ARE YOU EXPERIENCING GOD'S REST?

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:9, 11, 12 ESV)

It seems that most people I talk to nowadays are weary both physically and spiritually.  They are so consumned with the problems and difficulties of life that their soul is never at peace but is in constant turmoil and they are personally tormented.  Even when they slow down and rest for a while - their minds never turn off and are constantly reminising events and conversations over and over.  Believe me, I know this because I'm no different.  Like you, I wake up in the middle of the night and my mind will immediately begin to rehearse those situations over and over.  Those voices speak to us all day and everyday.  It is interesting in this passage of scripture that God invites us to His rest.  We are invited to discover the peace that His Word promises us.  If you look closely at this scripture again - you will see that God gives us the key to finding and discovering His peace and rest - getting into the Word of God.  He reminds us what the word of God can do - it is active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit... and it is discerning of thoughts and intentions of the heart.  In other words - read God's Word.  Read it out loud if you need to quiet those inner voices troubling you.  Let His Word go deep into your spirit.  Let faith arise and overtake your troubled mind.  Find your peace in Him.  Find the rest that God promises you.  Don't allow the enemy to rob you what is rightfully yours.  There remains a rest for the people of God.  It's yours today.  Take it and be at peace with all that you are dealing with in your life right now.

A Word On Suffering

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:19 ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)

One of the issues of life that none of us will be able to escape from is suffering.  It is a fact that every person who is moving forward and growing in Christ will deal with some type of suffering in their life.  People suffer in many ways and in many degrees.  It might be sickness, emotional, financial, relational, etc - or even as many around the world - persecution.  Over the years I have personally cried out to The Lord and have asked "why" certain things take place and "why" some people have undergone so much suffering only to find Him at times very silent.  But He does speak to us through His Word.  God makes it very clear that we must all suffer and that suffering causes us to grow deeper in Him in all aspects.  The Book of 1 Peter was written to a church that was suffering persecution in many harsh and brutal ways.  They were seeing their friends martyred for their faith and others being persecuted. They were having to make a stand for their faith as to whether they really believed in God or not.  Look at 1 Peter 4:19 again - that... they had to learn to "entrust their souls to a faithful creator while doing good."  It is trusting in what you don't see or feel.  It is trusting that God sees the bigger picture.  It is trusting that no matter what happens - God would bring glory out of whatever you are going through.  I also love what 1 Peter 5:10 says, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."  Think about that.  Someday, God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  You can count on that.  No matter what you are going through today - God is with you and will not leave you - ever.  Ultimately, you might not see it now, but God is using what you are going through to make you stronger in Him and He is establishing you in maturity and character.

Being A Christian 24/7

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11, 12 ESV)  

As I write this, I am in a hotel in Las Vegas attending a Pastor's Conference this week.  As we drove thru the city I felt like I needed blinders on my eyes just to avoid the billboards of suggestive sexual inuendo's.  It is so over the top and flaunted at every corner.  The themes of "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" and that Las Vegas is "sin city" permeate the whole atmosphere - day and night.  But I am comforted by the fact that the scriptures teach us - "where sin abounds, grace does much more abound" (Romans 5:20).  I have many pastor friends in Las Vegas who are winning this city for Jesus.  We have churches all over this city - even in some of the casino's on the Las Vegas strip.  The gospel is permeating every level of society.  As I was being checked into my hotel - I was able to share Jesus with a young man who wanted to know why I was here.  When I told him - he began to tell me his story and that he personally wanted to get right with God.  I was able to get his name and phone number and passed it on to Pastor Greg Niemeyer to follow up on.  Where ever you are - whether in the High Desert or in Las Vegas or whatever city you are in - "flee these things (sin), pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness, Fight the good fight of faith."  I'm not a Christian just on Sunday.  I'm a Christian 24/7.  Pray that God would use you to reach a lost and dying (spiritual) generation.  Be the man/woman of God that God has intended for you to be.

REFLECTIONS OF ONE YEAR AGO

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20, 21 ESV)

One year ago today, I stood by my Father's side as He stepped from this life into eternity.  And, at that time, all of his children and most of his grandkids were with him in his bedroom as he took his last breath on earth.  Just before he died he looked at us and said that he was seeing Jesus.  We asked him if he saw his parents and my grandson Jonathan who had died previously and he said that he did.  When we pressed him for more information he waved us off and told us that it was too much to describe.  As he was in his last days and hours, we took vigils by his bedside - singing, praying, crying and even laughing at the many memories we shared together.  It was also a teaching moment to our grandkids about living life well and even ending well.  My dad knew that he was a citizen of heaven and that he was just passing through this life on the way to his real home in heaven.  His earthly body that was broken down and failing was transformed into a glorious body upon his entrance to heaven.  I am often asked if I am sad about my dad's passing and I tell them "yes" and "no."  Yes, I miss him but no I'm not sad because I know where He is and I know that He is no longer in pain and suffering.  When we would ask my dad about his favorite verse - he would often quote Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  He was a great father, friend and mentor.  He supported me through thick and thin.  And most important, he left me with a legacy of faith that I am also imparting to my children and grandkids.  I am glad to say that I'm my father's son.

WHAT DIFFICULTY ARE YOU FACING TODAY?

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 NKJV)

What "wall" do you face today?  What "difficulty" seems to be captivating your constant attention?  What "problem" is overwhelming you right now?  If you are like most of us - those situations will be daily occurances of living out life on earth.  God's Word is a great help at this time in that it reminds us that our God is bigger than any human problem or anxiety that might exist.  He is "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think."  Think about that - your God is much bigger and stronger than anything that you might be facing right now - financial need, marriage need, family situations, finances, depression, sickness, job, school, protection, etc.  The list could go on and on.  If your problems are bigger than your God - you are serving the wrong God!  Take a moment right now to say, "God, I commit __________ (name your problem) to you right now.  I know that you can take care of this.  Help me not to worry or fret but to put it totally in your hands.  Help me to trust you right now with this situation.  I ask this in Jesus' strong name.  Amen."  Your Heavenly Father loves you so much and wants to bring blessing to your life.  He sees the bigger picture in your life and knows what is best for you.  Let these words soak into your spirit right now and let God be God in your life.  He is waiting for you to call out to Him right now.

The Marks Of A Christian

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 ESV)

Romans 12:9-21 The Marks Of A Christian

1. Let love be genuine.

Are You A Lukewarm Christian?

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1, 2 ESV)

I am always baffled about the compartmentalizing that goes on in Christians.  They can be one way on Sunday but live a lie during the week.  When they need to be a Christian they can turn it on with all the right phrases and actions, but when they want to live like the world, they fit right into that realm without even a second thought.  This passage from Colossians challenges us that "if we have been raised with Christ" then we should be seeking the things above.  I am not a "part-time" Christian.  I don't take "vacations" from God.  He is with me 24/7 and I must live my life always for Him.  We belong to Christ and have been raised by His power over the sinful lives and habits that we have.  We are also challenged in this passage to "set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."  This is a purposeful motion on my part.  It is action with intentionality.  It is living and monitoring every part of our life to be reflective of who is really living in and through us.  May I encourage you today to not sit on the fence but to fully come over to the side of godliness and righteousness with Christ.  Look what is said in Revelation 3... “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15, 16 ESV).  Don't be that lukewarm Christian today.  Make a decision to live for Christ in your actions, in your speech, and in the way you walk today.  I pray those you come in contact with will "see" that Christ is in you always and that you are a reflection of someone who has been changed by the power of Christ.