Author: Seth Durham

Love And Loss.

Yesterday, my wife, my daughter and I took our beloved dog to the vet to be euthanized. She was 15 years old. Her name was Hobo. We said goodbye with tears in our eyes, and held her as she took her last breath.

I’d like to share her story, and an important lesson I learned over these last few years with her.

“Hobo” isn’t a common name for a dog, but when you hear how she came to be our pet, the name will make sense. One morning, about 15 years ago, I was at work, and standing on the walkway in front of the store where I worked was a transient with a three-month-old puppy. I didn’t think much about it at first, but suddenly I heard the puppy yelp. I was horrified when I saw the transient physically abusing this little dog.

Standing idly by was not an option. I walked out of the store and told the man that if he didn’t stop hurting the dog, I would take it from him. He told me to F*&^ off. I went back into the store, but less than five minutes later, he was at it again, and the puppy was crying out in pain.

I kept my word. There was an altercation. I secured the dog, and my coworkers called the police. In the end, the transient went to jail, and the puppy went to the dog pound. I told my wife about what happened, and we decided that we wanted to adopt the puppy if we could. The dog pound released little Hobo into our care a week later.

The abuse she suffered as a pup impacted her for life. For the first year, if you tried to touch her tail, she would try take off your hand. She was fearful of people. But in time she came to understand how much we loved her, and she made amazing progress.

I don’t know what breed of dog Hobo was, but she was beautiful. She had a brindle coat, and was built like a greyhound. She could run like the wind in her youth, and one of her favorite things to do was to chase seagulls at the beach.

The later years.

As she got older, Hobo developed myriad health problems that got progressively worse. She endured two cancer surgeries. She went almost completely deaf. About three years ago, she started to stumble when she walked. She developed a tumor on her stomach that eventually grew to the size of a grapefruit.

Things got worse. Her back legs got weaker and weaker, to the point where she often could not stand without assistance. She lost all control of her bladder and bowels. Her stomach wouldn’t tolerate kibble any more. She got bladder infections, and developed a constant runny nose.

In spite of all this, she was full of life and love to the end. She was a fighter, and she just adapted as her health declined.

Love in action.

We knew that Hobo wasn’t ready to quit on life, and we were determined not to quit on her. And so, we got her pain medication and antibiotics when she needed them. We helped her up when she fell. We cleaned up her messes. Each night, we made her special dog food (chicken and rice mostly). We did this for nearly three years. We would still be doing it, but we finally hit a hurdle that no amount of money or effort could overcome. She developed a growth under her tongue that made it difficult for her to eat, and nearly impossible for her to drink.

Over the last three years, there were times when our home smelled like a sewer. There were trips we didn’t take and things we didn’t buy so that we could care for Hobo. We sacrificed time, money, and energy. And both my wife and I would do it all over again without hesitation. Why? Because we truly loved her. And we learned from this experience that the following is absolutely true: love is not a feeling; love is what you do.

Gratitude.

I am so grateful to God for bringing Hobo into our lives. She lived much longer than we ever thought she would, and I thank God for every second we had with her.

When it came time to make the call to have Hobo put down, God gave me peace that it was the right thing to do and the right time to do it. He is comforting me in this difficult time with His presence and His Word, and I am so grateful for both.

I also look forward to a time when grief and sorrow are no more. Praise God for the blessed hope He gives us through His son, Jesus Christ!

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

~Revelation 21:4

Jesus Said WHAT!?

There’s a passage in the book of John where Jesus shocks His followers. Here’s the passage:

 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 

But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 

Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 

I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.“

~John 6:53-57

If you’re wondering what-in-the-world Jesus is talking about here, you’re not alone. The people listening to Jesus argued over what this meant, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat? (John 6:52)” and “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it? (John 6:60).” In fact, many of Jesus’s followers “turned away and deserted Him (John 6:66)” over this very teaching.

So what’s going on here? What are we to make of it? Is Jesus introducing some radical, new teaching involving cannibalism? To make sense of this passage, we have to look at the context, and we have to look at it in light of other scripture.

Literal or figurative?

We can safely dispense with the idea that Jesus wanted His followers to literally eat His flesh and drink His blood. He never carved off pieces of Himself and fed them to His disciples, nor did He fill goblets with His blood for them to drink.

