Walking With Jesus

A New Perspective

“The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, ‘Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.’ Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.” (John 5:13-15 NLT)

This familiar story of the man who had laid for 38 years waiting to be healed, then miraculously, at the sound of the Savior’s voice was able to walk, rings so true to the way people respond to His healing today. It’s apparent from Jesus’ words to the man that though his body had been healed, his soul was still stained.

Notice in the verse above Jesus told the man: “so stop sinning.” He didn’t tell him, “Listen, brother, I understand you’re a frail human being and you must sin more or less every day.” Where did we pick up that nonsense. Certainly not from the Bible. Yes, of course, even believers continue to have the capacity to sin, but is there no power in the Holy Spirit within us to fight the enemy’s urges?

Jesus didn’t tell the man to slow down his sinning, He told him to stop! I heard a story about a guy who got pulled over for rolling through a stop sign. The officer asked him if he realized he’d not come to a complete stop at the sign. The man said, “I slowed down.” The officer proceeded to pull the man out of the car and began beating him with his night stick. As the man was screaming and trying to pull away, the officer asked him, “Would you like me to slow down or stop beating you?” Just to be clear, this is a joke to illustrate a point.

Sometimes it seems in our lax view of sin, we excuse our unwillingness to deal with our habitual sin and brush it off as if the Lord treats it lightly, but is that what the Bible teaches? From the outset of our profession of faith, our first step of obedience in our walk with the Lord is or should be water Baptism. What’s the picture painted in that Christian ordinance?

Listen to the words of Paul in Romans 6:3-4: “Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death? For we died and were buried with Christ by Baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” And just so there was no confusion in exactly what he was saying, he continued in verses 5-7: “Since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised to life as He was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.”

Are we so blind to the truth of Scripture we rationalize its power away by living like we’re still lost? Is it any wonder the Church in America has so little effect when we continue to stagger under the weight of ongoing habitual sin? “

“Dear Holy Father, help us to wake up to our need to take seriously Your holy, power-filled words! Forgive us for treating sin so lightly and continuing to live as if You’ve given us no power to overcome it! Create in us a clean, pure heart that is fueled by a mind that thinks Your thoughts and leads us to speak words that honor and glorify Your holy Name. Cleanse us of our stubborn refusal to take responsibility for our own laziness and unwillingness to live as we ought. By Your Spirit’s might, enable us to create disciplines in our lives that guard our heart and mind and build us up, not only in our understanding of Your Word, but our obedience to it. In Jesus’ Holy Name I pray.”

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

When Jesus Becomes Precious

“When Jesus heard this, He said, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do.’ Then He added, ‘Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.’” (Matthew 9:12-13 NLT)

When do you most desire medicine? Unless it is “preventative,” and you take it routinely, it becomes more important when you’re sick, when you need it most. And the sicker you are, or, in other words, when you’re most desperate for that medication, it’s even more precious to you.

My dear wife has a skin condition she’s had since she was a young girl. The medication she’s now on is expensive, but her concern isn’t: “It’s so expensive!” It’s only: “I sure hope it arrives on time!” What’s my point? We value what we know we need! The greater the demand, the higher the price, and the greater the need, the stronger our desire to have it.

People don’t value Jesus because they’re ignorant of their need of Him! They hear that salvation is a “free gift” of grace, and they discount its value. They’re unaware that one drop of the Savior’s blood is of incalculable worth, yet He was willing to pay that extravagant price to provide a way so that sinners who recognize their need of Him could find a way home to Him.

Is Jesus precious to you? He is to me, more so with every passing day. The closer I get to heaven, the closer I want to be to Jesus. In some ways He’s like my “passport” to heaven. I have an expired passport that just lays in a drawer. Why? Because I have no perceived need of it. I have no international trips planned; thus, no urgency to get it renewed. But when I need it, there’s no substitute.

Too many are like that with Jesus. Eternity is the furthest thing from their mind, or, if they do think about it, they believe some version of “I’m a good person,” so, Jesus, to them, isn’t necessary. A lot of movies today convey the idea that since my loved one has died, I want to die to be with them, never stopping to ask a critical question: “Where are they?”

Presumably, they went to “a better place,” but how do we know that? Where is that “better place” and how do we get there? How can I prepare myself so that I can know that’s where I’m going? It saddens me to see a mobster’s funeral. The priest reads Scripture and pronounces blessings over their “departed brother.” He may have been their brother and he’s certainly departed, but he’s certainly not in a better place. He’s in hell where he belongs.

How can I be so harsh and quick to judge? Because redeemed people, people of God, live like it. They don’t traffic in drugs, teens and children, they don’t murder, swindle, and treat others like they’re dirt under their fingernails. They love God and others and treat them accordingly. Yes, of course, we have a sin nature, but by God’s grace and with His power, we put our practices of sin, our habitual sin, behind us and we don’t treat people as things to be used and discarded.

Jesus can never be precious to us until we see Him as our only hope. Jason Wing said it well when he wrote: “If you never see your need for a savior Jesus will never be precious to you.” Is He precious to you?

When He’s precious to us, we’ll freely share Him with others, especially with those who don’t yet think He’s precious.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Value of a Church

“Then He asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” (Matthew 16:15-17 NLT)

In the following verse Jesus declares that Simon will now be called Peter, which means “rock,” and Jesus said: “Upon this rock I will build My church, and all the power of hell will not conquer it.” Was He speaking of Peter? Of course not! Peter’s faith and assurance of the true identity of Jesus was foundational, but it’s upon that Truth itself, that Jesus is “the messiah, the Son of the living God,” that Christ’s Church is built, never on a person, except the Person of Jesus Himself.

Recently I had a series of cognitive and physical tests to see if I would qualify for a new drug trial that’s proven effective in treating Alzheimer’s. In the course of those procedures I met two young assistants who were taking my blood. During the course of conversation I asked them if they’d found a good church since being in Las Vegas.

They both said they had, so I asked them what it was about their church they loved the most. They both said, “My Pastor.” Having been a Pastor I flinched, not because I didn’t want to be liked, but no one should attend a church solely for the Pastor. What happens when that Pastor dies or moves on? Regardless of how good the Pastor is, no congregation of God’s people should be built on the personality, charisma, or even the teaching of a Pastor. Why not? Because the Great Commandment (Matthew 28:18-20) doesn’t direct us to make disciples of our pastor, but of Jesus.

If you’re looking for a great church look for these four qualities. First, they must magnify Jesus, not just in their worship, but in their teaching and preaching. If Christ isn’t preeminent in everything that’s preached, taught, and followed, keep looking.

Secondly, do they have a heart for the lost? If helping lost people find Christ isn’t a priority, keep looking. And here, I’m not just suggesting they have a “soul-winning” team(s) that goes out occasionally or that pass out flyers or invitations to church in neighborhoods. Are they teaching their people how to love others to Jesus? Are they giving them instruction and tools to help them feel confident, so they know how to lead someone to the Lord?

It’s never enough to “sit and soak” in a church. I love our Pastor’s messages, but what I love more is their heart for the lost. Every service they give, not just an “invitation,” but an explanation as to what they’re inviting people to do and why it’s so vital. But, again, it’s not enough for the Pastor to invite,” it’s every saved person in the pew’s responsibility to be inviting as well.

Thirdly, Discipleship is a must! If new believers aren’t being Baptized, then taught what it means to be a child of God as they’re walked through some meaningful and informative process of learning how to become a disciple, how are they going to grow? Why are they saved? Simply so they can go to heaven? The New Testament certainly doesn’t teach that. If the church isn’t discipling believers, keep looking.

Then fourthly, what is the church’s strategy to reach the world? Every year we send out multiple teams all over the world to help our missionaries spread the Gospel message to those in their spheres of influence. Additionally, we send dozens from our church out as missionaries to various places where the Gospel needs are great. EVERYONE in the church can be a “Goer, Sender, or Prayer supporter.” If the church you’re attending or visiting doesn’t have a heart for the nations, keep looking.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Is a Disciple?

