Posts Tagged ‘eternal life’

What Does it Mean to Follow Jesus? 3 Insights

Friday, February 15th, 2013

“One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I’ll show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.

“A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing nets. He called at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men” (Mark 1:16-20).

This account happened more than 2,000 years ago. But Jesus still calls people to follow Him today. I was eight years old when I chose to follow Him, but only as an adult did I really begin to understand what that meant. Here are three insights (of many) I’ve gleaned along the way:

  • Following Jesus means a shift in priorities.

“I’ll show you how to fish for people,” He said to Simon and Andrew. He didn’t say, “I’ll show you how to get rich quick,” or “I’ll show you how to become the best fisherman on the sea.” He focused on people. Following Him means people become our priority, too. Caring for them. Encouraging them. Introducing them to the best friend ever—Jesus.

  • Following Jesus means being stretched beyond the familiar.

The four fisherman in this story left their boats and nets to follow Jesus as He taught in synagogues, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead, fed the masses, and more. This was new to them, and surely it was a stretching experience.

Likewise, we encounter new experiences when we follow Jesus, too. He might ask us to mentor a younger person, teach a Bible study, go on a missions trip. Following Him means being stretched but that’s okay because He’ll be with us and will give us courage and strength.

  • Following Jesus means counting a cost.

James and John left their dad to follow Jesus. I wonder what he said in that moment. Maybe he called after them, “Hey—what are you doing? I need you here! You can’t just walk away like that!” Maybe he watched them walk away, shaking his head and muttering under his breath about their impulsivity.

Following Jesus often involves a price. For me, it’s meant losing two parents while I was overseas for ministry purposes. It’s also meant financial sacrifice. But when I think of Jesus sacrificing His life on my behalf, who am I to withhold anything from Him?

Following Jesus also means discovering purpose for living, experiencing forgiveness from sin, peace during life’s tough stuff, confidence in knowing He holds my life in His hands, and the promise of eternal life. Following Him forever changed my life.

“Come, follow me,” says Jesus. What’s your response?

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Five Things God’s Given Us

Friday, September 14th, 2012

God's given us Himself and a myriad of spiritual gifts. Does He owe us anything else?

Ever feel like God owes you something? A nicer house, maybe? A better spouse, stronger health, or a job you actually like?

This age of entitlement makes it easy to feel we deserve more. Lest we fall into that mentality, let’s pause to ponder what God’s already given us. Isaiah 13:2 is a good place to start: “See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”

From this verse alone, I see five things God has given to those who love Him:

  • salvation (“God has come to save me”)
  • courage (“I will trust in him and not be afraid”)
  • strength (“the LORD God is my strength”)
  • a song (“the LORD God is…my song)
  • victory (“he has given me victory”)

I look at this list and see that God’s covered everything. He’s given us eternal life—it’s hard to top that. He’s given us courage to face whatever comes my way. He’s given strength to do whatever He calls us to do. He gives us a song to sing even in the darkest night. And He gives us victory over temptation, evil, discouragement and whatever else seeks to defeat us.

These five things are all we really need to flourish. Strip away everything else—our creature comforts, our relationships, our securities—and the gifts God’s given us enable us to thrive nonetheless.  Does He owe us anything else? I think not. How about you?

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‘I’m Okay, You’re Okay’ is Not Okay

Friday, July 27th, 2012

Today’s guest post is written by Kathi Macias. Kathy is a multi-award-winning author of 40 books, including 2011 Golden Scrolls Novel of the Year and Carol Award finalist, Red Ink. A popular Bible teacher and speaker, Kathi lives in Southern California with her husband, Al.

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“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11, NKJV).

The story of how Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery is an all-time favorite for many of us. We love that the Savior was merciful and compassionate, even turning the spotlight from the woman to her self-righteous accusers. But to focus on the Lord’s lack of condemnation to the exclusion of His admonition to “sin no more” is to misrepresent the truth and power of His words.

A few decades ago I came across a popular book titled I’m Okay, You’re Okay, and it struck a chord of concern in me because the book was selling like crazy and readers were extolling the virtues of its anything-goes message. Some years later I had the privilege of working on Josh McDowell’s manuscript for his book The New Tolerance, in which he cautioned the Church not to get caught up in the world’s ever-increasing love affair with that “I’m okay, you’re okay” type of mantra. Josh rightly predicted that our society was well on its way to making tolerance the number-one virtue and intolerance the gravest sin. We now live in that culture, where the most oft-quoted (and misused) verse in the Bible is “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1, NKJV). Though it is true we are not to judge others based on our own opinions or personal values, neither are we to toss out the absolutes of God’s Word in fear of being considered intolerant.

The Scriptures are clear that murder, stealing, lying, adultery, and other behaviors contrary to the character of Christ are absolutely wrong. Period. Not because we say so but because God says so. To proclaim His Word is not judging; it is simply believing that what He says is True because, after all, He is Truth, and God cannot contradict His own nature and tell a lie.

The Scriptures also instruct us to “[speak] the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15, NKJV). Certainly we need to proclaim God’s truth from a heart of love, desiring to see people saved and healed and set free, for truth without love causes terrible damage to the hearers. However, love without truth becomes license and allows people to remain in their sin and continue in their separation from God.