The questions that need answered are:

  1. why did Jesus use this shocking metaphor?
  2. what does it mean?

Context.

If we back up a little bit, we see that this passage takes place one day after the feeding of the 5000. Jesus has just fed a multitude with only five loaves and two fish, and the people are beyond excited (John 6: 1- 15). They have just witnessed a true miracle, and they want more.

Now, this is important: In regards to the feeding of the 5000, Jesus tells them they do not understand the meaning of the miracle. (John 6:26) Jesus is offering them something far better than perishable food; He’s offering them eternal life! They have failed to make a connection between the physical food He miraculously provided, and the spiritual sustenance He wants to give them.

The crowd just wants more miracles. They talk about how Moses brought down bread from heaven. Jesus tries again to get them to see that their spiritual needs outweigh their physical needs:

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 

The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

The crowd’s response is:  “Sir, give us that bread every day.”

This reminds me of the response from the woman at the well. When Jesus tells her that He has living water, she doesn’t grasp what He’s saying. She says, “Sir, give me this water… so that I won’t have to keep coming back to this well.“

These people are wanting Jesus to literally give them a magical loaf of bread, or a glass of magical water.

Once again, Jesus tries to help them make a connection between something they are familiar with (food and drink are necessary for the survival of the body), and a spiritual reality they don’t yet understand (Jesus is necessary for the survival of the soul).

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 

However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 

And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 

For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.“

~John 6:35-40

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 

Yes, I am the bread of life!

Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 

Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die.“

~John 6:47-50

Let’s return to the shocking text we started with. By looking at the verses leading up to it, it seems clear that Jesus is intentionally taking His metaphor to the extreme because His audience is thinking too literally. When He does, there is no longer a reasonable, literal interpretation of what He is saying. The audience is forced to either accept that Jesus is teaching a spiritual truth they don’t fully grasp, or abandon Him.

After a large portion of these “followers” decide to turn away, Jesus asks the twelve apostles, “Are you also going to leave?” To which Simon Peter replies, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:67-68).

Even the apostles did not fully understand what Jesus was teaching at the time, but they had faith that Jesus was the way to eternal life… and that was the essence of what Jesus was trying to teach them!

The Last Supper and the cross.

Obviously the “eat my flesh; drink my blood” teaching takes place prior to Jesus’s death and resurrection. It’s not a coincidence that Jesus revisits this theme with His disciples at The Last Supper.

When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.

Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 

For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 

For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”

~Luke 22:14-20

Here Jesus makes it clear that His broken body and shed blood are what make salvation possible. Once again, He brings in literal food and drink (bread and wine) to help them understand a spiritual truth. Just as their physical bodies would perish without food and drink, so their souls would perish without the broken body and shed blood of Christ.

A key takeaway is this: when it comes to salvation and eternal life, it’s not enough to just believe that Jesus existed, or that He was a good man and a prophet. You have to personally accept the sacrifice that Christ made on your behalf. And that is what it means to eat His flesh and drink His blood.

Another layer of meaning.

There’s a poem by Walter de la Mare that begins like this:

It’s a very odd thing –
As odd can be –
That whatever Miss T eats
Turns into Miss T.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “you are what you eat.”

Our bodies automatically take the things we eat and drink, and transform them into… us!

In a spiritual sense, the same thing happens when we eat Jesus’s flesh and drink His blood. Not only does this sustain us and give us life, it also transforms us… making us more like Him.

To accept Jesus as savior, to be “born again”, is to invite Him to transform you.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

~II Corinthians 5:17

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

~Galatians 2:20

How about you? Have you received eternal life? Have you been transformed by the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ?

New Life.

Read Colossians 3: 1 – 16.

This is both an encouraging and challenging text. It focuses on what it means to have new life in Christ, and how we ought to conduct ourselves as a result. Here’s some of what I gleaned from this passage:

New focus.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

~Colossians 3:1-2

One of the greatest blessings we have as Christians is a hope that lies beyond this world. This earth will pass away, but that needn’t concern us if our eyes are fixed on heaven where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal (Mathew 6:20).

As you go through life, with all its trials, remember that this world is temporary, and think about the wonderful future God has prepared you. That shift in focus should put things in perspective and give you comfort and peace.

