Simplify

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31 NIV)

Do you remember when life was simple? I really remember lying on my back in our yard on county line road in Greenwood, Indiana, as an early elementary age kid, watching the clouds go by, washing my bike, killing bees and feeding them to the ants, building forts, playing outside until it got dark, walking to the corner store to get bubble gum cigars and candy cigarettes, using a baseball bat as a machine gun, playing war with my buddies, vacationing with my grandparents, spending summers with my cousins on the lake, countless baseball and football games, and nothing more important than spending time with family and friends. I'm sure my parents had worries about feeding six kids, bills, jobs, stress, but I was oblivious to it. 

That was the simple life. 

Now I'm not sure even the kids of our modern society get to enjoy the simple life. We have complicated life to the extent there's no joy. Sometimes I think we have complicated our faith in such a way it also steals the joy. That includes how we have complicated the Bible and it's message. This verse sums it up. The Bible is written that we may know Jesus is the son of God and if we believe, we will have eternal life. It's really as simple as that. Sure the Bible is also full of great resources for living today. But, it all points to this simple statement of the truth.

Dear Lord, please help us simplify life to the point it is all about you. It's not about money, schedules, jobs, bills, or THINGS. We are three days away from vacation. May it be a time to refocus on the simplicity of life. May it be a time of refreshing and resting in the knowledge that you are God and there is no other. Amen!

Repeat after me: Simple, Simple, Simple!

2 Timothy 2 (The Message)

 ^8-13......... This is a sure thing:

   If we die with him, we'll live with him;
   If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him;
   If we turn our backs on him, he'll turn his back on us;
   If we give up on him, he does not give up—
      for there's no way he can be false to himself.
 ^14-18Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people.


As they say, there are few things that are certain.  Death and Taxes?!  Don't believe it, Death is not a sure thing! I'm going to beat Death! How? I've been promised eternal life as a follower of Christ. I will defeat death with the power of Jesus Christ who already defeated death. You can't simplify life any better than this: "If we die with him, we'll live with him; If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him; If we turn our backs on him, he'll turn his back on us; If we give up on him, he does not give up— for there's no way he can be false to himself."

God has the perfect plan.  We are a part of that plan. But, we have two choices, wait on the fullness of this plan in God's time or give up on this plan and go it alone!  He gives us that choice. "Choose Wisely!" If we give up on him, he never gives up. He wants nothing more than for everyone to be with him in eternity.  He will pursue us, He will pursue us, He will pursue us. "If we die with him, we'll live with him; If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him; If we turn our backs on him, he'll turn his back on us; If we give up on him, he does not give up— for there's no way he can be false to himself." 

Why make it more complicated than it needs to be.  The Bible is filled with wonderful wisdom from God.  It is THE roadmap for life. But, it's not complicated,  This message from Paul proves it. The message is clear, simple, and pure: "If we die with him, we'll live with him; If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him; If we turn our backs on him, he'll turn his back on us; If we give up on him, he does not give up— for there's no way he can be false to himself."

We have to repeat these lines to ourselves. We need to repeat these lines to our friends, We need to repeat these lines to our families.We need to live these lines with our lives!


Dear Lord, Thank you for such a simple message, wisdom for eternal life. Help us to remember this message.  We want to live with you in paradise. Help us to share this message.  Help us to live our lives for you. We Love you Lord and are humbled by your love for us. Amen!