Life’s Answers

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And 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.

So much on my mind…..I know not which road to travel in my writing. I am in the midst of God stirring my soul, of questioning much of life, battling spiritual warfare on a physical plain, death has touched my door, and I find myself up most of the night pondering; even talking and praying for friends on the mission field in India. I have been interceding heavily for a few people this week, and as with any intercession, we are dedicating ourselves to the cause, lifting up others to God in their times of need. We anger the enemy, for he likely only fears prayers, for he knows Who possess the powers to answer them. Satan never fears what we stand on our own with, the pride of life we seemingly have built upon even in the ruse of good intent. Satan never fears the powers of our mind that have been gained through countless hours of study and preparation, he only fears the humble soul that bows asking for God’s help.

Where are you at in your life? Are you like me questioning what you have accumulated, accomplished, gained or lost, the results of decisions for your first 50 years? A mid-life crisis if you will, a reflection that has brought upon a roller-coaster of emotions. The flesh in me, the critic within myself, is unhappy by the worlds policies of accomplishments. The list doesn’t matter, because my conformation to this world is not what I live for. As I sat through a funeral yesterday, as funerals always do, the brevity and finality of life set in. The only thing that matters in life is our investment in those God places in our life. The circle of your influence is your ministry. You can encourage them for worldly pursuits, that bring eternal losses, or encourage them to live their lives as Paul writes here in Romans; a life dedicated to God in preparation for the next life with him. Life is truly that simple, and in it’s simplicity we gain the liberty that floods Paul’s New Testament epistles.

How we gain that eternal focus is as simple as the focus we place on it? What did Jesus say the greatest commandment was? Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Until you begin to understand that your life will change when you begin to read your Bible daily, your not living with eternity in view. Until you understand that your heart for God is gauged upon one’s pursuit of him, you are living for the world. Until you understand that anything you want to change in life, begins with Christ and the pursuit of him in prayer and his Word, you will remain the same person focused on all your problems and positions in this world. Remember heaven will flip everything upside down; “the last will become first, and the first become last.” (Jesus’ words) Today, whatever you are facing, humble yourself in prayer, and spend some time in God’s Word; life’s answers are there waiting.