New habits.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.

~Colossians 3:5a

I love the way that Paul phrases this. As Christians, sinful urges still lurk within us, but thankfully we are no longer slaves to them. With God’s help, we can put them to death, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Paul gives a list of things that have no place in our new lives, including: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

These are old, sinful habits that need to be eliminated. How? Paul gives us the answer in verse 10:

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

~Colossians 3:10

The key is to put on your new nature. Study the Bible daily, get to know God better and become more like Him. As a result, those old habits get replaced with new ones.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

~Colossians 3:12-14

When you compare the list of things associated with our old lives to the things that make up our new lives in Christ, it’s a night and day difference, is it not?

Take a moment and self assess. How much of the old life do you still struggle with? What areas of the new life do you need to manifest more? Continually ask God to help you shake off the old, put on the new, and become more like Christ.

New future.

What an amazing thing it is to have new life in Christ! What a future we have to look forward to! One day, Jesus will come back, and those of us who have found new life in Him will not be disappointed.

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 

And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

~Colossians 3:3-4

“Lord, help me to keep my focus on things above. Help me to put away the old nature and to put on the new. Thank you for the promise that one day you will renew all things and that I will share in your glory. Amen.”

Lead With Love.

There is a lot of division in our country right now. There are two political factions with radically different ideas about what the USA is, and what it should become in the future. Whichever camp you’re in, you probably find it difficult to get along with people in the other camp.

This division has led to a lot of anger, strife… even hatred. It has torn families apart and damaged friendships. It’s ugly.

As Christians, how should we navigate this hostile landscape? What should our guiding principle be? In a word: love.

Commanded to love.

In Mathew 22, an unnamed Pharisee asks Jesus an important question:

[A Pharisee], an expert in religious law, tried to trap [Jesus] with this question: 

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.“

Notice that the two greatest commandments both involve love. Love for God; love for people.

In John 15:12 Jesus says: This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 

In John 13:35 we’re told that by our love that people will know we are followers of Christ.

I John 4:7 says: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”

No matter the circumstances, no matter how unlovable the people around us become, we Christians are commanded to love.

The importance of love.

If we act without love, we act in vain. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in I Corinthians 13.

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

I Corinthians 13:1-3

It’s not enough to go through the motions. You can do all the right things, but if you don’t do them with love in your heart, you’re wasting your time and energy.

What is love?

Scripture makes it clear that love is not optional for the Christian, but what does the word ‘love’ really mean? We return to I Corinthians 13 for the answer:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.

It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

I Corinthians 13: 4-7

So if you’re feeling angry and bitter, ask God to fill you with His love. Show love even to those you disagree with, and remember that God loves them as much as He loves you. In all you do, lead with love.

Great Or Small.

Last week I read through the book of Acts, and there were two stories that jumped out at me.

Dorcas.

In Acts 9:36-42 we read about a woman named Dorcas who had become ill and died. As far as we know, this woman never did anything extraordinary. She wasn’t a prophet or teacher. She didn’t make the lame walk or the blind see. But the Bible tells us that she had a kind heart, and she used her time and energy helping others in whatever way she could.

Apparently she had a great impact on the people she helped. Acts 9:39 tells us that widows filled the room where Dorcas had died. They wept as they clung to the precious coats and clothes that Dorcas had made for them.

God performed a miracle through Peter and brought Dorcas back to life, and as a result, many people become believers in Christ.

As I read the story, I was struck by the way God uses ordinary people. Dorcas reminds us that we don’t have to have exceptional skills or talents to make an impact for Christ. She was kind to the poor. She made clothes for widows. That’s it. But because of her faithful service, she touched the lives of many, and her story encourages us today.

Paul.

The Apostle Paul, by contrast, stands out as a truly extraordinary individual. His missionary journeys were epic, and he authored a good chunk of The New Testament.

In Acts 20:22-24 Paul exemplifies true courage. God has directed him to go to Jerusalem. God has also made Paul aware that pain and suffering await. As you read through Acts, there are several times where Paul’s friends try to persuade him not to go. But Paul will not be deterred. His answer is simply:

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” ~Acts 20:24

How many of us would be able to do what Paul did, I wonder? Knowing that hardship is ahead, and press on anyway? Let Paul’s example inspire you to do what you know God wants you to do, even when the cost is great.

