Celebrating Life and Death

Last week, my beautiful son, Andrew, celebrated his 11th birthday. Though we had a big celebration with friends during the prior weekend, we quietly honored his actual birthday with a simple dinner and his favorite dessert because we were notified that his 84 year old paternal grandfather was succumbing to a long illness. Last night, my father-in-law went to be with our Lord. Many may call it a bitter-sweet time, but I try to count it all joy as I am reminded in Ecclesiastes 7:1 "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death is better than the day of one's birth."

While we celebrate life with birthdays year after year, believers are promised that the day of death is even better. And, additional cause for celebration is the good name we are ascribed at our birth which distinguishes who we are and how we are identified in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Revelation 21:27 explains “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

I cannot do real justice to my father-in-law’s admirable name in just a few short paragraphs, but I can humbly offer a slice of who he was. Pablo Ximenez was first and foremost, a man of God. His love for Jesus was transparent in all he said and did. To begin with, he and his wife Christina were married for more than 63 years. That alone attests to his commitment and loyalty.

Together, they raised and supported nine children on one very modest income. And although his days were filled with a steady job and his evenings were occupied with issues arising from nine children, he still managed to attend church every Sunday, minister to troubled souls in jail and lead music ministry and Bible study for his church group. He was not a man of many words, but his faithful actions were the influence he bestowed on his children. In addition, there was always a glow of peace and joy about him. And still, I must not fail to mention the remarkable self-control and dignity he maintained during difficult times.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more than 13 years ago and while his health deteriorated, the memories of a noble man never did. We can only speculate the reasons God allows hardships and sufferings to come over us. And I speculate his reason was a lesson to those of us around him. He was the perfect essence of how one can endure adversity with grace and beauty.

I write this, not just as a testament of who Pablo Ximenez was, but with high hopes of who my children can be through his legacy. I see my son, Andrew, with many of the same strengths his grandfather had and his father now has and I am confident that his young life is on the path to fulfilling the perfect purpose for which God created him.

Though we may be saddened by the physical loss of our loved one, we celebrate his rebirth into eternity with Jesus and the continuation of life through his children and their children and all to come. We rest assured that his name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and he has been called good and faithful servant.

Vanessa

Perfect Peace

The holidays are upon us and most people would scoff at the idea of finding peace, let alone finding perfect peace. Studies show that depression and suicide increase during this supposed joyous season. The bar has been set so high and demands are so extreme that the holidays have become just one more excuse for stress and anxiety to rule our lives. Celebrating the birth of Jesus is frequently overshadowed by shopping, finances and other holiday-related issues.

Ironically, the whole reason for the season is actually a peace offering. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

Jesus warns us that we will face difficulties, but encourages us to remain peaceful in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

So how do we maintain peace in our lives when the world around us seems to be crumbling?

1. Pray – Although God already knows of your needs before you ask, share your concerns with Him and rest assured that He’s got your back. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.

2. Give God thanks and praise – No matter how dismal our situation seems, thanking God for all the blessings in our lives and focusing on the positives will diminish our problems and allow Him to continue blessing us. Keep in mind that grumbling and complaining put a kink in the plumb line of blessings. “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 7:17

3. Keep the faith – Faith is having confidence or trust in something that we cannot prove, so when we cannot see a reasonable result, we must have faith that God is working on our behalf. ”You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3.

While we were not put on this earth to live perfect lives or to skirt every oncoming obstacle, we can maintain perfect peace because we know that God will use every situation we endure to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalm 119:165

Merry Christmas and “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14.

Do Not Be Deceived

When we look at the condition of our world today, it’s apparent that we’ve all been deceived in some way or another. From overt deceptions inciting, the more the merrier, to subtle delusions that we’ll be just fine because everyone else is doing it, most of us are misled into following worldly ways. No doubt, there’s trouble hiding behind those fallacies as Romans 12:2 indicates, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Jesus also warns us in Matthew 24:4-5 “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

To grasp a deeper understanding of the word deceit, I looked up its definition and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as dishonest; behavior meant to fool or trick someone, concealment of the truth. Its antonyms are truth, honesty, and sincerity. Since Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the opposite of truth is deception, we can conclude that deception comes from the enemy. And we’re all aware that the enemy comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy so falling into worldly ways will surely lead us to destruction.