And that is why Jesus so clearly said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” He assured her that she did not have to live under condemnation, but He also admonished her to change her ways. “Sin no more,” He warned her, for if she truly understood His message and received His forgiveness, her life would be marked by repentance, an “about-face” from her previous walk away from God to one heading straight for His heart, a life epitomized by a desire to please her Lord and reject a life of sin.

By all means may we refrain from imposing our opinions and personal values on others, but may we also love enough to speak the truth of God’s Word so others can turn from sin and enter into eternal life.

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My Secret to Inner Peace

Monday, May 30th, 2011

John 14:1 says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me.” Verse 27 says, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

The command is clear—don’t let my heart be troubled or afraid. Okay. I get that. But how is that possible when the news is full of reports about floods and tornadoes and wild fires? Closer to home, how can I experience peace after learning that a lifelong friend is being moved into palliative care as her valiant fight with cancer draws to a close?

Last week was a tough one. A profound grief filled me upon hearing of my girlfriend’s situation. A physical heaviness settled into my chest and my tears flowed. I had three major speaking engagements, and I honestly wondered how I’d get through them without crying.

My friend and I are the same age. We attended the same Sunday school and mid-week girls’ club while growing up. We shared secrets. Laughed together. Graduated from high school together. I was maid of honor at her wedding. Now she’s saying goodbye to her husband, her kids, and her grandbabies while I’m free to linger here and enjoy mine. It feels unfair that our lives have taken such different paths. And why, though her husband has soaked his pillow with his tears while pleading for God to heal his best friend, has God said no?

I know what a troubled heart feels like. Thankfully I also know what it feels like for peace to overrule. How did I come to experience this peace in the midst of grief?

Here’s my secret: I’ve chosen to do what John 14:1 says—to actively trust God in this situation. He has promised eternal life to all who place their saving faith in Him. My friend did this as a child, therefore, she’s guaranteed a home in heaven. In a short time, she’ll take up residence there. Her suffering will end. And best of all, she’ll meet Jesus face to face.

If I allow my thoughts to linger on what seems to be unjust, and if I focus only on the pain that my friend and her family are experiencing right now, then my heart will indeed remain troubled. But Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me.” And so I choose to trust, even when I don’t like what’s happening.

How about you? What do you do to find peace when your heart’s troubled?

Photo courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

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Does Money Bring Peace?

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

What brings inner peace?

Many folks think it comes from prosperity. Everything would be okay if only I had more money. And so they work harder. They slave longer hours. They claw their way up the career ladder only to discover emptiness at the top.

No one would deny that money reduces stress in a lot of different ways. A reliable car, for instance, removes the worry of breaking down on the freeway. Food, health care, a roof over our heads with the mortgage being met regularly—all of these help make life easier, thanks to money. But money can never guarantee inner peace. One glimpse at a troubled celebrity’s life verifies this is true.  

True peace thrives apart from circumstances and belongings. Jesus’ example and teaching prove this is true. Billy Graham made this observation: “Jesus didn’t leave a material inheritance to His disciples. All He had when He died was a robe, which went to the Roman soldiers; His mother, whom He turned over to His brother John; His body, which He gave to Joseph of Arimathea; and His Spirit, which returned to His Father. But Jesus willed His followers something more valuable than gold, more enduring than vast landholdings and more to be desired than palaces of marble—He willed us His peace.”

So how does one access that peace? Through a right relationship with Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It begins by acknowledging Him as Savior –trusting Him for forgiveness of sins and for eternal life. And it grows as we pursue a friendship with Him by reading His Word and praying, by fellowshipping with other believers, and walking in obedience to His commands. Money has nothing to do with it.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you,” said Jesus. Herein lies the secret to inner peace. Do you know that peace today?

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More Than Fire Insurance

Friday, November 26th, 2010

I’ve heard some people label salvation as “fire insurance.” They pray the sinner’s prayer, receive their spiritual ticket into heaven, and think that’s the end of the story. Nothing’s further from the truth.

Placing one’s trust in Jesus for salvation is only the beginning. It’s simply saying yes to accepting God’s free gift of eternal life. But then we need to do something with that gift—something more than setting it on a shelf to retrieve when death comes knocking. We need to explore, experience, and enjoy the gift.

1 Peter 2:2 refers to craving “pure spiritual milk so that we will grow into a full experience of salvation.” According to this verse, salvation is more than just the moment when we embrace forgiveness made possible through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Salvation is an experience that lasts a lifetime. And we determine how rich that experience will be.

What are some of the factors determining the outcome?

  • Whether or not we read and study God’s Word
  • Whether or not we obey God’s Word
  • Whether or not we spend time fellowshipping with other believers who are passionate about their relationship with Jesus
  • Whether or not we’re regularly sharing God’s love with those who don’t yet know Him

 

Without a doubt, there are more factors than these I’ve listed. The point is, salvation is more than a one-time deal snatching us from the fire. It’s an experience marked by spiritual growth. It’s a journey that leads us into an ever-deepening understanding of God’s character and purposes. It’s full. It’s sweet. And it’s one to be desired and pursued with all our hearts.

