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encouragement

The Greatest Mystery Ever: What the Cross Tells Us About the Future

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I love a good mystery. My favorite mystery writer is Mary Higgins Clark, and I’ve managed to collect all but a few of her entire works. But the greatest mystery ever told is why God chose to redeem mankind through Christ’s death on the cross. This week we’ll explore the mystery of the cross—foolishness to the unsaved but the power of God to those who claim Him as Lord and Savior (I Cor. 1:18).

 

What the Cross Tells Us About the Future

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 

1 Corinthians 15:19

IMG_3400We began the week thinking about the mystery of the cross. If you can explain how the death of one man on one day in history paid the penalty for sin for all mankind for all time, then perhaps you are the world’s greatest sleuth. My compliments!

I’m guessing, however, you’re as mystified as the rest of us. And speaking of trusting God, it is, after all, by faith that we are saved (Rom. 3:28). And even our faith is a gift of God!

We also began the week by asserting that your decision about the cross is the most important one you’ll ever make. Just as Christ promised that He was going to prepare a place for us in His eternal home, He also promised that unbelievers are cursed and will be sent “into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). This is the bad news that precedes the good news.

If you haven’t made the decision to accept Christ’s saving grace as payment for your sin, check out the ZMI Family Ministries Website and read “How to Have Peace with God.” zmiinternational.org

If you have made this decision, I hope to meet you in heaven. I know it’ll be crowded, full of people from every nation and tribe, no matter how long the earth remains. But I’ll find you. Your place has been reserved for you (Jn. 14:1-3). The Book of Revelation describes heaven as a place of no death, mourning, crying, or pain. Everything will be made new (Rev. 21:4-5). What a future awaits us!

If you want to know more about what will happen when Christ returns for us, read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:3. After these verses Paul went on to warn us not to be unprepared for that day. “Let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet …Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:8-11).

I hope you’ve found this week’s Doses encouraging. If so, share them on your Facebook page or with a friend who might need a little assurance right now. Until I see you in heaven,

Preparing for the great day of the Lord,

Betty

Living to Please God: Wake Up

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If people walk with me, talk with me, looking for truth

They’re gonna find out soon

If they’re following me, then they’re gonna follow you

So let my life speak loud and clear

Lord, I wanna hear

“Well done.”

Well Done – Mariah Peters

I want to live a life that pleases God. I’m pretty sure if you’re reading this blog, you do, too. It’s not always an easy thing to do. We all want to stand before the Father at the end of our lives on earth and hear,

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share in your Master’s happiness”
(Matt. 25:21). 

We know going to church, giving tithes and offerings, helping others, and all that good church-going stuff; but Paul gives some pretty clear instructions to the church in Thessalonica as to how to live a life that pleases God. This week, we’ll take a look at some of them.

 

Wake Up

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
I Thessalonians 5:6 
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.”
I Thessalonians 5:11

I’m awake, I’m alive

Now I know what I believe inside …

Awake and Alive – Skillet

In Thessalonians 5:4, Paul tells us that we are “children of the light” and “children of the day.” We do not belong to darkness. And since the Prince of Darkness rules this world, that means we do not belong to him, or this world.

I think of this verse often these days, when we have so many making predictions about what will happen in the world. The ancient Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world in 2012. Many “prophets” claim to know the exact date when Christ will return.

To them, I say, “Hogwash.” The Bible is very clear: “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (I Thess. 5:2) Paul also says, though, that this day will not surprise those of us who are looking for Him, if we are “awake and sober.” If we’re living the way God wants us to live – getting up every day and putting on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18,; I Thess. 5:8), walking in His ways, studying His word, and keeping our hearts and minds open to Him, then we will be prepared for His coming. We may not know the day and time, but we do know He is coming.

I admit it can be kind of scary. The world is a messed-up place, and while we often find tremendous joy and great beauty here, when I become frustrated I have to remind myself that this is not my home. It’s easy to forget in the wake of the tragedies of this world that we know how it all ends. We know Who wins.

Jesus died so that whether we are “awake or asleep” – meaning both those who have died knowing Christ and those still living who are His – we may live together with Him (I Thess. 5:10). Not only do we know Who wins, we know we share in the victory.

I Thessalonians 5:11 says we should use these words to encourage each other. So, spread the word. If someone you know is a little down or frustrated, whether because of world events or personal ones, remind them God is in control. And in the end, not only does He win, but we do, too.  This is one “spoiler” I’m sure they won’t mind!

In His Love,

Amy

We’re In This Together: Can’t Get Enough Of Hur

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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 
Exodus 17:9-13, NASB

Tucked neatly into five verses in the 17th chapter of Exodus is found a powerful portrayal of a battle-weary, yet faithful Moses. While this passage may have little screen time in God’s narrative, it packs a big message. Let’s unpack it together this week …

 

Can’t Get Enough Of Hur

“See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.”

Exodus 31:2-3 NASB

IMG_0103I can’t seem to get enough of Hur this week, so please bear with me as we talk a little more about this seemingly minor character whose actions had a major impact in the story of God’s people.

If you’re still with me in Exodus 17, you can turn to the right in your Bible and you will find in Exodus 31 a man by the name of Bezalel, who was chosen by God to build the Tabernacle. This gentleman is the grandson of a man named Hur, who is believed to be the same Hur that we met earlier this week. Pretty cool, huh? What makes this so cool? I’m glad you asked.

We’ve all heard that “little things” can make a big difference in the lives of those around us, but sometimes I need a little reminder. Hur is a man whom we know was faithful in a seemingly little thing, and it is presumed that his grandson went on to build the tabernacle. Is it possible that Hur was a man who was consistently faithful in little things, leaving a legacy of faith for his family?

Each of us have a sphere of influence. It may be in our homes, our school, our workplace, or our neighborhood. Regardless of where we are, people are watching our response to not only the battles of life but also our day to day. They see how we respond in the little things as well as the big things.

It’s easy to believe the lie that the work we’re doing is not important and that we are contributing little to the kingdom. But I believe, that all we have to do is what God has called us to do. We only need to do the “thing” that He has placed before us, regardless of whether it’s “little” or “big.” Today, my job has been to give extra love to two of my kids who are sick. It’s certainly not worthy of accolades, but today, that is the job the Lord has given me. And because it is assigned by Him, I trust that it is kingdom work.

Friend, someone is watching how you live your life. Your spouse who wants nothing to do with church, sees your faithfulness. Your neighbor sees your kindness and your faithfulness to your friends and family. Your integrity in the workplace does not go unnoticed. Friend, your faithfulness in “little” things can impact generations to come.

Dear God, we thank You for the awesome opportunity to witness to others by simply living our lives. However, we realize the magnitude of this task, and we cannot do it alone. Lord, please help us to be faithful in the big things and in the seemingly little details so that we may impact others and glorify You through the lives that we live. Amen. 

Amazed by His grace,

Traci