You.

It doesn’t matter if you’re more like Paul or more like Dorcas. Great or small, we all have a role to play. Use the talents God has given you, and trust Him with the results.

But I Say…

We all have opinions about everything. But Jesus never uttered opinions, only truth. The question is, how closely do your opinions match up with the teachings of Jesus? You might be surprised. What Jesus taught was often contrary to conventional wisdom and popular opinion.

Read Mathew 5: 21-45. Pay close attention when Jesus says, “But I say…”

On murder and adultery.

The sixth and seventh of The Ten Commandments are: do not kill, and do not commit adultery. Most likely you’ve never killed anyone, and hopefully you have never cheated on your spouse. But don’t be too quick to pat yourself on the back.

Jesus explained that these commandments go deeper than we realize. It’s not just about the physical acts; it’s a matter of the heart.

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’

But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!”

~Mathew 5: 21-22

“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’

But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

~Mathew 5: 27-28

God knows our hearts. We may not commit the physical acts of murder or adultery but sometimes the desire is there, and if we knew we could get away with it…

The bottom line is, Jesus taught that if you have ever looked at woman with lust, or burned with hatred against another person, you are guilty of breaking God’s law the same as if you had committed adultery or murder!

On divorce.

In our modern times, divorce is not seen as a big deal. If you’re unhappy, unfulfilled, or unsatisfied with your marriage in any way, just call it quits.

But Jesus taught that marriage is a sacred commitment, and that the only valid reason for divorce is an unfaithful partner.

But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

~Mathew 5: 32

Some Pharisees came to [Jesus] to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

~Mathew 19: 3-6

On making vows.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I swear on my mother” or, “I swear on my kid’s lives”? It’s a fairly common thing, and it’s meant to show that the person is serious about the claim they are making.

But Jesus said not to use such oaths. We are to live with such integrity that people know our word is good at all times.

But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.

And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.

Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

~Mathew 5: 34 -37

On revenge.

The desire for revenge when we are wronged is a natural impulse. We want those who hurt us to pay a price.

But Jesus taught that we should resist the urge for revenge and instead “turn the other cheek.” It’s hard to overstate how radical (and difficult) this teaching is. It goes against our every instinct.

But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

~Mathew 5: 39

Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

~Proverbs 20:22

On enemies.

An enemy, by definition, is someone hostile toward you. They don’t like you, and they want to see you come to harm. The natural tendency is to reciprocate.

But once again, Jesus tells us to take a radically different approach.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

~Mathew 5: 43-44

So how do your opinions about these topics line up with what Jesus taught? Do you find some of the teachings hard to accept? If so, ask God to help you adjust your thinking, then ask Him for the strength to put these teachings into practice in your day-to-day life.

Nowhere To Hide.

I’ve been thinking about God’s omnipresence lately. This is the idea that God is everywhere; that there is no place you can go where God is not there. Since God is spirit and not material in nature, it’s probably more accurate to say that “everywhere is in God.” In other words, our material reality is encompassed by and permeated by God. But this is a semantic difference. The point is simply this: wherever you go in the universe, God is there.

There are some beautiful scriptures that illustrate this attribute of God.

…though he is not far from any one of us. 

For in him we live and move and exist…

~Acts 17: 27b-28a

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

~Psalm 139: 7-10

The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping His eye on both the evil and the good.

~Proverbs 15:3

Both disturbing and comforting.

The disconcerting thing about this is that God sees us at our absolute worst. Every time I’ve lost my temper, acted selfishly, or committed some shameful act, God has been witness to it. And there’s no way to fool or manipulate Him about what happened. He knows my innermost thoughts and motives. I don’t know about you, but when I contemplate God having intimate knowledge of my every thought and deed, I cringe.

The good news is, in spite of my flaws, in spite of my sinful nature, God loves me. Remember, He died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).

God knows every bad thing you and I have ever done, and He loves us anyway. He wants to help us through this life, and promises eternal life and peace if we repent of our sins and follow Him (John 3:14-16 | Revelation 21:4).

The pride problem.

