01/14/17 SATISFIED WITH LONG LIFE

01/14/17 SATISFIED WITH LONG LIFE
The beautiful, but short, 91st Psalm ends with these words,

Psalms 91:16
(16) With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

A life lived in surrender to God is a life lived to its fullness, especially the life of a person who received Christ early. It is vital to lead our children to Christ at an early age and then provide them with every spiritual advantage.

As parents and other influences (including older siblings),

* We must be spiritual models, by leading them to life on the highest plain if we want them to escape the quick sands of sin and rebellion.
* We must provide them with a loving, victorious and a Christ centered home, because their view of God and church will be formed around their view of parents and family.
* We must make sure that they are part of a church that is based on strong Bible teaching and preaching.
* We must guard and guide our children, realizing that they are precious gifts with eternal souls.
* As Jesus said, Woe to those offend the little ones.

Christians do not leave this world in death, thinking that all of life's needs have been satisfied or because they are tired of serving Christ. However, Christians can die with the satisfaction that they have spent their lives doing the will of God. Paul told Timothy (and us),

2 Timothy 4:5-8
(5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
(6) For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
(7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
(8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Especially notice the three points in verse seven.
* I have fought the good fight,
* I have finished my course,
* I have kept the faith.

FIGHT YOUR GOOD FIGHT
The Christian life is a lifelong war with temptation and trials, as well as with Satan and his evil world system. If we want to be satisfied with long life, then we must not seek to satisfy ourselves on the husks around us. To be a truly satisfied person requires that we please God. Pleasing God is not just the form of godliness, but the living reality of Christ in us, overcoming temptation and living in the the victory of holiness.

FINISH YOUR COURSE
The Christian life is a God planned tour, a God ordained course. From the beginning to the end, we must obediently trust Christ. There is no time for self absorption or self actualization or self aggrandizement. It requires thoughtful and deliberate discipline to find, follow and finish the path of God.

KEEP YOUR FAITH* The Christian life is a life of faith.* Faith focuses on Jesus, rather than on self or the world.* Faith transcends the temporal and lives for the eternal* Faith is a growing dynamic that requires continuous alertness and constant surrender.