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Author: dbirsch

Light in the Darkness!

Light in the Darkness!

The other evening while sitting on our small lakeside patio and reveling in the quiet and calming view, I was delighted to realize I was in the presence of a number of fireflies … their beacons beaming brightly.

What an amazing insect!  Amazing, but actually quite common.  At least in more rural, lower-light areas.

Fireflies – also referred to as lightening bugs – are beetles that use bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or, in some species, prey.  There are actually over 2,000 firefly species worldwide, existing on every continent except Antarctica.  They are a diverse group of insects that inhabit various habitats.  Their preferred habitats are temperate and tropical fields, forests and wetlands.  Though fireflies are also found in more arid areas, most species thrive in warm, humid conditions ideal for their visibility.

The glowing beetles …

“… have a short lifespan characterized by distinct life stages. Adult fireflies typically live only long enough to mate and lay eggs, often not requiring food during this phase. While adults live a mere two months, their larvae can exist for about one to two years before reaching adulthood. During the larval stage, which is where they spend approximately 95% of their lives, fireflies predominantly dwell underground, maturing through winter and spring.”

“Fireflies exhibit varied diets based on their life stages; larvae predominantly prey on soft-bodied insects like snails, slugs, and worms, while adults tend to consume nectar and pollen, with some species skipping feeding altogether.” (https://blog.entomologist.net)

In the United States, adult fireflies will emerge from the ground in the spring and summer, depending on the species of bug and the location of the state (the southern states seeing them earlier).  Of course, the best time to see their bioluminescent flashes are at dusk and dawn, when they are trying to display their charm to potential mates.

I’ve never thought of it quite this way before, but we are the fireflies – the lightening bugs – of the world. 

About himself, Jesus stated, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

About us, he said, “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Why do we have spiritual light?  Because of Jesus, our Savior!  We are loved, forgiven, saved and resided in by Jesus, the Light of the World. 

What do we do with the light of Jesus living in us?  We let it shine! 

There are actually some interesting parallels between physical lightening bugs and spiritual ones.  (You and me!)

  • Both beam lights that stand out in the dark. Fireflies in literal darkness; Christians in spiritual darkness.  The deeper the darkness, the brighter their light appears and the more obvious it is.

  • Both fireflies and believers are created by God to shine.

  • Both only have a brief time to shine.

  • With both, their lights attract others – fireflies to physical results; Christians to spiritual ones.

  • Sadly, the numbers of both the literal and the spiritual “fireflies” are diminishing due to environmental (and spiritual) factors.

  • As my children discovered many years ago while we were visiting the Midwest, lightning bugs put into jars end up dying – their lights being extinguished. Neither physical nor spiritual fireflies are intended by God to be put in or under containers. Rather, it is God’s intention they shine freely and brightly.

Watching a firefly display at dusk is mesmerizing.  Lights of faith in spiritual darkness also catch attention, and may be the first step in turning someone’s attention to the Savior. 

So, brothers and sisters in the Lord, let your lights shine! 

More than that.  Beam brightly and boldly!

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Life’s Better with …

Life’s Better with …

Life’s better with a boat!

At least that’s what the electronic sign at one of the boat dealerships between my place and my parent’s place suggests.  And, of course, an operation that exists specifically to sell people boats would love to convince us that our lives are lacking if we don’t own a boat.

The fact of the matter is that boats, boating, and boating-related activities are HUGE in Michigan, where we now live.  Michigan is, after all, known as the “Great Lakes State.”  It is truly surrounded with water on nearly every side – both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.  Furthermore, on the land between all that “big water” are more than 11,000 lakes!  Which ultimately results in the little-known fact that Michigan contains the most freshwater coastline in the entire United States.  Almost 3,300 miles!  (TravelAsker.com)

So yes, boats are big here.  Both figuratively and, often enough, literally as well.  And many Michigan residents would subscribe to the statement that “life’s better with a boat.”

Many residents, perhaps … but not all.  Others would substitute another word into the sentence, “Life’s better with a _______” 

Another popular choice might be the word “cabin.”  It’s remarkable how many folks who live in bigger cities have getaway places around us in central Michigan, or even further north.  (Of course, since many of the cabins are on lakes, many of them also have boats!)

There is actually a great number of words to insert into that “Life’s better” statement.  Each of us would have our own personalized version. 

And most of the options aren’t evil.  Even the statement itself isn’t necessarily wrong.  Life can be better with many things.  Health, home, family, friends and financial security being just a few examples that come to mind.

Unfortunately though, this hints at a larger issue.  Sadly, sinful people are quick to raise up gods in their hearts and minds, and to lose sight of the ultimate and only true God.  To which the Lord reminds us:

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.  With whom will you compare me or count me equal?  To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? … I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”  (Isaiah 46:4-5, 9).

So what is the ultimate answer to a better life – to the best life?  What’s the word to drop into that blank that trumps all other words?  The item, the idea, the concept above all others?

It’s this: Life’s better with a Savior!

There’s really only one proper “Answer” to the best life possible.  It’s Jesus!  As the Lord himself reminds us in the Scriptures:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. … God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.  (Romans 5:6. 8-11).

What does the fact that Jesus died for us and lives again mean for our lives?  How does it make our lives better? 

It’s simply this: No matter what else is going on in our personal world.  No matter what our circumstances may be.  No matter whether we have a boat or not, or a cabin, or any other spectacular earthly possession.  Through Jesus, we have forgiveness from God, peace with God, and an eternity in God’s heavenly home.

