Drop in a Bucket

How can you compare your life on earth to the time you will spend in eternity?  Have you heard the expression "a drop in a bucket?'  Better yet, compare life here as a drop of water to an everlasting life as the water in an ocean? 

If you have been to the beach or on a cruise ship it doesn't take much imagination to realize the vast amount of water that the ocean contains.  Comparing that to a drop of water from an eyedropper seems utterly ridiculous.  How does our life on earth compare to being alive forever and ever?  The truth is that the comparison is not fair; not that the drop representing our earthly life is not big enough, but rather that eternity is far greater than all the water in all the oceans of the world.

Yet many people choose to ignore or deliberately not consider what their life will be for the infinite amount of time after their years on earth.  Jesus talked about a man who prospered much and only thought about building bigger barns to store up his wealth but ignored the life of his soul.  Jesus called him foolish. 

In the business world there is a saying that failure to plan is to plan to fail.  Jesus told a parable about the wisdom of the unjust steward who, although he was not honest, at least was wise enough to plan for his future.  Jesus' comment was that the unjust steward was wiser that the sons of men.  In short, be wise enough to plan for your eternal existence. 

In my work there are people from many different cultures and religious persuasions.  Often these religious backgrounds are so ingrained that arguments to the contrary are futile.  Therefore, it is not profitable to argue religions.  The only thing that works and changes everything is Jesus showing Himself.  Therefore, my heart plea to every person is this, Ask Jesus to show Himself to you.  Jesus loves each person enough to die for them, and God delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18) and forgiving sin through what His Son accomplished for you on the cross.  He paid the ultimate price for your and my sin, so it is clear He desires each one of us to enjoy the benefit.

Today there are great numbers of people who have experienced dreams and visions of Jesus which has made all the difference in their lives forever.  This is consistent with His promise that those who seek Him will find Him and that the Holy Spirit would bear witness to Jesus, as God Himself who willingly shed His own blood to wash every heart clean.  Jesus promised in Luke 12:32 that it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  The kingdom that Jesus died to give you is defined as "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17) 

There is no substitute for knowing God.  Jesus, praying to His Father in John 17:3, said that "this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."  Furthermore, He promises that "he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21)\.  Jesus will show Himself to you, who He really is, if you honestly ask.

Eternity is a long, long time, actually forever.  Nothing compares to knowing God and Jesus whom He sent so you will forever enjoy His goodness and love in the coming age.  Life here is a drop in a bucket, well actually less than a drop of water compared to the whole ocean of eternity.  Knowing Jesus and His awesome love for you is His gift that lasts forever.  So as the commercial expression goes, "Don't leave home without it."  

What do you have to lose?  If Jesus is not real, then nothing will happen.  However, if Jesus is real, by asking you open the door for Him to show you who He really is and how much you are loved forever and ever.  Let me repeat my deepest request that will make all the difference, not only in the drop of water that this earthly life is, but forever in the vast ocean of life that goes on forever.  Ask Jesus to show Himself to you.  

He is Faithful

 A young worship leader Matthew (named changed) and his wife Alice (also changed name) were excited with the expectancy of their first baby.  Perhaps Dad was a little overzealous as a "proud papa" with plans to videotape and stream the coming birth to family and friends.  However, the week that the baby was due, she miscarried and the baby was stillborn. 

The next morning Matthew was scheduled to lead worship.  Understandably, as students gathered for worship the rumor mill spread the news quickly that they had lost the baby.  There was a holy hush of emotion and compassion that settled over the student body as Matthew came out to lead.  Matthew took a moment to catch his breath, looked out at the students who sensed his hurt, and simply said, "As you may know, we lost our baby last night."  He paused for a second, then said, "God is faithful, let's worship Him."

Clearly the time we need to realize God's faithfulness is in the hard times.  1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God is faithful even in challenging trials, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it." His faithfulness will provide the grace to go through the trial and also show us how to overcome it.

One of God's eternal qualities is His faithfulness.  Faithfulness is defined by Webster as "loyal, steadfast, not changing, unswerving adherence to an oath or promise.  Numbers 23:19 declares how and why we can know He is faithful, "God is not a man that He should lie." This truth is further defined in Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He"  

The testimony of Moses, repeated by Joshua and Solomon, is that not one word has failed of all the good things God had promised.  (Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 8:56)   Jesus, who is the exact image of the Father. also continues to show the faithful nature of God, "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)  God is faithful to keep His promises.  

In His faithfulness, He has promised awesome benefits to us.  First, in 1 Corinthians 1:9, it states that God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Fellowship may be simply defined as two fellows being in the same ship.  We are joined to Jesus, He in us and we are in Him.  Eternal life is described by Jesus as "knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent."

