| Moments for Meditation |
Reflections on the
Resurrection
by Fleta Mathews
"...as Christ was raised up from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life." (Romans 6:4b)
Resurrection
by Fleta Mathews
"...as Christ was raised up from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life." (Romans 6:4b)
At this happy Holy season, new life is popping up all around our
little corner of the world! Nothing delights quite like the wonder
and beauty of springtime! For those of us who claim Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior, our FOCUS now is on the RESURRECTION.
We look and long for His Second Coming...the soon return of our
Lord. What a renewing, reviving hope it brings! While these are
encouraging thoughts, Rude Reality may startle us if we take a
close look at the ways of our walking in the world. She will force
us focus on our fumbling, faltering Faith as it is perhaps or is
possibly seen by a WATCHING, wounded, skeptical world.
What a condemning thought!
Glenn preaches a sermon called, "How Is Your Faith?" What a
disquieting question! Does our daily living really reflect our firm
faith in Jesus Christ, or is it a resounding rebuke for our failure to
"flesh out" what we say we believe? Someone who studies
human behavior so aptly stated: "What a person says he believes
and what he actually does, may not necessarily be the same." Is
this what James 1:8 describes? "A double-minded man is unstable
in all his ways."
If we are stable, single-minded children of God, we should have
our feet firmly planted on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. By His
indwelling Holy Spirit we have power to truly walk "In newness
of life." Exactly what does that mean for us? What does it
require? And how does it look to a WATCHING, wounded,
skeptical world? Do our ways at work on Monday match our
words of worship on Sunday? Do they reflect His saving,
sustaining Grace? Or is it as "sounding brass" for our failure to
walk In His Steps as Shelton writes in his classic book by that
name? Do we really ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" in all
our attitudes and actions? If we do ask, just what are we doing?
Let us not be "hearers of the Word only," and not doers. If we
are, James compares us to a person who looks at himself in the
mirror and right away forgets what manner of person he was. He
continues to tell us if we are not forgetful hearers, but diligent
doers of the Word, we shall be blessed in our deeds. Pure religion
(faith) and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself
unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)
May we faithfully do all these things through Jesus Christ Who
gives us enabling strength. Then Christ will be lifted up and
receive the honor and glory due His name. Why? "That in all
things He (Christ) might have the preeminence." (Col. 1:18b)
"... to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:11b)
little corner of the world! Nothing delights quite like the wonder
and beauty of springtime! For those of us who claim Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior, our FOCUS now is on the RESURRECTION.
We look and long for His Second Coming...the soon return of our
Lord. What a renewing, reviving hope it brings! While these are
encouraging thoughts, Rude Reality may startle us if we take a
close look at the ways of our walking in the world. She will force
us focus on our fumbling, faltering Faith as it is perhaps or is
possibly seen by a WATCHING, wounded, skeptical world.
What a condemning thought!
Glenn preaches a sermon called, "How Is Your Faith?" What a
disquieting question! Does our daily living really reflect our firm
faith in Jesus Christ, or is it a resounding rebuke for our failure to
"flesh out" what we say we believe? Someone who studies
human behavior so aptly stated: "What a person says he believes
and what he actually does, may not necessarily be the same." Is
this what James 1:8 describes? "A double-minded man is unstable
in all his ways."
If we are stable, single-minded children of God, we should have
our feet firmly planted on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. By His
indwelling Holy Spirit we have power to truly walk "In newness
of life." Exactly what does that mean for us? What does it
require? And how does it look to a WATCHING, wounded,
skeptical world? Do our ways at work on Monday match our
words of worship on Sunday? Do they reflect His saving,
sustaining Grace? Or is it as "sounding brass" for our failure to
walk In His Steps as Shelton writes in his classic book by that
name? Do we really ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" in all
our attitudes and actions? If we do ask, just what are we doing?
Let us not be "hearers of the Word only," and not doers. If we
are, James compares us to a person who looks at himself in the
mirror and right away forgets what manner of person he was. He
continues to tell us if we are not forgetful hearers, but diligent
doers of the Word, we shall be blessed in our deeds. Pure religion
(faith) and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself
unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)
May we faithfully do all these things through Jesus Christ Who
gives us enabling strength. Then Christ will be lifted up and
receive the honor and glory due His name. Why? "That in all
things He (Christ) might have the preeminence." (Col. 1:18b)
"... to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:11b)
| PO Box 145 ~ Charleston, WV 25321 ~ (910) 948-4307 ~ glennandfleta@juno.com |
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| PO Box 145 ~ Charleston, WV 25321 ~ (910) 948-4307 ~ glennandfleta@juno.com |