Therefore, we have hope.  And we have joy.  And our lives are infinitely better!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you …” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Yes indeed, life is better with a Savior.

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Blessings through the “Quiet”

Blessings through the “Quiet”

The fishing experience wasn’t ideal that evening.

It wasn’t because I didn’t catch any fish.  (I did.)  And it wasn’t because the view was lousy.  (It was as lovely as always.)  Nor was it due to the heat or humidity.  (The comfort level was actually wonderful.)

Rather, I struggled to fully enjoy the experience due to the roar hammering across the lake.

The lake we live on, (Shamrock Lake), is being dredged.  We thought the dredging process was completed last year, but apparently they are wrapping it up this summer.  Which means there are large dredging pipes floating on the surface, and the nearly unending bellowing of the large dredging boat.  (The company works day and night when in full swing.)

The dredger sounds like a semi-truck laboring up a mountain pass at full throttle – but at three times the volume.  Even at a distance, the roar rolls belligerently across the water.  Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to ignore.

Normally, evenings fishing off our dock are peaceful and relaxing; the sounds normal, nature-based and soothing.  The shriek of an osprey or eagle.  The quacks of ducks and the honking of geese as they fly in and splash to a rest on the water.  The good-night birdcalls as they settle into their resting places after another day.  A muskrat swimming quietly to his feeding spot.  Bullfrogs bellowing their unique call.  The splash of fish feeding aggressively on the surface.

But that evening, I could hear none of it.  Just the blaring of a very large motor sucking up the silt that had settled on the bottom of our lake.

I do understand that the process will produce a better lake for us to enjoy.  But if only it could be done quietly!

Sitting there that evening, missing the blessings of the quiet, it occurred to me that the world produces a prodigious amount of “roaring” that is also difficult to ignore.  The opinions of influential and “highly knowledgeable” people, the overabundance of information on the world-wide web, and the nearly constant audio input from our phones, radios and televisions (which we ourselves typically opt to listen to!) can create a lot of “noise.”

Sometimes we need to quietly soak in the peaceful voice of our God.

Where is it that our Good Shepherd “refreshes [our] souls?”  David was inspired to write that it is when we are “lying down in green pastures” and when we are “beside quiet waters.”  (Ps. 23:2-3).  In other words, in peaceful places where there are soothing sounds!  Namely, where we hear our Good Shepherd’s voice, and his alone.

Another psalmist was inspired to write these words: “[The Lord] says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’   The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:10-11).

The prophet Jeremiah encourages the same approach: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:25-26).

The quiet voice of our Savior informs us that he is real, that he really loves us, that he forgives us and that he has saved us.  It reminds us that he is with us, that he will provide for us and protect us, and that he has wonderful plans for us.  And so much more!

Cacophony is all around us.  Some we can’t avoid.  (Like a dredging boat on the lake!)  Some we choose to hear, or at least passively accept. 

Seek the quiet.  Pursue peaceful time to hear God’s speaking.  Be still and listen to your Lord. 

He speaks to us in public worship and Bible studies at our church.  He also speaks to us in our private devotions as we read his Word, as we listen to and sing his truths-put-to-song in Christian music, and as we personally reflect upon his messages.

The roar of the world will be here as long as the world stands.  Thankfully, the quiet voice of the Lord will also be here that long … and well beyond.  (Mt. 24:35). 

The key is finding quiet time to hear the quiet words.

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1 Kings 19
11 The Lord said [to Elijah], “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

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The Benefits of Being Selective

The Benefits of Being Selective

I love to watch the birds.

Our God was so creative in his creating process!  Like every aspect of God’s animal kingdom, birds come in multiple sizes and shapes – most with distinctive features and coloration. 

Some diehard bird watchers chase after the birds, going wherever they need to go to hopefully see different species.  I prefer to bring the birds to me.  Of course, the best way to do that is to hang a bird feeder or feeders in a conveniently observed place.

I have two feeders in easy view from our front windows.  One is an oriole feeder with a very specific food unique to drawing in the black and orange birds.  (Grape jelly!) 

The other is a traditional platform feeder with cages on each end for seed blocks, which the woodpeckers like to peck at.  (I thoroughly enjoy watching them!)  In the main part of the feeder, I pour the seed in from the top, and it spills out on both sides of the platform.

The frustration I ran into with the main feeder was that the birds I really don’t care to feed or watch, (especially grackles and red-wing blackbirds), would bully the rest of the birds away while they gorged themselves.  I’d fill the feeder with common birdseed one day and gangs of those piggy black birds would have it completely cleaned out by the next!

One Sunday afternoon my brother-in-law and my nephew stopped over to fish off our dock.  Not only did we catch a few fish and have a great conversation, but my brother-in-law (an avid bird feeder himself) clued me in to safflower seeds.

I had seen bags of safflower seeds for sale in the birding sections of local stores, but I didn’t really know much about it.  After our talk on the dock, I did some quick research on it.  Turns out that grackles and blackbirds don’t like safflower seed!  Squirrels either!

However, cardinals, bluejays, finches, grossbeaks, and chickadees – some of my favorite birds – love them! 

How did I never hear about this before?

So I purchased my first bag of safflower seed and began to mix it in with the regular seed.  Sure enough, the black birds still came, but they pushed the safflower seeds out of the feeder.  After the typical seed was gone, so largely were the bullies.  But the cardinals and finches still came to eat the leftover safflower seeds!

