Philippians 1:21
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (NAS)
How important is perspective? You have no doubt heard the old story of the three blind men describing an elephant. One held the tail, one the ear, and the other the trunk. Of course from their personal perspective the elephant was quite different. Do you seem to know how to get between a rock and a hard place without even trying? It is then that perspective is vital.
God’s perspective as reflected in Paul’s words to the Philippians was what you might consider a rock and a hard place. He was in prison and was possibly not physically doing well. His choice was life or death. You might say that is an easy choice. But for Paul the choice was really the same. It really is so for you too. To live is Christ, to die is gain.
From his perspective life was more than the space of a few years of what we call life. His life was for eternity and he saw eternal life as Christ’s life both now and after death. In order to call death a gain you have to have eternal perspective. That perspective is Jesus is LIFE. To find real purpose in this life is to have an eternal perspective on life and death. Your life is Jesus.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Go To The Bank! #51
Romans 8:24-25
24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (NAS)
Whether it is in the news or the weather our ‘hope’ is expressed in words of uncertainty. Maybe you hope the economy will again flourish, or you hope your cold will vanish with the next sneeze, or that someone will give you a new car. Hope is such an illusive word except when it comes to God’s promises. You used to say, “you can go to the bank with that.” That is probably not a good analogy to use right now.
You probably should be saying, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Your hope today is based on Him who died for you and arose from the dead to give you His life. Sure you can’t see it yet because it is assured to you through faith. After all it was “by grace that you are saved by faith.” Trust in the only one that really gives you hope. His name is Jesus.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (NAS)
Whether it is in the news or the weather our ‘hope’ is expressed in words of uncertainty. Maybe you hope the economy will again flourish, or you hope your cold will vanish with the next sneeze, or that someone will give you a new car. Hope is such an illusive word except when it comes to God’s promises. You used to say, “you can go to the bank with that.” That is probably not a good analogy to use right now.
You probably should be saying, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Your hope today is based on Him who died for you and arose from the dead to give you His life. Sure you can’t see it yet because it is assured to you through faith. After all it was “by grace that you are saved by faith.” Trust in the only one that really gives you hope. His name is Jesus.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Your Favorite Place #50
John 21:9 And so when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed on it, and bread. (NAS)
What kind of heat warms your home and cooks your food: gas, fuel oil, wood, coal, electricity or a combination of more than one? Is your home equipped with a fireplace? Most often the fireplace is used for ambiance more than heat. The family gathers around the fire to enjoy the fire and one another. I am sure the disciples were hungry after a night of fishing, but the charcoal fire and the bread and fish was much more a place of gathering for closeness.
Six of Jesus’ disciples met the resurrected Jesus around a fire. The warmth of the fire and food as well as a place of fellowship with Jesus drew them together. You probably have a favorite place where you meet with Jesus. It has a sense of warmth and closeness. It is a place of comfort and encouragement.
When is the last time you sat around a fire with Jesus to eat from the Bread of Life? Why not today. Find someplace today where you can fellowship with Him.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
What kind of heat warms your home and cooks your food: gas, fuel oil, wood, coal, electricity or a combination of more than one? Is your home equipped with a fireplace? Most often the fireplace is used for ambiance more than heat. The family gathers around the fire to enjoy the fire and one another. I am sure the disciples were hungry after a night of fishing, but the charcoal fire and the bread and fish was much more a place of gathering for closeness.
Six of Jesus’ disciples met the resurrected Jesus around a fire. The warmth of the fire and food as well as a place of fellowship with Jesus drew them together. You probably have a favorite place where you meet with Jesus. It has a sense of warmth and closeness. It is a place of comfort and encouragement.
When is the last time you sat around a fire with Jesus to eat from the Bread of Life? Why not today. Find someplace today where you can fellowship with Him.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A Reason Not to Complain #49
Philippians 2:14 “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing;” NLT
“Easier said than done” you say? Sure it is. The natural tendency of life is to complain, gripe, bicker, grumble and fight. To do even some things without complaining is quite difficult, but to do all things seems totally impossible. What is your excuse? How about, “You should live with my husband for while, or maybe be at my job, or have to put up with my health, or my neighbors, or maybe my pastor, or my church.” It is not easy to keep from complaining. Yet God reminds us often that we need not complain.
Complaining is really a lack of faith in a God who knows everything including the knowledge of exactly where you are, what is happening to you, and what you need. Could your choice be either to complain or trust God? There is a reason not to complain. Philippians 2:15 “that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,” (NAS)
Shine today as a light in a dark world as you trust God instead of complaining.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
“Easier said than done” you say? Sure it is. The natural tendency of life is to complain, gripe, bicker, grumble and fight. To do even some things without complaining is quite difficult, but to do all things seems totally impossible. What is your excuse? How about, “You should live with my husband for while, or maybe be at my job, or have to put up with my health, or my neighbors, or maybe my pastor, or my church.” It is not easy to keep from complaining. Yet God reminds us often that we need not complain.
Complaining is really a lack of faith in a God who knows everything including the knowledge of exactly where you are, what is happening to you, and what you need. Could your choice be either to complain or trust God? There is a reason not to complain. Philippians 2:15 “that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,” (NAS)
Shine today as a light in a dark world as you trust God instead of complaining.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
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