Your Footprints

The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow.

Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.

-Unknown Author

Funerals are for the living, not the dead. When you die, all you will leave behind to your family are pictures and memories. Flowers around the coffin are often beautiful; however, the deceased could have only enjoyed them in life.

But honestly, what will you leave behind?

We put so much emphasis on material possessions. We want "the best" for ourselves, our families, and our friends, and it's sad that we equate "the best" with material things. You may have heard, "you can't take it with you when you go." But, we continue on to get gain, not even knowing what tomorrow holds. You can't take it with you.

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, then vanisheth away. - James 4:13-14

Life is like footprints in the snow. Life is short. Life is telling. What kind of prints will you leave behind? What will you leave behind?

In Acts 9:36, is a woman named Dorcas which was "full of good works and alms deeds." While at Joppa, she grew sick and died. The disciples washed her and placed her in an upper room. When Peter entered the room, all the widows stood by him weeping and showing him the coats and garments that Dorcas had made. This godly woman was remembered what she left behind. "And their works do follow them." -Revelation 14:13 Our works will follow us. When you die, what will you leave behind?

For we brought nothing into this world, and it
is certain we can carry nothing out. - 1 Timothy 6:7

Hey, you can't take it with you, this scripture says so. But, what will we leave behind?

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's
womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. -Job 1:21

Footprints in the snow. A tracker or a hunter can tell a lot from examining a set of prints. They can tell if what they are following was hurt, suffering,or wounded, or they can tell which way it was headed and maybe predict where it might wind up.

What will your friends think when they read your obituary? Will they be surprised to find out you were a Christian? Will they be surprised to find out how you lived your life?

What will you leave behind? What kind of footprints will you show?

An Issue

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. - Luke 8:41-48

Here is a woman, in the gospel, that had an issue. The account of this woman is a story of desperation and affliction. For 12 years, she had suffered with this issue. For 12 long years, she worried about her health. 12 years, she sought help. Scripture says she had spent all her living on physicians who undoubtedly told her, "No, there's nothing we can do." She had spent all her money on doctors who told her, "No." She had spent all her time at hospitals who told her, "No." BUT, she heard about a man named Jesus.

is-sue [ish-oo] -n., a point or matter of which is of special importance

The issue of blood was of special importance to the woman. Not only was it her health, but she was treated as unclean according to the Mosaic law. She was treated as a leper. Whatever she touched was deemed unclean. Whoever she came in contact with, was deemed unclean, even to her husband and family. She was an outcast of society. She was a terribly desperate and lonely woman. BUT, she heard about a man named Jesus.

She pressed through the crowd to get to Him. No doubt, she was weak from the illness, but she pressed on. The mob that was thronging Jesus was difficult to fight through, but she pressed on. Taking a few steps and pressing more, taking a few more steps and the pressing even harder. If she could just get to the man named Jesus.

When she saw Jesus and reached out and touched the fringe of His garment, because of the law, she was doing something she was not allowed to do. By law, she had made Him unclean which is why she was not quick to own up, when Jesus asked who touched me? She only admitted when Jesus insisted and then she fell down at His feet trembling. She was in fear of what might happen to her because she had touched another. She fell down trembling and spoke of why she had did it and testified to the crowd the mighty act which God had performed in stopping her blood which had flowed continually for twelve years.

What issues do you deal with? How long have you been dealing with them by yourself? Like the woman with the issue of blood, for 12 years, all she heard was, "No. It's hopeless." BUT, she heard about a man named Jesus who said, "Yes, there is hope."

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. - 1
Peter 5:7

We all have issues. Issues, cares, worries, problems, trials, valleys, whatever you want to call them - we got them. Jesus said,

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. - John 16:33

We can overcome the world with Jesus. We can overcome burdens with Jesus. We can overcome valleys with Jesus. We can overcome issues with Jesus. Have you heard of this man named Jesus? He loves you. He cares for you. Thank Him for His grace, love, and mercy.

