HAPPY PLACE

 

I read in an article that the Sustainable Development Solutions Network produces the World Happiness Report. They take a survey ranking the happiest places to live based on over 150 countries. They factor in 6 key factors contributing to a persons wellbeing: 1) income, 2) freedom, 3) trust, 4) generosity, 5) healthy life, 6) support from communities. A team of secular experts (economists, psychologists, statisticians & others) create the list. A noticeable absence are anyone with a spiritual or religious affiliation.

Another list of Happiest cities in America:

1. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California

2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California

3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia

4. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts and New Hampshire

"Now, I live in a rural county , I couldn't see myself living in any of the top 4 happiest places. I guess I'll just stay unhappy where I'm at."

Isaiah 32:18 Amplified Bible

Then my people will live in a peaceful surrounding, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places. (this references when the Lord rules)

I want you all to close your eyes and think of a place that is very special to you. Maybe a secret place or maybe a place shared with family and friends, a place where you feel 100% comfortable, a place where you can be you, a place where you don't have to play games and pretend you are something you aren’t.

Can you see yourself there? Just relax and enjoy it for the next couple of moments.

How many of you pictured a place that was peaceful?

        How many of you pictured an urban place?

How many of you pictured a place outdoors?

How many of you pictured a place from your youth?

Peaceful Places usually come with Contentment & Familiarity. 

Galatians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice.

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious (worried, to be anxious about) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding (peace the world does not – can not understand), will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

How do you combat anxiousness, worry, by praying, by supplicating (the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. Oxford Languages and Google) and being thankful.

You cannot ask, beg earnestly and humbly without being convinced that you are asking and thanking something or someone who exists and who can actually help you. Someone you know, who you are familiar with.

What do you mean the world 

DOES NOT & CAN NOT UNDERSTAND 

this kind of peace?

What do we worry about? Mostly, things we can't do anything about. Things that occur or we imagine can occur that we can do nothing about. The world (by world I mean those who have no faith in God) trusts in humankind to take care of the stuff they can't do anything about. 

That's why our culture obsesses about determining blame for everything that happens. There is nothing outside of what we can empirically experience and therefore, human ingenuity, science or some other human or natural solution must exist. We just haven't found it yet.

But what about the diagnosis that has no treatment. The unexpected or sudden loss of a loved one. How does science answer those questions. It can't, it's outside of their element.  

As followers of Christ we believe in Colossians 1, that Christ holds all things in His hands and will work all things for our good if we love Him and are led by the Holy Spirit Romans 8:28. Therefore we have someone we can ask, beg earnestly and humbly when things are out of control. We have peace because we have faith. The world cannot experience the peace, because they have no faith.

 Meditate on These Things 

(FILL YOUR MIND WITH THIS, TURN OFF THE TV)

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true (NOT TV), whatever things are noble (KIND, CONSIDERATE, CARING), whatever things are just (FAIR) , whatever things are pure (HOLY, CHASTE, WHOLESOME), whatever things are lovely (BEAUTIFUL, UNDEFILED), whatever things are of good report (GRACEFUL, THINKING THE BEST, EMPATHETIC) , if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Fill you mind with these things. Leave no room for filth and garbage. Guard your heart and mind. The word for guard is a military word, it means to stand sentry. This is an active thing. 

You must be diligent and do it.

9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 I know how to be abased (really, really poor downtrodden), and I know how to abound (having abundance). Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

It makes no difference where we are or what we have or don’t have. Contentment is based on what we expect. Paul wrote this letter from a prison, yet he was free’r than most who read his words.

We quote Phil. 4:13 in reference to things we can accomplish with God. Paul wrote Phil. 4:13 claiming peace and contentment in spite of his wealth or want, in spite of his success or failures, in spite of living in a castle of in a tenement on the south side of Chicago.

Our safe place is in an unchanging, never leaving, always available God, who loves us and knows us better that anyone loves or knows us and that includes ourselves.

Recline as the beloved apostle did (John) upon our Lord’s chest.

Romans 5

 Romans 5:8
God demonstrates (Strong's 4921: To place together, commend, prove, exhibit; to stand with; To be composed of, cohere) His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

GOD DEMONSTRATES: This is how God showed us His love for us. He makes His love relevant. His love (agapen) is personal. It is affectionate. It is without cost and cannot be earned.

While "I" was "STILL" a "SINNER".

