Author: Jayne Lawson

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Have you ever heard people say, “Christmas is for the children”? It sure seems that way when you stroll past the stores at this time of year. We often see adults scrambling to find all the presents they hope to buy for their kids. Lines of children wait in the malls for a chance to talk with Santa, and many of the store decorations are meant to attract the younger generation.

The older generation, people like you and me, aren’t usually in the forefront of people’s minds when they think of Christmas. Even our own families have this perspective. The focus is often on their own children or the festivities at their workplaces, or the parties with their friends. Sometimes, this results in some of us feeling, lonely, neglected, or even forgotten.

However, in God’s eyes, the elderly are very important.

Here are a few things that the Bible tells us about God’s relationship with the elderly.

1. He will always be with us.
   1. “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoary hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” – Isaiah 46:4

2. God continues to meet our needs and keep His promises with us.
   1. “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” – Psalm 91:16

3. God tells others to respect the elderly.
   1. “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:32

4. God desires the elderly to share Christ with the next generation.
   1. “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” – Psalm71:18

5. God wants us to teach the younger woman how to live lives that honor Him.
   1. “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” – Titus 2:3-5

6. God tells us that the elderly are wise and have knowledge.
   1. “With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.” – Job 12:12

7. God informs us that the elderly can still win souls to Christ despite their age.
   1. “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age…” – Psalm 92:14

Let me share one example of a very important woman in the Bible, who happened to quite elderly, but is always associated with Christmas.

Her name is Anna.  Her very brief, but important story, is recorded in Luke 2:36-38. “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

As a young woman, Anna got married, and like most of us, she probably had all the same dreams and hopes that young brides have. She looked forward to a wonderful life with their husband, but that was not to be for her.  After only 7 years of marriage, her husband died, and her life changed dramatically.

She now had to decide what she was going to do. Should she seek another husband? No doubt she was young enough to find another husband. Should she go live with relatives? Widows did not hold jobs, so it would have been acceptable for her to return to the home of her family, but Anna made a most unusual decision for her young age. Anna decided that the best way for her to spend the rest of her life would be to love and serve God.  She desired to be as close to God as possible and for that, she chose to spend the rest of her life in the temple. The Bible tells us “she did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting’s and prayers night and day.”  Even though she is only mentioned  in 3 verses, Anna had a powerful testimony for the Lord. Powerful enough that He wanted to include her in Scripture.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, Anna had served in the temple for more than 60 years, and she spoke to everyone about the coming of the Messiah and the redemption He would bring. Finally, at the age of 84 years old, when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple for the first time, she finally got to see God’s promise fulfilled! After all the years of serving God and waiting for the Messiah, she finally was able to behold God’s promise in the flesh! All through the years, she never wavered in her belief that God would keep His promise, and when she saw Jesus, she rejoiced at God’s faithfulness!

Anna possessed one of the things that God prizes the most in His children: a heart of devotion and trust. No matter what had happened to her in life, her trust in God did not waver. Her life certainly didn’t turn out the way she had hoped, but she did not allow the circumstances to shake her faith. Her testimony spoke volumes to the people. Everyone knew that Anna loved the Lord and His people. And He used her to proclaim His message of promised redemption.

Her faith in God endured through the years, and the Bible records, “…coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Israel.”  Anna never stopped telling the people about God and the promise of Jesus.

We hear the Christmas story every year. We read how God used a carpenter, a young virgin, and shepherds… but God also uses the elderly! He reaches out to those whom society sees as no longer useful, a burden, or simply just forgotten. Anna would have been labeled as such even in her culture. First, she was old, and thus no longer a significant contributor to society.  Second, she was a woman, and in her culture, women were not valued. Third, she was a widow, a burden to others as women did not customarily hold jobs in her culture. Anna was not a valued individual in the Hebrew culture, but Anna was not too old to be useful to God. She was a faithful follower of the Lord, and her testimony demonstrated her love for and trust in God to everyone she encountered. She was valuable and worthy in the eyes of the Lord, and her reward was to be one of the first to see the manifestation of God’s promised Messiah. Think of how that must have impacted her testimony and service to God!

