He Gives Life

 Act 17:28,25
For in Him we live, and move, and have our being;..seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things..

He is all in all. With our whole being we make Him Lord of our Life. We live because He lives and provides us with all that is needed to survive on earth, and life beyond the grave. No one holds their own destiny. We make choices that determine our destiny, but our life is ultimately in the hands of God. The breath we take daily is given to us by our Creator, who determines when we will take our last. We live each day thinking there will always be a tomorrow, but out of nowhere, like vapor, it is gone. A tragic accident, a heart attack, or cancer makes its way into our life, and we are now counting the days. We don’t hold the number of days, we can only hold on to Christ who is our life, even in death He is our substance and our being. 
As my wife and I walked around the cemetery on the mountain side of Morrison to start making arrangements for our burial place, I was made aware of the certainty of death and the unpredictability of life. Gravestone markers of people of all ages. I wondered how many knew Jesus. Did they have eternal life that only Jesus can give?
 There are many teachings out in the world that give false hope. Paul faced this in Athens, where images of false gods were erected throughout the land. He acknowledged that they had been blinded to the truth, but He preached Jesus, and admonished them to repent. We still live in a day of many false gods. We who are born of God, and have life in Christ, have the answer to the truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and life, and He alone can take that which is dead and give it life and life everlasting.  

Enter the Door

 John 10:9
I am the door: by me if any man enters, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

There are many who will claim that there is more than one way to have eternal life, to have life more abundantly. Religions throughout history have pointed people to a way of life that will bring peace and life. Jesus says that all these religions are false, and are like thieves and robbers, deceiving people to follow them. To the Pharisees, He tells them that He alone is the true way to God. Following all of their forms and rituals will not bring fullness of life. Christ is the only gate (door) that a sheep can use to find pasture to feed and live life to the full. Those who listen to His voice and respond to His calling will be saved. There are many voices out in the world that call, and Satan will do all he can to lead the sheep to follow him, but those that heed God’s word, listen to what God has to say and follow it, will find that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and Life. Don’t be fooled by those who say there is more than one way. They have been deceived and the devil uses them to destroy life. They are out to steal and rob your soul. Follow the voice of Jesus, heed His calling and enter the door that leads to green pasture.

Our Days Are Numbered

 Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

 

We are only here for a short time on earth. Life is a vapor, before we know it, it is gone and we are left with a legacy that glorified God or lived for self. Each day is given to us by our Creator, and we don’t know our appointed time. We may live to be 70, 80 or more years on this earth, but our days are all numbered. May we seek each day for God to give us wisdom, to let our life count for Christ and eternity. Let go of the sin that so easily besets us. Let us run the race to cross the finish line. Looking to Jesus, the author and completer of our faith. Life is too short to waste on negativity and past failures. May we apply our heart to wisdom every day of our lives.

Planted By The Waters

Jer. 17:7, 8

Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord...For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, That spreads out its roots by the river; And will not fear the heat when it comes...

A tree is able to withstand the heat of the day because the tree is planted near a reservoir of water. The roots go down deep into the ground and tap into this water source. In the heat of the day, it will maintain its green lively leaves, and give forth fruit of its kind. Such is a person who taps into the living water of Christ. He is the source of life, the water that gives us the strength to face the hardships of life and difficult times when the heat of the day is more than we can bear. We can know without doubt and remain secure in our faith knowing that God will bring us through. Hold on, stay faithful, trust God, and believe that He is still in control. 

Look To Jesus

 Heb. 12:2
looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
Jesus says, “Look to Me, faith in God begins with Me. Without Me there is no faith. I went to the cross on my own free will, gave my life for you, took on your sins and bore your shame. I now sit at the right hand of the my Father, making intercession for you, that you may not grow weary and lose heart during times of tribulation and suffering. I and the Author and finisher of your faith, I alone can save you and set you free from the bondage of sin. Look to me you sinners, for I came to save you. Believe in Me, trust Me with your life, give me your heart. I am the way, the truth, and life. There is no other name under heaven that can give new life. Look to Me and you will have eternal life, and dwell with me forever and ever.” 

Jesus is the Way

 John 14:4,5,6
And where I go you know, and the way you know... Lord...how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way…

How does one obtain eternal life? Heaven, the dwelling place of God. It is the hope of all that have lived on this earth, that after death eternal life awaits us. Jesus made it clear that there is life after this earthly life. He also made it clear that there is only one way to have it. The teaching that Jesus is the only way to God does not sit well with those who say that there are many ways to get to heaven. My opinion in this matter really does not matter. God’s word makes this discussion mute. Those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God, have no other choice than to take the word of Christ as truth. I don’t claim to know the hearts of all who say that there is another way, I leave such judgment to God, who knows the heart of all who have lived and are now living. I just know that Jesus said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me. The religions of the world can disagree all they want, but I have no doubt in my mind and heart that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Tomorrow

James 4: 14,15 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away… For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Life happens, but it does not happen without God allowing it. We do our best to control our environment and the circumstances and situations that surround it. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we need to be careful how we care for it. We have a responsibility to use our talents for the good of humanity and for eternity. We must do all we can to provide for our families and care for those that God has charged us with. But, things happens and most often we have no control. We look to God for answers because He holds all things in His hands. We are not are own, we belong to God and our lives are His. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we know who holds our tomorrows. Live for the moment to please Him, plan for tomorrow with eternity in mind.