"STILL" = actively sinning.

•  Not when I was good enough.
•  Not when I prayed enough.
  
•  Not when I read the Bible enough.
  
•  Not when I went to church enough.
  
•  Not when I joined the right church.

Jesus Christ died 2000 years ago. I had not committed a sin 2000 years ago, yet Christ's death 2000 years ago covers my sins committed in 2021. WOW!

Jesus Christ not only died for the sins of the believers but He also died for the sins of those who will never believe. You might think "what a waste" but in reality it is "what an opportunity".

Romans 5:9a
Since we have now been justified by His blood.

What does justified mean? Strong's 1344 (dikaiothentes) to render just or innocent.

The words JUST and JUSTICE are the roots of justified.

Just = we are viewed as being right (fair) in our actions.

Justice = fair treatment for our actions.

We are aware that neither of those 2 words apply to us 100% of the time so therefore we are not just, we do not act justly, we do not practice justice. 

Jesus Christ, on that cross 2000 years ago paid our debt. He made us just.

Now once this is explained to people they generally are good with it. Who doesn't want a "get out of hell free card"? And this is as far as many people's relationship with God goes. How sad when God offers so much more.

Romans 5:9b     
much more we shall be saved from God's wrath through Him.

MUCH MORE Strong's 3123 More, rather.  

Even more than being made "JUST", by Christ's blood shed  2000 years ago; by His blood we are saved from God's wrath

wrath = Strong's 3709 properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence): by implication punishment. 

There is a strong implication that the wrath of God is a form of justice that will be carried out if the justice imparted by Christ's death 2000 years ago is not applied.

JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, IT MUST.

What is Gods wrath?   Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death.

Wages = Payment for services rendered.  AGAIN: "PAYMENT" for "SERVICES RENDERED".

What services have you rendered to sin?  How much wages have you earned while sinning.

Notice that our salvation from our wages of sin is 100% through Christ. He made us RIGHT - JUST in God's perspective.  OUR DEBT HAS BEEN PAID.

Romans 5:10a    
"For if when we were ENEMIES of God."

Did you ever feel that you are God's enemy?  I never did, but that is what those who do not follow Christ are.

Matt. 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

Many want to add religion to their lives. Yes they believe in Him but to follow Him, all the time. I'll follow Him on Sundays. 

You cannot love the world and love God at the same time. 

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.

You cannot sit on the fence. THE DEVIL OWNS THE FENCE.

Romans 5:10b     

"We are reconciled to Him through the death of His Son."

RECONCILED: what must you have had to be reconciled?

A RELATIONSHIP.

Through the death of His Son (Jesus Christ) we have the opportunity to RECONCILE with God. We have the opportunity. But with all reconciliations, it takes both parties to be willing to reconcile. God because of what Christ paid is willing, are you?

When Christ cried from the cross, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me." (Matt. 27:4)  At that very moment all sins, all murders, all violence, all cruelty, all evil, every wicked thought or action, all man's vile natures were poured upon the only man who was never cruel, violent, evil, wicked or vial. The only man with a truly loving nature, at that moment willing took on all the depravity of man. 

No wonder the scripture says, "how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation" Hebrews 2:3.

THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU WANT TO RECONCILE? 

DO YOU WANT TO REESTABLISH A RELATOINSHIP WITH GOD? 

Romans 5:10c 

"How much more having been (even more than) reconciled shall we be saved by HIS Life. (Jesus's resurrection)" 

Even more than being justified.

Even more than being reconciled.

WE ARE SAVED BY WHOSE LIFE? 

CHRIST'S RESSURECTED LIFE.

We are saved eternally by Christ's eternal life. 

Christ rose so He could ascend to the Father and send the Helper, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. 

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient (advantageous) for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not com unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Jesus died to save us from our due wages of sin so we can be reconciled to the Father (reestablish relationship) and saves us by rising from the dead and sending the helper to help us choose reconciliation. 

Ironic: we can't even begin to think that we need to reconcile with God until God initiates the thought.

Philippians 1:6 being confident of the very thing, that He who has begun a good work (reconciliation) in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Beatitudes - Blessed are the Meek

 lessed are the meek.

For they shall inherit the earth.

What does being meek mean?

Is being meek a bad trait or a good trait?

Matthew 5:5 — Meek Inherit the Earth By Wayne Jackson

There are two misconceptions commonly connected with this passage.

