Mud Pit

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world"- James 1:17 (NIV).

My mother used to say, "You can't play in the mud without getting mud on you." Wise words! As Christians, we know where the "sin line" is drawn and crossing it becomes disobedience. The question Christians need to ask themselves is not where the line is drawn, but how close you stand to that line? Are you a "line-hugger?" Do you stand with your toes right up next to the line or do you take measures to ensure you won't be pulled over the line by the temptations of lies, lust...or leaning so far over you are either, in the mud pit before you are even aware of it, or being splattered by flying mud from those already playing in it? Wouldn't it be wiser to set yourself a great distance from that line? Do you want your white-clothed children playing on the plush grass-covered lawn of obedience or standing on the edge of the mud pit? Neither does God the Father. 

The Answer

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"- Matthew 11:28 (NIV).

How did our society become so consumed with work and driving ourselves to make a profit? It seems there is no answer. We get up before the sun rises and then stay up late trying to complete all our work. It's useless! "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for He grants sleep to those He loves (Psalm 127:2). Jesus worked hard, as did His disciples, but He knew the importance of rest. One such day, so many people were surrounding them with various needs, they didn't even have time to eat. I've seen many give up their lunch breaks because of their work load. Jesus intervened, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark :31). Burdens and cares are unavoidable if we are to exist in this world, but Jesus is the answer. He said, "Come with Me." Those precious moments with Jesus replace the world's hard and heavy yoke with the Lord's easy and light yoke. In the process you find rest for your soul (Matthew 11:29-30).  

Hand-Wringer

"They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord"- Psalm 112:7 (NIV).

Watching the evening news can make you feel anxious about this world: terrorism, earthquakes, disease, storms, abuse and cruelty...the list goes on and on. The morale decline of this world will continue. Christians are not to be hand-wringers. We are to show courage in the face of bad news or circumstances, letting the world see Who supplies our strength and courage (Psalm 27:14). The world takes notice of such courage in the face of crisis: those who take a stand when others flee; who stand firm in their belief when the battle does not appear to be in their favor. In fact, many times it gives onlookers courage. The same is true of the opposite: a hand-wringer can be just as contagious. The righteous are to be bold as lions (Proverbs 28:1). The One True God is with you. He says, "I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Jesus was never a hand-wringer and neither should His disciples be.  

Justified

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins"- 1 John 4:10 (NIV).

Do any people, known or even well-known, come to mind who committed such atrocities that it's hard to conceive God could forgive them and invite them in through the pearly gates of Heaven? What if they are evil up until the moment of their death, then they repent and accept Jesus into their heart? Scripture says, "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). How can they be justified? The definition of the word justified, which believers are, can be remembered with this simple statement: "It's 'just-if-I'd' never done it." Jesus wiped our sins away...as far as the east is from the west. But, what if that death bed declaration was only self preservation? Don't underestimate God. He knows a man's motives (Proverbs 16:2). We aren't to act the part of the older brother in the story of the prodigal son. God demonstrated His love for all in this: "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Go into your Father's house and rejoice that a brother has returned home (Luke 15:31-32), wearing the same banner we all wear: Justified.  

Be Encouraged

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am"- John 14:3 (NIV).

"The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord" (Acts 2:20). Preceding the sun becoming black as sackcloth and the full moon turning the color of blood, there will be a great earthquake. The heavens will proclaim the return of Jesus by casting the stars down upon the earth. Every mountain and island will be removed on this fateful day (Revelations 6:11-14). Sounds frightening, but there will be a triumphant smile on every Christian face. We know what comes next! That day, the trumpet will sound and Jesus will descend from heaven with a commanding shout! The dead will rise and the living will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. "Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).