Do you know anyone with the amazing `ability' to turn the best situations into something miserable? Some can always be counted on to point out the flaw, to pick out the spot, to find the downside. Not surprisingly, such people do not lead particularly happy lives. Being around them is like being near a great pit of emotional quicksand. If you get too close you might be pulled into that gloomy world of negativity!
Others find reasons to trust the Lord in the most desperate circumstances. I have little tolerance for rose-colored glasses that are used to deny reality. Sometimes life is very sad and no amount of spin can change that. Yet, even in the tragedy, faith makes a difference. Those who choose to trust, find encouragement in the Lord, and spread a kind of sunshine everywhere they go.
Robert A. Emmons, in an article on "The Joy of Thanks," considers the physical and psychological benefits of thankfulness to be almost equal to that of therapy: "My colleagues and I are finding that gratitude, which we define as a felt sense of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation for life, is more than simply a pleasant emotion to experience or a polite sentiment to express. It's, or at least can be, a basic disposition, one that seems to make lives happier, healthier, more fulfilling—and even longer." According to Emmons, recent psychological research shows that:
• A person experiencing gratitude is protected from the destructive impulses of envy and greed…
• The practice of gratitude as a spiritual discipline may cure excessive materialism and its attendant negative emotions of envy, resentment, disappointment, and bitterness…
• Gratitude supports well-being by displacing resentment, regret, and other psychological states deleterious to long-term happiness…
• Grateful people experience higher levels of positive emotions—happiness, vitality, optimism, and hope—and greater satisfaction with life. In other words, Thanksgiving could also be called `Thanks-therapy.'
Living thankfully, with a generous child-like faith (Note – not childish!) is a learned art. Regardless of our personality type we can choose to trust God, be thankful, and bless others!
In an imperative voice - that is, as direct commands that are not optional- the Bible says,
“Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100 NLT
Before you close this CoffeeBreak, close your eyes and express thankfulness to the Lord for two things. Make it real! “Praise the Lord that I’m still breathing today” isn’t what you’re reaching for in this exercise. Be genuinely thankful. “Acknowledge that the Lord is God!” You will find new strength to overcome the `joy-busters' that surround us: envy, resentment, and bitterness. A great follow-up would be a note to two people who have made your life brighter. A two-line email will bless them and lift your spirits.
Here’s a word from the Word, an ancient hymn of the people of the Lord.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1-9, NIV)
_______________________
"Father, give me eyes to see the wonder that surrounds me.
Holy Spirit, I ask that you work in me to overcome my sinful tendency to complain and to compare.
Teach me to be a true worshipper that gives you the praise that is rightfully yours.
Help me to put to death the pre-occupation with myself that blocks acceptance of life as it is rather than as I think it must be.
With faith and trust in your care, I will choose to live with an attitude of gratitude.
In Jesus' name. Amen."
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Torn up over sin?
On Tuesday evening, Bev and I were watching a primetime TV drama, when we both realized that what was happening on the screen was not right for us to be watching. We were becoming participants in the sinfulness of our culture. It’s not the first time in my life that I have come to that place! Like the proverbial frog in the kettle, I gradually grow accustomed to my environment; sadly even the sinfulness around me and in me! Distance from the Lord’s presence, carelessness about honoring His Name with my words and actions, creep over me with a little compromise here, a little adaptation there.
The Lord, in His severe mercy, will not stand by and allow us to slip into a worldly state without correction. The prophet Joel heard a message from the Spirit. “God is leading an army of destruction your way,” he told the people. The coming time of darkness was God’s way of calling them to Himself. But, it was a terrible time. "The Lord is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive?" (Joel 2:11, NLT)
Disciple, the darkness that has descended on your life may well be the loving correction of the Lord, His call for you to come closer, to be rid of affection for things of this present world. As difficult as it may be to accept, this trial may be a gift from Him to turn you from the path that leads to death! So, what should we do in those times? Screaming, “It’s not fair!” is an exercise in futility. Running around trying to find someone to explain why it’s all happening is not much use either! Psychologists can explain our human nature. Sociologists can point out cultural choices. But, knowing why we sin is not as important as turning from it! “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." (Joel 2:12-13, NIV)
A superficial repentance that effects only the external parts of life is insufficient. "Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” (NLT) If we allow the Spirit to come close to us, if we will fast from our feast on diversions, if we will press in to worship; our hearts will feel His grief over sin – in ourselves, in this world around us. We will become torn up over sin!
