He Is Coming Soon

 Rev. 22:12.13

Behold, I am coming soon...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Every time I see the sun rise in the morning and shine through the clouds as I drive to work, I’m reminded that Jesus said, “Surely, I am coming soon”. Jesus also said, “As the sun comes from the east, and shines to the west, so will the coming of the son of man be”.We are also told that he will come in the clouds with power and glory. Paul says, we will be caught up together with Him in the clouds. It has been over 2,000 years since these words were recorded, but be not mistaken, He will return. He will return to receive His own. Those who have put their lives into His care. Confess that He is Lord and are walking in His light. Such is the hope we have in a day when the world has lost its scruples. Stand steadfast, look up for our redemption is coming soon. Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly.

 Psalm 107: 1-2
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.

“God is good all the time” we often say. But we know that bad things often happen to those who love Him. Then why does a good God allow bad things to happen to those who love and serve Him. There have been many books written on this topic and often the topic of many discussions. I don’t claim to have the answer that would satisfy everyone. We know that Job experienced a lot of bad things, and He was a man of integrity and one that put His trust in God. We do know that many are born abnormal or come down with some illness that  either takes their life or cripples them for life.  Accidents, war, murders, rapes, house burning down, natural disasters, the list can go on. We live in a sin cursed world, and Satan has been given dominion to test God’s creation. Jesus came to overcome evil and the works of darkness. God is good! He gave us a way of escape, a way to overcome evil in this world and the sin that dwells in the hearts of men. God is good all the time! His love and mercy reaches down to all who will reach out to Him. He is a good God, and I trust that whatever happens it will turn out for good to them that keep trusting Him and loving Him.

The Strait Gate

 Mathew 7:13,14

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go that way. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.

The implication of a strait gate can be interpreted in at least 2 different ways. One way is to say that Jesus realized that many will not be willing to count the cost, submit to His will, for such a path is not easy. Giving up all you have to serve and follow in the steps of Jesus is not done without a personal transformation of the heart and willingness to take up the cross and follow Him. That is a strait and narrow path to take. The other possibility is Jesus is saying that He is the only way. “…No man comes to the Father except by me”. Strait and narrow is the way to heaven for He is the only way. Either way, the way to the kingdom of God is through Christ and believing and loving Him with all our hearts, mind, body, and soul. 

Doing Good Deeds

 1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

It is said that actions speak louder than words. The Bible teaches us that words alone are not enough to prove our love for God or others. We can say we love God, but our actions say otherwise. Like faith and works, love and works go hand in hand. It is good that we speak words of kindness and appreciation, verbalizing our love for others, but where the rubber hits the road is when we demonstrate our love by giving ourselves and time to others who are in need. We will not be able to always give to everyone in need, or for every cause that is present, but God is faithful to lead each of us to give when the opportunity is open to us, and His spirit prompts us into action. Doing good deeds for others does not necessarily mean we are showing love. We must do so with truth, and with pure motives. Let us walk the talk, and manifest Christ in a world that is hurting and in need of special healing.

Reconciled to Your Brother

 Matthew 5:24
Leave your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer you a gift.
We cannot have a right relationship with God, if there are hard feelings between you and someone else. As Christians, Jesus wants us to have a heart of forgiveness and forbearance. We may not always see eye to eye with everyone, but Christ made it possible for us to show compassion and understanding. It is not easy to always put aside things that others have done or said to us, and act like nothing ever happened or was said, but Jesus made His teaching clear, “…be reconciled to your brother”. Your relationship may never be the same, but God is able to heal and make it possible to continue working for the Kingdom side by side without strife and bitterness.

Servant of All

Mark 9:36

 …If any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Being first is the prize that we often seek to achieve. We like to be in first place. We strive to achieve the gold ribbon, and the award and recognition it gives us. In many cases, we work hard to achieve that goal. In the arena of sports this is the ultimate goal to say you are the best. I don’t believe that such aspirations and desires are sinful. It is possible that it could become a sinful aspiration, if obtaining the goal is in opposition to being a servant of Christ. Your ability and desire to serve others. If your means to an end keeps you from doing the will of God in your life, then it is time to change your goal to be first. Jesus said that if you truly want to be first, you must first seek the kingdom of God, you must be last, and be as a child and take on the actions of serving others. To be first in the Kingdom of God is to have a servant's heart, looking for opportunities to help others, often sacrificing your own desires and comfort. This is the ultimate goal of a Christians, to be first in the service for Christ.