Author: E. DeWayne Swann

Tell Me the Story of Jesus

Part 2

Verse 2. Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past,
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore;
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Luke 4:1-13

Satan Tempts Jesus

(Matt 4:1-11; Mark 1:12,13)

4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days, He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'”

Where is it written?

Deuteronomy 8:3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. NKJV

 

Luke 4:5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'”

 

Where is it written?

Deuteronomy 6:13-15 (NKJV)

13 You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you

15 (for the LORD your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the LORD your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth.

And

Deuteronomy 10:20 (NKJV)

20 You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name.

Luke 4:9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'”

 

Now Satan is using scripture

 

Ps 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Luke 4:12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'”

Where is it written? He had all of scripture but only used One Book Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 6:16 (NKJV)

16 “You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah.

Luke 4:13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.   NKJV

 

Humility Cures Worldliness

James 4:7-10

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

 

So, we see when tempted we need to do as Jesus did.

1 Pray

2 Depend on the Holy Spirit

3 Fast

4 Use the word of God.  The Bible.

 

Trust me, he will come back. And then: 1) Pray, 2) Depend on the Holy Spirit, 3) Fast, 4) Use the word of God. And make sure you know this, Satan know the scripture.

  

III. BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

Thirty Years Old!

John 1:29 (NKJV)

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:36 (NKJV)

36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

The lamb that was promised way back in Genesis. …

Genesis 22:7-8 (NKJV)

7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

Exodus 12:3 (NKJV)

3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.

Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV)

22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

1 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

Revelation 5:12 (NKJV)

12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

 

The Lamb that is given as the sacrifice for our sins.

Tell Me the Story of Jesus

Part 1

Frances J. Crosby, pub.1880
v. 4 by Leslie C. Busbee, c.2003

Verse 1. Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

I want let a song and the “Word of God”.

Tell you that Story of Jesus.

 

Text:  Luke 2:8-14

Glory in the Highest

Luke 2:8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”   NKJV

Today we will look at what God wants us to see when in His word when he says, “BEHOLD!”

BEHOLD = To Look and to come to knowledge. see: to see or observe something or somebody (formal) (often used in commands)

 

1. BEHOLD THE BABY! vs 10 -11

Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

It’s a Boy!

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

1. BEHOLD THE FATHER’S SON!

Twelve years old!

The Family Returns to Nazareth

Luke 2:39-52

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.  And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So, when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So, when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”  But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

And as he grew.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.   NKJV

ARE YOU WILLING TO BE IN THE WILL OF GOD?

Part 4

 Helping a grieving person tip

 

1: Understand the grieving process

 The better your understanding of grief and how it is healed, the better equipped you’ll be to help a bereaved friend or family member:

 There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Grief does not always unfold in orderly, predictable stages. It can be an emotional rollercoaster, with unpredictable highs, lows, and setbacks. Everyone grieves differently, so avoid telling your loved one what they “should” be feeling or doing.

 

Grief may involve extreme emotions and behaviors. Feelings of guilt, anger, despair, and fear are common. A grieving person may yell to the heavens, obsess about the death, lash out at loved ones, or cry for hours on end. Your loved one needs reassurance that what they feel is normal. Don’t judge them or take their grief reactions personally.

 There is no set timetable for grieving. For many people, recovery after bereavement takes 18 to 24 months, but for others, the grieving process may be longer or shorter. Don’t pressure your loved one to move on or make them feel like they’ve been grieving too long. This can actually slow the healing process.

 

Tip 2: Know what to say to someone who’s grieving

While many of us worry about what to say to a grieving person, it’s actually more important to listen. Oftentimes, well-meaning people avoid talking about the death or change the subject when the deceased person is mentioned. Or, knowing there’s nothing they can say to make it better, they try to avoid the grieving person altogether.

But the bereaved need to feel that their loss is acknowledged, it’s not too terrible to talk about, and their loved one won’t be forgotten. One day they may want to cry on your shoulder, on another day they may want to vent, or sit in silence, or share memories. By being present and listening compassionately, you can take your cues from the grieving person. Simply being there and listening to them can be a huge source of comfort and healing.

How to talk—and listen—to someone who’s grieving

While you should never try to force someone to open up, it’s important to let your grieving friend or loved one know that you’re there to listen if they want to talk about their loss. Talk candidly about the person who died and don’t steer away from the subject if the deceased’s name comes up. And when it seems appropriate, ask sensitive questions—without being nosy—that invite the grieving person to openly express their feelings. By simply asking, “Do you feel like talking?” you’re letting your loved one know that you’re available to listen.

You can also:

 Acknowledge the situation. For example, you could say something as simple as: “I heard that your father died.” By using the word “died” you’ll show that you’re more open to talk about how the grieving person really feels.

 Express your concern. For example: “I’m sorry to hear that this happened to you.”

 Let the bereaved talk about how their loved one died. People who are grieving may need to tell the story over and over again, sometimes in minute detail. Be patient. Repeating the story is a way of processing and accepting the death. With each retelling, the pain lessens. By listening patiently and compassionately, you’re helping your loved one heal.

Ask how your loved one feels. The emotions of grief can change rapidly so don’t assume you know how the bereaved person feels at any given time. If you’ve gone through a similar loss, share your own experience if you think it would help. Remember, though, that grief is an intensely individual experience. No two people experience it exactly the same way, so don’t claim to “know” what the person is feeling or compare your grief to theirs. Again, put the emphasis on listening instead, and ask your loved one to tell you how they’re feeling.

Accept your loved one’s feelings. Let the grieving person know that it’s okay to cry in front of you, to get angry, or to break down. Don’t try to reason with them over how they should or shouldn’t feel. Grief is a highly emotional experience, so the bereaved need to feel free to express their feelings—no matter how irrational—without fear of judgment, argument, or criticism.

 Be genuine in your communication. Don’t try to minimize their loss, provide simplistic solutions, or offer unsolicited advice. It’s far better to just listen to your loved one or simply admit: “I’m not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care.”

 Be willing to sit in silence. Don’t press if the grieving person doesn’t feel like talking. Often, comfort for them comes from simply being in your company. If you can’t think of something to say, just offer eye contact, a squeeze of the hand, or a reassuring hug.

 Offer your support. Ask what you can do for the grieving person. Offer to help with a specific task, such as helping with funeral arrangements, or just be there to hang out with or as a shoulder to cry on.

Things to avoid saying to someone who’s grieving

 “It’s part of God’s plan.” This phrase can make people angry and they often respond with, “What plan? Nobody told me about any plan.”