Joel’s message is not all gloom. "Then the Lord will pity his people and jealously guard the honor of his land. The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations." (Joel 2:18-19, NLT) "Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring." (Joel 2:23, NLT)
Do you long for His presence where there is lasting joy and life to the full? Take this word from the Word as your own this day. Know that the fulfillment of God’s promise may not always lead you to pleasant paths and days of sunshine, for in His severe mercy, He will call us to His heart. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV)
__________________
Let me be a man
With a perfect heart,
Let me be a son
Who will please You, Father;
Let me be a child
Who reveals Your will
In all I do and say.
Fill me with Your Spirit,
Lord, I pray, that Jesus
Will be seen in all of my life;
Let me be a son
Who will please You, Father,
Let me be a man
With a perfect heart.
A Man With A Perfect Heart
Hayford, Jack
© 1995 Annamarie Music (Maranatha! Music [Admin. by The Copyright Company])
CCLI License No. 810055
The Lord, in His severe mercy, will not stand by and allow us to slip into a worldly state without correction. The prophet Joel heard a message from the Spirit. “God is leading an army of destruction your way,” he told the people. The coming time of darkness was God’s way of calling them to Himself. But, it was a terrible time. "The Lord is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive?" (Joel 2:11, NLT)
Disciple, the darkness that has descended on your life may well be the loving correction of the Lord, His call for you to come closer, to be rid of affection for things of this present world. As difficult as it may be to accept, this trial may be a gift from Him to turn you from the path that leads to death! So, what should we do in those times? Screaming, “It’s not fair!” is an exercise in futility. Running around trying to find someone to explain why it’s all happening is not much use either! Psychologists can explain our human nature. Sociologists can point out cultural choices. But, knowing why we sin is not as important as turning from it! “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." (Joel 2:12-13, NIV)
A superficial repentance that effects only the external parts of life is insufficient. "Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” (NLT) If we allow the Spirit to come close to us, if we will fast from our feast on diversions, if we will press in to worship; our hearts will feel His grief over sin – in ourselves, in this world around us. We will become torn up over sin!
Joel’s message is not all gloom. "Then the Lord will pity his people and jealously guard the honor of his land. The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations." (Joel 2:18-19, NLT) "Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring." (Joel 2:23, NLT)
Do you long for His presence where there is lasting joy and life to the full? Take this word from the Word as your own this day. Know that the fulfillment of God’s promise may not always lead you to pleasant paths and days of sunshine, for in His severe mercy, He will call us to His heart. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV)
__________________
Let me be a man
With a perfect heart,
Let me be a son
Who will please You, Father;
Let me be a child
Who reveals Your will
In all I do and say.
Fill me with Your Spirit,
Lord, I pray, that Jesus
Will be seen in all of my life;
Let me be a son
Who will please You, Father,
Let me be a man
With a perfect heart.
A Man With A Perfect Heart
Hayford, Jack
© 1995 Annamarie Music (Maranatha! Music [Admin. by The Copyright Company])
CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
RESCUE!
My newspaper carried a huge headline today: Rescue! The word is all over the media and for good reason. 33 men, trapped deep inside the earth in a Chilean mine for 69 days, were finally being lifted to the surface through a specially drilled tunnel that pierced the earth for more than a half mile. In all the bleak news, this story is cause for joy. Men that most had given up for dead were found after 17 days alive in a chamber off of the collapsed mine. From that moment, huge amounts of money and effort went into creating a way to bring them home.
“I once was lost, but now I’m found” wrote John Newton, who himself was rescued from a dark place, far from God! Let me remind you of the fact that all of us needed rescue. We were trapped, by sin, our doom certain, without hope. “But God,” the Scripture says, "is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, NLT) At great expense to Himself, Jesus Christ came to us and made the Way for us to be restored to life, set on the road that leads Home!
Have you forgotten? Do you remember, each day, to thank the Lord for eternal life, for hope, for the sustaining power of His Spirit? Those Chilean miners will never forget the 12th of October, when they were in essence ‘raised from the dead.’ They have no illusions about their hopeless condition, that they could not save themselves. Let’s not give any space in our minds to the delusions of self-help, either. We could not and cannot save ourselves. “It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved.” We ought to shout it loud and say it often. “I once was lost, but now I’m found!”
Here is a song of praise for the rescued. Read it and give thanks. If you are still in need of rescue, pray earnestly and receive His promise of salvation!
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods." (Psalm 40:1-4, NIV)
_____________
You are beautiful beyond description,
Too marvelous for words,
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom,
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above.
And I stand, I stand in awe of You.
I stand, I stand in awe of You.
Holy God, to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You.