•            First, the nature of meekness is misunderstood.

•            Second, some contend that the verse speaks of a future, eternal abode upon the earth.

Who are the meek?

To many, “meekness” suggests the idea of passivity, someone who is easily imposed upon, spinelessness, weakness. Since Jesus declared Himself to be meek (Matthew 11:29), some perceive Him as a sissy-type character.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In the Greek New Testament, “meek” is from the Greek term praus. It does not suggest weakness; rather, it denotes strength brought under control. The ancient Greeks employed the term to describe a wild horse tamed to the bridle.

We as followers of Christ, when we declare Christ as Lord are taming our desires to Christ’s desires. Jesus told his disciples if anyone wants to follow Him they must deny themselves (Matthew 16:24). We can no longer remain the wild stallion who desires sin, we must submit to the Lordship of Christ just as Christ submitted to the Lordship of the Father John 4:34, 8:29

What does it mean that the meek will “inherit the earth”?

As to the expression “inherit the earth,” the following facts should be noted:

•                    God is the owner of this earth (Psalm 24:1).

•                    Those who obey Christ become children of God (Galatians 3:27; Hebrews 5:9), and “joint-heirs” with the Lord (Romans 8:17).

•                    The Father supplies all our needs (Philippians 4:19), we therefore enjoy this earth and its blessings more than all others.

Mainly, however, our inheritance is spiritual (Acts 20:32); we are heirs in the kingdom of Christ (Ephesians 5:5), and citizenship in that kingdom is available now on this earth (cf. John 3:3-5; Colossians 1:13).

Finally, we also look for an inheritance that is reserved for us in heaven (1 Peter 1:4), because we are aware that the earth will be destroyed when Christ returns (2 Peter 3:10). Thus, underline “inherit the earth,” and make some appropriate notations in the margin of your Bible.

Table Talk, Ken Jones

But this raises the question of how one becomes meek. The Beatitudes are a series of declarations of what God bestows on those whom He receives into His kingdom. So, in light of Matthew 5:5, God gives the earth as an inheritance. But He also gives meekness. I say this based on two things. On the one hand, meekness is a virtue possessed by Christ in His humanity (Matt. 11:29), which means that it is part of His active righteousness that is credited to us for our justification. But on the other hand, meekness is a fruit of the Spirit that the Spirit causes us to manifest in our sanctification, as Galatians 5:23 tells us. Some translations begin that verse with “gentleness,” whereas the King James Version renders it “meekness.” But on the whole, the description of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23 describes meekness.

Psalm 37 Read this Psalm and notice how God deals with the meek vs. those who seek worldly blessings. What does the meek inherit? Is this inheritance future, present or both?

VERSES DESCRIBING MEEKNESS

Matthew 11:29   "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. Jesus models meekness.

Numbers 12:3   (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.) Moses was declared meek.

1 Peter 5:5   You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

James 4:6  But He gives a greater grace Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

Galatians 5:23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Colossians 3:12   So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

1 Thessalonians 2:7  But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Paul demonstrates meekness.

Ephesians 4:1-2  Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Meekness#thematic_title_31774

 

Blessed are those who morn

For they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). Reading this, we might immediately think it refers to God comforting us when we mourn a loved one’s death. Of course, as believers we do experience God’s consolation in times of loss, but this is just one way the promise of the second beatitude is fulfilled. There are other reasons that the Lord’s people mourn in Scripture, and His promise to comfort our mourning applies to these situations as well.

First, we may experience the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit and mourn for our sin and its offense against our holy Creator. We see biblical examples of this in David’s repentance for his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:1–23; Ps. 51) and the response of the Jewish pilgrims to Peter’s Pentecost sermon, when they were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:1–41). This experience of mourning over sin is part of what it means to be “poor in Spirit,” tying the second beatitude nicely to the first one.

We may also mourn in the midst of suffering for the kingdom. Although we have a certain kind of joy in such trouble, Scripture is honest that this pain is real. Jeremiah mourned over the prosperity of the wicked and the afflictions of the righteous remnant of Israel (Jer. 12:1–4). Even Jesus was a “man of sorrows” who mourned the wickedness of the Israelites and suffered for His people (Isa. 53; Luke 13:34–35; 22:39–46). God’s comfort of His mourning people means that those who suffer for righteousness’ sake will receive an eternal reward (Matt. 5:12).

