How To, "Gain Your Souls"

"By your endurance you will gain your lives/souls."  (Luke 21:19, NASB)

This is not an, "endurance," for a "season" or many years.  This is our whole life, our sojourn in its entirety on Planet Earth.  And this is not just talk or belief.  This is doing.  "Endurance," is an act of faith, obedience, trust.  "Endurance," is not passive; it is active, aggressive, "wrestl[ing]...against principalities, against powers," doubts, discouragement.  And, I can say that this is a daily choice, because the Enemy of our souls does not let up. 

We probably all know of those who have just quit, for whatever reason, whatever the depth of suffering.  49 years ago this coming June I could have quit, given up, not because of "unbelief," but because of intense sorrow of heart.  Jesus "spoke" to my heart, empowered me in His Words, "picked me up" in Father's love, compassion, and Holy Spirit.  I'm sure you also have testimony of Jesus' faithfulness in your deepest trials.

The Word, "endurance," is from a Greek word meaning, "remaining under."  It means that you and I are called in Jesus Christ to walk, "remaining under," Jesus' Authority in our lives, "remaining under," Jesus Words.  Jesus is speaking in our text of His Second Appearing.  It's been over 2000 years since those Words were spoken, and many have asked what Peter said they would ask, "Where is the promise of His coming?"  Having no answer, they quit. 

"By your endurance/remaining under you will gain your lives/souls."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I choose, "endurance," today.  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Ghost Riders In The Sky"

"Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You, Lord, are good." (Psalm 25:7, NIV)

Some are plagued by the past much more than others.  The sin, mistakes, bad decisions all add up to a daily battle of thoughts.  They are like "Ghost Riders in the Sky....Their riding hard to catch that herd, but they ain't caught them yet.  They're riding hard forever on that range up in the sky."  The "word" of the Lord today to any who are so plagued, "Stop chasing that 'herd.'"

The psalmist had those days, "Do not remember...my rebellious ways."  Perhaps, "the sins of my youth," were riding across the "sky" of his mind, always riding, searching for an end which just would not appear.  That's what sin is, you know, "....rebellious ways," and the purpose of the Enemy is to ever bring our sin before us.  Yet we also know that the Bible tells us in both the Old and New Testaments, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us....Their sins and iniquities I will remember no more."  This is the Word of Jesus.

If our Lord Jesus Christ says, "I will remember no more," then perhaps it would be good for us to also, "....remember no more."  Yes, as with many of, "the Words of God," we might say, "Easier said than done."  But we must remember that Jesus both says these Words and has "done" these Words, "in His Cross."  It was there Jesus took, "....the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways...in His Own Body on the Tree."

The Bible tells us, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil."  And never forget that, "the works of the Devil", have the intent to destroy you and me, defeat us in life, keep us from rejoicing in our Jesus, our Savior, our Salvation.  The prayer of today's text is answered.  It was answered, the "problem solved," in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and, as the old chorus declares, "all sorrow has gone, the glory has shown, and now I am free."  Walk therein.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I repent of not forgetting what You have forgotten.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"It's All In There"

"And He said to me, 'Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.'"  (Ezekiel 2:1)

So, do you want the Lord God to, "....speak to you"?  You probably have several "copies."

All the prophets prophesied to kings and nations, not charismatic church meetings.  The Epistles were primarily to local churches, instruction in right thinking/believing/living.  The Gospels, the Words and Deeds of our Lord Jesus Christ, reveal our Lord Jesus encountering and serving, the blind, beggars, the rich, the religious, soldiers, government leaders.  Ultimately, we read that Jesus took them all to His Cross, where He shed His Blood for them, took their sin, sicknesses, pains, griefs, sorrows, dying for them, and arising from the grave for them.  This is, "I will speak to you." 

What the Bible refers to as, "the Faith of Jesus," is not life in a vacuum.  The Living Triune God is revealing just how much He cares, guides, sustains all who trust in Jesus, depend upon Jesus, and follow Jesus.  As the Bible declares, Jesus' Word, "....is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this Word you shall live...."  This is good for us to always keep in mind when reading the Bible-------- and going about our daily lives. 

The Bible is Jesus, "The Word of God," speaking Words to you and me, "for our good always."  Jesus' Words are, "A lamp to our feet"; therefore, I continually encourage you to read all Scripture quite regularly, not just passages which are "favorite," or seem to particularly "speak" to your situation.  Why?  Again, Jesus' Word, "....is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this Word you shall live." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that Your Words always be my "Guide," not me.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....His Purpose For Me"

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.  Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands."  (Psalm 138:8, HCSB)

Yes, He, "will fulfill," and He won't, "abandon."

The next statement seals any doubt as to Jesus' purpose for you and me, "Lord, Your love is eternal...."  Eternity or the, "eternal," is not foremost in our minds.  The "best of us" are still dominated in our daily lives by the "here and now."  Most tend to be "ships tossed on the sea," and the unexpected can tend to throw off course.  Yet in the midst of our life journey there is a "constant" upon Which/Whom you and I can rely, "Your love is eternal."

I just call upon you today to keep thinking, maybe "declaring" that Jesus', "love is Eternal."  The Bible reminds us throughout, though expressed differently from time to time, "God is love."  I think the, "is," there is akin to, "is eternal," if we may say, the eternal now.  So, if someone asks you, "How are you doing?" and you are thinking, "Well, yesterday, or a few years ago at least, I was doing rather well.  Today, however, not so good."  That is life, uncertain, changing.  But there is another "life" which is certain, never-changing, "Your love is eternal."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am more aware of time than I am of eternity.  I pray a constant reminder that I am in You, "Whom to know is Life Eternal."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2