It's An Ideal Life - Brethren

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. I've often wondered why there's so much division in the church. The fact there are so many problems has caused me to say to myself (and many close friends), "It's a miracle that God uses us for anything." I'm sure all of you know what I mean when I say there are many times church members are some of the most unlovely people we know. It always saddens me when I hear about the abuse people have suffered as a result of things members have said (or not said) and done to them. I'm sure God didn't intend for church to be this way. He intended for us to be an extension of His love to the world. Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if we all got along?

Psalm 133:1,2 (NKJ)
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments,

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NKJ)
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Think of the joy and knowledge that's available to us if we could get this right. This verse said it will abound. Imagine the joy we could experience when we come together to worship and serve our Lord. Do you think there would be an empty seat in your church if we could love people the way Christ loves us? The "world' would be knocking down the doors if they knew they would be unconditionally loved and have their needs met by the church.

Jesus is the answer. He can change our hearts so the Holy Spirit can change our lives. Trust Him today.

Blessings,
Bill

It's An Ideal Life - Worthy

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. As I continued to ponder a life of total contentment. I was drawn to consider what life would be like if we truly lived out God's will for our lives. I'm sure I'm not the first to do this. My guess is, many of you have traveled down this path as well. After all, it's quite appealing to allow our minds to visit a place that can ideally be called "heaven on earth". I know, it sounds like a cliché, but if everyone is living out what the Bible tells us to do, don't you think our relationship with God and with others would be like heaven? Read this verse and take just a moment to picture what this would be like:

Colossians 10:10-12 (NKJ)
That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

Some of you may've walked fully pleasing to God and know how this feels. I have had times in my life where I felt so close to God, it was like He was walking every step with me. I can recall the feeling of love and peace in my life, and I long for that feeling everyday. When we're in that place, God does strengthen us. We have power ('His glorious power') and joy that is not of our own making. We feel like we can do anything, but the great thing is that the things we want to do are the things God wants us to do. Can you imagine that? And what do you think your response would be? Yep, you couldn't help but give thanks to the Father and be grateful that He is willing to share with you the inheritance of the saints in light.

Praise be to Jesus; whose sacrifice makes this possible! Trust Him today.

Blessings,
Bill

It's An Ideal Life - Contentment

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. I pray you are in good health and growing in your relationship with the Lord. Many of are aware that last week the Powerball Lottery was up to a record $340 million. As you can imagine, many people stood in long lines for an opportunity to win such an enormous amount of money. I will admit that the lure was too much for me as well, but it caused me to think about some things. I wondered what it would be like to be completely content. I'm not talking about a, "Sure, I'm satisfied with my life" kind of contentment. I'm talking about a "I desire nothing but God's blessings in my life" kind of contentment. Can you imagine what that would be like? Think of what Paul said:

Philippians 4:11-12 (NASB)
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Wouldn't be great to have this type of faith? Paul lived his life (after the road to Damascus) learning to trust God for everything in his life. He shares this text with us so we can learn to be content. They say the chance of winning Powerball is 1:146,000,000. I think we would all agree that's not very good odds. Trusting God and living the way He recommends means we win 100% of the time. Trust Him today.

Blessings,
Bill