He is a faithful God who promises that blessed are those who wait for His help, according to Isaiah 30:18. His faithfulness reaches to the skies, according to Psalm 36:5.  Because Jesus has paid the punishment for all our sins shedding His blood on the cross, 1 John 1:9 points out that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  Jesus is the Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world, so He can transfer His righteousness and overcoming power to those who come to Him.  Even if we have times of being unfaithful, He remains faithful, because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).  

1 Corinthians 4:2 calls us servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be faithful.  He who is faithful in little will be given much, and he who is not faithful in little will also not be entrusted with much.  He clearly is looking for the faithful and wise servant that He can reward.  We are called to "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer" in Romans 12:12.  Finally in Revelation a more severe test is applied that confirms His faithfulness, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."  Enter into the joy of your Father, good and faithful servant.  Jesus is always faithful to keep His promises and reward those who are faithful and diligently seek Him.

Fills My Mouth with Good Things

Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits...who fills my mouth with good things so that my youth is restored like the eagles. 

Psalm 103:1-5  God also declares He has forgiven all our iniquities, healed all our diseases, redeemed our lives from hell, and crowned us with His steadfast love and mercy.  However, the next "benefit" is different in that it requires our participation.  He may "fill our mouths" but it is up to us to speak these good things. This is much like the expression, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

2 Corinthians 4:13 states that since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke" we also believe and therefore speak.  We believe Jesus has overcome sin, sickness, the devil, and death.  Then we bring this overcoming power into our lives by saying it with our mouths.  It is one thing to hear the Word of God, but another to make it ours by declaring this truth

Consider what words you usually declare.  If there was a recording of all your words from the past 24 hours, would it sound positive like hope and joy or would it be doubt and fear and defeat?  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, according to Jesus in Luke 6:45, so our words reveal what is in our hearts.  Have you ever noticed what comes out of your mouth in emergency situations?  It is often something we didn’t even realize was in our heart.  Yet God has given us a new heart and now renews our mind with His truth and ways so we can become His mouthpiece on the earth. 

As we declare His truth, we allow the Holy Spirit to confirm our words with His power.  Our youth or life is renewed like the eagles.  Just as an eagle soars and is lifted up effortlessly by the wind, so our bodies are renewed by the breath of God.  

Beyond our personal benefit, God's plan is also for "His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven," which is how Jesus told us to pray.  Peter goes so far (1 Peter 4:11) as to say that we who speak are the oracle or mouthpiece of God.  Just as God spoke creation into existence with words, "Let there be light" and so forth, this same principle of power is declared in our spoken words, according to Proverbs 18:21, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue."  Amos 3:8 exhorts all those who hear God to speak what we hear, "The Lord has spoken, who can but prophesy?"  Prophecy is hearing from God and then speaking the message our loud to establish it on the earth. 

The bottom line is "It is finished."  Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has finished or completed the work of restoring all that mankind has lost through sin and now reigns as King.  We agree with God's Word and use His kingly authority to overcome anything and everything that does not submit to His rule.  Therefore, Romans 5:17 can boldly say "all those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and speak the good things from God's Word to renew your youth like the eagles!   

Do You Fit In?

"I was so embarrassed and ashamed when you prayed out loud at the restaurant, everybody was watching." said my guest.  

My response was simply, "I was so embarrassed and ashamed that you would receive what God has given and not even take a moment to give thanks." 

These contrary viewpoints demonstrate whether we are more concerned about "fitting in" to what people may think or more aware of doing all to please God.  When we accept who Jesus is and what He has done (John 1:12) we became children of God.  We become new creatures who are born of God and now share divine nature; the old fleshly person of the earth is crucified with Christ and has passed away. 

In a discussion with the Jews, Jesus pointed out that He was from above and not of this world.  Jesus said they were from below and of this world.  (John 8:23) Notice the complete difference.  As children of God, we have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into His glorious light of Jesus Himself.  Ephesians 2:6 declares we have been raised with Jesus Christ and are seated with Him at the right hand of the Father.  Verse 19 further points out that we are now fellow citizens with the saints and the household of God.  In short, we are not of this world anymore, but just His ambassadors that happen to still live in it.  

Obviously, the Holy Spirit did this in us and for us when we were born again.  However, Paul reminds us in Romans 12:1-2 that it is up to us to choose to live in this Spirit-given heavenly position rather than continue in our fleshly body and mind like the world. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  Choosing to receive and obey God's Word changes our thinking and our ability to please God.

In the Gospels, Jesus calls us the light of the world and the salt of the earth.  However, He points out that if salt loses its flavor, it is worthless and only good for being trampled on the ground.   Jesus, according to Hebrews 13:12, suffered "outside" the gate.  Then verse 13 follows, "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach."  Because of His willingness to bear our sin and shame, we cheerfully respond by not being ashamed to represent Him in a darkened and sinful world.  

