Nothing Goes Unredeemed

And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." - Revelation 21:4

No matter how hard we try, we can't always understand life's trials. Disease strikes. Finances fail. People forsake us. And God allows it all. We are to be thankful in it all and through it all... 

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor 4:17-18 NASB)

These words are hard to swallow through the pain and tears, yet the truth remains that if we seek God's desire for us, we will triumph because of our trials. God produces new character in us with surgeon-like precision as He peels away our imperfection. 

We may not understand God's methods but we can know He has our best in mind. No "loss" we experience in life will go unredeemed in God's kingdom. I think the Christian band Selah says it eloquently in their song "Unredeemed":

Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see it will not be unredeemed.

Take a few moments to listen and watch the Selah video below of "Unredeemed". Its a beautiful song with a message of hope. What shattered thing do you need to lay before the Lord today? Lay it before Him and make today the start of something new. He'll redeem it. Just watch and see.

NOTE: For email subscribers who don't get the video, here's the direct link to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhOSspNj84w

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach, Trainer and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her other blog at www.purposefulleadershipblog.com. 

Suicide and the Bible

According to an article in the September 15, 2008 issue of the Kansas City Star, “Suicide is a bigger killer in Kansas and Missouri—and across the country—than homicide, though it often gets much less attention.”  More than 32,000 Americans a year kill themselves and according to 2006 federal government statistics, the suicide rate per 100,000 people is just slightly less than double the homicide rate.

In spite of our country’s prosperity, we are a nation losing hope.  It saddens me deeply that so many people are suffering because of it. I have not personally lost someone close to me from suicide, but I’ve known several people who have lost relatives to this fate.  

It is a common belief in the world that the suicide victim goes to hell when he or she dies because of the inability to confess his or her sins to God.  Because of this common view, loved ones of the victims often suffer grief exceedingly greater than they would if the death had not resulted from the victim’s own hand.

But what does the Bible say?

As Christians, it is important to know what the Bible says about suicide so we can offer some measure of comfort to those who mourn.  

The bottom line is this:  Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a person goes to hell as a result of suicide. 

Any person who is in right standing with God (i.e. they have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior) is exempt from hell, whether or not they died with unconfessed sins.  Most of us probably will die with unconfessed sin in our lives because oftentimes we don’t know we have sinned when it comes to matters of faith and adherence to every tidbit of God’s instruction for our lives. 

In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Bible says that by faith we are saved, not of works.  John 3:16 states that if we believe in God’s Son, we will have everlasting life.  Romans 8:32 says that nothing can separate believers from the love of God.  Because we did nothing to earn an eternal life in heaven, we can’t do anything to “UN-earn” that precious gift. 

Suicide is a sin because it is murder (Ex 20:13), but it no more condemns us to hell than a little white lie if we have already believed in Jesus for the salvation of our souls.   If a loved one was a true believer, no matter the cause of their passing, they will be in heaven.  At least in this, we can take comfort in our sadness.

Who can you comfort with the truth you know?

Resurrection Day: What Do You Need to Believe?

"He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" (Luke 24:6-7 NKJV)

Today is Resurrection Sunday, the day Christians celebrate one of the most spectacular and debated events the world has ever known, the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus' return to life after a horrific death on the cross is the cornerstone of our faith. Jesus conquered death for all mankind and still lives today for us!

We can conquer death too. We can also conquer life.

However, we don't conquer death without belief in Him who overcame and without belief that it can be done. Only those who accept Jesus as Lord will overcome an eternal spiritual death and possess everlasting life! And in the here and now on this earth, we won't conquer our circumstances without trust and belief in God's power to work out His will.

In life, we are not much different than the disciples who first saw the risen Jesus, but didn't recognize Him for who He was because they were so caught up in their own sadness that they forgot Jesus said He would return.

Belief in the seemingly impossible is easier said than done because...

... our limited intellectual capacity blinds us to the unlimited capacity of God

... our emotions cause us to feel hopeless and forget the truth about our circumstances

... our pride refuses to acknowledge God's perfect plan is better than our plan.

What do you need to believe in today? What do you need renewed hope for? If its a first time belief in Jesus, click here. If you need to remember something God told you once before, remember God's power and promises. We can overcome anything through His love. Remember, He overcame the grave so we could live life to the fullest. (John 10:10)

Give God a chance. Remember His timing is perfect. And hang on for the most exciting ride of your life. Jesus is risen! How will you let this fact affect your life?

Be blessed,

Janna