 “Look at what you have to be thankful for.” They know they have things to be thankful for, but right now they are not important.

 “He’s in a better place now.” The bereaved may or may not believe this. Keep your beliefs to yourself unless asked.

 “This is behind you now; it’s time to get on with your life.” Sometimes the bereaved are resistant to getting on with because they feel this means “forgetting” their loved one. Besides, moving on is much easier said than done. Grief has a mind of its own and works at its own pace.

 Statements that begin with “You should” or “You will.” These statements are too directive. Instead you could begin your comments with: “Have you thought about…” or “You might try…”

Source: American Hospice Foundation

 Tip 3: Offer practical assistance

It is difficult for many grieving people to ask for help. They might feel guilty about receiving so much attention, fear being a burden to others, or simply be too depressed to reach out. A grieving person may not have the energy or motivation to call you when they need something, so instead of saying, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do,” make it easier for them by making specific suggestions. You could say, “I’m going to the market this afternoon. What can I bring you from there?” or “I’ve made beef stew for dinner. When can I come by and bring you some?”

If you’re able, try to be consistent in your offers of assistance. The grieving person will know that you’ll be there for as long as it takes and can look forward to your attentiveness without having to make the additional effort of asking again and again.

There are many practical ways you can help a grieving person. You can offer to:

• Shop for groceries or run errands
• Drop off a casserole or other type of food
• Help with funeral arrangements
• Stay in your loved one’s home to take phone calls and receive guests
• Help with insurance forms or bills
• Take care of housework, such as cleaning or laundry
• Watch their children or pick them up from school
• Drive your loved one wherever they need to go
• Look after your loved one’s pets
• Go with them to a support group meeting
• Accompany them on a walk
• Take them to lunch or a movie
• Share an enjoyable activity (sport, game, puzzle, art project)

Tip 4: Provide ongoing support

 Your loved one will continue grieving long after the funeral is over and the cards and flowers have stopped. The length of the grieving process varies from person to person, but often lasts much longer than most people expect. Your bereaved friend or family member may need your support for months or even years.

 Continue your support over the long haul. Stay in touch with the grieving person, periodically checking in, dropping by, or sending letters or cards. Once the funeral is over and the other mourners are gone, and the initial shock of the loss has worn off, your support is more valuable than ever.

 Don’t make assumptions based on outward appearances. The bereaved person may look fine on the outside, while inside they’re suffering. Avoid saying things like “You are so strong” or “You look so well.” This puts pressure on the person to keep up appearances and to hide their true feelings.

 The pain of bereavement may never fully heal. Be sensitive to the fact that life may never feel the same. You don’t “get over” the death of a loved one. The bereaved person may learn to accept the loss. The pain may lessen in intensity over time, but the sadness may never completely go away.

 Offer extra support on special days. Certain times and days of the year will be particularly hard for your grieving friend or family member. Holidays, family milestones, birthdays, and anniversaries often reawaken grief. Be sensitive on these occasions. Let the bereaved person know that you’re there for whatever they need.

 

Tip 5: Watch for warning signs of depression

It’s common for a grieving person to feel depressed, confused, disconnected from others, or like they’re going crazy. But if the bereaved person’s symptoms don’t gradually start to fade—or they get worse with time—this may be a sign that normal grief has evolved into a more serious problem, such as clinical depression.

Encourage the grieving person to seek professional help if you observe any of the following warning signs after the initial grieving period—especially if it’s been over two months since the death.

1. Difficulty functioning in daily life
2. Extreme focus on the death
3. Excessive bitterness, anger, or guilt
4. Neglecting personal hygiene
5. Alcohol or drug abuse
6. Inability to enjoy life
7. Hallucinations
8. Withdrawing from others
9. Constant feelings of hopelessness
10. Talking about dying or suicide

It can be tricky to bring up your concerns to the bereaved person as you don’t want to be perceived as invasive. Instead of telling the person what to do, try stating your own feelings: “I am troubled by the fact that you aren’t sleeping—perhaps you should look into getting help. “

Take talk of suicide very seriously

If a grieving friend or family member talks about suicide, seek help immediately. Please call a suicide helpline:

How to comfort a child who’s grieving

Myths and facts about grief and grieving

Myth: The pain will go away faster if you ignore it

Fact: Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing, it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it.

Myth: It’s important to “be strong” in the face of loss.

Fact: Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. You don’t need to “protect” your family or friends by putting on a brave front. Showing your true feelings can help them and you.

Myth: If you don’t cry, it means you aren’t sorry about the loss.

Fact: Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it’s not the only one. Those who don’t cry may feel the pain just as deeply as others. They may simply have other ways of showing it.

Myth: Grieving should last about a year.

Fact: There is no specific time frame for grieving. How long it takes differs from person to person.

Myth: Moving on with your life means forgetting about your loss.

Fact: Moving on means you’ve accepted your loss—but that’s not the same as forgetting. You can move on with your life and keep the memory of someone or something you lost as an important part of you. In fact, as we move through life, these memories can become more and more integral to defining the people we are.

 

Copied from a friend. I thought all of us could benefit from this.

It’s interesting to be on the other side of cancer…

To be standing on the side that claims “survivor” while you

Watch helplessly as your fellow fighters desperately swim to shore.

It’s an interesting thing to be on the other side of cancer…

Knowing the fight after the chemo has ended, but the quiet

under diagnosed battle begins within.

It’s an interesting thing to be on the other side of cancer…

To wrestle with gratitude and grief

To urgently try to do all the things while attempting to quietly just “be”

To stand on the dock watching the turbulent waters or turn and walk

towards the shore of “normal” again.

No one told me about this cancer after cancer.

The cancer of grief, of loneliness, of anger, of fear, of quilt.

No one told me about the messy, hard and quiet fight from survivor to thriver.

The who you become when the fight outside of you is over but the

fight within you rages on.

I think it’s left unspoken because even I struggle to explain it, to find the words for

it, to understand it.

But what I can tell you is, on the days the battle feels hard, feels lonely, or the waters

Crash onto the dock, there’s a quiet place.

It’s like a peace that surpasses all understanding as if joy and grief stand with me on

That dock, both invited guests.

I’m finding it’s this peace that permits me

That where I’ve been in the path

For where He

Can call me to go. How beautiful is that?

I love that peace.

 

Whatever you’re fighting, whatever cancer you carry, or peace you seek…

Stand on your dock and remind yourself that your mess is His message.

