When Eternal Life Begins

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 John 5:11, 12.
Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. “He that hath the Son hath life.” The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life. “He that believeth in me,” said Jesus, “though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” John 11:25, 26.
To the believer, death is but a small matter. Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment. “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death,” “he shall never taste of death.” John 8:51, 52. To the Christian, death is but a sleep, a moment of silence and darkness. The life is hid with Christ in God, and “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4.
He who Himself was soon to die upon the cross stood … a conqueror of the grave, and asserted His right and power to give eternal life.
“I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40. Christ became one flesh with us, in order that we might become one spirit with Him. It is by virtue of this union that we are to come forth from the grave—not merely as a manifestation of the power of Christ, but because, through faith, His life has become ours. Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal.
Jesus is … crying, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 7:37; Revelation 22:17; John 4:14.
The Faith I Live By p. 187
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Lou who is in ICU on a respirator because of fluid in her lungs. Pray also for her husband and son during this trying time. Rose
—-Got a good report from doctor leg is healing and can now put full weight on it. He order a compression stocking and water therapy. Please keep sending all your prayers. Martha
—-I need lots of prayers for my family. They live in ____ Ca and that fire is right next to their house. Cindy
—-Please pray for the salvation of my husband Tim. I am praying that God will put a God fearing person in his life that he can talk with and respect, that would lead him in the way of salvation, but until then, I am the vessel nearest him….and I request God’s wisdom and recall of His word to share with Tim. Teresa
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Dear Friends
When I was seven, my mother and I went to the Kalamazoo County fair. While looking wide-eyed at all the sights and sounds, I happened to notice a man whose chest and shoulders were covered with green anole lizards. Each little green lizard was attached to the man’s shirt by a string which was secured by a safety pin. Immediately, I began begging for one. My mother relented. My mother paid the man and he attached the safety pin to my blouse. How I enjoyed having him scurry all over me and try to hide under my hair.
When we got home, my mother cleaned out an old aquarium and fixed it up with sand in the bottom, a branch for him to climb on, a little water, and some live plants. Since my mother was an artist, it was done to perfection. That little lizard had everything he needed except freedom, yet it was so much like his habitat that he seemed quite content. Over the next few days, I spent hours just watching the tiny creature.
One day not too long after I got this pet, I decided to play with him. I lifted the screen lid, and reached inside. Immediately he hid under a piece of curved bark that was his home. I lifted it and kept trying to get him. Round and round he scurried trying to get away. Finally, I was able to grasp his tail and quickly lifted him out of the aquarium.
At once, that tail broke off and he scurried away and hid amongst my toys. I was horrified! I dropped that twitching tail and screamed. It continued its jerking in such a way that it came right at me. I was terrified! I backed up against the wall and screamed and screamed in fright. I screamed so loud and long that even the neighbors came running to see what was the matter. When they learned the reason, they all thought it was very funny. I didn’t. Once I knew that this was a defense mechanism, I was thoroughly embarrassed.
From that moment, I wanted nothing to do with that little now-tailless lizard. In my mind I did not know what would break off next. For the rest of the summer he dwelt in the old hollow apple tree that was beside the barn between my grandparents’ house and the neighbor’s. Surprisingly, he somehow survived the frigid Michigan winter because I saw him again the next summer.
Our Great Creator has made all things perfectly adapted to their environment. Just as He created the lizard to lose its tail if an enemy grabs it. That moving, thrashing motion frightens the predator away. (It sure scared me!) He has created each creature to live in its own sphere. It is only when man interferes that problems arise. God watches over all His creation with more tender care than does a mother watch over her newborn babe. “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” Ps 145:9 Indeed, our Dear Saviour assures us, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt 10:29-31
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee…and he that formed thee…Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa 43:1-3
What a precious thought! The One Who created the universe and everything therein is the One Who watches over us as if there were no other person in the universe. We can trust Him with every aspect of our life. We can allow Him to take control of our life and give us not only forgiveness but victory over our evil habits. “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9
Let us come to Him now for the cleansing we so much need. Let us trust our Great Creator to tenderly care for us for His Great Heart of Love is yearning to do so. Let us allow His Holy Spirit to change us into His image is my prayer.
Rose