PORTERVILLE POST | The Right News at the Right Time

| Pushing the Pause Button to Reflect
The Right Word^© - Oct 20, 2024
with Brother Scott : scott@portervillepost.com

† † † Pause, Reflect, Take Action † † †

When we lose someone close to us (as we just did here in our church family), or someone that we had known for a significant amount of time, it causes us to reflect on several things. We think about the person we lost; his or her life, contributions, hardships, and accomplishments, where they are now in the eternity that began when they died, what their absence will mean, and about those they left behind.

For some people, there are the thoughts of “Did I treat that person right” or “Should I have done more for him or her,” and perhaps even deeper regrets about something between you and that person that you wish you could change.

For a few, there comes the pain of wishing they could have just 5-more-minutes to say something that needed to be said. And, for the forward looking, some might think-on “What will I do differently, or more if or less of in my life” as a result of thoughts of the now absent family member, friend, coworker or classmate. I’m sure you get the point of what I am saying as many of you have lost someone, and in the quietness of your private thoughts you have had things like these just mentioned come and go in your mind.

~ I Believe That Such Reflections Are Good To Happen ~
I believe that such reflections are good to happen and can lead to changes in one’s life in how we view and treat others, including those we have not yet lost or have not yet departed from by death ourselves, which self-changes can affect outcomes, regrets, and futures.
You and I live in the most complicated, distracting, demanding, and fastest moving society of the last 6,000 years. Many people and things come and go in our lives at such a break-neck pace that we have little or no time to enjoy them or make helpful differences in lives or circumstances.
In my experience and opinion, this is the silent theft of what could be gifts and treasures strewn across out lifelong paths.
Joys and relationships and enjoyments that we never recognize or take the time to “stop and smell the flowers” regarding is because we are caught in the whirlwind of 21st century bondages, demands, and distractions.
I suppose it would be a very good thing to take one day each month and push the pause button on our lives so that we can reflect on the people in our life, recent circumstances that have come up, opportunities that are coming into view, and especially our relationship with the eternal God Who is the lover of our souls.

† Jeremiah 31:2 Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. 3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

† Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Push the pause button”, rather than it only be when someone passes into eternity but as a regular practice—ease back on the gas pedal of your life and find a quiet place to park (maybe literally) and take a 360-degree look at your life and the people and present situations that are part of it. Pause and reflect on the landscape of your life; inquire of the Lord and be open to the Word planted in your heart for guidance and wisdom.

† Mark 6:30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat [distractions and busyness]. 32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

† James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

† Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

What kinds of things might we consider if we would go aside on purpose to pause and reflect on how things are, on what things need to be done, or how we can bring peace to our lives and be peacemakers and a blessing in the lives of others? Ah, there is what the Lord is bringing to our attention today—it’s about pausing to bring peace!

† Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

† Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

“What kinds of things might we consider if we would go aside on purpose to pause and reflect…how we can bring the foundational aspect for Christians of peace to our lives, and be peacemakers in the lives of others?”
I submit to you today that to hit the pause button of your life regularly is a first and needed step in discerning what you can do that will be a help your own life and also contribute helpful things in the lives of others.

Peace: The absence of disturbance; tranquility or quiet. Not annoyed by worry, problems, noise, or unwanted actions. Freedom from war or a stopping of war.
Albert Einstein: “Peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice, of law, of order—in short, the presence of [good] government.”

I agree with what Mr. Einstein said but with this further qualification: Peace involves the absence of war brought on by the presence of government—the governing of Heaven’s rule by God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

† Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

† Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

What things must we proactively pause and reflect on that are the very things that rob us of or at least erode our peace, if we do not pro-act against them?
• Issues of our health and overall well-being.
• What I have not given God, my spouse, and children or my parents that they deserve.
• Sensing that you have grown distant in an important relationship.
• Unforgiveness of others or yourself—even far into the past.
• Others you offended that you need to ask for forgiveness of.
• Things that have gradually slipped away from your doing that should not.
• Those that come to mind that you need to reach out to in love or care.
• A commitment or promise to God or another person that is not yet fulfilled.
• The things that are holding you back from God’s will or His best for you.
• The taking for granted of God’s blessings or other close ones in your life.
• Not preparing for some very hard tomorrows all that you can and should.

† Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

† Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

† Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee (vomit) out of my mouth.

~ We Have Recently Lost One Of Our Own ~
We have recently lost one of our own; our sister worshipped among us but has now gone ahead of us to her reward. Her passing is what should cause you and me to pause and reflect on the kinds of things I have been discussing, and making things right that we can see need to be, or getting ourselves up-to-date with things such as forgiveness, love and caring, checking our compass heading to be sure we have not gotten off-course on our way to Heaven, and if necessary, rededicating our lives to Jesus Christ and the daily reading and practice of the Word of God.
Our sister’s death caught me off-guard; I do not want to be in that position again should others (when others) I know and love may suddenly be taken or when my own name is called and I (without notice) exit this body and stand before Jesus. So I am in a period of reflection ahead of whatever befalls me and us.
We are on the verge of many great changes in our lives as a sure world war is near breaking out. The Spirit of the Lord has warned through many inspired speakers that peace is evaporating form the earth and is giving way to conflict. I do not want momentous things to happen suddenly and without any notice and I have not gotten all my personal affairs in order.

** Have I prepared as best as I am able to provide for my family?
** Am I up-to-date in praying for the salvation of their souls—maintaining a hedge of protection around them while God works to bring them to repentance and salvation?
** Am I up-to-date in my family relationships or would I have terrible regrets if unexpectedly someone is swept into eternity tonight and I had the unfinished business of love to express to him or her or them?

These things (**) and others are why I have to push the pause button to intentionally reflect on who I am to be to others and to God.
So I pointedly ask you today these things (**) as a favor to you:

** First—are you in right-standing with God and your Savior right-now?
** Is there habitual sin soiling your life in God’s view? Make that right starting with repentance.
** Are there things needed to be done among those you live with or with extended family members or others of your life present or past (forgiving or the asking for forgiveness and then reconciliation, what about restitution)? Your righteous actions might make the difference in their eternity.
** Is there a calling of the Lord on your life that you are not walking in (others are depending on it)?

With such questions posed to you and to myself, I will conclude today with just a few brief series of important one-liners from God’s Word:

† Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

† Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

† James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

† Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men [the Apostle Paul].

† 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

† Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

† Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

† Matthew 5:44 ... I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

† Matthew 7:12 ... all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

“FINALLY ~ I REMIND YOU”
Finally, I remind you of what doing these things and others will do for you—especially when the times fall upon us that will be so very hard to cope with—I urge you to regularly pause (perhaps for one hour on your worship day), reflect on things that need to be done or said, and then do that(!), which deeds lead to peace.

† Philippians 4:6 Be careful (anxious, worried) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

† 2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.