He’ll always bring you the peace.

 

 

ARE YOU WILLING TO BE IN THE WILL OF GOD?

Part 3

 

The Anointing at Bethany

 (Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9)

 12:1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.

2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, (worker) but (NOW HERES YOUR JOB THIS WEEKEND) Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

3 Then Mary(worshiper) took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

 

4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said,

5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

 7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 

8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” 

 

 The Plot to Kill Lazarus

 (Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40)

 9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. (that’s why we are here this weekend so you can lead others to Christ)

10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, (just because you are sitting at the table with Jesus doesn’t mean Satan is going to give up but that he will come at you even harder)

11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. (WITTNESS) and your job when this weekend is over.) NKJV

Remember 11:4

4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 

Lazarus was not let in on what was going to happen.  But… because on account of him many …went away and believed in Jesus.

 

When Death Becomes Birth
by Max Lucado

You, as all God’s children, live one final breath from your own funeral. Which, from God’s perspective, is nothing to grieve. He responds to these grave facts with this great news: “The day you die is better than the day you are born” (Eccles. 7:1). Now there is a twist. Heaven enjoys a maternity-ward reaction to funerals. Angels watch body burials the same way grandparents monitor delivery-room doors. “He’ll be coming through any minute!” They can’t wait to see the new arrival. While we’re driving hearses and wearing black, they’re hanging pink and blue streamers and passing out cigars. We don’t grieve when babies enter the world. The hosts of heaven don’t weep when we leave it.

Oh, but many of us weep at the thought of death. Do you? Do you dread your death?

Is your fear of dying robbing your joy of living? Jesus came to “deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying” (Heb. 2:15).

If Scripture boasted a list of the famous dead, Lazarus would be near the top. He lived in Bethany, a sleepy hamlet that sat a short walk from Jerusalem. Jesus spent a lot of time there. Maybe he liked the kitchen of Martha or the devotion of Mary. One thing is for sure: he considered Lazarus a friend. News of Lazarus’s death prompts Jesus to say, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up” (John 11:11).

And now, four days after the funeral, Jesus has come calling. Literally calling, “Lazarus, come out!” Can we try to picture Lazarus as he hears those words? Heaven-sent Lazarus. Heaven-happy Lazarus. Four days into his measureless days. By now he’s forming fast friendships with other saints. King David shows him the harps. Moses invites him over for tea and manna. Elijah and Elisha take him for a spin in the fiery chariot. Daniel has promised him a lion of a Bible story. He’s on his way to hear it when a voice booms through the celestial city.

“Lazarus, come out!”

Everybody knows that voice. No one wonders, Who was that? Angels stop. Hosts of holy-city dwellers turn toward the boy from Bethany, and someone says, “Looks like you’re going back for another tour of duty.”

Lazarus doesn’t question the call. Perfect understanding comes with a heavenly passport. He doesn’t object. But had he done so, who could have faulted him? His heavenly body knows no fever. His future no fear. He indwells a city that is void of padlocks, prisons, and Prozac. With sin and death nonexistent, preachers, doctors, and lawyers are free to worship. Would anyone blame Lazarus for saying, “Do I have to go back?”

But he doesn’t second-guess the command. Nor does anyone else. Return trips have been frequent of late. The daughter of the synagogue ruler. The boy from Nain. Now Lazarus from Bethany. Lazarus turns toward the rarely used exit door. The very one, I suppose, Jesus used some thirty earth years earlier. With a wave and within a wink, he’s reunited with his body and waking up on a cold slab in a wall-hewn grave. The rock to the entrance has been moved, and Lazarus attempts to do the same. Mummy-wrapped, he stiffly sits up and walks out of the tomb with the grace of Frankenstein’s monster.

People stare and wonder.

We read and may ask, “Why did Jesus let him die only to call him back?”

To show who runs the show. To trump the cemetery card. To display the unsquashable strength of the One who danced the Watusi on the neck of the devil, who stood face to clammy face with death and declared, “You call that a dead end? I call it an escalator.”

“Lazarus, come out!”

Those words, incidentally, were only a warm up for the big day. He’s preparing a worldwide grave evacuation” ________, come out!”   Grave after grave will empty. What happened to Lazarus will happen to us. Only our spirit-body reunion will occur in heaven, not Bethany Memorial Cemetery.

When this happens—when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die—then at last the Scriptures will come true:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
(1 Cor. 15:54-55)

With Christ as your friend and heaven as your home, the day of death becomes sweeter than the day of birth.

From
Come Thirsty
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2004) Max Lucado

If you are experiencing any of these emotions following a loss, it may help to know that your reaction is natural and that you’ll heal in time. However, not everyone who grieves goes through all of these stages—and that’s okay. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to go through each stage in order to heal. In fact, some people resolve their grief without going through any of these stages. And if you do go through these stages of grief, you probably won’t experience them in a neat, sequential order, so don’t worry about what you “should” be feeling or which stage you’re supposed to be in.

 

The keys to helping a loved one who’s grieving

• Don’t let fears about saying or doing the wrong thing stop you from reaching out
• Let your grieving loved one know that you’re there to listen
• Understand that everyone grieves differently and for different lengths of time
• Offer to help in practical ways
• Maintain your support after the funeral

“The Five things to do when disaster strikes.”

 ARE YOU WILLING TO BE IN THE WILL OF GOD?

Part 2

And the story goes on…

^{John 11:33} Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. ³⁴ And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

4. The fourth stage of grief Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”

 ³⁵ Jesus wept.

Third thing to see when disaster strikes

3. Emotion is natural. (John 11:35)

One of the worst temptations during a crisis is to try to appear strong. I will be a rock during this storm, you might think. But let me share a simple truth with you. When we are weak, he is strong. We live in a society that says crying is weak and for women. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus wept. Why did Jesus, weep? Mourning over Lazarus? No that doesn’t make sense. He knew God was going to raise him from the dead. He wept because he saw the pain in Mary and Martha, people he loved, and his heart hurt with them.

God has made us emotional people and when a crisis hits, we need to let it out. It’s ok to be emotional. It’s ok to cry.

Jesus Wept: Human or Divine?

By Dr. Nicholas J. Schaser – September 26, 2019

The shortest verse in our English translations of the New Testament contains only two words: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). The Messiah’s sorrow comes in response to the death of his friend Lazarus, whom he will soon raise from the dead (11:38-44). It is common for Christians to compartmentalize this show of emotion into Jesus’ “human nature” because weeping is associated with vulnerability—a character trait that they assume couldn’t possibility apply to the Divine. However, Gospel readers should not be too quick to limit outward sorrow to Jesus’ humanity, since Scripture contains more than one instance of God shedding tears.

