Lay Hold on Eternal Life

1. 1 Timothy 6:12
   Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2. 1 Timothy 6:19
   Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

I have been thinking a lot about laying hold on eternal life. I have lived for the Lord by choice almost as long as I have been alive. It seems to me many of us become accustomed to living for God and the lifestyle that it becomes a way of life. Now, this can be a good thing or a bad thing.

If we become so used to living for God that we lose sight of the intensity, the passion, and the need to pray more effectively, we may find ourselves in trouble during the perilous times in which we now live. It is time for the believers to forget about superficial values and get to the core of the issue. The hard questions must be asked. Do you or do you not believe we are living in the End Times? If you do believe we are in the end times, it is beyond foolish to live in a manner that does not acknowledge that fact.

Jesus gave us specific instructions about living in the last days.

Luke 21

The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The Importance of Watching
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. ³⁵ For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Friends, I feel in my soul that something has changed. I can't quite put my finger on it. I have been looking for the Rapture of the Church every day of my life as long as I can remember. One thing I know is that He is coming for a people who are looking for Him. Today there are more people who are haters of Christianity. In fact many people hate anyone who represents God...any god! Purpose in your heart today that you will make your calling and election sure!

Blessings!

God is Not Finished With Me Yet!

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Some of us have physical infirmities, some have spiritual or emotional infirmities. No matter what your problem, if God says to keep going you have few options! You just keep going! But...perhaps some timely reflection about what God wants might be in order.

I have several issues I need to work out, but one is more pressing than all the others. I have spent the last week whining about it to the Lord...I know he said to cast your cares on him, but he also wants you to be smart enough to know when to shut up!

Now guys, you may or may not believe that God talks to you in a way in which you can get a clear message. Personally, I get messages from God all the time because I have trained myself to look for them. Not all of them are yes answers, either! The problem with most of us is that we do not believe in our heart of hearts that God will, or should, say no! Some of us (me) tend to think that if you have suffered with a problem for a while that God should just say, Ok, that is enough...it's over! It does not work that way. God is waiting for you to learn the lesson he is trying to teach you. Not easy!

I think that one problem with modern Christians is that even though some of us understand that God can say no, we still somewhere in the back of our mind have the feeling that God really does not want us to suffer and that everything should be a bed of roses. I am getting the feeling that we have got it wrong.

Moses was a great leader but he suffered and God held him to a strict standard of obedience. Isaiah was a great prophet who knew the Lord but his life was not an easy one. Jeremiah suffered all of his life for his commitment to the Lord. The Apostle Paul was an educated man and could have been wealthy if he had used his abilities to further his own cause, and yet, God told him, "my grace is sufficient." The apostle John who loved Jesus and was loved dearly in return lived to be an old man but suffered all the way.

I urge you today to take a moment to think about your goals and where you want the Lord to take you. If you have high aspirations in your service to God it will not come easy. It has been said that the way of the cross leads home. Look at this verse again with new eyes. Are you looking for power with God in your life? That power is not going to come easily or without a price.

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luke had a good understanding of what it meant to follow Jesus Christ. He added the word daily to this great command that is found in Matthew and Mark. I believe the reason Luke added daily to this verse is because it is necessary to re-commit your life to your purpose of serving the Lord every day! Not just once at the beginning! We are a fickle people and we lose our sense of direction and purpose. We must re-commit every day and maybe morning and evening if necessary. My cross is not the same as your cross. These burdens sometimes get the best of us. Sometimes we fall...and fail! I am going to glory in my infirmities, wait patiently on the Lord, make new commitments, and receive the power of God in my life. There can be no other way! Join me!
Blessings!