dead and alive

Romans 6: 11 "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."

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Dead and alive at the same time.  

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This seems like the ultimate contradiction.  But that is the reality for the child of God.  The fact that a person is able to "consider" anything means they are alive and have choice about attitude and commitment.  So it is possible, even essential, that the believer in Christ to commit to the new life he has.  As Paul stated just prior, in verses 7 and 8: 7 "For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."  And earlier yet, in verse 3, Paul teaches how our Baptism, following faith in Christ, is an identification with His death, appearing to disappear from life under the water's surface, only to identify with His resurrection as we break up and free from the depths.  

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We, who have trusted in Christ, no longer fear natural death because we have already died the most important death.  We have died to the rule and reign of sin and we have become new creatures in Christ.  But we still have choice and we still inhabit this mortal body.  And so the teaching of Paul in verses 1 and 2: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"

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Are you dead?  Are you alive?  Or, more importantly, are you both dead and alive!!

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blessings,

Rob Smith

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

Now you are a people

1 Peter 2:10 "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

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Hosea 1:10  "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it shall be said to them, "Children of the living God."

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We belong to layers of 'people groups'.  Starting at our homes we are members of a family, a neighborhood, a community, a country and a world.  We also associate different ways with groups...political, hobby, entertainment, work.

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But don't you find it exciting to consider being a member of the 'people of God'?  Not a club to be joined...not a family to be born into by your own heritage...not a job or career.  But when you are one of the 'people of God' you can connect with others who are also, no matter what family, nation or culture they come from.

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Do you identify with the first statement: "Once you were not a people..." or do you identify with the second statement: "but now you are God's people"?

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There is room for another grain of sand, if you are open to receiving His mercy!  For God's people are His children and He is the living God.

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blessings,

Rob Smith

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

Honor your wives

1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."

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Certainly, my wife is not the weaker vessel in many ways.  She has endured childbirth, worked a career as a nurse in varied and difficult settings and has a heart for service and a love for hard physical work.  But, the greater point here for the husband is to 'show honor'.  Honor, as a verb, per the etymological dictionary is "from Old French onorer, honorer 'respect, esteem, revere; welcome; present' ".  I think these additional action words help add color to the process of honoring our wives.

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How healthy and necessary it is for us, as husbands, who are helped so consistently and constantly by our wives to return our thanks in proper actions and attitudes.  We ought to work to respect our wives as our life partners, who complete us in everything from the formation and raising of children to life decisions for work and family.  We hought to esteem our wives...to express our appreciation for the huge difference they make in the quality of life and its enjoyment.  We should revere our wives because they are God's great gift of love, who faithfully serve ourselves, our families and our communities tirelessly.  We should welcome our wives to our full life...our interests, our needs, our shared decisions, our celebrations, our battles and inner pain.  We should present our wives with joy and great thankfulness to friends, to the world...because our wives truly fulfill our lives.

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And we should give thanks to God for His wonderful design of marriage, where husband and wife grow, learn, and work through life together and prepare to walk directly in His presence one day!

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With thanks to, and for, Shirley!

Rob Smith

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

receiving your own inheritance

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

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Usually we picture an inheritance that someone else will receive when you die.  After all, 'you can't take it with you' when it comes to carrying worldly possessions and property past death's finish line.

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But there is a promised inheritance waiting for each one who has transferred trust from self to the Savior.  That inheritance won't be received by another person when you die.  It is "kept in heaven for you".  There will come a time when all who have received this inheritance will be revealed.  Peter calls this the "last time".

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So, while believers will find their inheritance in heaven....they have something almost equally amazing right now.  They have "living hope".  Hope is the fruit of faith and the assurance that the inheritance will be realized.  And that faith is not based on vapor or wishful-thinking.  It is based in historical fact.  Jesus actually did die and then resurrect from the dead.  Hundreds saw him both before and after death and this is one of the most recorded events in history, both by the four Gospels and secular historians.  

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You have to deny history to continue in unbelief.  But you must bow before the saving purpose of the death to gain the hope of the inheritance!

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blessings,

Rob Smith

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

the grand reunion

Mark 10:14 "But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."

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The mystery of Heaven leaves much to the unknown;

Of clouds and thrones and brilliant light and streets like precious stones.

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We come from where the course of life is measured out in time;

But there the sun no longer reigns and daylight is refined.

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A place where angelic ones and saints from all the ages

live before the mighty God in worship and all praises.

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Among those who are living there, sent up before they cried

are children who did not reach birth

before they sadly died

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But, mystery still, their parents here may be reunified

with these whose lives were sent ahead

if they, themselves have died

to self, repenting of all sin

before Christ crucified.

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To such belong God's Kingdom,

the children He has made.

Those from the womb who never cried 

with those by faith who came. 

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

Going viral

What if God wanted to remind us we're really not in control?

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What if He sought to freeze the world in its tracks...

 to weigh the value of each soul?

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What if He wanted families to finally have time to build their bonds?

What if He wanted to teach selflessness and break divisive trends?

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What if He desired all to see that mankind shares life's gift?

And whether you're American, Italian or French

or Democrat, Republican, Communist or politically adrift...

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We truly are made the same way...built of the same stuff,

And when we're sick it's obvious we need help from above.

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It's not just the economy that meets our greatest need for

governments and politics are all within the hand

Of God, the one true master...The One who has the plan.

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And while we're stopped, and while we pause, together may we bow

to humbly ask Him for His help, and while all heads are down,

May we repent of selfishness...of pride...of hate...of greed

And ask Him for a changed heart...mankind's greatest need.

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For we have this common human bug, that's worse than COVID-19

The sin that lives in every self,

From which you must be freed!

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What if Jesus came for us, no matter where we are

His death, the cure we'd never find in lab or research floor.

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We see our limitations now...how little we control;

Honestly we know the value of each soul.

Before the wheels of industry and life's routines resume

Be sure you've found the remedy in Christ

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And now you are made whole!

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

True health

Colossians 1:9 "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

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"Filled", "Walk", "Bear fruit", "Increase in knowledge of God", "Strengthened with all power", "Endure with joy", "Give thanks to the Father"

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There is so much encouragement in this short passage from Paul's letter to the Colossians.  It almost reads like a spiritual process or flow chart.  Paul is praying specifically for a certain order of experience and blessing.  He prays first that they would be filled with healthy knowledge...the knowledge of God's will for wisdom and understanding.  We need God's directions before we know where and how to proceed.  And this leads to prayers for the walk that works out that understanding and that results in good fruit...actions that only bless others but cause an increase in knowing God through doing His will.  He prays that God's actual strength...His power...would be their energy in times of testing and trial and prove overwhelmingly victorious as evidenced by joy.  And the end result of all this is a church filled with individuals who share thankful hearts as they have come to know the very real hand of God in mind, body and experience.

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Surely these are times when we ought to pray similarly for each other!

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blessings,

Rob Smith

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

Heaven's Hands

Isaiah 48:13 "

My hand laid the foundation of the earth,
    and my right hand spread out the heavens;"

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Hands that formed the earth we walk;

Molded man from dust.

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Hands that give us daily food;

Lead us to His trust.

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Hands that rule in sovereignty,

Just and full of grace;

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Hands that scold in discipline,

long for our embrace.

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Hands defend us from all harm;

As we walk each day.

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Bowing now we call you Lord,

Lead us...Show the way!

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Hands that hold the church so tight,

No one can remove

Any from His hand's control...

Not a single soul.

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Hands that healed with Jesus' touch

Heal us still today,

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Hands will come and take us home

Where we will finally see

The right hand of your glorious throne

and Jesus' majesty.

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

warning and teaching

Colossians 1:28 "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

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We proclaim Christ.  

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That proclamation has two components: warning and teaching.  Unless you have properly responded to the warning, you aren't ready for the teaching.  People don't start in a good place.  They are all separated from God. From Romans 3:23 " for 

All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all. 

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And that separation, which all men start with, leads to eternal death if nothing is done about it.  From Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death".  This is the "default" condition for every person. 

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People need to be warned that their starting position is separation...from birth forward and through life.  And the end result isn't pretty.  The person who remains in this separation at death will not go to Heaven...will not be with the Lord.  Instead, that person will go to Hell and remain in separation from God forever. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might".

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This is the warning!  And it must be weighed by every person.  What is needed is a truly new beginning...Jesus described it as a 'new birth'.

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John 3:3 "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

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Natural birth is not enough to reach Heaven.  One must be born a second time!  I hope you have heeded the warning.  Then you will be ready for the teaching!

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blessings,

Rob Smith

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

glorious head

Oh head that once graced Mary's arms,

Grew in knowledge and in wisdom,

Looked with care upon the lost

Saw their needs and healed them.

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Oh head that spoke the ways of Life,

Beatitudes to free from strife,

and miracles displayed His might;

His passion was our freedom.

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Oh head then crowned with mocking thorns

seemed in defeat when lifted

upon that Cross our victory won,

When He gave up His spirit.

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Oh head now resurrected high,

You still walk near...Your spirit nigh,

Your body now still walks the earth;

You are the head of the true church

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And we will by your head arise,

Now reconciled to glorify...

Through all the days and then beyond,

Our heads will bow before your throne.

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blessings,

Rob Smith

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

Striving side by side

Philippians 1:27 "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents."

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The effects of the coronavirus are widespread in every way...across countries...across industries...across almost all of our personal routines.  In an interesting way we are united by this common threat and it serves all of us for each of us to make the sacrifices we must to ultimately win the battle.

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As the apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippians, it is important for the church to be united and focused also.  The common threat of sin...something like the worst coronavirus ever...faces all of mankind (now just as it did in Paul's time).  And while researchers seek vaccines to wipe out the current virus, the church has the Gospel.  With the coronavirus there is great concern about asymptomatic carriers transmitting the disease.  But with the Gospel the church is called to intentionally carry the cure to others.

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There are some who are resisting state and national guidelines and rules to avoid group gatherings and they may hinder or delay the defeat of the current pandemic.  Similarly, there are those who oppose the Gospel and so we are exhorted by Paul to strive "side by side" to increase our strength by our mutual encouragement.

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We pray for healing for all who have the coronavirus and for elimination of the disease from our lives.  And we, the church, are challenged to bring the Good News of eternal healing and life, obtained by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as we stand together in all times and all conditions.

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blessings,

Rob Smith

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"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."