Though Jesus was a man of sorrows, He was able to endure suffering and pain because He knew that “out of the anguish of his soul” He would “see and be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11). We will never have to go through what Christ did, but we can look to God’s promise of comfort as a similar guarantee that we will one day see our mourning is not in vain. This, in turn, will help us to suffer for the sake of the kingdom of heaven in the here and now. www.ligonier.org

How do we perceive what our sin cost God? I remember sitting in the Manitowoc County Jail one night thinking about the verse where Jesus looked to heaven from the cross and exclaimed, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me” Matthew 27:46. I was struck by what I had done. When Jesus asked the Father if it is possible, if there was any other way than to suffer and die for mankind, Matthew 26:38 – 40, he was telling us that His sacrifice was personal to us. If we truly felt our guilt, would we beg Jesus not to go to the cross? DO YOU SEE THE INJUSTICE OF IT ALL!

Do we mourn over what we have done? Are we called at times to mourn a price we are called to pay for the kingdom and are we willing to sacrifice to pay the cost (not my will but thine)? Remember the disciples could not stay awake one hour. We should morn for our weakness but rejoice in His comfort. Once we truly morn, then God will open the flood gates of his mercy and comfort and deluge us with love and assurance. We must not forget the promise of Romans 8:28.

Beatitudes - Poor in Spirit

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven

 

What does being poor mean?

What could being poor in spirit mean?

Describe what you think being rich in spirit means?  Whose spirit?

Luke 6:20 simply has "blessed are the poor"; that Matthew adds "in spirit" is seen to be of great import. The phrase does not appear in the Old Testament, but Psalm 34:18 comes close. The phrase "poor in spirit" occurs in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and seems to have been an important notion to the Qumran community.

Scholars agree that "poor in spirit" does not mean lacking in spirit, be it courage, the Holy Spirit, or religious awareness. Rather it is that poverty is not only a physical condition, but also a spiritual one. . .

Nolland notes that there have historically been three main interpretations of what is meant by "the poor" in this verse.

·       One view is that it refers to the disadvantaged, those forced to the fringe of society.

·       An alternative is that it refers to those who willingly surrender their belongings as a sign of piety.

·       The third view is that poverty refers to hardship in general, and not simply economic disadvantage.

Matthew makes a second reference to the poor at Matthew 11:5. In that verse it is a reference to Isaiah. Wikipedia.

According to the Key-Word Study Bible, “The Greek word translated blessed in these passages is makarioi which means to be fully satisfied. It refers to those receiving God’s favor, regardless of the circumstances” (emphasis added). Vaneetha Rendall Risner

Billy Graham - Q: What does it mean to be poor in spirit, as Jesus said we ought to be? I don't understand this, because it seems to me that we ought to strive to be rich in spirit, not poor. Or am I missing the point?

A: Your confusion is understandable; after all, the Bible does warn us against being empty and impoverished in our souls, and urges us to seek spiritual riches instead. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

But Jesus also said that there is another kind of spiritual poverty—one we should seek. He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). What did He mean? Simply this: We must be humble in our spirits. If you put the word “humble” in place of the word “poor,” you will understand what He meant.

In other words, when we come to God, we must realize our own sin and our spiritual emptiness and poverty. We must not be self-satisfied or proud in our hearts, thinking we don’t really need God. If we are, God cannot bless us. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

Pride can take all kinds of forms, but the worst is spiritual pride. Often the richer we are in things, the poorer we are in our hearts. (1 Corinthians 10:12)

“In our social-media world, saying you’re blessed can be a way of boasting while trying to sound humble.” Vaneetha Rendall Risner

Being rich in your spirit seems to be a perceptual condition. You perceive that you have it all together spiritually. What Jesus is saying that no matter how good you are, no matter what you think of yourself you are in a fallen world, you are tainted with sin Genesis 6:5; Matthew 15:19; Romans 3:9–20. REALIZE IT!

We as Christians equate “Blessings – successful career, money, health” with the perception that we are definitely in God’s will and that we are spiritually successful but what does Jesus say, “Blessed are the poor” whether that is poor physically or spiritually. Remember the rich young ruler Mark 10:17-27. He went away sad. The disciples asked, then who can be saved? Jesus answered, “The poor in spirit”.

