Post a comment
TWG – January 8, 2009
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Deuteronomy 32:1-25; Psalm 120; 1 Timothy 3
Today is January 8, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. We are doing something of eternal significance. We are redeeming the time. That is one of the basic premises of TWG. We believe that what we do every day is so important that we must do the important things each day. That is why we read the word every Day
“Noise making” putty. Hmmmmm. Dave gave me some. I tried it out, and my dog was impressed. She kept barking and Susan came to see what all the ruckus was about. She wasn’t impressed. Sorry Dave; I guess women are like that. Yesterday I published our “Growing Together” radio podcast to the internet, worked a bit on the bulletin, spent some time praying and thinking about our Easter Passion Play. I need a bit of divine direction here! Bill and Jim were here most of the day working on our new hallway! It’s coming along. Merwin Rhoades from Steering Wheel Ministries stopped in to chat for a while. Vivian dropped by some software and supplies for the kitchen! Thanks Vivian. And I got ready for Awana. I told the story of how Jacob got married to Rachael and Leah. And we sort of acted out the wedding. I had “Rachael” covered in a sheet go over by the door to get ready for the wedding. She did a swicheroo with “Leah” under the sheet and when they said “You may kiss the bride” I took off the veil and found that I’d been tricked into marrying the wrong woman! The kids were stunned. It took them a while to figure out how the two women got switched around! I put a picture of some Awana fun on the blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out.
Today’s thought comes from 1 Timothy 6:13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
We are all going to die. Sooner or later it’ll happen to all of us. One way or the other we are all going to our Eternal Home. Some of us will live to a ripe old age and die a “natural death” (there is nothing natural about death!). Then there are those of us who will pass into the afterlife due to cancer, sickness, or some other malady. Others will leave this old world because of a car accident or some other fatal mistake. But by far the worst are those who must face martyrdom or murder due to their faith. But we all will travel this well beaten path. No one, in all of history has beaten the odds, except Elijah and Enoch. They walked with God! But billions to two is something I wouldn’t bet against! Those are losing numbers. OK, since we all will kick the bucket sooner or later, why be necrophobic about it? If you are a Christian, If you have trusted Christ as Savior, If God is your father… just trust him… silent, confident trust. Here’s why. FIRST, because God is the life giver and life sustainer. We will live as long as God allows, no less time, no more. SECOND, because Jesus Christ set the example. He was the first Christian martyr. He died with full confidence in the Father’s plan. He even told Pilate, “you have no power over me unless it is given to you from above!” The example Jesus set was this: No one can take a life before its time. If it is not your time to go, you ain’t gonna go. It doesn’t matter if they do have a loaded gun to your head and pull the trigger. If it’s not time, you’re invincible! But when it is time, just go peacefully. THIRD, Jesus is coming again, we know not when. You may live until he comes and you may not. But as long as you do live, live for Jesus. Jesus set the example, you follow it. FOURTH, God is in control. He really is. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the great and awesome God. He is the only one who can never and will never die. He is so magnificent, immense, stunning, powerful, overwhelming, blazing and fearsomely beautiful that all we can to in his presence is fall to our feet in involuntary amazement and humility. And if you really believe all that, you will honor him and live for him without fear of what mere puny man can do to you! Confess the good confession. Live for Jesus! Why not? God is in control and we are his servants.
Almighty God. There is none like you! You are the sovereign Lord. You are in control of all things. I confess that. I believe that. I will live as though that is true, trusting you to supply my needs, guide my way and protect me from harm until it is time to call me home. I am your humble servant! Use me as you see fit!
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
|
