As an introductory note to this post, I would just like to say that I am truly thankful for like-minded brothers who desire to glorify Christ in all that they do. It has been a rough week for me. Not only was I busy every night of the week, I also lost an old buddy of mine unexpectedly when he passed away during a seizure in the middle of the night. He was 25 yrs old. Then a few days later I received an email from Jason Faber notifying me that a family at a local church plant also lost someone close to them, their 3 yr old son as he was trapped in a hole he had dug in the backyard.
During these times, primarily because of what is discussed at these memorial services, we become much more aware of our mortality. Then we also begin to reflect on the manner in which we live our lives here on Earth. Are we living as if there may be no tomorrow? Have we told our friends that we love them and are thankful for them? Have we seen the places we want to see in life? Is the career path in which we are heading in really what we desired to do in this lifetime? Are we right with our maker?
As I sat and watched others share their thoughts at the memorial service, the only thing I could think of was the sovereignty of our God. How amazing is it that he has chosen to show us mercy though we deserve the exact opposite? I am convicted daily of the sin that plagues my life and how dishonoring it is to our maker!
Hebrews 10:26-31 says:
26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."[e] 31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Though I am mindful of sins such as lusting after women, committing adultery, blaspheming against God, etc. I often overlook the times I talk poorly to my wife, fail to fulfill my role as the spiritual leader, dishonor my parents in the way that I communicate with them as being equal sin!
Please pray for me as I struggle with managing things at home when all other areas become busy and overwhelming. I look forward to this blog as being a crucial source of encouragement to my Christian walk. Let me leave you with the following passage:
Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.