When was the prodigal son at his spiritual best before he asked his father for his inheritance? When he asked for his inheritance? As he stood in the pig pen realizing that he would be better off being a servant of his father. What about his brother, was he at his spiritual best? The father was rich but yet he was spiritually poor. Luke 15:11-32

I mentioned in a study once that we should thank God for the challenges we face in our walk and not just our blessings. One of the men was astonished at that teaching, “he said he had never heard of such a thing” James 1:3, Romans 5:3. But isn’t that what God is intimating, do we learn when our cup overflows or when we thirst? As Laura Story asks in her song “Blessings,” “What if your blessings come through rain drops? What if trials of this life — the rain, the storms, the hardest nights — are your mercies in disguise?”

So I ask again:

What does being poor mean?

What could being poor in spirit mean?

Describe what you think being rich in spirit means?  Whose spirit?

Minute by Minute

Following Christ is not an effort here and there, it a consistent daily - minute by minute working (living) out your salvation. 

Jesus said, "If you love Me you will keep My commandments" John 14:21 and these are His commandments; Love the Lord your God With all your hearts, mind and strength and the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself" Mark 12:29-31.  Can you love someone with all your hear mind and strength when you spend little if any time with them?  Jesus said if you want to be his disciple that you must deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow him Matt. 16:24.

DENY
Denying yourself doesn't mean that we go live in a cave in the side of a mountain somewhere, it means that we bring the desires we have that are not God honoring under His Lordship.  In fact it means our entire self must be subservient to Christ and His position of Lord of our lives.  We are crucified, buried and resurrected in Christ Jesus.  Matt 16:25 says, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

PICK UP
We are told to, "pick up our cross daily" Luke 9:23.  So often we want to pick up next weeks cross, "Oh no, our insurance is due" or, "I have to meet so and so and do such and such".  Is it proper to prepare?  Yes, but to stress out and be consumed by tomorrows things only distracts us from today's true potential.

What about those of us who want to "pick up" yesterday's cross.  If you live in the past you will miss the present.  It's over.  Paul says, "I press on towards the mark of the higher calling not looking back Phil. 3: 13-15. If you put your hand to the plow and keep looking over your shoulder, your furrow will be crooked or you will run into a tree.  Today is wasted when picking up tomorrow's cross or yesterday's cross today.

FOLLOW

Those who followed Christ, left their nets - wept for forgiveness - could not bury their dead - had to give their wealth to the poor - forgo inspecting a purchased field - had to not check out cattle they just bought - had to leave the spouse they married  had to love Christ more than their family and themselves Matthew 10:36-38.  Although the cross is easy and the burden is light it is still a cross.  Following Christ is being led by the Spirit. 

Determination

 

Cast Your Lot with the Lord and be not deterred.  (Determination)

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Different people have different levels of determination. Concentration for one is deep and intense; for another it is fleeting and difficult.  Watch the eyes of a professional golfer, they “Lock-in” and very little of what is going on around them enters their train of thought.  “Lock-in”, that’s a great phrase for those who have great concentration.  Is being able to “Lock-in” an innate trait or is it something that is learned?  To some extent I am convinced it’s a bit of both. 

The individual who has Attention Deficit Disorder can have an impossible time concentrating on the simplest thing.  According to the Mayo Clinic:

(ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

ADHD and other conditions although not necessarily attributable to a physical malady are understood to be a conditions inherent in an individual and not learned or caused by the residential environment.

Try reading the book of Leviticus or First Chronicles sometime to test your concentration skills.  One of the reasons I find cutting the lawn so therapeutic is for this very reason, I can cut the grass and feel as if I’m accomplishing something and my mind can be a thousand miles away. 

Feel like I’m accomplishing something; there’s a lot said with that statement.  Environmental pressures contribute to a lack of concentration.  Today we must be doing or our time is wasted.  We get caught up in doing and don’t spend enough time letting.  Our focus is thrown into the worries of this world until we are consumed.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Martha in Luke Chapter 10 is a great example.

From a Christian perspective, “casting our lot” means relying and in many cases waiting on the Lord.  It means concentrating on the Spiritual and spending less time doing or obsessing about the physical.  We must remember that we are only passing through, this is not our home (Hebrews 13:14, 2 Corinthians 5:1). The song, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus” has a great line in it. The line says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”.  I think that is what Paul was talking about when he said to live is Christ, to die is gain Philippians 1:21.