Temporal Versus Eternal

So many things in life are temporary. We move from one residence to another. We change jobs in hopes of bettering our lives. Relationships come and go with changes in life. Our possessions are temporary based upon their usefulness and our priorities. Yet, for all their temporary qualities, these are the things that we pursue in life.

Mark 13:31 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Most things in life are temporary, and we can’t count on them. But we can always trust in the steadfast love of God and in His Word, which will always remain true and powerful. Pursue God’s love and seek to understand His Word above all else.

Fountain of Blessings Never Runs Dry

At our housing complex we have a number of small ponds. All of them have fountains, but many of these fountains do not work any longer. The community has decided not to fix them, so they are now dry.

Psalm 36:7-9 says, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” Imagine an eternal fountain that never stops and never runs dry. This is the fountain of life and blessings that belongs to God and that He shares with His children. This fountain overflows with God’s love, protection, peace, life, light, and His delights with us. It only remains for us to come to the fountain and drink of these blessings and life.

Changed Life

We all know that life is full of changes. We change where we live, who we talk with, what we do, how we react, and many other components of life. The hardest things to change are the inward qualities that we possess. It is hard for an habitual lier to become a person of integrity. It is difficult for the narcissist to begin to serve others first. It is just plain hard to change who we are.

#Romans 8:1-2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” God’s grace completely changes the script of our lives. Once a sinner condemned to death, is now a saint living an abundant life upon salvation. Once living a life in our personal comfort zone, by God’s grace we can now be moved to live a life to praise God and serve others. Once selfish, He will make us generous and hospitable. Surrendering to the grace of God transforms us into the new people that He wants us to be.

Powered Up

I have often tried to start a project around the house only to find out that I didn’t have the right tools and supplies. What is even more frustrating, is to find out that the power tool that I do have is not charged. So, I cannot even begin the project that as I had planned.

II Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Any good thing that we want to do and any positive change in our lives is only made possible through the grace of God. Determination and self-effort only reflect our weaknesses, while God uses these same weaknesses to demonstrate His goodness and power through grace. Though we are weak, God’s power available through His grace, makes us strong so that we can do the good that He desires for us to do.

Lord Will Be With Me

My mind tries to convince me that I can do what I used to be able to do. However, my body balks at such talk, knowing the realities of my current strengths and weaknesses. God loves to override our weaknesses with power directly from Him. It is in our weaknesses that we can find faith to follow God, even through difficulties.

In Joshua 14:11-12 Caleb declares, “I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.” Caleb was 85 years old when he said these words. Though old, he was asking to be given the hill country, which were possessed by giant people, and fortified cities. He would have to fight these people in these conditions to possess this land. But he believed God was going to give him the land. God did. Just because something appears to be difficult doesn’t mean that God doesn’t want you to do it. Believe Him and win the battle.