Life Cycles - Martin Wiles

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1 NLT

The days of getting up and being ready in fifteen minutes have vanished.

Although I’m in relatively good health, my life cycle has changed. This fact dawned on me one morning when it seemed I simply could not get ready. 

A diagnosis of glaucoma and dry eye disease means I must use three types of drops daily. One twice a day, another once a day, and still another several times a day. Keeping up with the schedule taxes my brain. 

Patches of extremely dry skin also resulted in a prescription cream that must be applied twice daily for two weeks, with two weeks off before repeating the treatment. 

And then there are the pills I swallow. One to control my acid reflux. A daily aspirin because I’m over fifty, along with the daily vitamin to make sure I get what I might not through food. Add a beta blocker to regulate my Tachycardia. Finishing off the list is another over-the-counter acid reducer to help the prescription-strength one. Of course, there are more for other age-related issues, but you get the picture.  

I shouldn’t complain—and usually don’t. Others are worse off than me. My wife has a pouch full of medicine she must take daily to deal with health issues far more severe than mine. And those with rare diseases or other life-altering medical issues can top her—such as my brother who has Parkinson’s. 

Reading what Paul says is comforting—and should be for all who have reached the later life cycle or are suffering with life-altering medical challenges. I may not spend as much time as some do dolling up certain parts of my body or toning my muscles, but I don’t neglect it through unhealthy habits either. Regardless, my body will do what bodies do: age, change, and eventually die. 

We can’t keep these bodies alive, but God can—and will. Just not in their present form. When we die, or when Christ returns, our bodies will be transformed and fitted for our eternal home. A home where no pain, sickness, disease, medicine, or death will inhabit. Nor will there be any more life cycles.

Enjoy the life cycles—despite the changes they bring. They mean you are one step closer to eternity. 

Father, give me grace to endure the changes I must face as I gracefully age. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Never Out of Date - Martin Wiles

God, your name is eternal, God, you’ll never be out-of-date. Psalm 135:13 MSG

Twice a year, I find myself rummaging through bottles, creams, and boxes, looking for a date.

My doctor says medicines and medical creams never go out of date. So why do pharmaceutical companies put dates on them? Perhaps as a money-making endeavor so we’ll buy more of that medicine whether we need it or not? I, for one, don’t like to use medicine—or eat food—that’s out of date. If it’s food, I look for mold or feel for freshness. With medicine, I wonder whether taking it is going to do what it originally was supposed to do. So, if it’s only out of date by a few months, I keep it and take it or use it if I need it. If the date range exceeds that, I toss it in the trash can.

The psalmist says God’s name never goes out of date. It is eternal. He has existed before anything, He brought everything into existence, and He will be around when time ceases and there’s nothing left but eternity. He never goes out of date.

Nor do the commands he left. While many of the commands and regulations of the Old Testament were dietary rules in a time when medicine had not advanced to its present form—and while many of the commanded practices concerned only the worship practices of the Jews at a time before Christ—the moral principles God gave never go out of date. Lying broke God’s command in the beginning, and it still does. So does hate, murder, lust, and all of the other commands. Especially the one that says we should worship no other gods except the one true God.

God’s commands may not be politically correct for some, but they are still applicable. Obeying them demonstrates our love for God and leads to the most fulfilling life we could ever want. Jesus says if we love Him, we’ll obey His commands.

Others may laugh at us for choosing to obey God’s commands, but God will honor us. Obey God’s commands—regardless. They never go out of date.

Prayer: Father, we thank You that Your moral commands and principles are always in date.

Tweetable: Do you think God's commands are out of date? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.