Jeremiah contains the clearest reference to divine weeping when God cries alongside the women of Israel: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Consider, and call for the mourning women to come… let them make haste and raise a wailing over us, that our eyes (עינינו; eyneynu) may run down with tears (דמעה; dim’ah) and our eyelids overflow with water’” (Jer 9:17-18). This passage highlights God as the speaker and includes the deity among those who weep over Israel’s coming exile. In light of Jeremiah, it is clear that to weep is both human and divine.

A similar picture of heavenly mourning appears in Isaiah. In the midst of an oracle against Moab (15:1), the text includes a lament for the towns of Israel’s contentious neighboring country, “I weep (בכה; bakhah) with the weeping of Yazer for the vine of Sibmah; I drench you with my tears (דמעה; dim’ah)… my innermost parts moan (המה; hamah) like a lyre for Moab” (16:9, 11). While one might assume that these verses describe the prophet’s own sorrow, the text that follows explicates that these were the words of God. Isaiah declares, “This is the word that the Lord spoke concerning Moab in the past” (16:13). As with Jeremiah, Isaiah presents the embodied outpouring of divine distress. According to the prophetic Scriptures, the God of Israel weeps. Therefore, when we read that “Jesus wept,” we must conclude that such emotion reflects both his humanity and his divinity.

 

Read verses 21, 32. It is ok to question God. It is ok to say “God I do not understand why this is happening to me. I don’t understand what you are trying to do in my life.”

²¹ Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. ³² Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

If you are going through a crisis realize that prayer must be a priority, and that it is ok to allow your emotions to be expressed.

³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” ³⁷ And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” ³⁸ Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
³⁹ Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

We (the Church are to remove the stones to get to the stinking people ) …we need to quit being so high and mighty and pious and go after the stinking people.

We forget where we came from!!!

Romans 3:23 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV) But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; …

Back to our text.

⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”

 

 “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. It is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken.”” – C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

 

Fourth thing to see when disaster strikes

4. God uses disaster for his glory. (John 11:4, 40)

He can take a negative and turn it into a positive. He turned disaster into deliverance. God can use crisis in our lives to bring about his glory.

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

In verses 4 & 40, God did not cause Lazarus to die, but he used the crisis for his glory and it changed the lives of Mary and Martha. So how does that help us?

It helps us with the temptation to blame God. It helps us to realize that God doesn’t bring disaster into our lives. It helps us realize that he loves us and can take our defeats and turn them into his victories. It also gives us hope that God is able to cure any disease, fix any marriage, mend any heart, forgive any sin.

There is no crisis too big for God.

⁴¹ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
⁴³ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” ⁴⁴ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

We need to take off the grave clothes of old habits:

We need to take off the grace clothes of old attitudes:

We need to be renewed by the changing of our minds –

We need to begin to think differently – like we’ve been set free!

 

Galatians 5:1 (NKJV) Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

⁴⁵ Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.

5. The fifth stage of grief Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what has happened.”

Fifth thing to see when disaster strikes and:

5. God changes lives through crisis. (John 11:45)

That’s the final lesson for us. Sometimes it is the life of the one going through the crisis. Other times it is the lives of those around a suffering person. Most of the time it is both.

Think about the lives that were changed in the Lazarus story:

Lazarus- he was never the same again. He had some wild stories to tell.

Mary and Martha- new love and appreciation for life, Lazarus, and Jesus.

The Jews- (verse 45) changed hearts, a new faith.

John 12:11 (NKJV) because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

It is sad that it takes a crisis, but thank God that through a crisis he can turn the lost into saved, he can melt hardened hearts, he can make the bitter loving, he can turn orphans into children of the king.

 

We play in fair weather but we pray in the storms.

If you are a Christian and have gone through a disaster in your life, then you know exactly what I mean. You could say today, “I am not the same person that I was before the crisis came into my life.” God has shaped and molded you into who you are today, and has done it through crisis.

If you are a Christians and have not had any “great disasters”, I do not want to be the bearer of bad news, but at some point, you probably will have a time of crisis and testing in your life. I pray that you will keep these things close to your heart so that you will be totally prepared in a time of crisis.

One final scripture today-

John 11:25-26 (NKJV) ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Do you?

Christians are you living your lives reflecting your hope in the risen Lord?

If Jesus is not the Lord of your life, he can be. The Bible says we must:

Believe in Jesus as the Son of God.

Repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Lord.

Arise and live for him each and every day.

 

We don’t reach everyone; Some are totally against anything Jesus does!!

 ⁴⁶ But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.
⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.⁴⁸ If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

Next week; “Sitting at the Table with Jesus.”

“The Five things to do when disaster strikes.”

ARE YOU WILLING TO BE IN THE WILL OF GOD?

Part 1

When we face hard times!

 

My find and prayer partner Ben Bennett says:

“LORD KEEP ME IN YOUR WILL OR I’LL BE IN YOUR WAY”.

Sometimes being in His will put you right in the middle of a disaster.

We are going to see “The Five things to do when disaster strikes.”

And in this story, we see “The five stages of grief”

1. Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”
2. Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”
3. Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”
4. Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”
5. Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what has happened.”

 

John 11:1-48 (NKJV) ¹ Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. ² It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.

(This does not happen until the next chapter)

 The first stage of grief Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”

³ Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

Note the two different words for love here and in verse 4, Love = NT:5368  phileo (fil-eh’-o); from NT:5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;; specifically, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness):

KJV – kiss, love.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

First things to do when disaster strikes.

1. Prayer must be a priority. (John 11:1-3)

The first thing the sisters did was to send word to Jesus.

The one you love is sick. When a crisis hits our lives, be it a death, an accident, a diagnosis, a relationship breakdown, whatever it is… the first thing we need to do is to send word to Jesus.

When a crisis brings us to our knees, we are in perfect position to pray.

Prayer changes things. When we communicate with the creator of the universe, things happen. We call on the greatest power in the world. And yet too many times we lack the faith that prayer will make a difference. How do I know that? Because we do not pray until we have tried everything else. Instead of prayer being a last resort, it should be our first option.

Now the sisters could send word to Jesus because they had a close friendship relationship with Jesus. Had they not known Jesus; they would have been in an awful position with nowhere to turn.

