Like The Angels In Heaven

"Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”- Matthew 22:29-32

Now and again, I will write something with the intent of challenging your thinking about some spiritual truth. This is one of those times. You may not have thought much about this but we all should. after all, we have an eternal destiny. My hope is that this post will motivate you to do some personal study on the topic. Have you ever been in a conversation when you notice the body language of the other person sends the message that they do not like or even want to hear what you are saying to them.  The same is true with the Word of God. There are many parts of the Bible which are easy to receive - but then there are those that challenge our thinking and perhaps our hopes and expectations.  Marriage is one of them.

It is natural for us to project what we know in this life to what we imagine life will be like in Heaven. Many of us spend most of our lifetime with our spouses. We experience the "oneness" that Genesis tells us about. "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." -Genesis 2:24

It is also why Jesus words in Matthew 22 can rub us the wrong way. Based upon my conversations with others over the years, there is an expectation that once we are reunited with our spouse in heaven, we will pick up our relationship where we left off. Seems reasonable, doesn't it? But perhaps there is a little more to the words "until death do us part" than what we thought. Where we might think it is only a temporary interruption to our being together as man and wife, in fact, it is the beginning of a new relationship. There is a greater supernatural oneness that Jesus talks about as He is praying to the Father.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me, and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." - John 17:20-21

Our oneness with Jesus and the Father supersedes our oneness as husband and wife. Our earthly marriage and natural union are to be a reflection of our spiritual oneness with the Father. Give you an idea about why God hates divorce. [Malachi 2:16, NASB] I can distinctly remember my mom asking me if Don, my stepdad, remembered her since he had passed before her. The Bible does not speak directly to the issue of continued marital relationship after death, as much as we would like to know. Why we want to know, in some ways I think it is a bit like Lot's wife looking back a Sodom - leaving what she knew and loved for the unknown. I don't want to carry that analogy too far! But when you have been married to someone for so long - in our case this year marks 52 years - it is hard to imagine that our relationship will be set aside for a greater one - but I think it will be. Will, we regret it? I don't think so. The Bible says "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" - Revelation 21:4

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Memorization Not The Same As Transformation

"And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” - Hebrews 10:15-16

As a new Christian one of the first things I was exposed to in my faith training was something called the topical memory system. Introduced by the Navigator Ministry, it was, and is, a simple method of memorizing scripture. It laid a great foundation for my spiritual walk.  

I can point you to a number of verses in the Bible that encourage the memorization or assimilation of scripture. For example ...

"Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You." - Psalm 119-11

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." - Joshua 1:8-9

One might be tempted to think that if you memorize scripture that somehow scripture will keep sin out of your life. Memorization does not, by itself, result in transformation. It is the application of scripture that brings about transformation. Certainly, the Word must be in you and not merely in your living room sitting on the coffee table. Next you should be thinking about the word during the day - meditating on it - and then using it like a sword - fending off the temptation to sin. Recall that the Word is one part of the full armor of God. 

"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." - Ephesians 6:16-18

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan - with each temptation Jesus responded with the Word. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."; "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test."; "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve."

Transformation happens when the Word is applied in the face of temptation and what life brings your way.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

When Faith Is Confronted by Life

"Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” - Mark 9:20-24

Do you believe that what you believe is really real? That is a quote from Dr. Del Tackett, The Truth Project from Focus on the Family. Jesus was asking the father of the young boy that question. The father was making it plain to Jesus. He believed but, at the same time, he had doubts. Imagine that all you had to do was believe hard enough and whatever you wanted to happen - happened. Most of our prayers have to do with getting relief from some life issue. So wouldn't that be great!

Do you believe that God wants the best for you? Of course. But what is the best for any of us? Not a trick question. Eternal life found by faith in Jesus. So, what about living our mortal lives on this planet? I can only speak for myself and what I have observed in other people. That coupled with the rest of the Bible. To quote the sage, Loretta Lynn. "I beg your pardon, I didn't promise you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine there's gonna be a little rain sometimes." Sometimes it might be a hurricane.  

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4

As Christians we live in two realities - one mortal and the other spiritual. The question is which one dominates our thinking and how we respond to the here and now? The truth is that from time to time, we need help with our weak faith when that faith is confronted by the certain unpleasantries in this life. 

"Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." - Matthew 8:24-26

Those guys were in the boat WITH Jesus, and still they were fearful. Trouble can do that - i.e., cause you to lose perspective and awareness. Don't be surprised if and when it happens to you. Read Psalm 121 - happens to be my grandma's favorite psalm and for good reason.

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. - Psalm 121:1-8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

They Can Always Imagine

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools." - Romans 1:20-22

I make it a habit to read the news on-line each day to get a sense of what is happening in the world. A few days ago, I read an article published by Space.com. This is an excerpt.