It didn’t take long until I transitioned completely to the new seed. Now I don’t get nearly the quantity of birds at my feeder, but the visual quality of the those who come, and the frequency of their visits, has improved significantly.

It occurred to me that there is a spiritual application to this.  Simply stated, the things that we choose to “feed” our hearts and minds will correlate with what we see in our spiritual lives.

If we are primarily feeding on the usual “seed” that the world ingests, our hearts, minds and lives will probably be rather common – looking much like the rest of the world.  By the same token, if our spiritual diet is elevated to a higher level, so also will our spiritual well-being.

Stated differently, the more we focus on worldly things (wealth, possessions, position, power, success, and etc.), the more worldly we will be tempted to become.  The more we focus on spiritual things (God’s Word, God’s love, God’s forgiveness and salvation, God’s promises, God’s blessings – both now and forever, and etc.), the more Godly we will become, and the more spiritually stunning we will appear.

Being selective in what we feed the birds can provide great dividends.  Being selective in what we feed ourselves can provide even greater ones!  And much more important ones!

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Where Is Peace to Be Found? Part 2

Where Is Peace to Be Found? Part 2

In the congregations where I serve we recently worked through a special Bible study called “The Keys to a Christian’s Peace.”   This is such a pertinent and important topic that I’m sharing some of the “keys to peace” here.  I pray they are a blessing!.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Most would agree that finding personal peace in this chaotic world is challenging.  And keeping it, even more so!

There are so many things that seem to impact our peace.  So many people, problems, situations, and uncertainties that tend to rob us of the peace we long to have – for the peace that God longs for us to have.

But the shocking truth of the matter is that the peace-stealing culprit in our lives is actually … ourselves!  Or more specifically, our own minds.  (Our thoughts!)  We rob ourselves of the peace God wants us to have by how we mentally process things. 

In his book, “Finding Peace: God’s Promise of a Life Free from Regret, Anxiety, and Fear,” Dr. Charles Stanley writes about this very thing:

On a number of occasions through the years when I have felt troubled, anxious, or frustrated, I blamed other people for “stealing” my peace.  I was wrong.  The truth is, nobody else should ever have been blamed for my loss of peace.  In each and every case, I was the one who laid it down.

Hear me carefully on this point.  Nobody can take your peace from you.  If you have lost your peace, you have lost it for one main reason – you surrendered it. … The truth is that no circumstances, situation, person, or organization can steal your inner peace.  We lose our peace because we lay it down.  We give it up.  We concede it.  We abandon it.  (pp. 34-35).

Where our personal peace is undermined, it is undermined by none other than ourselves.  The Lord didn’t remove it.  Circumstances didn’t ruin it.  Other people didn’t pillage it.  We blew it up ourselves!

This goes back to last week’s post where we discussed “The Simple “P” Summary:

The Simple “P” Summary

Where we should NOT focus … but often DO: 
our Problems

Where we SHOULD focus … but often do not:
God’s Promises of Provision and Protection

How we think about things affects how much … or how little … peace we feel.  If we are focusing exclusively on our problems, peace will be far from us.  If centering our thoughts on God’s promises, peace will be much more present.

Again, quoting Dr. Stanley:

You have the control mechanism for determining what you will think.  Every person has the ability to say, “I will think about something else” and then refocus the mind on a new topic, task, or problem to solve.  Every [Christian] has the ability to say, “I choose to trust God,” or conclude, “I choose to be overwhelmed.” (“Finding Peace” – Charles Stanley, p. 92).

I have come to recognize that the way we mentally process things matters a great deal.  Furthermore, the way we mentally process things tends to be deeply ingrained in us.

If unexpected events in the past have brought on personal anxiety, unexpected events in the present and future will do the same.  If we have naturally gravitated toward perceiving things in a negative manner in the past, we will continue to perceive things negatively going forward.  If crises have caused fear previously, they will also cause fear in the future.

That is, if we don’t alter our thought process!

Changing how we think is absolutely possible.  However, some necessary components must be in place to do so. 

First, we must recognize that we sometimes (even often?) struggle with “stinking thinking.”  Our thoughts aren’t always as positive as they could be or focused where they should be focused – namely, on our loving God and his all-encompassing promises.

Secondly, we have to want to mentally process matters differently.  That is, we recognize the peace robber our negative thinking is and wholeheartedly desire to be done with it.

Finally, it is crucial that we are committed to a new mindset.  We don’t hope it happens; we make it happen!  We embark on a deliberate and intensive process of evaluating our thoughts, exchanging poor focuses for more peaceful ones (the promises of God!), and training ourselves to think differently.

Even secular counselors recognize that this is possible, that it is often beneficial, and that it is sometimes necessary.  They lack the source of ultimate peace (the Lord), but they still encourage adopting a different, more positive mindset and maintain that people can indeed train themselves to think differently.

The Apostle Paul actually addressed this very thing in the Scriptures.  “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Whether the opposition to God’s truths arise from the world in general, our personal environment or our own sinful natures, we “demolish [those] arguments.”  Instead, we corral our thoughts inside the peace-providing promises of our Savior.  Our almighty, all-knowing, ever-capable God really does love us, and has assured us he will work everything out for our good!  (Romans 8:28).

