Author: Ms. Rita's Minute

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The trials and tribulations of our lives may appear somewhat daunting if we forget God’s perspective on them. I am remembering that today, a trial can be defined as a test of faith, patience, or strength. While a tribulation is known as a state of great suffering of body or mind; distress, or misery. When facing these challenges, many of us might not wish to hear about how these attacks or setbacks produce in us perseverance, so that we’ll be mature and complete, not lacking anything as taught in James 1:2-6. Yet James tells us we should actually consider it pure joy (NIV translation) when we face these “trials of many kinds”. Then he goes on to tell us if we lack wisdom, we simply need to ask God who’ll give it to us generously. But when we ask we should ask not doubting.

There are many biblical references to keep in mind when our enemy and his cohorts launch their attacks on us. Thankfully, most of us remember when Jesus left the earth he told his disciples that he would never leave nor forsake them. That promise still belongs to us, the Body of Christ, living on earth today. That means the Lord is always and forever with us whether we feel him or not.

There are many Bible stories I love to read where the Lord shows up and shows out wonderfully for his dearly beloved children and saves them from harm in the Old and New Testaments. Yet we should not forget Romans 14:8: “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Not to mention: “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).”

Let’s recall when the Lord tells Joshua in Joshua 1:6-9, to be strong and courageous, and careful to obey the law Moses had given him so that he’d be successful wherever he went. God also promised to be with Joshua as he was with Moses, and we see how awesome that was. The Lord has not only given us promises and examples of the Old Testament, but his word in the New Testament to guard closely in our hearts. The Lord told Joshua that he should keep the law on his lips and meditate on what was written day and night. He also encouraged him saying he’d never leave nor forsake him as was told to his disciples much later.

We later see David crying out to God in Psalm 56:1-4, asking for God’s mercy as his enemies were in pursuit of him all day long and many were attacking him. Yet David encourages himself saying, when he was afraid, he would trust God as what could mere mortals do to him? After all the good, bad, and ugly we see David go through in the Bible, 1 Chronicles 29:28 tells us David “…died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.”

Later Paul enters the biblical timeline and is convinced after learning that even living his tumultuous life, nothing could separate us from God’s love–not death, life, angels, demons, the present, future, nor any power, heights, or depths (Romans 8:38-39). Paul had great confidence in God’s love for him.

Paul then reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 that we should not fix our eyes on what’s seen, but on what’s “not” seen, since what’s seen is temporary and the unseen eternal. He wanted us to remember that these “light” and “momentary” troubles were producing for us an eternal glory that far exceeds all of them. I’d say that’s great news. We just need the right perspective which is God’s perspective; the truth.

Moreover, we’re reminded in Ephesians 6:10-18, to be strong in the Lord and his power, and to put on the full armor of God, which isn’t an earthly armor against human bodies or weapons, but a spiritual armor necessary for use in our struggle against the rulers, authorities and powers of this world’s darkness and spiritual forces of evil. This armor I recall from top to bottom to help me remember them, includes our helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit (God’s word), the shield of faith, the belt of truth, and feet fit with the “readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” And we should “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” So there’s no need to worry that you are tiring the Lord with your continual prayers. He wants us to do it!

In addition, in 2 Timothy 4:3-7, Paul lets Timothy, his son in the faith and coworker, know that a time was coming when people wouldn’t embrace sound doctrine, but to please themselves would gather a large group of teachers who would only tell them what they wanted to hear. Sadly, they’d turn from truth to myths, which today are widely held, but false beliefs or ideas. Yet Timothy was to keep his head in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of his ministry. Paul, in this passage, also signaled the end of his own life being near, but that he had: (1) fought the good fight; (2) finished the race; and (3) kept the faith. By God’s grace, may we all be able to say the same.

Proverbs 3:1-2
“…do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.”

A long life is a blessed life. Even though some Christians may have lived short fulfilling lives, the Bible still describes the long life as blessed. That is if we’ve not forgotten the Lord’s teachings and kept His commands in our hearts.

Remembering His promises and all the wonderful ways of living He’s taught us, brings peace, joy, and comfort as we navigate through life’s many chapters. In Psalm 91:14-16 we see the word of the Lord regarding his care: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

That passage shows us some of the rewards of loving the Lord and seeking His help in life. We don’t have to worry about being a bother to him. He tells us to come, to call on him.

