Nothing But Life

Nothing But Life

Revelation 22: The angel also showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, and coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² and flowing down the middle of the city's street. On each side of the river was the tree of life, which bears fruit twelve times a year, once each month; and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. ³ Nothing that is under God's curse will be found in the city.

 

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Driving down the road, I ran over a skunk carcass. For miles I could smell the horrible powerful stench of the dead animal. I ran through a puddle, yet the smell still lingered.

 

• I wished that I had not experienced the dead skunk.
• I wished I had not run over something that was dead and decaying.
• I would have preferred for all things that were alive to remain alive.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was shown three things that provided life. One river and two trees were described as things that provided life. He also mentioned that the leaves would be used to heal the nations. Any sickness or disease that was under GOD’s curse would be healed by the things that provided life.

 

My Observations:

• GOD made us with life in mind.
• Eternal life will contain no sickness, no disease and no death.
• GOD’s eternal curse will not apply to those who love the LORD.

 

When GOD heals eternally, it will be done for good! I mean, there will be no more crying over a lost loved one, no more pain that keeps people awake and no more disease that causes bodies to malfunction. Why? Because JESUS paid it all.

 

JESUS was took on our curse. CHRIST redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” HE was hung on a cross and gave us eternal life. I am grateful to receive living water that will make me never thirst again.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer mention’s GOD’s curse?
• Have you ever gotten sick or hurt or experienced some sort of pain?
• Will you accept JESUS as your Savior so you can have everlasting life today?

Finding the Source

Finding the Source

1 John 5: ¹⁰ So those who believe in the Son of God have this testimony in their own heart; but those who do not believe God, have made a liar of him, because they have not believed what God has said about his Son. ¹¹ The testimony is this: God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

 

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After returning from the hardware store for the third time, I was frustrated. I was trying to fix an electrical outlet, but my efforts were not working. I bought and returned two outlets, but neither of them were working. “Did you check to see if you are getting power to the outlet” the guy asked at the hardware store. While obvious, I just assumed it should have been connected. It wasn’t.

 

• My assumptions were wrong and would not fix the problem.
• My approach to the solution was wrong because it was based on a bad assumption.
• I was never going to make the outlet work, because it was not connected to the power source.

 

John clarifies eternal life. He makes it as plain as possible. “Whoever has the SON, has life; whoever does not have the SON of GOD does not have life.”

 

My Observations:

• Eternal life begins with this life.
• GOD made all beings eternal, however, some will eternally be separated from HIM and those who believe in HIS SON will eternally be inside of HIM.
• Eternal life is precious to GOD, so I must treat this life as special to HIM as well.

 

Scoffing at heaven or life after death or JESUS being the only way to have eternal life can be problematic. I mean, when I questioned the very existence of GOD, I was left without answered, only theories by, what humans called ‘smart people’, that could not be proven. BUT GOD had a clear way that made sense.

 

GOD, being made of pure love, not only created humans, HE became one and died for all sins so that those who believe in HIM may not perish, but have everlasting life. HIS actions were based on love for you and me. JESUS, who is GOD sis this out of love. The FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT, painfully agreed so that you and I would not be lost. I gladly believe the JESUS loves me to this very day.

 

Challenge

• What is the testimony the writer speaks about?
• Have you ever wondered what happens to you and others when we die?
• Will you believe in JESUS as your Savior from being eternally separated from GOD and feeling pain, to being eternally with GOD and having no pain, no problems and no tears forever?

 

Broken Repaired

Broken Repaired

1 John 4: ¹⁹ We love because God first loved us. ²⁰ If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen. ²¹ The command that Christ has given us is this: whoever loves God must love others also.

 

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Sitting on the couch of my apartment, it hit me that my life was not going so well. With creditors calling, and my car totaled, I wanted to hear a friendly set of words but they were not available.

 

“Why don’t you go to church with us?” someone asked. I went and heard words of love I hadn’t heard in a while. I felt great. Years of success later, a guy would come by my desk to steal ideas. “I hate that guy” I said to myself.

 

• I had forgotten what GOD did for me when I was broken.
• In my lowest moments, I needed GOD and HE was faithful to me.
• I was not faithful to GOD because I harbored hatred in my heart.

 

John addressed hatred. He knew the believers in CHRIST were persecuted by the very group that was supposed to be following GOD. He reminded everyone, that while we were still sinners CHRIST died for us. He then explained that you cannot love GOD and hate people.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is love and expects me to act like HIM.
• GOD loved me first and wants me to do the same.
• GOD wants me to love those who are spiritually blind, selfish, and mean.

 

Without GOD, love cannot exist. I mean, GOD is the one who defined what love is and HE created us in HIS image to love one another. Unfortunately sin entered the world and is a part of us. Humans conjure up a new definition of love, that could include selfish desires that are not aligned to GOD’s.

