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Post by Cindy on Jun 17, 2015 12:01:59 GMT -5
This is a subject that is often avoided in our society. Most people don't like to discuss it in any way. For the unsaved especially death is very frightening. Even those who are saved are often still afraid of death or at least afraid of the dying part of it. In fact I'd say that's the most common thing I hear, is that people aren't so much afraid of death as they are of the possible pain that comes with dying. So let's do a bible study on this and see what God has to say about it. I haven't done a study on this before, so I'll be learning right along with you.
The first passage I always think of when thinking about death or dying is this:
(Hebrews 2:14–18) ”Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Let's look at this passage closely. First it says that it is the devil who held the power of death. Jesus didn't destroy Satan though. The word translated destroy here actually means "to annul the power they have" or "render powerless". So what Jesus did was to remove any power Satan had to hurt those who are born again. The following verses are also saying that Satan has no more power over us as far as death goes:
(Psalm 8:2) ”From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
(2 Timothy 1:10) ”but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
We have to remember that death isn't "natural" for us.
(Romans 5:12) ”Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—
Death began when Adam sinned because the wages of sin is death, and has passed to all of us since then. So Satan was the author of sin and he also carries out the sentence of sin on those who have sinned making us his lawful captives. On the opposite side we have the Lord who is the author of our faith, and who has rescued us from Satan's power over us.
(Romans 14:8–9) ”If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
The passage from Hebrews shows that Christ's death not only paid for our sins, but by making that payment, He also removed all the power Satan had acquired over us. It also shows us (and Satan too) that those who are born again belong to Him and to Him alone. Satan is now like a stage magician that has been shown to be fake. He still tries to fool people into believing he can do his tricks...that he still has power over us, but he can't touch us with a ten foot pole!
One other thing I'd like to mention is that when it says in Hebrews that He has freed us who were held in slavery all our lives by the fear of death, the word "slavery" means just what that word pictures. It's a bondage. In fact the word translated that way actually means "subject to bondage; not merely liable to it but enthralled in it!"
Satan uses people's fear of death and/or dying to enslave them to his will. When people are living in bondage or slavery, they're not living the way they want to, but rather the way they think they have to because of their fear.
The Lord seems to be saying then that once we are born again that we have no reason at all to fear. He says that Jesus came as a man, experienced all he did right down to and including death itself, specifically to free us from that bondage as well as to pay for our sins. We no longer belong to Satan, we belong to God; body, mind, heart, spirit and soul!
(Romans 8:15–16) ”For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
(Galatians 5:1) ”It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Maybe it would help to think of it this way, although this isn't nearly as powerful as what God actually did for us. Think of a child who is being abused by their parents. You go and get that child, remove the child from the parents home, and you take the child to your home. You adopt the child and give the child your name. You assure the child that they no longer have to fear being hurt because you love them and you will never hurt them. The child isn't going to instantly believe you because they've only experienced abuse, they've never experienced real love. It will take time for them to learn to love and trust you, but as they do, they will eventually realize that they no longer have to fear being abused. This is similar to what the Lord has done for us. The problem is that instead of outgrowing our fear as we grow in our love and knowledge of Him, we continue to hang on to it. For many it's because they don't spend time with the Lord in His Word every day.
What is it about death or dying that causes you fear? Have you ever discussed this with the Lord? Why do you think we continue to hang on to that fear? (if we have) What do you think is the "root" cause of your fear? Actually it might be helpful too to discuss just exactly what we think dying entails. Doing that might give us some insight into what's really going on in our minds concerning this...
Of course always feel free to ask questions about anything I've written too. And if you'd like more scripture references for anything I'll be happy to give you more if you ask.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 17, 2015 12:14:27 GMT -5
I used to be afraid of death or more accurately the dying part of it. I'm really not afraid of it any longer though as I've had a number of conversations with the Lord about it over the years.
First I should share that I've worked in health care all my life, generally taking care of the elderly and disabled. Because of that I've been with many many people when they died and that along with other experiences gained from my job has also helped me in my journey to overcome the fear of dying. My first experience as an adult with death though was when my mom died of cancer when she was 47 and I was 20. I was with her when she died too, and this is what would eventually begin my quest.
The first thing the Lord showed me was that verse from Hebrews I shared yesterday. The next thing He showed me was this:
(1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) ”Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
First let me say that when Paul talks about "those who fall asleep" he's speaking about those who died. I haven't checked the history on this saying, but find it interesting that even back then apparently people didn't like speaking about death. Have you noticed how we come up with all kinds of phrases to use in place of saying someone died? Well that's what Paul is doing too. Instead of just coming straight out and saying that he doesn't want us ignorant about those who have died, he uses the phrase "fell asleep". The fact that people have done this all through history shows me how deeply afraid we are of death. We do practically anything we can to avoid talking about it and if we are forced to, then we'll use phrases designed to make it seem "nicer" or more acceptable somehow.
This is important for us to realize simply because it shows that Satan has used this fear over humans for a very long time and that he has done all he can to both instill this fear in every human and cause it to grow in us. He wants us to be afraid of death, it's his power over us. Let me clarify that though. Death isn't his power over us, but fear IS his power over us, in this case it's the fear of death or dying that's Satan's power over us. So Satan doesn't want us to get over this fear. Instead he wants to implant it so deep within us that we can't possibly get rid of it. He is the one that doesn't want us to think about it or discuss it. He is the one who made it a socially taboo subject. He's done all he can to keep us in the dark concerning this. Thankfully we are God's children and have His light so we can see into all these dark corners and find the truth that will set us free!
Most of us are very familiar with these verses since they're about the rapture. What Paul was trying to get across though was that people who have died are not dead as we think of them. They may not be here on earth with us anymore and their bodies may be in a grave somewhere, but they themselves are alive and with the Lord even now. They don't have their immortal bodies yet, but that doesn't mean that they're "body-less" or floating around on clouds in heaven. I'm sure they're quite busy and quite happy too. What Paul is saying is that at the time of the rapture, everyone who has died in Christ will be given their immortal bodies even before those of us who are alive at the time of the rapture. True, it will only be a nano-second before us, but still he's saying this to let folks know that those who have died in Christ aren't going to miss out on anything. They're going to get to join in the fun too! To me this could be seen like there's going to be a huge party and people are worried that those who have died are going to miss out on the party, even though they figure they'll see them after the party. Paul is saying this isn't true. He's saying that those who are dead will get to go to the party too, so they won't miss out on anything. He's saying too that we'll all be together again in our immortal bodies and will never be separated again.
The people Paul was writing to, already knew that the dead were with Christ, they just weren't sure how or when the dead would get their new bodies. Let me share a couple of other scriptures that assure us of that though. The first verse that probably comes to mind is where Jesus tells the thief that he will be with Him in paradise that very day:
(Luke 23:43) ”Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Philippians 1:23–24) ”I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
(2 Corinthians 5:1–3) ”Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
(2 Corinthians 5:8) ”We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
(1 Thessalonians 5:9–10) ”For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
So those who die are not "sleeping" in any way. They're quite awake, aware and active in Heaven with Jesus immediately upon death. (obviously I'm talking about those who are saved) There is no waiting period or waiting room. There is no such thing as "purgatory". They don't have to take a number. Their mansion has been prepared for them in advance and they are expected and greeted with much joy. The only thing they have to continue to wait for is their glorified immortal body which they will receive at the same time we do, at the rapture.
Now, for those who die and go to hell, there is also no waiting period. They too will live forever, but their place of residence won't be with us, it will be in hell. They too aren't sleeping, they're awake and aware although I'm sure they wish they weren't. They won't receive a perfect body like we will and there will be no interaction between those of us in heaven and those in hell. The only thing they're waiting for is their official judgment day at the Great white Throne where their verdict will be pronounced. There is no happy reunion, no party, not rejoicing. There is no joy. What a drastic difference between those who have died in Christ and them!
We who have been saved will be joyfully welcomed into heaven:
(2 Peter 1:10–11) ”Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Over the years I've come to view death for believers as being almost identical to the birth of a baby here. I've been blessed to give birth to 5 living children and to be present at the birth of my grandchildren as well. From our perspective, we can't wait until that baby is born. We want to hold them, cuddle them and take care of them and just show them our love. Our hearts are filled with love and joy to the point of bursting when that baby is born.
Yet, have you ever stopped to think what it might be like for the baby? Certainly the baby doesn't have the words to express what they're feeling during this time, but they usually manage to do so anyway once they're actually born. They cry! Here they've been enclosed in a nice warm, comforting, comfortable place for a very long time and all of a sudden it's like an earthquake has hit them! They're comfortable place is pushing them out and it's hurting them! They don't want to leave it, they like it where they are, and they have no idea what's "out there". It's a scary and even painful time for them. Then it's all over and they cry, but find relief and comfort in hands that are gentle and a warm body and blankets and the warmth of the love that surrounds them. And so their journey in this new life begins.
For me, that's what death is like. The major difference is that we now have words to express our fear and minds that can think about it before hand even and feed those fears that have been planted in us and make them grow. Also, we have fears of the "unknown" and there's nothing more "unknown" to us then what happens at death. (in good part because we often don't talk to the Lord about it and study His Word to find out what we can from Him)
When we begin the actual process of death, it's very much like when the mother's body begins to go into labor. Like the baby, we generally don't like it and don't want to leave where we are. We like it here! Plus, we're scared of what's coming next. (thankfully babies don't have to deal with that at least!) It's just amazing to me how many things we can think of to be scared of about this process. Is there pain? Well just as in the birth of a baby, sometimes there is and sometimes there isn't. Sometimes there's more and sometimes there's less. How long will it last? Same as with the birth of a baby...some are born almost immediately while for others the mother is in labor a long time.
While we may not be able to tell how much it's going to hurt, or how long it's going to take, we can be absolutely positive about one thing. When our bodies die to this world, we are being born into our real lives; lives that will last for all of eternity with our Lord Jesus. The way I said that is important too. We won't really "die", only our body will, not what makes us ourselves. We can be absolutely sure that He will be there to greet us, to welcome us to our real home and that we will be surrounded with love. We can be sure that there will be great joy and excitement at our homecoming too! The other thing that's really nice about this is that since we're not "babies" anymore, when we go Home, we'll be able to participate in the joyful celebration of our homecoming! We may not be sure of exactly who all is going to be there to welcome us, but we can be sure that Jesus will be there along with many others we love and many others who already love us that we don't yet know. (again, just like a baby is loved before they're born even though they don't "know" us all yet either)
For me, I've learned to look at death with great anticipation and excitement. Almost like you feel as a child on Christmas Eve. Oh there might be a little pain in the process, but that's no big deal. We know for a fact that God won't give us more then we can handle and we also know that He will be with us and that any pain will be very temporary--just as the pain or discomfort for the baby is temporary. Which brings us to another difference between us and a baby being born. When a baby is born, they feel that pain and discomfort and while it goes away after birth, they've just been born into a life where they will experience much more pain and discomfort all their lives. Pain is a part of being alive on this earth. But when we die, or as I prefer to see it, when we're born into Heaven, we are being born into an eternal life where there won't be so much as a hint of discomfort for us ever again! I don't know about you, but if it take a little pain to get there, I'm ready!
I know pain is a big deal though for many so if you'd like to discuss that more we can. For those of us who live with pain daily though, I can say that we're already aware of what any pain may feel like. We've been there already and since we have, there's really nothing more to fear about that since we already know what it's like. it's not fun by any means, but we make it through even our worst days knowing there'll be many more of them to come. It's going to be a lot easier when we're dying because we'll know that instead of having many more days and years of it too look forward to, that this is the last time we'll have that pain!