Finally, 1 Peter 2:9 calls us "a peculiar people."  Part of the privilege of being a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" is that we are willing to be different from the world.  The purpose given is that we may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Paul in Ephesians 1:12 re-enforces this truth stating that we should live "for the praise of His glory."

Today the tendency or temptation is to be acceptable to society and worldly standards rather than being a light in the darkness.  Even many Spirit-filled churches talk only about Jesus' love but tone down the message of Jesus about eternal judgment, repentance, immorality, hell, casting out demons, or praying in tongues in order to be "user friendly" to the world rather than being true to God and His word. Yet many of these doctrines, according to Hebrews 6 are foundational to Christian maturity and obedience to God. Jesus warned "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."  The critical truth is that our choice has eternal consequences. 

So fit in or please God.  You choose.  

 

Life from Death

 The greatest event in the history of mankind is the resurrected life of Jesus given to man from the death of Jesus.  The question is do we believe this and do we understand that this amazing power is still active today.  

The perfect plan and awesome power of God is manifested in His transforming death in the flesh to give His eternal life to us.  In Luke 9:23-24, Jesus proclaimed this principle, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily (to die on), and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake with save it."  We are called on to believe in His death and resurrection, not just as a Jesus spectator, but as one who follows Jesus through believing faith that this principle also works in us.  God does not change and His Word is everlasting.

 "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain," according to Jesus. (John 12:24)   Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:9-11, likewise states that we are "always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  Most of us desire with all our hearts (at least I do!) that Jesus' life and power would be openly shown in and through me, but how do we allow this to happen?  Jackie Pullinger, missionary to drug addicts, prostitutes, and gang members in the walled city of Hong Kong, captures the answer with this phrase: "The Gospel always gives life to the receiver and death to the giver."  There is a cost.

  Jesus says to count the cost. Paul adds depth to this statement by sharing the horrendous cost that he paid through beatings, shipwreck, persecutions, and even death, as "light sufferings" not worthy to be compared to the "eternal weight of glory that is to be revealed in us."  However, more important and more compelling than the reward is the truth that Jesus, the Lamb of God, who gave His life for us is worthy of all we have to give.  If He willingly paid the ultimate price for all our sins, doesn't He deserve our willingness to give what and who we are?  God loves a cheerful giver.

 We must look in the mirror of God's Word to compare our life here on earth to eternity. "For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)  How does a drop of water compare to a vast Pacific Ocean of water?  In short, no amount of time compares to being alive forever and ever.  Live your life from an eternal perspective.  

Therefore, in the words of Jim Elliot, missionary speared to death trying to give the Gospel to the Auca Indians in Ecuador, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us "to will and to work for His good pleasure," by believing and applying this truth, life from death, by laying down our lives and making whatever sacrifice is necessary to share the message of Jesus. Worthy is the Lamb to receive the reward for which He died. Jesus is worthy of it all.    

 

Heart Failure

Heart failure is when our heart does not line up with God's heart.  Consider your heart desires and what breaks your heart.  Do you desire in your heart what pleases God? And what breaks your heart, perhaps rejection, unfair treatment, unrequited love, when evil triumphs over what is right, betrayal, a cheating spouse, children who turn away from the Lord, loss of a loved one, financial pressures, or even the defeat of our favorite sports team. Since we as believers are one with Him, let's ask what is on God's heart or as the song goes "Break my heart with what breaks yours." 

Believers understand that Jesus died to save us and bring us into a loving relationship with Him that shares His glory and goodness forever.  John 3:16 clearly states, "He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  However, more than saving us from hell, Jesus clearly deserves the adoration and worship of every person because of what He has done for each of us on the cross.  He is worthy of it all.  We were created, according to Ephesians 1:11, for the praise of His glory.  What an incredible paradigm shift from thinking of ourselves to focusing on Jesus and what He rightly deserves!  

Many Scriptures declare that the result of the new covenant is that Christ (God) is in us and we are in Christ.  Obviously, our life goal now, since He gave it all for us, is to learn "how to walk and please God" (1 Thessalonians 4:1). While a study of what pleases God reveals many aspects of obedience and behavior, let's look at one rather important command which was the last thing Jesus said to us before He left this earth.  