Sometimes, those of us who are in the twilight years of our life harbor the fear that our best days have come and gone, and there’s nothing left for us. Life is now passing us by, and all we can do is be an outsider looking in, but the Biblical account of Anna tells us that the elderly have a special place in God’s heart, and we are still able to be used of Him.

We’ve all been through the trials and tribulations that come with getting older. It could be sicknesses, financial struggles, the loss of a spouse or even an adult child or grandchild. What makes us so valuable to God is the testimony that we have as we’ve navigated through the good times and the bad times, and the challenges and struggles of daily living. As “seasoned” Christians, we have held on to our faith and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the years! We are a powerful testimony to the world… to the younger generation… as to the faithfulness of God and the truth of His Word.

Our lives are not over because we are in our latter years. No matter if we are widowed, live in a retirement facility, have seen most of our friends and family pass on… as long as God gives us breath, He has a purpose for us… especially at this time of year when people are more receptive to hearing about Jesus.

It’s the perfect time to share what Jesus has done for you through the years. We can always share how God has been with us all through the ups and downs of life, and how He promises to continue to be with us. We can always offer our testimony of God’s faithfulness in our own lives; how God has always kept His Word. We can always share our own story of salvation through Jesus Christ, and offer the hope that only Christ can give.

Like Anna, we are here to share the story of God’s redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. You can be an Anna. No matter how old you are, you can share the gospel.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

(from “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas O. Chisholm)

“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” – Proverbs 16:31

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Are you ready to be an Anna? Or a Simeon?

 

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” – I Samuel 16:7

Halloween is right around the corner. Houses are decorated with all sorts of spooky things like spider webs, ghosts, and jack-o-lanterns, and children are busy choosing the perfect costume. Soon, the streets will be filled with children meandering through the neighborhood visiting each home.  Princesses, lions, storm troopers, and zombies will be knocking on doors hoping to reap a handful of candy as they shout, “Trick or treat”!

The intent of a costume is to hide the identity of a person, making it difficult to recognize what normally would be a familiar face. Fake hair, overgrown teeth, make-up, and masks are all part of the disguise. It is not until the trick-or-treater reveals who they are that we know for certain to whom we are giving the sweet treat!

We can only know the identity of someone when we look at their true appearance. However, the Bible tells us that God sees us differently. He looks at us on the inside, not the outside. He sees our intentions. He knows our thoughts. He sees our potential… that is, how we can be used for His service and His glory. He sees into our heart.

The Bible tells us in I Samuel 16:7 that God doesn’t look at the outward appearance of a person, but rather, He looks at the very core of a person… their heart. He knows the inner depths of our being… not just the physical, but the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of ourselves as well.

We know from the Scriptures that when people looked at David, they saw a puny shepherd boy. In fact, I Samuel 17: 33 records King Saul’s response when David suggested that he fight Goliath. He said, “… Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” But God saw beyond that.

When God looked at David, He saw a mighty warrior in the young shepherd boy, an inexperienced teenager whose faith in God would provide the courage needed to defeat the giant enemy despite the overwhelming odds against victory. God also saw a boy that would grow to be a godly leader of Israel and become the greatest king that the Jewish people would ever know. The Bible records God’s high praise of this little shepherd boy. “…I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” (Acts 13:22) What an amazing statement! God saw beyond what others saw!

It is so easy to hide who we really are from others. A smile can hide a broken heart. Busy hands can hide a spirit of pride. Seemingly unfriendliness could come from the fear of rejection. A passing nod could be a sign of loneliness. We can wear a “mask” in our daily lives, but God always see our hearts.

God sees every heartache, every fear, every doubt, and every sin. But He also sees every possibility and potential in each one of us, and He is ready to forgive, heal, encourage, and empower whenever we go to Him as our true selves. Regardless of the mask we wear to the world, God sees us for who we really are… good or bad.

You may see a shepherd boy when you look into the mirror, but God may see a king!

Search me, O God, and know my heart today
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

(from “Search Me” by James E. Orr)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24

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How does God see you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

In the beginning of the book of Romans, Paul writes about the sin and straying from God that is plaguing the Roman Christians. Conversely, in the latter part of the letter, Paul offers encouragement to the believers by reminding them that there is nothing that will separate them from the love of God. To emphasize this, Paul provides a list in verses 38 and 39.