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Post by Cindy on Jun 17, 2015 13:09:06 GMT -5
Some people have a fear of not breathing when they die. That's especially true for people with breathing disorders like asthma or sleep apnea etc. Again though, let's consider a baby when it's being born. In the womb, that baby isn't breathing. A baby doesn't take it's first breath until they're born, so breathing is unnatural for that baby. While we're thrilled when they take that first breath, they're probably wondering what in the world is going on! They don't however get scared of it and stop and not want to do it anymore. Instead, their body naturally takes over and they continue breathing constantly.
Interestingly we all generally think we stop breathing when we die, because our body obviously does. However, that's not actually true of us. If we did before the rapture we're given an intermediary body instantly. (so instantly that we won't know anytime has passed at all, just like when we get our permanent body because that too will happen in a fraction of a second.) We can look at Jesus and what He did when He was resurrected to see what our bodies will be like then. Jesus ate and drank and He obviously was breathing when He was resurrected, just as everyone else who He raised from the dead did. He was breathing when He was standing before them talking to them when He was raised into the air and disappeared from their sight. When we die, while it's true that our body here on this earth will stop breathing, we won't be aware of it. We will take one last breath here on this earth, and our next breath will be taken in Heaven, at Home with the Lord. So you see, we will never actually stop breathing, at least as far as we'll be concerned. It will only appear that way to those left behind who are viewing our old sin wrecked body.
For someone who has to struggle to breathe here due to lung disease or some other problem, I believe the Bible shows us that when they take their last breath with this body, the only thing that means is that it's the last time they'll ever have to struggle to breathe. For us who are saved, "death" should hold no fear for us, but only anticipation. Anticipation of having a body that doesn't hurt anymore, of being with our Lord and all who've gone before us. Yes, we'll be going somewhere we've never been before, but we already know only good awaits us there! In fact, we know that it's going to be so awesome that it's beyond what anyone can even imagine!
Let's talk about another part of death that we hate to think about. What about when someone is murdered, or dies in some horrible way? Again, what we're thinking about is what's happened to that person before they died, not when they died. So it's the manner of death that bothers us more with this. Why do these things happen? Has God let us or them down? No, God never lets us down, but people do, especially those who aren't saved, but even other believers do because none of us are perfect yet. On top of that we live in a world that's full of sin and evil - it's broken. That's why Jesus came; to save us from that sin and brokenness. Bad things happen to good godly people, as well as to evil people, that's just part of life here in this world. This in itself is a huge subject and I can't cover it here, but I can say that God is not the author of evil and He doesn't cause evil to happen to us or anyone else. God loves us and wants what's is best for us, but we tend to fight Him or even outright rebel against Him at times.
Back to when a person dies because of something horrible like that, the best thing I can think of to compare it to in the bible would be when one of the prophets or apostles was martyred. To me at least, some of the ways they were killed was pretty horrible, like being put in a huge pot of boiling oil or nailed to a cross or given to lions etc. So I think it's a good comparison. What do we know about this? What's been passed down to us through time is that God gave each of them the grace they needed at the time to face their death (because they knew what was going to happen to them) without fear. We also know that from the way they conducted themselves and the expressions on their faces, and their body language in general when they were actually being put through the torture, that they didn't seem to feel any of it. Instead, often their expressions and even the words of those who spoke, seemed to indicate that their consciousness was already in heaven even though their physical body wasn't. Does this always happen? I have no idea, but my guess, based on what I know of God's Word, would be that for those who truly trust God with their lives and are willing to give them up for Him, that it most likely does. My guess would be that this would also be true for children who die in such ways, as our God is a loving and merciful God who gives us grace upon grace. (James 4:6)
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Post by Cindy on Jun 18, 2015 11:34:28 GMT -5
I also would like to look at what the root cause of the fear of death or dying is. The root of all of that is trust in God. Do we or do we not trust God? It's very easy for us to say, "of course I trust God!" But what about when some kind of tragedy hits you or a family member? Are you still trusting God? Do you still believe that He's in control and He knows what He's doing, or do you feel betrayed or a little confused? Most feel at least confused if not outright betrayed at times like that, and it shows that we don't know God well enough and therefore don't understand or trust Him as we should. This goes hand in hand with understanding His sovereignty, which is his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15–23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11). So basically I think the root cause of the fear is two things: a lack of trust in the Lord (often because of) and a lack of understanding the sovereignty of God.
There's something else that's important to know about this fear. Fear can be a sin. Fear is natural and normal when it happens to us because of a legitimate reason--such as if someone is holding a gun on you. Now that's a legitimate reason to be fearful. You feel "fear" because your body is dumping adrenaline into your system giving you that "flight or fight" response that could save your life. Sitting here worrying about what you'd do if something like that happened and feeling fearful about it, is not legitimate and is a sin. This is also where trust comes in.
Fear IS a sin when it's not a bodily reaction to an immediate threat. In fact, ultimately we're told that we shouldn't even have that initial reaction if we truly trust God. The Lord says we are not to fear, we are to trust in Him and rely on Him instead.
(Psalm 46:1–3) ”God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
(Romans 8:15) ”For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
(Psalm 91:1–5) ”He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
(Psalm 112:7–8) ”He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
What these verses and many more like them are saying is that when we totally and completely trust the Lord and understand His sovereignty, then we will not fear. Nothing will be able to shake us up enough to cause us to fear because we will know that the Lord is in control, He's watching over us and absolutely nothing can happen to us without His say so.
Having that kind of faith, that kind of trust in the Lord should be everyone's goal. When we think of the great hero's in God's Word, like Abraham, David, Noah, Stephen, Paul, Moses, Daniel, etc. they all had this kind of faith and trust. They all understood the sovereignty of God.
As I said there are many passages and even whole chapters that show us this. One of my favorites is the story about Daniel's 3 friends. Remember when the king told them that if they didn't worship the statue of him that they would be thrown into the furnace? Listen to how they replied to him. (this is my goal--to have a faith so strong that I too could sincerely say this and mean it)
(Daniel 3:16–18) ”Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Notice that they said that they knew that God was greater then any man including the king and that He could save them. They didn't boast that God "would" save them from it, only that He could if He chose to. They knew that no matter what happened to them physically that God was in control, not the king. If it was God's will for them to survive, that was great, but if it wasn't, that was OK too. They would still worship and love Him and Him only regardless of which way the Lord chose to handle this situation. That's what understanding the fact that God is sovereign will do for us.
Of course we know that the Lord saved them and they came to no harm at all. This is something really neat though that I found in the Lord's Word about it. First look at what the King says about God saving them:
(Daniel 3:28) ”Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!
Now look at what Paul says in Romans which explains how Daniel's friends were able to do what they did:
(Romans 12:1–2) ”I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
They were able to have that kind of faith and trust in God, and understand that He is sovereign because they did not allow themselves to be conformed to the world (of Babylon then) but instead regularly renewed their minds with God's Word so that they were able to prove what His will was. (The Bible teaches us that our minds can only be renewed with His Word and that we need to have them renewed daily)
Isn't that neat? But over and over God's Word tells us we're to fear nothing except He Himself.
(Psalm 146:3) ”Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.
(Isaiah 2:22) ”Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and is really all we need to be concerned with.
(Psalm 111:10) ”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Remember how Jesus put it?
(Luke 12:4–7) ”“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
First Jesus tells us we shouldn't even be afraid of someone that can kill us. Then He adds that the only one we should worry about is God Himself who has the power to send us to Hell. Finally He then links this with His sovereignty by reminding us that God is very aware of what's happening to us at all times and it is God that is in control of it all.
So knowing all this, I'm not entirely sure that any kind of fear for any reason is acceptable to the Lord (except for fear of Him) because any fear shows a lack of trust in Him. Obviously some people like Stephen and Daniel and his friends and others, trusted God so completely that they had no fear at all, so I would have to think that our goal should be to have that kind of faith ourselves.
The way to overcome fear of death (or anything else for that matter) is to learn "the fear of the Lord" which involves learning to trust Him and understand His Sovereignty. We'll get more into that as we go along. But I can tell you right away that you don't really need me to learn these things. All you need is a Bible and the willingness to talk to the Lord about it and study these subjects with Him daily. If I were to choose the 3 most important subjects to study, it would be the fear of the Lord, trusting Him, and His sovereignty which are all linked together anyway. Honestly though, when you study His Word in general even, if you do it daily and cover the entire bible eventually you'll get it all anyway.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 18, 2015 11:45:43 GMT -5
If we were to pick just one person to study to learn how to deal with trials, fear, even the good possibility of death and dying, it would be Paul. He is a perfect example of someone who was willing to pick up his cross daily and follow Jesus. In fact Paul tells us no less then 3 times to follow his example. We know from the rules of scripture that the more often something is mentioned, the more important it is, so this is something that the Lord (not Paul) wants us to do. (by the way, if you normally just skim the scriptures and only really read what I write, you'd honestly be much better off doing it the opposite way. My words don't have any power, but God's Words do! Please, never skim over the scriptures you see. Read them!)
(1 Corinthians 11:1) ”Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
(1 Corinthians 4:16) ”Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
(Philippians 3:17) ”Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
Let me share what one of my books says about Paul so that everyone will know that he was intimately acquainted with trials and frequently expecting to die.
Enduring every species of hardship, encountering every extreme danger (2 Cor 11:23–27). Assaulted by the populace, punished by magistrates (Acts 16:19–24; Acts 21:27). Scourged, beaten, stoned, left for dead (Acts 14:19–20). Expecting wherever he went a renewal of the same treatment and the same dangers (Acts 20:23). Driven from one city, he preached in the next (Acts 13:50–51; Acts 14:5–7, Acts 14:19–21). Spent his whole time in missionary work, sacrificing to it his pleasures, his ease, his safety (Acts 20:24; Rom. 1:14–15; Phil 1:20; Phil 3:8). Persisted in this course to old age, unaltered by the experience of perverseness (Acts 28:17); ingratitude (Gal 1:6; Gal 4:14–20); prejudice (2 Cor 12:15); and desertion (2 Tim 4:10, 2 Tim 4:16). Unsubdued by anxiety, want, labor, or persecution, unwearied by long confinement, undismayed by the prospect of death (Acts 21:13; 2 Cor 12:10; Phil 2:17; Phil 4:18; 2 Tim 4:17). MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (c1995.). The Power of Suffering
Paul has always been fascinating to me and I've always felt like I could relate to many of the things he went through and felt. The more I've studied him and the books he authored in the NT, the more I've learned and the closer to both Paul and the Lord I've felt.
In this next passage I want to post, Paul purposely doesn't try to hide, cover up or gloss over the problems he's been through recently. Instead, he actually highlights them and points them out. He does that not so the folks will feel sorry for him, but instead so they (we) will understand that we too can go through similar things in our lives with the very same confidence, peace and strength that he did.
(2 Corinthians 1:8–11) ”We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
When we study Paul we find he never gets down about his trials, he never complains, he never despairs, He never whines, he's never afraid! My question too was "how does he do it????" "Is he superhuman or something???" No, he's not superhuman, he's saved, just like we are! The difference between us and Paul is that Paul lived his faith 100% of the time. He knew he had to trust God or he might as well just lay down and die as his life was worthless. We know that before Paul was saved, he was already a very strong believer in the one True God. He knew the OT scriptures well, in fact he had the entire OT scriptures memorized, probably before he was even a teenager. He sat under one of the greatest Jewish teachers (rabbis) of the time. So he knew God's Word very well.
Knowing God's Word is the probably the first prerequisite for us to overcome fear of death and dying, of living victoriously the way Paul did. But remember, Paul didn't live victoriously until after he was saved, so what changed? It was his new relationship with God and his new ability to understand God and His Word once he was saved that made that difference! Paul himself explains what happened:
(2 Corinthians 3:14–18) ”But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
So before he was saved, he knew the scriptures, but there was a veil over them so he couldn't really understand them or God. Once he was saved however, the Holy Spirit indwelt him and gave him the understanding he so desperately needed. Not only that but with the Holy Spirit doing his job in Paul, Paul knew that he was being transformed daily to be more and more like Jesus.