Jesus' last words were "All authority has been given to Him on heaven and on earth, Go, therefore and make disciples of all of the nations..." according to Matthew 28.  Mark in 16:15 states the final command in a similar way, "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."  Finally, just before His ascension, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit which will enable us, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem (your home and family), and in all Judea (your fellow workers and people with similar backgrounds) and Samaria (neighbors and contacts beyond), and to the end of the earth (obviously other people and all nations)." (Acts 1:8)"

There are three significant motivations that now compel us to respond to the basic understanding of the purpose of our life on earth. 2 Corinthians 5:15 clearly reminds us, "He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." One motivation is compassion for other people, and their eternal destiny of heaven or hell.  Secondly, our love for God is shown by obeying His commands.  Jesus said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." (John 15:10)  Finally, the third and probably the most powerful motivation is for the glory of God and His Kingdom. 

Revelation 4 gives a glimpse of the worship that goes on forever in heaven, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for you created all things, and for your pleasure they exist and were created." Jesus clearly deserves all the praise, thanksgiving, and glory of every person for which He willingly suffered and died, until He is all in all (Ephesians 1:22).  The purpose of missions, to reach every person with the Gospel, is more than getting people saved but rather that every created being would worship God and honor Jesus who rightly earned it.

Jim Elliot and the Ecuador Five gave their lives because of compassion for the Auca Indians and where they will spend eternity.  C. T. Studd, an outstanding cricket player in England, and the Cambridge seven left human accolades and a life of luxury and fame to obey the command of Jesus to go.  In his own words, "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." In short, if we do not obey Him, then He is not our Lord.  Finally, two Moravian missionaries who chose to become slaves in the West Indies to share the Gospel with the natives, were heard to declare as their ship left the harbor, "Worthy is the Lamb.  May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering." 1 Corinthians 10:31 confirms this truth, "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  

In light of Jesus' command to go and make disciples, John Piper summed it up succinctly that we have only three choices, "Go, send, or disobey."  Sometimes we ask what can I do?  Let me give another example, John Hyde had difficulty in learning the language when he went to India and Pakistan, because he had impaired hearing and was poor at speaking. He began to pray 2 hours a day that lost souls would come to know Jesus, then continued to increase the time until he prayed all day.  Through the intercession of Praying Hyde, as he became known, millions of souls in Pakistan came to know Jesus Christ.  

Ephesians 2:10 says that each of us has "work which God prepared beforehand."  What part of the harvest of all souls has He called each of us?  How concerned are you for your unbelieving family members and neighbors, yet alone the lost of the world?  Would you start by taking a few minutes every day to pray for the lost, and then ask Him for and look for opportunities to share the hope that is in you? (1 Peter 3:15). The commands of Jesus aren't just for missionaries and "super" Christians, Jesus directs His commands to all of us common, ordinary people.  Go, send, or disobey.  If your heart does not line up with His, God can heal your "heart failure."  Ask the Holy Spirit to break your heart with what breaks the heart of God.  God will transform the heart that comes to Him, "to will and to work for His pleasure."

Battle for Healing: Faith and Patience Inherit the Promises

 Jesus shed His blood to forgive sins, but at the same time His body was broken beyond recognition (Isaiah 52:14), so we could be made whole, "by His stripes we were healed (1 Peter 2:24)."  Many people know this truth until they get a diagnosis for cancer or some other ailment, then the real battle of the mind begins.  

We may also know that 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 reveals that in this war we have supernatural power for "pulling down strongholds, casting arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."  Since God's thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55) are not our thoughts and ways, it is necessary to renew the mind or our way of thinking to prove that "good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  Jesus promised, and He has kept that promise, to send the Holy Spirit to teach us all things so we have the mind of Christ.  

Here lies the problem: many of us are aware we aren't good enough, haven't prayed enough, and in short, don't deserve to be healed.  We think we need to convince God to heal us.  Number one, it is already done, it is finished, the price has been paid in full.  Number two, God delights to show mercy (Micah 7:18) because that is part of His nature and His mercy endures forever.  He heals because He loves and cares about us.  So rather than trying to persuade God to heal, we are called to agree with God that it is done.  What we are actually doing is standing with God against the devil and his attack on our bodies, which happens to be God's temple.  God wants to confirm His Word and is waiting on us to stand with the authority He has given, so He can crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).  

Therefore, each time we declare "by His stripes I am healed (Isaiah 53:4)," or realize His benefits "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all my iniquities, who heals all my diseases (Psalm 103:2) " or enable the Holy Spirit by saying  "the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead gives life to my mortal body (Romans 8:11)" we are agreeing with God against the devil.  Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and He never changes, He continues to destroy the works of the devil as we declare His Word.  Don't give up or shrink back by thinking maybe I don't believe enough, just depend on the simple stated principle of Hebrews 6:12, "faith and patience inherit the promises."  God is faithful to keep HIs promises.

1 Peter 5:8-10 reminds us that the devil is looking for someone to devour and then instructs us to "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to HIs eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

Fight the good fight of faith and let God complete His good work in and through you.  Be healed, in the name of Jesus!  Praise God forever!