CONSIDER IT
Many religions teach the immortality of the soul - the idea that humans continue to exist beyond death as disembodied souls. However, Christianity doesn't simply teach that souls are immortal. It affirms that, just as Jesus was raised bodily from the dead into a glorified body, someday our souls will in some fashion be re-clothed with bodies that are recognizably ours. This resurrection is not reincarnation - it will happen once, when heaven and earth are renewed at the end of this age. Further, we won't regain mortal bodies to live in this broken world but renewed bodies to live in a renewed world. Our hope therefore, has a bodily dimension. Let's think about the implication of this hope.
It's easy to think of things we don't like about our bodies. So instead, name three things about your body that you are grateful for.
EXPERIENCE IT
"Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth. Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never legs go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world"
Do you believe you and God together can handle whatever trouble comes into your life? By beginning each new day with asking God to equip you with His living Presence, do you think this would help you?
"I love you with an everlasting Love, which flows out from the depths of eternity. Before you were born, I knew you. Ponder the awesome mystery of a Love that encompasses you from before birth to beyond the grave. Modern man has lost the perspective of eternity. To distract himself from the gaping jaws of death, he engages in ceaseless activity and amusement. The practice of being still in My Presence is almost a lost art, yet it is this very situation that enables you to experience My eternal Love. You need the certainty of My loving Presence in order to weather the storms of life. During times of severe testing, even the best theology can fail you if it isn't accompanied by experiential knowledge of Me. The ultimate protection against sinking during life's storms is devoting time to develop your friendship with Me"
We need the certainty of God's loving Presence to have solid hope in the midst of life's storms. How do you cultivate that certainty? How are you doing at cultivating it? What help, if any, do you need?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:17-22, 33 and 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body"
ReplyDelete(Philippians 3:20-21 / New International Version)
"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men, But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as in Adam, all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses, and stop sinning"
(1 Corinthians 15:17-22, 33 / New International Version)
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain"
(1 Corinthians 15:55-58 / New International Version)