THE DOORWAY

Some say as we get older and acquire conditions that place us near death that we - "have one foot in this world and one foot in eternity". I understand what they are trying to convey, the fact that the person has pretty much checked-out mentally and all that is left is for the physical functions to stop, then the person can pass away.

However, I want to propose that the person with ailing health, as well as the rest of humanity is an eternal being since birth and death is merely The Doorway to the next form of our existence and location thereof. The vital thing here is the decision about our faith in Christ before we pass through The Doorway. As C.S. Lewis said, "You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God," - but a decision needs to be made otherwise no decision goes against that person.

Unless someone has a supernatural visit to and from Paradise or Hell, and there are accounts of both, we are destined to die, pass through The Doorway and travel to one of those two locations. I have not taken a poll, but I feel safe in saying most people make a decision as to where they are going before they travel to a destination. The same applies with our eternal location. As stated before, we are all eternal beings from birth, the matter then becomes - are you redeemed and restored to Father God through Christ Jesus so that Heaven will accept you? 

The default location for all humanity is Hell and eventually The Lake of Fire. But Christ Jesus, Father God's Son, has conquered death, Hell and the grave - providing everyone The Only Way to avoid eternal damnation (John 14:6). The Sacrifice and The Victory was one that was made and executed for us by Love Himself. All we have to do is accept Him and His love-gift. Unless Christ comes in The Rapture, all of us will expire, no matter our faith and no matter our health status. So, I ask you today - what is your decision about Jesus before you step through The Doorway?  

INGREDIENTS FOR SCRIPTURAL PROBLEM SOLVING

Ever have a meltdown over an issue only to realize afterward that the problem was not worth that much worry and certainly not worth your panicked reaction? We need a change in perspective that daily aides us in problem solving. I believe we have that change, we simply have to accept it and execute it.

Scripture tells us there is nothing new, we all face the same kinds of problems and God is faithful to those who are called according to His purpose(s). Concerning old tactics by the enemy and old habits/snares we fall into - Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." However, Paul acknowledges this and encourages us all in the same breath as he writes the believers in Corinth - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13) And Paul's encouragement does not stop at just a "way out", the Holy Spirit, through Paul states "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

I understand that some seasons in life make us feel "hard pressed on every side", "perplexed", "persecuted" and/or "struck down". But God promises through Paul that we are "not crushed", "not in despair", "not abandoned" and "not destroyed". (2 Cor. 4:8-9) When Christ visited the first time, He did not offer a bed-of-roses lifestyle for those who accept Him as Master of their lives. No, quite the opposite - He guaranteed hardship even to the point of dying for our association with Him. One of these promises is found in John 16:33 - "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

In Christ's overcoming the world, He provided for us some vital actions for us to have peace while problem solving life's issues. He attacked and changed well established mindsets. He cautioned against giving into worry. And He taught a huge lesson on focus when He walked on stormy waves and called Peter out to Himself. When Jesus was not directly telling or showing people how to tackle problems, He was telling them a relevant parable. 

The idea of much of Jesus' ministry being the changing of established mindsets is not a hard one to accept. Many times, the reader of Scripture, particularly Matthew 5, finds Christ saying the phrase "You have heard that it was said...".

• Matthew 5:21 = Murder
• Matthew 5:27 = Adultery
• Matthew 5:33 = Oaths
• Matthew 5:38 = Eye for an Eye
• Matthew 5:43 = Love for Enemies
• Crippled man at the Pool, needed a change of mindset as to where his healing comes from.
• After the Upper Room visitation of the Holy Spirit, the mindset of where God dwells changed (from stone temple to bodily temple).

Thou shalt not fret or worry. Matthew 6:25-34. The act of worrying has no power to help our situation. Worrying comes from our worldly or societal perspective. The first step in any issue or problem is to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,”. Observe what the result of this is – “and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33). And be persistent in your seeking. Sometimes we have to continually yank on God’s robe about issues. Matthew 7:7-11 encourages and emphasizes three ways to go after God – Ask, Seek and Knock. All of these words portray persistence.

One of my big worries in life is what to say to someone who asks about my faith or persecutes me about my faith. As Jesus sent out The Twelve Disciples to go evangelize, He gave them instructions, warnings and encouragement. These words still ring down through the ages to Christ-followers today. One of the issues Christians will face is persecution of our own faith from leaders in our society. Christ says do not worry I will place the words in your heart and mind to speak. Matthew 10:18-20 says it like this – “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

The Magnitude of the Problem is no match for Jesus and His Answer either. However far-fetched it may sound or seem, we need to trust Jesus. Jesus fed 5,000+ with 5 loaves of bread and two fishes in Matthew 14:13-21 and then 4,000+ in Matthew 15:29-39 with 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. Just think, Believers in Christ have God as their Friend. And there is nothing impossible for God, He is God. It all boils down to our trust in Him and His plan for our lives, however many of the pieces of our puzzle we have at the time.