Everything that happened to Paul happens to us too at salvation. The big difference is that we don't grab hold of it and run with it like Paul did. Like Paul, I too knew the scriptures before I was saved but they didn't do me any good at all other then to convict me of sin. It wasn't until after I was saved that the Lord removed the veil and I was able to begin to understand them. For those who didn't know the scriptures before salvation, the only difference is that they begin to understand as soon as they start to read instead of having to wait. (at least they do if they're relying on God to give them understanding instead of trying to do it in their own intellectual powers)
I realize this is getting long and I've really only covered some of the reasons we're going to be looking at Paul to help us understand God's sovereignty and how to have that kind of faith and trust in God that we need. Just so you'll know though that Paul really did understand about death and dying let me share some of his personal thoughts about it with you. Obviously Paul knew about all kinds of trials, and they did include many close brushes with death including the one I already posted above...but this way we can get an idea of what his attitude was about it.
(Philippians 1:19–26) ”for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
In this next passage, Paul wasn't necessarily dying but I wanted to include it so you'd get a picture how exactly how Paul handled it when he was in dire circumstances:
(Acts 16:22–34) ”The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
Now here are Paul and Silas after being severely beaten; they have their arms and legs stretched far apart locked in stocks in a dirty, dingy, jail cell. What were they doing? Moaning in pain? Crying to God to save them? Afraid of infection and certain death from that from their wounds? Afraid of what was going to happen the next day? Terrified of the earthquake? I hardly think that any of us would fault them if they were doing all those things! But they weren't! They weren't praying to God to save them, nor were they crying, or even fearful of anything at all! Instead they were rejoicing! The words that are translated, "singing hymns" is literally "singing praises"! Here's what one commentary says about it:
literally, “praying, were singing praises”; that is, while engaged in pouring out their hearts in prayer, had broken forth into singing, and were hymning loud their joy. As the word here employed is that used to denote the Paschal hymn sung by our Lord and His disciples after their last Passover (Mt 26:30), and which we know to have consisted of Ps 113:1–118:29, which was chanted at that festival, it is probable that it was portions of the Psalms, so rich in such matter, which our joyous sufferers chanted forth; nor could any be more seasonable and inspiring to them than those very six Psalms, which every devout Jew would no doubt know by heart. “He giveth songs in the night” (Job 35:10). Though their bodies were still bleeding and tortured in the stocks, their spirits, under “the expulsive power of a new affection,” rose above suffering, and made the prison wails resound with their song.
A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments
more to come
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Post by Cindy on Jun 18, 2015 12:16:42 GMT -5
Ok, let's continue looking at how Paul dealt with the idea that he could die any time. My hope is that when you read all the books Paul wrote in the NT, that you'll be noticing these things about him as well from now on! I know I do!
Paul showed confidence in 4 things that helped him live without fear of death or dying. Let's look at what those were, because we can use these same 4 things to help us in our lives. That's why God included them in His Word.
First he had confidence in God's Word. Obviously to have confidence in it, he also had to know it, so really for us, we need to break this one down into two parts.
A. We have to first know God's Word. The only way we can do that is by studying it. The more we read and study it, the better we'll know it. There is simply no shortcut or any other way. Now, for those people who live in an area where they do not have bibles, God deals with them slightly differently as we discussed in the study of the Bema Judgment and other study threads. I only mention it here because often, in order to get out of reading and studying their bibles, people will ask, "well what about them?". God has blessed us abundantly by giving us easy access to His Word, so it is truly a slap in His face when we ignore it.
B. Second, once we "know" His Word, we need to have confidence in it. To have confidence in it, we must be able to trust that God will keep His Word and do what He says.
(Philippians 1:19) ”for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Paul is actually quoting Job when he says that: (Job 13:16) ”Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him!
The word translated "know" in both verses actually means "to know with certainty"
One thing I've noticed too is that many of us take God's promises to us out of context and then we whine and say, "well, He didn't deliver like He said He would!" In order to receive God's promises though, we must first know what they're saying and we must obey the prerequisites for them. For almost every single one the prerequisite is that we are living in His Will and being obedient to Him.
(Psalm 34:17–19) ”The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;
(Psalm 37:39–40) ”The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
(Psalm 97:10–11) ”Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
Are you seeing the prerequisites? Now this doesn't mean we must be totally perfect in any way! No! That's impossible! What it does mean is that in order to claim God's promises for ourselves we must be living in His Will and not our own. We're all familiar with obvious example of people who don't receive God's blessing, such as someone who is living in sin, perhaps as an active homosexual, or perhaps living with someone without the benefit of marriage etc. Yet they "claim" God's promises and then have the gall to get upset when God doesn't seem to answer their prayers! In fact, I know someone that is doing just exactly that. Yet this is exactly what we do too when we sin and ask God to bless it! For example, when we know that God has shown us in His Word how to deal with something we have a problem with, and instead of doing the work and doing things His Way, we pray and ask Him to "deliver us from the problem." He already has delivered us! It's in His Word! The problem is that we don't want to have to actually do something to help ourselves. We'd much rather take a pill or have some miraculous healing or deliverance from our problem or trial. That's not how the Lord works though. (Oh sure He does sometimes give us miracles, but I guess I should have said that's not the "usual" way He works.) The Lord's purpose is to grow us up to be like Jesus. We won't grow up if we have things handed to us on a silver platter. Just as we wouldn't do our children's homework for them, so the Lord's not going to do ours for us either. He will help us, He will guide, and teach us, but we have to do the actual work.
I want to add though that many times when we're living in sin and praying for something, (or when we know someone else who's doing so) we also often think that God has answered our prayers because we get what we've prayed for. God explains this by telling us that He gives things both to the good and the evil. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45) However, that's not something we can count on. God is a loving and merciful God, but if we want to be assured of His blessings then we need to be obedient to Him. Too often today the false teachers are spouting easy believism and forgetting all about what Jesus and His Word say constantly about obedience. We aren't obedient to obtain salvation, we're obedient because we are already saved and are working out the salvation God has already given us. “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12–13)
So, back to "confidence in His Word". We have to study it to know it. We have to realize that being a disciple of Jesus is a full time job and not something we can do in our spare time. The great thing about studying His Word with His help and guidance is that the more we do it, the closer we get to Him too. We build our relationship with God through studying His Word and talking to Him about it. Just as with a human friend, we learn to trust God and be confident of what He says, the better and more we know Him and His Word. So the bottom line here is that to have confidence in God and in His Word, we must study, study, study!!! There simply are no shortcuts, at least none that work, so the best thing to do is to determine right now to obey God and start getting into His Word with Him every single day starting now!
The more we study the more we'll understand God and that includes understanding His sovereignty too. The effect of studying God's Word with His help is that it causes us to grow up spiritually, we become mature in our faith. The more mature we become, the more fruit of the spirit and the fruit of righteousness will be seen in our lives. This is God's goal for us once we're saved and we'd do well to work with Him in it! Do you remember what the fruit of the spirit and the fruit of righteousness is?
Tomorrow we'll look at some of the other things that gave Paul confidence.
Let me also share from a couple of my commentaries about this before I end. I'll also leave you with some other passages to reflect on afterward.
In the Old Testament, the words “confidence” and “assurance” are different forms of the same Hebrew word. Isaiah adds the concept of “quietness”: “In quietness and confidence” which can also be translated as "trust"(in quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30:15) we find our strength. Isaiah also tells us that “quietness and assurance” are the effect of righteousness (“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (Isaiah 32:17). In the New Testament, the Greek words translated “assurance” (Col. 2:2), “persuaded” (Rom. 8:38), and “convinced” (Rom. 14:5) convey the same idea as similar words in the Old Testament. Assurance is not based on optimism about your own abilities. Rather it is an inward peace based on God’s righteous work in you. Such confidence is not self-confidence, for that would be false security and reliance on something unreliable (Prov. 14:16). “This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24) Scripture states that those who have confidence in their own strength (Is. 30:12), beauty (Ezek. 16:15), or righteousness (Ezek. 33:12) are to be considered fools (Prov. 28:26). True confidence—rooted in the Lord’s capabilities and His relationship with His children—is a quiet strength that brings “great reward” “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35–36) , a lasting security that is fully satisfying. See also Ps 115:8–11; Ps 118:8; Jer. 17:5, 7; Col. 4:12; 1 Thess 1:5; Heb 6:11; Heb 10:22; notes on Access to God (Rom. 10); Boldness (Prov. 28); Fruit of the Spirit (Rom. 5) Woman's study Bible
Believers must go on to maturity, and God has made it possible for us to do so. If we start to drift from the Word (Heb. 2:1–4), then we will also start to doubt the Word (Heb. 3:7–4:13). Before long, we will get dull toward the Word (Heb. 5:11–6:20) and become lazy believers. The Bible exposition commentary (Heb 6:13).
”We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, (Hebrews 6:11–13)
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” (Colossians 4:12)
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Post by Cindy on Jun 19, 2015 12:47:59 GMT -5
Secondly Paul had confidence in prayer and in the prayers of the Saints. He frequently asked others to pray for him and of course prayed constantly himself. Knowing the scriptures well, he knew that God hears all prayer, and that God especially pays attention to the prayers of someone who is living righteously.
(James 5:16)....The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Why are the prayers of the righteous so much more powerful? Because those people who are called "righteous" are the ones that are living in God's Will. They're the ones that are not just reading His Word, but they're applying it to their lives and doing their very best to live in such a manner that will please the Lord. So while others may pray out of "duty" just as they may read their bibles (or not) out of duty, those God calls righteous, pray continually and read their bibles because they are always hungering to know God even better. It is the prayers of these people that God honors above all others.
Third, Paul had confidence in the provision of the Holy Spirit. Let me share 2 versions of the following verse:
(Philippians 1:19, NKJV) ”For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
(Philippians 1:19, NIV) ”for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
The word that's translated "supply" in the KJV and NKJV and "help" in the NIV and "provision" in the NAS, actually means, "bountiful supply-liberal or provided abundantly" or "full resources". So this is saying that God will literally give you all the resources or help you could possibly need. He isn't going to hold anything back, but will spend them freely to help us.
Since everyone that's born again has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, this is true for all of us. All we have to do is ask! However, we must ask in God's Will. Notice that Paul only asked God to save him from a particular trial once and that time God said "No". (Well he asked 3 times about that one trial) It was when he asked this that he learned to accept his circumstances. Let's look at what happened. Prior to this passage, Paul had just revealed some astounding revelations and visions that God had given him:
(2 Corinthians 12:7–10) ”To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Here God reveals something amazing to Paul and to us. He tells us that it's when we can't do something, when we can't possibly handle something ourselves etc. that He is glorified in us because it is then that even to others it's obvious that it is God working in us that is getting us through the trial and not we ourselves.
Paul's reply to that is one we should all have. He tells God that if when he is weak, or in trouble that's when God works best through us, then he will no longer feel upset when he has troubles, instead he will rejoice that God will make him strong and be glorified! After learning this himself, Paul tells us:
(Philippians 4:11–13) ”I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Paul wasn't saying how great he was that he'd learned this, but rather how great God was that God had taught him to rely on Him all the time in all circumstances. He had learned that God would supply all his needs with His bountiful, never ending supply, so he had no need to worry about anything.
(2 Corinthians 9:8) ”And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
(1 Timothy 6:6) ”But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Paul had learned that God was really His provision for everything. This is often really hard for us to learn in our day, at least it was for me. We're used to relying on ourselves and that's what the world teaches us to do. We don't want "handouts" or "charity" etc. and we will earn whatever we get on our own. There's certainly nothing wrong with wanting to earn your own way and carry your weight, in fact even Paul said that was a good thing. The problem begins though when we think that we really are doing it "on our own". I don't care what job you have, you have it because God gave it to you. Your employer has money to pay you because God gave it to him. You get raises, demotions, whatever, etc ultimately because of God, not because of your "boss". But today we usually don't make that connection, especially if what happened to us is something we consider "bad". We tend to view all this separately from God. Here are some verses to reflect on about this. All of this also concerns the sovereignty of God.
(John 19:11) ”Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
(John 3:27) ”To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
(Romans 9:16) ”It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
(Job 2:10) ”.... Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
(Job 1:20–22) ”At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
(Lamentations 3:38 ”Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?
Paul was content/happy no matter what his circumstances were. We've already seen him singing for joy in dark, dirty jail cell which really shows that his outward circumstances didn't control how he felt. He knew that God would provide for Him and was perfectly happy and willing to accept that God knew better then he did as to whether he should live or die, have money or be poor, be a prisoner, or go free, etc. He knew that no matter what his circumstances his job was to honor God with every word, every thought and every action he made. Just like Daniel's three friends that we spoke of before, what God chose to do with him or for him wasn't as important to him as making sure that he did his part. He knew that God would do His part and that regardless of what he thought about his circumstances, regardless of whether or not he understood what the Lord was doing or why, that God would work all things together for his good. We can know that too, but this is already too long so we'll talk more about it tomorrow.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 19, 2015 12:52:35 GMT -5
Fourth, Paul had confidence in the promises of Christ. Look at what he himself says about this:
2 Corinthians 3:4–6 ”Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Here, Paul is saying that his confidence doesn't come from the world, from himself, from being "intelligent" or having degrees from an University etc, but rather it comes from God because He's doing what God has told him to do. He knows that as long as he's obedient, the Lord will enable him to do what he's been called to do.
In this verse Paul tells us one of the reasons he is so confident that God will do all He has promised:
2 Corinthians 1:20–22 ”For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Being a student of the holy scriptures, Paul knew about the Messiah and all that had been promised by God. He knew all the things that God had done in the past and had said in the past by His prophets. To then learn that the one promise that he and all the Jews had been longing for for centuries had finally been fulfilled was just extraordinary. It's one thing to hear or read that someone has always kept their promises, so you can trust them, but to see for yourself a promise they had been longing for fulfilled in his lifetime was a miraculous confirmation that all he had learned about God was true. God really does keep His promises! Because God sent Jesus, Paul could then be confident that everything else God has ever said, would also be fulfilled.
We too can have that same confidence in God. He has never lied and cannot lie. He has fulfilled every promise ever made up to this time and done so over centuries, not just over a few years. How then can we doubt Him or think that maybe He's tired of fulfilling them and will stop now? As both Jesus and Paul said, we even have His Spirit dwelling within us to guarantee what is to come! Look at what these words actually mean: "a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." These last seven words are a translation of a Greek word meaning a down payment which obligates the payer to make further payments.
This phrase is used in two other places:
2 Corinthians 5:5 ”Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Ephesians 1:13–14 ”And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Because He knew the scriptures then, Paul knew what God had promised. Before his salvation he knew all about God, His laws, righteousness etc. When he met Jesus, he then learned about another side of God that he'd heard of before but hadn't experienced yet, and that was God's love. The veil was removed from Paul's eyes and mind when he was saved and he saw all the scriptures he already knew in a new light and with new understanding. Suddenly, this awe inspiring, powerful, mighty God he worshiped, became personal to him instead of just something no one could ever touch or understand completely. He knew God has promised to never leave or forsake us and Jesus had promised that no one could snatch any of us out of His Hand. Once he became saved, Paul knew that he was loved, that he would never be alone again and no one and nothing could ever separate him from God.
All of these truths and promises are ours as well. Like Paul though we often see them as dusty, dry, unrealistic things that are in a book, instead of things that apply to us personally. I think often children understand it better then adults--I know I did, at least until I grew up and "out grew" my childish reasoning. It wasn't until I was saved that I realized that as a child I'd "gotten it" but had thrown it out thinking it wasn't realistic when I grew up. It was then I understood what He meant by: Matthew 18:3 ”And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Little children don't have "self confidence" that's something children learn. What they have though if they have good loving parents is trust. They trust that their parents will feed them when they're hungry, warm them when they're cold, keep them dry and comfortable, help them, teach them, guide them, and love them. Parents are very much like God in the minds of little ones. Little children are in awe of their parents. They love them yes, but they also fear them. They know they will be disciplined if they misbehave. So little children don't have "self confidence", instead they have "parent confidence".
That's what Paul had and what we need to learn. We need "God confidence".
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Post by Cindy on Jun 19, 2015 13:14:29 GMT -5
I'd like to share yet another way God teaches us through Paul not to fear suffering, dying or death. I put it that way because often when we say we're afraid of dying, it's the "suffering" part that we're actually afraid of. We've already talked about how terribly Paul suffered. He suffered both physical illness, as well as pain; he suffered persecution by his own people, the Jews as well as from false teachers. That persecution took just about every form it can take--from name calling, derogatory remarks about him and his teaching, to being arrested and threatened with death, to being beaten etc. So how did Paul handle all of this, besides the ways which we already talked about? He did exactly what the Lord tells us to do, he took his (and everyone else in the process) focus off himself and his problems and put it directly on God where it belonged. Look how he does that here by contrasting his own weakness with the great power of God: (I want to quote it in context so you'll know what he's talking about)
2 Corinthians 4:5–7, For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
So Paul compares himself to a jar of clay that's filled with "this treasure". What treasure is he talking about? The treasure is that when we're born again the Lord gives us His light, His Holy Spirit, who teaches us and guides us into all truth so that we can understand and have "the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ". In other words, because we're saved and have the Holy Spirit, we can now understand God's Word and understand the gospel of Christ, God's plan of salvation. If you go back further you'll see that Paul explains how unbelievers can't understand the truth.
So to Paul, what he saw as "his treasure", the most important thing in his life, we today pretty much ignore or take for granted.
Next Paul shows us that when we take the focus off ourselves and put it on God a most remarkable thing happens. He shows us how God enables us because of our human weakness. Remember that verse where God tells us that His strength is made perfect in weakness? Well this next passage shows that in action:
2 Corinthians 4:8–12 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Here Paul shows again that He trusted God to always show him a way out of every situation. He didn't fight against suffering, he simply rolled with the punches, knowing God was in control. This shows us that Paul believed that he suffered for a reason and since he knew God's Word and had a close relationship with the Lord, he also knew that God didn't "enjoy" making people suffer, but instead that God would allow it for that persons good, for their spiritual growth, and for the good and spiritual growth of others in the body of Christ.
I just have to share with you something from one of my books about this. When it talks about the 4 paradoxes, it's talking about this verse: 2 Corinthians 4:8–12 We are (1) hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; (2) perplexed, but not in despair; (3) persecuted, but not abandoned; (4) struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Paul’s four paradoxes in the face of suffering give us additional reason to marvel at his testimony. They are also reminders that we do not realize power by avoiding suffering but by enduring it. Paul was completely committed to tenacious perseverance through any difficulty. Certainly he knew the truth and reality of the Prophet Isaiah’s words concerning God’s care for His own: But now, thus says the Lord, your creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isa. 43:1–3). MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (c1995.). The Power of Suffering
The paradox is that while we may be weak, God is strong so while we go through these trials, fears etc (or in this case as Paul does) while what we and the world sees with our physical eyes are all the troubles, trials, crises etc, we also see that while the person going through them may be having a rough time, they aren't crushed, despairing, abandoned or destroyed. Instead they're rejoicing over God's provision, over God's comfort and encouragement, etc. We know we can do that, be joyful even in the midst of trials, because we know the Lord loves us and will take care of us, so all is well with our souls.
An example if I may: During the 20 months that Bruce was unemployed, I was very very aware of God's provision for us and very thankful. At the same time however, the sinful part of me, wanted more, and still whined at times about it. It wasn't until recently when I saw how bad off some other people were that I realized just how well the Lord had provided for us. I've been totally amazed by this since then that He would do this for us. Of course it makes me even more embarrassed about the times I did get down and whine about it, and I certainly hope I've learned that lesson for good. I'm sure that Paul didn't realize just how much his sufferings would help others or how many other people he would help by what he went through. He must be amazed and humbled even now that the Lord used him in this way. But what he did know and trust was that the Lord would bring good from it and that it was something that was worthwhile for him to go through both for his own growth and for the growth of others.
That's the lesson we need to remember. That no matter what we're going through, no matter how bad it looks to us, that it's something we need to go through, otherwise we wouldn't be going through it. And if it's something we need to go through, it's much better for us if we pay attention to the Lord and try and learn what He's trying to teach us and show us.
No one likes to suffer, and I'm sure Paul didn't enjoy it anymore then any of us would. So how in the world did he endure it for so long? First as I said before he endured because he never doubted for a moment that anyone, not himself, not Satan, not the world or circumstances etc were in control other then God. Like Job, he figured if God ordained it, then it must be for a good reason, and who was he to argue with God?
That's one of the biggest differences I find in our culture today and the culture of those who lived in the days of Jesus or the days of the Old testament. As you read the old testament, you see over and over again that people didn't doubt that God was behind what happened to them, regardless of whether what happened was good or bad. Today we're quick to admit that it's God if the thing happening is good, but many would rather cut out their tongues then imply that God could send bad things into our lives. (Or at least what we consider bad things) Let me just point out some examples. When you read them, think about what people today would say if they were in the same position and you'll see what I mean.
Remember the story of Joseph? How his brothers sold him as a slave and he wound up in Egypt? Joseph went from being a wealthy mans beloved son, to being a lowly slave, and from there to being in a prison for a couple of years, so he suffered a great deal and for quite a long time before Pharaoh released him from prison and made him his first hand man.
When his brothers went to Egypt to buy food, Joseph set them up, remember? He had the guards put their money back in their sacks. You can imagine what someone would say when they discovered something like that today! But here's what the brothers said:
Genesis 42:27–28 At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.” Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”
There are examples like that all through the Bible.
When his brothers realized who Joseph was when they went to Egypt to buy food, they were terrified because they assumed that Joseph would want to pay them back for what they did. Here's what Joseph said:
Genesis 50:19–21 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
I think Job describes this belief quite well when he says:
Job 2:10 He replied, ... Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
When David was King, a man began cursing him when he and his men were approaching a town. This was an act of treason and David could have had him killed for it:
“David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”” (2 Samuel 16:11–12)
It simply didn't occur to people then that anyone or anything other then God would be the cause of any problems they might be having. Where today we're very quick to blame another person or the government or the weather, or Satan, back then people knew and understood that it was God who was ultimately in control. I don't have to tell you what others including Christians will say today if you try to tell them that now!  People today have been so infected with ideas about "God is love" that they no longer understand that although He is love, He is also Holy, just, righteous, and most of all, sovereign.
But Paul understood this, so he didn't try to fight it when he suffered. Like I said, he just rolled with the punches, fully expecting that because he was living for God and doing His Will that God would eventually provide a way out each time. And as we know, God always did.
God doesn't change even though people's ideas about Him do. So the God that never let Paul down is not going to let us down either. We can trust Him, just like Paul did and for the same reasons.
Based on what we've learned about Paul so far and how he suffered, what do you think Paul thought were the reasons he was suffering? In other words, if we were to have lived back then and we asked him, "Paul, why is God letting you suffer like this?", what do you think Paul would say?
