Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Talk Tuesday-What Are You Living For?

What Are You Living For? Today I am reminded that life on this earth is temporal. We do not know how long our earthly journey will be, but we do know that one day it will come to an end. So, how should we spend our lives here on earth?

Death is a sobering reality. When we experience loss, its painful thrust can help recalibrate the compass of our lives. JESUS tells us about eternity. We can choose to live in Him, for Him, and with Him, knowing that our lives will become a reflection of His love here on earth. We can also choose to live for ourselves, storing up earthly treasures and living a convenient comfort. Either way, the choice is ours.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

If we choose the treasures on earth, we will end up like the Rich Man in Luke 16:19-31. If we choose JESUS, salvation and eternity in heaven is ours. “...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved,” Romans 10:9; “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day,” John 6:40.

Remember, we are saved not by works but by faith; yet faith without works is dead. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast,” Ephesians 2:8-9; “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also,” James 2:26. 

While we have today, let us ask ourselves, 'What are we living for?'

RIP with Jesus, UJ; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Talk Tuesday-Lest We Forget

Lest we forget...

This week we celebrated the tremendous sacrifice of our war veterans. We honoured those who gave their lives so courageously, that we might live in freedom. We wore poppies to remind ourselves of the gift of their sacrifice. On November 11th, we paid homage to our fallen soldiers, with the following words resonating throughout our nation, 'Lest we forget...' Today I say, "Thank you, Lord, for their sacrifice."

Yet, there is a sacrifice of One much greater than a million brave men. One whose sacrifice is so great, that it altered the course of humanity forever. One whose sacrifice wraps up hope in the gift of promise. Sinners are saved. The lost are found. The broken are restored. The blind can see. The prodigal is welcomed home. What a beautiful sacrifice!

I confess, sometimes I forget. Sometimes worry, stress, disappointment, judgment, fear and doubt cloud my memory. So I write this post lest I forget...lest we forget...who JESUS is. HE says:

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep," John 10:11.

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." John 10:9

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." John 6:51

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." John 15:1

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." John 11:25

Remember His sacrifice...lest we forget.