STOP STRIVING—START THRIVING!
SOME of the most profound theological concepts come to us from the most unlikely sources and speak to us in powerful ways. Recently, while standing in line at the local Starbucks, I glanced over at a handwritten sign near the front counter, that stopped me in my tracks, because of the simplicity and truthfulness of the message displayed: “Say hello to a brand new day!”
Each one of us who have embraced fulfillment, and have experienced the joy of Accomplished Salvation (Preterism) are aware of the profound effect this understanding has on our lives as believers. It is never about feeding just our intellect, or nourishing just our thirst for ‘deeper’ knowledge—it is always about our relationship with God, and our longing to just sit at the feet of Jesus and be fed His Word, and to be refreshed in our spirits each “brand new day” that is given to us.
Every Preterist has had the awesome experience of awakening from the sleep of eschatological confusion and watch God, as He pulls back the veil and reveals to us the once, hidden “mystery” of the ages. Those verses of Scripture that once seemed so obscure and difficult, now open up before us, and the light and countenance of the glory and the ‘bright-shining’ of His Presence becomes the basis of our “new” reality. As the psalmist declared, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path … Revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word” (Psa. 119:105, 107). It is then that believers begin to experience the fullness and reality of those promised, “times of refreshing … from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
The world is convinced that God can only be “found” by their own human efforts, as they “strive” for salvation and redemption on their own terms. God has a better way, one that involves the impartation of His “power” through the message of the gospel (Rom. 1:16, 17), resulting in the “righteousness” that only He alone can give to those enslaved and held captive by the strongholds of “sin ... and death through sin” (Rom. 5:12; 3:23; 6:23). It is because of God and His manifested grace, that believers are ushered past “strive” and into “thrive”-- “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). It is “by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Rom. 5:1, 2).
When the Preterist journey begins for each of us, there is always an inner joy and excitement beyond measure—one that leads us to share this message with everyone we know and everyone we meet. Some are open to the message of Accomplished Salvation, while others reject it without further study or honest consideration. The greatest demonstration of the Truth of Fulfilled Eschatology is not simply in the words we speak, but rather in the victorious lives we now lead. Someone once observe, “Believers should preach the gospel everywhere they go, and when necessary, use words.” The actions of a blessed person are undeniable proof of a living Lord who has kept His Word and fulfilled His promises.
In perhaps one of the most difficult periods of Israel’s history, Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet” was inspired to proclaim: “The Lords loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22, 23). While the rest of society, including much of the religious world, races headlong toward the brink of ‘Futurist’ despair, only those who grasp the truth of His purposes and experience the depths of His grace can find “rest” from the weariness of daily living (Matt. 11:29, 30), surrounded by the “peace of God that surpasses all comprehension” (Phil. 4:7).
The Old Covenant provision of God was for the priestly ministry of the Levites was to assist daily the “sons of Aaron” in their service at the temple of the Lord (I Chron. 23:27, 28; Num. 3:6-9). One awesome responsibility of the Levites was to “stand every morning to thank and to praise the Lord, and likewise at evening” (I Chron. 23:30). Their acts of worship and devotion were the very centerpiece of their existence, day-by-day, continually approaching God with hearts of thanksgiving and praise. How much more for those of us who now stand, forever in the abiding Presence of Almighty God, as a “kingdom” and “priests” (Rev. 1:6), who offer up continually, the “sacrifice of praise” (Heb. 13:15).
This day, and every day is “brand new” for us, not because of anything we have done, but because our God has made it so. Perhaps, it is now time to pause and lay aside whatever it is that we have been carrying around with us, feelings of discouragement, hurt, anger, even bitterness, and allow our God to restore and to refresh us as He prepares us for the great things that are in store for those who love Him. Time to stop striving, and to start thriving. Amen?
Each one of us who have embraced fulfillment, and have experienced the joy of Accomplished Salvation (Preterism) are aware of the profound effect this understanding has on our lives as believers. It is never about feeding just our intellect, or nourishing just our thirst for ‘deeper’ knowledge—it is always about our relationship with God, and our longing to just sit at the feet of Jesus and be fed His Word, and to be refreshed in our spirits each “brand new day” that is given to us.