⁴ When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

Love = NT:25 agapao (ag-ap-ah’-o); perhaps from agan (much) [or compare OT:5689]; to love (in a social or moral sense): NT:25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as NT:2309 and NT:1014, or as NT:2372 and NT:3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head)

KJV – (be-) love (-ed). Compare NT:5368.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

⁶ So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

Second thing when disaster strikes

2. Perseverance pays off. (John 11:6)

Do you think Jesus stayed where he was two more days because he didn’t care about Lazarus? No way. He stayed where he was because he knew that God was in control of the situation and at the right time God would take care of the crisis with Lazarus. When a crisis invades our lives we do not want to wait it out. We want it to end as soon as possible.

As Christians, when a crisis comes, we often look for the “fastest exits.” We want out of the trial or crisis just as soon as possible, and with the least amount of pain. Romans 5 tells us “We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, character hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us.”

Sometimes the only way out of a storm is to ride it out. Sometimes the only way out of a crisis is perseverance. One day Lazarus was alive, the next day he was dead, just four days later he was alive again. A lot can happen in a week. A lot can happen in three days, just ask Jesus.

The song says sometimes He calms the storms and sometimes He calms the believer and lets the storm rage on.

⁷ Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
⁸ The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”
⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. ¹⁰ But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

You only have so much time;

¹¹ These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

He’s telling them that He is bring him back from the dead

¹² Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.”¹³ However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
¹⁴ Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.

¹⁵ And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” ¹⁶ Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” ¹⁷ So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.

“Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.

Jesus said he was dead and He was glad, WHY the same reason we go through things and that is “that you may believe.” It draws you closer to God and strengthen your walk for others to see Christ in you!!

Dr Charles Stanley says in his book “How to Handle Adversity” “Nothing speaks louder to an unsaved world than a Christian that suffers successfully.”

Just four days late, or was He?

Why was Jesus Late?

By Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg – December 9, 2017

In John’s gospel, readers were told that when Lazarus of Bethany was on his deathbed, Martha and Mary sent Jesus an urgent message alerting Him that they urgently needed His assistance. However, Jesus stayed where He was for two more days (11:6).

The name Lazarus is synonymous with the Hebrew, “Eliezer.” It means “my God is help.” Bethany in Hebrew means, “house of the poor,” which may cause us to think that the area where the family lived was dedicated to the ministry of mercy in the Judean region that Josephus refers to in Jewish Wars (2.124). The irony here is significant.

Jesus was at least one day’s journey away from Bethany (10:40). By the time the message reached him, Lazarus had already died (11:11). Jesus waited for two additional days, timing His arrival to take place exactly on the fourth day after Lazarus’ death (11:17). But why?

The answer may lie in a Jewish tradition that can be traced back to the time of Jesus. The soul of a deceased person was believed to linger behind, hovering over the dead body for three days, desperately trying to get back inside the body.

“Berei and R. Pappi, R. Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of R. Levi: ‘For the first three days after death the soul floats above the body, thinking that it will return to the body. When the soul sees the body, that the appearance of the face has changed, it leaves the body and goes its way.’” (Jerusalem Talmud, Yebamot 16:3)

¹⁸ Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.
¹⁹ And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
²⁰ Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.

2. The second stage of grief Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”

²¹ Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” ²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
²⁴ Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

She knew the word of God, and of the resurrection at the last day.

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

When Jesus arrived, He declared: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies…” (11:25). Being deeply moved by the sorrow of His fellow Jews over the death of Lazarus, He resurrected him from the dead at exactly the time He had planned to do so all along (11:36-38).

Why was Jesus late? He was late to show that resurrection is not something that He does; resurrection is something that He is!

²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
²⁷ She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

3. The third stage of grief Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”

²⁸ And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.”
²⁹ As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him.
³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. ³¹ Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

Even when you are hurting you can still lead others to Christ.

 ³² Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

 Always at Jesus’ feet, not a bad place to be.

 Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)
³⁸  Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” ⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

John 12:3 (NKJV)
Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

See, she is always at His feet. And that is a great place to be, we all need to spend more time on our knees and in prayer and praise to Abba Father.

Sometimes good people go through bad times but if you let Him God can get the Glory!!

“The Five things to do when disaster strikes.” Part 2 next week 

 

“Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going?”

Part 4

For the Nonbeliever “The two choices”

 If you don’t have a relationship with God, you now have one of two choices, there is a difference in knowing about God, and KNOWING HIM! The choices are:

 Choice 1:

 Do Nothing! You can do absolutely nothing and go on in life as always. But you have been warned.

A staggering statistic says one out of one person alive today will someday die!

There was a song in the 1980’s, “If You Die Before You Die” by Benny Hester from his Album: Perfect. And it said this:

“What does it mean, when they say, if you die before you die, then when you die you won’t die?

Can you tell me what it means? It’s not as easy as it seems. What you conclude may not agree. With what it means to me Think about it carefully

If you die before you die, then when you die you won’t die

If you die before you die, then when you die you won’t die

You probably know but think you don’t, say you’ll have but you won’t.

There’s so much here in thirteen words. Maybe it’s absurd.

Or it could be what you thought you heard.

If you die before you die, then when you die you won’t die

If you die before you die. There’s a way, there’s a way,

When you die that you won’t die

What does it mean?”

The Bible teaches that we all are going to die someday and then what.

Die to yourself and accept Christ. Before you die the physical death.

1 Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV) I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Colossians 3:10 (NKJV) and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 6:1,2 and 6 (NKJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Romans 6:10 (NKJV) For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

Then you won’t have to die the spiritual death or “The second death”.:

 Revelation 2:11 (NKJV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ‘

Revelation 20:6 (NKJV) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:14-15 (NKJV) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

 Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

So, one has to be Born Again!

 John 3:1-6 (NKJV) There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
² This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
⁵ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 

So, we see that if you are born twice then you die once and if you are born only once then you will most assuredly die twice.

Again, if you do nothing someday you will stand before God and face the Second Death! Or you can choose choice number 2 and accept what Christ did for you and inherit eternal life.

 

Choice 2:

 How to Accept Jesus Christ into your Heart!

Can God Forgive Me? Yes! God can forgive any sin, and has forgiven all sin’s, past, present, and any in the future, on Calvary’s Cross.  No matter how terrible—cheating, murder, lying, infidelity, gossip, theft, selfishness. All people fail and disobey God. No one measures up. In fact, the Bible says that no one can please God by good deeds. Good deeds aren’t good enough.

 

You just have to accept Christ as your savior.  

1 John 1:8-10 (NLT2) If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. ⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

But if we confess, we are sinners, acknowledge Christ has paid for ALL our SIN’S we only die the first death and live forever.

