A sneak peak at the ending

There is a quote that says, "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end."

This holds much truth.  The end for a Christian is eternity with God. Meanwhile,  we shall not fear. 

Jesus said, Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.- (Matthew 6:34 ESV)

The Lord has said that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). Surely He is with you in times of trouble and in times of gladness. He is with you on the mountain top and in the valley. 

Everything truly will be okay in the end. If you have any doubts, assure your heart and reread the end of the book. 

Jesus, may our hopes and our fears rest in you alone. You hold all things together and in you all things are complete. Amen.*

*Colossians 1:17

Things we leave behind

If we occupy ourselves wringing our hands over the blessings we have left behind, we will not have open hands to embrace the blessings that lie ahead.

In all things remember - we have the ultimate blessing if we are Christ's. We enjoy the Holy Spirit in us now and the full presence of God in the future.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places! (Ephesians 1:3 ESV)

Christ in our losses

The greater the blessing we've had in our life the greater we feel its loss.

 Have you noticed that? When people we love have passed on or are far away we feel the loss. When relationships we cherish end, we grieve. When we fight to maintain material blessings we have taken for granted we are stressed. When our health is gone, we certainly mourn it. The greater the blessing, the more we feel the loss when it's gone.

Where does Jesus come in? Where does our faith come in? It is more than just hope that a blessing can be restored or a greater blessing will come. Our faith is more than trusting God to heal our wounds.

Our faith stands regardless of gains or losses, hard times or "good times". 

Two areas can be addressed: what we DO in times of loss and then how we emotionally/mentally DEAL with it in the Lord.

What does a Christian DO in times of loss? We mourn. That is healthy. But then what else do we do? A wonderful biblical example is a heartbreaking situation the prophet Ezekiel went through.

Let's look at the Scripture: The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke;..... Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; do not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.”So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded. (Ezekiel 24:15-18 selected ESV)

In the midst of unexpected heartbreak, Ezekiel went on. He continued to live and do the Lord's work. He continued to carry our the Lord's commands, and we should too. If we have breath, we are here for a purpose. We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and we must continue to do His work. There is a practical aspect in this as well. Staying busy helps depression - so keep working for Christ!

How does our heart deal with loss? Again, let's look to Scripture's example: What did David do after his firstborn son died?

 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped (2 Samuel 12:19-21a ESV)

David worshiped God anyway. There are times we are called to actively demonstrate that we love the giver of all gifts more than the gifts themselves. This is part of faith. 

How should our hearts deal with loss?

1. Know that glory is ahead! Scripture tells us that if we share in Christ's sufferings we will share in His glory. (Romans 8:17)

2. Know that our suffering is joined to Christ's and we will have suffering in our lives.  (1 Peter 2:21, 2 Timothy 2:3, Colossians 1:24)

3. Finally, we can rest knowing that our suffering is not for nothing. 
We  have God's promise:  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28

New Years Thoughts

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A new year often brings new resolutions and a survey of what we'd like, what we don't have, and what we are working for. Our goals may be fabulous. We may or may not have regrets. Either way, we should remind ourselves, that no matter where we are in life, if we have Jesus, we have enough.

The Scriptures never promise us an easy path. Rather, often times it promises us a difficult one. Sometimes God intervenes and provides the healing, or the finances or the restoration - but sometimes, the lesson is: Jesus is enough. If we have Jesus, we have everything. A new year is a new beginning. Do you have everything? Do you have Jesus?

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6 ESV

For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5b KJV)

Happy New Year!!!!