Thursday, July 22, 2010

Not of this world

The Bible says we are to be in the world not of the world. We are here whether we like it or not. All we can do is choose what to do with the time we are given. I want to go home as much as anyone, but I don’t get to decide when I go. Only God knows that. So what should we do with the time we have? Luke 12:33 says Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. What that’s saying is live life for God and not yourself. Everything in this world will be gone soon and all your money, cars, TV’s and computers will be no more. Don’t live for the trappings of this world. John 18:26 says Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Don’t get to protective of what you think is yours, because it’s really not. The only thing you can keep is your heavenly treasure. How many jewels do you want on your crown?
I will receive my first degree black belt next week (if I don’t fail the test) and even though it has taken 6 years and 9 months of my life to get what does it do for me in eternity? Is God going to say, Wow Josh, you got a black belt. For that you get more eternal reward. I don’t think so. In fact I know so. I want to be loved by the Lord. Oh wait, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. You all know where that is in the bible so I don’t need to put the reference. I am loved and so are you. Lets break that verse down. For God so loved the world. Lets break it down even more. For God so loved Josh, Jenny, Scott, Rose, Daniel, and Stephanie. He loves everyone so much that he gave his one and only Son to save us. What if you had a son? Would you just give him up? That was an amazing act of love that we didn’t deserve.1 John 4:19 says We love Him because He first loved us.
May God bless you and keep you.
Josh Martin

4 comments:

ajfcello said...

Wow. Great post, Josh! So many times we get caught up in the things of this world that we forget that this world won't last forever. God's kingdom is the ONLY thing that will last forever. Thanks for the reminder! This is something everyone needs to hear!
Fantastic post!
-Anna

Sara said...

Great point. I know that since I have graduated from highschool I only wanted to be done with school and just float through life. That is not what God wants from me...He wants much more then that. Now I have planned out my life...to go to college and get a music teaching degree so that I can glorify Him with my musical talent and teach others to do so as well. I can do so much here on earth, even though my forever home is in heaven with Him. Great post Josh!

Rose said...

This is so true, Josh. Most people lose sight of the fact that we are to live in the world and not of it, and not the other way around. Instead of looking and dressing like the world so we can minster to others who don't know Christ, we should dress and act like a godly Christians and be lights, shinning for Christ.

Katelyn said...

Great post, Josh! An eternal perspective shows that Jesus is important to us and really matters.
You might like this? 2011teenchallenge.blogspot.com

- Katelyn :)