"Why haven't we found intelligent alien civilizations? There may be a 'universal limit to technological development’..... In less than seven decades, humanity went from having no active flight technology to walking on the moon. It took only a little over a century to get from the first basic computer to a pocket-size device that enables widespread access to nearly the entire body of human knowledge within seconds. Based on that technological trajectory, there is a persistent assumption that our technological capacities are unbounded. This notion, along with the discovery that habitable worlds are common throughout the cosmos, has influenced a question that has perplexed scientists and others for decades: "Why is the universe so quiet?" - Space.com

As Paul wrote, man has indeed become futile in his thinking. The driving force behind that futility is that sinful man does not want there to be a God. People through the generations have not wanted the Bible or Jesus to be God's revelation to mankind. Before I break down what Space.com had to say, let's talk about Darwin for a moment. I am certain you are familiar with his Theory of Evolution - The Origins of Man. Darwin was seeking to explain creation and specifically why homo sapiens are so distinctly different from other creatures on this planet. So, he came up with a theory. You know what a theory is, right? It is an "unproved" assumption. BTW as I was typing the word "unproved" the word "theory" appeared to assist me with my typing, I suppose so I don't use up my allocation of zeroes and ones. :)  The only thing missing to make Darwin's theory fact is what is known as the "missing link". The link that is still missing. So, in the meantime, many people have accepted Darwin's theory to be fact because it fits their world view. That being one without a Creator to which they would be accountable. The theory is even taught in the schools so our children will think it is fact. The thinking is that the missing link is real, we just have not found it - yet. In the meanwhile, we will just have to keep looking until we do and are proven right.

So, to Space.com. Is there life on other planets? Yes - in their minds. But the technological development on any world has an upper bound which prevents any creature from reaching beyond its planetary system. Doesn't that seem to be a reasonable explanation as to why there is no proof of intelligent life on other planets. And IF it is true then it makes the missing link not quite so important. And it debunks the idea that the universe has our planet at its center. And Homo Sapiens as a unique creation in all of the universe. Listen, there are people that will "go to the mat" over these theories. They are vehement about their allegiance to their claim that "There is no God of the Universe" theory. As convinced and vehement as I am about the fact that there is.

I read another article about Mars exploration and how scientists are convinced they will find proof of life even if it is microbial and existed billions of years ago. The world wants so desperately to believe there is no God.

NASA is set to launch a spacecraft to Jupiter's moon Europa, considered one of our solar system's most promising spots to search for life beyond Earth, to learn whether this ice-encased world believed to harbor a vast underground ocean is habitable.

And the beat goes on! Footage from the Tiangong (Chinese) space station shows Shenzhou 18 crew members — commander Ye Guangfu and crewmates Li Cong and Li Guangsu — engaged in research on the adaptability of anaerobic archaea. (micro-organisms) The research aims to test their survival under Mars-like conditions and extreme cosmic radiation, contributing to the search for extraterrestrial life, according to a report from CCTV. (that was a quote) And so ....

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. They can always imagine, but it doesn't change the Truth, and on that day when they stand before a holy God they will be found to be without excuse. Pray for the lost.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Fake News

"While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’  And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So, they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day." - Matthew 28:11-15

Probably the most often quoted verses in Matthew 28 are verses 18 to 20. The Great Commission. - Go therefore. As I was reading Matthew 28 again this morning, I was struck by the direction of the chief priests and elders. The guards were told to lie to promote the plans and intentions of the religious leaders. I suppose that I am sensitive to "fake news" because of this election cycle. The idea of truth and fact have little to do with each other, then and now. I think that is what Pilate was suggesting when he was interrogating Jesus.

"Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, What is truth?" - John 18:37-38

Truth can be what people are willing to believe what they are told and act upon it. Having little to do with what is fact. Jesus said He had come to bear witness to the truth - what was eternal fact. That truth is immutable - it will never change based upon who is elected - who happens to be in political power - who is in power - they like all mortals will pass with time. They will wither and fade.

"The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." - Isaiah 40:7-8

Probably the most effective lies are those told that are seasoned with some truth. Truth twisted to accomplish the purpose of the one telling it. For the chief priests, they wanted to refute the idea that Jesus was the Messiah. They conspired with the guards - their guards - not the governors that they were sleeping when Jesus body was stolen. So - riddle me this Batman - (sorry - flashback!) if they were asleep how did they know it was the disciples. And if they woke up, why didn't they stop them? It is not like they had a get-away car waiting. Oh, and what is truth that Jesus was bearing witness to? Pilate did not know that he was speaking to the Truth - the Creator God's revealed Truth.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." - Proverbs 19:20-21

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Poured Out Wine - Just Like Jesus

"Even if I [Paul] am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all." - Philippians 2:17

Can you pray this to God? "Pour me out for your purpose - use me up - I can do nothing less for God and others than the Savior has done for me." Does that seem extreme to you? The idea that you would be a sacrifice. We too easily read verses in the Bible that encourage us to do that very thing.

