Escape Plan

My heart is heavy.  There is so much pain in this world, so much violence, so much hopelessness.  It touches every person walking on the face of this planet.  It may be a different situation for different people, but it is always there; pain, violence, hopelessness.  People are hurting.  People are scared.  People are angry.  I see it every time I pick up the newspaper or read the news on my phone app.  I see it when I talk with friends.  I even see it on Facebook.  No one escapes its grasp, no one.  Not in this life anyway.

What we need is an Escape Plan.  We need an Escape Plan that will free us from all of the ugliness of this world and release us into a place full of unending peace, love, and joy; a safe place where everyone lives together in harmony.  When I see and hear of all the violence, I long for that safe place.  I think most people would agree with me on that.

As I was doing my daily Bible reading this morning, God reminded me that there is an Escape Plan.  He has put a marvelous Escape Plan into place for us.  That Escape Plan is two-fold:  an Escape Plan for us here in this world and an Escape Plan for us in the afterlife.

The Escape Plan for this earth does not include a physical removal from the pain and violence but it does include an Escape Plan from the hopelessness.  When we understand God’s Escape Plan for the afterlife, all hopelessness falls away and is replaced by Hope…..Hope for love, peace and joy to fill us on the inside in this life and Hope for love, peace and joy in eternity. 

Galatians 5:16, 22-23 says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.”  The Escape Plan in this life fills us with all the good things in life that God wants to bless us with on the inside.

 

The Escape Plan for eternity guarantees us that we will spend eternity in the presence of our Lord.  I Thessalonians 5:9-10 tell us, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” 

And then in I Thessalonians 5:13-17 God gives us a description of what the Escape Plan will look like; “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.  According to the Lord’s own Word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Revelation 21 & 22 gives us a description of what life will look like for those who accept the Free gift of eternal life and use the Escape Plan; “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men and He will live with them.  They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.  He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new.’  I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.  The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.  The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.  Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”  Revelation 21:1-5, Revelation 21:22-27

The Lamb’s Book of Life is our Escape Plan.  It is the Escape Plan for all who “confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead”.  Romans 10:9 promises us that our name will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and we will be saved from the destruction of this evil world if we make this confession.

“BEHOLD, I AM COMING SOON!”

“So be strong and let your heart be courageous, all you who put

your hope in the Lord!”

Psalm 31:24, Revelation 22:12

Encourage One Another, Inc.

Encouraging You Today To Make Jesus #1 in Your Life

One Day At A Time.....Step by Step

The Christian Walk…..I’ve nailed it...I’ve got it all together…I got this figured out!  Oh, how I wish I could say that for my walk with Christ.  Oh, how I wish that my walk with Christ was as simple as one of those statements.  Oh, how I wish it was just that easy.  Oh how I wish……..

When I look at the big picture of my walk with Christ, it all seems so complicated.  I can barely wrap my brain around it all.  I fail far too many times to live the righteous life that God wants me to live, even though I know His promise in Philippians 4:13 that says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  I don’t know about you, but I don’t like failure.

 

Unfortunately, I have had a lot of failure during my last 38 years of walking with Christ.  I have had a pretty hard head and a pretty hard heart at times, not wanting to hear what God is trying to tell me or show me.  When I look at that big picture of my walk with Christ, I get discouraged thinking about where I have come from and where I am going.

BUT…..God has been showing me lately that I should not look at my past failures in my walk with Christ (“one thing I do:  forgetting what is behind”...Philippians 3:13), but I should look forward (“…straining toward what is ahead...”Philippians 3:13) one step at a time.....

One step at a time, walking with Christ, allowing Him to take the lead and simply following.  To be honest, this has not been easy for me.  I am generally not a follower, I like to dance to the beat of my own drum.  And dance to my own drum I did for many years.  But now…..now I have discovered that the beat of God’s drum is so much better than mine, so much richer, fuller and peaceful.  I have discovered the truth of Psalm 37:23 which says, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.”

