RIP-wanted, dead or alive

Rest in Peace.

I see RIP accompanying the name of the deceased often.

RIP is certainly a wish we have for those we love who have died,

but I am convinced that in the midst of the chaos and pain of life

it is something we wish we could have for ourselves. 

Guess what?

We can have it.

Right now, today.

Regardless of where we are,

it is within our reach. 

The secret to getting it if you don't have it?

A relationship with Jesus.

RIP. 

It is something God desires us to experience both in life and in death.

How can I say that?

Scripture and personal experience tells me so.

Who Jesus is in our lives determines whether or not we experience RIP.

rest, in peace, in life:

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33

God is upfront and brutally honest. 

In this world we will have trouble. It is a given.

But in Him we can have peace, even in the midst of troubles.

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

We can experience rest when we are weary and burdened. 

Did you see that "Come to Me, all..."

He welcomes our weary, burdened selves. 

He shoulders the weight we cannot bear.

He tells us how to find the rest for our souls hunger for. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  Philippians 4:4-8

Rejoice always. 

In the trenches of the battle field.

In the midst of raging storms.

In times of happy celebration.

Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

When is gentleness most noticeable?

When the situation is harsh. 

When circumstances have beaten someone to a pulp.

Be gentle, even to those who don't "deserve" it.

How can we rejoice always?

How can we allow gentleness to be evident to ALL?

By remembering we are not on our own, the Lord is near.

When we rely on His strength and His power,

choosing to fully trust and obey Him,

He faithfully provides what we need to do what He calls us to do.

Every. Single. Time.

Don't remain anxious about anything.

Pray, pray, pray.

In every situation, 

pray,

giving thanks as you pray.

Why? 

How?

By remembering you are not alone.

The Lord is near!

He has never failed in the past.

He will not fail now.

Trust Him.

Finally, to fuel the peace, 

to feed the ability to be thankful,

to douse the fiery darts that accompany anxiety,

guard your thoughts.

Think about what is true, noble, right, pure, and lovely.

Focus on what is admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.

When these kind of thoughts fill our minds there is no room for the other type.

Rest, in peace, in death:

"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away, and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; 

they find rest as they lie in death."

Isaiah 57:1 & 2

RIP: 

in life and in death,

it is provided by a God who loves us.

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10