Personally, one of the things I appreciate most about my experience of salvation is discovering how God wants to speak to me through Scripture. I love, love, love meeting with Him early each morning to read His words and journal what He says. Granted, it takes discipline, but getting out of bed is no longer a hardship. Now it’s a joy, knowing that He’s waiting to meet with me on the loveseat, in the quiet of my little living room.

By what means are you growing into a full experience of salvation?

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All You Need is Love

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Remember the one-time popular song lyrics? “All you need is love…all you need is love…”

I agree, although not with the type of love the singers were singin’ about.

All we need is God’s love, and He lavishes it upon us. How so? Here are a few examples:

  • He greets us with the rising sun every morning.
  • He soothes our fears by promising us His constant presence.
  • He provides for our material needs.
  • He sends heavenly hugs through a song or a friend’s email or phone call.
  • He surrounds us with the beauty of creation.
  • He gives us the gift of sleep to restore our bodies.
  • He gives us talents and gifts to develop, use, and enjoy.
  • He disciplines us when we behave like rebellious know-it-alls.

That list is by no means exhaustive; it’s just a teaser that shows some tangible ways in which God shows His love to those who love Him. He communicates His affection in other ways, too.

For instance, He speaks to us through His Word with affirmations such as, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” (Jeremiah 31:3). How sweet is that? But wait! There’s more…

Most of all, God loves us by giving us the free gift of eternal life. Thank goodness He doesn’t dole it out only to those with pristine behavior or sin-free status. If that was true, I’m afraid I’d be outta luck, along with the rest of the world’s population.

How should the knowledge of God’s great love for us impact our lives? Personally, it gives me the ability to rest in His purpose for my life and in His ability to orchestrate the details to accomplish that purpose. Circumstances don’t always turn out the way I think they should, but I don’t need to fret of fear because I’m in His care. He knows what’s best for me and how to bring it to pass. Besides, is He not powerful enough to accomplish whatever He wants to do?  

All we need is love, folks. God’s love. It’s the best antidote for all that ails us. Wanna join me in humming a little tune? “All you need is love…ba ba ba ba ba…all you need is love…”

Tell me, how has God shown His love for you? How does the knowledge of His love impact your life?

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No More Tears

Friday, September 17th, 2010

This week I heard a sad story about a family whose 14-year-old boy is dying. He’s been hospitalized in a facility that’s 10 hours’ drive from his home. Sadly, the cost of his medical bills has surpassed insurance coverage and necessitated his father staying at home to work. As the end of the teen’s life draws near, his dad has raced across two states to be with him.

I can’t begin to imagine the pain in that parent’s heart. Thankfully God can, and He’s done something about it.

Isaiah 25:6-8 says, “In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears.”

At the expense of sounding morose, the shadow of death is a fact of life. Sooner or later it impacts every single person on the face of this earth. And when it does, we experience a myriad of emotions – denial, grief, anger and the sense of being abandoned by a loved one. Sometimes we feel as though we’ve died inside and can’t imagine surviving without that friend or family member. And yet there’s hope.

True to His word, God has swallowed up death forever. Jesus has conquered death once for all. The enemy has been defeated! The promise of eternal life brings hope in the midst of sorrow to those who place their saving faith in Jesus Christ. God Himself has stooped down to meet us in our pain, and He gently wipes the tears from our cheeks.

As far as I know, the 14-year-old is a Jesus follower. His physical life will soon be over, but he’s about to see the promise of eternal life in heaven fulfilled. No more sickness. No more pain. No more wishing it was finally over. His tears will be forever gone as he dances at the feet of Jesus.

The teen will celebrate, and his family will mourn their loss. My heart aches for them, but this I know – God will wipe away their tears, too. He’ll send comfort in amazing ways through a phone call from a friend, through a song, through a spoken word. He’ll reach down and speak peace in the night when sleep fails. He’ll keep the memory of their son alive in their hearts. And someday He’ll orchestrate a family reunion that surpasses our wildest imagination.

“The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears.” What an amazing promise for those who love Him. How have you seen this prove true in your own life?

BTW, Marilyn Heavilin wrote a book titled Roses in December. She knows what losing a child is like — she’s experienced it three times. Her book is a wonderful resource for parents traveling that road. Check out her website: www.marilynheavilin.com.

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Heaven — More Than Wishful Thinking

Friday, August 28th, 2009

My father-in-law’s death last month naturally caused sorrow because we’ll miss his presence in our lives. Despite the grief, however, I’ve experienced an undeniable peace and even a sense of celebration. This man, age 90, lived a good life and was ready to take up residence in heaven – a promise fulfilled because he’d placed his saving faith in Jesus Christ. Earthly pain and struggles are behind him, and without doubt, he’s now with his Savior.

His passing reminded me of my father’s death a year ago. As his body slowly shut down, he whispered precious words to my mother. They were words that brought comfort in our loss, words that brought hope, peace, and that same sense of celebration. “It’s so beautiful there,” he gasped. “I see Jesus.” (more…)

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