Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 91

Monday Minute in the Word – Life’s Purpose

Why do many people who are successful by worldly standards still struggle to find fulfillment and contentment? This dilemma is as old as humanity itself.

Why am I here?

Israel’s King Solomon faced a similar struggle. Solomon pursued happiness and fulfillment in life through human means such as education and material things. And by human standards he was wildly successful. In fact, the whole world knew of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth.

But Solomon failed to find meaning in all his earthly pursuits (Ecclesiastes 1:2). After a lifetime of collecting people, wealth, power, and experiences Solomon discovered that man’s sole purpose is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). He could have saved himself a lot of trouble if he had turned to God’s Word for the answer.

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16, NIV

Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.’”

Isaiah 43:17, NLT

“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:27, NLT

Your life has meaning and purpose.

You were made by God and for God. He created you for His glory. God wants you to reach out to Him. Your purpose in life is to fulfill the role for which you were created – to glorify and worship the Creator in a relationship with Him.

Does your life feel meaningless?  Have you entered into a saving relationship with God?

If you know Jesus, does your life bring Him glory every day?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

Famous Last Words – Judas

Names earn reputations. In deciding on a name for a baby, our feelings about a person affect our feelings about that particular name. We will reject or consider a name based on whether or not we liked that person.

For instance, would you ever name a child “Judas?” His name is synonymous with betrayal. We even refer to a traitor as a “Judas.” Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, agreed to give Jesus over to the Jewish leaders for 30 pieces of silver, the same price set by Jewish law for a slave accidentally gored to death by an ox.

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:1-5, NIV

Remorse or Repentance

When morning came and the results of his actions came to light, Judas was “seized with remorse.” The Greek word in Matthew 27:3 translated as “remorse’ in the NIV, is not the same Greek word Jesus uses in Matthew 4:17 when He began to preach: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Jesus called for a change of heart that would result in a change of behavior. Judas simply felt regret. He did not go to God for forgiveness, he went to the Jewish leaders to make restitution. But unable to relieve his guilt, he ended his life instead.

Guilt or Forgiveness

Judas knew he had sinned. He knew he had betrayed an innocent man. Without God’s forgiveness, the guilt consumed him. If he had gone to God he could have found relief.

Is there a burden of sin you need to take to God today? You don’t have to live with guilt and remorse. Repent and turn to the One who offers forgiveness.Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

Monday Minute in the Word – “Are You the One?”

I really needed a new purse. The unsightly frayed strap and broken zipper proved it. So, I headed to Steinmart. I love Steinmart. Two hours and a “few” dollars later I emerged. I brought home shoes, jeans, and a couple of tops, but no purse. I went shopping to replace my broken purse. I failed my task because I was distracted. I lost my focus.

Trials can cause doubt

Sometimes our earthly circumstances distract us. The temporary trials and difficulties of life cause us to lose our focus on Christ. Even John the Baptist struggled with this:

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Matthew 11:2-6, NIV

John had baptized Jesus and heralded His arrival. He had committed his life to obeying God no matter the cost. His obedience got him thrown in prison. Faced with severe suffering, he needed reassurance. The circumstances were not what he had expected. Did he get it wrong?

Allow Jesus to strengthen your faith

Jesus reminded John of the truth.

I am the One who’ve been waiting for. The miracles prove it. Stand firm through these trials and you will be blessed.

Perhaps your circumstances raise questions in your mind. Does God care? Is He watching? Is He still there?

Bring your questions to Jesus. Go back to what you know to be true. Search God’s Word for His promises. He loves you. He knows your pain. He will strengthen you in the midst of your trials.

What questions do you have for Jesus today?

What truths in God’s Word do you need to be reminded of?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

Famous Last Words – Criminal on the Cross

My husband really enjoys this Cajun restaurant not far from our home. The first time I went with him I didn’t like what I ordered, but I thought it must have been just that dish. Since Wayne likes the place, I decided I should give it another try. In fact, I tried it a third time for good measure. Three strikes and that restaurant is out for me.

How could two people – who usually agree on most things – form such a different opinion from the same basic experience? I don’t understand it, but I really don’t understand how the two criminals that were crucified on either side of Jesus witnessed the same Savior and made such drastically different decisions.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:39-43, NIV

The two criminals both saw Jesus’ response to the crowd, the soldiers, and the Jewish leaders. They both had heard of His miracles and teaching. Yet in their dying moments, one rejected Him and one recognized Him as King. With his last words, the repentant sinner accepted Jesus as his Savior. Then he opened his eyes in paradise.

Don’t wait until your last breath to give you life to Jesus. Do you know Him as Lord and Savior?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

Famous Last Words – Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego

Following God is no guarantee that all our problems will turn out like we want them to. Sometimes circumstances remain difficult. Occasionally situations continue to be painful. And sometimes we even die without understanding all of God's purposes in this life. But we can still trust in God's character and faithfulness no matter how things appear to us.

Trust in dire circumstances

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated this kind of trust in God with what could have been their dying words. In the sixth century B.C., these three young Israelite men had been captured in Jerusalem and carried off with many others to serve in the royal palace in Babylon.

After years of humble service, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were forced to make a life and death decision: Either bow down and worship the idol set up by the king or be thrown into the fiery furnace. After their first refusal, King Nebuchadnezzar – whom they had served loyally – gave them one more chance.

"If you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:15b-18, NIV

Faith, no matter the outcome

The steadfast faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrate trust in God and obedience to Him no matter the appearance of their circumstances. Whether things are good, hard, or absolutely desperate, we can lean on God and trust in His love for us. We can resolutely stand firm in our faith in God even when we don't know what the outcome of our circumstances will be.

God choose to physically rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three young men were thrown into the furnace but were miraculously not burned. In fact, they did not even smell like smoke when they were brought out. However, God does not always choose to deliver His people in this life. Sometimes He chooses instead to sustain us until He brings us into His presence.

Right now I face some circumstances that look bleak. God has spoken to me today in the "dying" words of these faith heroes. I consciously choose to continue to worship my God even if things do not turn out the way I hope.

Do you face a situation today that seems bleak, dire, and hopeless?

Will you choose to cling to God no matter how He chooses for it to turn out?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

Monday Minute in the Word – Of First Importance, 1 Cor 15:1-8

Imagine that someone sitting next to you in a restaurant began choking on her dinner. What would you do first? What would be the most important course of action?

Tell her she should take smaller bites and chew her food more thoroughly.
Show her how to perform a Heimlich maneuver on herself.
Try to find someone else in the restaurant to help her.
Immediately perform the Heimlich and save her life.

I think most of us would agree that the last option is the best. (Of course if we have no clue how to perform the Heimlich, then the third option could also save her life.)

When you encounter people who are spiritually dying what do you do first? What is the most important thing to tell them?

One of my favorite Scripture passages is 1 Corinthians 15. In the first 8 verses, the apostle Paul succinctly shares the heart of our faith – the Gospel – and tells us why this news is "of first importance."

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, NIV

The Greek word translated as "of first importance" in verse 5 means "chief, principal, first in rank or quality." There is no news, no information, no message more important than the glorious truth that Jesus died for our sins and then conquered death to give us eternal hope. Yet, we often hesitate to share this message.

What do you tend to tell others first about your faith in Christ?

How much importance do you put on sharing the Gospel message with others?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]