Bear Necessities

2 Peter 3:10-13

If only we had a heads up on life’s curve balls! Wouldn’t it be great to be prepared for any situation?! I want to be like Bear Grylls – fearless and prepared for anything that comes his way. Bear seems to anticipate all possibilities and not dread them. He enjoys running into the “unexpected.”

Recently I went through an Alpha course and was pleasantly surprised to see Bear’s face on the screen. I didn’t know he had such a strong faith. I decided to google him and found multiple articles about his walk with God. I clicked on one story written a few months ago by Bear himself for British GQ. Again, pleasantly surprised to find such a story in this publication.

Bear wrote, “when we’re truly afraid and there’s no one around to help us, to possess a quiet faith can give us a persistence, light and courage that is so much greater than simply ourselves.” Later he says, “For many years I tried to do without it (faith). I tried to be strong only in myself. But the truth is that I’m not. I need a helping hand, a peace within and that quiet assurance for my future…I am no longer too proud to admit that I need my Saviour beside me.” He ends by saying, “Each fresh challenge offers an opportunity for you to develop your adventurous spirit and inner strength. So be brave. Embrace faith wherever you may find it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

After reading this, I understood where Bear’s confidence comes from. He knows he could die doing what he does, but it doesn’t seem to faze him because he knows where he’s going and that there’s a wonderful new heaven and new earth waiting.

Lessons from a 4 1/2 Year Old

Revelation 20:7-21:8

 

 

This is My Granddaughter, Everely. She’s four years old – 4 ½ according to her. This past Sunday at church when Everly walked into the building she spotted me at the end of the hallway, and she ran the length of the hall giving me a huge bear hug. That brought unbelievable joy to my heart and purpose to my life. What brings joy and purpose to your life?

 

In Revelation, John wrote about his vision. Like the title of the 1966 Clint Eastwood movie, “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”, it included all of those elements. John begins with the defeat of Satan; moves onto the final judgement; and finishes with the vision of a new heaven and a new earth.

 

Both good and evil exist in our world today. In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, both good and evil exist in us. In a world conflicted by this, John’s vision brings us great hope, joy and purpose.

 

“Look! God now makes his home with the people. He will live with them. They will be his people. And God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death.’ And there will be no more sadness. There will be no more crying or pain. Things are no longer the way they used to be.”

 

Today’s passage tells us that in the midst of judgement, evil, temptation, pain and suffering, injustice, hate and anger, immorality… there is hope. Not only the hope of the next life of a new earth and a new heaven; but hope for here and now. Hope for how we live today; hope for the struggles of life. There is hope with joy and purpose.

 

It’s kind of amazing how much joy and purpose my 4 ½ year old granddaughter brought into my life in that one single moment without even trying. How much more joy and purpose does our Heavenly Father, the God of creation, the Living God, give us with the promises of His Word. Now that is amazing!

 

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2020%3A7-21%3A8&version=NIV;NLT

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Rev.20.7-Rev.21.8

 

 

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.   Galatians 5:1 (NIV)   

Do you ever stop and think what it will be like when Christ returns, when everyone on earth is a believer and there is no illness, pain or sorrow and no death.  Imagine for a minute with me-what could that look like?  I think if we can come up with a mental picture of the Garden of Eden we might be close. Will the New Earth be like Eden or will it be like a earth, only perfect.  Or are they the same?

We don't have answers to these questions, but it is fun to dream.  When we think of loved ones who are already a part of God's world it gives such comfort to dream of a time when we will be united as the Family of God.  These thoughts give me gratitude for my salvation.

Sin is bondage.  Christ has freed us from this bondage.  Scripture says were forgiven even before we committed the sin.  That is real freedom.  That is real grace.  The last part of the verse for today directs us to  act free.  We are to believe this and never allow Satan to burden us with guilt or shame.  The Message Bible puts it this way:  Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.