A Hurting Word...
Are you old enough to remember the "promise box"? It was a collection of favorite Bible verses, and many Christians began the day by "choosing a promise out of the promise box." Of course, I had my favorite verses, and was pleased when I selected just the "right" one for the day! But there's ONE favorite verse of mine that does not appear in any promise box I've ever seen...I can't even tell you which chapter and verse, because it's mentioned many times...curious? Here it is: "And it came to pass...!"
You see, I am slowly learning the much-needed lesson that everything in life--the good, the bad, and the ugly--no matter how VERY good, bad, or ugly--will eventually pass...life will calm down...until the next event, and then, whether it's a plus or a minus, I must learn the verse all over again, "And it came to pass." You can handle ANYTHING...if you know it will pass...but we have to be reminded of it over and over again. Having trouble coping--or letting go--or holding on? Join the crowd as we all make our way to the Well to see what the LORD has to say about it!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Time Passes!...If your clock and calendar suddenly disappeared from your life...could you continue living? Hardly--the 90s pace of living has us bound by time, stretched by time, stressed by time--and THEN sometimes the pressure has us spinning and crying, "Lord, there's not enough hours in the day, weeks in the year...I can't do it all..." No, you can't, so don't try! Sure--make your list, but don't pressure yourself to have every item checked off by the end of the day. Just give your best to each day, and remember, it too shall pass, and, in the light of eternity..."Only one life, 'twill soon be passed; only what's done for Christ will last!" That's how God works..with eternity's values in view...
One day in time is but one small byte on the hard drive of eternity!
Let's make it count for Christ!
"And the world passeth away, and the lust of it; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever (1 John 2:17 KJV)."
Trouble Passes!...If you knew the trouble you face today was on its way out the door...could you make it for ONE more day? Of course, you could--the uncertain length of the pain is what drives us to despair. But remember, HE knows...and will not put upon you more than you can bear..the Lord keeps the gold in the furnace just long enough until His image is seen, and then He removes it to become a glorious vessel for use in His Kingdom. For you see, it WILL come to pass, and God WILL be glorified..if you let Him! The trouble you face today will become a stepping stone to blessing in someone's life tomorrow. As today's student, learn your lesson well...for tomorrow you will be the teacher...to guide someone else through the SAME thing you face today. That's how God works..with eternity's values in view...
One day of trouble is but one small byte on the hard drive of eternity!
Let's make it count for Christ!
"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God (1 Corinthians 1:4 KJV)."
Treasure passes!...Have you ever lost something valuable--a treasure of sentiment or value? It's a hard blow...but it TOO shall "come to pass." The treasures of earth and life will not last throughout eternity--and when we finally come to understand that fact, we can surrender it all to Him. Enjoy, but don't hold on too tightly...for someday it will pass away. God's treasures are people--and if we bless and help the people He loves, we will store up treasures in heaven...for that's how God works...with eternity's values in view...
One lifetime of treasure is but one small byte on the hard drive of eternity!
Let's make it count for Christ!
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)."
Have time, trouble or treasure got you entangled in the drama (AND trauma!) of this life? He understands and wants to teach you valuable lessons of eternity. So much so that He, the God of Eternity, has stepped into time to help us all--through Jesus Christ, our Lord. He lived upon earth, as Son of God AND Son of Man, that He might teach us to live in time...AND in the light of eternity!
As a good friend recently told me on one of MY bad days in time, "When we stand before the King of Kings, all that will count are the lives we have touched.. the people we have changed..the lives that have been snatched from the enemy's hands."
I want to live MY life in the light of eternity--how about you!
And that's just a word or two--from my heart to yours!