 

JESUS gave us the example to follow. HE, being GOD, did not think being a servant to those who hated HIM was a problem. Even before HIS death, he healed a guards ear, who came to arrest HIM. JESUS commands something that is a choice. “love those who hate you.” I am glad GOD loved me first, so I choose to follow HIS example, HIS way.

 

Challenge

• What lie does the writer point out?
• Has GOD ever brought you out of something?
• Will you consider examining your heart to see if you harbor any hatred towards someone and ask GOD to cleanse you of this and replace it with HIS love for others today?

Alive!

Alive!

1 Thessalonians 3: ⁷ So, in all our trouble and suffering we have been encouraged about you, friends. It was your faith that encouraged us, ⁸ because now we really live if you stand firm in your life in union with the Lord. ⁹ Now we can give thanks to our God for you. We thank him for the joy we have in his presence because of you. ¹⁰ Day and night we ask him with all our heart to let us see you personally and supply what is needed in your faith.

 

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Assessing my life, I felt dead. I was in a dead end job, alone and piles of debt. No longer did the parties make me “happy.” “Is this it?” I asked myself, because at the time life really stunk.

 

• I felt like I was dead.
• I thought that there should have been more to life than a rotten job and bills.
• I had run out of options when trying to make myself “happy” during difficult circumstances.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy were encouraged in the middle of their suffering. Timothy had brought back “welcome news” about the faith of the Thessalonians. While Paul was the teacher, he needed to hear some news that other people were standing firm. He says “now we really live.”

 

My Observations

• Hearing that other people are standing firm in the middle of their trials makes me see that I can stand firm in GOD, just like him or her.
• After deciding to stand firm for the LORD, I can praise HIM for what HE is doing in other folks lives.
• GOD wants me to also ask for HIM to supply my needs as well as the needs of others.

 

Feeling empty or dead happens to some of us. I mean, when things are not going as I expect for an extended time, I can run out of gas. BUT GOD wants me to run out of gas. Why? Because HE wants me to rely on HIS power.

 

HE brings me through trials and HE delivers others from theirs. When I see what HE is doing in the lives of others, I get encouraged to stand firm and patiently wait on the LORD. I am grateful, HE is working everything out in HIS way and time.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writers were encouraged?
• Have you ever felt that life was not going as well as you expected?
• Will you be encouraged by what GOD is doing in other people’s lives and know HE has a wonderful plan for you as well?
• Will yu stand firm for JESUS today?

All the News

All the News

Colossians 4: ⁷ Our dear friend Tychicus, who is a faithful worker and fellow servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me. ⁸ That is why I am sending him to you, in order to cheer you up by telling you how all of us are getting along. ⁹ With him goes Onesimus, that dear and faithful friend, who belongs to your group. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

 

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Blurting out “Didn’t we have a great time at the club last night?” seemed inappropriate in church, but that’s what the guy asked me. I was trying to live a double or triple life. One segment I appeared to be one way another segment I appeared a different way.

 

• I tried living a segmented life.
• I wanted to “have pleasure” and “have CHRIST” and “have money” even though sometimes they conflict with one another.
• I was embarrassed that one segment of my life was exposed to another.

 

Tychicus and Onesimus were dear friends of Paul. He mentions both in other letters in the highest regard. They observed his life and were witnesses to his actions in CHRIST. Paul had given up his life to follow CHRIST fully. To him, it was more profitable to follow the LORD.

 

My Observations

• My life was given to me by the LORD for HIS purpose.
• Any part of my life that I may be ashamed of will be exposed painfully or easily.
• GOD uses my life to be an example one way or another.

 

“All the news” is scary to me. I mean, it seems like a huge amount of pressure to be “good” when I am not. Only GOD is good and I could never live up to any expectation that others may place on me by following HIM. Fortunately GOD does not require “good” people to mention HIM.

 

GOD uses sinners like me to say “I am forgiven by JESUS for all my sins, past, present and future!” By believing in JESUS, I have hope. I can now bring hope to the hopeless. No matter how much I have messed up, GOD is there. I am glad “All the news” includes JESUS forgiving me.

 

Challenge

• What news do you think the writer is speaking about?
• Do you feel you do not measure up to other people or are not meeting the expectations of those who have given their life to the LORD?
• Will you let go of your life and place the burden of perfection on the only one who is, namely JESUS today?

Living It Up

 

Living It Up

Philippians 1: ²¹ For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more. ²² But if by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. ²³ I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; ²⁴ but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive. ²⁵ I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that when I am with you again, you will have even more reason to be proud of me in your life in union with Christ Jesus.

 

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“You haven’t lived until you’ve ridden our roller coaster” was the ad that made me curious. Up until then, my life was mundane, but this rollercoaster ride will solve everything. The same was said about vacation spots, cars and other experiences.

