tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264486158964536580.post1717206853306675955..comments2022-12-03T19:20:02.505-05:00Comments on Revelations For Life: ...To Die Is GainDwighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718480509481117745noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264486158964536580.post-2920122217025732562013-03-05T06:28:08.724-05:002013-03-05T06:28:08.724-05:00Hi Dwight,
The verses in question are certainly ...Hi Dwight, <br /><br />The verses in question are certainly difficult to understand. The common feeling is fear of death coupled with a clinging to life. I can agree there are times when this world crowds our minds and relief sure does sound good. Then, other times when those thoughts are far from me. From reading what Paul wrote, it doesn't seem like just a moment, but a conclusion he came to.<br /><br />As is usually the case, Paul is teaching me something here, that is , not to fear death as the world fears death. The fear that the world has is based on an uncertainty of the future. They really don't know what will happen to them when they leave this world. Is that it? Is there another world? Is there a hell? I'm learning about life and realizing that my existence will never end. I am an eternal being and my destiny is solidly in Christ. It is by grace of course. Life for believers is not "over" when we leave here, it continues. After all, we serve a risen (risen from the dead) Savior. <br /><br />Hence, I see death differently. I am not bold enough to say I don't fear death at all. But, I can honestly say I'm not worried about it. Why? Because I will have to go through it sooner or later. And, I know there is something for me, far better on the other side. Far better, means to me that I will continue to live, but not on the battlefield as I am now. Not with all the stresses of life here in the devil's world and sin, death, pain and suffering. <br /><br />Today, many are taking their lives prematurely. I do NOT want to encourage this at all by them finding some sort of justification in what I have written. Let me clarify. I am saved, a believer, born again, a Christian! That is the reason I know where my life will be. It is not simply to look for peace, less turmoil and trouble. My feeling is a longing to be with my Lord and a loss of the fear of death. Yes, the world is tough and at times, we all look for relief. The pressure is real and certainly heavy upon us at times. But, I am here until the Lord says its time for me to come home. <br /><br />Right now, its time for me to go to work. That is my thought here in the world too. There is much work for me to do here. God has a purpose for me being right where I am, right now. How would I feel if I came home and met the Lord and He said, why are you here so early? I want to please the Lord and that is why I'm here, and that is why I'm working---for Him. His sacrifice for me motivates me to sacrifice also. I will serve, with honor and conclude with Paul that when the Lord is ready for me, then I am ready too. Until then, I will work while it is day. I will keep the faith, I will run the race, and I will know that the Lord is honored by what I do. <br /><br />1Pet 1:3-8<br />(3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,<br />(4) and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,<br />(5) who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.<br />(6) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.<br />(7) These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.<br />(8) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,<br /><br />DougCharislifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04429510062014671408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264486158964536580.post-49868302836267312262013-03-03T21:04:39.077-05:002013-03-03T21:04:39.077-05:00agreed, Dwight!
Embracing the brokenness & di...agreed, Dwight!<br /><br />Embracing the brokenness & dissatisfaction & even disconnect/loneliness we feel from this world is so key to be able to enjoy His presence. <br /><br />Keeping our eyes focused on Him will be the only thing that will keep us rejoicing! Phil 4:4 giving Him all our brokenness & petitions with Thanksgiving will give us the peace despite what is around us... it will guard our hearts & minds from all the perils & sorrows & things that distract. Phil 4:6-7<br /><br />We can know that the struggles are even part of His sovereign plan to keep us close to Him, becoming more like Him. <br /><br />God bless :)Randi Jo :)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10455815193915058855noreply@blogger.com