Newness of Life With Worthwhile Pursuits.

  On a scale of one to ten, how well do you sing? Myself, I am a generous two. Though I do like to sing, I limit the pain it inflicts upon people by trying to sing only when no one else is in hearing distance or if in a crowd I can join in (and be drowned out quite a bit).  I realize that for some, pursuing a singing career would be and has been a very good dream to follow. For me it would be nowhere close to a worthwhile pursuit. I have even told people that I sing like a prisoner- I'm always behind a few bars and trying to find the key.
   In regard to pursuits, the wisdom of the world teaches that there are really four pursuits that are above all else.
*beauty
*power
*wealth
*fame
  Though nothing is inherently wrong with any of these things, if our whole life is spent pursuing these, we will ultimately one day be incredibly disappointed.  Though it sounds like the thing to do, those that are blessed with the joy and challenge of being a parent can easily fall prey to the peril of teaching young people to pursue these as the best and only goals in life.  The truth is that this is a terrible disservice to them, because those goals are woefully low goals to shoot for.  It would do us much better to have the much higher goals that really matter, which are given to us to teach our kids and live out ourselves, straight from the only source of absolute truth- the Bible.
  The two of utmost importance are as follows:

  "Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Matthew 22:37-39

  So, the greatest pursuits are simple and powerful:
*love the LORD with your whole person- mind, heart, and soul
*love others enthusiastically by sharing the good news of the gospel and loving them like He does as best we can
  And in the book of Philippians, God gives us our next pursuit priorities. One of which is pleasing Him in our race of life (see Philippians 3:12-14).
  Also in Philippians, He lets us know what is worthwhile to chase after.

  "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8

  This is how our minds are renewed (see Romans 12:2), and keeps our focus on loving God and others.
  "God loves to dispense His grace.  If you will come to God with your regrets and your failures and start loving and serving Him as the driving force in your life, He has an unmistakable, amazing way of using even failure to bring about success.
  There is only one passion in life worth your total pursuit.  And that is to love and serve Christ in such a way that you win the race and receive His approval."- Tony Evans
  Walking in newness of life (purposeful life for anyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior) can be illumined as we pursue what God has called us to, including peace and merciful compassion as we follow His commands and love like He does.
  

A prayer,
  Heavenly Father, please renew my mind and refresh my heart so that I will not just chase after the wind and waste precious time.  I commit to pursue You first and love You and those around me, no matter what the world is doing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Newness of Life With Simple Trust.

  They say that "into each life a little rain must fall," but sometimes the downpour is torrential, and relief and comfort seem farther than we can reach.  The best news is that the reach of God is readily available.  He has no problem pulling us close to Him as we place our simple trust in Him for protection and security and strength in our weariness.  He is near when we struggle, and welcomes us to cry out to Him.
  In giving us His Word, we are able to hear from Him any time we open our Bible and our hearts to His comfort and care.  What He asks is for us to trust.  In walking in newness of life, the Psalms provide a place of encouragement to be strengthened and reminded and restored.  The American Heritage Dictionary describes trust as "firm reliance on the integrity or ability of a person."  God is able.  Psalm 46 is what is known as a Psalm of Trust, along with others such as Psalm 23 and Psalm 91.
 