Paul’s inspired list to those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ:

1. Death, the termination of physical life, and life, which along with death, covers the entire scope of humanity, cannot separate us from God’s love. There is nothing we can do in and of ourselves that will cause a rift between us and the Lord.
2. Angels, principalities, and powers most likely refer to those existing beyond ourselves. Angels can be ministers sent from God or evil angels, who serve Satan. Regardless of whether the heavenly angels forget their mission (hypothetically speaking) or the evil ones persist in their demonic work, they cannot separate us from God and His love. According to the KJV dictionary, principalities and powers can refer to either good and evil spiritual beings or supreme earthly leaders. Regardless of spiritual beings or rulers on the earth, neither can separate us from the love of our Lord.
3. Things present or to come are listed next, and are exclusive of things past because things past would involve our sins, which, as Christians, have been forgiven and forgotten by God. Things present involve the things happening in our lives currently until this present life is completed. Things to come happen after our time on earth is complete and would involve our eternal state. Since Christians are not judged for their acceptance or rejection of Christ, but are instead judged and rewarded accordingly for their service to God, the eternal punishment of hell is not in our future. We will not be separated by “things to come” because our eternal state is secure in Christ Jesus.
4. The height and depth of this physical world, such as the highest pinnacle or deepest abyss in the sea, cannot separate us from God. The height or depth of prosperity, poverty, or adversity cannot accomplish a separation between us and God.
5. Nothing in God’s creation can drive a wedge between our Creator and His children. No man nor animal can create this separation.

There is absolutely nothing or no one that can separate the saved of God from His love. NOTHING! He has promised that, and God NEVER goes back on His Word. The realization that no matter what we do, what we say, how we look, where we go, nothing will ever separate us from God’s love is overwhelming.

As a child of God, I am not perfect. I struggle with issues of pride, fear, selfishness, and many other sins, but even when I fail Him, His love for me continues and will continue for all eternity!

This is incomprehensible to me, but I am so comforted by this truth… NOTHING will ever separate me from the love of my Saviour…not even me!

Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,
From Him no pow’r of evil can sever,
He gave His life to ransom my soul;
Now I belong to Him;

Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.

(from “Now I Belong to Jesus” by Norman J. Clayton)

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” – John 10:28-29

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Belonging to Jesus means you are loved forever and ever, and nothing will ever change that!

(photo courtesy of Donna Easter)

I remember as a first-time mother-to-be waiting for my baby to be born. As the due date got closer, my husband and I made sure we had everything we needed to welcome our baby. We had the baby’s room all prepared with a new crib and a little zoo animal mobile that played music attached to it. I had bought diapers and bottles, and lots of little outfits for my baby. And I waited. I had all the signs that the birth was soon to be, but even the doctor couldn’t tell me the exact date. I was out to here; I had those false labor pains quite frequently; I even had the “nesting” behavior that was supposed to come right before delivery. The delivery date came and went, and still we waited. Finally, in the middle of the night, true labor began. We headed to the hospital, but even then, the doctor couldn’t say exactly when my baby would be born. Eventually, he came into the world as most babies do, crying at the top of his lungs, and instantly making my husband and me parents.

The interesting thing was that even though John and I knew this baby would be born, even though the doctor knew this baby was going to be born, no one could tell us when this would happen until it happened! But John and I were prepared, and when the day finally came, we were ready for our baby to arrive.

The Bible talks about an event that is going to happen one day. This is an event that Paul speaks about in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

This event has been referred to as the “rapture”. It is not what many people call the “second coming of Christ”. The rapture is the event where Jesus is coming from heaven FOR his children.

The second coming is when Jesus returns and sets foot on the earth WITH his children.

All the Biblical prophecies that have to be fulfilled prior to this event have been fulfilled. That means there is nothing else that has to happen before Jesus returns for those who have placed their faith and trust in Him as Saviour.

When is this rapture going to happen? Well, it’s a lot like childbirth. We know it’s coming, but we don’t know the exact day or time. Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) He does tell us that when he returns, it will be suddenly, and we should be watching for his return and be ready for it.

Matthew 24:44 states, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:52-53, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” This means we aren’t going to have advanced notice to get ourselves “right with God.” The time to be ready is now… today.

