Category: Christian Life

Christian Life · Uncategorized

The Atmosphere of Eternity

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Last Sunday  as my husband began preaching from Revelation 8, the emphasis of the message dealt with living in the atmosphere of eternity.  I’m pretty sure we all had many points of conviction about being so busy we miss out on what is best.  He said If we do live in the atmosphere of eternity, life is simple(r).  Don’t we all long for that?!  I sure do!

As I pondered the message, here are my applications of what that kind of mindset will do for me ~

If I live for eternity every single day:

  • I’ll have a much easier time understanding what I should be doing each day.
  • I will lay aside that which would distract me.
  • I can say “no” to things (or requests) that are outside of what is most important.
  • I will prioritize people, rather than things.
  • I will let that which matters for eternity matter most to me.
  • I’ll be ready to serve the Lord.
  • I’ll be giving others the Gospel.
  • I’ll be becoming wiser in God’s Word.
  • I’ll be more in prayer.

Let that which will matter when we’re caught up matter most.

The great use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast us.

How are you living today in the atmosphere of eternity?

With love,

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Christian Life

None To Help

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When I think back to some of the hardest times in my life, I cannot say that I ever felt alone.  As far as I can remember I’ve always had someone alongside me to encourage and pray for me.  But yesterday as I was reading II Timothy 4, I read that Paul had been forsaken by Demas.  Alexander had done him much evil.  He then adds,

“No man stood with me; all men forsook me.”

I think it’s notable that he said all MEN forsook him.  For even when we do feel like we are alone, we have to realize the truth that Paul states in the next verse…

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;

In other words, Paul says, “No matter that men may have forsaken me, the Lord never left me!  He gave me strength!”  He says that the Lord delivered him out of the mouth of lions.  He’s likely referring to Nero and his wickedness.  God protected Paul, even though there was no human help in sight!

What are you facing right now that makes you feel so alone?  Don’t keep your mind there.  Move on to this truth – the Lord is standing with you if you know Him as your Savior.  He will give you strength!  If you don’t know Him, then allow this trial to run you to Him as your Savior, then your Anchor in this trial!

We are never alone; the Lord is always present to help!  Acknowledge Him and see watch what He will do for you!

Lovingly,

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Christian Life

Go Deep Where the Treasures Are

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When you get up early and walk the beach, you can find some special shells that have washed up during high tide while the vacationers slept.  While visiting there recently, I resisted the urge to stop and collect some as I walked, but I could hear the crunch of the ocean’s bounty under my tennis shoes.

No matter when you walk the beach you will see treasure hunters on the search for the perfect conch shell, starfish, or other sea creature that has been washed ashore.  However, they are rare finds because of people like me who tromp over and break any that might have washed ashore.

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If the shells above would do for your collection, then you’re in luck because they’re heaped high and easy to reach!  Maybe you could go out  a little deeper and grab this treasure…

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However, if a hunter is looking for the perfect shell that they could wash and drop into a sandy bucket to swing along the shoreline, it’s still at the bottom of the ocean, waiting to be discovered.  These gems are for those that dare to go deep.  With finned feet and oxygen tanks, those that would get the real  treasures must dare to swim far below the surface.  They can’t walk along sunny shores with cute little sandals and sun visors – it will take preparation, effort and determination.

As I pondered these thoughts while strolling the beach, the Lord brought to my mind that this same principle is true of my time in God’s Word.  I make the choice whether I skim along the top and get something “nice,” or if I would swim out and get the precious treasures that come from going deep into God’s Word.  What would that look like?

 

Skim Safe and Shallow
 Read a devotional book, no Scripture
 Listen to God’s Word while doing something else
 Read and run – no notes

OR

Go Deep
Have a plan to follow through God’s Word
Listen to the Word with Bible and journal open
Read commentary notes on any passage that you don’t understand.
Pray over the passage and let the Lord teach you.

It’s our choice as beachcombers and followers of Christ – will we stay shallow or go down deep where the treasures are?

What is your current method of studying the Bible and drawing near to God?  If you need help or feel sort of “stuck,” I would encourage you to choose a new plan, perhaps on You Version.  There are lots to choose from.  It will prompt you each day, if you need a reminder.  It will keep you on track of what to read next.  Write the things that “jump out at you” as you read.  Ask what God is saying to you in that passage – make the application.

God’s Word is alive and He wants to speak to us.  Let’s not settle for broken shells!

Lovingly,

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Christian Life · Christian love

Consider Their Bonds

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Making critical assumptions comes all too easily for me.

I see.