I Stand In Awe
Altrogge, Mark
PDI Ministries © 1987 People Of Destiny International (Admin. by PDI Ministries)
CCLI License No. 810055
“I once was lost, but now I’m found” wrote John Newton, who himself was rescued from a dark place, far from God! Let me remind you of the fact that all of us needed rescue. We were trapped, by sin, our doom certain, without hope. “But God,” the Scripture says, "is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, NLT) At great expense to Himself, Jesus Christ came to us and made the Way for us to be restored to life, set on the road that leads Home!
Have you forgotten? Do you remember, each day, to thank the Lord for eternal life, for hope, for the sustaining power of His Spirit? Those Chilean miners will never forget the 12th of October, when they were in essence ‘raised from the dead.’ They have no illusions about their hopeless condition, that they could not save themselves. Let’s not give any space in our minds to the delusions of self-help, either. We could not and cannot save ourselves. “It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved.” We ought to shout it loud and say it often. “I once was lost, but now I’m found!”
Here is a song of praise for the rescued. Read it and give thanks. If you are still in need of rescue, pray earnestly and receive His promise of salvation!
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods." (Psalm 40:1-4, NIV)
_____________
You are beautiful beyond description,
Too marvelous for words,
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom,
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above.
And I stand, I stand in awe of You.
I stand, I stand in awe of You.
Holy God, to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You.
I Stand In Awe
Altrogge, Mark
PDI Ministries © 1987 People Of Destiny International (Admin. by PDI Ministries)
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
You're an Insider!
In the world of investments, there are strict regulations on so-called ‘insider trading.’ That is when a person uses information not available to the general public to purchase or sell securities to gain profit, often at the expense of those who are without his ‘inside’ information. Just about every group and/or profession has ‘insiders,’ people with access to power or perks. How those who are on the outside can slide into envy of those who are inside!
Here’s a wonderful fact: God invites you and me to be ‘insiders!’
Knowing Him, walking in His favor, is not a privilege reserved for a certain race, sex, or ethnicity. You don’t have be tall, beautiful, born into a family with connections, or an Ivy League grad to enjoy insider status with the Lord. You only need a heart that hungers to know Him, a mind that is open to His Spirit, and faith to receive the promises through Christ Jesus.
The ancient church in the city of Corinth struggled with a problem that is still around. People possessed by pride fought for privilege and power. Everybody wanted insider status so they could enjoy the esteem and perks that came with recognition. Does that temptation gnaw at you? Here’s what the Lord said to that church and He is still saying it to us.
"We preach Christ crucified: … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:23-31, NIV)
In the Roman world, there was no fate worse than crucifixion. A Roman citizen could not be crucified, no matter his crime! It was a way to intimidate conquered people, a cruelty handed down to those without power, to ‘outsiders.’ So this passage begins with a reference to the lowest, the most despised. God chose to exalt His Son on a Cross. In the minds of most, it was an act of utter foolishness. But to the faithful, the Cross was the point of salvation, the entry point to the blessings of the Kingdom. Through the obedience of Christ on the Cross, those willing to believe are able to receive the insider blessings of heaven!
The passage goes on to teach us that our insider status provides amazing insight. "We … speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. … God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. … We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:12, NIV)
Are you taking advantage of your insider status?
Are you using the wisdom available to you, living maturely and with insight?
A final thought is this: We are blessed to be a blessing! God has not called us into a special club so that we can sit apart from the rest of humanity, looking out of our place in His grace with pride and exclusivity. Our calling is to take the blessings, to use the status, to ennoble others by inviting them to share His grace. Yes, those of us who are ‘in Christ’ are ultimate insiders who use our connections to reach out to our world.
___________________________
Here’s a wonderful fact: God invites you and me to be ‘insiders!’
Knowing Him, walking in His favor, is not a privilege reserved for a certain race, sex, or ethnicity. You don’t have be tall, beautiful, born into a family with connections, or an Ivy League grad to enjoy insider status with the Lord. You only need a heart that hungers to know Him, a mind that is open to His Spirit, and faith to receive the promises through Christ Jesus.
The ancient church in the city of Corinth struggled with a problem that is still around. People possessed by pride fought for privilege and power. Everybody wanted insider status so they could enjoy the esteem and perks that came with recognition. Does that temptation gnaw at you? Here’s what the Lord said to that church and He is still saying it to us.
"We preach Christ crucified: … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:23-31, NIV)
In the Roman world, there was no fate worse than crucifixion. A Roman citizen could not be crucified, no matter his crime! It was a way to intimidate conquered people, a cruelty handed down to those without power, to ‘outsiders.’ So this passage begins with a reference to the lowest, the most despised. God chose to exalt His Son on a Cross. In the minds of most, it was an act of utter foolishness. But to the faithful, the Cross was the point of salvation, the entry point to the blessings of the Kingdom. Through the obedience of Christ on the Cross, those willing to believe are able to receive the insider blessings of heaven!