 

• I was told what living was all about from sales people.
• I was jealous over pictures of people who seemed to be having “fun.”
• I thought “living” was indulging in as much of what the world had to offer, with no limits.

 

Paul addresses “life” and “death” from the perspective of “purpose.” To the world, Paul would look like a failure. He was a criminal who was despised by churchy people. He dedicated his entire life to preach the message of CHRIST. This made life worth living.

 

My Observations

• Life with CHRIST as a purpose, leaves me not wanting or missing anything.
• Life to GOD is me having the pursuit of bringing HIS creations back to HIM.
• Life is more than what the world has to offer.

 

Having things or going places is not a problem when it is not the only pursuit in life, I mean, it is okay to go on a vacation or buy stuff, but when I get nervous that I cannot buy more stuff, or when most of my thinking is guided by living for more of the “world” I reduce living to see people come to the saving knowledge of JESUS.

 

My blinders cause worry which can lead to thinking no one loves me, not even GOD, when things are going wrong. Mental and physical pain can sometimes grow to the point where I cry out, “Just take me!” BUT GOD is merciful and wants me to stay for HIS purpose. I gladly serve GOD with vigor and determination.

 

Challenge

• What state of mind do you think the writer is in?
• Have you ever felt like giving up on life because things are not going your way?
• Will you know that GOD loves you dearly and that you were made unique to reach specific people only you can reach for CHRIST?
• Will you live your life with purpose that extends beyond the things of this world today?

Rejoicing Capabilities

Rejoicing Capabilities

2 Corinthians 3: ⁴ We say this because we have confidence in God through Christ. ⁵ There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; ⁶ it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

 

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Pride had set in as I thought the promotion I received was merited. It turned out that the person on the rise needed someone he knew in the position rather than looking at my glorious accomplishments. In fact, some of the things I accomplished caused problems amongst the higher ups. I was chosen and deemed capable just because I knew the person.

 

• I was taught to be “self-made.”
• I was taught to “pull myself up.”
• I was taught to “self-promote”, “self-teach” and “self-praise” in order to get ahead.

 

“There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work” are shocking words from Paul. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees. In other words, he was the leader of church leaders. He knew his stuff! But he recognized that knowing doesn’t make a person capable of serving the SPIRIT.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to recognize that HE did “everything” for me.
• GOD wants me to let go of any pride I may have, thinking I deserve more or I am capable of achievements.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM for giving me capabilities that only came from HIM.

 

After assessing my own capabilities, I see nothing worthy of speaking about GOD. I mean, years of sinful decisions does not quite make me the top of the list for a godly person award in my book. Who then is capable? No one.

 

BUT GOD made us capable! HE decided to do something about this huge problem and saw my flaws, and died for me anyway. HE saw that I would never choose HIM and volunteered to die and be raised from the dead. Yes, this is JESUS I am speaking of! HE chose me and gave me capabilities that only came from HIM and through HIM. I am thankful for what JESUS did for me.

 

Challenge

• Have you ever felt less than capable?
• Do you assess other people’s capabilities and reject them?
• What do you observe in the writer’s statement about capabilities and where they come from?
• Will you rejoice the capabilities you and other people have by seeing what GOD is doing in everyone’s life today?

Game of Life

Game of Life

John 5: Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. ²⁵ Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, ²⁷ and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 

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With a spouse and a car full of babies, I could see the finish line. After losing so many times, I finally could win this round. When I spun the spinner, I landed on the dreaded spot that takes money away from you, just before getting to millionaire acres, the game winning spot. My dreams of winning were crushed again.

• Sometimes I want life to go as other people have planned for me.
• Sometimes I want life to be without problems.
• Sometimes I want life to be just like the game of life where you can win a large prize just for playing.

JESUS further explains to the church leaders that HE is GOD and has all authority. HE explains that the FATHER has life and so does HE. “Life will be given to those who hear ME” JESUS says. Am I listening?

• JESUS wants me to accept HIS example HE gave me in HIS word.
• JESUS wants me to look to HIM for all of my answers rather than thinking I know it all.
• JESUS wants me to hear HIM when I need comforting, correction and guidance in all aspects of life.

Life is GOD and HE gives it to me abundantly. Sometimes the enemy tries to confuse me into thinking if I am experiencing problems, I must not be living “life.” This is a lie that JESUS wants me to overcome. HE wants me to see that “life” is more than problem free and pleasure filled time.

Life means being with people who struggle, as well as with those who laugh. JESUS wants me to cry with people, smile with people and grow with people. HE wants me to point to HIM who holds life in HIS hands. I am eternally saved because of JESUS.

• What does “life” mean to you?
• Do you think you are not living because things are not going your way?
• Will you stop waiting on things to be better and start celebrating eternal life, through JESUS, before it happens?