Because I have learned to soften my heart to what God wants to teach me in His Word and I have learned to delight myself in the Lord, my steps are firm.  Praise God…..my steps are firm!  Yep, it’s only one step at a time…..but each step is firm. 

Psalm 119:133 says, “Direct my footsteps according to your Word;” 

It is God’s Word that has enabled me to walk one step at a time.  It is His Words that have sunk deep into my soul and given me direction in every situation I find myself in.  Words that I have memorized so that I can stay focused on Him and the direction He wants me to go as “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14

Words such as:  “Trust the Lord with all your heart”, “Keep your eyes on Jesus…..so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”, “All things work together for good to those who love Christ”, “God is our refuge and strength”, “Do not fear for I am with you”, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, “If God is for us who can be against us”, “the Holy Spirit will teach you all things”, “if anyone is in Christ He is a new creation”, “And my God will meet all your needs”, “Be strong and courageous”, “For God so loved the world…”, “They who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength”, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous”, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition”, “Resist the devil and he will flee”, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want”, “The Lord Himself will come down from heaven”, “Forgive one another”, “Set your mind on things above”, “Love is patient, love is kind”, “Put your hope in God, “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness”, “Our citizenship is in heaven”, “Devote yourselves to prayer”, “Do not be anxious about anything”, “I have gone to prepare a place for you”; all work together to enable me to walk out my Christian walk step-by-step, one step at a time.

It is my prayer for you today, that you are not dwelling on the past, but that you are  walking out your Christian walk, step by step…..one step at a time…..allowing God’s Word to guide you, as you “fix your eyes on Jesus…so that you do not grow weary and lose heart.”   (Hebrews 12:2-3)   It is my prayer for you today, that when the past jumps up to bite you, that you “take captive those thoughts” and “fix your eyes on Jesus” so that you can walk step by step…..one step at a time…..with Jesus by your side.

I have found that when I follow Jesus one step at a time, I am “more than a conqueror”…..and “nothing can separate me from His love!”  And then I dwell in the “peace that passes all understanding that keeps my heart and mind in Christ Jesus”.

“…we are more than conquerors

through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,

nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37

Keep walking the walk, Brothers & Sisters.

Keep putting your Hope in God!

He is always there for you!

Encouraging You Today

in your Walk with Christ!

Do You Have The Correct Key For Life?

The Bible is an amazing book…..it contains 66 separate books and was written over a period of about 1,500 years, by over 40 people who were inspired by God to write down His words.  One of the things I love about the bible is that it is a book about Life, written for our spiritual being.  Yes, there are things in the Bible that address our physical bodies like, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 6:19), but the Bible was written to be read with our spiritual eyes.  Since God is a Spirit, it is logical that His Words in the Bible were written for our spiritual being.

When we understand that the Bible was written for our spiritual being and read it with our spiritual being, it is so much easier to understand.  If we read the Bible as if it were written for our physical being, so much of it seems confusing.  Clarity comes when we understand that the Bible is a spiritual book about our Life and when we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what He wants us to learn when we read it.  How wonderful that our loving Heavenly Father cares so much about us that He gave us a spiritual book to guide us through Life so that we can live Life to the fullest. 

In the Bible we see two contrasts on Life.  In Genesis 3 in the Old Testament, we see that, through the enemies influence, Adam and Eve lost their lives in the fall.  When they chose to sin, their perfect spiritual connection with God was lost. Then in the Gospels of the New Testament, we see that Jesus came to bring Life.  John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have Life and have it to the full.”  John 11:25-26 says, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the Life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me, will never die’”. 

That seems strange, we “live, even though they die”…..how can that be?  Our spirits will live on long after our bodies die.  Life…..Jesus came to bring us Life….. Life to the fullest, here on this earth and Life to the fullest, for all eternity in Heaven.  The Bible, a book about Life!  Our spiritual Life that connects us to our Heavenly Father!

