Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

John 10:10

This is Jesus!  In this 10th chapter of John he is speaking to his disciples alone, confiding with them about the most important thing! LIFE, spiritual life! 

The words he spoke ring in our ears, to this day.  They are truth!  Jesus came so that we who believe may have life, to the full.  He is not referring to physical life, common to all people.  Jesus does not try to explain what this means, at this time, but they will understand well enough when the gift of life is in fact theirs, by faith in the finished work of Jesus.

This life is not natural life even though usual words are used.  It is life in the Spirit, a gift that is given to those who embrace Jesus.

This must have sounded a bit strange to the Disciples who heard these words of Jesus.  Jesus knew that his suffering, death and resurrection would make it all clear – events of the future.  Things were not at all clear to the Disciples at this time.   The day is coming for them, when all is clear and they will proclaim the Gospel that offers salvation to all, in all places at all times.  This is us!  At my age I find this comforting beyond thought.

A few months ago my camera, Nikon 5000, became afflicted beyond my ability to heal it!  So, online, I noted that I could replace it for a very low cost.  So I ordered it, that was a month or so ago. A few days ago it arrived from, of all places, Moscow and all the words were in Russian!  I know no Russian.  So I have slowly learned enough to use the camera for my needs so I use it happily.  Now and again I am stumped but usually work it out.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:9, 10

Does this Scripture, the counsel of the Apostle Paul to the believers in the Greek city of Galatia, have any meaning for me, miles and centuries away?  I am well into my 90^th year and find that most of my attention is focused on my own welfare, especially in the physical area.  I realize I have to look after myself, but I know that I am part of God’s healing community that serves those in need.  For years I took my physical health much for granted.  Now, it is a large part of my daily life.  I am brought up short by Paul’s advice to help others.

A thought flits through my mind.  If all the fruit vines and trees on this earth would give up before they produce fruit, we would all be in huge trouble.   There is no use in starting unless we finish, because only then will the fruit satisfy us and others.

The proper time will come, that is in the hands of God.  It is not for us to speculate but to push on with faith and purpose.  That means doing good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

I embrace this truth and promise.  Lord, at this age may I not look out for my own growth in faith but consider others as well!

For we live by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7

The first day of February!  January was a bit of a jumble for me, with my various physical challenges. One thing I am learning is in this verse that Daily Light cited this morning, for we live by faith, not by sight.  Normally I want to see what I am getting into.  This calling is to trust all to God whom we do not see physically and rely on his promises that fill the Bible, and which are supported by the testimony of those who believe through the years.

Faith is one of our most cherished possessions – a gift that sets us apart from all those who do not love Jesus in this world.  We should never try to make our faith into the patterns or demands of this world but should embrace with our whole beings the promises God has given and live every day in Him.

I see the huge difference between seeing what is seen and believing what is not seen.  Our walk with God is the latter.  What we can see is very limited – that which we can not see with our eyes but with our hearts makes all the difference!

Lord, teach me, again, to listen to you, always.

“‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.”

Numbers 33:55

Through life, this occasion in the history of the Children of Israel has a special meaning for me.

I was converted, saved by the Lord, when I was 16 years old, at the time in my life when huge swells were happening in me that had me churning.  I was raised to be a good Christian lad, but I had no good idea what that meant.  I was, in many ways, lost!  The most consequential loss was not really knowing about Jesus’ invitation to follow Him.

As I rethink those days, I believe that God was preparing me for something!  I had no big ideas, just a feeling of bewilderment.  Then on October 10, when I was a high school senior at Eastern Mennonite School, I could hold out no longer but surrender my life to God, without knowing a fraction of what that decision would produce for me and for many others then and in the days ahead.

One thing stands out in my mind, I determined to live like Jesus if that is possible.  I would not allow the barbs and thorns of the enemy of my soul to trick me into unbelief!  That was an amazing almost 70 years ago!  Can it be??  I still believe that now!  Thank you, Jesus!  You won the battles for me and I know you will continue to do so until I praise you in glory.

