So when this . . . mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 CORINTHIANS 15:54
People addicted to the need for recognition want their name to live forever. A famous real estate developer in our day has built and acquired numerous properties and buildings in New York City and attached his name to all of them. Perhaps he thinks that if he can get his name on enough things he will be immortal and that, after his death, his name will live on. The problem is that moth and rust eventually corrupt, and thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). To what will the name be attached then? If you know the Word of God, you know that immortality does not come from our achievements but from a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. While it is true that every person will live forever, only those in Christ will truly live. If you know the Lord, you don’t have to worry about immortality. It’s yours. God has given it to you as part of your gift of eternal life. You don’t have to do all the things people do today to make sure they are remembered forever. If you live and die in Jesus Christ, you will be immortal.
Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. 1 SAMUEL 23:16
Army historian Brigadier General S. L. A. Marshall, after extensive interviews with soldiers returning from combat, concluded that the primary motivation for a soldier to fight is a sense of unity with his immediate combat unit. “I hold it to be one of the simplest truths of war,” he said, “that the thing which enables an infantry soldier to keep going . . . is the near presence or presumed presence of a comrade.” Paul didn’t go to the mission field alone; he always had partners. Jesus sent His evangelists two by two. The three Hebrews in Daniel 3 proved that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). What would David have done without Jonathan’s support in the wilderness? Even our Lord Jesus wanted His closest friends near Him in Gethsemane. Our faith is strengthened when godly peers stand with us in difficulty. But the question isn’t, “Do I have a close friend on whom I can lean?” It’s, “How can I be such a friend?” Look around today for someone needing encouragement. Spend extra time praying for one in need. Be cheerful at work or school. Speak to the custodian. Share a verse with a neighbor. Brighten the corner where you are! - Both are from Dr. David Jeremiah Morning and Evening
I read an interesting topic yesterday and since God's not let me forget it, here we are today writing about it. A few examples showed up in regards to this in Dr. David Jeremiah's Morning and Evening. That to do with a form of immortality in recognition and that of the responsibility of a believer.
Would Christianity Survive if it depended upon you to keep it alive?
Another way of putting this is: If Christianity were indeed a crime would there be enough evidence to convict you?
In many countries simply having it said that a person converted and came to Christ is enough to be beheaded.
But indeed think about your life that you claim in Christ, are you a light in this dark world or are you trying to shine for yourself?
Many that I see on LinkedIn are about pushing Leadership. Of how they have moved up in the company to be a Leader. Truth is there are no leaders in the body of Christ but Christ Jesus Himself. Pastors are servants as much as those who just received Christ as their Savior and Lord. One and the same.
If our great communication system we have so enjoyed since the 60's til now were gone and people honestly had to go back to getting to know people the way it had been for centuries, would they learn about you or about your faith in Christ Jesus?
To read of the way this world is headed, I would be greatly surprised if our global communication system survives the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
Our lives as believers shouldn't be a reflection of how the world has changed us!
Our lives as believers shouldn't be that of how great we are, but a reflection of how great our God is.
Our lives as believers shouldn't be about our desires being fulfilled, our wants and demands coming about. Realistically consider what Jesus said. There's significant consequences to a life in Christ because He said if the world hated Him they would hate us too.
The world doesn't want to be shown Christianity.
The world wants to see compliant Christian people who stay to themselves.
The world wants to eliminate all reminders that God is real, sin has condemned mankind, and that Jesus is returning to put an end to things and bring about the Kingdom of God.
Would you be a reflection of Christ Jesus or you?
Are you more about your comfort and ease than you are in obedience to God?
Do you have the Isaiah mindset of "Here am I, send me!" or are you avoiding the call of God in your life? Trust me, my Dear Reader, there are no bench seats for Believers in Christ Jesus. There are no sidelines. Nobody not on the field of play. Those who do not do the Will of God often find themselves pressed to do so. But be aware God knows when a person who claims the name of Jesus isn't going to obey.
Think about your walk with Jesus. Are you setting aside your wants, desires, maybe even your comfort to do work for the Kingdom? Some may say that isn't what coming to Christ is about. Go look at the 4 Gospels. God was sure that someone would doubt so He provided 4 copies of life as a Disciple. To take up your own cross means setting aside what is your will and replacing it with the Will of God.
If it means moving, then move. If it means no longer compromising then don't compromise. If it means driving farther to get fed the Word of God the way you are supposed to be fed then do it. Don't put up with what isn't going to have you serving Jesus the way you need to be.
Don't show the world a watered-down Christ. Don't show anyone anything that isn't a reflection of Christ in you. So what if you aren't popular. So what if you aren't climbing the corporate ladder. So what if nobody ever knows your name. As the Bible says just make sure your name is written in the Book of Life and that Jesus is your Savior and Lord. Make sure.
Lastly, consider how great the importance is in hearing from Jesus "Well done, good and faithful servant". Will you hear that? Or will you hear something else?
Indeed we all have likely a job to do to provide for ourselves and our families.
But that doesn't mean we are putting our life in Christ on hold until we clock out to go home.
Each day should be about the Father's business of doing something for Jesus. Prayer for others. Bearing one another’s burdens. Helping even if we don't feel like it. If we have been blessed, share it with others. If we are in need share the need, give thanks for having the need and give thanks when God provides. Be in the Word of God every day. Set your mind on things above, not on the things of this world. God never blessed anyone to keep that blessing to themselves. We often don't bless others because of fear of not having enough ourselves. Ever really think about how ridiculous that is? God blessed you once to give you that blessing and now you are afraid He won't do it again?
If Christianity were depending on you to survive, what would you use to teach others? What would they see in your life that says "Hey! I want what you have!".
I confess that much of my life has been incredibly selfish. Lived in fear of this or that.
Even with saying that I am a Christian. As I have written about this transition to a slower life in my new hometown, I have choices to consider in regards to what to do with my life.
My desire since October 2021 has been for God’s Will, my sanctification.
My desire hasn't changed. I have been forced to go through many things that scared me to death since October. There's things on the horizon that scare me as well.
Wherever I go I want to be found DOING the work that God has in mind for me to be doing.
I have enough to be embarrassed about before Christ when I see Him again face-to-face. I certainly do not want to add to that now.
Think about what your life shows others about what you believe. Not what you say you believe but what you show others. Think about your position. Are you trying to sit on the sidelines that God says aren't there for those who are in Christ? Are you pressing on with your wants and desires or are you taking up your own cross to follow Christ Jesus?
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