"O, Death"

Death has been in abundance in my little world lately. Everywhere I turn I hear of news of someone dying and it is usually of the tragic sort. It is a sad thing. I have found myself pondering over death, although it has not hit close home as of yet, I reflect on those I have lost and remember the pain that death leaves. 

The void of a taken lost one cannot be filled by anything but Christ alone. I remember losing a close friend and the only solace I received was from Christ. 

As I look now at statuses and the lips of friends who spread death's news, I feel calloused. Yes, I do feel sorry for those who have lost loved ones. Death never comes at a convenient time, and I pray that God heals those who have been left here with the absence of his or her loves. 

We pray that death would not come, yet it does. 10 out of 10 people, 100% of the time die. 

THIS is why salvation is important. I've heard by word of mouth from a lady recently that she invited a man to church who recently died. He stated, "Perhaps when I am older." This is a sad statement. I pray that he knew the salvation of Christ.

As all the news of death spreads, I stumbled across the writings of Charles H. Spurgeon, specifically dealing with death. He states, 

"Let me tell you a parable. Behold two men sat together in the same house: when Death came to each of them. He said to one, "Thou shalt die." The man looked at him-tears suffused his eyes, and tremblingly he said, "O Death, I cannot, I will not die." He sought out a physician, and said to him, "I am sick, for Death hath looked upon me. His eyes have paled my cheeks, and I fear I must depart. Physician, there is my wealth, give me health and let me live." The physician took his wealth, but gave him not his health with all his skill. The man changed his physician and tried another, and thought that perhaps he might spin out the thread of life a little longer. But, alas! Death came and said, "I have given thee time to try thy varied excuses, come with me; thou shalt die." And he bound him hand and foot, and made him go to that dark land of shades. As the man went, be clutched at every side post by the way; but Death, with iron hands, still pulled him on. There was not a tree that grew along the way but he tried to grasp it, but Death said, "Come on! thou art my captive, and thou shalt die." And unwillingly as the laggard schoolboy, who goeth slowly to school, so did he trace the road with Death. He did not come to his grave, but Death fetched him to it-the grave came to him.

But Death said to the other man, "I am come for thee." He smilingly replied, "Ah, Death! I know thee, I have seen thee many a time. I have held communion with thee. Thou art my Master's servant, thou hast come to fetch me home. Go, tell my Master I am ready; whenever he pleases, Death, I am ready to go with thee." And together they went along the road, and held sweet company. Death said to him, "I have worn these skeleton bones to frighten wicked men; but I am not frightful. I will let thee see myself. The hand that wrote upon Belshazzar's wall was terrible because no man saw anything but the hand; but," said Death. "I will show thee my whole body. Men have only seen my bony hand, and have been terrified." And as they went along, Death ungirded himself to let the Christian see his body. and he smiled, for it was the body of an angel. He had wings of cherubs, and a body glorious as Gabriel. The Christian said to him, "Thou art not what I thought thou wast: I will cheerfully go with thee." At last Death touched the believer with his hand-it was even as when the mother doth in sport smite her child a moment. The child loves that loving pinch upon the arm, for it is a proof of affection. So did Death put his finger on the man's pulse, and stopped it for a moment, and the Christian found himself by Death's kind finger changed into a spirit; yea, found himself brother to the angels; his body had been etherealized, his soul purified, and he himself was in heaven."

This work was much encouraging to me. As a christian, I myself should not fear the hand of death. I should pray for those who have lost loved ones, but rejoice for the saved sinner that is going home to spend eternity with God. Basking in never ending joy!

Life on this earth is like looking through the peep hole of a door in an apartment. The viewer can see what is in line of the hole, but it is bowed and blurry. However, once death comes to take the christian home, the door is then open and the view is larger and more vibrant. 

I pray that we would not fear death, but accept it as an invitation home, for that is what Heaven truly is.

Whatever Things Are True

As many words do, the word TRUE has different meanings depending on the context in which the word is used.

1. True (adj.): Being in accordance with the actual state of affairs. Confirmable to an essential reality. Fully realized or fulfilled. (as in, "dreams come true")

2. True (adv.): In accordance with fact or reality. Without deviation. (as in, "the arrow flew straight and true")

3. True (noun): Truth or reality. The state of being accurate.

4. True (verb): To make level, square, balanced, or concentric.

*All above definitions are taken from Webster's Dictionary


Today, things that are true, or truth are hard to find. Truth is always discredited or simply shoved away. In this country we have been desensitized and I believe most of this is because of politics and the media network (CNN, MSNBC)

We no longer value truth or things that used to be deemed as truth in the virtuous sense, such as a man's word or handshake. However, the Bible urges us to hold onto and take joy in things that are true.

When I look at these four simple definitions, I don't see only words, but Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me. In 1 Samuel 12:24, I read, "only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
John 8:32, "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.
So what everything boils down to is

Christ=Truth

Going back to Philippians 4:8, where it says "meditate on these things" means that when we hear truth, or tell the truth, we are worshipping God. 

Simplicity and beauty are some of the core adjectives to describe Christianity. 

