Let us remember

“The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory. Isaiah 60:19 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.60.19.NKJV

For those who are followers of Jesus Christ, we need to remember this promise.

This world is not our permanent home.

The way things are now is not how they will always be.

Some day the world will change forever.

Revelation 6:1 NKJV — Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”

Revelation tells of the Lamb opening the seals and the changes the world under goes.

It’s not a pretty picture, but in the middle is praise.

Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV — After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Revelation 7:11-12 NKJV — All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

What better way to remember the truth of the future which awaits than by worshipping Jesus today.

Life doesn’t always bring us hearts full of gladness, but salvation should always bring us to praise.

Let us remember the promises of God and rejoice in the salvation of Jesus Christ!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for salvation. Thank You for Your promise of eternal life with You. Lord, I can not even imagine what it will be like to be in Your presence, to never need the Sun or Moon again because You will shine continually. Lord, I can not contain my wonder at Your incredible blessing to us in the gift of salvation. Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for Your promise of eternal life. Thank You for reminding me to praise You daily, practicing the joy of eternity right here in today. Thank You. Amen.

Counter culture

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 NKJV

Let nothing be  done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:3 NKJV

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Philippians 2:14‭-‬15 NKJV

The key to living as Christians is Christ.

Do you live for Jesus every single day?

If “yes” is the answer, how has the Lord helped you learn this?

What choices in your attitudes, outlook, and actions do you consistently hold to?

In what ways do you guard yourself from the lies, snares, and trucks of sin?

How do you cultivate your walk with Jesus daily?

In what ways are you upholding others in their journey with Christ?

No matter the culture one finds themselves in, it can quickly turn one aside from following steadfastly to the path of Christ.

There are so many different ways this happens.

It could be the culture is pagan and the very name of Jesus is illegal.

The culture might be secular, where the common law is “do what feels good” without any thought to the consequences.

It might be strictly religious, without even a hint of the love of Christ, only the rigid unbending laws placed upon man by man.

Or it could be something quiet different.

No matter the culture one finds themselves, it is the individual Jesus came to save.

Therefore each one of us has a choice.

Our individual life was created by God.

He has a plan for every single person.

And He redeems each one who calls upon His name, Jesus saves.

Therefore, each one has the opportunity to a personal day-to-day relationship with Jesus.

Unfortunately, that’s very counter culture.

No matter the culture one lives in, that culture wants each person to follow the culture.

Therefore, as Christ followers, our lives should not look like every other around us.

Infact, we are supposed to shine in the darkness.

Of course a candle doesn’t give off light by itself.

It must be lit.

Only Jesus can shine through our surrendered lives.

Let each one of us Christ followers say along with Paul:

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I  do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13‭-‬14 NKJV