Category Archives: Life

Thanks → Peace → Perseverance

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A thankful heart is a valuable asset.  The New Testament reminds us to thank God “always for all things” (Ephesians 5:20) and to “in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  That’s a pretty tall order for most of us.  Yet even in the midst of prayer about things that would otherwise make us anxious, the reminder remains that these prayers should be offered “with thanksgiving.”

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

If Paul could write that and mean it from his prison cell, I can probably pay attention at my desk.  What’s more, if this attitude of prayer and thanksgiving leads, as it does, to God’s peace guarding my heart and mind, then I will have already received all that I need to keep going.  God’s peace is the only acceptable substitute for a prayer that has yet to be answered.  No doubt this very “peace of God” helped that apostle display such remarkable perseverance.  I want to be like him when I grow up.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. -2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NKJV)

Putting Provision in Perspective

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It’s natural to be concerned about our own needs – and it’s not altogether bad, either.  For one thing, it prompts us to go out and work and there’s nothing at all wrong with that.

“The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives him on.”
          – Proverbs 16:26 (NKJV)

Our need for provision prompts us to pray.  That’s what “Give us this day our daily bread” is all about.  There we have it, a prayer for provision from the very mouth of Jesus.

Nonetheless, most of us tend to place our need for provision above our need for the Provider – a clear case of improper priorities.  Therefore Christ also encourages us with the following:

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV)

Seeking first His kingdom – let that be our aim.  Let His righteousness be our top priority.  Provision has its place in God’s plan, but if we keep it in perspective, it’s the Provider that will always remain in the foreground of our view of life.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

On Getting a Life

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Complete dependence is a humbling concept – but humility, let’s face it, is a good thing.  I’d like to say there are some things I can handle, but readily admit that I need the Lord for the biggies.  Christ, however, sees it differently:

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (NKJV)

If I want my life to be worth something in light of eternity, I need to get this straight.  Without Him I can do nothing. 

On the other hand, by abiding in Him I tap into the source of the richest blessings.  Whatever Christ means by “much fruit” it has to be good.  At the end of the day, that’s what I want: fruit that came from my life that He has produced.  I can also think of it like this: 

What would my life look like if I got out of the way
and let Christ live my life for me? 

How would He handle my responsiblities and relationships?  No question He would handle them properly.  He would do a way better job with them than I have.  So be it.  Let’s embrace reality and give the Lord full authority to do whatever He wants. 

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

As We Sow, Shall We Also Reap?

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It’s a basic principle of life: What goes around comes around.  The Bible refers to it in terms of “sowing and reaping”.  Sometimes it’s stated in the form of a warning:  

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)

Fair enough.  Let any who would scoff at the Almighty take heed; they won’t get away with it forever.  But what about non-scoffers, without desire nor intention to ever mock God?  Thankfully, the concept is still valid in the other direction.  As the next verse explains:

“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.“- Galatians 6:8 (NKJV)

There is, however, something to beware of even in good, spiritual sowing: 

Our ability to reap is not guaranteed.

Tragic, but true, and many reap not, because the time for harvest, the time to reap, doesn’t come immediately.  Meanwhile, many get discouraged.  Many lose patience.  Many do not persevere.  The enemy of our souls and the trials of life all work together in a vast conspiracy to get us to give up. 

As long as we’re wise to this strategy, let’s not play right into it.  In every area of life that we await that spiritual harvest, be it with family, friends, work or faithful service to our Master, let’s commit to stay committed.  Don’t quit.  Our capacity to not lose heart is the thing that guarantees a fruitful harvest. 

May the Lord Jesus Christ grant you the grace and perseverance to become an abundantly joyful reaper.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.“- Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)