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Trusting others is hard. Especially for those of us who have been lied to, misled, or had people in our lives who claimed to be our friends but eventually turned their backs on us. It’s hard to trust someone who throws you under the bus whenever they feel the need to feel good about themselves.
Too many people love you for what they can get from you. When you can’t deliver anymore they toss you out like yesterday’s paper. Others may claim to love you and make promises they can’t (or later refuse) to fulfill. God doesn’t love you for what you can give him, he loves you for what he can give you. He’s never made a promise that he couldn’t fulfill. You can trust him to deliver.
When we focus on the past we tend to resist change. When we focus on what we see (the present) we tend to lose hope. When we focus on the future and what God can do we live in expectation.
The important things in life are those things that last longer than you do! Whether it be athletics, science or social involvement, the things that really count live for generations to come.
How ironic then that most of us spend our time and energy on today. There is always one more toy to buy; one more book to write; one more deal to close; one more obstacle to conquer.
Regardless of the motive behind the action, reality is, few of us will accomplish something great on a global scale. Even if we do, as we’ve seen in recent days, there is nothing that guarantees our accomplishments of today won’t be snuffed out in later generations because something we did or said will be scrutinized and attacked.
Jesus said to strive for the eternal. Paul states it plainly. Everything you do will be tested by fire. Work then for things that will last.
The noble deeds of many are long forgotten, but the things Jesus did have been remembered for centuries. Why? Because his efforts were not to bring a better name to himself, they were to better the lives of mankind. 100 years from now people won’t remember how many toys you had or how many likes you had on some social media post. What they may remember, however, is how you made life better for others.
Build for tomorrow, not for today. Don’t be content to stay where you are. Move forward!
It’s a frosty morning here in the northland. As I took the dog out to do his morning duties I noticed that shadow of our house neatly outlined with the morning frost.
The difference? The warmth of the sun had not yet risen high enough to melt the coldness from the night before. It was the warmth of the rising sun that made all the difference. It was the warmth of the riding sun that dissolved the darkness and brought life.
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. The day we remember when another SON rose from the darkness. He too dissolves the darkness and melts the coldness of our hearts. The more he rises in our lives the less coldness and darkness have a chance!
Hallelujah for the RISEN SON!
I’ve read this verse a thousand times. I’ve written about it. I’ve taught on it. But today as I was reading the final days of Christ’s life on earth I was hit by a new truth. Okay, new only in the sense of perspective.
Jesus promises to be with us. ALWAYS.
- With us when we are under attack;
- With us when we struggle with finances;
- With us when illness attacks our bodies or the bodies of loved ones;
- With us when we struggle with addictions;
- With us in through divorce;
- With us when we did that sin…again:
- With us when we feel lonely and rejected;
- With us in the storms of life;
- Add your struggle here…
The thing is, this phrase is stuck at the end of what is commonly called the Great Commission but it’s truth goes far beyond evangelism. It’s a lifestyle. He doesn’t promise to remove the hard times. He does promise to walk with us along the way.
What’s your struggle today. Jesus is with you whether you feel him or not.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 