Harry Durgin Facebook

Three funerals in the past few days. I’m sad.

Death is separation from us who are still living. Death is final for the one passed on.

The Bible says we die once, and then the judgment.

It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

When someone I don’t know–famous or infamous–dies, I sometimes reflect that they are wherever they are for eternity.

Death is final. And judgment follows.

Jesus said that those who do not believe in Him will die in their sins. (John 8:24)

On the other hand:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.” (John 11:25)

Believe in Jesus Christ and live!

Harry Durgin Facebook

They didn’t know it was Easter Eve

The time between Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection was dark.

Jesus told His disciples He would rise on the third day, but they did not comprehend it.

Jesus was tortured, mocked, and died a horribly painful death. The centurion, who had seen many deaths, knew Jesus was dead, and declared that to Pilate. Jesus’ body was released and put in a tomb. Jesus was dead dead dead.

Jesus Christ’s disciples gathered in the upper room, and locked the door. Were they next?

We can guess some of their conversation amidst their tears. We thought … We hoped …

They believed it was all over.

In the meantime, Jesus Christ is proclaiming victory to those in prison!

They didn’t know they were waiting for Christ’s resurrection, but they were.

They didn’t know it was Easter Eve.

We are blessed

We are blessed, because we know what we are waiting for.

In the countdown to Christmas, sometimes I will say: “Happy Christmas Eve Eve Eve.”

What we don’t know is how many “Eves” are left. Tomorrow, with one “Eve?” A week from now, with seven “Eves?” Or?

In any case, we know what is coming, even though we don’t know when.

We are blessed.

Rejoice! Christ is risen!

He was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:4)

This momentous event is the key to everything.

Because Christ lives, Christ lives in believers.*

Because Christ is eternal, we will live with Him for eternity.

God proved by Christ’s resurrection that those in Christ would also be resurrected, and receive glorified bodies.

All this is incomprehensible, but it is true.

Because He lives, we have His presence and help now, hope now, and unending bliss ahead.

Rejoice!

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*Don’t be left out! Almighty God created you and has the right to tell you how to live. Your sins (my sins, everyone’s sins) separated us from God and mean we can only expect God’s wrath. Repent of your sins and turn to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, in belief and trust. Receive Christ as Lord and Savior. And then, you will live because He lives.

Harry Durgin Facebook

We Underestimate God

This is not a rebuke. This is a fact.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

We can’t even think of all God is able to do!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power the works within us… (Ephesians 3:20)

Nothing is impossible for Him.

For nothing will be impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

God’s Character

Since God is able to do anything, knowing His character is a key to peace.

God’s word tells us a lot:

The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin, yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations. (Exodus 34:6-7)

For Christians:

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

God is for us. (Romans 8:31)

[Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)

Joyfully Press On

Given God’s power, His character, and His great grace to those in Christ Jesus, let’s joyfully press on!

The Warning

And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:2-5)

Do you suppose those who died in tornadoes hurricanes, airplane crashes, or war were greater sinners than those who lived?

Jesus said: “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Jesus, of course, was talking about perishing eternally. Unless we repent, we face condemnation and hell.

The Promise

The Lord does not want us to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

The Lord is … patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

We must repent and believe When we do, we won’t perish but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that He gave He only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Pay Attention!

There are an enormous number of warnings in the Bible. God blesses but He also curses. God is both Savior and Judge.

Tell Others!

God’s word tells us how to escape God’s wrath. He tells us how to have eternal life.

We must repent. We must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we do, we receive Christ and Lord and Savior and have eternal life.

We shouldn’t keep this life-saving truth to ourselves. Tell others!

As Christians, we have guaranteed eternal life. Christ in us, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

For us, the hope of glory, and all God’s promises are sure things, “Hope” means we expectantly wait, knowing it will happen.

Since we know blessings will come, this helps us now.

But what about hope as we live in these dark times? What about hope in the land of the living? What is our hope to get through this, honoring our Lord?

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” (Psalm 142:5)

Here are some of the many reasons to hope now, hope in the land of the living:

Christ

Christ is in us. (Colossians 1:27) He is present in our lives, day by day, moment by moment. He promised that He is with us always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

Christ knows we have trouble, but we can have peace now.

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulations but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Christ is constantly interceding for us with the Father. (Romans 8:34)

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit dwells in us, He is the Comforter, the Advocate, guiding us, empowering us to do God’s will. He is with us forever. (John 14:16)

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27)

God

God is our refuge. God is our helper. When we’re needy, God give us mercy and grace.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

God gives us peace when we make requests by prayer and thanksgiving.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Hope right now

We have Almighty God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–on our side. We can live righteously, courageously, and peacefully right now.

We confidently say, “The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid, what will man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)

Take hope now. Press on!

Harry Durgin Facebook

I am not going to list the evils, troubles, and trials in the world, in the US, in your country, in my life. You have a list similar to mine, I’m sure.

What is going on, and what should we be doing?

We need to be praying fervently, of course.

We also have the opportunity to be distinctive. We can live grateful, joyous lives because we are in Christ and know God’s promises. We can make people wonder and ask us how we can have that attitude. We can help them look to Christ.

Contentment

One way to be distinctive as a Christian is to be content.

I published five posts about contentment in 2017 (Current Event Bingo, Be Discontent, Ten Steps to Contentment, When to be Content, and Content in the Mess).

Whatever I learned, it didn’t stick.

Here is a short review for my own benefit, and I hope for yours.

First

Be discontent with your spiritual state. Pray. Lord, I am agitated and uneasy. I know You are in control and that You love me. Please forgive me. Please increase my trust in You. Please help me surrender to Your glorious will. Help me rejoice in the Lord always.

Second

Work on your head, heart, and hands.

God knows everything and is totally in control of what is going on. The world is His. The nations are His. He has holy reasons for what is going on.

For Christians, He is our loving sovereign. His incomprehensible, infinite love for His children means He is with us, sustaining us through our hard times, and uses our circumstances for good.

Study God’s word and absorb these facts. Memorize and meditate on His word. Determine to believe and trust Him. Surrender to His will. Trust is the key for contentment.

Delight in His will. In everything give thanks. Rejoice in the Lord always.

Head, heart, and hands reinforce each other. As you increasingly know God, you increasingly want to serve Him, which brings joy. As your knowledge of Him becomes deeper and permeates your heart and your life, you trust Him more. That brings joy and contentment.

Third

Watch yourself for discontent. When you notice an emotion signaling discontent, confess it and confront it. Intentionally take yourself through the steps in head, heart, and hands.

Pray! Pray! Pray!

Father, You are our almighty, holy God. We know You are working everything according to Your holy will. Thank You that You told us times will get worse as we approach Christ’s second coming. Thank You that You HATE sin, and are the righteous judge. Thank You for your promises to those who believe in Christ. Thank You that You are bring more people to Christ. Please help us totally trust You, what You are doing in the world, and in our lives. Please help walk in a manner worthy of You, and help us let others know about You.

In our fallen world, we are surrounded by sin. While Christians are no longer slaves to sin, and we are walking, more and more, according to the Holy Spirit, we still sin. Unbelievers continue to be slaves of sin (Romans 6:17), and the whole world groans waiting for our redemption (Romans 8:19-22).

Times are tough. And they will get tougher.

Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

What should we do?

We need to firmly know, believe, and trust in our almighty God’s sovereignty, and His infinite eternal love for those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Do not fear evil tidings

We are told: “He [the righteous] will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112.7)

It is possible

You might want to check out my book: When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? This book focuses on God’s sovereignty over everything and everybody all the time, and God’s unfathomable love. The combination of His sovereignty and His love for us who believe brings joy regardless of circumstances.

My own book helped get me through a very scary time, even helping me feel giddy with joy about God’s loving sovereignty.

The book also talks about how to live in a fallen world.

Resolve

Let’s resolve to seek Him first. Let’s resolve to bring Him all our anxieties. Let’s resolve to stand firm no matter what.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to od. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippinans 4:6-7)

Rejoice

Rejoice that God has a holy plan and that He is working everything out of the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11)

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Are you in some sort of bad mood? Sad? Depressed? Mad? Bitter?

Here’s the remedy: Get your eyes off yourself and focus on God. (This is not saying just to “take it.” If your problem can be improved or is solvable, work on it with the Lord’s guidance.)

But, often, we focus on how we feel to the exclusion of God.

The Prescription

The Psalmist (maybe David) gave us the prescription in Psalms 42 and 43.

Ask yourself why.

But the answer is not in your circumstances. The answer is in God.

The Palmist had to go through several cycles. Despair. Look to God. Despair. Look to God. Despair. Look to God.

Don’t bemoan your circumstances. Rejoice in your God.

What should we look at?

Remember God’s promise that nothing, NOTHING, can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

God:

1. Began a good work in you by saving you,
2. is continuing His good work in you, by making you more and more into the image of His Son,
3. and will bring you to heaven where you will be glorified, holy, and blameless!

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

These whom He predestined, He also called; and these who He called, He also justified, and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach. (Colossians 1:22)

Whatever troubles you have now, God brings to good, making you more and more into the image of His Son.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Hard Work

This takes effort. The worse your mood, the harder the task.

Getting your mind off yourself may be a struggle. Like the Psalmist, keep at it.

If you rejoice in the lord, but then fall back into a bad mood, start again.

God is at work in you. Your circumstances are God’s tool.

Press On!