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Post by Cindy on Jun 25, 2015 10:47:12 GMT -5
Generally when people fear death or dying, it's because they fear the suffering they might have to go through to get the job done so to speak. We've already seen that Paul is a great role model for us as far as how to deal with suffering so let's continue to look at how he handled it. It's one thing to handle a day or week or even a month of suffering, but Paul handled it for many years. Let's look at how and why he was able to have the endurance to handle such severe suffering with joy for so long. Because ultimately if Paul could do it, so can we!
In this passage Paul gives three reasons he can endure suffering:
2 Corinthians 4:16–18, Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Today most people prefer instant gratification and short term results as this is what the world teaches us to look for. God however wants us to look at the long term implications of things and look for long term results. We can see from the above passage that Paul doesn't look at just the short term. Instead he sees things from an eternal perspective or the long term results. Each of Paul's 3 reasons stresses the value of what's lasting over that of what is really fleeting in this life. So whenever we become overwhelmed by the immediacy of any kind of trial of suffering we're going through, including dying, we can instead switch our perspectives to view the eternal results this suffering is creating for us.
Another thing that Paul realized that we often tend to forget is that everything that we go through here in this life, including (If not especially) the suffering we go through has a direct impact on our spiritual lives as well. That impact can be for good or bad depending on how we react to the suffering. God wants the impact to be for our good of course and if we are living for Him, it will be.
The 3 reasons Paul could endure were: 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
1. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Paul could see that. his physical body was quite literally wasting away due to all the beatings, torture, and even the hard use he'd put it through with all his traveling and work, as well as the effects of aging itself. He says that even though he could see that, he also knew that in direct proportion to that, he was being renewed inwardly/spiritually in his "new self" every day too. So the worse his body was, the more pain etc that he had to endure, the more his inward spiritual man was renewed.
This wasn't "blind faith", to him it was a fact and it should be to us as well. Paul knew that God had promised to do this and since God had said it, it therefore must be true. He could of course also see it for himself in the fruit he was producing and in his spiritual growth as well.
That doesn't mean that every time a believer is in physical pain or suffering of any kind that God is going to automatically renew them inwardly. God's promises are for the believers that are actually obeying Him, not those who have been saved and are just living like they always did more or less and waiting till they die to present their ticket to heaven. Those believers are like the man in the parable of the talents who was given a talent but buried it. No the ones God is renewing day by day are those who are like the men who received 2 and 5 talents in that parable. (Matthew 25:15-30)
Since God was of the utmost importance in Paul's life and mind, to him being renewed daily in his new self, his new nature, was much more important then any physical suffering every would be.
It's not easy to do as Paul did and take our eyes off ourselves and what's happening to us, yet that's exactly what the Lord wants us to do:
Colossians 3:1–4, Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
2. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Paul understood from scripture that this life wasn't all there was. Further, he knew that our "real" lives don't even start until this one is over! This is more like basic training for our real lives or our school days if you will. When compared to all eternity which is before us, this life, even if we live to be 100 is nothing but a drop in the bucket. Over and over God tells us in scripture, through Paul and many others that any suffering in this life will achieve blessings 100 fold over what we suffered! (again this is always for those who are living for God not for themselves) Paul says it again here: (and I could post many many scriptures about this--in fact why don't you guys see how many you can find?)
Romans 8:18, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
So you see, it wasn't just that Paul knew he had eternal life, it was that he was looking forward to what he was earning for that life. (so to speak) As the Lord tells us to store up treasure for ourselves in heaven, this is what Paul was doing and what we all do when we are living for Him and are suffering in any way. As our suffering draws us closer to Him, draws us to study His Word more, and we are renewed in our inner man, or our "new self" and we grow in spiritual maturity, this adds treasure to our account in heaven, for we are being obedient to Him. Let me share something here from my book:
All our troubles and sufferings have a causal effect on our future glory. This effect is not meritorious but productive—it produces an eternal weight of glory. The Greek word (barus) translated “weight” more precisely means “heavy.” It’s as if Paul’s sufferings were building up a heavy mass on one side of an old-fashioned scale. The mass represents the eternal weight of glory that is tipping the scale in favor of the future over the present. In essence Paul could tolerate the present pain as long as it had a positive impact on his future glory.
According to Scripture there is always a corresponding relationship between present suffering and future glory. Even Christ, as we shall see in greater detail in the next chapter, is an example of this principle. Philippians 2:8–9 says, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.” The greater the suffering the greater the eternal reward. To the degree that we as believers suffer now, we will rejoice when we arrive in heaven because we will see the reward of our suffering (1 Peter 4:13). And that reward has nothing to do with sheer external bonuses (fancier crowns, larger heavenly dwelling places), but it relates to our increased capacity to praise, serve, rejoice, and glorify God. That was Paul’s lifelong desire, and it should be ours as well. MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (c1995.). The Power of Suffering (86). Victor Books.
3. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Last, Paul knew that everything physical in our lives here is only temporary as we said earlier. The only thing in our current lives on this earth that has any value at all are the things that add treasure to our heavenly accounts. So it is our spiritual lives, our inner man/new self that is important in this life, not our physical self. For example, it doesn't make a bit of difference to our eternal lives if we go to school or go to college but it makes a huge difference if we don't know God's Word. It doesn't matter one bit to our eternal lives if we make $5 a hour or $30 an hour at work, but how we treat others makes a huge difference in our eternal lives. It doesn't matter at all if my grandchildren don't get any Christmas gifts this year, but it matters a great deal that they begin (or continue-- depending on their ages) to know, learn and grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus.
So for Paul and for all who are born again, when we put our focus, out thoughts, on eternal things, on God, then our troubles, suffering and everything else is much easier to bear. So again, Paul's 3rd reason is that he knows that he is running this race here to get a prize that will last throughout eternity, so he keeps his thoughts on that instead of on the suffering here.
I also want to share with you all a key passage that promises that the Lord will give us the endurance we need as we look away from the physical and toward the spiritual. Of course Paul was very aware of this scripture too and I'm sure he often thought of it:
Isaiah 40:28–31, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Can you see how these three reasons helped Paul face suffering with endurance? Do you think they'll help you too? Can you see ways you've used these reasons in your life already?
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Post by Cindy on Jun 25, 2015 10:58:25 GMT -5
Remember how we said earlier that Paul had told us to follow his example? I'm sure I quoted this verse then too but want to point it out again. Paul told us to follow his example because he was following the example of Christ. He was showing us what it looks like to be a Christian:
1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
We've seen that God used Paul in mighty ways and that Paul is a very good example for us to follow especially when it comes to suffering. However, since Paul was following Jesus, then obviously the very best example to follow would be Him, and Peter tells us that here. In the process of telling us that though Peter also shows us so that we can have no doubt at all about it, that there is no truth at all to the word of faith claims that we're all supposed to healthy and wealthy all the time or the claim that when someone is suffering it's because of sin in their lives. While that certainly can be one reason, it's not the only reason or even the main reason. Look at what Peter says:
1 Peter 2:19–22 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
Knowing that Jesus was/is sinless and yet He suffered terribly by His Father's Will, tells us that we too can suffer just as much and be 100% in God's Will. We also know because Paul told us, that the way Paul got through his suffering was by "keeping his eyes on Jesus" So while we can use Paul and Stephen and others as role models and it's good to do so, we need to remember that ultimately the answer is to keep our eyes (our thoughts, our minds) on Jesus Himself.
Jesus is "one of us" so to speak. He's been there, done that. He went though severe persecution and even more severe torture and death itself. He understands. He walked that road to show us the way, as an example to us.
I don't know how many times as a parent, and now as a grandparent, that I've done things in order to show the children how to do it; or how often I've done things to show them that they didn't need to fear something or that something would only hurt for a moment and then be over, that there was an end and at the end a new beginning. This is what Jesus has done for us. He walked the walk to show us how to do things, to show us we didn't need to fear, to show us that it will only hurt for a moment--that there is an end and at the end a wondrous new beginning.
Hebrews 2:14–15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
As a last encouragement today I'd like to leave us with the thought that the Lord doesn't expect us to do this on our own. He's shown us the way, given us examples, and role models to follow, He's given us His Word to strengthen and sustain us and on top of that, He promises to always give us the strength and the endurance we need when we need it. These are some of the promises that God will support us in our trials and troubles. We will have the strength and endurance when we need it.
Isaiah 40:29–31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Romans 15:4–5 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
2 Corinthians 1:3–7 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace,
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 25, 2015 11:15:38 GMT -5
Do pets or animals have a fear of dying?
I've never seen any evidence of that myself and I've had lots of animals and pets both wild and domesticated. I was born and raised on a huge horse ranch in Arizona. I've owned and loved horses of all kinds, pigs, (yep had a pet pig of all things LOL) had a pet monkey, dogs, cats, hamsters, fish large and small; fresh water and salt water, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, a pet snake and even (you won't believe this one lol) a pet worm! (I was only 3  ) I've watched them all die from the time I was very young and had some very unique experiences with some of them. Some died of accidents and unexpectedly, others died of illness, others of old age. All were loved. Not once have I ever seen any indication that the animal was afraid to die. In fact I've seen some appear relieved when the end was near, it was like they knew. I have seen many animals grieve when another they loved died, but that too is natural because they missed their friend.
Animals usually have very strong instincts. It's something the Lord has given them even more then He gave us. Although they too live under the curse of sin, (not that they sin, but their bodies are under the same curse as the rest of the earth) Their instincts tell them as babies what to do to survive, how to get the milk they need etc. Their instincts help keep them alive, especially in the wild. But even the domesticated animals instincts are stronger then average. As I said though I've never seen an animal afraid of dying. I've seen them afraid when they were in danger, but even if they were injured by that danger, once the injury was inflicted and the danger was over, the fear is gone, even if they're dying.
The Bible actually has a lot to say about animals so let me quote some passages here that you can look up if you want to and study later. I'll add some thoughts to some of them too.
Job 12:7–10, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Psalm 50:10–11, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.
The above are simply affirming that the Lord determines when each of us and when each animal dies and of course that He created each as well; and the second lets us know that we all, people and animals alike, belong to Him.
Psalm 147:9, He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
Psalm 145:15–16, The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
I love these because it tells us that the Lord didn't just create the animals and birds and forget them. He loves them and listens to them too, providing for their needs. The following ones reassure us of this as well as telling us that He listens and provides for us as well.
Matthew 6:26, Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 10:29, Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
Luke 12:24, Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!
Remember what I said about instincts? Well it looks like the animals because they pay more attention to their instincts then we "civilized" people do, have kept closer to the Lord.
Isaiah 1:2–3, Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
Jeremiah 8:7, Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord.
In the above verses the Lord is telling us that even the animals and birds know when it's time to return to Him but his people often don't do what their own instincts tell them.
Isaiah 43:20, The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,
He says that even the animals honor Him.
This whole chapter of Job, God shows us just how familiar He is with the animals and how He's always watching over them etc.
Job 39:1–30, “Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? Do you count the months till they bear? Do you know the time they give birth? They crouch down and bring forth their young; their labor pains are ended. Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; they leave and do not return. “Who let the wild donkey go free? Who untied his ropes? I gave him the wasteland as his home, the salt flats as his habitat. He laughs at the commotion in the town; he does not hear a driver’s shout. He ranges the hills for his pasture and searches for any green thing. “Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will he stay by your manger at night? Can you hold him to the furrow with a harness? Will he till the valleys behind you? Will you rely on him for his great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to him? Can you trust him to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor? “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork. She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain, for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider. “Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and lance. In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, ‘Aha!’ He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry. “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and build his nest on high? He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is his stronghold. From there he seeks out his food; his eyes detect it from afar. His young ones feast on blood, and where the slain are, there is he.”
