Truly Life

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life"- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV).

What does that mean to "take hold of the life that is truly life?" The proverbial man climbs to the highest mountain peak, seeking the wise old sage, to ask the all important question: "What is the meaning of life...true life?" The answer sounds like a riddle: If you give freely, you grow richer; but, if you refuse to give to others, you suffer great loss (Proverbs 11:24). Yet, who did Christ Jesus say had given more the day he watched worshipers drop their gifts into the temple offering box?...The one who put in the least! What? The proverb said to give more. Yes, but Jesus explains that the others gave "out of their abundance, but she [the poor widow]...put in all she had to live on" (Luke 21:1-4). She, in reality gave the most. She was laying up treasure for the coming age; she was building a firm foundation. The others were selfish, she was generous. Whether giving financially or in good deeds, it's not what we give, but how we give, that allows the giver to take hold of the life that is truly life.

Stop Struggling

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth"- Psalm 46:10 (NIV).

Being still isn't difficult when all is going according to your plans, but being still during a time of chaos in your life is a test of faith. At midnight, while the tempest raged, Jesus walked above the whirling waters; He was taking a stroll in the middle of the storm, in the darkness of night. His disciples were obviously frightened. He recognized their fear and "immediately said to them; "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid"" (Matthew 14:27). Peter had the courage to step out of the boat, onto the crashing sea, but his faith faltered after only a few steps, his inner stillness evaporated, replaced by an inner struggle that began to pull him under the waves. Again the Lord's response was immediate. He reached out and caught Peter (v.31). He'll catch you too, every time you find yourself being tested and losing your stillness. Stop struggling. Being still allows God to fight on your behalf, with His power, to His exaltation; with only one requirement from you...to be still (Exodus 14:14). Jesus' assurance during the storm was "Take courage! It is I"; in other words, "Be still, and know that I am God".  

Forever

"and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age"- Matthew 28:20 (NIV).

My mother used to say, "Don't do anything you wouldn't do if Jesus were right there with you." She was speaking wisely, but it's a constant state. There is no place you can go and not be in the presence of God. He is with you at the highest heights and in the lowest lows; at every point of longitude and latitude on this planet or in this entire universe. You can't run from Him, you can't outrun Him; you can't hide from Him (Psalms 139:8-11). No, He is with you all the time, always. Not only will He not leave you, He will never forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He alone will give you eternal life, you will never perish; and no one, or anything, will, or can, snatch you out of His hand (John 10:28). How long will this protective and loving coverage last? Forever!     

Big Empty Boxes

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want"- Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV).

We are instructed to receive God's message as a little child (Mark 10:15). Ask any parent what their children will be attracted to most, on Christmas morning, after all the gifts have been unwrapped and the room is littered with paper and big empty boxes. The gifts will soon be put aside and they will play for hours in the empty boxes. There's a promise of great gain in contentment and, after all, we came into the world naked and we'll not take anything with us when we leave (1 Timothy 6:6-8). The promise is that if we seek God, and His righteousness, above all other things, He will meet our needs (Matthew 6:33). God has assigned a life for us to lead; it's our calling, our assignment, while here on earth. Live that life (1 Corinthians 7:17). The secret is to live with the same contentment children would find in big empty boxes.

Stand Your Watch

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near"- James 5:7-8 (NIV).

There's the story of the long drought and farmers stood with limp arms groaning to one another about the uselessness of preparing the land when the rain was no where in sight. One farmer, however, was seen out plowing his field. When asked, he said he was preparing for the rain. Who had the greater faith? Which farmer would be found prepared? We should be like Habakkuk who was standing his watch, stationed on the ramparts, waiting to hear God's answer. The Lord's answer was there is an appointed time for His revelation "and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay" (Habakkuk 2:1-3). Brothers and sister, may Christ Jesus find us standing our watch and prepared for His revelation. Waiting isn't easy, patience runs thin, but, "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God...who acts for those who wait for Him" (Isaiah 64:4).    

Wall of Encouragement

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing"- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV).

I've seen the most beautiful sand castles destroyed by the relentless incoming tide. The next day, the beach doesn't show any indication one ever existed after all the time it took to create the walled fortress. That work was left alone to face the assault; however, rising floodwaters, in the Midwest, have had friends come together to build sandbag walls to protect their "castles" and homes were saved. You've heard it said that home is where the heart is. God did not create us to stand alone, but to lift each other up, stir up good works and encourage one another; thereby, building the protective wall around our hearts that keep corroding elements at bay (Hebrews 10:24-25). Solomon said friendship has a reward: the threefold cord that is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). And Who is that third cord member? Do you know the song: "What a friend we have in Jesus...Can we find a friend so faithful?" (Joseph M. Scriven, 1855). Keep building the wall of encouragement around the hearts of your friends...and allow them to work on yours. 

Patience

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer"- Romans 12:12 (NIV).

I heard someone say they asked God for patience and He gave them children. Children do take a lot of patience; after all, they are learning, experiencing, and testing the limitations set before them. Being God's children, I'm sure we test His patience on a daily basis. Just as a child will whine and question why he can't have or do his heart's desire, you as his parent know what's best for him and make decisions accordingly. God loves His children with a love that simulates what we know of the parent/child relationship, but it's so much more. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). We know what's best for our children and expect, hope, they will learn to trust us. God wants our trust, too. Be joyful in the knowledge that God, the Father, is faithful.   

Fear Not

"He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed"- Psalm 107:29 (NIV).

The boat was in peril of being swamped and capsized. Drowning in the storm became a real fear for Jesus' twelve followers. Then He commanded the storm to stop. The disciples wondered what manner of man Jesus was that the wind and waves obeyed His voice (Matthew 8:23-27). The Man was the creator of the wind and the waves. Fear isn't wrong; after all, it was God who created us and fear was part of the package. We are wired with the ability to sense danger, fear, and flee to survive. The fear you shouldn't regard, according to the Bible, is the fear of God abandoning you, not the fear of your circumstance. God is with us, He will strengthen and help us. No situation is too much for our Heavenly Father; even the elements listen and obey. Have no fear that He will uphold you with His righteous hand (Isaiah 41:10), you are held and loved. Fear not.