Wisdom 2:23–3:9
God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
The world can really take a knock at a guy. It's easy to get distracted and loose sight of goals with adversity rushes in. I read these lines and feel like I am in the locker room at half-time. I feel as if this is a pep talk to overcome and conquer when all seems lost. Know this, this life in this world is a journey. This is not home. God loves you and is waiting for you to come home but you have to stay on the path. It's easy to let adversity distract you and let you detour into sin. Stay the course. This life is a blink of an eye compared to eternity and God has so much waiting for us if we hold the course and love like he does.
Luke 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles:"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
This is an interesting question. Who would have their hired hands come in and serve them after a days work that they were supposed to do. I can tell you I go to work, complete my tasks and then I go home. At the end of the week I collect my check and pay my bills. I don't walk in off the floor and have my boss waiting on me hand and foot. God is waiting though, he is waiting for you to come home where he wants to share all he has to offer. God desires you, because he loves you oh so much. Do we desire God's love? Do we deserve all that he has to offer. In reality, no, we spend too much of our time wasting what he has given us and using it only for ourselves. That's not how God wants us to love, but he still desires us every day. Which way will you turn?
Jesus,
I love you very much. Your gifts seem to know no bounds. Please help me to stay the course. Every week it seems it's hard to realize that on one level this life doesn't really matter. I mean, I know it matters and we should make the most of it and love the way you want us to, but I shouldn't get upset when things don't go my way. I should worry that things go your way, your will should be done. Help me to see past the power, greed, gluttonous lifestyle and sex that this world tries to peddle each day and focus on home, Heaven. Where you are waiting to see me in person. I am your faithful servant, not out of duty but out of love.
In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen
Jesus,
I love you very much. Your gifts seem to know no bounds. Please help me to stay the course. Every week it seems it's hard to realize that on one level this life doesn't really matter. I mean, I know it matters and we should make the most of it and love the way you want us to, but I shouldn't get upset when things don't go my way. I should worry that things go your way, your will should be done. Help me to see past the power, greed, gluttonous lifestyle and sex that this world tries to peddle each day and focus on home, Heaven. Where you are waiting to see me in person. I am your faithful servant, not out of duty but out of love.
In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen
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