I came that they may have life and have it abundantly–And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.–Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses–Charge them not to…set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy–take hold of that which is truly life!

I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life!

Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today…For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess–And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory…And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Long ago…God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son!…Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it…how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?!–I am the Resurrection and the Life!

Jn.10:10 ESV; Jn.17:3 ESV; Lk.12:15 NKJV; I Tim.6:17,19 ESV; Deut.30:19,20 ESV; Deut.32:46,47; Jn.1:14,16,17 ESV; Heb.1:1,2;2:1; Jn.11:25 ESV

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What’s the secret to the best of life? Ads promise life-enhancement through adding or subtracting one more thing. Start a new habit. Throw out what doesn’t spark joy. Buy this car/appliance/book or gizmo. Try a leaner, cleaner diet…There’s no end of appeals. The pursuit of LIFE can preoccupy a lifetime only to end in death. Not so, the pursuit of Christ!

The trendy ephemera of modern culture competes with this pursuit, promising life but serving only to distract from its true Source. Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life! As winter inexorably gives place to spring, shoots will rise where ice and snow reign for a season. Flowers will bloom again. Even so God’s Kingdom will come and Satan’s power to deceive and enslave will once-and-for-all be vanquished. This is a hope on which we can build our lives and arrange our days. No matter the state of our bank accounts, the culture savvy of our lifestyles, or even the health of our bodies, the best of life is ours in Christ, for today and forever after!

How does your pursuit of Him dictate the shape of your days? These are thoughts I’m pondering today in my still snow-capped part of the world as I enjoy the lengthening hours of sunshine with their promise of spring!

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

–Paul, Phil.3:8 ESV

Enjoy the words to this old hymn which says it all in rhyming verse!

Jesus lives, and so shall I;
Death, thy sting is gone forever!
He who deigned for me to die
lives, the bands of death to sever.
He shall raise me with the just:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and reigns supreme,
and, His kingdom still remaining,
I shall also be with Him,
ever living, ever reigning.
God has promised: be it must:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and God extends
grace to each returning sinner;
rebels He receives as friends
and exalts to highest honor.
God is True as He is Just;
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and by His grace,
vict’ry o’er my passions giving,
I will cleanse my heart and ways,
ever to His glory living.
Me He raises from the dust;
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives! I know full well
nought from Him my heart can sever,
life nor death nor pow’rs of hell,
joy nor grief, henceforth forever.
None of all His saints is lost;
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and death is now
but my entrance into glory.
Courage, then, my soul, for thou
hast a crown of life before thee;
thou shalt find thy hopes were just;
Jesus is the Christian’s Trust.
–Christian F. Gellert

Blessings!
–LS