"I [Paul] appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:1-2

Pouring out the right to choose to live any way you want. Instead to lay your nets down and follow Jesus. To abandon the priorities and desires of this world for the sake of the Gospel. Just like Jesus.

"And he [Jesus] took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." - Matthew 26:27-29

Just like Jesus. Does that fit with your idea of what it means to be a Christian? This is not a call for a few "elites" but for everyone who has been born again by faith in Jesus. We sang a song at a church we are visiting which sparked my thinking about this. When I go to church - I am there for more than the music or the preaching. I am there, listening. For what? A word from the Lord. It can be through the music or the sermon - something else that is said or done. But my prayer is "Lord speak, your servant is listening." Try it - you might be surprised. Here are a couple of verses from that song.

"Pour me out, Lord, use me up. When You’re done I know You will refill my cup. Take this life, use the rest of my days. Make me a holy instrument for Your praise.

I’m yielding to His Holy Spirit. If He’s not in it, no need to get near it. I’m His vessel since He cleansed me. I’m ready to go wherever He sends me

Purge my heart of any other love. Affections set on only what’s above. I’m grateful for the love he’s shown me. I’m using all the gifts He’s loaned me." - Pour Me Out, Rev Spig Davis.

I encourage you to make this your prayer - every day

"Pour me out, Lord, When You're done I know You will refill my cup. Take this life, use the rest of my days Make me a holy instrument for Your praise." 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Trusting In Yourself

 "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same." - Matthew 26:30-35

The disciples had said that if Jesus was going to be killed then they would die alongside Him. But when it came to it, they all fled. Jesus told them that "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (v41) It is not that the disciples did not want to support Jesus, but rather, it would be impossible if they were relying on their personal commitment to Jesus. Their determination. What was happening was intensely spiritual. It was beyond the capacity of mere mortals. The disciples did not understand that, but rather saw it as something worldly when it was, in fact, other-worldly.

It is the same for us. This new life that we live we live by faith. It reminds me of what Paul wrote in the church in Corinth.

"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:16-18

To live with that perspective - that of being a new creation - requires that we be intentional about our faith and circumspect with respect to our daily living and response to what happens to us - moment by moment. Remembering what the angel of the Lord told Zechariah, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." - Zechariah 4:6

Something that we should all keep in mind when we say we will follow Jesus wherever that leads us - even into the mouth of the lion or the pit of despair.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Pursuing Your Purpose

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money." - Matthew 25:14-18 

In the book, "Purpose Driven Life" pastor Rick Warren wrote, "it's not about you - "You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” So many of make our new life about us. What we are going to get out of it - not what we are going to put into it. How we can manage our sinful nature - the hope of eternal life - not so much to be present with our creator but to escape judgment and hell.

The parables of the bags of gold is about using what you have been given by God for God and His purposes. Each of us has been given a place and a purpose in the Kingdom with the intention that we would fulfill our purpose for the glory of God and the good of others. The intent is not that we should just hunker down and live a comfortable life doing what makes us happy and fulfilled with only a token acknowledgement to the One who has called us and saved us. 

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Every Christian has been empowered by God with spiritual gifts, "think bags of gold", that have the purpose of edifying the Body of Christ and bringing glory to God - a light shining the grace and mercy of God in the world. 

"But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor" - 1 Corinthians 12:18-23

Some have received more gifts and some more visible gifts - but any gift from God is important. Someone once said that God said not call the equipped - He equips the called. What has God equipped you to do. The question I have for you is "Are you fulfilling your God-given purpose?" If not, what are you waiting for?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

The Cost Of Discipleship

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 10:34-39

Do you know someone who has been shunned by their family because of their faith? If not shunned, then perhaps minimized and relegated to the "one religious fanatic" in the family. Maybe you are that person. It is difficult to make a distinction between how the lost culture treats Christians and how your blood relatives do. On the one hand it is cultural - a conflict of world views. On the other it is personal - people you love having rejected you because of your newfound faith.

The truth is you are a living witness and constant reminder of their sinful nature, whether it be the world or your family. Your witness may not be verbal. You may not talk to them differently or love them less - but you are no longer one of them. In the twinkle of an eye, you have become an alien in a foreign land. It is a spiritual thing.

