Inescapable truth

"Behold, I tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." (Isaiah 25:8) "O Death, where is your sting? (hos. 13:14) O Hades, where is your victory."

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (bold added for emphasis) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:51-58

As of this writing we are one week into a state wide shelter in place. Many things have transpired in the past seven days, but the most evident is the fear that is beginning to rise in the nation as other states respond to the coronavirus. Watching the news last night as another city faced the effects of the shelter in place, my heart broke for a woman who was obviously consumed by fear. And as I was typing just now, I received a text from a friend asking for prayer for someone who had suffered a heart attack because of stress.

We may be experiencing a pandemic, but the greater problem is the fear that is gripping so many.

I admit, I have had to do daily battle against the enemy of fear. My choice weapon is praising God for the knowledge that nothing comes to us that hasn't been filtered through His hand or without His knowledge and permission (see the first chapter of Job). I bathe my mind with Scriptures that reassure me of God's Presence and peace. One of my favorite right in the middle of 1 John 4:18 now  "Perfect love casts out fear."   There is no more perfect love than the love of Elohim, our Creator, who provided us the ability to have an intimate relationship with Him through His Son, and the Savior of all who will accept the gift of grace, Jesus Christ. It is the knowledge of His great love for us, for me, that keeps drawing my eyes towards Him and away from the stormy sea of doubt and fear. (check out who is the Master over the storm in Mark 4:35-41)

Having said that, I will now return to the purpose behind why I decided to write today.

Here is an inescapable truth. Unless the Lord Raptures us (and it could happen in our lifetime) we're all going to die. Our physical existence on this plane (earth) will come to an end.

Our life as we know it on earth will end, but our souls will continue on into eternity. The question is, where will you spend eternity?

I have assurance because of my relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6) It is a confidence that no storm will be able to shake. I don't fear dying, because I know God has prepared a place for me and I will rest in peace when that day comes.

Now dying is a whole different scenario.

I get it why people are scared. The passage between life and death is unknown. Suffering is often a part of the process for many...and none of us like to suffer.

I would love to go as one of my great-grandmother's did.  The story goes that the family was gathered around the dining table eating, and she looked around and told each of them that she loved them, laid her head down on the table and was gone.

That's pretty awesome.
 
Now I don't remember the exact circumstances of my other grandparents deaths, but I do know they faced it bravely, confident we would see one another again. One of the songs my grandfather Van Winkle picked to be sung at his funeral was God be with you 'til we meet again.  I still tear up a bit when singing it. I miss him.

Daddy had been ill for awhile when his heart simply stopped. Not a heart attack. It just quit beating.The doctor said he had never seen anything like it.
Mom was hospitalized with pneumonia, but passed quietly with her children around her. She was so ready to join her husband of over 50 years.

The bottom line...I don't want to enter heaven screaming as I try to hold on to this life.

I don't know when or how I will die, but I do know I will leave this world and enter the arms ofJesus. When I think of the glory and the beauty of that, nothing scares me.

All this to say, if you're afraid of death you might need to examine why.

"For the wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life with Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Do you know Jesus personally?

If not, today would be a good day to invest in getting to know Him. Check out the book of 1 John for starters, especially verse 9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Remember the wage of sin is death, (see above) and "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 
Yet there is good news and hope: "But God demonstrates HIs own love toward us, in while we were still sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

The offer is open to any who are willing to receive: "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." ~Jesus as recorded in Matthew 11:28-30

Are you tired, stressed out, fearful?

Take your eyes off the storm and fix them on the Savior. Open up your heart and your hand and invite Him in. Allow Him to lead you through the temporary place of this earthly life and into the joyous celebration of eternal life with Him.

I am praying for you.
                                                              ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For those of you who know Jesus as Savior, the time is now to be bold in sharing the joy you have in your relationship with Him. Tell your story loud and clear. Help others to know Him too. May God richly bless each of you. To Him be the glory for now and evermore.

The Velveteen Grandma: In times like these...

