Corona Devo 1496

Are we concerned about the future/money/health/the unknown...and our lack of control over all of it?

Some days...we are anxious over these things...

And other days...we can get anxious over the idea (and finality) of impending death, and the reality that none of these things (NONE!) will matter the second after we take our last breath.

Yes: some days we worry about the 'now' and the 'never agains'...but not today. 

God's Word reminds us today that for the sake of others and our influence-for-Christ with them: it is better that I continue to live.  

Embrace life (and the calling and influence we have for Christ) today!  Live today.

Even if today's pain/sorrow/age/beliefs/trends/money/or hope have us hurrying-along the day when we will scurry-along up to Heaven...don't book the funeral home just yet. 

Even if we can't wait to meet Jesus, He is confirming today (through the Bible) that He has people He wants us to meet, introduce to Him, fellowship with and with whom we can continue to help grow and experience the joy of their faith.

And so, we might be torn between two desires: longing to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for us...and (opposingly) knowing (through today's Scripture) that for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.  

So live(!) today.  

God's got work for us to be doing...and to keep doing.  

Paul (writer of Philippians) was slightly longing for death.  He was not afraid, intimidated, or clinging to his earthly life.  Paul knew God's (eternal) promises for those who love Him.  (We will finally be at home.)

For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.  ~Hebrews 13:14

Paul's (slight) internal yearning for death was not sadistic, but hopeful, because he know what Jesus had said:
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (3) 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 14:2-3

Paul wasn't crazy, but it also wasn't his time yet, and the Lord allowed that truth to settle over Paul's heart.  

That same truth needs to settle over our hearts today too.

Don't worry about dying (My Father’s house has many rooms...  ~John 14:2).  

But also--don't long to go and be with Christ just yet, either.

We're here today.  We have purpose in Christ today.  And we will remain alive today so we can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.

So let's get to it.  Leave the woes (or fantasies) of dying today, and embrace the green-light for living that God is given us.

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 

(21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

(22) But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. (23) I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. (24) But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.  

(25) Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.  ~Philippians 1:20-25

~~~

REMAIN ALIVE TODAY!  If we (will choose) to live, we can do more fruitful work for Christ.  And may we partner with our Savior to serve others with His Word, His love, and by telling others of the glory of his name.

For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.  (15) With Jesus’ help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name. (16) Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to him.  ~Hebrews 13:14-16

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Corona Devo 1156

Image
At work, we provide Trainings for customers, so that they can be updated and educated on all of the latest features (and how to use them) within our product.  Many companies do this--sharing "Best Practices" are a way to ensure positive outcomes on the customer and vendor sides of things. My kids often offer me "life hacks" that they have learned from watching an online video promising to "save time" and "make your life easier".  And just this week, my husband enlightened me about the "tear-away" feature built into most plastic rings holding cans/bottles of pop or Gatorade together.  When separated, the plastic rips open easily, releasing the bottle--saving wildlife that might be caught if it is discarded as trash, and saving me  frustration or angst because I no longer have to pull with all my might to get a bottle out of the plastic rings.  ( Who knew? )  Life hacks do save time and make your life easier! Who couldn't benefit from
Read more

Corona Devo 1217

Image
The unanswered “why’s” of life, the disorder of our days, and even the unfairness of our struggles can cause us to question ourselves and also to question our God. But the order-of-Creation and the systems that God has set in place are undeniable answers that swing back and forth like God’s pendulum-reminder that He set the world in motion, and He continues to keep order, even when it seems as if we and our world are in dis- order.   Job was a man going through some heavy and hard stuff.   Maybe we are too.   Job’s trials had caused him to question the order of life, and possibly God’s dominion over it.   We can relate.   The “Why’s?” and the “Why Me’s” can stack up in our minds and hearts, but like a parent exercising loving-authority over a child, God reminds Job and us--of His power, omniscience and of His ultimate authority over everything: Creation… and us today .   Then the  Lord  answered Job from the whirlwind: (2) “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ig
Read more

Corona Devo 991

Running low on " good things " today?  Doesn't it (sometimes) seem like/trend like/read like/tweet like/water-cooler-chat or backyard-fence-visit like/intimidate like/depress like... there are no  good things in the land? . I know. It's no secret that many have abandoned  the Law of the  Lord,  and at times, that's us .   It is evident all around us that people have  followed each other  in this sin.  When we look around...or when we live our days...we can wonder: Are there  any  good things  left in the land? There are still some good things in the land ...and no matter how bleak we feel the "forecast" for today is...there will always  be  some good things in the land, because God is in the land.   T he Bible reminds us of that today.   ~~~ The Israelites (and their king, Rehoboam ) were God's people, but like all of us at times/seasons of our lives...they wandered from Lord and His ways.  They relaxed in their allegiance to the Lord, and then the
Read more