We need to see through the eyes of Faith, not of our Flesh. We need to put on God’s Spiritual Glasses everyday so that we see His perspective on all things. Matthew 17:20 - "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." We can make a molehill out of a mountain. Better yet, we can remove the mountain from in front of us altogether! According to Jesus, the smallest amount of faith, allegorized by the mustard seed, produces mountain-moving power for our issues in life. So, if the smallest amount produces mountain-moving power imagine what developed faith or great faith in The Lord would produce! Fear creates mountains, Faith moves mountains!

These are Ingredients for Scriptural Problem Solving - 

1. realize - no testing has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13) 
2. change your mindset about your issue - first seek God's advice through prayer and His Word, then move; 
3. do not allow worry to enter the picture; 
4. trust in God no matter the magnitude of the issue; 
5. live your life through the lens of your faith in Christ; 

A LIFE OF GODLY WORSHIP

Tents, Tabernacles and Temples were places set up under The Law of Moses that people traveled to in order to worship Yahweh. One's reasonable service to The Lord and means of displaying his/her worship of God was the official daily, monthly or yearly sacrifices and offerings done at these locations.

However, when Jesus came along, He had a conversation with a Samaritan woman which declared changes were forthcoming. The transaction went like this -

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 19-24)

Although the writer of Hebrews encourages believers not to forsake the gathering of the assembly (Hebrews 10:24-25), Believers in Christ should realize that Worship of God, though persecuted by many nations, is not limited to a location anymore. Sunday and Wednesday church meetings have their function of injecting Holy Spirit encouragement, teaching and singing into our lives, but Worship of God is not about Sunday's and Wednesday's at a building following a program. 

Worship is a dedicated lifestyle that has access to God anytime and anywhere and should reflect that to everyone around us. The word choice we select in our conversations should raise an eyebrow enough to warrant someone to comment - "You must be a Christian." This is worship with our words. Our behavior should line-up so intimately with God's Word that even non-believers who know a little Scripture say, "Now, that is what Jesus would do." This is worship with our actions. Matthew says it this way - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) If we do this - God will know, others will know and we will know that we have - A Life Of Godly Worship.

STAYING IN HIS PEACE

Joseph, son of Israel, went from the Pit to Potifer to Prison to Palace to Provision to Progeny and seemingly had Peace during it all (Genesis 37-46). Why would I think that Joseph had Peace during all of these major life-changes and challenges? First, he did not complain. Second, the phrase "the Lord was with Joseph" or "the Lord was with him" keeps appearing. But what gave Joseph the edge on his long journey? Especially observing he started out as a teenager.

Joseph had not one, but two dreams about his future. They were not popular with his brothers, but he held onto them none-the-less. Christians cannot afford to wait around for a dream or two to receive for our future life direction. However, we can actively wait. We can live for The Lord and when He decides and how He decides to communicate the next steps in our lives - we must trust Him completely.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Israel loved Joseph so much that his displays of affection were noticeable to the rest of the family. Israel went as far as making The Coat of Many Colors or ornate robe for Joseph. This was not taken well especially by the brothers who had no kind words for Joseph. 

There is a similar reaction when many Believers experience their own favor from God. Christians receive favor from the hand of The Lord and not only non-believers, but some fellow Christians get bitter, envious and judgmental because of this favor. Notice in this case the non-acceptance stayed within Israel's family. However, I have to believe that Joseph must have taken that special robe and the love that Israel gave it with and treasured it in a place in his heart where nobody could reach. We must do the same with God's favor otherwise known as God's Promises. No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace. 

The straw that broke the camel's back was when Joseph gave a bad report to Israel about his brother's conduct while out shepherding in the fields. His brothers took him for a tattle-tale, but Joseph seems to me to have right and wrong in mind. Perhaps being a teenager, favored by your dad, having dreams about ruling the roost one day would give you a confidence boost enough to get a little to big for your pants. However, if you read the rest of the story, that idea does not line up with God's Peace being anchored in his soul before his journey even begins.

Here is how to apply the Peace that Joseph most likely experienced to our lives. Accept and develop a relationship with the immovable person, force and favor of Christ Jesus. I encourage you not to follow in the footsteps of Lucifer. He wanted to play King of the Mountain with God, in the beginning, and lost. We need to submit and commit everything to God every day. 

Christ is the Foundation and Cornerstone we need to build our lives upon everyday. If we do this then Love becomes the platform from which we launch all our thoughts, actions and words for all our interactions. However, look what else Christians receive by accepting Him and living for Him. In Romans 14:17, Paul says, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,". Sandwiched between a right relationship with God (righteousness) and holy happiness or excitement (joy) is Peace. To be in a relationship with Christ is to be in relationship with The Prince of Peace. To be in His Kingdom means Peace is a standard. When we stay in His Word, when we stay in His Promises, we stay in His Peace.

JUST LOOK WITHIN

How close is Christ Jesus? A thought away. The breath of His name away. 

