There is nothing certain in life other than death and taxes, which means that every single thing we do requires some measure of risk.
Living a fulfilled life requires us to throw ourselves of proverbial cliff daily and discover whether we will sink or soar.
When I met my husband I was going through some depression. I seen a very lifted, midnight blue truck drive by me. I decided I wanted to drive it.
I flagged the guy in the truck down. He pulled over and I got out. I firmly told him I wanted to drive his truck.
He laughed, not to be rude, but because I am 4 foot 11 inches tall. When he opens the door the cabin of the truck hit my waist.
Laughing He said , “you do, how are you going to get in?” he got out of the truck handing me the keys. I grabbed the side of the door handle and pulled myself up. He got in the passenger side and we drove off. I drove about 3 blocks and pulled over. That truck was shaking it had so much power under the hood.
I said, “I’m done.” After that he wanted me to go get a drink with him. I told him I would follow him in my car.
He ended up becoming my husband. Through the fights and struggles he has never left my side in 36 years.
It was risky the way I met my husband. So many things could have went wrong. But in the end it was a risk worth taking.
“Identity” is something that is the buzz today. It’s almost impossible to avoid a media discussion about gender identity, sexual identity, or racial identity. So called “identity politics” are increasingly dominating every part of our lives. While this is a popular topic right now, it’s really not a new topic.
The Bible actually speaks to the issues of human identity, and does so quite frequently. In fact, the first thing the Bible says about humanity is that we are made in the image of God. That’s what makes us who we are, that’s our ultimate identity, the starting point of all the others, spouse, parent, child, student, employee etc… It’s the presence of sin that causes us to invert that order, making the socio-temporal identities our ultimate identities.
If you think about it Adam and Eve attempted to elevate themselves as equals to God which was the first identity crisis, one we are still feeling the effects of today.
In humanity today there is nothing more important than answering the question “Who am I?” We are taught and even indoctrinated to believe that all things are meant to serve our attempt to discover and live out our version of our identity. We have become increasingly individualistic. We live in the age of “selfies” and a “you do you” mentality. A person’s identity, or their particular mode of self expression is sacred in our current times. There is nothing more important, our society says, than allowing people to identify themselves hoe they see fit.
There a store in my rural town where an employee identifies as a cat. I never thought I would see such madness in my town. But it’s just not a “my town”problem but a world problem. Maybe it’s a church problem which is not immune to promoting this kind of ideology either. Why talk about sin when people feel much more comfortable being told God wants them to be happy being themselves. The false “health, wealth, prosperity gospel” of the past several decades may be giving way to what we might call false identity gospel. The false gospel that tickles people’s ears to believe that God simply wants you to be content with who you are. As long as you’re being true to yourself and you’re “following your heart” you are following God.
The question is “What is your only comfort in life and death?” My answer is “That I am not my own.” But that’s further from the prevailing mindset of today.
The tragic thing is that countless people today find their identity in the wrong thing. They answer the question above “Who am I?” based on relationships, job performance, self-expression or even their circumstances. In which will always come up short of giving them the satisfaction they are after. It might feel good for a while but it never lasts. The happiness that these identities offer is always fleeting and fading.
The hunt for our identity should be something that is true in every circumstance we are in. If we try to identify ourselves on transient things we find ourselves constantly disoriented, lost, and unfulfilled.
This is an age old problem. Humanity has and will continue to spend everything in pursuit of satisfaction, in pursuit of a name. We will spend everything, and gain nothing. We can search our whole lives for an identity, only to end up anonymous and unknown.
Maybe this is a sad outworking of that first identity crisis that happened back in the Garden of Eden. Thankfully God doesn’t leave I’d with our empty definitions of ourselves or our shattered self-conceptions of ourselves. Maybe there’s hope for us yet. What we see in the Bible is the story of God coming down to humanity in Jesus in order to give us a new identity. Not only a new one, but a better, richer, more satisfying identity than we could ever give ourselves.
Every thing we need for a freeing and fulfilling identity is found in Jesus. Our identity isn’t something we come up with ourselves, but something we are given to by Jesus. When He becomes our identity.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states,
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ (Jesus), he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come,”
There two little words that have a powerful affect in the question “Who am I?” Those two little words are “in Him.” “Who am I in Him?
