“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6
Category: decisions
Staring Down Death
“In the long run, we are all dead.” —John Maynard Keynes
| “Are you afraid to die? Remember that for a child of God, death is only a passing through to a wonderful new world…” —Corrie Ten Boom |
The idea of death is unpopular, unsettling and perhaps a little rude. It is a great way of putting a good conversation into flight-stopping stall. No one likes it (except maybe ‘Goths‘ and the perennial AC/DC fan). It is perhaps ‘too true’ and the reality keeps us from dwelling on it. But it is going to happen, you will die.
“We live for seventy years or so (with luck we might make it to eighty), And what do we have to show for it? Trouble. Toil and trouble and a marker in the graveyard. Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!”
Ps. 90:10, 12, MSG
Our modern society has made considerable effort to avoid the subject of death. Thinking through this strikes me as unhealthy and confusing. Through the past centuries, our present day attitude would be regarded as strange by them.
The Bible teaches us how to prepare to die well.
We have been given several decades of life on this planet, but not much more than that. The psalmist recognizes this. He prepares for his/her personal appointment for death. He prays that he will use wisely all the time he has left. Psalm 90 has been part of that preparation for millions of Christians, for many centuries.
One way to help you purify a faith that is strong enough to look death straight in the eyes, is to have a few older Christian friends. For me there is Pastor Ray. He is in his 80s now. I see myself marching behind him, and watching his back as he moves to heaven. It helps me follow in some small way. It gives me peace. Maybe that is how it is supposed to work.
The Bible is a book that is to prepare us for death, and then eternity. It is our compass as we look for ‘true north’. It has instructions and guidance, if we listen to the voice, it will bring us through the ‘door of death’. “Fear not, little flock. It is God’s pleasure to give you the kingdom”.
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“Lord, please get me ready to see you. Teach me how to live wisely, and not as a foolish person. Teach me to be a model of faith and strength to everyone who is watching me move toward death. Give me courage and faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
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I Come, Clinging
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 3:23, NLT
I know myself pretty well. I fully understand how dark I can be. I’m nasty and mean, selfish and destructive. I am the “King of Filth and Deceit.” (That is my official title, look it up.) King Midas turned everything he touched into gold. It seems that everything I touch turns black and putrid. I have come to understand Martin Luther’s own assessment, “Sin boldly, but believe in God more boldly still.” He wasn’t encouraging sin; nor was he giving out ‘a license to sin.’ He was simply acknowledging our nature. He was also speaking of God’s wonderful gift of grace, and the faith needed to obtain it.
But I have heard that there is a place where I can be made white and bright; fully and truly cleansed of an immensity of evil. He can heal me, and I do not have to continue to produce such wickedness. I do not have to hurt His dear ones anymore. When I accept Him, His blood releases me. He makes it possible for me to have a new life.
So I come to Him, and cling. I will not let go, I grab Jesus and hang on.
I won’t slide back into this painful darkness. I will latch on to Him with everything I have. I cry out for ‘the spiritual velcro’ of Grace. I do this over, and over– until it works. Just give my sin-addled soul Jesus. I’ve had enough religion, now I want Him.
I’m learning that I must learn to forgive myself. He has already forgiven me. A weaver works diligently on a rug that he is making. He uses even the dark thread as he does his work. In the same way, those deep transgressions must become a part of the Spirit’s work from my life. He takes it up, without flinching, and weaves it into His work. What He does is miraculous.
God’s specialty is turning rascals into sons and daughters.
I see sadness and confusion, and He sees glory. I see nothing but evil, and He chooses to turn it into a special grace. And so, I cling to Him and wait for the Lord to meet me. He is not overwhelmed by my stains, and He promises a complete deliverance from my great darkness. So I cling, as a drowning man latches on to a life preserver.
Oh, dear one. Someone has been looking for you. Jesus has been searching, trying to save you. You can go your own way, but I predict nothing but a difficult sorrow, if that is your real choice. But, there is a way of escape, and it is full of joy and peace. And it is real.
I know, (first-hand,) that it difficult, but that is just the first stage. There is a raucous joy that is waiting for you. You will find such a purpose and completeness that will make your head spin. He will launch on you into a love and a kindness that you will hardly be able to contain.
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:3-4
Related articles
- Righteousness: His or Yours? (brokenbelievers.com)
- God’s Great Love For Us (pastorht.wordpress.com)
- To His cloak I cling (booguloo.wordpress.com)
- The Old Rugged Cross (mammabloggar.wordpress.com)
- Childlike Faith (essentialspurgeon.wordpress.com)
- Loving Jesus Above All Things (brakeman1.wordpress.com)
What Do I Really Need?
“The depressed don’t simply need to feel better. They need a Redeemer who says, “Take heart, my son, my daughter; what you really need has been supplied. Life no longer need be about your goodness, success, righteousness, or failure. I’ve given you something infinitely more valuable than good feelings: your sins are forgiven.”
Elyse M. Fitzpatrick
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
It really does come down to “needs” after all. I don’t need to feel better, and I don’t need a to take another Zoloft. Do I believe in psych drugs? Yes, most definitely. I do need to control my moods. But when we talk about need (its really an emphatic word, it needs to be drawn out) I have discovered I really have very few needs.
I’ll tell you what I need. I need to follow Jesus with my cross. I need to pray and worship in His presence. I need to love my wife and children. I need to love my neighbor. I need the Word, both ‘rhema’ and ‘logos.’ I need a good pastor, and I need to fellowship with other believers more than I do.
Its good to go through this sifting process. I do not need to feel happy, healthy, wealthy, content, strong, moral or helpful. I do need God however. Yes, I am “mentally” ill. I do take meds to keep me from burning down our house and shooting our dog. I’ve been listening to music in my head that others can’t hear. I see things, astonishing things. I sometimes have to deal with paranoid feelings that would curl your hair.
But what do I really need? I desperately need God.
I need his love. I need to know all my sins are forgiven. I need to know that I will be with him forever and ever. I guess the challenge is now yours, sort out these issues. It doesn’t matter what flavor of mental illness you have. You need Him. Everything else is mostly froth and scum.
“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”
Isaiah 65:24
Broken Believers 