Have you ever had trouble making something work correctly?  Maybe it was broken and you tried to fix it or maybe you just couldn’t get it to work correctly, so…..you forced it.  You pushed, pulled, twisted, turned…..and you just couldn’t get it fixed or get it to work.   

Well, I did that this past week.  I was trying to unlock the gate at my house.   I put the key in and tried to twist it.  It wouldn’t budge.  I looked at the key to see if it was the correct one.  It sure looked like the correct one.  I tried the key again, I twisted it left…..I twisted it right…..but it wouldn’t budge.  I was sure it was the correct key!  Why wouldn’t it work?  I took it out and pushed it back in again.  I tried twisting it again, I tried forcing it…..but it wouldn’t budge.   

After several tries, I decided that I had the wrong key.  I decided I needed to look at the other keys to find the correct one.  I decided that without the correct key, I would be unsuccessful at opening the gate.  I decided….. 

Many years ago, I came to understand that the Bible was the key for Life…..the key for living Life to the fullest…..the key that shows us the truth about Life and then sets us free from the bondage of the lies of the enemy.  John 8:32 says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It was then that I decided I wanted to live Life to the fullest!  It was then I decided the Bible would bring me spiritual Life!  It was then I decided….. 

That decision was the BEST decision I would ever make.   I am living Life to the fullest.   Yes, I have struggles in my Life.  Yes, I have sin in my Life that I need to confess.  Yes, I have tragedies in my Life.  But in the midst of all that, I am living Life to the fullest.  I am full of the “PEACE that passes all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7)  I am full of the JOY of the Lord that is my strength”. (Nehemiah 8:10)  I am full of “LOVE for my neighbor”. (Mark 12:31)  I am full…..I am living Life to the fullest because I believe God’s Word when it tells me that God loved me so much He sent His Son to take my sin upon Himself so that I could experience Heaven here on this earth and be guaranteed of living Life in eternity with my Heavenly Father.  I am full…..

The Bible…..a gift from God that is our key to Life…..our key to living Life to the fullest.  It is my prayer for you that you are living life to the fullest.  That you are reading your Bible every chance you get and that through your reading you are experiencing the PEACE, JOY and LOVE that God has for you through a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.  If you are reading His Word regularly and living this full Life…..I Praise God with you!  If you are not, I encourage you to go to the cross.  Go on your knees in repentance, confessing your sin and ask God to bring you to the place that you can live Life to the fullest.   

The Bible…..The Correct Key For Living Life!

Keys are normally not meant to be shared,

but this key is different.

This key is meant to be shared with

the whole world.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:19-20

Encouraging You Today To Share The Key!

Not The End Of The Story!

Nowadays, we hear so much in the news about keeping our bodies physically healthy.   There are so many products on the market that are being sold so that we can maintain our physical health.  We are also told that we need to have a balanced diet as well as a regular exercise program to stay healthy.  While this is all good advice, this is not the end of the story.

I think you would agree with me, that as Christians, we all want and need to be spiritually healthy.  Spiritual health brings a life filled with a deep abiding peace and joy no matter what our circumstances and allows us to live on obedience instead of our emotions.  Being physically healthy but not spiritually healthy will not bring a life that is filled with that deep abiding peace and joy.

But how do we become spiritually healthy?   Spiritual health begins with understanding who God is and who we are as His children.  That understanding can be found in God’s Word, The Bible.  As we read the Bible on a regular basis, we will discover some basic facts that will contribute to making us spiritually healthy if we embrace them and believe them with all our hearts.