This last one again shows us that the Lord created and continues to create every animal, every creature; that He loves them and takes care of them:
Psalm 104:24–30, How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
And just as a reminder, remember that God made His covenant with both men and the animals:
Genesis 9:12–16, And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
I love this next one because it shows that just as the Lord created the animals and birds in the beginning, so again during the Millennium, He once again returns the animals and birds to the way He intended them to be before Adam sinned:
Isaiah 11:6–9, The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
So while there is no passage that says that animals don't fear when they die, I think these and the many others show us that God is well aware of all His creations and that the animals use the instincts He gave them as I said before. It shows that then animals weren't like some kind of "after-thought" of the Lord. They are important to Him and He loves them. I was going to say that I can't imagine that He would have given them an instinct to fear death and the second that thought came a verse replaced it in my mind lol I have no doubt it's from the Lord:
While because of sin, people are subject to the spirit of fear until we're saved, animals aren't. (I'm not suggesting this next verse applies to animals, it's doesn't because they can't be "saved". I'm only posting it to show that we came under this fear because of sin.
Romans 8:15, For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Animals know instinctively that death isn't a "punishment", so they have no fear of it.
1 John 4:18, There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Those of us who have been saved have no reason to fear death. While the wages of sin is death, our sins have already been judged and paid for. Therefore the only people who have to fear death are those who aren't saved. That's what this passage is talking about too:
Hebrews 2:14–15, Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
For us, death isn't punishment, it's freedom! Freedom and the start of our "real" lives! While nature and the animals are also under the curse of sin, they don't have to deal with the "punishment" of sin as far as going to hell goes so for them there is nothing to fear in death. That reminds me of a cute story I read.
This is very important to me," the woman said ... I want to be buried holding a fork in my right hand."
The pastor gazed at the woman with a loss for words. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman said. The pastor replied, "Well, to be quite honest I am puzzled by the request." The woman explained, "You see, pastor, in all my years attending church socials and potluck dinners, I remember after the main course and the dishes were being cleared somebody will inevitably lean over to me and say .... 'keep your fork' .... that was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like the velvety chocolate cake, or deep dish apple pie. Something wonderful to add substance to end the great meal."
The pastor listened intently as the woman continued, "So, you see Pastor, I just want people to see me there in my casket with a fork in my hand, and I want them to wonder ... 'What's with the fork?' ... then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ~ the BEST is yet to come!"
All any of us need to remember is that the closer our relationship with the Lord is now, the less we will fear. And the way we grow our relationship with the Lord is by being in His Word and prayer.
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Post by Cindy on Jul 1, 2015 12:37:14 GMT -5
Paradise, and Heaven, Hades and Hell etc. whats the difference?
There are 2 ways of looking at it. One way says that Paradise and and Abraham's bosom are just other words for Heaven.
The other way says that Paradise and Abraham's bosom are different from heaven and is where the righteous people went when they died before Jesus' resurrection.
Those who believe that Abraham's bosom is a different place then Heaven believe that all who died before Jesus' resurrection went to Sheol, which is divided into two parts: Hades and Paradise. The good went to paradise and the bad went to Hades. They believe that when Jesus died, he went to Sheol and announced to all there that He was the Messiah and led all the righteous souls from paradise to Heaven with Him.
Hades and Hell are the same thing and is where all the unsaved go when they die. There are 2 beliefs about this too though. One belief says that Hades and Hell are simply another name for the Lake of Fire, and the other belief is that Hades and Hell are where all the unsaved go until judgement day when they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. Scripture seems to verify this when it says that the unsaved dead and Hell/Hades are thrown into the Lake of Fire after they've been judged:
Revelation 20:12–15 —And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. *The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. *Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. *If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. *
Fear of Death
Satan greatly desires to make people afraid of dying. It's one of his biggest, most important lies he's told since the beginning. Know why? I'll tell you at least one reason to start with. If people are afraid of dying, what are they going to think about? They'll think about dying and ways to avoid it of course. And of course they'll link "age" with dying, which is another lie, because age really has nothing to do with death. But because they'll link age with dying, they'll spend a lot of time thinking of ways to avoid "aging" as well. Now if they're spending all their time or at least a lot of time, thinking about ways to avoid aging and death, and ways to at least look younger, what does that do to them? It leaves them practically no time to think about the one thing that really matters: God, and living their life for Him; and it leaves them practically no time to study His Word and find out the truth about death and dying and aging.
I imagine you've probably latched onto what I said about age having nothing to do with death and are wanting to know what in the world I mean  Well, the Bible teaches that God is in control of everything right? Many, many people die before they have time to get "old". We call it a "miracle" when someone escapes death narrowly, because we have been trained to think of death as something that's "bad" and to be avoided. (by the way, in the "old days", many people didn't think that way at all! They knew the truth, but then, they studied their bibles more back then too)
You know of course that God formed you in your mother's womb. What we tend not to think of is that at the very moment He formed us, He also determined when we were going to "die". For some that meant that they would never experience life outside the womb; for others, it meant that they would never grow out of babyhood, and others would never grow up to be a teen and still others would never grow to adulthood; etc. Some would live to be 104, and others would live to be 60. We have no idea when we're going to die, because the Lord doesn't tell us that. All we know is that one day we will. Knowing that, when you look at people that "escaped death" miraculously, you begin to realize that the reason they "escaped" was simply because it wasn't their time to die. I realized this many years ago and because of it, I've never been afraid of things like flying because I knew that even if there was an accident, I wouldn't die unless it was my time to go; and if it was my time to go, I'd die no matter where I was or what I was doing.
Now, take that thought to our bible study. Remember how Jesus was never concerned about the people killing Him, even though they tried to a number of times? Why wasn't He concerned? Because He knew it wasn't His time to die. He wasn't going to die until He was nailed to that cross, so He didn't have to worry about it. Of course, He was God and He knew how He would die and even when, but even He had to live by faith just like we do. Hebrews 2:14–15 —Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— *and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. * Jesus is our example in all things, including death, and He wasn't a bit afraid of dying. He knew what lay on the other side of it, and He wants us to know too.
We often say we're not really afraid of dying, just of the pain it might involve, right? Again, Jesus is our example for that as well, and so are many of the other people in the bible that died. Jesus wasn't afraid of the pain of dying either. You say, but what about when He prayed in the garden before He was nailed to the cross? He was obviously upset then! Yes, He was, but He wasn't upset about physical pain, He was upset because He knew He would be separated from the Father for the first time in eternity, and that's a terrible thing for anyone to have to endure, but even more so for a member of the Trinity to endure! Because He went ahead and went through with it though, we will never experience that separation! That's one big thing He saved us from!
I would think it would be painful to be stoned to death, wouldn't you? It sure doesn't sound like Stephen's in a lot of pain though, and it didn't look like he was in pain either: Acts 7:59–60 —While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” *Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. * "He fell asleep", sounds very peaceful doesn't it? If you hadn't read the above lines, you'd probably think he died a sweet peaceful death without any pain at all wouldn't you? Think of all the martyrs and what they "endured" before death. You know what the worst thing they endured was? If they had any fear beforehand, that fear itself was the worst thing they experienced! The Lord always gives us what we need, when we need it and not a second before hand. The only thing fear does is rob us of our peace and of time that could have been better spent.
When I say the Lord always gives us what we need when we need it, I know we can all think of a number of times when He didn't, so how can that be true? The reason for that could be several things. God's promises are conditional. They say things like, "If you obey me", or "When you keep your thoughts firmly on me", and other things like that. God is merciful and He often will give us what we need even when we don't obey Him or haven't been doing so, but we can't count on that. The person who can count on God honoring His promises in His Word to them, is the person who first of all knows His Word and second, is doing their best with His help to obey Him. For example this one: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31–32)
Because of my job which I actually began working at when I was 16, I've been with a countless number of men and women when they died. Some "old", some not. Some had been sick for a long time, some hadn't. They died in all kinds of places, at all kinds of times and ages. Those who were elderly and Christian, tended to have a great deal of peace when they died. I was surprised by one woman who used to say every day that she couldn't die now because she had a lot of praying to do and she meant it. I thought if anyone would fight to stay alive it would be her, but she didn't. She welcomed it like an old friend. I watched people who had alzheimers or senility that kept them confused so they couldn't remember people and things, and their eyes would suddenly show such clarity it was amazing! It was as though a literal veil had been removed from their minds and they walked into eternity with such joy and peace....makes me cry to think of it! I was very blessed in that most of the people I worked with were truly saved.
Not one of them died alone. Of course, I was there, but I wasn't talking about me. They could have cared less about me at that point. In fact, there was only one out of all that I was with, that paid any attention to me at all when they died. She was really something else too. Most people couldn't handle her and didn't understand her, but I didn't have any problems at all with her. I think it was because she knew I really cared about her. Anyway, one thing she used to do that scared people and made them think she was nuts, was that she saw "angels" and would talk to them. I couldn't see them, but I figured if she did, that was great. The first time I went into her room, she was talking to the angels and I'd gone in to give her her meds. No one could get her to take her meds so of course everyone was betting that I wouldn't be able to either. She was as sharp as a tack though LOL so when I came in, she told one of the "angels" that she bet I was going to try and make her take that nasty medicine. Well, I didn't know if there were really angels there or not, but figured anything was possible, so I turned to where she'd been looking when she talked to them, and calmly explained to the "angels' that she really needed her medicine and that we were getting worried because she hadn't taken it in several days, and then asked them if they'd please talk to her about it and get her to take it for me, as it really was important. Her eyes got so big while I was talking to her angels Afterward, I simply stood there and waited thinking that if there really were angels there, they'd need a couple of minutes to talk to her. I don't think I've ever seen anyone's eyes get as big as hers did. She finally turned to look at me and said, "you think you're pretty smart don't you?" At first I thought she was angry, but then I saw the twinkle in her eyes, and knew I'd won. She said they'd asked her to take the meds and she did! She said she'd only do it for me, but by the time it was time for me to have a day off, I'd convinced her to let others give it to her as well. I never knew for sure if there were really angels there or if it was all in her heard...not till she died anyway. When she was dying, just a few seconds before she was gone, she looked at me and said, "Jesus said I could tell you the angels really are here, and they'll help you anytime you need them too".
Enough going down memory lane for me though lol, the point is that our Lord promised us that He would NEVER leave us. That means He is with us right now; He will be with us when we're dying and the very instant this body is dead, we will see Him! So we can know for absolute sure that we will NOT be alone. Our Lord will be with us, because He never leaves us! I don't know who else will be there, but I know He will!
As far as experiencing pain before we die...so what? Barb, you and I live with severe pain every single day. Do you realize that the pain that we live with is what other people are afraid of experiencing when they die? So what's left for us to be afraid of? That our pain might get worse? Yeah, maybe, but then we've already experienced that fairly regularly too haven't we? Ok, then what could there possibly be to be afraid of? We already know all about pain and we're not afraid of it. We don't like it, but we're not afraid of it. It's just another part of life for us. Because I don't believe for a minute that you wake up each day in the kind of pain that I know you do and lay there being scared to death of the pain and not knowing what to do about it. No, you wake up knowing the pain will be there, and in fact, if it's not or not as bad as usual, you're more likely to react to that fact then to the pain being there as usual, and so am I. And that my dear is probably part of what you and I will experience when we die. We'll probably instantaneously realize that we see Jesus and at that same instant realize that our pain is gone. Talk about a wonderful gift!
You know what else? There is no "transition". Think of it this way. We tend to think it's a "blessing" when people die in their sleep because they don't "feel" any transition. But that's just another falsehood. It's the same for all of us no matter how or when we die. For me and you, one second we'll be in pain as usual, seeing whatever or whoever is around at the time, and the next instant, the pain will be totally gone and we'll also see our Lord Jesus. There won't be so much as an instant in between those times. There is no "transition". You will not know any difference between this body and what you call your spiritual body until after you've been there awhile. You're going to be way to busy just looking at Jesus at first. And the first things you'll notice like I said, are going to be that you're not in pain, you can do anything you want to...run, jump, whatever - without pain, and ...you can see Jesus!!! You can hug Him!!! You can worship Him! You can thank Him!!! And you don't hurt!!!