How do we get ready? First, we must be saved. Has there ever been a time in your life when you’ve trusted Christ as your Savior and asked Him to forgive your sins? Maybe you’re thinking right now about that, and you don’t know or don’t remember if you’ve ever invited Jesus to be your Saviour. You can settle that today. You can pray today and ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Maybe you think there’s no way God could forgive you. The Bible reminds us that God has promised, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Not some sins, but any and all of them regardless of how “bad” we think they are, God is ready to forgive.

I urge you to be ready for the shout of the Lord Jesus, the sound of God’s trumpet and the voice of the angel… it will happen so fast… remember, in the twinkling of an eye, and it could happen today. If you don’t think you are ready, reach out. I’d be happy to explain to you from the Bible how you can be saved and know for sure that when Jesus comes to take His children home, you’ll be going with Him.

Remember, all that needs to be done is for God the Father to tell His Son that it is time to go get His children. Nothing else needs to be accomplished before Jesus comes again. It could happen at any moment…

On the resurrection morning
We shall meet Him in the air
We shall rise, hallelujah, we shall rise!
And be carried up to Glory
And our home so bright and fair
We shall rise, hallelujah, we shall rise!

(from “Hallelujah, We Shall Rise” by J.E. Thomas)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”- John 14:3

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Are you ready?

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” – Colossians 3:23

In the United States, Labor Day is the day that we celebrate the work force.

As we grow older, physical limitations and health struggles can limit our working ambitions. Still, many of us are willing and able to work into our sixties or seventies—or even beyond. Some people find that they have to keep working to pay bills and put food on the table, but there are others who want to keep earning money so they can be generous to others. Others of us are well into retirement.

The Bible gives no specific age for retirement—it doesn’t even mention the concept. The apostle Paul envisioned a life of service to God: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” So in whatsoever capacity we work, whether employed or not, we should do it as if we were doing it for God.

In the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) God says, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work.” – Exodus 20:9-10

Why is it important to take rest from our labors? It’s important because it gives us time to worship and praise God, learn from his Word, do good for others, and develop the gifts we have been given—all to God’s glory. We need to take a time of rest to spend time with God. Maybe you’re thinking you don’t do anything here, but you do. You are still “on the clock” in God’s employment. Remember Paul? He was often under house arrest, but he still did the work that God had called him to do. He was unable to do his “regular job” as a tentmaker as he was confined to a house, but he spent his days sharing the gospel with anyone with whom he came into contact. It could have been a Roman soldier, a prison guard, or a traveler passing through the city. No matter whom, Paul was always ready to share Christ with them. That was his job.

So, even here you labor for God. You can share Jesus with your fellow residents, the friends you’ve made here, the caregivers, the kitchen workers, the physical therapists… anyone who crosses your path, you can be a “Paul” – sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Maybe you aren’t sure what to say. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” So if we seek God’s guidance, He will do His part and help us to know what to say or do. Remember Moses? He was reluctant to accept God’s call because he didn’t think he would know what to say. God said, “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” (Exodus 4:12). Jesus told his followers, “…take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12). GOd always keeps His promises. If He says He will help you know exactly what to do or say, He will do it.

I can think of two things you can always share. The first is how you came to trust Jesus as Saviour, and the second is what He has done for you. We assume that everyone knows about Jesus, everyone knows how to get to heaven, how to be saved, but the truth is… not everyone does. Our job is to be sure they do.

Remember, that sharing Christ with others is never a vain… or empty… thing to do. God’s Word reminds us in Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

When we grow older, our blessing and witness may diminish in the workplace, but it can grow among family, friends, church, or the community in which we live.

So, on this Labor Day, celebrate your employment with God, and serve Him well, but remember also the importance of taking the “day of rest”, and worship God as He deserves.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

(from “Give of Your Best to the Master” by Howard B. Grose)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”- 1 Corinthians 15:58

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What have you done for God lately?

 

I was visiting my friend’s house the other day, and she showed me a nest that a pair of barn swallows had built on her porch. They had tried to build a nest before, so my friend had placed a large rock in the upper corner of the ledge inside her porch. Despite the large obstruction, the pair of swallows were not discouraged. They built a beautiful mud nest resting secure on top of the rock. Despite inclement weather, curious neighborhood cats, or even human looky-loos, the swallows have no fear as their nest is built on a solid foundation.

As I gazed upward at this amazing aviary structure, I reflected upon my own life and the reason that I have no fear living in a world that is full of chaos, uncertainty, and evil. Like the swallows’ nest, my life is also secure on a firm foundation. I stand upon the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ!

Jesus is the rock of my salvation. When He went to the cross, He took upon Himself the sins of the entire world. Enduring the agony of the cross, Jesus willingly died for humanity, fulfilling God’s plan for redemption of His creation. When Jesus rose from the grave 3 days later, He proved He was the Saviour of the world, and in that, He secured an eternal salvation for all those who choose to put their faith and trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sins. Once a person has accepted Christ as their Saviour, they receive God’s gift of everlasting life with Him in heaven.

John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Additionally, Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

As the “rock” of my salvation as it states in 2 Samuel 22:47, “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation,” my standing with God is secure because its foundation is Jesus Christ, the risen Lord and Saviour of the world! It is not something that I can have one day and lose the next. The Bible records Jesus’ words in John 10:28-29 when He speaks of those who believe in Him, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

Just as the barn swallows sing their joyous songs, I also lift my voice in song to the rock of my salvation! “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). It is truly a comfort in a tumultuous world to know that my God is unshakeable and His Word is true. I can stand firmly upon the Bible knowing that every word in its pages confirm that I will not be removed from the love, care, and protection of my Redeemer. “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved” (Psalm 62:6). Hallelujah!!

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

(from “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote)

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 10:4

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Are you standing on the Rock?

 

 

Saturday, my granddaughter (not pictured) competed in a horse show. It was her first, and she was very excited. There were 5 events in which she participated, all of which she had practiced for months to be able to do her very best on this day.

Since this was her first equestrian show, we didn’t really expect her to be a contender for a ribbon, but regardless, she gave her all and did a great job. When the results came in, we were all (including her!) amazed and thrilled to see her take home 4 blue ribbons!!!

This reminded me of a very special event that is going to happen for Christians one day. Everyone who has trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour will stand before Him as He judges our service to Him. Jesus will judge our works to determine what rewards we will receive from Him. Will we get a “blue ribbon” or will we merely receive a participation certificate?

1 Corinthians 3:9-15 states. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

This refers to the future event when we stand before Jesus at His judgement seat. It is not a time of judging whether or not we are saved, but rather the time when the work of those who are saved are determined to be godly… the gold, silver, and precious jewels, or carnal/worldly … the hay, wood and stubble. As our works pass through the fire of God, only the gold, silver, and precious jewels will remain and thus determine what “ribbon” we will receive.  Our rewards will not be ribbons, however… they will be crowns. Now, we don’t know exactly which crowns we will receive, but like my granddaughter, who put in the necessary work to get the prize, we must put in the work to earn a crown from Jesus. The Bible speaks of 5 different kinds of crowns that can be received due to our work for God.

1. Crown of Righteousness

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:8

This is a crown for everyone who is waiting anxiously for Jesus to return! The signs of the time indicate that Jesus’ appearing will be sooner than later, but not everyone is looking for the Lord to come back. Only those who know Him as Saviour are eagerly awaiting His appearing! Those of us who are looking up are righteous in God’s eyes through the salvation that Jesus purchased for us on the cross of Calvary. Our righteous status comes only through faith in Christ and His work on the cross. The Bible states….

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”  – Philippians 3:9

A crown of righteousness is a crown for every “righteous” person saved by the grace of God through faith and is ready and waiting for Jesus Christ coming.

Has there been a time in your life when you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Saviour? Are you ready and waiting for His return? If so, they you will have a crown of righteousness!

2. Incorruptible crown

“And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25

The incorruptible crown is a crown for people who will have victory over the world and the flesh. This crown requires self-control.

“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” – 1 Cor 9:26-27

By demonstrating godly self-control, avoiding the temptations of the flesh, choosing to reject worldly ways for godly ones, we will receive an incorruptible crown. We need the strength of Christ to do this, and He readily provides that strength. We CAN exercise godly control when we depend on Jesus and His strength.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13

Have you tried to live a godly life, but find it so hard to do? Have you relied on the strength of Jesus for help? If so, you may receive the incorruptible crown!

3. Crown of Life

The crown of life is a crown for people who have patiently endured trials, testing and persecution yet maintain their faith. Going through hard personal trials, rejection from friends and family, losing loved ones, etc., yet remaining faithful to God AND trusting Him, is not easy. The temptations to join the world and reject God are relentless, but when we stand firm on our faith, holding fast to that which we know to be true, continuing to be separate from the world, and live for Christ, a crown of life awaits us.

“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” – James 1:12

Have you remained true to Christ and refused to follow the world? A crown of life will be your reward!

The crown of life is also for the people who bravely confront persecution for Jesus Christ even to the point of death. It is hard to believe that Christians around the world today are imprisoned or even killed for their faith in Christ, but it happens every day, and it will continue to escalate as we move closer to the return of Christ.

“Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” – Rev 2:10

Those who remain faithful despite facing the most horrific trials, from imprisonment to death,

4. Crown of Rejoicing

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.”  – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

The crown of rejoicing is awarded to those who bring others to Christ. It’s often called the Soul-Winner’s Crown, and it’s the reward given to those who reach out beyond themselves and lead others to Jesus. It is a crown for every Christian who has had a part in another person’s salvation… whether it was a seed you planted, one you watered, once you cultivated, or one where you actually harvested!

Think of the person who led you to the Lord. It wasn’t just that one person, but rather a network of individuals that God used to draw you to Him. Each one will receive a crown of rejoicing one day!

How about you? Have you experienced a part in the salvation of another person? Maybe you were a Sunday school teacher sharing the gospel with your little ones. Maybe you helped in Vacation Bible School? Maybe you sat with your own child and explained how much God loved them and prayed with them as they asked Jesus to save them. Maybe you gave money to missions or the church to help further the cause of Christ. There are so many ways to share in leading others to Christ. The crown of rejoicing will be yours one day!

5. Crown of Glory

The last crown is a very specific crown. It is called the crown of glory, and it is a crown for the man of God who has a group of individuals for whom he is spiritually responsible. In today’s world, this would be a pastor of a church. He is often referred to as a shepherd and the church is his flock. Here is what the Bible tells us about this crown and pastors.

“Feed the flock of God, which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.” – 1 Pet 5:2-4

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” – I Timothy 5:17

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” – Hebrews 13:17

God’s Word holds pastors to a higher standard than others who work in the ministry, and thus, they receive a special crown for their service to God as His overseer of his “flock” – the local church.

Receiving our Crowns

It was so exciting to see my granddaughter receive her ribbons. I can only imagine how much more exciting it will be when we receive our own crowns from the Lord! But then, what will we do with them?

Casting our Crowns

What will we do with our crowns? The general thought is that we will cast them at Jesus’ feet, although the Bible doesn’t actually say this. What it does say in Revelation 4:10 is this: “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Why would we do that? Because it is Jesus Christ alone who deserves to wear these crowns! All of our achievements are due to His work on the cross and in our lives. It stands to reason if all of heaven is worshiping Jesus and the elders are giving their crowns to Him, we would do the very same thing!

Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
Qnd hail him as thy matchless king through all eternity.
(from “Crown Him with Many Crowns” by Matthew Bridges)

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13

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What crowns are you aspiring to receive from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ?

 

Easter is over. Yesterday, churches around the world were filled with worshipers who remembered the sufferings and agony of Jesus’ crucifixion and then the jubilation and rejoicing over His resurrection. Voices were joined in song as the words of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” “Up from the Grave” and  “He Lives” echoed in the churches around the world. Songs that praise the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! What joy filled everyone’s heart and soul!

Pastoral messages were heard that stirred the hearts of believers as we worshiped and praised the name of Jesus together. What a glorious day Easter Sunday was! But now it is Monday. It is the day after Easter. And we need to ask ourselves, what now?

Let’s take a look at what the Bible records what happened on the first few days following the resurrection.

Mark 16:14 tells us that the disciples had gathered together for a meal.

“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

Luke 24 records two friends walking and talking about the events that had happened in Jerusalem with Jesus.

“And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.”

John 21 tells the story of how Peter and 6 other disciples went out on the Sea of Galilee to go fishing.

“There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.”