Our culture today preaches a message directly contrary to scripture. The world says not to be ashamed of anything! If it feels good, do it. Embrace who you are, do what you want. Your personal pleasure and happiness are all that matter. Nothing is really right or wrong, it’s all relative.

And so many people have become blinded to their own sin. Their pride won’t allow them to admit they’ve ever done anything wrong.

I’m convinced that pride will keep more people out of Heaven than anything else. Pride says, “I’m my own judge, and I’m fine just the way I am.” Humility says, “God is judge, and I’m a sinner in need of forgiveness.”

If you want God’s grace, humility is key.

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”

~James 4:6

Loving and merciful.

God is everywhere, sees all things, and knows all things. But this needn’t fill us with dread. In fact, it should fill us with awe that God knows us so intimately and loves us in spite of our sinfulness.

The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

~Psalm 145:8

You can’t hide from God. But how sweet it is to know that God, who sees you at your best and at your worst, loves you, cares for you, and gave His life for you.

No Worries.

I sometimes struggle with anxiety. If I let my mind wander, I can come up with all kinds of things to stress over. It’s the uncertainty of life that gets to me. I want to know what’s going to happen, and I want to have a say in it!

But the reality is, most things are out of our control. Disease, disaster, death, and destruction can strike without warning. Rather than despair, however, we can take comfort in the words of Jesus.

Worry is damaging.

Unchecked, worry can have devastating effects. It can make you physically ill, contributing to things like digestive disorders and cardiovascular disease. It can even lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Worry also affects your spiritual life. Listen to this warning from Jesus in Mathew 13, where he explains that the worries of life can prevent us from growing spiritually:

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

~Mathew 13:22

Take a moment now and read Mathew 6: 19-34.

Notice that right before Jesus addresses the topic of worry, He talks about the problem with focusing on wealth. Why? I think it’s because some people believe that more money will rid them of their worries. This is a trap. Wealth can evaporate in an instant, and no amount of it will ever satisfy your deepest needs. Not only that, but if you’re not careful, the pursuit of wealth can become all consuming. Money becomes your master, and it is a cruel master indeed.

Sources of worry.

God knows what we tend to worry about most. Our immediate physical needs are always front and center in our minds. We need food, water, shelter, and clothes to survive, and when those things are in jeopardy, we start to fret.

But Jesus reminds us that if we trust God, He will provide for us.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”

~Mathew 6:25-30

Letting go.

When you begin to worry, remember this quote:

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Worry is a sign that you are clinging to this world. Life is short and this world is temporary. Jesus said, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it” (Mathew 10:39).

So stop worrying! God is in control. If you seek first the kingdom of God and strive to live righteously, God promises to take care of your needs and work everything together for your good in the end.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28

Then What?

Our Pastor has told the following story from the pulpit a couple of times. I don’t remember it verbatim, so the details aren’t right, but you’ll get the gist of it:

One day Pastor picked up a hitchhiker, and since they had a long way to drive, they struck up a conversation. The hitchhiker began to tell Pastor about his life and plans.

“I’m going to college to get my degree,” the hitchhiker said.

“Then what?” Pastor asked.

“I’ll get a good job. Make lots of money.”

“Then what?”

“I’ll buy a nice car and a nice house.”

“Then what?”

“I’ll probably get married and start a family.”

“Then what?”

“I guess I’ll raise some kids. Eventually retire.”

“Then what?”

“Well, I’ll go fishing and play with my grandkids.”

“Then what?”

Exasperated, the hitchhiker said, “Well, then I’ll die!”

Pastor smiled and asked him, “Then what?”

One of two fates.

Most people don’t like to think about death, let alone talk about it, but it’s important to face reality: one day, death will come for you. You can’t escape it.

The Bible reminds us in Hebrews that we are destined to die, and then we face judgement. In Romans we’re told that we will give an account of ourselves before God. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that after death our deeds will be judged.

It’s important to keep death in mind as you go through life, because one day you will stand before your Maker, and you will either receive His justice or His mercy.

Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

When God judges you, no matter how good a life you led, you will not measure up to His standard. The Bible makes it clear that we all fall short, and that the penalty for this is death (see Romans chapters 3 – 6).

So if you face justice, you will be found guilty, and your death sentence will be carried out. This means you will be eternally separated from God, the source of all that is good. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mathew 13:42 / Luke 13:28).