 

How do we do that? Pray the Sinner’s Prayer.

 The Sinner’s Prayer is a Christian name relating to any prayer of repentance, prayed by individuals who believe convicted of the presence of sin in their lives and have the desire to establish or renew a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The Sinner’s Prayer in Scripture

The Sinner’s Prayer is a prayer that is said when someone seeks to repent of their sin, accept God’s forgiveness and state their belief in the life, death, and saving resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sinner’s prayer is sometimes also known as the “salvation prayer” or “Consecration Prayer.” In scripture, there is reference to a process of repentance, faith, and salvation in the book of Romans.

The “Romans” Road to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Problem of Sin

Romans 3:10 As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

The Wages of Sin

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so, death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death…”

The Love of God

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Free Gift of Salvation

Romans 6:23b “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Accepting the Free Gift

Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

(13) For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

 

Millions, if not billions, have established a saving relationship with Jesus Christ through church services, friends, and family guiding them in a salvation prayer. However, it is not solely the words in a prayer that save us eternally. We are “justified by faith” in Jesus and saved by our genuine belief in Him. J.D Greerer describes it well – “It’s not the prayer that saves; it’s the repentance and faith behind the prayer that lays hold of salvation. My concern is that over-emphasizing the prayer has often (though unintentionally) obscured the primary instruments for laying hold of salvation: repentance and faith.”

 

Just Pray something like this in your own words from the heart.

 The Sinner’s Prayer: Examples

How to Pray (Ask Jesus in your heart)

 A Simple Sinner’s Prayer

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in the bible that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now, I confess Jesus as my Lord. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Amen.

 

Prayer of Salvation

Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner and have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself only. I am sorry, and I repent. I accept that you forgive me.

I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; I give it to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you and in a way that pleases you.

I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you. Amen.

 

Sinner’s Prayer for Children

Jesus – I know that you made me and want me to obey you with all my heart. I know I have disobeyed and wanted to be my own boss. I have thought and done things against your directions. For this I am sorry. I know that you gave up His (Jesus) life to save me from these sins and make me your child again. I accept your promises and ask you to please save me now and forever. Amen.

Or

All you have to do is Pray and say something like this but in your own words. “God, thank you for sending Jesus to take my place and forgiving me of my wrong doings, so please I accept that forgiveness and help me to live a better life, so He won’t have so much more to pay for, and come and live in my heart, so I can be with you in Heaven someday, Amen””.

 

Sinner’s Prayer from Scripture

“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your unfailing love;
according to Your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in Your sight,
so that You are proved right when You speak
and justified when You judge.
Surely, I have been a sinner from birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me…
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me and I will be whiter than snow…
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Then will I teach transgressors Your ways,
and sinners will turn back to You.”

– (Psalm 51, King David)

 

The Sinner’s Prayer (by Dr. Ray Pritchard)

Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.

 

If you have prayed this prayer in honest faith, you will want to write down your initials with the prayer along with today’s date as a reminder that you have come to Christ in faith, trusting him as your Lord and Savior.

And please let us know through the contact page. We would love to hear from you. May God richly bless your life.

And as my Grandmother used to say.

“Live for Jesus”

“Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going?”

Part 3

For the Believer and the Non-Believer

How are you living?

We all are going to end up somewhere so the question is “Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going”?

At the end of this life what is your destination?

The song “The Night” by Avicii Lyrics says “One day you’ll leave this world behind So…”

So, when you leave where will you be?

“The Night” by Avicii, Lyrics:

Once upon a younger year When all our shadows disappeared
The animals inside came out to play Went face to face with all our fears
Learned our lessons through the tears Made memories we knew would never fade

One day my father—he told me “Son, don’t let it slip away”
He took me in his arms, I heard him say

“When you get older Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you’re afraid”

He said, “One day you’ll leave this world behind
So, live a life you will remember” My father told me when I was just a child
“These are the nights that never die” My father told me

“When thunder clouds start pouring down Light a fire they can’t put out
Carve your name into those shining stars” He said, “Go venture far beyond the shores Don’t forsake this life of yours I’ll guide you home no matter where you are”

One day my father—he told me “Son, don’t let it slip away”
When I was just a kid I heard him say

“When you get older Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you’re afraid”

He said, “One day you’ll leave this world behind
So, live a life you will remember” My father told me when I was just a child
“These are the nights that never die” My father told me

“These are the nights that never die” My father told me My father told me.

 

Time To Know Why You’ll Leave This World Behind One Day

Sometimes the thought of the reality of inevitable death can steal your happiness away like a thief. You can own all the most beautiful and expensive things on earth but one day you’ll leave this world.  Your entire life is limited. Why not prepare for this….?

Understand the fact that one day you will leave this world behind

“Life is short. Do whatever you can to help people – not for status, but because the 95-year-old you will be proud if you did help people and disappointed if you didn’t.” —Marshall Goldsmith

My brother Glenn once said that he wanted a U-Haul hooked to his hearse because he always heard “you never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.” To do away with the saying “that you can’t take it with you when you go”. So, he wanted it to look like he was taking it with him when he goes.

I really love what Pastor Andy Stanley said once, “You can’t take it with you so why don’t so just send it on ahead?” meaning the rewards we will have when the Believer gets to heaven.

Luke 12:32-34 (NKJV)
³² Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
³³ Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The average life span is 70 to 75 years. And as 5600 people die each day, someday you would be part of them. You can’t change this fate so you have to make a choice on how you are going to live here and what you are going to face on the other side.

Have you considered that feeling when someone tells you: “one day you’ll leave this world behind?” It sounds awful. Although it is very common to almost all of us.

You are going to either going live forever in Heaven or Hell and next week we will see the choice we can make.

No wonder, the wisest man ever to live on earth King Solomon the son of King David has observed almost everything happening under the sun. He, therefore, concluded that life is meaningless with out God in our lives to give us purpose.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-14 (NLT2)
¹ These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.
² “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
³ What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?
⁴ Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes.
⁵ The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again.
⁶ The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles.
⁷ Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea.
⁸ Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.
⁹ History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
¹⁰ Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.
¹¹ We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.
¹² I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem.
¹³ I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.
¹⁴ I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Something of this sort is still rolling out in this century and there is hope, in the end, people would be able to live hundreds of years. In his defense, he said prolonging life artificially is tasteless. And so, he died elegantly – Albert Einstein.