The Duty of Man

Ecc. 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again”. The mundane things of life. The endless daily routine of doing the same thing over and over again. Some would say. I live a boring life, I get up, take a shower, eat breakfast, go to work, eat lunch, come home, eat supper, and get ready for the next day” We repeat the same routine the next day until the weekend, then there are the many “things” that need to be done around the house. Yes, it does appear at times that this is the cycle of life. What does it mean to live? How do we fulfill life’s joy in the repetition of life? “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” In the midst of endless things to do, our focus in life is to fear God, and keep trusting Him that He does all things well. 

He Gave His Life

Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

His blood was shed, He took His last breath, and He died. The Son of God, Jesus who was perfect and blameless allowed sinful man to put Him on the cross and put Him to Death. Why? Because He loved us so much that He was willing to be the supreme sacrifice to atone for my sin and yours. His blood that was shed on Calvary rent the vail in two giving us access to the Father. Hanging on the cross, He spilled out His blood that we may have fellowship with the Father and have a relationship with the Triune God. The history books have recorded it, and millions have availed themselves to the cleansing blood that continues to flow from Calvary.

The Blood of Jesus

Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Abel, the son of Adam sacrifices the blood of animals to make atonement for his sins. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission. The sprinkling of the blood on the altar of God was made for propitiation of man’s sin. But Jesus who became the mediator in our behalf died on the cross, shed His blood that we may no longer need to shed the blood of animal. And “he became the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world”. (1 John 2:2) We who have lived in darkness, can now live in the light of God. The the law that condemn us to everlasting death struck fear in our hearts is no longer our taskmaster. Our sins have been forgiven and light now dwells in us, and we fear not the darkness. 

Even in Old Age

Isaiah 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Time quickly passes and the hairs of my hair are now peppered with gray. In my youth I gave my heart to Jesus. My hair jet black and full. To this day, He has not forsaken me. Even as the years have pass He has led me each step of the way. The gray hairs are more abundant and my years are numbered. I may have 20 or 30 years left if God wills. From the womb, He made me, in life, He sought me out as a teenage boy. Through the trail and hard times He carried me, and in that day when when life on this earth comes to an end, He will deliver me into the bosom of the Father. Jesus, lover of my soul and keeper of my heart.

We Belong to God.

1 Corinth 6:19- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

The mantra on the pro choice movement is that no one should be able to make the choice to have a baby except for them, for it is their body, therefore they have the right to decide whether the baby inside their womb will die or live. What! do they not know that their bodies is the temple created for the dwelling place God. That the body we have is not are own, but was created by God and belongs to Him. For those who are in Christ, God in flesh came to this world and paid the price to purchase and pay the debt for sin. He bought us and owns us as His own. We no longer can claim that we can do what we want with our bodies, for we have become one in Christ and the things we do with our body must follow the commands and principles of God’s word. That is why the taking of our own lives is wrong, that is why we don’t ingest substance that can kill the body, and that is why abortion is wrong. The taking the life of an unborn child is morally wrong if the word of God is given any consideration as our moral compass. Life is precious with God, even the life within the womb. 

Love Life

John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Most people love life. We don’t relish the day that our bodies fail us and death’s door knocks. Death is our enemy and we go to any means to preserve life on earth. So, the words of Christ appear to go contrary to human nature. Surely Christ did not imply that we should hate living and pray for death to take us. Christ was not speaking of our physical body, but our eternal soul. The spiritual life that God instills in each one of us. What really matters in this life? If we live for this world and the material gain, we will lose what really matters. Seek first the Kingdom on God, and God will take care of all our material needs in this life. We must be willing to die to the temporal life of the pleasure of sin and the want of material gain. Dying to self goes contrary to how the world lives. Everyone is out to make sure number 1 is taking care of first. If we are to know real life, we must die to our selfish desires to please ourselves, and allow Christ to give us new life, eternal life, life that sets it’s affections on things above and not on things of this world. Let us love life. Life in Christ. “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain”

River of Life

Jer. 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,…

Drought comes to everyone, Times of distress and unbearable heat. The survival of a plant will depend on it’s source of water. The plant whose roots can tap the water that flows underground, or the plant that can draw from a river near by can survive the heat. The heat of the pressures of life, the heat of conflict, the heat of loss, or the heat of temptation. A tree that reaches the true source of life, and touches the fountain of living water is able to survive the testing of trust. Those who put their trust is God, and not in man’s ingenuity, God will not only keep them from withering  away, but they will continue to bear fruit, and their lives will show the radiance of God’s glory. The heat is indiscriminate, it will affect the ungodly and the godly. Bad things do happen to godly people, but the godly have been planted by the source of living water. They will survive, they will overcome, they will flourish. don’t let the heat of this world destroy you, spread your roots and tap into the River of Life.

