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“Living on the Edge”

 

 

“Living on the Edge” 

Good Morning!  God has blessed us with another beautiful day here in Las Cruces!  The sky this morning is a vibrant blue, extending from horizon to horizon, as the warmth of the sun begins to highlight God’s creation.  It’s truly amazing how the high-desert here in southern New Mexico comes alive in the Springtime.  Seemingly overnight, all kinds of desert plant life are starting to bloom – and what a few weeks earlier looked plain, now displays an abundance of color.   Although you may not live in the desert, I’m sure what is on display in your “neck of the woods” is just as spectacular!  

As you behold God’s glory throughout the day, realize that you are witness to His creation.  God’s glory is on display for all to see!  Remember that this is a day that the Lord has made, so rejoice in it, and take time to give Him thanks for what He is doing in your life.   Praise the Lord for all things great and small – for our God is an everlasting God, the Creator of all things.

Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.  His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Today’s brief message is titled “Living on the Edge”.  What does the term “living on the edge” mean to you?  For many, this imparts a sense of danger, perhaps even careless living.  True enough, many people in this world are involved in some rather dangerous lines of work – and the truth be known, some of us sometimes live life carelessly without concern about the consequences for what we are doing.  How about you?  Are you living on the edge in your life? 

For some, “living on the edge” is a daily routine as they go about their job.  When I think about this, Navy fighter pilots comes to mind – as they strap on high-tech aircraft and face uncertainty each time they fly off the deck of an aircraft carrier – risking their lives with each and every mission.  I’m also reminded of the recent tradegy in the West Virgina coal mine, with so much loss of life.  On a daily basis, these miners go into the depths of the coal mines doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.  In such occupations (and others), what is “routine” can in an instant turn into life and death situations.  Of course, these are just a couple of contrasting examples, and we are to be thankful for all those who are willing to do the “dangerous stuff” in life – putting their lives on the line for others.  For most of us however, life is perhaps a little less on the edge.  That said, have you ever stopped to consider just how dynamic your life really is?  How very much, that as a Christian you are – “Living on the Edge.”

Often the mundane aspects of life tend to mask the challenging role we have in this world as believers in Christ.  We make our plans and live our life, but the fact is, we really don’t know what our worldly future holds.  Listen to what it says in James 4:13-17, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;  whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”  But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.  Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Fortunately, we can find comfort that our path is directed by God, for as it says in Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”    In this regard, we must trust in God.  With respect to living on the edge, it is the discerning manner in which you live your Christian life that is truly important – that is, your faith and obedience to God, and your willingness to listen to the Holy Spirit.  It may be hard for you to relate this to putting your life on the line, but that is exactly what you do each and every day you walk in Christ.  This carries a lot of responsibility for you are part of the Body of Christ, fully understanding of God’s commandments – you are without excuse now knowing the truth.  This is this same Truth spoken to us in God’s word and the commandments given by Jesus before He was taken up into heaven. 

This “Living on the Edge” is more than just being a good Christian, it is being an obedient Christian – putting off the old self, and putting on the new person in Christ.  Speaking of  “Living on the Edge”…  Are you willing to die for Christ?  There will come a time, and is already here in the world, where Christians are giving up their lives (some unto death) for the sake of spreading the Good News of Jesus.  Let us go and do likewise, and be God’s fellow workers in Christ, that our work may be refined in the fire that will come.  

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it.  But let each one take heed how he builds on it.  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.  Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”  (1 Corinthians 3:9-17)

I know of someone else who put their life on the line.  Does anyone’s name come to your mind?   The person I’m talking about of course is – Jesus Christ.   He paid the ultimate sacrifice as part of God’s perfect plan to make a way for the salvation of mankind – your salvation and mine – and all those who choose to place their faith in Jesus.  Let us be good stewards of the Gospel and take every opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with others, such that none would be lost.  

It is said that life is lived forward, and understood backward.  This is part of the finite nature of our worldly understanding.  In this same light. it is a fact that at some point in time, we will all pass away – for we will all face a worldly fate someday (if Jesus does not return first).   As Christians, we have a promise and a heavenly hope that by the grace of God, our repentance of sins, and our faith in Jesus Christ, we will have eternal life in heaven.  With such a wonderful promise and heavenly hope, life now takes on a totally new meaning, for eventhough you are in the world, you are no longer of the world.  In this regard, you have a higher calling in Christ.  It is my prayer for you that the Lord will give you strength to pick up your cross, and lovingly accept the challenge of  “Living on the Edge” for Jesus!

As part of the theme of living on the edge…  Here is a galactic view of “living on the edge” that you might find interesting.  God’s glory on display!  How would you like to live in this neighborhood?  The astro-image below is of a beautiful galaxy called ngc4565, commonly called an “Edge-On Spiral Galaxy”.  This image was taken from my JMSM Observatory in southern New Mexico.  This is an un-barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation of Coma Bernices, about 30 million light years distant from our earth.  Notice the bright central glow as one of this galaxy’s prominent features.  Click on the image or the thumbnail above and take a tour to see some of the many background galaxies in this medium view composition.  If you have time, let me know what you found in this image.  God’s Light is truly amazing!

“The heavens declare the glory of the Lord.”  (Psalm 19:1)

In closing, may the Lord place someone in your path today to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.   Have a great week, and God Bless.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike Sherick

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