Embrace the truth that our God will always take wonderful care of us, no matter how alarming our situation may seem at the moment.  This is called trust, and it is not only suggested by our God … but commanded repeatedly by him in the Bible.  And why?  Because the Lord knows how important trusting him is for our personal peace!

The path to inner peace?  It actually meanders through our minds.  The more we walk in God’s promises, the more peace we experience.  Which makes it a path worth walking!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(John 8:46-47)  [Jesus said,] “If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.”

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Where Is Peace to Be Found? (Part 1)

Where Is Peace to Be Found? (Part 1)

In the congregations where I serve we recently worked through a special Bible study called “The Keys to a Christian’s Peace.”   This is such a pertinent and important topic that I’m sharing some of the “keys to peace” here.  I pray they are a blessing!.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Virtually everyone in the world longs for more personal peace.  The only ones who don’t long for more peace have the path to peace figured out, but they are few.  (And when I write “few,” I mean almost no one!)

The rest of us, (that is, almost everyone!), are on a desperate quest to discover this precious treasure.

The people living for the world look to the world to supply peace.  They chase wealth, success, power, influence, relationships, solitude, hobbies, and fun to try to find it; they dash down any multitude of paths to try to capture it. 

But inner peace can’t be discovered, manufactured, earned, bought, bartered for, grown or created.  In fact, the harder peace is pursued, the more elusive it becomes.

And especially when one factors in the uncertainty of life in this world.  The longer one lives, the more it becomes evident that there are no sure things.  How does one find peace in the face of continual and all-encompassing uncertainty?

Nevertheless, Christians have the keys to inner peace! 

Unfortunately, too often we leave the God-given keys to our peace underutilized … or unused altogether!  Consequently, our personal peace is compromised.

This is NOT what our Lord intends for us.

Jesus told us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  [That is, half-way and temporarily!  Therefore,] do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

That’s a pretty profound promise followed with a pretty clear and straight-forward command.  So what’s the issue? 

It’s us!  It’s you and me!  We do not trust our God to take care of us and the situations we find ourselves in, or the uncertainties we face … despite his profound promises.

God tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

What are we NOT to do?  “Lean on our own understanding!”

What ARE we to do?  “Trust in the Lord with all our heart; submit to him in all our ways!”

What does God assure us when we do rely upon him completely?  “I will make your paths straight.”

There it is – the single most important key to peace: COMPLETELY TRUSTING OUR GOD.

The Bible is a book filled with astounding and reassuring promises from the almighty, all-knowing, eternal, ever-present and always-loving God.  The problem with our lack of peace is not due to a lack of our God’s faithfulness.  Rather, it is because of our lack of faithfulness in embracing his promises.

One of the principles we returned to over and over again in our peace Bible study is what I called “The Simple “P” Summary.”  It is indeed simple.  But it’s also profound, and we need to put it more in play in our lives.

The Simple “P” Summary

Where we should NOT focus … but often DO:
our Problems

Where we SHOULD focus … but often do not:
God’s Promises of Provision and Protection

The point is that all too often our minds become obsessed with the difficulties and uncertainties we face.  They dominate our attention … which in turn undermines our inner peace.

What we typically neglect to focus on are the myriad assurances – promises! – our God gives us about how he will take wonderful care of us.

This is not to say that we ignore the logical, practical steps we should take to address the challenges we face.  We do what we can.  This is Godly, good stewardship. 

But what we DON’T do is dwell on them and the what-ifs.  We DON’T obsess about them, worry about them, or let them overwhelm us.  Rather, we turn our attention to our God and the promises he has provided us.

The better we become at doing this … focusing on God and his promises … the more peace we will experience in our lives.

This is what the very few who don’t long for more peace do.  They have learned that relying on their loving God and his promises are the path to peace.

It turns out that the inner peace that seems so elusive … is not so elusive after all.  (Though it’s still too rarely found even by believers.)

God grant that more of us join the ranks of the “at-peace people” by casting all our anxiety on the Lord.  He really and truly cares for us!  (1 Peter 5:7).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John 16:33
[Jesus said,] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.  OR simply comment you want to follow and I can add you!

Repayment?

Repayment?

In 35 years of ministry, this was a first.

As I sorted through the church mail a few weeks before Easter, I came across an envelope with the church address hand-written, but no return address included.  Wondering who had sent it and what it might be about, I opened it.

Inside were three $100 bills and the message, “Please put this in the offering plate.  Repayment for stealing many years ago.”

The bills were wrapped in a half-sheet of “Alro Steel” stationary.  There is indeed an Alro Steel factory in Clare, Michigan where our church happens to be.  But there are also dozens of other locations around the Midwest and Eastern states … including Cleveland, which was where the envelope was postmarked.

The mysterious gift raised so many questions.

Who was the anonymous individual who sent it?

Were they male or female?

Were they currently or previously employed by Alro Steel, or was the paper simply from a rip-off tablet that was handy?

Was the stolen money actually somehow stolen from our congregation?  Or was it something altogether different, but the individual wanted to repay it in a more “personal and direct” way to God by sending it to a Christian congregation?

And if that’s the case, why was it sent to our congregation?  A random choice (which I find hard to imagine), or did they somehow have ties to it?  (Seemingly more likely.)

But to me, perhaps the biggest question is … what was their motivation for repaying the money?

Of course, everyone understands the burden of a guilty conscience, and feeling the need to ease or erase that burden.  Obviously, this was almost certainly a huge factor in the money being sent.

