Nothing But a Blade of Grass

Nothing But a Blade of Grass                        

What do a weaver’s shuttle, a shadow, the wind, a vapor, a runner, a flower, and grass all have in common? Respectively—(Job 7:6), (1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 8:9), (Psalm 78:39), (Job 4:14), (Job 9:25), (Job 14:2), (Psalm 102:11; Isaiah 40:6).

The Bible mentions each of these things in metaphors to describe the brevity of life on earth. Truly, we are here today and gone tomorrow. Even if we live to be 100 years old, compared to eternity, that’s just a drop in a bucket.

We really are like a flower or blade of grass that’s vibrant today but withers tomorrow.

James encourages us to use our time wisely because it’s going to run out before we know it. “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life like? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14 NKJV). In the New Living Translation: “like the morning fog—it is here a little while, then it’s gone.” 

In Sunday’s sermon our pastor elaborated on this topic describing how we must get ourselves in alignment with God if we want to make the best of the brief time we have on the earth. 

If you’ve ever had the skeletal system of your body or the tires on your car out of alignment, you have a firsthand idea of the importance of being in proper alignment. 

Pastor’s springboard for his message was Matthew 6:33. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

In order to have our lives in proper alignment we must follow the instructions of this passage. When we seek God’s ways above all else in all areas of our lives then all things we need will be provided. This is a promise from Jesus Himself. He spoke these words to His followers while teaching how to live according to God’s ways in order to have the abundant life our Creator desires for each of us.

Pastor Hal went on to say that when our hearts are not spiritually aligned with God it causes unnecessary wear on us. Just like when our tires are out of line, it’s costly. 

Living in righteousness is alignment in living and this alignment begins with seeking God over all else. This is single-mindedness. 

Pastor quoted George Barna, of the Barna Group: “When individuals are single-minded in their devotion to God, their commitment to His ways and His principles become much deeper, much more intense. Once they have made a serious commitment, then the peripherals don’t matter much.”

God sees us from two perspectives—where we currently are and where we could be. He also sees our lives on this earth as temporary and is more concerned about our eternity than our present. We should be more concerned with our eternity as well. After all, in this life we are but a passing shadow. It is our preparation for life after the grave.

Looking at life through God’s lenses:

1.    God sees our lives on earth as temporary (2 Corinthians 4:18; James 4:14; Colossians 3:1-2; Ephesians 2:6).

2.   God sees our lives on earth as vessels to reflect His glory (Isaiah 43:7; Isaiah 42: 8).

3.    God sees our lives as having purpose (Ephesians 1:18).

So do this:

1.    Pray first (Proverbs 8:17; Psalm 5:8). Give God the best part of your day—seek Him early.

2.   Make each day count (Ephesians 5:15-18).

3.    Remember who you are and who you represent (Colossians 3:17).

“A spiritual man is not a man born again, but a man born again and walking in alignment.”  -Watchman Nee 

 

Let’s get our lives in alignment with God’s standards we see in His Word and let’s each be the spiritual man Watchman Nee talked about.

Much of this post came from the sermon of my pastor, Hal Adams, last Sunday, September 10, 2017.  If you wish to experience his sermon titled “Alignment and God,” in its entirety just click on this link:  https://www.facebook.com/RadfordWorshipCenter/?hc_ref=ARQ5Zu-7S34nUhDvjlVRcM4GYA3zkncPBkjr-YdPqrne5T-UFLsZvw-JUW6KgXjktm0&pnref=story   I believe you’ll be blessed by it.

Thanks for stopping by. Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford

After Easter Musings - Part 2

After Easter Musings - Part 2

For the past few weeks I’ve been revisiting some of the details surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. For the past few days my focus has been Matthew 27:45-54.

My blog post last week looked at some of Jesus’ last words. Today, I want to look at two amazing events relating to Jesus’ death and rising back to life. One of which is one of the least talked about miracles of the New Testament.

We’ll begin with Matthew 27:51: “Then behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.”

At the moment of Jesus’ death the veil of the Temple tore in two from top to bottom. This event was of monumental significance!

The veil was a massive curtain—a barrier between sinful man and holy God. It was four inches thick and sixty feet high. Behind the veil was the Holy of Holies where the presence of God dwelled. 

Once a year the high priest would go behind the veil to offer a sacrifice of the blood of a spotless lamb to atone for the sins of himself and the people (Hebrew 9:7).

Now on this day, which we call Good Friday, Jesus was the Lamb. His blood atoned for our sins once and for all. God received the blood of His Son and offered forgiveness for all our sins. It’s up to each of us to accept His offer. We have free will.

Jesus paid our debt in full once and for all.

At that moment God Himself tore the temple veil from top to bottom. No human could have done that. The Holy of Holies was now exposed and our Heavenly Father was accessible to all who will receive His Son. Jesus made the way.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body ... let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

God tore the Temple Veil (Internet image)

The next verse tells of an event which is a phenomenon, rarely mentioned by preachers and teachers. In fact this past Sunday, a few days after I wrote this post, my pastor actually included it in his sermon. I was thrilled. I’ve sat in many a church pew and have done many a Bible study and this was the first time I’ve ever heard someone talk about this verse from a pulpit or lectern. 

Verses 52-53 says, “and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”

Who were these people? We’re told they are saints. Some translations say they were righteous people. For this, I’m going to yield the floor to my pastor, Hal Adams, and provide a link to his sermon from last Sunday. He covers this much better than I had planned to do.

But first, I want to add one last verse because I love it so much and it is very telling. Verse 54 says, “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was this Son of God!’”

AMEN!

Below is the link to Pastor Hal’s sermon last Sunday. The video is pretty lengthy so if you don’t have time for the entire thing (which I hope you do) the part about verses 52-53 is at about the 50 minute mark. Please be bless as you watch and listen.

https://www.facebook.com/RadfordWorshipCenter/videos/vb.111364652230041/1511566532209839/?type=2&theater

Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford