Living in the Now...Preparing for the Future

                     

 

 

    

1 Peter 1:3-5

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

NKJV

 

I remember at a church I once attended, most of the songs we sang  were about the "sweet by and by."  The songs written at in the 1800's and seemed to reflect primarily on the hardships of life and the glory of the afterlife in heaven.  I enjoyed singing those songs- and still do- but find myself preferring songs about walking with the Lord here and now, on Planet Earth.  I enjoy songs about His current blessings in my life, His strength, His provision, and His peace.

But recently as times have become more difficult and the political climate more frightening, I find myself, like the believers of old, looking more and more beyond what is here to what shall be in heaven. Today's verses encapsulate a little bit of both viewpoints- a living hope and a future in heaven.  I think that a Christian is well served to keep the balance in their mindset and life.  We walk with Jesus today and can enjoy the abundance of His Spirit as we do the work He has left for us to do.  Simultaneously, we can look forward to a glorious inheritance in heaven where there will be no more to overcome.  We will enjoy His presence,  peace and joy forevermore! What a beautiful plan the Father has prepared for those who love Him and who are eager for His return.

Dear Lord, help me to see the world as You do.  Help me to live in expectation of Your return and my deliverance.  Also, Lord, help me to live today to the fullest I can as I walk in Your Spirit.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

The New Thing

 

    

Isa 43:19

 

19 Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert.

NKJV

 

 

Do you like new things?  For me,  it just depends.  I enjoy new clothes-tremendously!  I like fresh baked desserts.  I enjoy trying new foods and restaurants. I used to love the first day of school. I like to read a new book and open a new notebook.   But in other things, I must confess, that I like comfortable.  I enjoy fitting in, knowing the drill, what I need to do and what others need to do.  I like familiarity.

 

Recently my job has (once again!) been turned topsy-turvy and all of a sudden I have no idea what I do anymore!  There is nothing about that, that I find appealing.  I want to roll the clock back several years to when I enjoyed it and knew what I was doing.

 

But spiritually, I long for the new thing.  The next great exploit in Christ.  Greater
heights.  More intimacy.  More anointing.  Sign me up for all of that!  But before the new thing springs up, there is often a season of unrest, a season of plowing up and preparation. A season I feel I have been in too long already.

 

When faced with the new thing we can either be filled with anticipation or trepidation.  The former builds enthusiasm and hope, the latter builds dread and fear. Thank the Lord, that when  a new thing is on its way, God already knows about it.  He has already made plans, and sometimes in His providence, He allow us to catch a glimpse of what He is up to.  To sense a change of course, we must be sensitive to His leading and direction.  We must have our hearts attentive to His  voice.

 

God is always working the new things for our good.  He can level the path out through the densest wilderness.  He can bring provision in the dessert.   God is doing something new.  Will you be a part of it?

 

Thank you, Jesus, for making good plans for my life.  Thank you that I can trust you in the season of new things and rejoice in the good that you have in mind for me.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Precious in His Sight

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable then they?”  Matthew 6:26

Bird watching has always had its fans.  There is something about watching the power of an eagle soaring through the sky.  Even the seemingly carefree existence of a sea gull in flight is enough to be breathtaking.

This passage of scriptures urges us to take a moment and look at these, some of God’s smallest creatures.  We are to recognize that they are not capable of planting and harvesting their own food.  We will not find a bird renting a storage space or “putting up vegetables”.  And yet, God sees to it that they have food when they need it, just as he provided manna for the Israelites.

The passage goes on to point out our value to God- as much more valuable than birds.  We, the human race, were created in the image of God.  Jesus came to earth, died for our sins and raised from the dead. He did all of this because we have value in His eyes.  We are priceless and precious to Him, our Creator.

When we worry about how we are going to feed our family or ourselves, we are usurping the place of God in our lives.  We are to look to Him to be our provider at all times.  Certainly, God has ordained work as a means of provision for the able-bodied.  But even our participation in work is at His good pleasure.  He gives us the intellect, the brawn or the favor to obtain and carry out any job we perform.  He gives us wisdom to manage the income we receive.  When all is said and done, He is the origin and conclusion of all things that pertain to us.

Trust in God today.  He will not fail you. He loves you intimately and infinitely.

Dear Lord, thank you that you care for even the smallest creature.  Thank you that you care for me even more.  Help me trust you to take care of my needs and to send whatever resources or provision I need.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Sherri