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and 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." (John 14:16-17)

After Jesus had described the Holy Spirit as The Comforter or one called alongside - Jesus described the Holy Spirit dwelling in two other fashions - with and in them.

Never before had every believer received such an intimate connection with God. In the past, Old Testament prophets would be graced with a special endowment of God's Spirit to accomplish His will, but that was all. The Holy Spirit would come upon people according to God's design, but never reside within them. The stone temple was considered God's dwelling place.

At other times the Holy Spirit would be with someone - as in the confusing of an enemy so that they kill themselves. Still at other times the Holy Spirit would come alongside someone and supply their need(s) like He did with Elijah, when the Lord had ravens supply him with food and a brook was near-by for drink.

Fast forward back to Christ and His disciples. The Holy Spirit was alongside them in the person of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit was with them when Jesus sent them out to evangelize. They did not know it but they had the upper room experience with the Holy Spirit still to come. However, from here on out, in addition to alongside them and with them, they also have the Holy Spirit within them, wherever thou goest. And that promise extends to all Believers/Disciples of Christ.

Paul confirms this switch from a stone temple to a flesh temple when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:19 - "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own?"

Mr. Rick Renner puts it this way - "...your heart was never meant to be a hotel. God never intended for the Holy Spirit to be your Guest. The Holy Spirit has come to stay as a permanent Resident inside your heart and He will be with you for the rest of your life." (p. 553, Sparkling Gems from the Greek 2)

If the Holy Spirit is enthroned upon our mind, heart, speech and spirit then the matter becomes living a life that honors His Lordship and recognizes His indwelling presence wherever we go. We always carry Him around, to and through the dark places in our lives, as well as the bright. He promises that He never walks away from us or abandons us altogether. His presence in us comes with a great responsibility to showcase His Character. How close is Christ Jesus? Just Look Within.

SURE TO BE WAVES

Ever stood about waist deep in the ocean on the beach on a busy surf day and the waves just seem relentless? I certainly have experienced this unyielding, wave-after-wave, pounding of water. I have also felt the unrelenting waves of the challenges in life.

Here is a recent glimpse into my life and the waves that have pounded me.

1. Family sickness
2. Degrading health of a dear Uncle
3. Me, Kidney Stone
4. Wife, Physical issues
5. Wife, car accident
6. Gum in dryer
7. Ice maker dead
8. Laptop is dead
9. Water break in my yard near street
10. Pastor Change in my church

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

However, the Scripture says these waves are producing in me now - perseverance and character which leads to hope. The actual passage in Romans 5:3-4 reads - "but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Then Paul in his second letter to the church in Corinth stated and I paraphrase - The trials and tribulations we face are working for us. They are not only developing us now, but setting aside and polishing up a glory that does not compare to all of our issues combined. The actual 2 Corinthians 4:17 verse reads - "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Earlier in this same chapter, Paul speaks about the waves of life and the authority we have over them through Christ Jesus. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

I like how Paul starts out with the dessert first instead of the appetizer. He says we contain a "treasure" within our bodies that displays the kind of authority and power we have daily at our disposal for any issue - God's "all-surpassing power" via His Holy Spirit. Paul then names some waves but immediately afterward declares our victory through the Holy Spirit. 

The first wave is that "we are hard pressed on every side". Ever felt like you were in the Pressure Cooker of life? Ever felt like the anaconda of life was squeezing the joy right out of living and on every side? Paul encourages us, "we are not crushed".

The second wave is "perplexed". Ever been confused about the situation you were going through? Ever wonder where it was coming from - a test, an attack or just stupidity on our part? Paul reassures us we will feel this but it will not lead to "despair".

The third wave is persecution. Ever had the finger pointed at you? Whether you were or were not the culprit, God says He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Here in this verse Paul says we are "not abandoned". 

The last wave that Paul mentions is being "struck down". Ever experienced bankruptcy or a close, intimate death in the family? Things of this nature can take the wind out of your sails or make you feel struck down. Paul then gives us the picture we might be down but we are not out in the fight of life. So, with God's help and others we stand back up, dust ourselves off and move forward.

Paul is an excellent person to be speaking on this subject of the waves of life. He was ship wrecked a number of times, imprisoned, whipped, stoned, etc... In Paul's second letter to Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy by explaining and justifying his suffering - "And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." (2 Timothy 1:11-12) 

The three key words that jump off the page for me in this encouragement/explanation/justification are - "know", "convinced" and "entrusted". Paul had a personal encounter with Christ therefore knew Him. Afterward, he was convinced of Christ's power in his life by the many miracles and salvations that the Lord worked through him. This convincing was more than enough to entrust his life to Christ Jesus then and for eternity.

In the same manner, Christians should know their Savior on an intimate, daily basis by speaking with Him and reading His Word. Believers should be convinced of His power and presence in their lives just from all the many blessings coming their way. And followers of Christ should trust God in everything and entrust God with your whole body, soul, mind and strength as we are promised by Christ there are Sure To Be Waves.