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That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming. But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We're not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! (2 Corinthians 5:6-17 The Message Version)
Good day dear Friend! May this find you blessed and prepared for a great day in the Lord! The above passage should be read in one of your favorite older translations to best receive the word from the Lord today. The Message Version also speaks with a POW! And that's why I use it today. Hear the first words of the passage again: "That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet!" May that be you and me this day!
It's easy sometimes to focus on the negative, such as past memories or experiences, but the key is to not let them rule this day. Yes, we may have lost very special loved ones and their absence is still one that makes us mourn and cry, but if you think about what they would want for you it would more than likely be for you to continue onward and upward. The final book of the Bible speaks of no tears in Heaven, so why should we live like those who have been defeated? We are not defeated. Not now, nor ever. Christ brought us the victory over sin and death and that should be enough to set the pace for the walk forward. Yes, as the writer above says, there may be some ruts or rocks in our path, but onward we go! The day is coming when we will gladly exchange exile for homecoming. But for now, "Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our condition." Christ's death has brought us new life for we died with Him. And, here's the best part, dear one, those who have united with the Messiah (that's you and me) have gotten a fresh start, and we are a new creation! Yep. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look and enjoy it in Christ Jesus!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, there are times we do feel down and out; You better than anyone understand those days, but we ask that in Your love for us, You would bring us up - fill us with Your Holy Spirit that He may lift us up to the high places to do that which pleases You. Let that be my main aim today, dear Father, to cheerfully please You. This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Lift up your head and live as one who has received a fresh start and who has been made a new creation! POW!
Eradio Valverde
PRAYER UPDATES: Mr. Herman Grauke underwent successful knee replacement and was in good spirits yesterday afternoon when I visited him. He has some pain but expects to be released from the Seguin hospital on Thursday and then into a rehab center for about three weeks. Pray for his recovery. Continued prayers for Mr. Forrest Penny, who is in the hospital battling cancer. May the Lord comfort him is our prayer. Thank you for your prayers. Pray for someone you know needs it. Then, pray for yourself.
