 Eventually if we are blessed by God to grow older, we will be longing for the day when we can trade in our worn out earthly bodies for brand new incorruptible bodies fit for heaven.
2 Corinthians 5 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. We should not cling to life so much that it hinders our pleasing the Lord, since Paul says that we will be ‘at home’ with the Lord when we die to this earth. After a long day at work, when I roll up my driveway, I get that feeling of being glad to be home at last. Well imagine that, only a thousand times better. Paul goes on with an admonition to the Corinthians (and us) regarding the rewards (or not) that we will receive. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. The early church had all the same problems that we have today. God sees whether we have sincere hearts or not, whether we are just making a show of caring about redemption and restoration or if we really do have his heart. We should tremble and examine ourselves daily to make sure that we are acting out of love and not out of selfishness. Maybe now is a good time to get on our knees and ask; “Am I doing Your will Lord? Am I succeeding as a sincere ambassador for You?” and then listen……. By Sanne Esque
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When life brings us U-turns, and makes us stop, out of our ordinary days, What should we do? -Some Days the changes are unexpected- things just happen. Sometimes issues of life may bring sadness or even tears of joy, on happy occasions. I find that God brings in the unexpected to show us just that life isn't always going to be easy.
Today I will chose to take my burdens to the Lord and allow Him to help me find peace and joy in my circumstance. That peace and joy comes from knowing God is in control, and that there is victory in Jesus. I won’t let the distractions of life keep me from being faithful in doing what God has called me to do with my life. I will give those things that are out of my control to the Lord, and focus on those things that are in my control. That is the only way to deal with whatever life throws at you. Place your problems in God's hands and have faith that He will do the impossible in your life. The LORD shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14....In all things- Lord, be my guide and help me to be strong and stay focused on you! Amen.  The Lord has put you where you are for a purpose. Look around. Your assignment is to love others like you would want to be loved. Someone hurting? Love them. Listen to them. Don't judge. Pray for them and with them. Sometimes the most important thing we do is just to be there. You will find that your own hurts lessen a bit. Its because you are being blessed by the Holy Spirit who is empowering you. Can't give a hug because you don't really know them that well? Smile..... offer a genuine compliment to brighten their day. Doesn't seem like much, but these little things are what make you the light in this world. You and I care because Jesus cared. That's our motivation....... His type of caring is with no strings attached. You don't have to be best buds (or bffs!) to lift up another human being. Jesus gave up all rights and humbled himself to the pain and humiliation of the cross before we were even born. All for the joy awaiting.....the redemption of God's beloved children. That's you and me and every other person on the planet. But to open one's heart to Jesus, for some, is going to mean letting down walls, first- and then letting in one caring person......maybe you will be the one that will plant the seed of love in one person's hurting heart today. The seed that will take root, sprout and blossom into enough faith to believe that Jesus can love them because they saw and felt that love......through you.
Be blessed, my friends.......Linda Robertson |
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