The Web

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. -Psalm 91:1-2

God is alive and well and He's still in control. He's still on the throne. He's not old and feeble. His hair ain't receding. His eyes aren't going dim. His teeth aren't falling out. His legs aren't wobbling. His knees aren't knocking. His hands aren't withered. His mind's not gone and His nerves ain't shattered. He still is the great I AM. He knows where you're at. He knows what you're going through. And He takes care of His children.

Listen to this miraculous story:

During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific Island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one..." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

"Ha, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. "Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."

Whatever is happening in your life, with God, a mere spider's web can become a brick wall of protection. He said, "Lo, I am with you always." And He said, "I'll never leave you nor forsake you." Amen. Just speak His name through Jesus His son, and you will see His great power and love for you.

By Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -Hebrews 11:1

Faith is the substance of things hoped for or faith is that of which things hoped for consists. Faith is not seeing, but believing. Everything in the physical world has substance in some form or fashion. Faith is the substance through which the spiritual things become physical. Everything that exists has a primary building block.

By faith we know that God created the worlds by His word. There is the physical world and also there is the spiritual world. One is just as real as the other. The physical world operates by the spiritual just like your physical body operates by your spirit. When the spirit leaves the body, the physical body dies. Faith is the substance which brings the spiritual into the physical. The spiritual is everlasting whereas the physical is temporal. So, faith is the substance which brings the everlasting into the physical.

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Evidence means proof. Faith is the proof of things past, done in eternity, but not seen by man. It is proof of my salvation, it is proof of creation, it is proof of the righteousness of Christ, it is proof of the redemption of Christ, it is proof of the resurrection of Christ. Faith is the proof of things to come in the future, now unseen; the resurrection of the dead, the judgement, eternal glory. Proof means assurance. We have assurance in these things. We have assurance in salvation. We have assurance of the Creator. We have assurance in Jesus Christ. We have assurance in the coming day, in the blood of Jesus Christ, in awaiting glory. Blessed assurance.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. -Romans 10:17

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God, but it is substantiated by hope that come from things like tribulation, patience, and experience. Whatever you are going through - God can turn it around! God can turn something around that works against you and make it work out for you instead. By the grace of God, He will see you through and you will come away with greater hope and greater faith.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. -Romans 5:1-5

Yes, God can use hardships and trials to your advantage and give you greater faith substantiated by hope. Faith adds a reference on the Word of God based on what you have gone through, your personal encounters and difficulties in which you rely on God. It's those difficulties that cause you to be desperate in prayer and bring you closer to the Lord with the growing assurance that He will deliver you, He will see you through.

Surveying The Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts first published "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707. This old song is still beautiful. It is one of the first English language hymns to use the word "I". It focuses on a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the finished work of Calvary. When I survey, I count but loss, that I should boast, etc.

Jesus Christ is a personal saviour and He saves in a personal way. Listen to each saints' testimony and you will find a variety of stories and works the Lord has accomplished in the lives of old sinners. Listen to the variety of prayers and praise of saints' and you will discover a treasure trove of the wonders God has done for His people. He's my personal Savior, Lord, and King. Is He yours?

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. -Luke 22:19-20

Did you catch that? His blood, which is shed for you. For you. Not only for the rich. Not only for royalty. But, for you. For sinners, like you and me. Why?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -John 3:16

Because He loved you, He gave His very best which was Himself. He who knew no sin, became sin and became the propitiation for our sins and not for mine and yours only, but also for the sins of the world. The sins of the murderer, of the drunkard, of the child molester...my sins, your sins! He left the ivory palaces of glory and condescended to mankind for the sole purpose to die for our sins.

"Out of the ivory palaces, Into a world of woe, Only His great, eternal love Made my Saviour go."

Now, when I survey the wondrous cross, I see love and joy unspeakable. Jesus made a way. Jesus built a bridge with those three nails. A bridge from depravity to divinity and it's the cross that spans the gap. It's Jesus who spans the gap.

The cross made a difference. Calvary makes a difference. It was a day like no other, the day Jesus was crucified. It was a day all eternity past looked forward to and it was a day all eternity future can never forget. It was a day of saints delight, of Satan's defeat, of sinners' deliverance. The cross made a difference then and it still makes a difference today. There's still power in the blood of Jesus! There's still wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb! The cross made a difference in my life and it can make a difference in your life, too.