Are We "All In" with Christ?

Our church met last evening to brainstorm of ways that we can minister to the body of Christ during this pandemic and to open our meeting, Pastor Denny read these incredibly PASSIONATE and powerful verses in Hebrews 11:32-40:

"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.  Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.  They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute and persecuted and mistreated---the world was not worthy of them.  They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.  God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

These verses moved me to tears!  They were men of faith, "all in" with Christ!  What great examples they are to us!

In this world, we have troubles. This side of eternity, we may not ever see the purpose of these troubles or suffering.  But, we know that God will keep his promises to us!  What encouraging verses!

The Word is GOLD---written by God and all other books written by human authors pale in comparison!

These verses make me want to strive daily to be "all in" with Christ!

As it says in Matthew 16:25, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

What a great reminder as we see the current chaos in the world these days!

Learning to walk as Jesus walked,

Diane

The Best IS yet to Come!!!

This has been a difficult and yet exciting year!  The virus, the lack of food in Africa, the chaos (that began in Minneapolis), the locusts---are all things predicted in God's Word and are birthing pains written about in Matthew 28.

It reminds us to keep our focus on eternal purposes and keep sharing the gospel---to not "fall asleep" and not be like the church in Laodicia.  Revelations 3:16 & 17 says, "So, because you are lukewarm---neither hot not cold---I am about to spit you out of my mouth".  We have much work yet to do!

We can use these things to begin spiritual conversations with those around us that have not yet received the free gift of eternal life that is offered to ALL of us sinners!  John 3:17 says, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

This morning, Jeff and I were reading the Word together in Luke 21.  Verse 11 says, "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven".  We don't need to fear these things, we know the outcome!  We are privileged to be seeing these things come to pass! Now, more than ever, we need to be doers of the Word!

As well, verse 36 goes on, "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Let's be praying without ceasing, in faith, for opportunities to further His Kingdom!!!

Humble servant of the King of Kings,

Diane