The Bible also shows us in Deuteronomy 5:16 that long life and wellness are linked to treating our parents with honor, which Ephesians 6:2 says is the first commandment with a promise.

In addition, Proverbs 10:27 reminds us that the fear or reverence of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. So, in our quest to reach all of our career, relationship, or ministry goals, we can trust that if we, “Walk in obedience” to all that the Lord our God has commanded, we will “live and prosper and prolong” our days (Deuteronomy 5:33).

God is so good to us. The Bible he has given us is so rich with wonderful truths and promises that lead to many good things in our lives. And he tells us whoever has these commands and keeps them is the one who loves him and will be loved by his Father. Not to mention loved by Jesus himself and shown to them.

It’s also good to remember that “whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” We find from many of these scriptures that this lifestyle is quite different from what our culture may show us today. But this is why we don’t conform to the world, but renew our minds with the Bible’s truths so that our lives can be blessed by the wisdom it gives us. We must remember that God’s kingdom is not of this world, so if to others we seem out of touch by living as God tells us to live, that should never be a problem for us.

Choosing life through obedience to God leads to long life and blessings. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 assures us that he’s given us a choice between life and death, blessings, and cursings. But tells us to choose life, that we may love God, “listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” For the Lord is our life, and he’ll give us many years.

Now we may have known some awesome people who seemingly went to be with the Lord early, but God knows every circumstance of these situations that differ from others. Yet for the most part, God has made clear that long life is a blessing from God and has taught us ways to achieve it.

We also know that it is appointed to man once to die (Hebrews 9:27) and as spoken in James 4:14, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” This speaks to the futility of boasting about tomorrow.

Nevertheless, the Bible still gives us some helpful tools for living a long and prosperous life on earth. Some of which I’ve repeated and paraphrased here:

• love the Lord.
• love your neighbor.
• love your enemies.
• walk in the way the Lord says.
• live righteously.
• fear, reverence, or respect the Lord.
• keep your lips and tongue from speaking evil.
• find wisdom and gain understanding.
• honor and obey your parents.
• don’t provoke your children but bring them up in the instruction of the Lord.
• keep God’s teachings in your heart; don’t forget them.
• be wise; get wisdom.
• serve the Lord.
• number your days, gaining a heart of wisdom.
• recount the deeds of the Lord.
• keep your soul well.
• be faithful to the truth.
• walk in the Lord’s ways keeping his statutes and commandments.
• dwell in the shelter of the most high God by living in his presence, praying, and saying and knowing the Lord is your refuge in whom you can trust.
• appeal to God and lay your cause before Him.
• receive the Lord’s correction and discipline.
• believe in and on the Lord.
• do what the Lord says; keep his statutes/commandments.
• receive the life Jesus came to give.
• live, and keep yourself, in peace by keeping the Lord’s commandments in your heart.
• trust that the Lord’s plans for you are good and not evil.
• accept the Lord as your Shepherd who takes good care of you.
• understand that the Lord knitted you in your mother’s womb and you are fearfully and wonderfully made. He knows everything about you and your entire life.
• listen to the Lord’s words and accept them.
• believe and stand on Jesus is the only way and no one comes to the Father but by Him.
• live a life of godliness.
• wait on the Lord.
• realize you can do all things through the Lord; accept His strength.
• believe in the Lord doing the same works he does. Ask the Father for what you want in Jesus name and you’ll have it.
• accept that nothing will be impossible with God.
• follow Jesus.
• receive the Lord as your Shepherd.
• hold fast to the Lord and know His name–don’t change your mind about Him.
• don’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind with God’s word.
• realize life and death are in the power of your tongue and you’ll eat the fruit of either.
• keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceitfully.
• pray.
• turn away from evil; do good.
• seek peace; pursue it.
• remember Moses was 120 and when he died his eyes weren’t dim, nor his vigor unabated. recognize the good things about Moses and the good things he did as an example.
• don’t be afraid. recognize God gave you a spirit of love, power, and self-control…you already have it!

Revelation 1:5-6
“…To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Can you imagine being a king or priest to God? Well, this is what the Bible indicates God’s people are. First, as kings or priests, we’d fulfill the role of being a ruler, “especially one who inherits the position by right of birth,” and “someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God” (Merriam-Webster).