The answer to the identity question “who am I?” is no body. We are no bodies, but in Christ Jesus we are part of God’s family through the work of adoption when Jesus died and was resurrected for us. We became fully and forever cherished by God the Father. Through Jesus we became children of God.
Our identity is not our shameful past but in our gracious pardon.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ, who don’t want according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” -Romans 8:1
Jesus received the brunt of God’s wrath on the cross so we could know the blessing of His forgiveness.
Many people try to define themselves their accomplishments or their own desires and achievements in life. They present a picture of themselves they want to get through social media in the vain hope people will buy their lie. But, it’s an exhausting fiction to maintain.
We don’t need to achieve perfection, because we have received perfection through Jesus. His sinless life. His righteousness. His unstained merits are given to us and we are received by God for Jesus’s sake.
“For Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” – 2 Corinthians 5:21
This may only scratch the surface of our reach in our identity in Christ Jesus. Hopefully we will be able to taste and see the goodness of God.
God has blessed us in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?
Every action causes a ripple effect. Whether that action was good or bad.
Many years ago I worked for a company that gave its employees a stock with their company. But later,
My action that I made with that stock led to some pretty bad consequences. I sold my stock when I left that job. I didn’t understand how stocks worked back then. The company is a multi billion dollar company today.
My action to sell that 1 stock then could have changed my life forever.
“Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonia, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” -Acts 17:11
I think there are three aspects of the true seekers in God. There is something that followers of Jesus that set us apart from the rest.
If we say we are people of God, or children of God, who know the truth and believe the truth, and live by the truth, then we need to show a uniquely different character, a great compassion, and a deep conviction.
We are called to be the light and the salt of the Earth which is our character, we are to love even our enemies a love that is forgiving and unconditional, and a uncompromising commitment to the truth of God.
We are called to stand out in three areas, and not blend in with the rest of the world, to such an extent that we are undistinguishable.
Character
Our character is who we are, not what we say or do. We can say all the religious words we want and not be a true seeker of God. We can do all the “religious stuff” and yet not be godly.
It is not what is happening on the outside that makes us. It is what is on the inside that matters.
It is more than what you claim you know or believe in. It is more than how you look or sound. The Pharisees in Jesus time were very preoccupied with these.
God is more concerned about what’s on the inside, than the outside.
If we take a jar full of water with its lid, loosely put on and tilt the jar. Water begins to leak out and drips onto the floor. It’s not that the lid was not tightened or the pull of gravity. The water spilled because there was water on the inside. What was on the inside is what comes out.
It is not what goes in that defines you, it is what comes out. our character is who we are.
It’s not just what we say or what we do, although what you say and do does reflect your character but sadly it’s not always true.
Character is who we in our circumstances. It is who we are even when nobody is watching.
God is most concerned about this. Jesus came to transform our lives, not to give us a good life, although it is true that knowing Jesus does bring us blessings. But Jesus did not come for just blessings, he came to get rid of sin and changed us from being sinners to someone who can reflect his righteousness and beauty.
Don’t be too concerned about how others see you, but be concerned about how God sees you.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” -Psalm 19:14
If you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself.
Talent is a gift, personality is a gift, but character is a choice.
Great Compassion
One of the most impactful ways became shared. God‘s heart with others is to live compassionately. You show compassion is a step outside of ourselves and love another in times of weakness.
To live compassionately is to posture, your heart continually toward giving, grace, and love to those who need it the most. Compassion is at the heart of who God is.
“Love your neighbor as yourself” -Leviticus 19:18
Deep Conviction
Having a strong, unwavering belief in God and a commitment to living according to His will rather than based on emotion of feelings.
It’s our foundation for a life of purpose and resilience that is rooted in faith and deep understanding of God‘s character and teachings.
It’s a dedication to living a life that aligns with God‘s principles and values, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.
Deep conviction is grounded in truth and reason, not fleeting feelings or personal desires.
A strong conviction about God can bring a sense of peace and security, knowing that you are following a path that is rooted in truth.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” -Hebrews 11:1
I tend to overthink everything I ruminate on the “what ifs” or worst case scenarios.
Medical experts say that the brain’s amygdala interprets these thoughts as real threats, that trigger a stress response. Which released cortisol and adrenaline , that cause physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweaty palms and reforge the nervousness.
It’s a vicious cycle of overthinking that fuels anxiety which makes you overthink more.