But the question remains: was the repayment driven primarily by guilt or by gratitude?

Guilt is a powerful driving force.  But those responding solely to feelings of guilt rarely assuage those guilt feelings.  At least not completely.  If the realization that God is in the picture, the concern is always, “Is my response enough to please the holy God?”  If God is not recognized, the nagging reality that the dirty deed was still done still lingers.

Gratitude is an entirely different matter.  It’s the recognition that there is complete forgiveness through Jesus the Savior for whatever wrongs we have done.  Which results in an eagerness to do what pleases God in sincere thankfulness for his love, forgiveness and salvation.

Guilt is a feeling that we need to do something to make things right, with the emphasis on what self does; gratitude is being moved to want to do something to make things right, with the emphasis on what Jesus did for us.

There’s a significant difference between the two.  The Bible, by the way, promotes the gratitude avenue.

And when it comes to payments, there is none better than the price Jesus paid for you and me:

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

The price for our forgiveness is fully paid by Jesus!  How does this profound payment affect us? 

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Whoever sent the $300 to our congregation certainly did the right thing.  I pray that he or she knows that Jesus’ blood truly paid for their theft, and that as a result they are filled with joy, peace and gratitude.  For he did, so they can be!

It’s a truth that applies to all of us and our sin and guilt: Jesus already paid the price.  Thanks be to Jesus!  So in gratitude, we respond to that incredible gift by how we live and what we do.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Titus 2
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

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Dead Man Walking #2

Dead Man Walking #2

I shouldn’t be here.  Yet again!

In a post last November (11/2), I shared how I was nearly killed, or at least severely injured, while simply walking in the woods.  The post was titled “Dead Man Walking.”

Well, it almost happened again.  This time, on the Monday of Holy Week.  Different circumstances and different place … though it also entailed a heavy log.  However, the potential deadly result seems even more likely this time around.

Here’s what happened. 

The previous owner of our house had left lengthy logs (4-6 feet) behind the storage shed.  He did a lot of work with wood and apparently planned to repurpose those logs.  But clearly, he never got around to it. 

The logs were beginning to rot.  They were becoming homes to varmints, pests and critters.  I wanted them gone.  Since I was heading over to my dad’s woods that day, I thought I would simply load the logs into the back of my truck and dump them off in the woods.

All of the logs but one were fairly easily handled, despite their thickness and length.  I was able to maneuver them onto a cart, transport them to the driveway, and then roll them up a ramp into the truck bed. 

But one was hardwood.  It was about 4 feet long, 16 inches wide, and brutally heavy.  It was not so easily handled.

The event happened so fast it was over in an instant. 

While positioning the log for transport, it was temporarily on end.  Meanwhile, my feet slipped on the muddy downslope of the huge maple tree roots beside our storage shed.  My feet slid backwards as I tumbled onto my belly. 

Meanwhile, the log tipped over towards me!  The top end grazed the right side of my face – tearing off my glasses in the process. 

It occurred so suddenly that it took a moment for me to process what had just transpired.  But as I did process things – with the huge log resting beside my head – I realized what had just happened … and what had just NOT happened. 

Had that log fallen even just inches more to the left, I would almost certainly been killed.  As it was, it was close enough to rip my glasses off and scrape my forehead.  And as I reflect back, I recognize that just the slightest glancing blow from that heavy log was enough to give me what I believe was a minor concussion.  (I had a nagging headache for several days.)

I still shudder to think of the potential ramifications. 

My parents were expecting me that day.  I never would have showed up.  They would have been concerned and tried to reach me, with no success.

My wife would have come home from work and wondered why my truck was still there.  (She knew I was planning to see my folks.)  She would have come looking for me and eventually found me.

My congregations would have lost their pastor before all the special church services that week, and would have had to scramble for a fill in for a somber Easter Sunday.

And there would have been an extra service that week for people to attend – a funeral.

But once again, God in his goodness intervened.  He had preserved my life one more time.

I picked myself back up and checked to see if I was bleeding.  (Only minimally.)  I located my glasses.  (They were off to the side, with the right arm broken off.)  I searched several minutes before finally locating the missing piece. (I marveled again that I was alive, and also that my nose wasn’t broken with the damage done to the glasses.)

Thankfully, I was able to superglue the arm back onto the glasses.  (Praise be to God, it’s still holding!)  I was also able to get the beast of a log into the back of my truck, and offload it in the woodlot.

While in the woods that day, I did little of the work I had intended to do.  Instead, I soaked up the view of the trees and the sound of the birds, I texted my immediate family about what had happened, and I spent a lot of time in prayer, praise and thanks to our gracious and good God.

Here’s what I realized yet again that afternoon:  (This is as true for you as it is for me.)

  • God is always watching over his people.

(Genesis 28:15)  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go …  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

  • No harm will befall his people unless God wills it.

(Psalm 121:7-8)  The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

  • If God does allow harm, it is for a loving reason.

(Romans 8:28)  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

  • God’s people will not die until the exact moment and in the exact manner that God determines.

(Job 14:5)  A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.

  • When it is our time to go, because of Jesus we are going to be with God.

(Ecclesiastes 12:7)  … The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

(Revelation 7:14)  “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

  • Every day is a new personal gift from God.

(Lamentations 3:22-23)  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

  • We are wise if we constantly reevaluate our personal priorities, and appreciate God’s greatest gifts. (a Savior, faith in that Savior, forgiveness, family, talents, life, etc.)

(James 1:17)  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights …

  • While God allows us to live here on earth, we want to live for him and his people!

(Philippians 1:21-24)  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose?  I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 

  • The more we live, the more we learn.

(Proverbs 2:6)  For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

I know full well that I am not the only one who has survivor stories to tell.  We are all dead people walking – preserved lovingly and sometimes miraculously – by our Lord.  And we all will be until the time we are no longer living here on earth, but are living instead in heaven with our Savior.

How awesome is our God!

Thank God for Safety Features!

Thank God for Safety Features!

We don’t own new vehicles.  It’s not something my wife and I can afford.  However, we do travel a bit, and when we do, we typically arrange for rental cars.  Those vehicles are generally on the newer side.

Recently we were in Texas for a ministry conference in San Antonio with most of the rest of my Seminary classmates.  (It was absolutely wonderful!)  After the conference, we spent a little time driving a rented Nissan Altima around west Texas and southern New Mexico, seeing sights and relaxing.  We logged about 2,200 miles in that zippy, black car.

And it was filled with all kinds of new-fangled safety features!

If a car approached alongside us, a light lit up on whichever side the vehicle happened to be on.

If our blinker was clicked on indicating a change of lanes when a car was beside us in that direction, a nasty warning buzz occurred.

If we drifted onto a lane marker, a different buzz was heard, a unique flash popped onto the dashboard, AND a vibration was felt in the steering wheel.

Special notification happened when entering a slower speed zone.  If moving too fast for the car’s liking coming into that lower zone, a different flash appeared on the dash.

When the cruise control was activated, the car adjusted to the speed of the car in front of us … never approaching closer than a set distance.

On a few occasions when the vehicles ahead of us came to rapid halts, our car did too (on it’s own … though I was braking too!), squawking mightily to alert us of the danger.

If traveling with the brights on in the dark Texas nights, our rental took it upon itself to automatically switch to dims when the lights of an approaching car were detected.  (Or, annoyingly, when it detected a bright enough reflection off a road sign.)

I don’t know of a specific time that these safety features spared us from calamity.  But they well might have!  At the least, they gave me (the driver) some added security that safeguards were in place.

“How very like God’s Word,” I thought multiple times on our trip.

Of course, the Bible reveals to us the one true God and his attributes.  It also shows us our Savior and all he did to make atonement for our wrongs.  And it supplies us with the origin of creation (God made it!), the origin of our own lives (God gave them!), and our ultimate destination (heaven!). 

These aspects alone make the Scriptures profoundly important.  However, they also are filled with “safety features” for believers.

What are some of those “safety features” God’s Bible provides?  The list is long!  Here are just a few that come to mind:

Absolutes in regard to right and wrong.  (Ex. 20)

Truth.  Absolute truth.  (Jn. 17:17)

Saving power.  (Rom. 1:16)

Guidance to spiritual and eternal life – as well as in our physical life.  (Jn. 14:6)

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding – both spiritual and practical.  (Prov. 2:6)

Illumination.  (Ps. 119:105)

Foundation in life’s uncertainties.  (Mt. 7:24)

Protection, both offensive (Eph. 6:17) and defensive (Prov. 30:5).

Spiritual sustenance and joy. (Jer.15:16)

Endurance, encouragement and hope in an often discouraging world.  (Rom. 15:4)

Revelation of things to come.  (Rev. 1:1-3)

Some have described the BIBLE as … Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.  It’s an apt description, given all the “safety features” God has built into it.

Which underscores the importance of actively being in God’s Word!

The more we are in the Word, the more the Word is in us.  And the more spiritual safeguards become ours. 

As the Apostle Paul reminds fellow pastor, Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The longer we were in our little rental car, the more safety features we noticed and appreciated.  Praise be to God, the same is true of our time in the Scriptures!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Psalm 119 – selected verses

97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

 101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. 102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. … 129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love. 160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

169 May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. 170 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. 171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.  172 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. 173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

174 I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight. 175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. 

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An Easter Morning View: A Story

An Easter Morning View: A Story

“Greetings, you who are blessed.”  The female voice was lovely and soothing, but also insistent. 

Zara shifted amidst her restless sleep.  How does one sleep soundly the night before they are executed?  And especially on a lumpy cot in a smelly prison cell?

The voice spoke again … again in Arabic.  “Listen to me, Zara.  I have something to share with you.”  Zara’s mind engaged, and a lovely woman came into focus.  She was wearing a golden fitted dress with a blue sash that matched her striking blue eyes.  Her hair was long and brilliantly blonde.  She radiated a subtle glow – like sunshine reflecting off a lake.

The lovely woman repeated her first words, “Greetings, you who are blessed.”  She smiled warmly.

Zara realized she wasn’t awake.  Her prison room wasn’t visible.  Only the woman before her.  “Is this a dream?” Zara asked.

“In a manner of speaking,” came the reply.  “Except what you see in this dream is absolutely real.”

What was this?  Who was this?  Though understandably startled, remarkably Zara felt no fear.  “Who are you?” she finally asked.

“I am Auria.  I serve as a messenger for your God and mine.”  Auria smiled again.  “As I said, you are a blessed one.”

Tears welled up in Zara’s eyes.  “I realize I am blessed that I know the Way, the Truth and the Life.  I am so thankful for that … especially in this land where so many do not, and where those who do are hated.”  She shook her head sadly.  “I know I am blessed … even if it is costing me my life.  My earthly life,” she clarified.  More tears flowed.  “But it is not easy.”  Zara dropped her eyes.  When she finally spoke again, it was in a whisper.  “My own family has disowned me.”

Auria moved closer and placed her hand on Zara’s shoulder.  “I know.  Jesus knows too.  All of which is why you are one of the blessed ones.”  Auria kissed Zara’s head and gently stroked her hair. “Come with me.  I have something to show you.”

Zara sensed a subtle movement – a shift of her presence – though there was no sight, sound or feeling of the action.  It was brief, and then she felt herself “settling” again.

Slowly she became aware that she was looking into the darkness of night.  She shifted her focus repeatedly, trying to identify where she was and what she was looking at.  Auria was silent, so Zara was too.  Minute by minute, the darkness was retreating as the first hints of morning were being revealed.  Before her and below her she could just barely discern the features of a rocky hillside.

Then Zara caught sight of movement at the base of the hillside as the darkness receded.  She gasped quietly.  “What was that?” she whispered. 

“The Roman guard,” was Auria’s reply, her voice at normal volume. Zara’s head jerked around to look at her.  Auria smiled.   “Don’t worry.  They can’t hear us, though we can hear them.”  Proof of the fact came as a soldier shifted his stance, and his spear snicked against his armor.

Auria’s initial words set Zara’s mind racing.  Where would they be that they could observe Roman soldiers?  And not modern ones, but clearly ancient ones?  And then it hit Zara like a thunder bolt.  “The Roman guard!” Zara exclaimed, her voice still subdued.  “Are we where I think we are?

“Yes indeed.  We are looking at the outside of Jesus’ tomb.”

Zara was dumbfounded.  Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open.  “How can this be?” she finally asked, incredulously.

Auria put her arm around Zara and laughed warmly.  “Did I not tell you that you were blessed?  And you should know that with the Lord, nothing is impossible.”

The angel continued, but there was now awe in her voice.  “In fact, there are countless others observing this morning with you.  They come from all over the world and all points of history.  But they have two things in common: they believe that Jesus their Savior rose from the dead … and they are experiencing tremendous personal hardship.  Just like you.”

Once again, Zara was stunned.  “How can this be?” she asked again.  But she quickly caught herself, shook her head and said, “I know, I know.” – then, speaking along with Auria, “With the Lord, nothing is impossible.”

Auria nodded in agreement.  “It’s incomprehensible to humans; it’s astounding even to angels. The Lord in his love provides this view to a few who already know the truth, but who could use some spiritual encouragement in times of great trial.”  Auria wrapped an arm around Zara again.  “Like you … and others like you who are also here, unseen.”

Zara’s eyes welled with tears.  “I’m incredibly grateful to be so blessed,” she whispered emotionally.

By this time, enough light filtered onto the scene before them that Zara could see four Roman soldiers standing attentively, spaced out evenly before a rounded piece of rock – the covering over the tomb where Jesus body lay. 

Auria filled the silence.  “Never in the history of the world has so much effort been taken to keep a dead body in place.  A Roman seal banning the movement of an already incredibly heavy rock, and a trained and diligent Roman guard barring anyone from even considering it.  At least, anyone human.”  Her voice took on a humorous lilt.  “But none of it will work.”

“Watch carefully now,” she instructed.  “Things are about to get very interesting!”

Just a moment later, a low rumbling sound began.  The Roman soldiers looked at one another in alarm and began to exclaim excitedly.  Zara didn’t recognize their words but intuitively understood what they were saying.  It was something to the effect of, “Oh no!  Earthquake!  Another earthquake!”

The rumbling intensified, and then actual waves could be seen rolling across the surface of the ground.  Loud booms and cracks could be heard as rocks split in the wrenching action.  The four soldiers were toppled like they had been struck down in battle.

Then came the explosion of glory! 

In an instant, two brilliantly beaming beings dressed in pure white stood over the men.  They appeared as suddenly and unexpectedly as a lightening bolt.  But unlike a bolt, their painfully bright flash didn’t disappear; it remained present, obvious, overwhelming, and incapacitating.  The entire area around the tomb entrance was lit with their glory, and everything was brighter than sunshine at midday.

The petrified guards on the ground covered their heads with their shields and curled into fetal positions … their visible shaking obvious even to Zara; their cries of terror filling the air.

One of the angels strode purposely to the tomb entrance, placed his hand alongside the large stone door, and flicked his wrist.  The massive obstruction careened violently out of its base, along the carved track (uphill!), bounced over the notch for storing the stone before use, and toppled onto the hillside with a loud crash – crushing the worthless Roman seal strapped over it. 

The soldiers cringed as one at the ear-splitting “detonation” of the door-of-rock collapsing onto more rock, and their writhing on the ground ceased.  It was panic overload; they had fainted from fear.

The angels moved into positions on each side of the tomb entrance, and dropped to their knees, their heads bowed; their brilliance now more subdued.  They began singing.  It was a gorgeous, heavenly song … a song of praise, the likes of which had never been heard on earth before. 

And then Jesus stepped into view in the opening!

Zara gasped with unbridled joy.  Her hands covered her mouth, and tears rolled down her cheeks.  He’s alive again!

Jesus paused for a moment there, just on the inside of the tomb.  Then he stooped a bit, crossed through the doorway, and rose to full height again – resplendent in a pure white gown.  At that instant, a beam of sunshine broke free from the clouds and illuminated his face.  He was smiling; his immense joy easily evident.  He had accomplished all he had come to accomplish.  His task was completed; his body alive again.

