His Hand upon their lives. And because they know a glorious future in Him awaits them, they can fully live in the present.

For over two thousand years now, Christians have been looking for a great event in the history of the world. This event has to do with the culmination of all that God has been planning and bringing forth from the beginning of time. It has to do with the full, final and complete revelation of Jesus Christ to all of humanity. We have searched the prophecies of the Bible with great enthusiasm to determine just when He will appear, and what will actually transpire at that time. The many divergent interpretations of these prophecies from the most devout and dedicated scholars from various times and backgrounds can be confusing. Lately I have come to the understanding that God Himself has hidden some of the details from us for some good reason, which we will eventually learn.

At the same time, I believe that He plans to make more of these details known to this generation. We must have open hearts and minds to hear from Him, and be diligent as were the wise Orientals who followed His star to Bethlehem. Certainly we can become too preoccupied with “the signs of the times,” or the “end times.” But Jesus Himself complained to the people of His day for being unaware of the significance of the day they were in. They should have observed the signs pointing to His arrival and of His Kingdom breaking forth upon the scene.

Where is our country heading? What is God doing among His people? Are we following Him or are we hoping He will endorse the plans we have made? Is the Church of Jesus Christ becoming too inwardly focused? Do we have a vision for His greater purpose which can give more meaning to our everyday challenges and activities? Or is it all about me? My needs. My happiness?

Some of the most powerful words ever spoken will lead us all to the true happiness that God desires for every one of us.

Luke 9:23-25:

“And he (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?”

In our day we are seeing an intense and deliberate attack on the very Word of God that can make us aware of the times in which we live. Those who hold His Word in their hearts will be able to discern between all the confusing voices and to detect His Voice above them all. They will know how to prepare themselves for the immediate future as well as for eternity. Unlike the “blind leading the blind,” they see a bright and glorious path set before them.

Proverbs 4:14-18:

“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the just is as the shining light , that Shines more and more unto the perfect day.”

Impending doom is a reality for those who walk in darkness, and reject the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But there is always hope that the fire that He has lit within our hearts will continue to grow and glow out into the darkness of this fallen world. Let us pray with Paul the apostle that the eyes of our understanding will be opened to a greater vision of Him and His purpose for His Church. (Ephesians 1:16-22). This will no doubt inspire us to see beyond ourselves and to participate in His great love for all.

Lord, help us to accurately discern the signs of these times. Give us a greater zeal in our hearts for Your Heart, Your desire for Your people and all of humanity. Help us to truly know what time it is in your redemptive calendar, and to respond accordingly.

In Jesus Name, Amen.