Every Preterist has had the awesome experience of awakening from the sleep of eschatological confusion and watch God, as He pulls back the veil and reveals to us the once, hidden “mystery” of the ages. Those verses of Scripture that once seemed so obscure and difficult, now open up before us, and the light and countenance of the glory and the ‘bright-shining’ of His Presence becomes the basis of our “new” reality. As the psalmist declared, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path … Revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word” (Psa. 119:105, 107). It is then that believers begin to experience the fullness and reality of those promised, “times of refreshing … from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
The world is convinced that God can only be “found” by their own human efforts, as they “strive” for salvation and redemption on their own terms. God has a better way, one that involves the impartation of His “power” through the message of the gospel (Rom. 1:16, 17), resulting in the “righteousness” that only He alone can give to those enslaved and held captive by the strongholds of “sin ... and death through sin” (Rom. 5:12; 3:23; 6:23). It is because of God and His manifested grace, that believers are ushered past “strive” and into “thrive”-- “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). It is “by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Rom. 5:1, 2).
When the Preterist journey begins for each of us, there is always an inner joy and excitement beyond measure—one that leads us to share this message with everyone we know and everyone we meet. Some are open to the message of Accomplished Salvation, while others reject it without further study or honest consideration. The greatest demonstration of the Truth of Fulfilled Eschatology is not simply in the words we speak, but rather in the victorious lives we now lead. Someone once observe, “Believers should preach the gospel everywhere they go, and when necessary, use words.” The actions of a blessed person are undeniable proof of a living Lord who has kept His Word and fulfilled His promises.
In perhaps one of the most difficult periods of Israel’s history, Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet” was inspired to proclaim: “The Lords loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22, 23). While the rest of society, including much of the religious world, races headlong toward the brink of ‘Futurist’ despair, only those who grasp the truth of His purposes and experience the depths of His grace can find “rest” from the weariness of daily living (Matt. 11:29, 30), surrounded by the “peace of God that surpasses all comprehension” (Phil. 4:7).
The Old Covenant provision of God was for the priestly ministry of the Levites was to assist daily the “sons of Aaron” in their service at the temple of the Lord (I Chron. 23:27, 28; Num. 3:6-9). One awesome responsibility of the Levites was to “stand every morning to thank and to praise the Lord, and likewise at evening” (I Chron. 23:30). Their acts of worship and devotion were the very centerpiece of their existence, day-by-day, continually approaching God with hearts of thanksgiving and praise. How much more for those of us who now stand, forever in the abiding Presence of Almighty God, as a “kingdom” and “priests” (Rev. 1:6), who offer up continually, the “sacrifice of praise” (Heb. 13:15).
This day, and every day is “brand new” for us, not because of anything we have done, but because our God has made it so. Perhaps, it is now time to pause and lay aside whatever it is that we have been carrying around with us, feelings of discouragement, hurt, anger, even bitterness, and allow our God to restore and to refresh us as He prepares us for the great things that are in store for those who love Him. Time to stop striving, and to start thriving. Amen?
Comment
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Comment by Kenny Plummer on April 25, 2009 at 11:37pm -
Larry,,,,
Well worth reading and very uplifting. This is what we need very much. Bless you!
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Comment by Larry Siegle on April 24, 2009 at 12:52am - Thanks to everyone for the kind comments...Glad to be more active...
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Comment by Laurie on April 24, 2009 at 12:42am - "Time to stop striving, and to start thriving. Amen?" AMEN and AMEN Thank you Larry. Your input has been missed. Glad you are back to posting.
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Comment by Derrell on April 24, 2009 at 12:37am - :)
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Comment by chris winn on April 23, 2009 at 6:49pm - good stuff larry, I'd like to see more of this on SGP. living the life and reaping the rewards! amen!
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Comment by Ron on April 23, 2009 at 6:40pm - Excellent! Thank you so much, Larry. Powerful writing. A regenerated human being has everything to look forward to, glory to God..
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Comment by Lori on April 23, 2009 at 6:17pm - Very edifying, Larry! Thank you....
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