Understand not only in your mind but in your heart that:

·         God Loves You!  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”  John 3:16-17

·        Spiritual health begins with repentance.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   I John 1:9

·        Your sins have been forgiven so you do not need to suffer from guilt.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  I John 1:9

·        God is able and willing to meet ALL your needs.  “And my God shall meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

·        You CAN do all things through Christ who gives you strength.  “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13

·        You have no reason to fear death.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:23  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.”  II Timothy 1:7

·        Jesus has gone before you to prepare a place for you in heaven.  “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”  John 14:2

·        With Christ as your Savior, you do no need to suffer from condemnation.  “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Romans 8:1

·        You are God’s child.  “The Spirit Himself testifies that we are God’s children.”  Romans 8:16

·        You have received God’s mark to testify that you belong to Him.  “When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”  Ephesians 1:13

·        You are not on your own, the Holy Spirit will comfort, teach, guide, and give you power to live the Christian life and be a witness for Christ.  “But the comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things….”   John 14:26   “When He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.”  John 16:13   “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

·        God will never leave you nor forsake you.   “Never will I leave you nor forsake you.  Hebrews 13:5

As we come to the end of the story by becoming spiritually healthy through embracing these Biblical truths, we will desire to worship God for who He is and what He has done for us, His children.   And thus we will understand that we are not worshiping God because He needs our worship, but that we are worshiping Him so that we are constantly reminded of who He is and what His divine attributes are.  As we become spiritually healthy, we will worship God because He is worthy of our worship. 

Just as the road to physical health is never ending, so our road to spiritual health is never ending.  Just as we need people in our lives to encourage us along the way to physical health, we need people in our lives to encourage us along the way to spiritual health.  As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to encourage each other along the way, so that we can all be spiritually healthy and live that life of deep abiding peace and joy that God wants for us. 

It is my prayer today that you have been encouraged in your walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  If you would like to share a prayer request or would just like to chat, please feel free to call, text or send me an email. 

God Bless You Today and Every Day

As You Live For Christ!

 

Keep Going for Jesus!

 

 

 

 

What A Nightmare!

I rarely have dreams.  I rarely have nightmares.  I had one last night…..a bad dream…..a nightmare really.  When I woke up, I was afraid…..terrified actually…..then greatly relieved when I realized that the nightmare was not real. 

When I woke up and realized that the nightmare was not real, I remembered an acronym that a friend of mine gave me recently using the word FEAR.  It goes like this:

False

Evidence

Appearing

Real

And that acronym exactly described my nightmare.  What I dreamed seemed so real at the time.  Before I woke up, I remembered thinking that I couldn’t live with what had happened, it was that terrible.  And I was that terrified. 

This is how our enemy attacks us in life.  He makes things appear real when they aren’t.  The evidence is false.  He does this in so many different ways in our life.  He looks at our circumstances and twists them all around so that the truth gets lost in the weeds.  He makes what is false, appear real.  He is the master of lies.

But if we go into our battles with this knowledge, believing what Jesus said in John 8:31 (“If you hold to my teaching, you are truly my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”) and then fight with the weapons that God has given us (truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, faith, The Word and prayer…Ephesians 6:10-18), the outcome with be favorable to us.  We won’t believe the false evidence because we will know the truth.  And when we know the truth, then we will be set free from the lies. 

And then, when we are set free from the lies, we will be set free from the fears so that we can live out Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Set Free from lies & fears…

Set Free from lies & fears…..

Set Free from lies & fears!

Praise God…..we will be SET FREE!

“For God has not given us a spirit of ear, but a spirit of love, power

and a sound mind.”

II Timothy 1:7

And that is exactly what happened to me after my nightmare.  When I came to the conclusion that the nightmare was not real, my anxiousness left, I was able to focus on God and pray.  As I prayed and gave thanks to God for setting me free, from the false evidence that appeared real, I was flooded with a peace that transcended all understanding.

I am Free, I am Free

Praise God!

I am Free indeed!

Do you need to be set free from False Evidence Appearing Real?  If so, I encourage you to memorize and then meditate on John 8:31, II Timothy 1:7 and Philippians 4:6-7. 

Freedom in Christ comes through

reading, believing and meditating

on the Words of God and Christ

found in The Bible.

Encouraging You Today In Christ!