“Jesus came and told His disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this. I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)

Did you notice I left out a couple of words in Jesus’ command? “To obey!” “to obey all the commands I have given you.” A disciple is a learner and a follower to be sure, but it’s all for nought if they aren’t also taught to obey. I can know the Roman Road like the back of my hand, but if I’m not obedient to the Lord to Whom it directs me, it may lead me down a road that doesn’t end in heaven.

Why is obedience so critical? Because obedience is the example our Master set. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:7-8: “Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

It doesn’t matter how important you think you are, how vital you believe your existence is to mankind, when you come to Jesus you’re stepping into the presence of royalty and one day, with every other knee, you will bow in humble recognition that He is everything and you are nothing. A disciple is one who recognizes that Jesus has earned and deserves our allegiance, including, but not limited to, our life.

Nothing is more important than He is; nothing deserves our devotion more than Him. To put ANYTHING above our love for and devotion to the Lord Jesus is to misunderstand the purpose and meaning of discipleship. “But what about my spouse and children?” Behind Jesus. “What about my job? My friends? My hobbies?” Behind Jesus. “What about anything else, any other thing I can think of as an excuse not to give myself fully to the Lord?” Behind Jesus.

There’s a sense in which it’s all or nothing with the Lord. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.” Please don’t read that too quickly. Did you notice the Lord followed up “the Kingdom of God” with a very helpful and descriptive word – “He!” “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and HE will give you everything you need.” The Kingdom of God isn’t an organization which we join or to which we belong, it’s a Person, a Savior whom we follow and to Whom we owe devotion.

We owe our allegiance to Jesus because we owe our life to Him. He purchased our salvation, our eternal life, on the Cross with His priceless blood. How do I know His blood is priceless? Because Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:18-19: “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”

The word Peter used that comes into our English language as “precious,” is a word that means of incalculable worth. You can’t set a measure of value for it because its value is beyond measurement.

As people of God we’re not following an ideology, system of belief, or religious organization. We’re following the Son of God, God who became Man in the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ! He deserves our best, “our utmost for His highest,” as Brother Oswald Chambers would say, for He doesn’t call us to be our best selves or a better version of ourselves, He calls us to become like Him. That’s Who we’re called to obey! Wanna be His disciple? Submit your will to His and learn to walk in obedience to His directives.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Loving What Lasts

“Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but My salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!” (Isaiah 51:6 NLT)

Why do we sell our souls for what doesn’t last? It doesn’t even satisfy long term, yet we ignore the only real, lasting, relationship that can heal and make us whole, not just in time, but for all eternity. We treat Jesus as a used tissue or a wrapper we no longer need or in which we see no value.

It’s called spiritual blindness and it’s a disease caused by sin. Every human being has it, and the only cure is Jesus. We can’t learn to love what lasts unless and until we meet and learn to love the One who created that which lasts. Eternal life is a gift from the One who IS eternal life; the One who traded His life for ours in order to give us access to His forgiveness and life that only He possesses.

To seek life in any other person or thing is to seek futility. It’s like trying to swim up Niagara Falls. The power against us is just too great to overcome in our own strength. But here’s the real question: Why even try? We kill ourselves, literally, trying to find peace, fulfillment, hope, help, joy, contentment and every other human emotion in things and in people who are just as broken as we are.

We wrongly believe jobs, careers, opportunities, relationships, hobbies, exercise, or a thousand other things can somehow remove the veil that covers our soul and blinds our eyes to the truth we’re lost and in need of a Savior. Nothing satisfies a hungry soul like a Savior. Nothing erases the longings of a wayfarer like finding their way home.

Loving what lasts begins the moment we meet Jesus and begin the lifelong journey home to heaven with Him. In this season of my life, as my body weakens, my spirit soars as I think of seeing my Savior face to face. My soul longs to be home, not because I don’t love my life here. My wife, family, pups, my church family, the neighbors I’ve come to love and appreciate. My life is filled with good things here on earth, but my soul longs for more than this earth can ever provide.

That’s what we’re all searching for; what we’re all clawing and scratching to find, failing to realize nothing material can satisfy the eternal piece of us that the Lord implanted in our heart when we were born. Pastor Allen Jackson said it well when he wrote: “Our inheritance is unfading. Our treasure is secure—it will not diminish. Our role is pivotal. Our faithfulness is required.”

Our life in Christ is worth the investment required to find its richness and enjoy its reward. Yes, it’s costly, yes it requires effort, and yes, of course it must take precedent over everything else, but it’s well worth whatever cost or effort that’s required. Jesus never promised following Him would be easy. He promised the very opposite.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If any of you wants to by My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26)

Perhaps the British Missionary C.T. Studd said it best: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Online Church?

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47 NLT)

Fellowship implies physical closeness; dare I use the word intimacy? Intimacy is a good word for what happens in fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters, but more importantly, is what we seek in our oneness with our Savior.

A vital reason the Lord gave us His church is to provide a seedbed for growth as a child of God. We grow best in community, where we can rub shoulders with others who are wrestling with the same issues with which we wrestle. Yes, of course, in our technologically advanced world the internet affords us opportunities to stay in touch with others from whom we’re separated by great distances, but to depend on electronic means to have fellowship and find intimacy is like reading a book and thinking you know the author. It’s artificial at best and can be very disappointing.

Believing the internet can be your church is like having a video of a dog and believing it’s your pet. It may make you feel better, but it’s artificial, fake, misleading, non-fulfilling. It’s not enriching, invigorating, stimulating like human contact can be. When my pain was deepest and words didn’t heal, being held in the arms of someone who loved me and cared deeply for me provided a healing balm that pictures and sounds cannot provide. As Dr. Michael J. Svigel wrote: “Theology 101: An online church makes as much sense as an online family.”

Yes, of course, if you’re out of town or unable to attend, participate in worship with your family online, but don’t mistake that “program” for Biblical fellowship. The early church “worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people.” None of that can happen on the internet.

Their contact was personal, consistent, inspiring, encouraging, and it resulted in a multitude of their friends and families coming to know the Lord as a result. Reaching our lost loved ones and friends begins in prayer, but it most often materializes as a result of personal and persistent contact. People need to “see” Jesus, sense His presence, hear “His” voice and sense His warmth before they realize just how real He is.

In some ways an online “church” is like test driving a car online. You may see its features and gain an understanding of its capabilities, but you can’t feel it, smell it, sense how it’s going to meet the needs of your family or how you’ll feel when you’re behind the wheel. It may be fun to see, but it’s not going to transport you or your family anywhere.

Online “church” isn’t church in the best sense of the word. It’s at best a salve that sooths our conscience and makes us feel better as we continue to wither spiritually. Yes, it’s a blessing to shut-ins or those who aren’t physically capable of attending, but can never take the place of rich, personal fellowship with other Jesus lovers.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

We Shall Behold Him

“Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see Him- even those who pierced Him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for Him. Yes! Amen!” (Revelation 1:7 NLT)

One day, sooner than any of us can possibly imagine, we will stand face to face with the God of the universe. What will we be feeling in that moment? Delight? Joy? Peace? Rejoicing? Release? The realization of a life’s longing? Or fear? Foreboding? Anguish? Frustration? Anger? Shame? The Lord alone knows how we’ll feel, but this much I know with certainty – that day is coming!

We’re naïve and blind to the truth to deny the Bible’s Words are true. As surely as the Bible’s words that foretold Jesus’ first coming were true and fulfilled, the words that declare His return are just as certain. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s only a matter of “when!”

Are you ready? What does that mean? How do we get ready for such a cataclysmic event? By simply placing our trust in the truth that Jesus is God’s Son. God poured Himself into human flesh, to die in our place and to pay the penalty for our sin, a debt we could never in eternity pay ourselves. But the wonderful, good news is, by faith we can accept the payment Jesus has already made in our place.

The Bible says in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…” Wages are what we earn by what we give our life to. A wage is what you deserve for the work you’ve done. Sin earns us a “wage,” but that wage is death. Our determination to live like we want to live (i.e. our own way), results in a separation between us and God. That’s what “death” is, a separation between us and the God who loves us and gave Himself for us.

The good news is, Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin, to bridge the gap that our sin has created between us and God, and give us the privilege of being united with God through the sacrifice of His only Son, the Lord Jesus. By inviting the Lord Jesus to forgive us and to live within us in the Person of His Holy Spirit, we can be, as the Bible teaches, “born again” into a new love relationship with the living God. We initiate that relationship through prayer, by inviting the Lord to come into our heart and life.

Through that relationship we grow to know God and to understand our great need of Him. Our desire to know, love, and serve Him grows until the longing of our heart becomes to actually one day see Him face to face. The Bible tells us that day is coming.

In some sense that day has already come for those who have preceded us in death and may come for us in that way as well. But for sure, the world is winding down and one day soon the Lord will call a halt to it all. Ready or not, the Lord is coming. Please don’t wait another second to make sure your life is securely in His keeping. Go to Ron Hutchcraft’s website and get things settled while there’s still time.

For me, the Lord’s coming is the greatest news I could ever consider. There’s no one I long to see more than Him. Please take a few moments to listen to this beautiful affirmation of that day by Sandy Patty that will stir your soul and encourage your spirit: We Shall Behold Him!

Blessings, Ed 😊

Leadership

“If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:8 NLT)

Leadership is a gift that is given to some and not to others, and for good reason. Some people do not deserve to be followed. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works. Some very bad people have gained a very large following resulting in the detriment, not only of many people’s lives, but even of the course of our world.

With all his faults, Satan can be very persuasive. It occurs to me that Satan may well have the “gift” of leadership, but when he chose to use his gifts, talents, and abilities for his own exaltation and seek to work against the Lord, the fruit of his gifts have been channeled into evil rather than good. That can happen to us as well.

Photo by Miguel u00c1. Padriu00f1u00e1n on Pexels.com

The gifts of God aren’t given to us fully developed. The “seeds” of those gifts are planted in our heart with the intention that we would rely on the Lord to grow them to full development. There is a sense in which every believer in Jesus is given the “seeds” of every gift. Because I may not have the gift of kindness, generosity, love, etc. doesn’t exempt me from bearing the fruit of those seeds in and through my life as a believer in Jesus.

Leadership, like any other gift, is a work in progress. Often, at least initially, our gift may not be recognized in our own life but pointed out by someone close to us. It may not occur to us that our ability to influence others is something extraordinary until we’ve had time to demonstrate our gift over time. Ed Stetzer was onto something important when he noted: “Leadership is something you learn, not something you step into.”

Yes, of course, learning is a lifelong process and leadership is no exception, but to assume a leadership role without having some foundational understanding of what that means can be disastrous. I think of Paul’s concern, as the Gospel was spreading so rapidly, that competent Pastors/leaders be assigned to give guidance to the fledgling congregations.

Yet, to me, an even graver concern is the leadership we allow to govern our own lives. To what or whom do we give the most credence in our day-to-day lives. The morning news? Our favorite internet outlets? Our friends? What about God’s Word? Should we not allow the Spirit to inform, instruct, and lead us in every effort to walk in submission to the Lord’s directives?

Yes, of course, we can pick up practical tips and guidance in many things from books and articles, but they must always be weighed in light of the clear instruction of Scripture. Books on leadership can be helpful, but only to the extent they concur with the truth of Scripture. We can only lead to the extent we’re willing to be led.

If the Holy Spirit is not our moment-by-moment governor and guide, we’re in no way prepared to lead anyone, anywhere. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it well when he wrote: “If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.” We must make certain those to whom we give our willingness to follow are on the right train.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

My Fading Memory

“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NLT)

In these opening words of his letter, Paul is remembering with fondness his relationship with his friends in Thessalonica. He’s reminding them that the essence of what keeps their relationship alive and fresh is the connection they have through prayer. Miles and time may separate them, but the Lord is as close to them as He is to Paul, so, their connection with the Lord binds them together.

On many levels that’s how I feel about you, those of you who faithfully read the words the Lord gives me. Though my body and mind are weakening, my spirit remains strong and assured that the Lord is with me and for me and will continue to walk patiently and persistently with me every step of my journey. My energy is on short supply these days, so I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to write, but as long as the Lord is speaking and I’m able to type, I’ll continue to keep the articles coming.

In the meantime, thank you for your prayers. Prayer is our lifeline, not only to the Lord, but to each other. Realizing my physical issues pale in comparison to those with which some of you are having to deal, I’m not seeking pity, only prayer. Pity is for those who don’t yet know Jesus, so we pity and pray for them.

The words of John Newton resonate with me when he wrote: “Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” It’s ironic in some ways that the closer I seek to walk with the Lord, the more clearly I see my sin, shame, and unfitness to be His servant.

It’s all by grace. As Paul wrote: “your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ,” is all because of the grace and mercy of God. We’re not followers of Jesus because we’re anything, we’re clearly not. It’s all because of who Jesus is, what He did, it’s the price of our redemption He was willing to pay, that gives us opportunity and hope for a new beginning, a new life, and a new eternal hope of heaven.

Thank you for your faithfulness, your faithful efforts to forward the work of Christ Jesus, your strong desire to love well and to live well, and for your enduring hope given to you by Christ Himself. Your life and your efforts are not in vain. The Lord hears your prayers, loves your heart, and will respond in ways that will change hearts and lives to His glory forever.

As I scan the corridors of my memories, I see many things that bring deep regret and sadness. I’ve failed the Lord in so many regrettable ways, ways that have weighed on me in this season of my life. No doubt Paul encountered remembrances of his own failures as he recounted in 1 Timothy 1:15: “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ – and I am the worst of them all.”

There is a sense in which until we can see ourselves in a right perspective in our relationship with the Lord, we’ll never fully appreciate, not only who Jesus is, but what He did to save a sinner such as me (us). In whatever time we have left. Let us labor as unto the Lord for the souls of those whose lives we can influence positively for Him. As our memories fade, may our influence for Jesus continue to thrive.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

A Light Momentary Affliction

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT)

Sometimes the grind of life can wear us down and discourage us, forcing us to view things simply from a human perspective. As I’m experiencing a weakening of my body the Lord is enabling me to see things in Scripture more clearly, perhaps more personally.

Paul’s words above really spoke to me when he wrote: “So we do not lose heart!” How easy it can be in the weariness of daily existence to give in to the whispers of the enemy that we’re losing ground, when in fact we are making great strides in our forward progress with the Lord. We’re so prone to focus simply on the physical we can easily lose sight of the more vital spiritual dimension of our life.

“Eternal Light, Momentary Night” “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

It seems the less physical strength I have the more insight and intimacy the Lord affords me with Himself. The picture that comes to mind is the small child seeking to hold on to their rising kite as it seeks to find strength in the wind that calls it ever upward.

God is calling us ever upward, child of God. This earth is not our home. And while it seems all that is within us is seeking to ground us in humanity, God is calling us to Himself, to a life of which we can only dream, but must continually pursue.

Our dear brother Ray Majoran gives us insight when he prays: “Glorious God, You fill the heavens with light and the quiet places of our lives with mercy. Day by day, You renew what the world tries to wear down. You are present in the middle of our trials, shaping something far greater than we can yet understand (Romans 8:18). What we count as heavy, You are using to prepare a weight of glory that will outlast every trouble. We praise You for not wasting a single moment.

Please help us to hold fast when our strength fades and our hopes feel thin. Remind us that though our bodies weaken and our plans sometimes fall apart, You are working within us something deeper, more lasting, and more alive (Isaiah 40:29–31). Give us eyes to see what is unseen — not as an escape, but as the promise of what’s ahead (Hebrews 11:1). Train our hearts to value what You value, and to trust that even when the night stretches long, the light is never lost.

By the power of Your Word and Spirit, renew us again today. Make us people who do not lose heart because we know what You are building cannot be compared to what we are facing. To You be all glory.”

Realizing how discouraging a long-term illness or other difficulty can be, may I assure you that the Lord is with you every second and, as hard as it is for us to believe at times, He is working every detail for our good and for His glory.

On my bad days, when it’s hard to even get out of bed, I’m praising the Lord for the gift of prayer, the gift of silence, the gift of stillness, the gift of His voice, His touch, His love, mercy, kindness, grace…and for YOU!

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