  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1

  This psalm, along with the other psalms of trust, rejoices in God's deliverance in the middle of a siege or fearsome battles.  Skirmishes on the battlefields of the landscapes of our lives are common, and some days and seasons are exceptionally brutal. But they drive us to the Only One who can ultimately keep us safe and give us comfort and surety of survival as we humbly place our trust in His capable care.
  "God won't always shield you from persecution, but He will honor your integrity and give you strength to endure any trial that comes your way. Praise Him for His all-sufficient grace!"- John MacArthur
  Together, refuge and strength can be known as "impenetrable defense." God is in control.  He does not waver, does not change, will not let go of our hand or heart. He is our sure defense, the Rock that won't move, and His protection gives the highest and best defense, whatever storm or flaming arrows (hatred of the enemy) or onslaught of bewildering circumstances may arrive at our doorstep. God is with us. He will never falter.  He will never fail, and He gives us a place to run to - Himself.  God alone is our all in all.  Any other refuge is incomplete. His grace is all-sufficient.
  He is our very present help in trouble, powerful and effective in any difficulty and any dire straits we face.
  "He has been tried and proven by His people.  He never withdraws from His afflicted.  He is their help, truly, effectually, constantly.  He is present or near them, close at their side, ready for their comfort.  This is emphasized by the word very.  He is more present than friend or relative can be; yes, more present than even trouble itself.  To all this comfortable truth is added the consideration that His assistance comes at the needed time."- Charles Spurgeon
  V.10 of Psalm 46 lets us know to be still and know that He is God. He is Faithful and True and should be praised, even amidst a storm.  Simple trust and a willingness to draw upon the strength of the One whose power is limitless will benefit and bless any soul that dares to do so.
 
A prayer:
  Father, I come to you in awe of your might and glory and, in humility, ask You to let me know Your refuge and rest in Your grace and gratefully accept Your help and above all, Your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen.
 
 
 

Newness of Life in Reassuring Rest.

   Though contrary to much of the world's fast-paced thought, the importance of rest should not be underestimated. I, for one, am prone to take an occasional nap.  Well, maybe more than occasional, but I almost always wake refreshed and ready to tackle another project on my ever increasing to-do list.  Naps aside, rest has always been part of the formula of our purpose.  We get that example in Sabbath rest, rest for our soul, and rest from pressure and stresses and anxiousness of everyday life.  As we walk in newness of life, rest plays an important role in perseverance and encouragement of ourselves and others.
  Though sometimes inexplicably thought of as a suggestion instead of one of the Ten Commandments, Sabbath rest is truly to be taken seriously by us.

  "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."- Exodus 20:8
  "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.  Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."- Exodus 20:11

  We do well to remember that man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man, to give margin and rest and a most productive life.  So, at least one day per week is vital to us - to be an unhurried and most restful time spent, preferably in conjunction to drawing near to God with a heart of gratitude.
  Rest for our soul comes as we let God be Who He is, Sovereign and Faithful, and let Him lead us in this life we are experiencing.  It is beneficial to look to the familiar passage of Scripture in  Psalm 23 to be strengthened by the LORD.

  "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul."- Psalm 23:2-3a

  God refreshes His people with His quiet voice and the soothing effect  and calmness of the still waters of His presence.  It is a psalm of trust that grows unshakable as we draw nearer to Him and rely upon Him.  If we never take the time to be with Him in reading His Word and in communication with Him in prayer, we find only restlessness and joylessness.
  As we walk in newness of life and remember that Christ was raised by God's power, we should also know the reassurance that whatever the world or the enemy of our soul throws at us can be handled by Him if we lay these burdens in His care.
  "In coming to Him, we have the promise of rest for our souls.  Jesus promises us meaning, hope, assurance, peace, and even joy in the times of inevitable trouble.  He takes us as we are and bathes us in His love." - Dick Johnson

  "Come to me , all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

  This verse is in context of the Jews suffering under a load of religious responsibilities.  Sometimes we carry the heavy knapsack of responsibility at work and home too. But whatever burdens pile upon us, we can know rest from our Faithful God and the welcome relief He brings. He even asks us to cast our burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Trust Him and rest by the still waters a while.  And as we face any unchartered waters ahead, we should look to the reassurances of Christ. His promises are unfailing.

A prayer:
Father, you conceal the final explanation of the mysteries of life in Yourself. For this I trust You. You are sovereign, faithful, and true. For this I will rest in You. No matter what evil comes my way, I am safe in You. For this I find joy in You.  Being who You are, everything will ultimately be all right, because You will be glorified. So, please be honored on the platform of this life I know. In Jesus'name, Amen.