"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." - John 15:19

Jesus said, " I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household." Easy to read - hard to live. It leaves a hole in your heart that cannot be filled, except by faith. You may not be sorry that you chose Jesus, but you will be sad that you lost the closeness of relationships that mattered. I suppose, in a small way, it gives us a taste of how God feels about His being rejected by His greatest creation and more the rejection of His Son.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

True Religion

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." - Matthew 21:29-32

One who said he would but didn't and the other said he would not but did. Which one went to heaven? It takes more than having a right attitude or good works. It requires faith in Jesus. We cannot wish or hope anyone into heaven.

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6

There are many who believe there is more than one path to get to heaven. That is not what the Bible says. There are some who believe that trying to be good is enough to not go to hell. That is not what the Bible says. It is in the sinful nature of mankind that believes there must be another way - that, like in the Garden, "God didn't really say .... " Uh, yes, He did!

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

That doesn't leave much room for interpretation. There is only one choice. Martie and I have been watching a show on British television called the Repair Shop. So many people come in to have heirlooms repaired because of the memories that they bring to mind. So many people are obviously blessed by the repairs. Very emotional on the part of the owners and the ones who do the repair. 

One thing I hear very often is "If they are looking down, they will be so pleased." Meaning that they have an idea that the relatives who have passed are watching from heaven. It caused me to wonder why those left behind imagine they are in heaven. Is it that they believe that anyone who passes goes to heaven. John 14:6 says that is not so. Do they believe that if they are Christians that they are watching those left behind and would actually care that the chair just repaired is now fixed? I can't find that in the Bible. Most likely, they are looking for consolation from the loss of someone they loved, and it helps to imagine that they are indeed looking down and are pleased. It is a sobering thought that people we love have passed and were not saved.

"The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."  -1 John 2:17

We have a tendency to project what life is like on this planet onto what we imagine life will be like in heaven. The Bible gives us glimpses but not a clear picture. Whatever it is, I believe that it will be different. But this I am certain, "It will be good!" Really good!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Being Grateful

"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So, when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?" - Matthew 20:8-13

To bring this into perspective, a person becomes a Christian when they are young and live faithfully until the end of their days. Another person lives a life of sin far from God and on their deathbed pray to receive Jesus as Lord and find eternal life through him. Both receive the same reward. In light of the parable, the ones who have "toiled" their whole life might wonder why the one who has lived apart from God until just before their last breath receives the same reward.  Is that fair? Think about it. When the person on their death bed finds salvation by faith there is as much rejoicing in heaven as there was with the young person. 

The cynic might ask - how do you know the person about to die was serious, there was no proof in a changed life. That is true. But I would remind you that salvation is between that person and God - not you. We have fulfilled our responsibility by seeking that which was lost and sharing the Good News that Jesus saves. We will know about the veracity of that prayer when we see Jesus face to face. 

"When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:24-28

Have you ever marveled at a preacher or teacher - perhaps placing them in a place of higher standing in Christendom than yourself? I know that I have. There is nothing inherently wrong with acknowledging the effective manner in which another Christian exercises the gifts given them by God for His purposes. They are just being faithful with what they have been given. For that they can be credited. But there is nothing eternal that they might convey through word or deed that does not find its source from God. Those two brothers were seeking recognition and position among the Saints. Jesus made it clear that the one who is recognized as being great in the kingdom of God must be last - a servant - just like Jesus. That does not leave any room for pride or position.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Living With A Godly Perspective

A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them (the Pharisees and Sadducees) and went away... From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." -  Matthew 16:4,21-23

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and the disciples all struggled with spiritual truth - 2000 years later and nothing has changed. We also struggle. The lost are incapable of understanding what is spiritual. Christians were made capable the moment they were saved and God, the Father, sealed us with the Spirit of God. Jesus referred to the Spirit as our Helper. But we still struggle with seeing the world and the affairs of this world from God's perspective.  Oh, that we might be like the sons of Issachar, some of the mighty men of David. 

"Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were expressly named to come and make David king. Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command." - 1 Chronicles 12:31-32

Everything has spiritual context. Even as the world embraces its own wisdom and what it deems to be right in the sight of man. God has spoken to that in His Word which is His spiritual revelation. We might be dismayed to see events play themselves out. We, without doubt, would rather the world see the truth and embrace it, turning away from the works of the flesh. The world is blind to spiritual truth.

"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-5

When Jesus gave sight to the blind - certainly it was good for the person who received sight, but it was metaphorical. A spiritual truth being revealed through the healing. 

"And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him [Bartimaeus].” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way." - Mark 10:49-52

And just like Bartimaeus, we too were blind and hoped one day to see. It was faith that finally gave us sight. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone