Job 37-39 / 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10 / Psalm 44:9-26 / Proverbs 22:13
Sometimes my body is so achy that I’m ready to be healed or move to Heaven, but most of the time I’m excited about life here and the opportunity to live another day, loving Jesus and my people and helping others know Him more. I’ve heard that getting old isn’t for sissies. At almost 59 I don’t feel old yet, but like I said, my body sure is talking more and more as the years pass.
Part of my pain is due to a car accident in 2013 that caused a disc rupture and nerve damage. The rupture required surgery in March 2014 and let me tell you, nerves heal very slowly. The sciatic nerve in my right leg was severely damaged by the rupture but the Lord has promised to heal me. I hold onto that healing.
Like some of you when low pressure weather systems enter our area my body can tell. The past few days have been that way. It’s August, so not too far away from full-blown hurricane season. We’re being affected now by a low-pressure system and rain from Hurricane Ida that wiped out Louisiana. Our Bradley’s family (our future son-in-law who passed away in January 2021) is still there, and we’ve been praying hard for all of them as they suffer loss and hard times.
Did you also know that from the moment we were born, our physical bodies began to die? I guess that sounds morbid, but it’s true. We celebrate new life when a baby is born but from the moment we enter earth, our days have been counted by God. We have only a certain number and none of us knows how long we’ll be here. Considering that fact, it’s important to live each day looking to God’s Spirit for His plan.
2 Corinthians 4:16 tell us, “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”
What is the “why” spoken of in that verse? The answer is found in verse 14 – We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to Himself together with you.
Even though we are counting our days left on earth, even though our bodies are dying daily, we have this amazing hope of being raised with Jesus and presented to the Father. Now, before you think I believe we are just biding our time and waiting for the sweet by and by, let me assure you that I believe our inheritance is not in Heaven only. We have an inheritance here also.
Colossians 1:11-12 NLT We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
We have a life and inheritance as we live in community with other Jesus followers. We also have a mandate to bring Heaven to earth every day. Are you working to do that? Remember the part of the Lord’s prayer – on earth as it is in Heaven? In Heaven everything is perfect and complete, and we can pray that completeness and perfection into our earthly experience.
What we are doing when we do that is bringing God’s Spirit to bear into our earthly lives. Do you need healing? You are healed in Heaven! Do you need salvation? Your salvation exists in Heaven through Jesus Christ.
Our spirits are being renewed every day by God’s Spirit. All we must do is be aware, connect with Him through His Word and in prayer and we have everything we need! Even if your body is screaming at you, your spirit man can be energized and excited about what God is doing. That is the life I live, and I want to invite you to join me. How? By accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and by submitting your life to him daily.