Satan began deceiving the world in the Garden of Eden when he tricked Eve into eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and he hasn’t stopped since. While we are clearly no longer in the Garden of Eden, we are still under his attacks (and more so today because he knows his time is very limited). He also knows that most of us aren’t willing to deliberately bow down and worship the devil, so he’s become very creative in concealing his identity to trick us into sin and evil. After all, he is the Master Deceiver and the Father of all Lies. Satan wants you to believe that:

1. God is holding out on you and He’s trying to keep good things from you, but God says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

2. Money is the key to happiness, but God says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10

3. You can trust and act upon your own thoughts and feelings, but God says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

4. Hell and the devil don’t really exist, but God says, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 and "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Although the devil is consciously fighting a lost battle, he will continue his deceptive schemes until the end of our earthly time. When in doubt, refer to the only source of absolute truth, the Holy Bible and fear not because we have an Advocate who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. No matter how much adversity we encounter, we can rest assured that victory is ours because Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Discipline (not desire) Determine Destiny

There are so many things that I desire to do.  Some aspirations are recent and some dreams I’ve had ever since I can remember.  Whatever the goal, I’ve come to realize that it takes more than desire to accomplish anything.  It takes discipline.

Proverbs 5:22-23 tell us, “The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.  For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.”  Those seem to be extreme consequences because I’ve never considered lack of discipline resulting in death or deception.  But no matter how we choose to perceive this proverb, it clearly warns us that the absence of discipline leads to no good.

Jesus is Coming Back!

Bible-believing Christians know that Jesus is coming back for us because Matthew 25:31-32 tells us, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

In addition to these verses, there are many more references in the Bible that foretell the return of Jesus for His people. The $64,000 question seems to be when?  Throughout history, futurists have incorrectly predicted the date of His return, sending packs of people into chaos and fear even though the Bible clearly tells us that no one knows when. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father,” Mark 13:32.

Most recently, a global advertising campaign, spending enormous amounts of money is predicting that May 21, 2011 is the big day and it even goes as far to claim that through hidden mysteries, the Bible guarantees this is The Day!  I’ve read the reasoning (and the Bible) and I’m still unable to completely comprehend exactly how they’ve drawn to their absolute conclusions, but the real question is, “Does it really matter?”  In the dozens of articles I’ve read and researched regarding this apocalyptic prediction, the only concern seems to be with determining the date.  Nowhere have I read about the importance of His return and how we should be preparing for that glorious day whether it happens to be tomorrow or long after I’ve left this earth.



We should not be so consumed with when, but more with what.  What am I doing to serve Him faithfully and to fulfill His perfect plan for my life?  What am I doing to live a godly life, not just for my own salvation, but for unbelievers’ whose only glimmer of God may be the light He shines through me?  What am I doing to spread the good news of His promise that all turmoil in this world will be wiped away and there will be no more sorrow or pain?  What am I doing to live the abundant life that He died to give me, filled with peace, joy and love?



What I do in preparation for that wonderful day of the Second Coming is much more important than the actual day itself.  That day does me no good if I’m not prepared. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, He tells us, “In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”



Do not allow another day to pass without intentional purpose and preparation for your eternal life because although we are guaranteed of His return, we are not guaranteed salvation.  As a matter of fact, we know that not everyone will be saved because He warns us in Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?”  Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you, away from me you evildoers!”



So in conclusion to all this end-times hoopla, I’ve decided that I won’t jump on any fanatic bandwagons and sell all my belongings or celebrate like there’s no tomorrow (I’ll have plenty of time for that in heaven), but I will be obedient to His Word expecting to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Come and share your Master’s happiness.”