Physical death for Christians is the temporary sleep of our human body. Our soul and spirit are immediately with the Lord. There is no such thing as soul-sleep. Our bodies will be awakened from sleep in their right order. The right stages (1 Corinthians 15:20,23, 1 Thessalonians 4:14) as God has designed. After Armageddon (Daniel 12:2) the unsaved will be awakened to eternal judgment.
Things in my life can make me bitter or better. Bitter is spelled with an “I” and bitterness happens when I am center stage. Better is spelled with an “e” and better happens when Emmanuel is the centre and focus of my life.
If you keep your eyes on the circumstances you will always be depressed but if you (Colossians 3:1) set your mind on things above, where Jesus Christ is enthroned at the right hand of the Father, the Majesty on high, you will always have countless reasons for joy no matter the circumstances.
Spiritual comprehension is far beyond feelings. Feelings fluctuate continually but what I truly comprehend becomes my personal possession of Truth forever.
Before God created (Ephesians 1:4) an earthly world for me to live in, He had already chosen me (Philippians 3:20) for heavenly citizenship.
(Genesis 3:3. Ezekiel 36:25-27)
When God transforms us from the Walking Dead into the Redeemed Living Dust, we are forever members of His royal family. We have a standard to maintain in this world. We are to live in defence of the gospel and never deny Jesus - - by a look, tone of voice, choices or attitude. The servant of the King of all Kings, is adorned with His goodness and kindness.
The Lord will fulfill my God-given desires (Psalms 37:4) as I obey Him without question or hesitation in living (Ephesians 1:12) to the praise of God’s glory.
All grapes come from a grapevine and contain taste, juice and refreshing. That productive grape represents me if (John 15:1) I am consistently abiding in the True Vine, always in close connection and loving relationship with Him.
Golden bells and pomegranates (Exodus 28:34). A golden bell to sound a spiritual message and a pomegranate to represent spiritual nourishment. God planned and prepared (Isaiah 37:26) all that He willed in advance from ancient times. God engineers so we have no fears.
All the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:16) received the same remuneration whether they had worked one hour or several hours. This tells me 2 vitally important Truths. We cannot work to earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) and the muscle of God’s Grace is freely bestowed on all who will trust in and receive Jesus as their personal Saviour and Lord.
If God had not created water, we would not have HYDRO. Just to think of all that depends on hydro makes me realize that God the Creator, knew all that humans would need before any need existed. He never misses one tiny detail. The same foreknowledge and provision is seen (1 Corinthians 15:21) in our redemption and resurrection. Our all-glorious God is the total sum of all perfection, wisdom and beauty.
Impulse is the enemy of discipline and obedient surrender continually to the Lord. Common sense is God’s gift - - BUT – it must never replace the direction and instruction of the Holy Spirit.
If I put my hand into the nail pierced hand of Jesus, I will live in Resurrection Victory that His death purchased for me
Everything I have is God’s gift to me and His investment in me. He alone is worthy of the profit and glory which results from His own investment.
If I obey the Lord, I will not have confusion in my life. (Oswald Chambers) “I can’t think a muddle clear, I must obey it clear” Obedience brings discernment. A Voice will direct (Isaiah 30:21) walk in it.
God’s Life, the Christian Life, is not my human effort trying to be godly. The secret of a Christian (Oswald Chambers) is that the spiritual is made natural in him by the Grace of God and the experience that works out in the practical details of his life. Then he will have the power to be perfect, complete, fully matured (Matthew 5:48) as the Father in heaven is perfect. A Christian’s life cannot be divided into sacred and secular. If it is not Jesus living His life in and through us, it is not the Christian life.
Salvation is free (Ephesians 2:8-9) but it is not cheap. The ‘free gift’ of God’s Grace came at the tremendous cost of the Blood and the Life of Jesus. He died the death I could not die because I was already spiritually dead. From His atoning Death, Jesus rose from the dead. He gave me salvation through His death and justified me by His glorious resurrection.
If we fully trust in the Lord (Isaiah 26:3) we will experience His perfect peace and mirror (Ecclesiastes 5:20) the tranquility of our God.
Whatever the circumstances (Jeremiah 15:15-16) God’s Word is the rejoicing of my heart. Because God’s Word continually assures me that He is always in control.
If you live by your own wits, you will end up (1 Samuel 30:4) like David in Ziklag.
Jesus did not come to live an ordinary life on earth. He came to live the Life of God in the ordinary things of earth and make it possible for us to do the same. The Father in Jesus (John 17:21) and Jesus in us. So that we are (Ephesians 3:19 filled and flooded with God Himself.
First of all, first before anything else (Matthew 6:33) seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Some things are necessary, some things are difficult, but all are secondary to the essential SEEK FIRST. Not my convenience, not my supposed rights but to be surrendered to seeking and co-operating with God’s holy purpose and control. Always seek and keep first the FIRST THING.
If we whine and reject God’s plan, sometimes God will give us what we want, with all the resulting consequences. Like Hezekiah (Isiah 38:5, Isaiah 39:6-7) we will discover the tragic consequences. In getting what he wanted he fathered a son who became the most wicked king that Judah ever had. God’s way is always the best way because He always plans for our spiritual benefit and enrichment.
I am retired and no longer work for any business company, But God has given me a ‘full time’ job which will last as long as I live on earth. My work is to be an Ambassador for the Lord, to take the King’s message to the inhabitants of the nations of this world. I must be the King’s Ambassador and live worthily to represent my King. I must be always on business for my King.
God’s gift of blindness brings me increasing clarity to comprehend the patience, goodness and unfailing kindness of the Lord. When I have to do something. but I cannot see to do it, God always enables me to do it correctly. When there is something, I cannot do because of my heart condition and weakness, I can do it because my weakness is a showcase for God’s perfect strength. I have so many blessings that I have no room for complaints. I am deeply grateful that my heavenly Father lavishes on me the precious sweetness of His fatherliness. I walk and I talk, and I live with the King. Each day is filled with the miracles of God’s amazing Grace. Everything about me and my ageing body in this fallen world is a reminder and a promise of the glorified body that is soon to be mine.