A nurse in a Hospice Hospital told me after my Dad pass from this world to Glory. That she has seen believers pass away so peacefully, as My Dad did. He was laying there that last day and he opened his eyes and reached and stretched for the celling he wouldn’t take his eyes off of what he saw no matter who called his name. I think he got a glimpse of where he was going. Then he laid back said my Mothers name and puckered up and kissed her, then he closed his eyes and a few hours latter he went home to be with the Lord.

But the nurse said she had also seen the others that didn’t have a relationship with Jesus, and how the screamed and cried out as the left this world behind.

She said she never heard a person say that they wished they spent more time at work, or more time away from their family, more time fussing and disagreeing with family and friends. No, she said they always say if I could do it over, I would spend more time with and love my family more.

As you have seen “Where will you be When you get where you are going?” has nothing with the destinations here but it does on where you will spend eternity.

But in the pages of the Scripture, you can find “Eternal Life”

And you can’t prevent death from knocking at your door. All the things you have acquired would be left out. Listen to advice and live a life worthy of remembrance. I mean, a life that would glorify God.

Uh oh, that could demoralize you if you are currently chasing your dreams. But this shouldn’t stop you from working hard to make money, build your dream house and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

But whiles you wake up each morning, remember that one day you would not see the sunlight. This is the greatest fate that is common to man, animals, the rich, the poor, the wise and the fool as well.

The Bible Reminds You: One Day You Will Leave Everything Behind

The Bible has a chilling warning for anyone living under the sun. God has already told you: your days are numbered. But for Christians, we know that we are travelers on this earth.

We have been therefore reminded that it is useless to store your treasure on earth where moth can destroy. By knowing that one day you’ll leave this world behind, why not store your treasure in heaven?

Earthly riches are useless. It is not a sin to acquire wealth or to be rich though. But money and wealth don’t satisfy. It is better to follow Christ Jesus. Because in Him you can find everything, including eternal life. And one day you will see as a believer what is says in the book of Revelation

Revelation 21:1-7 (NLT2)
¹ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.
² And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
³ I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.
⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
⁵ And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”
⁶ And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.
⁷ All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

And before you take your last breath you must live a life that will touch the heart of people who need your help. We as believers know we are just passing through. Or as the Bible puts it, we are sojourner’s

The term sojourner in the Bible refers to a person who is just passing through. Synonyms in various translations are foreigner, exile, and alien. Example’s:

During the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were sojourners in the wilderness (Psalm 105:12–13; 1 Chronicles 16:19). Even though they remained in the wilderness for forty years, it was not their home (Numbers 14:33–34). They were merely sojourners there, yearning for the Promised Land God would give them for a permanent home.

Abraham was a sojourner in Egypt when a famine swept the Promised Land (Genesis 12:10). Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus were also sojourners in Egypt when Herod sought to kill Him (Matthew 2:13–15). And the apostle Paul sojourned from region to region, starting churches and preaching the gospel (Acts 13:1–3, 13–14, 51). All of these people lived for a short time in foreign places.

Peter wrote his first letter “to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1, ASV). Other versions have “exiles,” “foreigners,” “strangers,” or “refugees.” The recipients of 1 Peter were persecuted Christian Jews who had been forced to leave Jerusalem and were now residing in what we would call Asia Minor. In the next chapter, Peter’s use of the term sojourners takes on a more spiritual connotation: “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11).

Peter’s appeal for holiness was based on the identity of his readers. They were Christians, bought by the blood of Jesus and made joint heirs with Him for eternity (Romans 8:17). They were not citizens of this world, only sojourners in it. They were not to adopt its customs or embrace its worldview (Romans 12:1–2). As sojourners, Christians must exemplify the values and standards of their permanent home, heaven. Paul reiterates that theme in Philippians 3:20, reminding the church that “our citizenship is in heaven.” We are sojourners here, ambassadors for our Father, the King (2 Corinthians 5:20).

This world is not our home. The knowledge that we are sojourners on this earth keeps us from setting our hearts on its treasures. Jesus warned us that this world’s treasures are subject to loss. Therefore, we must store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20). We are to hold all God gives us with open hands, knowing that any earthly gain is only temporary. Sojourners don’t put down deep roots in the places where they reside because they know they will soon move on. Likewise, Christians don’t pour their hearts and passions into things that won’t last. The wise Christian is one who lives every day with bags packed, ready to move on when God directs and eager to vacate this world when our Father calls us home.

There is a native American proverb that says: “anytime the sun rises from the East and sets in the West; it takes part of your life”.

Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 (NLT2)
⁸ “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”
⁹ Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them.
¹⁰ The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.
¹¹ The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.
¹² But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
¹³ That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
¹⁴ God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

Knowing God, or serving this world are the destination we have!  So:

“Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going?”

“Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going”

Part 2

For the Believer When We get there. 

 

Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)
¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

  

Pastor Ben Turner “If you’re going to hammer build something.”

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edward’s

(Written before age 20)

“The first and greatest homegrown American philosopher”

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (1741).

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will.’

1 – Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure… To do whatever I think to be my duty… for the good and advantage of mankind in general. ”
4 – Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body less or more, but what tends to the glory of God…’
5 – Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
6 – Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.
7 – Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
28 – Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
43 – Resolved, Never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.
46 – Resolved, Never to allow the least measure of any fretting or uneasiness at my father or mother.
70 – Resolved, (That) there be something of benevolence in all I speak. – (Edwards resolved to read these resolutions over once a week!).

For the Prize:

“Prize” (1017) (brabeion from brabeus = assign the prize in a public game) refers to a gift received as a prize or reward as result of having won in competition. It is a prize such as a wreath or garland bestowed on victors in the contests of the Greeks

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)
²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Do you want to win the race and set before you?

Then check your direction and make sure you are moving in God’s direction. Everyone goes somewhere in life.

Christianity is not about participation trophy, its about earning a trophy, a prize.

John Macarthur interprets the “prize” as:

“To be made like Christ…What’s going to happen when that upward call comes? You’re going to be like…Christ. The goal is the prize, the prize is the goal. So Paul says, “Look, the goal of my life is to be like Christ and that’s also the reward of my race”…some day I will be like Christ, that’s the prize that God gives to the one who runs the race. The goal is to be like Christ, perfection in Christ. The prize is to be like Christ, perfection in Christ. Someday we’ll be like Him for we shall see Him as He is”

1 John 3:2 (NKJV)
² Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

Of the High Call of God in Christ Jesus:

“Upward” (507) (ano) means above or in a higher place. The idea of “a calling which is from heaven and to heaven.” The direction is away from self and toward new heights of spiritual attainment.

Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)
²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 9:23-24 (NKJV)
²³ and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,
²⁴ even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 (NKJV)
¹² that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³ But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
¹⁴ to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)
¹ Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)
¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

1 Peter 5:10-11 (NKJV)
¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
³ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

C H Spurgeon in Morning and evening, October 11 Evening:

Test Your Calling:
Is it a “High Calling”?
“Has it ennobled your heart, and set it upon heavenly things?
Has it elevated your hopes, your tastes, your desires?
Has it upraised the constant tenor of your life, so that you spend it with God and for God?”

Acts 22:10 (NKJV)
So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’

Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

So, the question is:  “Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going?”

 

Will it be Crossing the finish line running your best or sitting on the side lines doing nothing?

 

PRAYER
Grant unto me grace, O Lord, that I may both perceive and know what things I ought to do and may also have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same. AMEN.
 

“Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going”

Part 1 of 4

 

For the Believer While We are Here.  

As we have come into the New Year, I tend to reflect on the past and look toward the future. And lately it’s been more past than future.

But this week I was reminded of a sermon that I heard years ago about getting on fire for the Lord. And in that sermon, the minister spoke of ashes as yesterday’s fire. I think we need to rekindle that fire not only in me but in all of us. I don’t want to live in the ashes but in what is ahead of me with God and His glory.

 

Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)
¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

“Press” (1377) (dioko) means to follow or press hard after, to pursue with earnestness and diligence in order to obtain, to go after with the desire of obtaining. It gives us the picture of going on the track of something like the hounds pursuing after the fox and implying a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain the goal. Note here the verb dioko is in the present tense, emphasizing the lifelong commitment that gripped and guided Paul.

David Livingstone, pioneer medical missionary to Africa upon returning to Great Britain was asked,

“Where do you want to go now?”

Without hesitation, like the good Christian racer he was, Livingstone replied…

“I am ready to go anywhere provided it be forward.” (Amen!)

C H Spurgeon explains that the metaphor of a Christian race implies progress onward writing that…

So far as acceptance with God is concerned a Christian is complete in Christ as soon as he believes. But while the work of Christ for us is complete, that of the Holy Spirit in us is not complete, but is continually carried on from day to day. The condition in which every believer should be found is that of progress. Nearly every figure by which Christians are described implies this. We are plants in the Lord’s field, but we are sown that we may grow. “First the blade,” etc. We are born into the family of God; but there are babes, little children, etc. Is the Christian a pilgrim? Then he must not sit down as if rooted to a place. Is he a warrior, wrestler, etc.? These figures are the very opposite of idleness.

Toward the Goal: kata, skopos

“Toward” (2596) (kata) literally means “down” so it could be translated “down upon the goal”. What a powerful picture Paul paints – it’s the idea of the runner “bearing down upon” the goal. We’ve all seen the Olympic runners bearing down as they near the goal. They for an earthly goal, an earthly crown. Saints bear down on the goal Who is Jesus Himself to Whom we must continually look to as we run.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
¹ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The prize is Christ likeness. What a goal for a Christian!

“Goal” (4649) (skopos) is the first word in the Greek sentence which emphasizes its importance. “Skopos” refers that on which the eye is fixed, the distant mark looked at, the goal or end that one has in view. Skopos was used to refer to a target for shooting and in the present context refers to a moral and spiritual target.

Using a similar athletic metaphor in 1 Corinthians 9:26, Paul declares that because of the glorious truth that Christian racers will receive an imperishable wreath (crown),

1 Corinthians 9:26 (NKJV)
²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air.

(Like a serious athlete in training for the Olympic prize, Paul is focused on the goal, single minded, desiring every action to count toward that specific goal).”

Paul is drawing a picture in the reader’s mind of the Olympic runners flying toward the finish each one seeking to be the first to break the tape and win the coveted perishable wreath (which was associated with great honor and financial reward in the racer’s home city state).

Dwight Pentecost commenting on “the goal” notes that…

Often failure in the Christian race comes because we forget what the goal is. That is the danger the Philippians face. They have as the goal of their lives the approval of the company of saints with whom they live. That goal is difficult to attain but not impossible. They have forgotten that the goal of the believer’s life is not to please men. The goal of the believer’s life is to please the Lord Jesus Christ….We know from Scripture that perfect conformity to Jesus Christ awaits our translation into His glorious presence. Until that moment there is a race to be run. There is no room for carelessness, indifference, or laziness…so that I might attain the prize that there is in the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The high calling of God is to be like His Son. In verse 14 the apostle is not speaking of the prize that God gives the believer as the victor and over comer in the race. Other passages of Scripture teach that. Paul says, “For me there is a prize in the high calling that God gave us in Christ. It is to be like Him.” And as the charioteer drives his horses to overextend themselves to reach the goal, Paul drives himself because he wants to accomplish that purpose Christ had for him when He saved him, and separated him to Himself.” (Pentecost, J. D. The joy of living : A study of Philippians. Page 150. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications

Consider for a moment the vanity of past achievements as compared to the weight of future glory. There is simply no comparison!

In his last recorded message to Timothy, Paul used this same athletic metaphor describing the fact that he had crossed the finish line and was awaiting his prize, declaring…

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV)
⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

(Crown (4735) (stephanos from stepho = to encircle, twine or wreathe) was a wreath made of foliage or designed to resemble foliage and worn by one of high status or held in high regard.

The stephanos was literally an adornment worn around the head as a crown of victory in the Greek athletic games, this reward being given to the runner who crossed the goal first, to the disc thrower with the longest toss, etc. Apart from recognition of athletes and winners of various kinds of competitions, in the Greco-Roman world, the awarding of a crown or wreath signified appreciation for exceptional contributions to the state or groups within it. The recipients were usually public officials or civic-minded persons serving at their own expense

“Years ago, a group of Englishmen tried to conquer Mt. Everest. They pressed on against cold, wind, blizzards, and avalanches. When they came within 2,000 feet of the peak, they set up camp. Two men, Mallory and Irvine, eagerly pressed on, expecting to return in about 16 hours. They never came back. The official record said simply:

“When last seen, they were heading toward the summit.”

Whatever the obstacles, let’s keep pressing on in the upward call of God, trusting in Him and not ourselves. At life’s end, may it be said of us: “When last seen, they were heading toward the summit!”

(Our Daily Bread)

When the pathway seems long,
When temptation is strong,
When your strength’s almost gone—
That’s the time to press on. —Hess

When the pressure is on, press on!
(Keep heading to the “Summit”)