But there is hope! God sent His Son, Jesus, to die in your place. Instead of justice, mercy is yours for the asking. If you confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). If you do this, then when God judges you, the righteousness of Christ will be all that He sees.

Don’t put it off.

I know it’s not fun to think about death, but it’s vital that you do, because it’s going to happen, and I want you to be prepared.

God’s invitation for mercy expires when you do. The decision to accept Christ as Lord and Savior must be made while you are alive. You won’t be able to change your mind after death when you stand face-to-face with the Almighty. At that point it’s too late; your fate is sealed.

Salvation is simple: set aside your pride, and ask for forgiveness and redemption. Trust in what Christ did for you on the cross, and acknowledge Him as your Lord. There’s nothing more to it.

If you have rejected God’s offer of mercy up to this point, I pray that God will soften your heart and open your spiritual eyes before it’s too late.

Like it or not, friend, one day you will die. The question is… Then what?

Little Things, Big Things.

Imagine being a teenager living at the end of the iron age. An enemy nation conquers your people, and takes you captive. They drag you far from home to a strange land where you will face an uncertain fate.

Such was the plight of four, teenaged boys (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) when Babylon conquered Israel in 605 B.C.

We read in the book of Daniel that these four were part of a larger group of Hebrew captives. This was a group of exceptional young men; boys of noble stock, boys with high intelligence and wisdom. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, wanted this group of talented youths to serve in his palace, and ordered his advisors to teach them the language and literature of Babylon.

A little test of faith.

The king provided these Hebrew boys with the best food and drink the kingdom had to offer. We don’t know exactly why, but something about this food was dishonoring to God. (See: What was wrong with the king’s food? for possible reasons why.)

So this group of young men faced a dilemma: if they refused the kings offerings, there would certainly be consequences, but if they partook, they would be sinning against God.

We don’t know exactly how many Hebrew boys were in this elite group, but the text implies that all but Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah went ahead and ate the food. Maybe they figured that, under the circumstances, it wasn’t that big of a deal. Perhaps some of them were angry at God, and ate the food out of spite. Maybe some of them didn’t want to eat it, but were afraid not to.

But Daniel and his three friends took a stand. They decided to obey God, and they were willing to face whatever ridicule or punishment might come their way.

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 

So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

-Daniel 1 : 11 – 16

Daniel and his friends didn’t make excuses. They didn’t blow off God’s commands because they were inconvenient. They chose to obey, whatever the cost.

Eating the king’s food may not have been a huge deal (the text says nothing disparaging about the young men who did eat it), but it was important to Daniel and his friends to remain faithful, even in the little things. God rewarded them for their obedience.

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Daniel 1: 17

A big test of faith.

Some time later, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, made a great, golden statue (ninety ft. tall, nine ft. wide), and ordered his subjects to worship it. Anyone who refused would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

Daniel must have been on assignment elsewhere when this happened, for he is not mentioned in this part of the story. But Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were present, and as you can imagine, worshiping an idol was a big no-no for them.

Once again, these men were being tested, only this time the stakes were life and death. Worship the idol, or die. Those were their options.

But they would not bow to a false god! Once again, they took a stand, staying faithful to the one, true God.

(Note: the following text uses the Babylonian names given to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.)

But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews.

They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king!

You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments.

That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace.

But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in,

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?

I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Daniel 3: 8 -18

The king made good on his promise, and threw Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah into a furnace so hot that it killed the guards who tossed them in! But God demonstrated His power, and the three men walked out completely unharmed.

This miracle had a profound impact on the king and the entire nation. Even today, thousands of years later, we are still telling the tale of these men and their unwavering faithfulness. How many millions of people throughout the years has this story encouraged and inspired?

The little things matter.

As I studied the first three chapters of Daniel this week, I really felt the significance of the first part of the story where they refused to eat the king’s food. There’s an important principle here: If you’re not faithful in the little things, you won’t be faithful in the big things.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah trusted and obeyed God when the stakes were low. This gave them the confidence to do the same thing years later when their lives were on the line.

You and I may never face a situation as dire as Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did, but we should be prepared to. That means being obedient today in the little things to strengthen our faith for the big things.

Verified by MonsterInsights