Daily Bread 4-6-17

Philippians 4:1,4-5

1  Therefore my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.

ref. - 2Co 1:14 - As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

          Jas 5:8,9 -  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  Grudge not now against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned:  behold, the judge standeth before the door.

               1P 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

               2P 3:8 - But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

      There was such a great love for the people by Paul.  He knew that the results of their lives and their victory was his blessing and would become his crown in the coming of the Lord.  He had been made responsible for these souls and the fact that they were flourishing was a great blessing. He cared for them enough to remind them of things that they needed to tend to in order to make heaven their homes.  Even though they were flourishing in Christ, he took time to remind them, to sharpen them, and when necessary rebuke them.  Thank God that we still have men like this today who care for us beyond earthly pleasures and worldly feelings.  Sometimes we get caught up in the "party" of Church and gathering that we forget that we are serving God and not one another.  We need to sharpen ourselves and purify ourselves. All of the  praise and worship and loving one another is a great part of what Christ puts in us but there is something that must fuel this praise and worship and love. We must not get caught up in these things to the point that we forget that he is coming soon. We must prepare ourselves to be pleasing in his sight so that we have the right spirit in us.  We can praise him all we want with unclean hearts and it will not benefit us.  We can sing beautiful songs with unholy intentions and purpose and it will not help us.  We can also preach big fancy sermons to thousands and cause many to follow us but without the right Spirit, none of this will help us.  What is important is that we not gain the whole world and lose our souls.  Sure, it feels great when our families come together and we are getting along, it feels great to just let ourselves go in worship and melt in his presence, but we must not forget, our feelings is not what this is about.  This is about pleasing God and being ready when he comes.  Put in me a clean heart, O God.   So, today, amongst all of the lovefests that are going on, and the praisefests that are happening, just step back and take a good look at yourself. Realize that one day you are going to be asked to leave all this world and it's inhabitants behind. Friends, family, loved ones, possessions, all that you hold dear on this earth. Only you will be able to pass through those gates, individually, one by one, and it will not be in bodily form, it will be your soul. Impure things will not pass through, only that which is free from sin. So, as you think on this, it is also time to think of something else;  What if this time came in the next day? Or Hour? Or Minute? Are you ready?  The Lord will come as a thief in the night and our souls will be required of us.  No warning other than the warnings of the scripture and men who believe in it.  Make today the day that you no longer stand drunken in the activities and become sober in the Spirit.  Let them that have ears to hear.  What others have done to you has nothing to do with what Christ has done for you so let go of the things that cause bitterness and hate in your heart and focus on the one who died for you.  Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today , and forever!!!! Have a great day!!!