I have to consciously focus on things that I can control, rather than the things I can’t.
Jesus’s resurrection proves His divinity, confirms the victory over death, and offers hope for new life, both in this world and the next.
Jesus’s resurrection highlights the transformative power if this event, impacting believers understanding of forgiveness, salvation, and their relationship with God.
Jesus’s resurrection validates Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the one who paid the price for humanity’s sins.
Jesus’s resurrection demonstrates that death is no longer a finality, and He has conquered the grave, offering hope for eternal life.
Jesus’s resurrection provides a new beginning, a renewed relationship with God, and a guarantee of our resurrection after physical death.
The power of the resurrection enables us to overcome sin and live according to God’s will.
It leads to a growth in holiness, both in character and in the flesh, reflecting God’s image.
Jesus’s resurrection assures that God will judge fairly and that believers serve the living Savior who intercedes for them.
We have a hope for the future: the guarantee that God can raise the dead to eternal life, providing hope for the rapture and the return of Jesus.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s shofar. The dead in Messiah will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever” -1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“We live in a fallen world that often falls on us.”
Would you agree that everyone has troubles and there are seasons of suffering? The thing is that some people do not want to accept that.
In our current, “feel good” culture it is common to encounter people who are disenchanted with the truth of scripture, which inform us that suffering is a part of life here on earth. The Bible tells us the truth even when it is unpopular.
Most people are tired of having bad things happen. And don’t understand why God allows it, or what to do about it. If we can transfer the truths of the Bible into action steps. Learning how to have a biblical view of what i thought was unjust treatment has changed my life completely.
If we look at the Jesus and even the Apostle Paul for example, they both were persecuted and suffered rejection, harsh treatment, slander, and other injustices. They were killed despite being kind, loving, and self sacrificing. Jesus warned us in John 15:18-21 it would be so if we made it our goal to live to please Him. The suffering we endure is not unique to any of us, it’s like one voice in the symphony of creation. The entire world groans under the curse of Adam and Eve for their choices, and all creation is being subjected to the sufferings of this present time (John 15:18) and is suffering anxiousness as we await being set free from slavery from the corruption of this world.
Our trials and sufferings produce something positive in our lives. God said we will have trials and tribulations but He has overcome the world. And we have a future and a hope in knowing this (Romans 8:28-29).
The “River of Life” is a vivid image found in the Bible, symbolizing God’s presence, provision, and the eternal life He offers in which God’s life-giving presence and eternal life, drawing parallels to our physical need for water and spiritual need for God’s grace and sustenance.
The “River of Life” is depicted in both Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Revelation 22:1-2.
In Ezekiel 47:1-12 Ezekiel describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple in Jerusalem. This river grows deeper as it flows, bringing life wherever it goes. It heals the land, makes the Dead Sea fresh, and causes trees to bear fruit continuously. This imagery points to God’s power to restore and sustain His creation and is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of spiritual renewal.
In Revelation 22:1-2 the “River of Life” is depicted in the New Jerusalem, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb -Jesus. It is described as “clear as crystal,” with the Tree of Life growing on its banks, producing fruit each month and leaves for the healing of the nations. This scene represents the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan of eternal life, peace, and restoration in His presence.
The “River of Life” is generally understood as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, God’s grace, or the life-giving nature of Jesus. Jesus Himself speaks of offering “living water” in John 4:10-14 and John 7:38 connecting the concept to faith in Him.
I believe the River of Life can represent the transformative power of God’s grace, which leads to a life filled with abundance and purpose.
Was there any significance to why Jesus’s face covering was folded in the tomb?
John 20:7 tells us,
“And the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrapping but rolled up in a place by itself.”
The cloth was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that head cloth was neatly folded, and was neatly rolled at the head of that stony coffin.
In order to understand the folded cloth, we need to understand a little bit about the Hebrew tradition of that day.
A folded cloth napkin had to do with the master and the servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. If the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, and his mouth, clean his beard, and would wad up the cloth and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. In those days, the wadded-up napkin meant, “I’m done.”
But if the master got up from the table, folded the cloth napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table because the servant knew the folded napkin meant, “I’m not finished yet.” Tjr folded cloth napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”
He (the master, Jesus) is coming back. Hallelujah!
From Pity to Praise 