06/12/14 WASTED OR WELL SPENT

06/12/14 WASTED OR WELL SPENT

Regardless of a person's politics, the thought of American military personnel dying for the freedom of a nation, which ultimately falls into the hands of the oppressors, is heart wrenching. For many parents, spouses and children, it must seem like a terrible waste of a loved one's life. It is sadness, emptiness beyond words.

REALITY CHECK...
Those who are spending their lives for the passing hopes and transient dreams of this doomed world system, are making the greatest sacrifice for the most futile of causes. As someone said,
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past; Only what's done for Christ will last."

Don't waste your time on that which is a vapor. Another great quote is,
"He is no fool, who gives that which he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose."

As God said,
1 John 2:15-17
(15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
(16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
(17) And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever.

THINK ABOUT THIS...

It is important not to underestimate your enemy; but first of all, you must know who your enemy is.

Philippians 3:15-19
(15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (dlg note... totally committed and obedient to Christ), be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
(16) Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
(17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
(18) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
(19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Whether it is a person or an organization, whether he/she is officially aligned or seemingly independent, whether popular or despised by society, the enemy of Christ and His salvation, His word, His people, and His rule, must be recognized. We must not allow them to either intimidate or intrigue or entice us to move from the path that God has set for us. As time goes by, the cost of following Jesus will become more evident.