Fear or Near?

S - 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV): “Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."

O - Religious and secular culture teaches us to become self-reliant.  God's kingdom is calling us all to not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  This is how Jesus lived among us and how he insists we learn to live. Culture (which is always afraid of something) is afraid that such a lifestyle will produce lazy, foolish and entitled people.  Religion says 'pray like everything depends on God and work like everything depends on you'.  The problem with this is that it directly contradicts Jesus, his words and his life.  Jesus prayed, worked and lived like everything depended on God … the God who raises the dead.  He was the first to be raised from the dead to die no more and he says to all ‘follow me’. Jesus and his kingdom are fearless.  Heaven is never afraid and is always looking to love everyone. 

A - The fear in believing Jesus about earth is that it won't happen … he's really not that involved with human existence.  When it comes to daily bread we're really on our own; i.e. the kingdom really isn't as near as Jesus "implied" … it's more like 'if I should die before I wake' near.  Jesus asked Nicodemus (John 3:12) "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" I'm going to follow Jesus and engage as Paul did … not relying on myself but God, the God who raises the dead. I will believe Jesus about earth.

P - Lord of heaven and earth,

Thank you for wanting to be involved and leading in all of life … even daily bread details.  I admit that there are times I get afraid.  I also admit that I can't be running after what I'm going to eat, wear and store up AND actually follow you at the same time.  I admit that we can "take" the things you’ve promised to add.  Lord, I want to follow and believe. I will refuse to worry, run after and take. Instead I'll trust, follow and see it added. Thank you for coming to earth, living on earth and teaching us how to live here too.

Relying on you,

Steve