Living Forever

John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Living forever and ever and never dying is hard to grasp living in these bodies that are corruptible. Surely, this earthy body will pass away and return to the dust of the earth. The words of Jesus give us hope that even tho this earthen vessel will one day vanish, that the essence of who we are will live on eternally. The conditions given to us by God is that we live and believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and life. He is the source of eternal life and those who believe that He is, God will reward them that will seek after Him. For in Him, is the resurrection of life from the dead. Once dead in our trespasses and sin, He has quicken us in our spiritual essences to be alive unto God. Death in this human body is certain for all of us, but life is just as certain to whosoever will believe in Him. Not only do I desire to believe in Him, but I also desire to live in Him. “I’m crucify with Christ, nevertheless, it is not I, but Christ that lives within me” We see through a glass darkly, but one day, we will see clearly, and we will live eternally with the One who saves us by His grace.

Planted by the Waters

Jer. 17:7,8a - Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river…

A tree that is planted by the water never worries about staying alive. As long as the river flows, the roots of that tree are feed and refreshed daily. A man who puts their trust in God does not have to worry about the circumstances that surround them. They have tapped into the source of life and are refreshed in their spirits day by day. Those who trust in the flesh have been deceived and their hearts are far from knowing the true source of life. They think they have life, but they are living a lie. At the end of the day, they are empty and void of any real spiritual life. Real life comes from trusting in the Lord and putting our hope in the one who able to work all things to His glory. 

The Breath of Life

Gen 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Made from the dust of the earth, man’s form was created. Creation is a Biblical truth that modern science refuses to accept. Christians who believe God’s Word is inerrant and inspired by the Holy Spirit accept by faith that God is the Creator of life. Life did not evolve from some protein amino acid molecules and over billions of years is now manifested in the likeness of mankind. Jesus, the Son of God, validated the truths given to us in the OT on many occasions as He opened the Scripture to teach and show others the way to find God and live for Him. The evidence given to us in science how the life began is suspect and comes from those who refuse to believe that God chose to give life to man by breathing on man. The breath of life comes from Him, He is the source of all that is good and all that lives. In Him and through Him the world is held together. As we take in air to breath. let us not forget who gave us the air to breath. God and God alone is the giving of life. praise Him for all that He provides.

Treasures in Earthen Vessels

2 Corinth 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We all are earthen vessels formed by the hand of God from the dust of the earth. The breath of life is given to us by our Maker. He sent His son to take on the form of this vessel, to walk and live among us. The true treasures of life is to know the Son, and to know that His blood covers every sin that besets us. Though we breath the air of this earth, we are all dead in our sins. The excellency of the power of God has made it possible for us to have this earthen vessel filled with the Holy Spirit. Pauls says, I’m crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live” Not by any power that we possess, but by the power of God we are made alive in Christ. This treasure is available to anyone who allows Christ to come into their heart and is made Lord of their life. “There was a day, that this earthen vessel was empty and lifeless, but a day came when He filled my vessel with His presence, and now I possess a treasure that comes from God alone".

In The Spirit

Romans: 8:8,9a So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit…”

A person who has turned their life over to Christ will no longer live a life of sin. The scripture is clear that if Christ be in you, then the Spirit will provide the means for the Christians to overcome the temptation to sin. We were born in sin and were dead in our sin, but accepting and believing in Jesus has allowed the Spirit to quicken us to life. Once dead in sin, now alive in Christ. Through the Spirit we are able to subdue lustful desires that originate from the carnal body. If we desire to please God, we cannot allow the flesh to rule how we act and behave. We must deny (mortify)  any fleshly desire by the help of the Spirit in order to please God. 

We Believe

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

What does it mean to believe in the Name of Jesus? Many believe and history records that there was a man who walked this earth and His name was Jesus, but to believe in His Name is to believe and accept that He came to save us from our sins. Darkness fills the world because the heart’s of men are darken by the sin in their lives. Believing that Jesus is the Light that will dispel the darkness and bring a person out of sin is to believe in His Name. To those who believe in His name, and have received Him into their lives, He gives them power over sin. Sin no longer has its hold, we are set free from the bondage of sin. Where we were once blind, we now see because we believe. We believe in God the Father, we believe in God the Son, we believe in the Holy Spirit, we believe in the Three in One.  In the face of opposition, and the progressive movement of our day, we must not forget who it is that brings life and we who received Him can stand in this day and know whom we have believed in, and He is able to keep us unto the day of His coming.