Why do you think that after the most incredible event in human history had just happened, AND after the disciples had even seen Jesus, that things went back to normal for them?

The power of the resurrection was not realized yet by Jesus’ followers.

In fact, the Bible tells us of no one who really believed it had happened even though Jesus told His disciples that He was going to die and then return to life 3 days after His death.

Mark 9:31-32 records, “For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.”

Matthew 17:22-23 tells us, “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.”

Let’s take a look at some of these individuals.

1. The Pharisees didn’t believe. They believe the disciples would steal the body of Jesus away.
   1. “Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.” – Matthew 27:64

2. Pilate didn’t believe. He agreed to allow guards to be posted.
   1. “Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.” – Matthew 27:65

3. Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary didn’t believe. They were coming to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.
   1. “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.” – Mark 16:1

4. Peter didn’t believe. He went into the tomb to see if the body was there.
   1. “And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.” – John 20:5-7

5. John didn’t believe. He also went to the tomb to see if the body of Jesus was still there.
   1. “Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.” – John 20:8

6. Thomas didn’t believe. He wanted to see Jesus in the flesh.
   1. “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” – John 20:25

But then they SAW Jesus!! Their immense sorrow became unspeakable joy, and they began a ministry that changed the world! Nothing could stop them from sharing the gospel message: Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of the world; He was buried, and then He rose again on the 3rd day just as He said He would!

Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth of what Jesus did for us:

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” – 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

Yesterday, churches all across the globe celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. There were even people in church yesterday that never go to church except on Easter and Christmas. The hearts of the people rejoiced, but will those same hearts that celebrated yesterday continue to burn for Jesus today? Tomorrow? Or in the days to come? They most certainly will… if they’ve truly “seen” Jesus and trusted Him as the Saviour of their souls.

Have you?

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore.

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
One day He’s coming—O glorious day!

(from “One Day” by John Chapman and Charles Marsh)

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” – Psalm 51:12

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Today is Monday. What now?

 

Well, it’s been 3 months since Mochi came to live with us. She is still skittish, but slowly she is adapting to her new home and her new family. I hear her purring every now and then, and she doesn’t run away when I walk by. Now she actually glances upward as if to say she is not going to budge one bit as if I were intruding on her domain!

Learning to trust is not coming easy to Mochi, but she is beginning to understand that we are not going to abandon her, hurt her, or abuse her. We love her despite her inability to reciprocate that love at this time. We love her unconditionally, and one day, we hope she’ll be able to trust us completely. If not, we will still love her.

There are many of us who have trouble trusting others, and that sometimes impairs our ability to trust the Lord. When our past experiences have resulted in disappointments, betrayals, and rejection, our brains seem to feed us all sorts of excuses as to why we shouldn’t trust.

The reality is that trusting involves vulnerability. We become vulnerable to the actions of others, and that fear of opening ourselves up to potential rejection, hurt, whatever bad things happened in the past, keeps us too afraid to trust. Mochi doesn’t trust because she doesn’t want to be hurt again. So I must prove to her that I am trustworthy. I do that with soft words, gentle petting, and of course, meeting her physical needs of shelter and food.

When it comes to God, it’s important to realize that there is no need to fear trusting Him.  The truth is we can be vulnerable with God without fear of abandonment, rejection, or betrayal. Choosing to trust Him is a huge step of many of us. It takes faith… sometimes faith that we don’t even know we have… to accept God at His Word. However, one must remember that God has proved Himself over and over in the Bible.

Jeremiah 31:3 reminds us that God loves us more than we could ever imagine. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” This love doesn’t depend on what we do with God; He loves us unconditionally forever! When God says He loves us with an everlasting love, we can believe that without any reservation because God never lies as Titus 1:2 records, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began…” He is faithful to His Word. He has shown it again and again in the pages of Scripture.

The most important Biblical truth of God’s unending love for us is manifested in His Son, Jesus, whom He sent to be our Saviour. God sacrificed “His only begotten Son” (John 3:16) to provide a way for us to have an eternal relationship with Him! 1 John 4:14 states, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

There are so many other proofs of God’s trustworthiness in the Bible. His track record is spotless! His promises are true! He is so worthy of our trust!

Hard to understand? Yes, it is, but if you are searching for the “One” who will never leave you nor forsake you, never abandon or reject you, and promises to love you forever… you are searching for Jesus.

