“But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.       Jeremiah 9:24

Recommended Reading  I JOHN 2:1-17“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.³ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.⁷ Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.⁸ Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.⁹ He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.¹⁰ He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.¹¹ But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.¹² I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.¹³ I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.¹⁴ I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.¹⁵ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.¹⁷ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

COMMENTS: What is most important to you?  Many spend huge amounts of money to make themselves look beautiful and young.  Celebrities are especially guilty of this, but the movie business motivated by viewers encourages them to prioritize their outward appearance above all else.  How tragic when they discover age and abuse of their bodies results in impossibility of fixing the damage of age and abuse.  They are rejected by the movie business and fans they loved and needed and left lonely and in despair without any hope.   That is why suicide and drug overdose and abuse, and multiple marriages become the norm among wealthy popular celebrities.  They have everything the world offers and still are miserable and impoverished.  So, what do they lack?  A MEANINGFUL AND FULFILLING PURPOSE FOR LIVING.   Some have found purpose in doing volunteer work or promoting a worthy cause.  But the most important and worthy reason for living is finding and service and worshipping and praising the Creator of all and Savior from sin and from the evil one.

We live in a world that embraces any and everything that denies or ignores God while ridiculing any thing and anyone who lives and shares a genuine faith in God, especially Christ.   Any mention of Jesus or His message spurs persecution and hateful words and actions in most communistic countries, most countries where Islam is the major religion, and even more commonly in democratic countries where Christianity was the primary religion just a few years ago.

So, what changed and why?  Answer is a slow but steady turning away from God and His commandments.  A neglect of devotion and worship and prayer in family units and in schools.  Children no longer were taught from scripture by their parents and pastors and teachers as was most common in generations past.  Neglect breeds ignorance and ignorance breeds sin and prejustice.  We are designed to worship God and will find another god to worship if reject God.  Other gods like wealth, power, popularity.  Greed and selfish pride are encouraged as other gods are embraced, bringing harm to both worshipper and their families and friends and co-workers.  IS that not what is happening in America and actually all across the world. 

Revival and turning back to Christ is happening not in America, which was key at evangelizing and sending missionaries out into the world 100 years ago, but in those impoverished countries encountering great Christian persecution.  Those countries where America sent missionaries 100 years ago.  Many of those countries are now sending missionaries back to America to other countries to evangelize America.  A few years ago, our pastor came from South Korea.  His grandparents face great persecution for their faith but guilt a legacy that called their grandson into ministry.

When we purchase an expensive machine or tool, ae warranty is needed to avoid expensive repair costs if defects or failure occurs.  Most warranties require service be performed by a qualified technician and at a certified service center in order for warranty to be valid.  So, what is more important than our souls and the souls of our family?  Fixing our souls sick and damaged by sin by self-medicating with toys or medications or selfish pleasure is like trying to fix a complicated machine without knowledge and understanding of how to do so.

Christ offers redemption and healing for the sin sick soul and eternal fellowship to keep our soul well and healthy and as He designed us to be.  But what is the soul?   Satan would deny its existence since we can’t see or feel it.  We only see the shell, our body, that houses it. We only see the life and personality that it demonstrates.  But the soul is the part of us where our eternal life resides and our consciousness resides.  Without our soul, there is no life.  The body dies when the soul leaves it, but the soul continues with our consciousness and awareness. 

As I grow older and discover the physical limitations I noticed in my parents and grandparents in their elderly years, I gain greater appreciation for the importance of eternal things over physical things.  I also gain greater appreciation for Christ and His abiding Holy Spirit over possessions and even security and peace. 

When we are young, how we look, what others think of us, and getting good grades and being successful at sports and being popular are the most important things to us.  As adults, having successful careers, a nice home and family and car and money in the bank are most important.  As we grow older, a secure retirement and health become priorities.    But all these are left behind and lost to us sooner or later.  What we won’t lose is eternal things if we seek them first.  Matthew 6:31-35 “ ³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

If we seek Christ and embrace Him first, He will provide for all our needs and His Holy Spirit will guide and help us and provide all we need.  If we seek our needs and wants over Him, we will lose eternal life and all we are working so hard to get.

Life is lived against the backdrop of eternity, and eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (John 17:3).

 

“Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose—to be in relationship to God, who is there.”Francis Schaeffer

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