Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

In February, I attended a high-school parent appreciation dinner at our church. The Leader, Kumi, had students (including Zachary) write and read a eulogy for their parents. Kumi started this tradition several years back after attending a memorial service where a child spoke about their parent, and he thought if only the parent could have heard that during their life. Between January and April, we received the news of 7 deaths, and it has been sobering. As we have been, we want to encourage you to seize three opportunities before you today: 1) forgive one another, 2) redeem the time and 3) fulfill the greatest commandment. 

"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity...forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:26-27, 32, NASB). The reality is we get angry and sin against one another. I have heard it said, once upset, the clock starts ticking, to "get over it." Before we think about "how to," one warning is that while we remain angry, we make ourselves susceptible to temptation to act out of how we feel...never a good guide. We enter the enemy's playground, so to speak, and begin playing using his equipment and rules. However, the solution is to remember God in Christ has forgiven any who believe in Him. When I consider the weight that even one offense against a holy and perfect God is worthy of eternal separation and wrath, I am humbled. The one who is perfect has no obligation to forgive ANYTHING but rather has the right and ability to castigate, yet He chose grace-to send His son instead, to amend all of my wrongs and those done against me. I want a heart like that, and I long for others to treat me the same. The more I consider I have been forgiven so insurmountable a trespass, the more I am enabled to do the same.

"...making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16, NASB). Every day is a reminder that there is brokenness within and around us. But what would the world be like if people valued their time? What if we could be present and not rush from commitment to commitment or available and flexible when a need comes up? While our time is limited, each of us are given 24 hours a day - so we are more than supplied. And we are commanded to use it up the best way possible - the implication is we are capable and wise when we do so. Inspiration, similarly, is found in the example of Christ who has all the time in the world, yet stepped into time as we know it, so we could live holy lives, in the present, filling us with everlasting hope, beyond the grave. Looking to what is ahead has the power to bring perspective and strength in present hardships (2 Corinthians 4:7-18, NASB). Are we sharing this reality made true by Jesus with others? This is true wisdom. 

"Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love" (Ephesians 6:24, NASB). I may have shared before, but I LOVE structure, organization, order and doing things "right." So it is easy for me to go through the motions, without even thinking about it. Yet while I am disciplined on the outside, I am naturally rebellious on the inside. Thankfully, when I was 14 years old, I heard the gospel. Ten years later, my faith was either solidified or born. Ten years after that, at present, I know I love Him, only by His grace. Our church recently studied the book of Galatians, and I see just how subtle and pervasive legalism and trying to "be good" are. Ironically, as I continue falling infinitely short of God's perfection, my heart grows deeper in affection, because I see it is not based on the sometimes "good" I do but on what Christ has fully done and does all the time. The more I grow in knowledge of how perfect, infinite and unchanging His love is for me, the more I want to love and live for Him. 

As Husband and I were helping a dear friend pack up her mom's things after she passed, one of the other gentlemen said, "You cannot take this stuff with you when you're gone." My quick reply was, "Hallelujah!" (Philippians 1:20-26, NASB). But by God's wisdom, I am here, and you are here. Which opportunities remain for you to redeem, people to forgive and ask for forgiveness and, above all, to love the Lord? Beloved, our prayer is that you would not look back over past (or recent) shortcomings or think you need to "do more to measure up." Keep your eyes on the reality to be prized: if you are in Christ, you are forgiven! Look daily to the rich love of God expressed in His son at the cross-this is where life, love and liberty are found to walk with the Lord in the strength of His power and might, right now. As a result, we will forgive others and steward our days well. While we cannot take anything with us when we die, we can share the good news with others in hope that they will go ahead or follow after us into the presence of the One who always forgives and loves and tells others of the Father. Oh what a glorious day, to see Jesus face to face!!!

Praise Reports:

1. Husband and I completed a communication series with one of our pastors-it was very practical; 
2. We were able to celebrate my mom's and Jacob's birthdays, and had lively discussion on fellowship, membership and baptism; 
3. While in prayer, the Spirit led me to initiate a rotating daily prayer routine for my almost 100 coworkers plus student athletes - this has allowed staff to open up with requests and praises and surprising opportunities to fellowship;
4. Jacob turned 20 and resumed men's bible study - they are studying the epistles of John; and
5. Zachary was able to attend a youth evangelism conference 9/23-24, and he continues asking great questions and sharing his heart after worship service or bible studies.

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

1. Husband and I will be on a marriage retreat October 20-22;
2. Husband is learning how to diagram, prepare a devo and preach in class on Monday evenings;
3. He and I (/or another male pastor/leader from our church) have been invited to attend ITA's annual conference in Rome, January 2023; 
4. Husband's dad/my father-in-law, Jose, was just diagnosed with cancer in his lungs and intestines (we rejoice in his faith in Jesus);
5. Zachary will be making some important life decisions in the next year; and
6. Hacob & Zachary to bear consistent/genuine fruit of salvation.