WAS & IS ETERNAL LIFE

Romans 6: ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

You know I've driven past, and walk past hundreds if not more tombstones, and I must say the one pictured here is a pretty fancy way to put a cap on the life of someone that has gone on into eternity.   I mean sometimes without knowing the person you still make assumptions based on what you see.   Think about it.....if this was someone's head piece, what would you think?   

Today's devotion is not about the decorativeness or expense of tombstones, but rather it is about realizing what are you doing with this thing, this gift called LIFE.  WHY?  Because someday it will end, and someone will need to make a decision on how you are to be buried, and what will the head stone be, or say.    But what's more important than all that is ........what have you done?  Every tombstone has a birth date seperated by a dash (hyphen) then death date.  The scripture says that we have turned from our old way of living and have traded in that life of bondage to the world & it's systems to become slaves of God.   We literally have swapped what we thought was living (really for ourselves) for ETERNAL LIFE (living for Christ's Glory). 

There's no candy coating it folks WE ALL WILL DIE; some peaceful, some in pain, some horrific, even some very very lonely...but the wages of our sins produce death, but have you accepted the BEST GIFT EVER; ETERNAL LIFE?   It is this comfort in knowing that the hyphen (between the birth date and death date) is filled with great works where one lived not for themselves or their gain but for the GLORY & GAIN of JESUS CHRIST.  The benefits of accepting this freely given GIFT are holiness which then leads to ETERNAL LIFE.  Since none of us know exactly when our lives will end on this side of eternity, it becomes INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO LIVE EACH DAY as if it were the last.........which means begining now we all need to focus all of our ENERGIES today and LGLP!

The Holy Spirit

ACTS 2:³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What was it that they heard....the people...that caused them to be cut to the heart?  THE GOSPEL, and the fact that they had been living ignorantly, and their living was what led to Christ being crucified for their sakes.    So they asked Peter, what must we do now.......

That's the questions we should be asking ourselves after EVERY sermon, EVERY radio ministry broadcase we listen to...., EVERY BLOGPOST, EVERYTIME the Gospel is presented to us, even if by way of a song.....that we must find ourselves repenting for our behaviors that have caused shame/pain to the cause of Christ, so that we may recieve the indwelling gift of His power, grace, mercy & comfort via.......the Holy Spirit.    It is this gift that when we yield to it's authority working in us, that allows us to keep our cool.  It's the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that allows us to see things as they really are (Matthew 16:12-14).  It is this gift that allows us the ability to truly do GOOD in the world.    It is this gift that comforts us when we are coping with great losses.  It is this gift that, when we allow it to, will lead us beside still waters and gives us the rest we need.  It is this very gift that is a clear sign (fruits of the Spirit) that GOD is at work in us for His glory!

So many have recieved new phones, ipads, nooks, cars, clothes, money, proposals (diamonds), etc, all of which are completely carnal, and will fade, fail, or lose it's value....but have  you recieved the Holy Spirit?  Will you pray for HIM to be present in you?  Will you humble yourself to recieve HIM, and allow HIM to work in & through you for the GLORY OF GOD?  It's not about speaking in tongues....that's one of the manifestations of HIM...but not the end all...its totally about allowing God's Spirit to dwell in your body.  LGLP

SATISFACTION W/LIFE

^Eccl.3:12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. ¹³ And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

If you can't see anything in this picture you should see the livelieness of it.   People seem to be genuinely enjoying themselves.   If you look close enough you can actually see people doing one ir not a combination of the eating, drinking or being merry.   Today's scripture is written by King Solomon and in this chapter it's famous for him communicating there is a time & season for everything...and as he closes the chapter he mentions that there is really nothing better than simply the ability to enjoy life.  GOD knows I've had my share of sucesses, fun times, abuse, tragedies & heart break, but to know me......is to KNOW I LOVE LIFE & LIVING.  But how is it that some of us are having the time of our lives, but we work alongside, live next to, folks that are battling depression, alcoholism, abuse, and so many other tragedies? 

