365 Reflections

I never realized this before in Joshua but evidently, he asked for and received the inheritance of his choice upon completion of his work leading the people of Israel into the Promised Land and dividing up the territories tribe by tribe. Joshua 19:49–50 (ESV) When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. 50 By command of the LORD they gave him the city that he asked , Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he rebuilt the city and settled in it. There is a firm reward for those who would serve God. It may not seem like it at times, but it will come. And I love the little detail about Joshua ASKING for the territory and getting what he wanted by the "command of the Lord." I also love the name of the city in his possession. The name "Timnath-serah" means, "Portion redundant; abundant portion"  Joshua did not get scra...

2 Corinthians 4:8–11 (ESV) We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Following Jesus is easy if you don't actually do anything He wants you to do. If you don't bother to share your faith, it's easy. If you don't care about others, it's easy. If you don't serve and minister to people who may disregard you and dismiss you, it's easy. If you don't offend someone with the truth, it's easy. If you don't give sacrificially of your resources and means to make an unseen but eternal difference in the kingdom or someone else's life, it's easy. If you never let the Holy Spirit ...

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...

Matthew 5 Just a few verses in we see Jesus' resolute perspective on Earthly life.  In a nutshell, it's imperative to make this life count for the next. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:12 ESV) If there is one thing that harnesses the theme of Jesus ministry in the Word it is that what we do here matters hereafter, take it seriously. Take it soberly, don't neglect planning for the afterlife, by works and perspective, and attitude toward enemies, lust, oaths, anger, etc... And on and on and on. Your life here matters for the afterlife. I'm amazed at how much preaching today refuses to focus on this very important fact and central theme to Jesus's own teaching. We want our lives here to be comfortable and cozy.  We want all the amenities of Earth without the hassels of discipleship. Yet almost every parable of Jesus ends with judgment and/or reward. Think He'...