Living in light of eternity

  So, where do we get the common phrase, "blessed to be a blessing"?   The idea comes originally from the book of Genesis where God appears to Abraham .  “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing . I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed .” (Genesis 12:1-3, ESV) If you think about it, this is a pretty radical idea. Not only does almighty God want to bless those who respond in faith, but also that He wants to work through us to bless others! 1.       God wants to bless us. Our heavenly Father loves us dearly as any father would love their very own children. “For God so loved the world , that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal li...

  When you think about it, sleep is a very strange thing.   We’ve been doing it since we were born, and studies show infants sleep even in the womb.    They say you will spend a third of your life in this state.   As I get older, I find myself sleeping more.   When possible, I like a short nap after lunch, although these short naps seem to be getting longer all the time.   But consider for a minute the state of sleep: We are removed from the day-to-day realities. We may have dreams that take us on exciting or scary adventures. We are in a state of vulnerability. (A thief could break in and steal). We do not have full control of our faculties. (People sometimes hurt themselves while sleepwalking ). The Bible often uses sleeping as a metaphor for spiritual sluggishness.   We are admonished to "wake up".   Here are few of the most notable examples: “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who...

  We live in a world where we often feel vulnerable. There are earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, mudslides, etc. As children were often scared of spiders, snakes, and large dogs.   There is much in our physical world to be afraid of.   But beyond the physical world, there is also the world of men.   We may experience the fear of rejection or the fear of failure . If we’ve lost a loved one, we may develop the fear of abandonment . In other words, we often feel powerless and vulnerable in this world. Fortunately, we don’t feel this way all the time. Unfortunately, we do feel fear more often than we would like. You may be interested to know that this was not the original design. God intended for humans to live in close fellowship with him, always feeling his protection and his love. We were to live in a world that was safe- in a world where we had control over the forces around us. But unfortunately, man decided to go his own way, and when he rebelled agains...

  For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace . (Ro 6:14) The book of Romans is deeply profound, and often hard to understand.   One of the more puzzling sections are chapters 6-8.   Paul seems to be saying two things at the same time.   On the one hand, in chapter 6, he tells us we have a new capacity to resist sin.   On the other hand, in chapter 7 he paints a vivid picture of enslavement to sin.     For we know that the law is spiritual—but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin. For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate. (Ro 7:14-15) The casual reader may wonder, "Which is it?”   Let’s look at it carefully…  Leading up to chapter 6 he clearly shows that all have sinned, and we are saved through the redemption in Christ.   for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace throug...

Throughout the Bible the fear of man is often contrasted with the fear of God .  When it speaks of the fear of God, it is not referring to a sinister dread, but rather an awesome honor and respect. And there are great blessings associated with a proper fear of God… The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10) The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. (Proverbs 19:23) Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it. (Proverbs 15:16)  And Jesus is our perfect example.  In John 8:28-29 Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” Throughout His earthly life Jesus lived in perfect harmony a...

  To the person who has never seriously studied the life and death of Christ, it might appear that he was a VICTIM. Nothing could be further from the truth.  At first glance one might think his death was caused by the Jewish authorities- the scribes and the Pharisees.  After they questioned him, the High Priest said, "He deserves death!" (Matthew 26:65-66) Or was it the everyday person?  When Pilate was questioning him, he seemed reluctant to issue a verdict.  Pilate said, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” (Jn 19:4) To that, the crowds said, "Crucify him!" (Matthew 27:23) Finally, Pilate handed him over to be scourged and crucified. (Matthew27:29)  So, who was responsible for the death of Jesus?  Was it the Jewish leaders, the everyday person, or Pilate?  Or was it all three? Upon a closer look, we discover that the suffering and death of the Messiah was a plan conceived in the heart and mind ...