I assume.

I criticize.

Over and over the Lord makes me aware that I’ve done it…again.  How thankful I am for grace that forgives, but when will I Iearn???

Recently I heard about someone who wouldn’t be participating in something awesome. Immediately my mind began making its ascent up Mount Critical, stopping to take mental photographs along the way. The next day I was in another conversation and someone else casually mentioned the same person (the one I’d criticized) and a need in their life.  My heart ached for them – then the Holy Spirit brought to my mind that this was the reason they weren’t able to participate!  They were suffering in a way that I had no idea!  Instead of criticizing them, I should have automatically assumed there was a reason, rather than assuming they were slacking!

This morning in my Bible reading I came across a simple phrase that Paul said to the Colossians –

Remember my bonds.

Paul was suffering for the Gospel’s sake.  He was patiently enduring while he was imprisoned.  What would it do for the Colossians if they would remember Paul’s bonds?  The same thing it does for me when I wisely consider another person’s trials, known or unknown:

  • It would make us compassionate
  • It would drive us to pray for that person
  • It would keep our heart tender
  • It would keep us from criticism
  • It would cause us to be understanding and magnanimous

We don’t always know what’s going on in another person’s life.  If truth be known, I’m sure we usually don’t know what others are dealing with.  We all have trials and would appreciate others being thoughtful of them, right?  Perhaps like me, you need to be reminded of Paul’s bonds, and those of the people that you live with, live next door to, work with, or those with whom you attend church.

Less criticism, more mindful of their bonds

that’s my new motto!

What does “Remember my bonds” say to you?

Refresh others by your loving consideration,

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Christian Life · Uncategorized

Swimming or Stinging

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Forgive me this week if I make several analogies about oceanlike things and places.  It’s just that the ocean is full of great lessons about our God.  He made it and He uses it, as in all His creation, to teach us spiritual truths. Romans 1:20 With no further ado, let’s stroll along the oceanfront!

Every day as we walked on the beach during vacation, there was a danger lurking.  You really have to keep your eyes on the path before you, lest you step on one of the MANY jellyfish that have washed up on the seashore.  Spite the fact that they may be dead, they still have the ability to sting and cause real pain!
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One day while we were out strolling, my husband had his eyes on the ocean.  I looked up just in time to see him about to step right on one of the washed-up sea creatures.  I called his name and he did a sidestep number that would make Fred Astaire take a back seat!  Yes, I laughed at him!  But my point is, the danger of the washed-up jelly fish is so great, that it makes you do crazy (and funny) things just to avoid them!

I looked at those jelly fish every single day.  Poor guys!  They could have been out in the ocean doing what jelly fish do – but they got caught up in a wave and were now rendered pretty useless, except for hurting unsuspecting passersby.

It reminded me of church members and Christians.  We have the opportunity to be a part of something glorious – the Church!  But if we’re not careful, we can get caught up in waves that will toss us out where, instead of being useful, we only hurt the cause of Christ instead.  What are some of those dangerous “waves” we might get caught up in?

  • Putting our eyes on people.  People will let us down; we must keep our eyes on Christ!
  • Being resentful of the Truth.  God loves you enough to confront your sin.  Confess it and get right rather than thinking it’s a person who’s against you.  If you’re being disobedient, God’s Holy Spirit will convict you.  God uses pastors and teachers to guide us to the truth.  Don’t be stubborn, but tender-hearted.
  • Getting burned out. Don’t try to do everything or serve in every ministry.  Give yourself time for a breather.  If you teach Sunday school, take time to be in the church service so you can be fed.  If you’re going to help in the nursery, make it Wednesday night.  
  • Listening to gossip.  Satan is out to destroy the ministry of the Church.  Remove yourself from people or groups who tear down the Church or its leaders.
  • Getting discouraged or hurt.  Life is full of hard situations, and sometimes it can be people or happenings at church that are most painful. Be mature in the Word and apply God’s comfort.  Forgive.  Move on.

Remember that in any of these situations, the tendency is to strike out – just like the jellyfish – and hurt others.  We want tell what’s happened to us, how we’ve been hurt or mistreated.  Instead of swimming along in the deep waters of God’s love, we’re dried up and hurting those that will stop long enough to step our direction.  The sad truth is that we’re also hurting the testimony of the Church and hindering lost people from trusting Christ.

Let’s learn a lesson from that dried up jellyfish and determine not to let that happen to us.  Let’s keep swimming, and keep fulfilling God’s will through the vehicle of the Church!  Swimming is lots better than stinging!

Lovingly,