The passage goes on to teach us that our insider status provides amazing insight. "We … speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. … God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. … We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:12, NIV)
Are you taking advantage of your insider status?
Are you using the wisdom available to you, living maturely and with insight?
A final thought is this: We are blessed to be a blessing! God has not called us into a special club so that we can sit apart from the rest of humanity, looking out of our place in His grace with pride and exclusivity. Our calling is to take the blessings, to use the status, to ennoble others by inviting them to share His grace. Yes, those of us who are ‘in Christ’ are ultimate insiders who use our connections to reach out to our world.
___________________________
Monday, October 11, 2010
Anticipation!
"He's coming soon, ... with joy we welcome His returning!" The song came to mind as I walked in the early morning dawn. The streaks in the eastern sky made me think of the coming of His Kingdom. The hope of Jesus' return for His Church is as old as Christianity. In times good and bad, that blessed hope draws us to faithfulness, to serve our Lord; or does it? Have we become so settled in this life, such creatures of this present age, that little desire for the Second Coming of the Lord remains?
The Apocalypse, the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, is a key to understanding our faith, yet so often we either ignore it or we torture all kinds of strange interpretations from it. In vivid picture language, John wrote to a persecuted church to encourage them to stand fast, to endure the onslaught of evil. Behind every word of encouragement there is the promise: the Day is coming when all will be set right by the coming the Lord! "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. ... He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:12-13,20, NIV) The Second Coming is not a minor doctrine, tucked into the Scripture as a footnote in the Church's doctrines! Though some of us treat it as such, it God's summation of it all: the moment when the tension of the storyline of salvation is resolved!
Jesus Christ referred to the Second Coming often. He said it meant the arrival of the Kingdom of God in perfection! "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:27-28, NIV)
Paul urged the Church to remember her hope was in the coming of the Lord. "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, NIV)
I confess that am was one of those who made this glorious truth a minor part of my faith for too long. I was put off by the kooky, spooky, goofy teachings that were wrapped around it by those more interested in attracting a crowd by spinning their myths than by urging the Church to hopeful holiness! I repent!
Now, every day I look forward to the coming of Lord. The promise does not make me less engaged with life, less concerned for the care of Creation, or without compassion for the lost and hungry around me. On the contrary! The coming of the Lord is the most powerful motivation to faithful steady discipleship. John says, "Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure." (1 John 3:2-3, NLT)
Are you looking for the coming of the Lord?
_______________________
Mystery
Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven broken for me
Cup of Salvation held out to drink
Jesus, mystery
Christ has died and
Christ is risen
Christ will come again
Celebrate His death and rising
Lift your eyes proclaim His coming
Celebrate His death and rising
Lift your eyes lift your eyes
Christ has died and
Christ is risen
Christ will come again
© 2008 worshiptogether.com songs
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin.
The Apocalypse, the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, is a key to understanding our faith, yet so often we either ignore it or we torture all kinds of strange interpretations from it. In vivid picture language, John wrote to a persecuted church to encourage them to stand fast, to endure the onslaught of evil. Behind every word of encouragement there is the promise: the Day is coming when all will be set right by the coming the Lord! "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. ... He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:12-13,20, NIV) The Second Coming is not a minor doctrine, tucked into the Scripture as a footnote in the Church's doctrines! Though some of us treat it as such, it God's summation of it all: the moment when the tension of the storyline of salvation is resolved!
Jesus Christ referred to the Second Coming often. He said it meant the arrival of the Kingdom of God in perfection! "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:27-28, NIV)
Paul urged the Church to remember her hope was in the coming of the Lord. "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, NIV)
I confess that am was one of those who made this glorious truth a minor part of my faith for too long. I was put off by the kooky, spooky, goofy teachings that were wrapped around it by those more interested in attracting a crowd by spinning their myths than by urging the Church to hopeful holiness! I repent!
Now, every day I look forward to the coming of Lord. The promise does not make me less engaged with life, less concerned for the care of Creation, or without compassion for the lost and hungry around me. On the contrary! The coming of the Lord is the most powerful motivation to faithful steady discipleship. John says, "Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure." (1 John 3:2-3, NLT)
Are you looking for the coming of the Lord?
_______________________
Mystery
Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven broken for me
Cup of Salvation held out to drink
Jesus, mystery
Christ has died and
Christ is risen
Christ will come again
Celebrate His death and rising
Lift your eyes proclaim His coming
Celebrate His death and rising
Lift your eyes lift your eyes
Christ has died and
Christ is risen
Christ will come again
© 2008 worshiptogether.com songs
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin.
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