I can trust Jesus, I can trust Jesus
He never once has failed to meet my needs
He is my strong tow’r, the strength in my weakest hour
I can trust Jesus; He takes care of me

(from “I Can Trust Jesus” by Gerald Crabb)

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” – Isaiah 55:6

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Jesus is waiting for you with open arms.

 

 

 

In 1965, the movie, “The Greatest Story Ever Told” was released. Movie-goers thronged by the thousands to see this epic film. Like most stories of Jesus, this film chronicled the life of Jesus beginning with His unusual birth, and then moving to His 3-year ministry filled with its supernatural healings and strong teachings, and finally culminating with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. “The End”.

But is that really the end of the story? Most definitely not!

Many people think of the story of Jesus as beginning with Christmas and ending with Easter, but nothing could be farther from the truth! In fact, if all of human history was a theatrical production, in my version, we would only be in Act Two! The best is still yet to come!

Here is my breakdown of “The Greatest Story Ever Told”… the unabridged version!

• Prelude – The Old Testament
  • The Old Testament sets the scene for us and reveals the problem.
  • It starts with God’s perfect creation, and then sin is introduced into the world.
    • “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
    • “For the wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23a
  • The problem now requires a solution, and of course, that solution is redemption.
    • “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” – Psalm 111:9

• Act One – The Life and Ministry of Jesus
  • The New Testament begins the life of Christ.
  • Virgin birth
    • “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
  • His 3-year ministry
    • “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” – Matthew 9:35
  • Crucifixion & Resurrection
    • “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” – 1 John 4:14
    • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

• Act Two – The Institution of the Church
  • The Great Commission
    • “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” – Matthew 28:19
    • “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15
  • The creation of the Church occurs in this section of the story.
  • We are actually principle players in this act as this part of the story is still unfolding in our lives.

• Intermission: The Rapture
  • An intermission is a break between key points of a story.
  • In a play, this is the time when people leave the theater and take a break.
  • The Biblical comparison of this event to a theatrical intermission are clear: Christians (those who have trusted Christ as their personal Saviour) will now be leaving the theater for a short time.
    • “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

• Act Three – The Tribulation 7-year Period
  • In this particular part of the story, God is executing judgment on the world for its sin and rejection of Christ.
    • “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” – Matthew 24:21

• Act Four – The Second Coming of Jesus
  • Here we finally arrive at the exciting climax of our story.
  • The battle intensifies between God and Satan until finally Jesus sets foot on earth again and establishes what is known as the “Millennial Kingdom”. This is the time when Jesus physically establishes His rule on earth from Jerusalem, binding Satan for 1000 years.
  • After the 1000 years, Satan is released and tries one last time to overthrow Jesus.
    • “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” – Revelation 20:7
  • Jesus defeats Satan once and for all. This is the final and complete solution to the initial problem.
    • “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” – Revelation 20:10

• Finale – Eternity Future
  • Now we come to the last chapter of the written story. The problem is completely solved. In our “story”, Satan has been defeated. Sin no longer has any influence on God’s creation.
  • Those who have rejected Jesus will spend their “eternity future” in hell, forever separated from God.
    • “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” – Matthew 25:46
    • “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” _ Revelation 20:15
  • Those who have trusted Christ as Saviour will begin their “eternity future” in heaven with the Lord.
    • “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:2-3
    • “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” – Revelation 21:3

So, is the story over now? Not even close! In fact, it should be renamed as “The Never-Ending Story” because our eternity with God will truly never end!

But like most movies that leave out some very important parts if they have been adapted from a book, my short synopsis is also just that. A brief summary of the most amazing story ever written! It is the story of God’s love, and to fully understand it, you must read the book!  There is so much more depth and clarity in the Bible! I could never even begin to share its treasures in my little blog. My deepest heartfelt recommendation for you is to read the Bible! I promise it will change your life!

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

I love to tell the story, ’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

(from “I Love to Tell the Story” by Arabella K. Hankey)

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:4

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If you don’t know Christ as your Saviour, I’d love to introduce you to Him. Just send me a comment, and I will joyfully share with you how you can be saved from your sins and know without a doubt that your “eternity future” will be with God in heaven!