Do you see then that there's absolutely nothing to fear? That in fact, there's everything to look forward to? Hon, I can't wait till I die! Truly! I look forward to it! And no, I'm not suicidal! To me it's like when I was a little girl and I looked forward to Christmas and couldn't wait for Christmas morning. Those last few days before Christmas came seemed to just crawl by and it seemed like Christmas would never come. Then, all of a sudden, it was here!!!! That's exactly how I feel about dying. I can't wait!!!! That's how Paul felt too, and I can really relate to him that way too. The part I underlined below, is Paul saying just what I just did...that he can't wait to die and wishes that he already was dead.
2 Corinthians 5:6–10 —Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. *We live by faith, not by sight. *We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. *So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. *For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. *
But then, so no one misunderstands and thinks he's suicidal lol, he says, "but, as long as I'm here, I make it my goal to please the Lord, because I know that we all will stand before Jesus to receive our rewards for what we've done since we've been saved, and I don't want to lose any of mine." Actually he says his goal of pleasing the Lord will be the same even when He's finally Home in heaven, which is another reason to want those rewards, because the more rewards we receive the more our Lord will be pleased! No, there's no reason at all to fear and every reason to look forward to our deaths. (I wouldn't advise telling your doctors that you do though as they wouldn't understand )
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Post by Cindy on Jul 2, 2015 11:02:14 GMT -5
We tend to glorify this life and everything about it, when this is nothing more then a dress rehearsal so to speak, for the real thing. This is where we learn and grow and where the wheat gets separated from the chaff, so that the wheat can then be safely brought into the barn. Everything good about this life will be so much better in Heaven that we can't even imagine it and everything bad about this life won't be in heaven at all. Why in the world would anyone want to hang onto this stage of life when they KNOW what is waiting for them in the next stage? Well, obviously, the unsaved would want to since the next stage of their life won't be good at all, but that's their own fault. Those of us who are saved however, shouldn't want to stay here.
You know how when a young child goes to stay with a friend overnight for the first time, they'd get homesick and insist they wanted their Mommy; and their parents would have to go get them? Well, that's how it is for us, or how it should be anyway. That's how it would be too if Satan hadn't fooled us with his lies that the worldview has brainwashed so many of us with. The Lord actually tells us quite a bit about Heaven and what our lives will be like, although He also leaves a lot out because we simply couldn't understand it now. But even if He didn't tell us a single thing about it, and the only thing we knew was that Heaven is where He is, then I'd still feel the same way and I'd long to be there. I long to be with my Lord and frankly, I could care less how I get there, just so long as I do and hopefully sooner then later! I'm Homesick and I want my Daddy! And you know what? Since my Daddy just happens to be God, I know that He isn't going to let anything hurt me during that journey of birth that lasts less then a second, that we call death.
No, I'm not suicidal and yes, I love my life here. I love my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my friends, including those here at FH and my pets and the many blessings the Lord's given me. But if He gave me the choice and said, "Daughter, it's up to you, if you want to come Home now, you can", I'd be there in a heartbeat! (unless He indicated He would prefer to have me stay here for awhile longer -then, I'd be sad, but I'd stay) But what about all the people I love? What about them? They'll be joining me there too one day and I won't have time to miss them while I'm waiting for them. Sorry, there's simply nothing negative or bad about what we call death as long as you're saved.
The more we grow in our faith, the less fear we have of death, until finally, as our relationship with the Lord grows stronger, there is no fear at all, for we know that death means being with Him and that's nothing to fear, that's wonderful!
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Post by Cindy on Jul 2, 2015 11:40:09 GMT -5
What If You're Not Sure If You Are Saved?
There is only one way to know for sure that you are saved and only one way to know for absolute sure that you cannot lose your salvation, and that is through daily studying God's Word with Him. Jesus told us that we cannot live on physical bread alone. We must live on God's Word. It is His Word that strengthens us, calms us, takes away our fears, grows us up to spiritual maturity, etc. But, lest you misunderstand me, it's not His Word alone...we cannot study His Word the way we did our school books...using our knowledge and understanding. We must rely on Him and allow Him to guide us and teach us. That's why I try to never just say, "Study His Word", but always say, "Study His Word WITH HIM". I'm also not talking about spending 5-15 minutes a day, doing a dutiful quick reading of a devotional book or reading 1 or two chapters dutifully a day. I'm talking about sitting down with the Lord and His Word and studying it with Him every day for the rest of your life and making Him and your time with Him, a priority in your life. There's yet another catch to it too. Studying it isn't all we have to do. We also have to apply it to our lives and live it. Without doing that, it's meaningless.
Satan and the world are always going to try and throw doubts at us, but the Lord tells us what to do when that happens. He tells us to take those thoughts captive and replace them with the Truth from His Word, bringing them into obedience. How do we do that? It's really quite easy. As soon as you realize that you're entertaining a doubt, you immediately stop that thought (take it captive) and you replace it with the Truth, by reminding yourself of what God says about that subject. In this case you might replace it by repeating Romans 10:9 to yourself; “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” or you might remind yourself that God gave His Holy Spirit to you as a guarantee of your salvation and since you know you have His Spirit, you know you are saved, etc. Last, but not least, you don't allow yourself to continue dwelling on the doubts. If it persists, then you go to the Lord, tell Him the problem and ask Him to teach you and show you His Truth about it. Then study His Word with Him. Jesus always replied to Satan using God's Word and that's what we should also do. This is how we apply His Word to our lives.
Jesus told us that we could judge people by their fruit, meaning how they live their lives. If someone has been saved, then they have been changed - as God gives us a new nature when we're saved. The new nature wants to live for God and hates sin. The more we grow in our faith the stronger our love for God grows and the stronger our hate for sin grows. It doesn't mean that the saved person won't sin, but it does mean that they won't want to sin and will feel badly about it when they do. They will want to know more about the Lord and will want to be in His Word. Sadly the world, Satan and their flesh will try to stop them, but if they have anyone at all encouraging them, then they'll likely continue to be in His Word and grow. If someone is saved when they were a child and is unable to look back and see a change in their lives, they often wonder about their salvation as they can't pinpoint it. Their character was still being formed when they were saved and changed so they don't see the difference. But really, all they have to do is look at other children who aren't saved now and see how they act as they get older. Then they'll see the difference between how they acted at those ages and see how God changed them. For those of us who think we are saved, if we can look at unsaved neighbors or friends and we don't see a difference between us and them, then I'd be very concerned that I wasn't really saved.
Salvation is about a lot more then saying some "sinners prayer". It's an actual transaction that takes place in the spiritual plane. We can't see it because of that, but that doesn't make it any less true. When we are really saved, we're not just asking for a get out of hell free card and going on our way until the time we need it. Salvation happens when we recognize that we are a sinner and that we will go to Hell for eternity if we do not accept God's gift of salvation. It recognizes that although the gift is free, that it also entails being obedient to our Savior and means giving up our life to Him. He has literally bought and paid for us with His blood. When we accept His gift it means we recognize that we no longer have the right to live for ourselves and our own wants and desires, but that instead we are to live for His wants and desires. The way we determine what His desires are is by studying His Word with Him daily and applying it to our lives.
When you study the bible, you see it's constantly talking about obedience. Obedience to God is not an option for someone who's really saved, it's a necessity. Of course we all still sin and backslide at times, but someone who's really saved is not going to be comfortable staying in a sin. They're going to feel very uncomfortable about it until they repent. Especially if they've learned enough to understand that sin comes between them and the Lord and will cause a rift in their relationship and also cause their prayers to be ineffective until they really repent.
I'm afraid there is no shortcut for spending time daily with the Lord in His Word. It's only through knowing Him better and knowing His Word better that we can be fully assured of our salvation and of His Will and His plan for us.What I can do is give you some scriptures that you can use to start your study with....I'd probably start by reading 2 Peter 1:3–11.
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31–32)
“No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” (1 John 3:6)
“First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” (Acts 26:20)
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4–5)
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:6–11)
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” (James 2:14)
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (James 2:19–22)
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26)
““ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”” (Matthew 15:8–9)
““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:19–20)
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”” (Romans 10:9–11)
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6–7)
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”” (John 10:27–30)
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Post by Cindy on Jul 2, 2015 11:44:31 GMT -5
What are you looking forward to in heaven?
Most of all, being with our Lord and equally, finally seeing Him receive all the glory, honor and praise He's always been due!
Experiencing having my new body and increased mental capacities. Being able to be active again (physically I mean) without pain, without having to take breaks constantly etc. And at the same time, experiencing what it will be like to finally never sin again.
Getting to meet all the wonderful people I've studied about in God's Word for so long and get to talk to them and find out if they're really the way I've imagined that they are and just get to know them as another member of our family.
Finally, really getting to see New Jerusalem and finding out just what surprises the Lord has in store for us that He's told us are so wonderful that they're far beyond our ability to even imagine!
Getting to meet all of you guys and introduce you to my other earthly family members and getting to meet yours and getting to really know each other even better and enjoying each others company.
The Bema judgment and finding out how much glory I've been able to bring to our Lord since I've been saved. (I sure hope it's lots and lots because He sure deserves it!) And getting to see each of you get your rewards and being able to cheer you on as we discover how much glory we've brought to the Lord while we were here.
The wedding banquet!!!!! I can't wait to see what foods will be served! I bet the food is going to taste better then anything we've ever tasted before too! And imagine the dinner conversation between everyone, including our Lord! Imagine the size of the tables and the number of them Wow! Talk about a party!!! There's never been anything anywhere near it here on earth and never will be again. What an amazing time that will be!
Speaking of time, I can't wait to see what it'll be like to not be tied down by time and space anymore. 
OK, I know this one is going to sound really weird, but I can't wait to study God's Word when we're there, maybe even with the Lord Himself and/or the disciples or others who've been featured in it. But even by myself sometimes, as there's just nothing I enjoy more.
Finding out what job the Lord will have for me during the Millennium. I'm really hoping He'll allow me to help teach the children born during the Millennium and the women. But I know whatever job He gives me, it will be just perfect for me and I'll love it.
Getting to worship God together with everyone else there--what an amazing experience that's going to be!
And thinking of singing, I can't wait to be able to actually sing and sound good!
To experience life in a world filled with other true believers and with our Lord, where there's no more sin or temptation, just love and trust....
no more going around a corner only to see someone wearing a t-shirt with something disgusting on it; or searching for a Christian graphic and seeing something blasphemous; or hearing heretical teaching; or hearing about or seeing disasters or tragedies; no more heart aches, pain or sorrow; no more filthy TV shows or movies; never having to hear another lie again; never having to deal with people thinking that we're stupid for believing what we do, or having to deal with them putting us down or persecuting us for what we believe.
To finally have people be able to truly know me, to know my heart and my love for them. For both friends and family to finally know all that was ever in my heart for them during this life.
To never, ever, hear a lie again or gossip, slander, swearing, or foul language.
To see a newspaper full of only good news because that's all there is. It's hard to even imagine life like that, but I like to try and can't wait till the day it's finally true!
To get to see and even eat from the Tree of Life
To get to see and talk to angels, the living creatures, etc.
to have a garden with NO weeds!!! i718.photobucket.com/albums/w...miles/3357.gifI honestly can't wait to see what this world will look like when God recreates it for us. I've often wondered what Eden looked like and how beautiful it must have been. Even now creation is beautiful to me and it's full of decay from sin, so the original must have been amazing. But our new world will be even better then that...it's going to be truly wondrous!
