I talked about sacred moments the other day but today I heard the most profound statement from a fifteen year old young man. Today we celebrated Jenny's life at a memorial service. As I was reading and praying this morning I knew that she would encourage people from the grave--and she did just that. Pastor Don shared some of her prayer requests from years ago and they reflected her steadfast faith in her Savior. Even more amazing to me was her son, Jonathon, who gave her eulogy. He spoke with words beyond his years. His request to all there was to cherish each moment of your life. Her brother Brandon also spoke. His love for Jenny amazed me. He spent countless hours by her side taking care of her.
Psalm 139:16b says All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. God has a plan for your life and has every day written in His book. How amazing is that? We don't like talking about death or the idea of dying but the reality is we all die. The days we spend on this earth are but a blink of the eye to God. We can get so caught up in the world rather than focusing on God. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus tells us "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." We need to make the most of every day and ensure that we left nothing undone. We are not promised a tomorrow. James 4:14 says Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. And Luke 12:20 reminds us that we can build up our bank account but in the end it won't matter. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
I find that when I put God first and focus on the things of God that I have great peace and joy....I live the abundant life. To cherish each moment you must be willing to slow down and put your life in the right order. We are each created for a purpose. Jenny's purpose was to share joy and encouragement to others. She continues to do that from the grave. I can only imagine her sitting at the Savior's feet as she hears ...‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Take time today to evaluate your life. Are you living the abundant life that Christ promised in John 10:10? Are you cherishing each moment? If not, turn to your Savior and seek His counsel.
Cherish each moment....you only get this one life. What legacy will you leave?
Saturday, April 23, 2011
In Between
Have you ever thought about the 24-36 hours in between Christ's death on Good Friday and His resurrection on Sunday? I've been thinking about that today. My friend Jenny's memorial service is today. We will mourn her loss but celebrate the fact that she is with Jesus now and we will one day see her again. Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jenny's permanent address is in paradise--how wonderful is that?
I've often praised God for allowing me to live after the cross and not before. Not because of modern conveniences (the toilet is nice :-)) but because I have the Holy Spirit indwelt. In the Old Testament and even during Jesus' time only certain people had the Spirit of God come upon them. Today, we all have that privledge. Can you imagine trying to live under the Levitical laws? If you are not familiar with them I enourage you to read Leviticus. I'm certain you will praise God that He chose to allow you to live after the cross.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-17--“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
But think about the disciples and those that followed Jesus for three years that acknowledged He was the Son of God who came to save the world. Can you imagine the devastation they must have felt? Although Christ had told of His death, burial and resurrection I don't think they could have fully comprehended at the time. We know differently. So how do we (you and I) spend this Saturday? Are we praising God for His plan of salvation? Are we praising Christ for His obedience (even to death) so that we might not only share eternity with Him but have the Holy Spirit indwelt within us to have intimacy now.
Jesus explained in John 14:6 ....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
As we spend this day 'in between' meditate on the sacrifice and love Christ bestowed on us and give Him praise and honor for His obedience to the Father.
I've often praised God for allowing me to live after the cross and not before. Not because of modern conveniences (the toilet is nice :-)) but because I have the Holy Spirit indwelt. In the Old Testament and even during Jesus' time only certain people had the Spirit of God come upon them. Today, we all have that privledge. Can you imagine trying to live under the Levitical laws? If you are not familiar with them I enourage you to read Leviticus. I'm certain you will praise God that He chose to allow you to live after the cross.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-17--“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
But think about the disciples and those that followed Jesus for three years that acknowledged He was the Son of God who came to save the world. Can you imagine the devastation they must have felt? Although Christ had told of His death, burial and resurrection I don't think they could have fully comprehended at the time. We know differently. So how do we (you and I) spend this Saturday? Are we praising God for His plan of salvation? Are we praising Christ for His obedience (even to death) so that we might not only share eternity with Him but have the Holy Spirit indwelt within us to have intimacy now.
Jesus explained in John 14:6 ....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
As we spend this day 'in between' meditate on the sacrifice and love Christ bestowed on us and give Him praise and honor for His obedience to the Father.
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