LIVING LIFE BACKWARDS

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

LIVING LIFE BACKWARDS

(Psa 90:10) The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psa 90:12) So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

My dad used to film us kids doing things and then he would play it backward and we would laugh our heads off.  Running around the bases in Little League or the best was diving off a diving board.  That might be hilarious on video but in real life it’s the best way to live according to Moses.

Psalm 90 is a special psalm written by Moses.  He first declares the eternality of God:  (Psa 90:2) Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.  He then goes on to speak of the shortness of man’s life and how it would be best to tell yourself you only have so long to live and to live it wisely.  

That is so true isn’t it?  As we get older we find that time now flies by whereas when we were kids we were basically clock watchers watching time go by.   Now we know time is so valuable.  We can’t pause it and once it is spent it is gone forever.  We talk so much about preserving the precious resources of the earth but the greatest asset we have in this life is time and the right use of it.  That’s why you have to live life backwards!  

Living life backwards means you look forward to the end of your short life and live life with wisdom toward that end:  (Eph 5:15-16) See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,  16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  It makes you live life with purpose and helps you to set goals toward reaching your future.  It causes you to look up and ask the Lord what He has planned for you and then ask for guidance toward that end.  Then you can live confidently knowing that everything is working toward a purposeful finish: (Phil 3:14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  

So I wonder where did Moses forge this attitude?  His life was lived in thirds.  He spent the first third thinking he was somebody.  The next third he learned he was a nobody.  Then the last third of his life he discovered he was just anybody God could use.  Perhaps it was in this last phase of leading Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land that he saw the preciousness of life and then wrote about it to encourage people of any age. 

I like to see life as an hourglass of sand falling grain by grain.  If you give yourself an hour to do something you think you have so much time.  But toward the end you know you have to sharpen your focus because it’s almost over.  It’s almost over saints.  Let’s live for Jesus!

Louie

EUTHANASIA (Mercy killing/Assisted suicide)

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

EUTHANASIA (Mercy killing/Assisted suicide)

With such a serious and controversial subject we first have to give credence to the fact that some people want to die because they are terminally ill, suffering, and in ongoing and unmitigated pain.  Then add on the fact that they don’t want to be a burden to anyone.  They may have a loved one so sympathetic that they think it is the loving thing to assist them in their desire.  There are some countries in the world and some states in the U.S. where euthanasia is legal.  It’s a hot topic and one which is much debated both politically and ethically.  The mindset our world is changing and we need to examine anew what the Bible says about mercy killing.

- (Job 1:21)…The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  The Lord gives life and takes it away.  It is His prerogative.  Man must not meddle.

- (Exo 20:13) “You shall not murder.  This one speaks for itself.

-  (Heb 9:27) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.  God makes the appointment of death for each one of us and He is not to be denied His just sovereignty.  

- (Gen 9:6) “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.  Since we are created in the image of God, our lives have intrinsic and immeasurable value.  There is a purpose for our existence whether productive in society or bound in a wheelchair or bed, disabled, infirm, elderly or unborn.  

- (2 Cor 4:17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  The Christian knows that suffering in this life is temporal compared to eternity and the glory that will be enjoyed by all the redeemed in Christ. 

- (2 Cor 1:3-4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  God comforts others and so often uses other people to provide not assisted suicide but assisted solace.  

-  (Rom 5:3) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.  God matures us through suffering and brings people together in loving concern.  More is terminated than we know when you terminate life prematurely.   

We already have abortion taking lives at the beginning of life.  Why do we need to add on the taking of life at the end?  (Deu 30:19)…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.

Louie

THE ONE ANOTHERS

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE ONE ANOTHERS

One of the privileges of being a Christian is not only belonging to Christ but also to a wonderful body of believers.  That means we are connected to each other with Christ as our Head.  Let’s take a look at some of the “one anothers” in the Bible and remember we are not alone in our walk with the Lord.  We have one another!  

(John 15:12) This is My commandment, that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER as I have loved you.

(Romans 15:7) Therefore RECEIVE ONE ANOTHER, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

(Galatians 6:2) BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(Ephesians 4:32) And BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, tenderhearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God in Christ forgave you.

(Hebrews 3:13) but EXHORT ONE ANOTHER daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

(1 Thessalonians 4:18) Therefore COMFORT ONE ANOTHER with these words.

(Hebrews 10:24) And let us CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER in order to stir up love and good works,

(James 5:9) DO NOT GRUMBLE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

(James 5:16) CONFESS YOUR TRESPASSES TO ONE ANOTHER, and PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

(1 Peter 3:8) Finally, all of you be of one mind, HAVING COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.

(1 Peter 4:9) BE HOSPITABLE TO ONE ANOTHER without grumbling.

(1 Peter 5:5) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you BE SUBMISSIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

You’re my sister, you’re my brother so let us love ONE ANOTHER! 

Louie