Making it through to the Other Side

I’ve been thinking about how many of us don’t make it through to the other side.  And, I’ve been thinking, about the people I really admire, the people I know that have made it through with a strong finish. I want to be in that group.  So far, I’ve done a lot of backsliding and repenting, but I’d like the remainder of my life to be one of consistency and faithfulness to my God.

But how?  Then, a thought entered my mind and part of a scripture.  God has given me everything that pertains to life and godliness.  He’s given me the tools and equipment I need here to make it successfully through. He’s not left me short.

Keys To Making To The Other Side

Number One, He’s given me salvation through His Son and His Son has given me the indwelling Holy Spirit, if I listen to Him, He will navigate my course. But, He also gives me a couple of other things; guideposts, which enable me to stay connected and keep me, close to Him.  Some, I’ve fought with and against, not wanting or believing that I needed them.  For example, it’s taken me this long, 55 years long, to realize how much I really need His Church, God’s people.  I need connection with others who are striving for the same things I am: staying close to Jesus, reaching the lost, the hurting, the dying, growing in Christ, as well as fulfilling all God has called me to in this life…  I need them and God says we need each other.  I believe Him now, after years of trying to make it repeatedly without them.  Repeated failure isn’t always a bad thing.  It teaches me that what I’m doing is not working and turns me to God and a better way to live.

Two, a few more things have come to mind that I need and that I believe God has provided to help me make it here.  I’d love to hear what is helping you, so please share!

• Worship/Praise/Thankfulness/Prayer
• Repentance/Confession/Forgiveness
• Being real and honest with God and others
• Guarding my eye and ear gates
• Being in life with other Believers
• God’s Word, which lasts forever
• Time with God just hanging out
• God is my core/my center/my strength
• Fasting
• Alone time with God (Oh, I mentioned that above already, but, I really need Him.)
• Prayer and use of the prayer language He has given me
• Keeping God #1
• How I treat people can affect my relationship with God
• Caring for people and moving with God toward them with His heart and in His Spirit
• Studying and meditating on God’s Word, keeps me close to Him
• Maintaining a simpler lifestyle, one that does not take me away from God, but gives me the time I need to be with Him, His people, and those He wants to bring close
• Submission to Church authority and gathering with believers throughout my week and life
• Being a servant wherever I am
• Words
• Humility

Prayer:

Thank You, Father, for Your Holy Spirit, Who keeps me on track, Who keeps nudging me along, loving me and helping me.  Thank You, for showing me, in a way, what I need to do to stir myself up and stay on fire.  I no longer want my affections to wane over You, but to stay consistently on fire for the duration.  Thank You, for showing me some of the tools and equipment You’ve given to help me make it through to the safe harbor of home.

Revelation 22:19(amp): “And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these predictions relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.

When I read this, I am reminded, in a way; I‘m warned.  It is possible for person’s name to be removed from the book of life.  We are warned to remember Lot’s wife. In Luke 9:61-62 Jesus tells us that no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.  Jesus knew what it took to go the distance.  He set His face like flint and finished strong.

Prayer:

God, this time, help me to stay stirred up.  Help me not look back.

2 Peter 1:5 tells me to make every effort.  God, help me to make every effort.  There is a reason it is called the narrow way. Not all make it.  The easy way, the way with less resistance, is the wide way and many take that path.  Father, I want to know You, I want to know Your higher way – the way the other thief found, but don’t let me find it at the end, let me strive for it now with all You’ve given me.  You have given me everything that pertains to life and godliness.  You’ve given me all that I need to make this journey.  2 Peter 1:4 tells me that You have made a way for me to escape from the moral decay that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and caused me to become a sharer of Your divine nature.  This is what I want.

While watching an old Columbo rerun last night, I was reminded, that when I was younger, I didn’t care much for Columbo.  I thought him an unattractive individual, and his character too unkempt for my tastes.  Oh, what a lesson!  Look deeper, Darla.  Look deeper, below the surface.  There are so many riches to be mined, if  I will only go deeper.

No one took this detective seriously, but that was to his advantage.  God uses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise and give glory to Himself and to His church.  Satan tries to hood wink people into believing the ‘show’ is the better way.  The older I am, the more real I want to be and the deeper into truth I want to go.

Prayer:

I cry out, and believe many cry out, “Give me something to eat, give me something that life is really all about and not all this stuff that is just air.”  Lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake.  Oh God, lead me deeper still.  Help me to come out into the deep.  Help me to cast my net on the other side and come on out into the deep with You.  You are life eternal, life all glorious, only You can give life as it was meant to be given. Father, help us live as we were meant to live and not settle for lives of mediocrity. Life is so much more than political systems, clothes and houses.  It is so much more.  Let us take hold of the One He sent.  Let us hold on and let Him take us to the other side.  Let’s look off all that will distract and look to Jesus alone.  He is the Bread of Life, the Sustainer.  He is the One that we are all searching for.  Everything we want and need is found in Him.  Maranatha, Lord Jesus, Maranatha.

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://taberstruths.com/wp-content/uploads/darla-baustian.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Darla Baustian is an Independant Fitness Specialist from Midland Texas. She is the author of Train For Life. You can connect with Darla on Face book and Twitter.[/author_info] [/author]