. .. and especially at this age for me as a born again believer I do ponder often what it's like growing old gracefully ~ ~ . .I think it's a learning day by day, year by year wisdom gained in knowing how Cherished and valued Christ is to our God . ~ ~ living and receiving Jesus and His Love His Way, in His Light, in His Spirit indwelling assures us true peace and gifted Grace . . , ~ ~ what better or higher place to be than living in the Heart of our Father, ever sheltered, kept, and held ONLY in Jesus Who never leaves us . . ~~ There are 2 kinds of beliefs out there … unfortunately many only have a head knowledge “faith” and do believe Jesus died on the Cross, was buried and rose again … BUT … they are trusting in their works or praying to Mary or some other saint or the pope or confessing their sins to a priest and haven’t prayed to Jesus directly for their salvation, that is not true salvation. Heck, even the devil and demons believe Jesus is Lord and Creator of everything and came to die for mankind and they tremble at the thought and yet they are not saved. Then we have real genuine “faith” in trusting fully in Jesus atonement and nothing else! Its His blood that washes away our sins … we can’t work for it. Then after we believe, we are saved and in the family of God and become new creatures and should have a conscious in not wanting to sin like we once did. We should have the zeal to want to please the Lord and follow His Word. That is the sanctification process of growing in the faith … totally separate from the salvation process … some people grow faster and mature and others stay as babies and struggle. Psalm 73:25 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” John 15:4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Romans 8:11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” :prayer-hands: The defiled will not enter into God's Kingdom, so we must be diligent with our lives to be real servants of Jesus Christ. We must look to the power in Jesus' blood to set us free from anything that defiles us. Revelation 22 [10] And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. [11] He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. [12] And, behold, I [Jesus] come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. [13] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. [14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. [15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 21 [6] And he said unto me, It is done. I [Jesus] am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. [7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. [8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Mark 7 [14] And when he [Jesus] had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: [15] There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. [16] If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. [20] And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. I find it fascinating that the list in Rev 21:8, quoted above in Stephen's message, is topped by "the fearful". The devil wants us to be fearful, but we have not been given a spirit of fear by God. We have to resist fear with prayer and worship and submission to our Lord. James 4:7 says: "Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee". If you have a problem with fear and anxiety, run to the Lord! Just speak to Him and, if necessary, find a believer or believers you can trust, talk to them and let them help you to find peace. Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid". (John 14) I just sense that somebody needs to hear that. Whatever it is that you're fearful about, take it to God in prayer and cast your cares on Him. He really cares for you and He is waiting for you to call on Him. Don't be reluctant to ask for help. Men, especially, think they have to deal with everything themselves. You can't! It will just build up and build up until you break. The Lord will always make a way for you if you ask.