No one likes things that are false, or UNTRUE. No one swoons over false love, or something that flies as false as an arrow. Our very human nature loves truth. But, because we are sinful, because I am sinful, I cannot be truthful 100% or even 75% of the time. My sinful nature causes me to shrink back and not stand up for, or proclaim truth. I do not realize the impact of this unless I look back to the Bible and see that God is truth. When I stand for truth, I stand for God.

Jesus was truthful 100% of the time on earth. Not once did He say anything false. That is why He is our model. We desire truth. He is truth, so does that not mean we should desire Him? I need to live like Him, strive to do my best for Him, for He has done so much for me. If I am truthful I am worshipping God AND pointing others to Him.

Thirst

Philippians 4:8

"Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."

I have found lately (the past year or so) that I have constantly focused on bad news. Breakups, the loss of jobs, the loss of loved ones, the loss of friendships have encompassed my every thought. It is not just bad news however, but things that are non-virtuous. I am hit everyday with temptation, bitterness, greed, and selfishness. 

I stumbled upon this passage and it truly struck a chord with me. I have decided to start incorporating and meditating the things Paul wrote of, for I believe it is the word of God through him. I have found as I get older, that life is a work in progress. The more I know proves there is much more I do not know, and that through life, I cannot continue alone without the supernatural help of God. 

The Hand of God must be my guide, shield, and comfort. People will fail you. You will fail yourself. Pleasure in earthly things will fail you. Money will fail you. Life is more. 

Life is much more than what we see or what we have. It's what we have that is unseen that counts.

So, I embark on this inspiration, which God has laid upon my heart to delve deeper into this verse. I will be looking at these 8 things in the verse that are italicized and see where God is in these simple, yet profound words. I am hungry for God's word. I am thirsty. As Tenth Avenue North sang so plainly, "Come to the water you who thirst, and you'll thirst no more.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6

“Are You the Coming One, Or Do We Look for Another?”

As many of you know, I am living in Johnson City now, and the pressures and temptations of living on one's own greatly abound. However, this has brought me to one conclusion. GOD IS REAL. It has been an ever increasing sweet relationship. 

Last Sunday, however, God decided to give me a little present, a little nugget of his unfathomable wisdom. 

The below article is an essay I just sent to my religion instructor and is basically what Johnny Stewart preached on last sunday. I give Johnny no credit in this, but he is a good postman for the Lord. I am ashamed to say I have not been as bold as a Christian should be in my Intro to Religion class, but I feel I need to man up. Do what's right. For God is the truth behind all truth, the good behind all good. Where there is truth, there he shall be also. I pray that my instructor will take this to heart.

In Matthew 11:1-6 of the New Testament John the Baptist is found in prison. He is fixing to be executed by the king. During this time of hardship before his death John asks the question that everyone who hears about Jesus Christ asks: “Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?” In other words, is Jesus the Messiah?  John’s disciples asked Jesus this very question. Jesus makes a statement that does not make sense for people unfamiliar with the Jewish tradition, but for John, it answered everything.  Jesus said, “Go and tell John the things you hear and see, the blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Why did not Jesus simply say, “I am.”  A closer look from a Jewish perspective will help answer this question.

Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins. John knew who Jesus was and what He came to do. He knew of his mission. In the book of John 1:29, John announces to a crowd of followers as Jesus approaches, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John was also held in high favor of Jesus, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” (Matthew 11:11) So for Jesus to answer John’s prior question seems a bit absurd. Jesus was not talking to a complete stranger, but family. Family he held in high esteem.  Let us remember, however, that Jesus “vague” answer was given to one who knew the scriptures. John had been preaching the coming of the Messiah.

The Jews were also looking for him, for they felt the coming Messiah would free them from Roman oppression. The coming Messiah would set up a kingdom and strengthen the Jews. Many of the priests were also looking in the books of the prophets such as Isaiah. As a matter of fact Isaiah 35:3 states He will “strengthen the weak hands” and in verse 4, “…He will save you.”  Surprisingly, Jesus’ answer is found in this very chapter, for verses 5 and 6 state, “The eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing.” Jesus told John all he needed to know during this time of need.

Many times we are all like John. When we go through the motions of work and school and a daily routine, week after week, month after month, we do not think of such things. However, when we are hit with infirmities or we are in a tough spot financially or the loss of a loved one or sickness greets us, we look for consolation. John looked for consolation. He preached the Coming One in the wilderness for years and proclaimed that Jesus was the very One. Now his life was fixing to end and he needed something to hold on to. His faith was shaken, much like ours gets. I believe this soothed John.

The Jewish people then and to this day look for their coming Messiah. They do not believe that Jesus was He.  Where do the non-Jews fall into this, the people who are not of God’s chosen nation? We search the scriptures and believe. Jesus treated John, his cousin, the “greatest born of women” the same as he treated everyone else and treats us today. Search the scriptures. Believe.

The beauty of Christianity is that it is a level playing field. None is greater than the other. This religion blows Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism out of the water. It teaches love. It is based on forgiveness. Christ came for sinful man. The law from the Old Testament could not be perfectly upheld by anyone, ever. It took the Son of God to come down to earth and basically say, “They just cannot do it, and there is no hope for the human race. I will do it for them, I will be their hope.”