He raised his view, and his hands, heavenward – the nail marks in his wrists clear to see.  “Father, everything is now fully fulfilled!”  His fingers closed slowly and fiercely into two victorious fists.  (Though he spoke in ancient Aramaic, Zara miraculously understood every single word.)

She was overwhelmed with emotion.  She had never witnessed anything that had moved her so profoundly.  Everything she believed was revealed before her very own eyes!  And everything she was about to sacrifice … was for everything she had properly believed!

Jesus lowered his gaze and his hands a bit.  His fingers opened again as in supplication.  It seemed as if he was looking directly at Zara, (though she knew others were also watching).  Then he spoke again.  “You have a living Savior, therefore you have a living hope … no matter what you are enduring.”

Zara was overcome.  She began sobbing uncontrollably.  How astounding that Jesus would endure so very much to save her!  How astounding he would do all that for her … and also share all this with her!

Just that quickly Jesus was gone. 

The last thing the tearful woman saw was one angel moving over to sit on the collapsed door, while the other leaned against the hillside.  “They will move inside the tomb soon.  Visitors are on the way,” Auria informed her.

The angel wrapped her arm affectionately around Zara once again, and spoke softly, “Blessed are you who have seen.”  She paused.  “And, in Jesus’ words, ‘blessed also are those who have not seen yet still believe.’” (Jn. 20:29)

Auria tightened her embrace and smiled at the future martyr.  ‘“He is risen!’” is a rallying cry for all of God’s people of all time.  For all have their own struggles, and all need to know their Savior is alive.  His resurrection makes all of life’s difficulties easier.  Even the most horrific.”

The angel released Zara and pointed toward the tomb.  “One more thing while we are here,” Auria said.  “Look on the hillside.  What do you see in the morning light?”

“The hillside is carpeted with beautiful red flowers!”

“Yes.  The local people call the flowers Kalanits – also known as red poppies.  It’s springtime here, and they bloom everywhere in this region at this time of year.  The Kalanit is dearly loved here; it signifies life and peace.  Which seems appropriate, does it not?”

“Yes!  It does!” Zara replied exuberantly.  She wiped away the tears from her eyes with her palms, then soaked in the view.  An open and empty tomb … in a hillside covered with Kalanits.  “It’s all so beautiful and wonderful.”  The awe was evident in her voice.

Auria touched Zara’s shoulder softly.  “We must return,” she stated quietly.  Again, all went briefly dark as they repositioned.  Just that quickly, Zara was back on her prison cot – asleep yet aware. 

Auria was still near.  “I must say goodbye now.  But this is a temporary goodbye.  You will see me again tomorrow.  Much more importantly, you will see your resurrected Savior again tomorrow.” 

The angel was somber, but also cheerful.  She continued, “Your name is Zara, which means “Shining” or “Radiance.”  It is a fitting name for you already now.  It will be an even more fitting name for you tomorrow, for you will literally be “Shining” and “Radiant” by Jesus’ side.”

Tears of joy rolled down Zara’s cheeks.  “Thank you for all you have showed me and shared with me,” she said to the angel.  “It helps so much.”

“Thank the Lord.  And it was my pleasure.”  The angel faded from view, but her voice was heard one more time.  “You’ll find a special gift from me when you wake up.”

When the execution escort arrived to get Zara the next morning, they were astounded to see that she was smiling … and that she was holding a lovely Kalanit in her hand.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few additional comments:

  • In this story, the events at the tomb on Easter morning are pictured a bit differently from an earlier Easter story I wrote and shared on this blog … “I Killed Him. But Not for Long.” The reality is we simply don’t know how it happened.  For example, how did the angels make their appearance to the soldiers?  And did the angels appear first, followed by the earthquake, or vice-versa?  Or were they actually simultaneous?  And how long before the soldiers fainted from fear?  Instantly?  Or did they linger a bit before being overcome?

  • A fascinating question is … did one angel materialize and terrify the guards or two? Similarly, did one angel or two appear to the women in the tomb?  Matthew and Mark speak of one appearing to the guards, and Mark of one speaking to the women in the tomb; Luke states that two were present with the women and spoke to them.  The simple explanation would seem to be that one angel is mentioned by some of the gospel writers because one angel rolled away the stone, and one angel spoke to the women.  Luke’s reference to the plural – “the men said to them” (Lk. 24:5) – simply implies that this was the message that both the angels were sent to share … even if only one spoke it. Another possibility is that the women arrived in two groups at slightly different times – with one group seeing one angel, and another group two.  Again, we can’t know exactly how things transpired. I chose to picture two angels arriving and present at the tomb throughout.

  • Many suggest that Jesus in his resurrected and spiritual body simply exited the tomb through the rock and was already gone when the angels arrived. They surmise that the angel/s rolled away the stone … NOT to let Jesus out, BUT to let others see in. This is certainly possible, and may even have been the case.  (Scripture doesn’t tell us.)   However, I have always loved the picture of Jesus walking out of the tomb opening on Easter morning alive … after being carried into it dead.  So that is how I portrayed it.

  • Kalanit poppies are a real thing, and they really do bloom in spring around Jerusalem. It is very possible … perhaps even likely … that there were some blooming near Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning.

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1 Peter 1:3-9
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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