Virtual Reality
By Pastor Timothy Burdick
While the term "virtual reality" is used mainly in relation to
what is called, "cyberspace,"
some persons do live a virtual existence.
That is, their lives have become
meaningless, with each day blending into the
next. Could that be you? If so, please read
what God has to say in Deuteronomy 30:19 - “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against
you that I have set before you life and
death, blessings and curses. Now choose
life, so that you and your children may
live.”
The main principal that
we see about mere existence versus a dynamic
lifestyle in this verse is that vibrant
living requires a choice. We may choose to
follow Christ or not, but in order to make
an informed decision, we have to know what
it means to follow Him. One thing it does
mean is losing yourself for Someone who gave
His all so that you could truly live. But
The Bible makes it clear that Christ also
controls the universe, while having the very
hairs on our heads numbered. Are you losing
you’re life in aimless pursuits? Since we
all tend to lose our lives for something or
someone, God challenges us to lose our lives
for Him. Among other things, this kind of
life means being thankful and He gives us a
reason to get up in the morning.
But you might be
saying, “While that
sounds good, you don’t know what I’m going
through.” It's true I don't know, and
I don’t mean to minimize your situation at
all, but don’t be afraid to ask God to help
you rise above your circumstances. He knows
the grief that you may be going through at
this point in time, so please read what
proverbs 18:24 says - “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is
a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
The apostle Paul was a
man of many losses from the world’s point of
view. He lost prestige in the eyes of man
and he gave up his own comfort to share the
Gospel, the good news, with others. But
because of His focus on Christ, he found
that he gained much more then he lost. His
writings overflow with the love, joy and
peace that his new life held. In fact at one
point he said, in Philippians 3:7-8, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for
the sake of Christ. what is more, I consider
everything a loss compared to the surpassing
greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whose sake I have lost all things. I
consider them rubbish, that I may gain
Christ.”
God wants you both to
know and experience the greatness that Paul
found in Christ. It is a greatness that will
guide you through any problem, while filling
your heart with love, peace, and joy. So,
while I am not suggesting that your problems
will go away, and in fact they may increase,
God will change your outlook if you let Him,
transforming you for the good. Please come
to Him in a new way, choosing life and
greatness. Leave virtual reality behind and
enter the greater reality of trusting in the
Lord.
Remember Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who
strengthens me."
Visit Pastor Timothy at New Vision Ministries website www.mynvm.org
Visit Friday Study Ministries
www.FridayStudy.org
www.FirstChurchOnTheNet.org
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