The race

I went to a funeral today of a sweet friend.  One I had not know nearly long enough, yet that choice was not up to me and how can we question God's amazing wisdom.  The greatest memory I have of this dear friend is a constant sweet smile.  Even the last time I saw her in the hospital struggling with the pain from cancer she was still smiling. 
Her smile was contagious.  I am sure you know people like that, you can't help but smile and be happy around them.  The love of God was SO bright in her life.  She even gave testimony of this at the beginning of her cancer battle, she was asked by someone in the hospital if she knew Jesus Christ as her Saviour - her peace was AMAZING.  She knew she was secure in the arms of Jesus no matter the outcome.  The last time we had a long visit together, we talked about this song the Inspirations sing.  I remember her saying that this was the song helping her to rest in God and His perfect will.

I'M A WINNER EITHER WAY

Verse One

A loved one knew he neared the end of life's journey

But he'd been holding to God's hand a long, long time

As I knelt beside his bed my heart was blessed by what he said,

"If I go or if I stay, victory's mine."

Chorus

I'm a winner either way

If I go or if I stay

Cause I'll still have Jesus with me

Each passing day

I'll have a healing here below

Or life forever if I go

Praise the Lord,

I'm a winner either way!

Verse Two

None of us really know about tomorrow

So we must prepare to go to Heaven any day

While we're here, just trust the Lord

He'll lead us there for our reward

By His grace, we'll be a winner either way!

Repeat Chorus

© Laura Lewis/Trina Curtis/Chestnut Mound Music/BMI

615-325-3872 Fax 325-8735 E-mail: lewisandlewisrus@aol.com

 The pastor gave a great message today, a clear plan of salvation as well as a challenge.
He said God had taken her home because she had finished the course God had for her.  Amy had such a heart to reach people for Christ.  She wanted to share God with everyone.  The challenge was are we really running the race, striving to finish the course as we really should.
These 2 passages help us to remember the purpose of our life in Christ.

Act 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


Thankfully though, God does not leave us sorrowing or hopeless.  There is hope of a future in Heaven with our loved one.  Praise the Lord for ALL His promises.

1Thessalonians 4:13-18   But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I am so thankful to be comforted by these words.
So the challenge I have given myself and I give you.
Are you pressing toward the mark? Am I giving the Gospel of Christ as I have been called to do?

Separate or conformed?

I have SO many thoughts going through my head right now of what to write. 

Lately the Lord has really been working in our family, first personally with Doug and I, about living a separate life.  I have done several recent studies on the Holy Spirit.  One verse I keep coming back to is  Galatians 5:25  "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."    If we are filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit we will be different.  We will want to be different because we are of the Spirit.  John 3:6  "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

We are in this world to shine a light and be different.  Matthew 5:16  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. " 
If we live like the world how are we a shining light.

This concept is not a popular one even among Christians or even Independent Baptist like myself.   It is HARD to be separate.  I am not there by any stretch.  But I strive daily for this.  God commands us in  2Corinthians 6:17  "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," So we are to be separate, different.  Also, stated in Romans 12:2  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  Conformed means made to resemble; reduced to a likeness of; made agreeable to; suited.   If we look like the world why would they want what we have if it doesn't look any different. It is very interesting the discussions I get into sometimes.  But lately it seems I am defending my more conservative standards to others. 
Sorry if I am sounding like I am ranting.  It is such a burden on my heart.  I have lived like the world and it got me NO WHERE.  I LOVE the blessings that God gives when we live only for Him.  I want others to experience those blessings.

So as I end my blog tonight I ponder.  Do I dress different?  Do I watch different things?  Do I listen to different things?  Do I respond different?  Do I really stand out as separate?
If I were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?