These are my thoughts for the last day of January 2019.  My soul is at rest.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Hebrews 1:1, 2 (H and T)

Run, persevere, the race is set before us!   This is not for the faint of heart, but for those followers of Jesus who are determined to follow Him everywhere and in every way.  It is a challenge beyond challenges.  If it were not for the Spirit of the Lord, we would be stuck in our own puny efforts, leading nowhere. The victory is in Christ, who ran the full course, Cross and all, now seated in the heavenlies, encouraging us not to give up, not one bit but to run with patience the special course set before each of us.  I have mine, you have yours.  All of us are sustained by the same Holy Spirit.

The demands of the race are so strenuous that no one can run the course without the aid of the Spirit of God.  So, we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow him in every way, conquering in His Name!

Was it not Jesus who ran the course, the first to do so? He is our pioneer, the new victor.  Not only does He give us the energy to carry on but is concentrating on perfecting our faith, making it the center of all things!  In that way our faith is being perfected, pure and holy.

Brothers and sisters, none of us can even begin to follow Jesus in our own strength, but with the blessed Spirit of God in us, we can run, run, run!

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

John 21:17.

Three times Jesus turned to Peter with the most consequential question ever asked.  “Do you love me?”  Only a few hours before this Peter blurted out around the fire that he did not even know this man (Jesus).   Jesus knew Peter very well so he did not ask him any other questions, like, “Why did you say that?” Or, “Will you serve me?”  Or, “Will you preach in my name?”  No, Jesus went to the heart, “Do you love me?”   Peter, stripped of all pretense, said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”  

Peter and Jesus reached the ultimate point, after all is said and done, do you love me?  Jesus knew that he loved Peter.  Peter knew that he loved Jesus.  Their common cry changed everything!  Heaven rejoiced!  The bond is love, nothing less.

Jesus asks me this same question this morning as I bring my life, once again, into alignment with Him, “Do you love me?”  I do!  Through all of life, your love toward me never wavered.  I am not sure about myself.  You know all things.  I say again, as did Peter, “I love you.” 

My dear, trusted Nikon camera has developed a problem, very expensive to fix. So I ordered a used one on line.  Hopefully that will come and then I can get back to one of my favorite things, photography!

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8 – 10

I read Paul’s testimony often.  This morning I read it again and am blessed.  In writing to the believers in Corinth Paul tells of some experiences that he had with the Lord that are breathtaking – 14 years ago caught up to the heavens where he experienced mighty things.  Paul also, as a follower of Jesus, met opposition that was fierce.  The problem seems to have centered on Paul’s “thorn.”   He prayed three times to have it removed but that did not happen.  So, Paul was faced with the question – did Jesus who lifted him up to experience heavenlies is now unable or unwilling to take a “thorn” away from him?

Paul found his rest in embracing God’s marvelous grace, a grace that lifted him up, but which also supported him when abased.  Paul shares how the Lord helped him in this conflict.  The grace that lifted him up high as the heavens is the same grace that empowers him in the valley where he is brought low.  I read, again, his testimony. He experienced God’s power in profound weakness.  This seems impossible to us but to Paul it was the resolution to the issue.

He ended by praising God for his weaknesses, because it was in weakness that he experienced the mighty power of Jesus.

He is completely honest when he writes, that is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In my heart of hearts I know this.  Lord, help me to forgive, love and grant grace to all. 

They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.  You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Hebrews 1:11 – 13 

“You remain the same.”  Growing up I caught glimpses of Jesus, as many do, no doubt.  However, I was 16 years old when I first saw the Lord looking at me with mercy and love, inviting me to declare bankruptcy and embrace Him as my all in all. October 10, 1944.  I was on the journey to know the Lord and all that He is and will be.

Since then?  “You remain the same.”  To be honest I learned to know Jesus more and more as I saw Him guide my steps in the many, many changes in my life. He does remain the same yet is constantly dealing with changes in my life and circumstances.

He is just as active in my life this morning as ever.  Maybe even more so!  If that is possible.  He gives me stability and hope as I pass through some rough sea at this stage of my life.  I rejoice in knowing that his mercy never wavers or changes. My hope is in HIM alone!