365 Reflections

It is clear Jacob knew where he wanted to be after his life on Earth had ended. He blesses his sons in Genesis 50 and then very descriptively tells them where his bones are to be buried. Genesis 49:29–33 (ESV)   Then he commanded them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah— 32 the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.” 33 When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people. Notice how his view is to be gathered to those who had gone before him. He wanted to be in the only piece...

Revelation 12:11 (ESV)   And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death . The persecution in the end times upon Christians will bring great difficulties for those who want to honor God. It will be a war! But Revelation holds a key to victory.  First, knowing that our Savior died for us. God is for us not against us. The blood of the Lamb remembered in communion is a covenant enacted by God on our behalf. When you are under the attack of Satan, the best thing you can remind him of is the fact that this transaction for your soul has been finalized in Jesus Christ. Second, the Word of their Testimony. There is no doubt when you share something you know it better even after you share it. Explaining to someone how to play the piano makes you more in tune with the rudiments necessary for playing the piano. So too, the more we share our faith, the more internal and real our fa...

The Resurrection changes everything. Especially our work ethic. Paul concludes the best exposition of the truth of the Resurrection with this verse: 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. There comes a time in life when we have to let it all go. How are you going to handle that? If you believe on Christ for your redemption and future resurrection, then you know what you have done with your life matters for eternity. There is a reward and a purpose behind everything you do for Him. If on the other hand you live as though this life is the end, what difference does it all make? You could live like Solomon with all his wisdom, wealth and fame who looked back on life and called it vanity. A big waste of time. Everything gets old after a while. Even what you think you desperately need to be happy will eventually let you down. Only the work of th...

Don't just sit there. Enough waiting for something to happen! You have this moment, the next (possibly) to go make the  future happen in YOUR favor. You can sit on the sidelines and watch someone else reach their dreams or you can play your game. You may not realize this but the clock is running out on you right now. Every second counts. You CAN do something about your future if you CHOOSE to do so. Sound more like Tony Robbins than a Bible lesson?  Look at the first parable in Luke 16 and get back to me.... ... Are you back?  Good. Did you read what I read?  Were you shocked?  That's Jesus for you.  Never quite fitting our "mold". Luke 16:3 (ESV) And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. Luke 16:9 (ESV) And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may re...

Today I long for home.  More than most days.  More than I have in a long time. I don't mean where I live.  I'm actually there right now writing these words in our den.  Today I long for heaven.  My heart is grieved by the state of our Nation, and where it's going.  Sad stories filled the news today.  It was heart breaking in more ways than I can say.  This Nation has lost its way.  It celebrates what God calls evil.  People turn on each other.  A national sports figure accused of murder. Sad. Then I think about my own shortcomings.  How often I miss the mark and have to rely on God's grace I feel like I'm drawing on a bank account so much the owner is tired of me.  I know its not true, but sometimes the ache of sin is just there.  Lingering.  I long to be righteous myself.  I'm sick of letting my Savior down.  I want to be better than this. I pray. So when I sat down to read the scriptures fro...