What Is Your Will In Christ?

"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."  1 Thessalonians 4-18 (NKJV) These are my own thoughts regarding my own experience and belief regarding the passing of someone that I love very deeply. I use the current tense because I believe that our God created us to be...

"For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 14:11-12 (NKJV) The Apostle Paul spoke truthfully and for those of us who believe God, there's no question that we'll stand before Him to answer for the lives that we've lived here. For those who don't believe and scoff at the idea that they'll be called to account before the God who created everything - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their inheritance will be the terror of fools who have chosen their own lot of horror for eternity. We can contend for them while they live momentarily, but when their flesh passes, so will their opportunity to change course. Repentance and acceptance of Christ now is their only hope. For those of us who claim to follow Christ and believe God, the rubber of reality hits the road of truth when we begin to force ourselves to consider factually...

"Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light."   Psalm 36:5-9 (NKJV) It seems inconceivable to some worldly minds that a person can find real peace and contentment in the middle of such craziness in the world around us, but the distinction that they may not yet recognize is that the craziness in the world belongs to man and man's perspective alone ... and the peace and contentment to be found ... flow from the God who created him.  "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my...

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13 (NKJ) It's not my goal here to be offensive, but instead productively provocative toward faithful, believing, conduct worthy of my brothers and sisters in Christ- toward a more perfect reflection of Christ in us as we're in submission and obedience to Him.  I have a certain concern for at least part of a generation that has been taught that by saying a few words they are now saved. If you've studied the scriptures for yourself, my hope for you is that you realize that there's more required than a simple verbal confession. True belief comes first or the confession is hollow and our continued belief ...

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:3-8 (NKJV) If we know and remember the truth as God has established and laid it out for us ...

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."   1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV) It seems as though there are greater numbers of people going through life unsettled these days. Humanity has a habit of placing increasing demands and pressures on itself and I don't think that's what God had in mind for any of us. I believe that God intends and expects that He will be and is our primary focus. Still, there's so much to do and so much we have to do just to get by from one day to the next according to society and the l...