The Velveteen Grandma: In times like these...: "Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgements. Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing can m...

In times like these...

"Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgements. Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble." Psalm 119:164&165 NKJV

So much is going on in our world right now.  As I write we are on recommended social isolation in an attempt to stem the spread of the coronavirus. People are responding in vastly different ways. Some with fear and paranoia, others with a cavalier attitude that they are somehow invincible. Some are responding in deep faith, while others are alarmed and uncertain. Some are adjusting well to the isolation, while others are beginning to feel stir crazy.

Every person reacts to situations differently.

Where do we find peace in the midst of chaos?

I love the sentiment of the Psalmist in verse 165 of Psalm 119. "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble." It is what I strive towards. To have great peace, no matter what is going on around me is not only admirable, but desired. Reality is, there are times I struggle to retain the peace that's been so freely supplied. My humanity gets in the way and I get distracted from what is really important. Add in a sense of loss of control over circumstances, and before you know it, I've wandered off the well established path towards peace into the brambles of fear and discontent.

How does one maintain a peaceful spirit?

The Psalmist explains in verse 164; "Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgements". It begins with making a habit of praise and continues as I recall God's faithfulness and His righteousness. When I keep my focus fixed on Him, peace remains.

It is a story that is repeated throughout the Scriptures.

One of my other favorite accounts of the importance of a right focus is told in Matthew 14:13-32.
Jesus had just miraculously fed a crowd of 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fish, and then made His disciples get into the boat to go before Him to the other side of the sea. He went to the mountain by Himself to pray.  When the disciples were about halfway across the water, the wind was contrary and the sea was tossing their boat.  I imagine it wasn't a particularly safe feeling. And then when the disciples were feeling the strain from the storm, suddenly they spotted Jesus walking towards them on the sea. To quote from verse 26 "And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were  troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!' And they cried out for fear." (emphasis added)

I think I might have been a bit frightened as well.

Ah, but then "immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." (vs 27 emphasis added)

And then Peter, being Peter, brash, forthright, self-assured, a "take command sort of guy" addressed the situation by saying "If it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  (verse 28 emphasis added).

I kind of like that.  OK LORD, if this is You, tell me to do something that would otherwise be impossible.

"So He said, "Come."  (verse 29a)

Peter got His answer, and came down out of the boat and began walking on water towards Jesus.

Wow! Can you imagine?  He asked for something, was granted what he asked, and was then beginning to do what he desired.

But then; "when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink cried out, saying. 'Lord, save me!" (verse 28 emphasis added)

I don't know about you, but there's a part of me that is momentarily disappointed by Peter's falter, that is until I see my own faith falter. 

Yet the best of the account is still ahead.  Peter had reached out in faith, taken steps towards Jesus, got distracted by the circumstances, began to sink, and cried out for rescue.

"And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Him, and said to Him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. (verses 31&32 emphasis added).

Such a beautiful reminder of our Lord's faithfulness and love. He continued to demonstrate His power over the elements of the world, not only by walking on water Himself, but empowering Peter to do the same. When fear momentarily distracted Peter, Jesus didn't leave Him to drown, but immediately rescued him when He cried out for help.

Peter was doing great as long as he kept his eyes on the Lord.

There's a theme here. "Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgements. Great peace have those who love Your law and nothing can make them stumble." "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."  (Psalm 1119:164&165, Matthew 14:28)

I am not a Bible scholar, but I do see a correlation between our focus in praising God, and being able to trust Him no matter what. I don't know about you, but I quickly "sink" in the sea of doubt whenever I allow circumstances in life to distract me from the glories of God's amazing grace and the love which He lavishly provides for all who are willing to receive it. When I cry out for rescue and refocus my attention on the face of the One Who loves me best, immediately He saves me and great peace washes over my soul.

These are crazy times we're experiencing right now and it's easy to get distracted by them. I encourage all to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-18), to "...warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22

Above all, keep your eyes on Jesus.
He is the only One who can save us.

To Him be the glory and honor now and forevermore.