A Lesson From The Leatherback

The photo at right shows the turtle that was recently tracked on a journey from Indonesia to Oregon. Scientists equipped this leatherback turtle with a satellite transmitter that tracked its movements in the Pacific Ocean.

From the coast of the Papua province of Indonesia to the Oregon coast of the United States, this turtle swam at his slow pace between separate breeding and feeding sites. After reaching Oregon, the leatherback turned around and headed to Hawaii. The battery on the transmitter gave out after 12,774 nautical miles -- a journey that took 647 days!

This leatherback turtle is the picture of endurance. There are many creatures of the sea that swim a great deal faster and more efficiently than turtles; but perhaps none is more suited for gruelingly long journeys that require immense endurance.

In writing to some struggling first century Christians, the God-breathed message related by the Hebrews writer was this:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...
Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV

God's message to the church of Christ in first century Rome was that eternal life is for those "who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality" (Romans 2:7, ESV). There can be no doubt, patience, endurance, and a steadfast resolve will be required to lay hold on the prize of eternal life.

Let me encourage you this day, friend: Though life will present its heartaches and challenges, if you will look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith, you will endure! You will obtain glory, and honor, and immortality by the patient running of life's grueling race! The suffering we experience her is but for a brief time, and the afflictions are light compared with the eternal reward that awaits us in the hereafter (2 Corinthians 4:17)!

Keep swimming!

r2

How To Follow In The Footsteps Of Jesus

From time to time, we sing an old hymn entitled, Footprints Of Jesus. The chorus of this song reads...

Footprints of Jesus, that make the pathway glow; we will follow the steps of Jesus where e'er they go.

For those who understand the nature of Christ (God's Son and the Savior of mankind), following in the footsteps of Jesus is the prime objective. Consider the words of Peter's God-breathed message...

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21, ESV

But how does one truly follow in Christ's footsteps?

B -- Believe in him (John 1:12)

Y -- Yield to him (Romans 12:1)

G -- Go to him in prayer (1 John 5:14-15)

R -- Read & study his word (2 Timothy 2:15)

O -- Obey his commands (John 15:14)

W -- Work for him (1 Corinthians 15:58)

I -- Ignore the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11)

N -- Nothing held back (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

G -- Give talents and resources (Matthew 25:20; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

I -- Increase in fruit (John 15:8)

N -- Neglect not God's gift (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6)

G -- Gather with the saints (Hebrews 10:25)

R -- Redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16; 2 Timothy 2:4)

A -- Abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

C -- Conquer Satan and temptation (James 4:7; Matthew 26:41)

E -- Expect Christ's return (Hebrews 9:28)

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18, ESV

r2

The Christian And The World

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14, ESV

On a Sunday evening earlier this month, I preached a sermon based upon Isaac Watts' classic hymn, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross. In that study, we noted how many of the thoughts expressed in that beloved hymn center around that God-breathed statement Paul made to the church of Christ in Galatia (see Galatians 6:14 above).

When I make the commitment to follow Christ, thereby sacrificing "all the vain things that charm me most," I am presented with indescribable blessings and riches eternal. At the same time, I am presented with a great challenge: To strike a balance of living in the world while, at the same time, not partaking in the evil deeds thereof.

Consider a handful of ways the Bible describes the Christian's relationship to this world (or age):

1. Delivered from it (Galatians 1:4)
2. Crucified to it (Galatians 6:14)
3. Dead to its elemental spirits (Colossians 2:20)
4. Not conformed to it (Romans 12:2)
5. Unknown by it (1 John 3:1)
6. Hated by it (John 17:14a)
7. Not of it (John 17:14b)
8. Loves it not (1 John 2:15-17)
9. Unstained by it (James 1:27)
10. Shuns its friendship (James 4:4)
11. Messengers to it (John 17:18)
12. Victorious over it (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5)

r2

Unfeigned Faith

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also.
2 Timothy 1:5, KJV

Most English-speaking Americans do not utilize the term "unfeigned" on a regular basis. We might be more inclined to say, "sincere," as the English Standard Version so translates. Obviously, this sincere faith is a very commendable attribute; it is something to be desired by the people of God today. Here is just a handful of items entailed in this idea of sincere faith:

1. A firm stand for righteousness (Ephesians 6:13-18)
2. A life that triumphs over sin (1 John 5:4)
3. A heart indwelled by Christ (Ephesians 3:17)
4. A life growing in spiritual attainments (2 Peter 3:18)
5. A consistent walk of good report (Hebrews 11:1-2)
6. A life lived to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

I am thankful for you who live "sincere faith."

R2

Now THAT Is What I Call A Will To Live!

It was September 1914, and three of the Royal Navy's armored cruisers -- the HMS Cressy, Aboukir, and Hogue (pictured at right) -- were on patrol off the Dutch coast.

None of these three British behemoths were zig-zagging (as sound naval practice dictates), and their water-tight doors all hung open. They were oblivious to the danger that was lurking nearby.

The crew of German submarine crew U-9 could not believe their luck. In less than an hour, the German "U-boat" had torpedoed all three ships, sinking them one after one. This event marked what most consider to be one of the worst naval defeats (or greatest naval victories, depending which side you were on) of all time.

The most amazing part of this story, however, are the experiences of 15-year-old Kit Wykeham Musgrave. He went overboard when the Aboukir was going down as a result of the first torpedo. He swam like mad to escape the immensely powerful suction as the ship sank into the deep. Just as he was getting onboard the Hogue, she was torpedoed. After abandoning that ship, he swam to the Cressy which, a short time later, was also torpedoed. All

The list of men who can lay claim to being blown off three ships in the same day while living to tell about it is rather short -- comprised of just his name, as best we can tell! Kit Wykeham Musgrave was a young man of only 15 years who had an intense desire to live. His is a wonderful story of perseverance.

Have you ever felt like Satan's "darts" are more like heat-seeking missiles -- almost following you wherever you go? Listen to the words the Lord relayed to some Christians in the first century:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58, ESV

How strong is your desire to live in eternity?

R2