Easily put....there is a time and season for everything, BUT.......GOD desire is that we'd endure these tragedies with an eternal perspective, which helps us...and empowers us to encourage others, to realize THIS TO SHALL PASS!   Truth be told...we know people who are trying to do this thing called LIFE, completely without GOD.   Which is why they aren't finding satisfaction.   I can be satisfied in any circumstance (like Joseph when being sold into slavery, imprisioned, lied on...etc) as long as I know GOD is with me.     Which (by knowing this) then should encourage us to positively approach every venue life and living brings.   WHY BECAUSE THIS (LIFE, our JOBS) IS A GIFT from GOD.    We can't accept the CROWN unless we endure the CROSS.....so today eat, drink, and be merry for we don't know when this PARTY called life will end....so let's remember to remember GOD in our celebrations, & GOD's goodness toward us as the celebrations of LIFE continue.   LGLP!

WHY GIVE?

Deut. 16:16-17 No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed: ¹⁷ Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

There are many saying as it relates to us giving vs. God's giving unto us.   One in particular; " You can't beat God's giving..." In the above Old Testament scripture the context is as it relates to 3 festivals that the body was to present a present to the church as it related to " proportion of how the LORD blessed you."

While we are still in the gift giving season, I want to simply ask you, what was it that you pledged to Christ on His birthday?  Surely you didn't celebrate His birthday, spent hundred or thousands of dollars on presents and not one consideration to the ONE whose birthday you are actually celebrating?   Ok, let me approach this a little differently.....HOW GOOD HAS GOD BEEN TO YOU?  Like in " It's A Wonderful Life" despite what all you may not have, or think you should have, or want to have do you even see your life as a gift?  AS THE BEST POSSIBLE GIFT?

The devotion today is more of a question than it is a statement....WHY GIVE???????  Because so much has been given to you...this is why!   What can you present to CHRIST.....simply your life.  Devote more time to worshipping Him.  Devote more time, and become strategic at it, in including him during your day.  Stop sitting, and start serving in the ministry you feel called or led to be in.   Join a bible study and/or small group.  START A SMALL GROUP if you are led to. LOVE YOUR WIFE AS CHRIST LOVED & GAVE HIMSELF for the church.  Don't know what that looks like....well first become the church, and stop just going. Believe me, you'll begin to then understand.   Stop loving yourself more than others, and start loving them like you love yourself.  Pay attention to those less fortunate, and serve them.   Stop living contrary to the way you desire your kids to live.  Paul said in Romans: give your life as the only reasonable sacrifice..........LGLP

GIFT GIVING 101: Check Your Motive

Genesis 30:19-20 ⁹ Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. ²⁰ Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.”

If you know this story, your heart should go out to Leah, while she wasn't Jacob's desired wife, she became his wife through trickery, and furthermore struggled her entire life attempting to win his attention and affection.   As you saw, she was on her 6th child and thought for sure this time, Jacob would treat her with profound honor.  Sad to say, that isn't what happened at all.  Some of you have empty out your accounts, and spent above and beyond what you had to spend in hopes that your children would behave better,  accept you, or respect you more.  Some purchased diamonds, ipad 2s and even Lexuses because this for sure would deepen their love, affection or respect for you.    But the truth is, sad to say, that gift may get loss, may lose it's shine, may cease to function and possibly even forgotten about over time.   The motives behind the wise men gifitng the Christ child, were pure and profound. 

So why did you purchase the______________________?   No really we thought or think that Leah had to be out of her mind at child no. 6 that Jacob was going to treat her any differently that he did with children 1-5.   I challenge each person reading this blog today, to answer the question with meaning......WHY, what was your goal or primary intent in purchasing____________________, and were you successful?  Did your motives ultimately glorify God?   LGLP

Also for any additional info check out:  Proverbs 16:1-3,James 4:3