Rulership in God’s kingdom on earth involves many things including these few:

studying to show ourselves approved, those who don’t need to be ashamed as we rightly divide God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15); studying and meditating on the scriptures so that we know the Lord’s character and teachings;

articulating God’s vision of Luke 24:46-57, “Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” In addition, Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”;

making wise decisions through the Lord’s counsel. “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:1);

bearing with and forgiving one another, “if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13); and

serving one another in love, “be devoted to one another in love…” (Romans 12:10),  “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10), and “Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Though perhaps debatable to some believers, the Bible teaches us that Jesus has given us his authorization to do certain things as his family (i.e., pray, preach, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, etc., Mark 16:17-20; Matthew 6:5-7; Matthew 10:8; and Luke 9:2). I’d say those are some awesome duties. Apparently, God thinks a lot of us to trust us with the assignments He has given us.

Now what if we all treated one another like royalty or church leadership? Furthermore, it surely seems a stretch but, what if we treated even our enemies that way? What would this look like?

The Bible gives us clear directions on how we should treat one another. It tells us in Romans 12:3, “…to everyone who is among you, don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” So we should maintain an attitude of humility with one another. In doing this we can perhaps more easily carry out John 13:34-35, “…love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Moreover, this commandment to love one another actually fulfills the law (Romans 13:10).

How do we know we are loving one another? It’s when we show honor, respect, consideration, attention, and appreciation toward one another.

Regarding those who are in opposition to us, or offend us, Romans 12:20 tells us if our enemy is hungry, we should feed him. Further, Matthew 5:43-48 gives us some astonishing and seemingly impossible instructions on how we should relate to our enemies:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Forgiving our enemies is not a simple teaching to act upon. Nevertheless, it is one of the Lord’s commands. I’m convinced it is achievable only through submission to the Holy Spirit and prayer.

In any event, being included in such a special royal family is a privilege. Especially if its head is the creator of the universe and all things. Surely, the Lord is faithful to help us represent him and one another honorably as he is the author and finisher of our faith. As Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to us (James 1:5).

Deuteronomy 6:12

“be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

In Deuteronomy 6, Moses shares what God directed him to teach the Israelites to enjoy a long life, entering the land that God had called them to possess. He instructed them to observe God’s commands, decrees, and laws so that life would go well for them. They were taught to love the Lord with all their hearts, souls, and strength, and not follow any other gods of the people around them.

Moses wanted them to increase “greatly” in the Lord’s promised land flowing with milk and honey. So he warned them of the importance of obeying what the Lord commanded them.

Further, Moses reiterated that parents should impress those teachings on their children and talk about them when they sit at home, walk along a road, lie down, and awaken. Those words were to be tied as symbols on their hands and written on their foreheads. In addition, the doorframes of their houses and gates should have their writings.

The Lord had promised their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob a land of large cities, houses, wells, vineyards, and olive groves. So now Moses warned them to be careful not to forget the Lord who brought them out of slavery in Egypt. When they became blessed with all these good things and were satisfied, they were to continue to do what was right, not forgetting God, so it would go well with them. Failing to do what Moses taught would result in God’s anger and the Lord destroying them.

One may ask, what about today? We are no longer under the law. Nevertheless, God still blesses us with many things to enjoy, things that could cause a distraction from the things of heaven and eternal life, to an unhealthy focus on worldly things. Remembering God and his standards for our lives are still in effect.

A few New Testament scriptures to remember are:

John 14:23 – “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

1 Timothy 5:21 – “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

Ephesians 6:1 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1 Corinthians 10:11 – “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.”

Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Remembering God now involves remembering Christ. When we take communion we remember what God has done for us in providing his Son as the sacrifice for our sins. We remember how we have been given the privilege of eternal life by faith in accepting Christ. We are now the family of God and the Body of Christ. Hence, we are to abide in him and his words in us. We remember that he and the Father are one, and we are to love him with all our hearts, souls, and minds (Matthew 22:37).

Moreover, upon promising the Holy Spirit’s coming, Jesus said to his disciples, ““If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (John 14:21).