To see the Crystal Sea
To be able to be around, see, touch, play with and love all God's animals, birds and fish, including all the pets I've had during my time here, and all those we consider "wild" animals now and maybe even be able to understand them- not necessarily their "words" when they talk, but more like understanding the meaning behind what they're saying...I can't put what I mean in words though lol
Just being Home, and O so much more!!!
Whenever I'm praying and worshiping the Lord, the tears seem to flow like the Holy Spirit turns on a water faucet. I don't really mind, but when it happened again this morning, I found myself telling the Lord that I really hoped that we wouldn't get stuffed up when it happens in heaven! (no more tears means no more sadness, not that we won't cry tears of joy) He reminded me then that since there won't be any effects of sin in heaven, that that wouldn't be a problem! Of course that made me laugh and it was like I could feel Him laughing in joy too.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 11, 2017 12:08:57 GMT -5
I want to share some excepts from my book, Surprised by Suffering by R.C.Sproul
THE FINAL CALLING
Dare we think of death as a vocation? The author of Ecclesiastes made this declaration:
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a
Likewise the author of Hebrews says:
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27
Notice the language of Scripture. It speaks of death in terms of a “purpose under heaven” and of an “appointment.” Death is a divine appointment. It is part of God’s purpose in our lives. God calls each person to die. He is sovereign over all of life, including the final experience of life.
Usually we limit the idea of vocation to our careers or our jobs. The word vocation, however, comes from the Latin word vocare, meaning “to call.” Used in the Christian sense, vocation refers to a divine calling, a summons that comes from God Himself. He calls people to teach, to preach, to sing, to make cars, and to change diapers. There are as many vocations as there are facets to human life.
We have different vocations with respect to jobs and tasks that God gives us in this life. But we all share in the vocation of death. Every one of us is called to die. That vocation is as much a calling from God as is a “call” to the ministry of Christ. Sometimes the call comes suddenly and without warning. Sometimes it comes with a notification in advance. But it comes to all of us. And it comes from God.
Satan is not sovereign. Satan does not hold the keys of death.
When Jesus appeared in a vision to John on the Isle of Patmos, He identified Himself with these words:
Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Revelation 1:17-18
Jesus holds the keys to death. Satan cannot snatch those keys out of His hand. The grip of Christ is firm. He holds the keys because He owns the keys. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. That authority includes all authority over life and all authority over death. The angel of death is at His beck and call.
......
I will never forget the last words my father spoke to me. We were seated together on the living room sofa. His body had been ravaged by three strokes. One side of his face was distorted by paralysis. His left eye and left lip drooped uncontrollably. He spoke to me with a heavy slur. His words were difficult to understand, but their meaning was crystal clear. He uttered these words: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
....A good fight is a fight fought without hostility, without bitterness, without self-pity.
...When my father died I was not a Christian. Faith was something beyond my experience and beyond my understanding. When he said, “I have kept the faith,” I missed the weight of his words. I shut them out. I had no idea that he was quoting the apostle Paul’s final message to his beloved disciple, Timothy. His eloquent testimony was wasted on me at the time. But not now. Now I understand. Now I want to persevere as he persevered. I want to run the race and finish the course as he did before me. I have no desire to suffer as he suffered. But I want to keep the faith as he kept it.
If my father taught me anything, he taught me how to die. The events I have just described have left an indelible mark upon me. For years after my father died I had the same recurring nightmare. I dreamed the same dream. The dream had a vivid intensity. I would see my father alive again. The beginning of the dream was thrilling. In my slumber the impossible became real. He was alive! But my joy would change quickly to despair as his appearance in my dream was always the same. He was crippled. He was paralyzed. He was hopelessly and helplessly dying. The scene was never of a healthy, vibrant father, but of a father caught in the throes of death.
I would wake up sweating with a sick empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. Only as I studied the Scriptures did I discover that death is not like that. Only when I discovered the content of the Christian faith did the nightmares finally cease.
Passing through the Valley of the Shadow
I met a young lady whose mother had recently died. She had been grieving deeply, assaulted by attacks of despair. She had a morbid preoccupation with her mother’s death. Then, one evening, she had a profound spiritual experience. She was alone, meditating on the words of Scripture. Suddenly she experienced a profound sense of the presence of God. As she prayed, some words thrust themselves forcibly into her mind. They were strong words. Emphatic. The words that were impressed on her brain were these: “Leslie! Death’s not like that!”
The grief was over. Leslie was delivered from her morbid spirit. A flash of understanding rescued her soul. A new view of death was born in her understanding.
When God gives us a vocation to die, He sends us on a mission. We are indeed entered into a race. The course may be frightening. It is an obstacle course with pitfalls in the way. We wonder if we will have the courage to make our way to the finish line. The trail takes us through the valley of the shadow.
The valley of the shadow of death. It is a valley where the sun’s rays often seem to be blotted out. To approach it is to tremble. We would prefer to walk around it, to seek a safe bypass. But men and women of faith can enter that valley without fear. David told us how:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
David was a shepherd. In this psalm David puts himself in the place of the sheep. He sees himself as a lamb under the care of the Great Shepherd. He enters the valley without fear for one overarching reason: the Shepherd goes with him. He trusts himself to the care and the protection of the Shepherd.
The lamb finds comfort in the Shepherd’s weapons, the rod and the staff. The ancient shepherd was armed. He would use the crook of his staff to rescue a fallen lamb from a pit. He would wield his rod against hostile beasts that sought to devour his sheep. Without the shepherd the sheep would be helpless in the shadowy valley. But as long as the shepherd was present the lamb had nothing to fear.
If a bear or lion attacked the shepherd and killed the shepherd, the sheep would scatter. They would be vulnerable to the lion’s jaws. If the shepherd fell, all would be lost for the sheep.
But we have a Shepherd who cannot fall. We have a Shepherd who cannot die. He is no hireling who abandons his flock at the first sign of trouble. Our Shepherd is armed with omnipotent force. He is not threatened by the valley of shadows. He created the valley. He redeems the valley.
David’s confidence was rooted in the absolute certainty of the presence of God. He understood that with a Divine vocation comes Divine assistance and the absolute promise of Divine presence. God will not send us where He refuses to go Himself.
....The presence of God is our refuge and our strength in times of trouble. His promise is not only to go with us into the valley. Even more important is His promise of what lies on the other side of the valley. God promises to go with us for the entire journey to guide us to what lies beyond. The valley of the shadow of death is not a box canyon. It is open-ended. It is a passageway to a better country. The valley leads to life—life far more abundant than anything we can imagine. The goal of our vocation is heaven. But there is no route to heaven except through the valley.
David also understood that. Though he lived before Christ, before the Resurrection, before the New Testament revelation of glory, nevertheless God had not been altogether silent on the matter. Already there was the hope of the bosom of Abraham.
David confessed his faith in this manner:
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God of the living. The God of David is the God of the living. The God of Jesus is the God of the living. There is life beyond the shadow of death.
My father ran a race because God called him to run the race. He finished the course because God was with him through every obstacle. He kept the faith because the faith kept him.
This was a powerful legacy. It is the legacy the risen Christ gives to His sheep.
WALKING THE VIA DOLOROSA
“He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed” (Matthew 26:37).
Sorrow and deep distress marked the inner spirit of Jesus as He entered into prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. This moment marked a time of intense agony for Him. He was nearing the climax of His Great Passion. The Great Passion of Jesus was the focal point of His divine vocation. No one was ever called by God to greater suffering than that suffering to which God called His only begotten Son.
Our Savior was a suffering Savior. He went before us into the uncharted land of agony and death. He went where no man is called to go. His Father gave Him a cup to drink that will never touch our lips. We will not ever be asked of God to endure anything comparable to the distress Christ took upon Himself. Wherever God calls us to go, whatever He summons us to endure will fall far short of what Jesus experienced.
From the beginning of His ministry Jesus was conscious of His mission. From the start He was under a death sentence. His “disease” was terminal. The Father afflicted Him on the cross, not with one terminal disease, but with every terminal disease. Of course, this does not mean that Jesus received a positive biopsy report or that a physician diagnosed Him with advanced leprosy. He went to His death with no outward evidence of any known disease. But the cumulative pain of every disease was laid upon Him. He bore in His body the ravages of every evil, every sickness, every pain known to the human race.
The suffering of Jesus was multiple because the extent of evil in the world is a vast complex. Every effect of every sin was placed upon Him. To carry this dreadful burden was His vocation. To bear all pain and disease was His mission. The magnitude of this horror is beyond our understanding. But He understood it because it was His to bear.
.....DYING IN FAITH
The question that plagues us about death is not if we will die. There is a macabre jocularity about the two most certain things in life—death and taxes. But some people do manage to avoid or evade taxes. The only way we can possibly avoid death is to remain alive until the return of Christ.
I just had to change the words of the last sentence. At first I wrote these words: “The only way we can possibly avoid death is to be alive at the return of Christ.” I changed the wording because my original sentence was at least misleading and at worst heretical. The New Testament assures us that those who are in Christ will certainly be alive at His coming. If we die before He returns we will be raised to witness His glorious return:
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 4:13-18
Here the Apostle Paul gives a vivid description of what is popularly called the Rapture of the saints. No Christian will miss the Rapture. Those who remain alive until it happens will have no advantage over those who have already died. The dead in Christ will be raised for this event.
I remember as a child having to go to bed before the Fourth of July fireworks display. I didn’t want to go to sleep for fear that I would miss all the fun. My parents overcame my anxiety by promising me that they would waken me in time to see the fireworks. They kept their promise.
No Christian will sleep through the Second Coming of Christ. None of us are eyewitnesses to the birth of Christ. We missed His display of miracles during His earthly ministry. No one alive today beheld Christ on the cross. None of us are eyewitnesses of His glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven. But we will all be eyewitnesses of His return. The climax of the exaltation of Jesus will be viewed by every believer. God will raise the dead to make certain that every eye shall behold His triumphant return.
This event circumscribes the only “if” about our dying.
...........Just as God swore an oath that the impenitent will not enter His rest, so He swore that those who repent and believe in Christ will enter His rest.
Again the author of Hebrews elaborates:
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it…. For we who have believed do enter that rest. Hebrews 4:1-3
Hebrews concludes this fourth chapter with these words:
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
If we die in faith we join a great assembly of those who have gone before us. Hebrews provides a litany of the heroes of faith who have died.
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice…. By faith Enoch was translated…. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark…. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going…. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed…. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:4-11, 13-16
If we die in faith we will join Abel, Enoch, Noah, and the rest. We will be counted among those of whom God is not ashamed to be called their God. The city He has prepared will be ours. The just shall live by faith. They are indeed justified by faith, and the just shall die in faith.
Sproul, R. C. (1988). Surprised by suffering
I may add more as I continue to read this wonderful book.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Aug 12, 2017 14:39:28 GMT -5
I will look forward to more if you do add some...this was great thank you
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Post by Cindy on Aug 21, 2017 11:30:23 GMT -5
Your welcome!
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People today have been so infected with ideas about "God is love" that they no longer understand that although He is love, He is also Holy, just, righteous, and most of all, sovereign.
) I've watched them all die from the time I was very young and had some very unique experiences with some of them. Some died of accidents and unexpectedly, others died of illness, others of old age. All were loved. Not once have I ever seen any indication that the animal was afraid to die. In fact I've seen some appear relieved when the end was near, it was like they knew. I have seen many animals grieve when another they loved died, but that too is natural because they missed their friend.
Well, the Bible teaches that God is in control of everything right? Many, many people die before they have time to get "old". We call it a "miracle" when someone escapes death narrowly, because we have been trained to think of death as something that's "bad" and to be avoided. (by the way, in the "old days", many people didn't think that way at all! They knew the truth, but then, they studied their bibles more back then too)
!!