Sadly, because of disobedience, most of those people the Lord initially intended to enter the promised land didn’t get to enter, except for Joshua and Caleb, who exercised great faith and obedience in obtaining God’s promise of the land of milk and honey.

In pondering all of these things, Lord, we remember you. Please help us to obey you.

Do you realize who you are beloved Jesus follower? You, who have repented and now live for the Lord, accepting Him as your Savior, are highly favored. You are now the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

As John 1:12 tells us, “..to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” You’re “no longer a slave, but God’s child…” (Galatians 4:5-7). You’ve been adopted into the family of God and may now call him Father. You are no longer the woman or man of your sinful past, but you have been adopted according to his pleasure and will (Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5).

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.” You’ve been born again! The old is gone and now the new is here! Not only that, but you “have been crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). It is no longer you who lives, but Christ who lives in you. “…We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10). 

Magnificently, you are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). He’s prepared these things in advance for you to do. So, if you’re not quite sure what to do, don’t worry as he knows and will make sure he leads you in that direction. Your job is to follow his lead.

Your body, however it has been designed, is a temple “of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you’ve received from God” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You don’t even belong to yourself as you’ve been bought with a price–the shed blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He’s committed himself to care for you as your shepherd.

God sees you as his masterpiece, “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). He’s created you to bring about his will and glorify him. Moreover, in as much as you are his beloved child, you are an heir to his kingdom. He has forgiven you of your sins (Colossians 1:13-14; 2:13) and in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22).

Please keep in mind that “you are no longer a foreigner or stranger, but a fellow citizen with God’s people and also a member of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20).

You are chosen by God and made in his image (John 15:16; Genesis 1:27). You are a redeemed overcomer of a royal priesthood and a peculiar person. You are loved with an everlasting love and with lovingkindness the Lord has drawn you (Jeremiah 31:3).

I’d say these things and more are a lot for which you can be truly grateful.

Psalm 78:35

“They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.”

Do you realize we currently have access to, and relationship with, the highest authority that ever existed? Among his many names, he is El Elyon, the Hebrew translation for “God Most High.”

On this earth, we have levels of authority and the Bible tells us God has established all authority, therefore they are to be respected. So, which authority would you deem the highest on earth? The President of the United States, the Supreme Court, the Pope, the United Nations, or others?

Nevertheless, for the Bible believer, there is the one who created everything on earth and beyond, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last–El Elyon–God Most High.

This means there is no other person above him. He is all-powerful, everywhere present, and all-knowing. He is the great Creator of all things seen and unseen. But most amazingly, He is now our Father. Because we accepted his Son, Jesus Christ, and his atonement for our sins, we “Gentiles” have been adopted into his family as sons and daughters. Do we really know what this means?

A few things we can take away from embracing El Elyon’s authority:

First, there is no one more greater or powerful that exists. So our understanding of this fact would give us the confidence in knowing we have the best of care and his Holy Spirit is alive in us. Even when it appears all is going wrong, Romans 8:28 assures us that “… in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose..”

Second, along with the reality that our God is El Elyon, he is also Pele Yoetz–Wonderful Counselor. So we are also blessed to have access to his counsel in all things. Isn’t that incredible? Now, godly wisdom sets our priorities with the Most High God as supreme. Our thoughts become aligned with his will by learning and meditating on his principles and precepts for living. We are joined together in unity as one Body of Christ with his goals being ours.

Third, we are not only graced with his Holy Spirit and wisdom but his protection. I’m reminded of the story in Daniel 3:26 where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young men of God, were thrown into a fiery furnace because of their allegiance to him. In the end, even King Nebuchadnezzar, the great Babylonian king, at the entrance of the blazing furnace, acknowledged them as servants of the “Most High God.” They had been cast into a ferocious fire that immediately burned to death those men that cast them in, yet caused them not even the smell of smoke as they exited unharmed!

Finally, throughout the Bible, God has proven to his people and his enemies, his status as God Most High. We should remember this and our position as a connected family, now citizens of heaven, seated with Jesus in heavenly places (Philippians 3:20 and Ephesians 2:6).

We can rest confident that the highest authority–El Elyon–has all the power to continually provide for and protect us. It may take a lifetime to actually have total trust in this reality. Nevertheless, the sooner we truly believe it the better.

May God Most High help us all to fully trust what is written in his word.