Message from Scripture: 9/30/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Psa. 39:4; “LORD, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am.”

 

The time we have in life is shorter every day. Can you think back to when you were younger, and time seemed to go by at a snail’s pace? Everything seemed to take forever before reaching a certain stage in life, or accomplishing a specific task, or just getting to the end of a day, for that matter. The older we get, however, our days seem to be passing quickly, zooming along at an unbelievable pace. All of this reminds us, whether time seems to be passing slowly or quickly, we only have a limited number of days in life, and each day brings us closer to when they will end, and we pass into eternity.

 

How are we spending the days we have left to us? We don’t know when they will come to an end, but we do know, at that time, we will be held accountable for how we spent them, how we lived life. Are we thinking there’s still plenty of time left before that day will come? No one knows their number or end except our God. I imagine then most would wish there was more time to focus on what is really important, what is eternal. Moses said, “They pass quickly and we fly away” (Psa. 90:10). Will what we spend our time on today be that important then? Will we find the trivial was far too consuming of our time then? Will we regret the spiritual wasn’t more of a focus? No matter what, we will give an accounting that will determine heaven or hell.

 

Today, let’s number our days, and make the most of what time we have left. It can make a difference in judgment. Eternal life is determined how we live each day, for God or ourselves. Since all we really have is today, let’s use it for what lasts. Serve the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with love and sincerity, and be prepared for when these days pass. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/29/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Psa. 119:72; “The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

 

The story is told of a young lady who was given a book to read. She tried reading it and found it to be quite dull and boring. Later, she fell in love with a young man who was a writer. In a conversation with him, she found out that he was the author of that book. She could then hardly wait to read it again. This time she found it to be a very interesting and fascinating book. What was the difference? She knew and loved the author.

 

Some think the Bible is dull and dry. But if they would read it with the idea in mind that here is a book written by their God and Creator, they would find it to be a challenging message. They need to come to love God. When they do, they will find His book to be both interesting and meaningful.

 

How can we not be interested in reading, and re-reading time and again, its inspired pages?  We can succumb to the deception of Satan, that it’s dull and dry, that it’s too old to have any significance in such times as ours, and that we don’t really need to know it to please God anyway. Nothing is further from the truth. It’s a message you can never outgrow, that addresses any issue we will face, and keeps our perspective filled with hope, no matter what. How can we not want to know what God, who truly loves us, has to say to us, the advice He offers us, His true commandments for life?

 

Today, let’s spend time in the word of God, so that we might please by our lifestyle our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It will make an eternal difference in us, and quite possibly, those who observe how we live. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/28/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Matt. 5:6; “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

 

How important should the spiritual be to us? How much should we desire a relationship with God? Jesus compares it to the physical sensations of hunger and thirst. The term hunger indicates desiring strongly; the term for thirst also indicates a strong desire, but also denotes the severest deprivation. Together they indicate a strong need with an urgent desire to have it filled, as in a literal thirst for water, or hunger for nourishment.  We can relate to these feelings, not in the extreme, but how we want to be satisfied, to be filled and experience the contentment that comes with it.

 

Jesus, of course, is speaking spiritually, of a deep burning desire to pursue the righteousness of God, to know and be filled with the righteousness of God’s will, to be right before God and live to please Him.  It’s the strong need to have a deep relationship with God in Christ.  For those who seek God deeply and sincerely, God will fill them, blessing them in a positive spiritual relationship with Him.  As the New Testament begins with this call, so it ends. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that hears, let him say, Come. And he that is thirsty, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).

 

This sentiment should be true of everyone who wears the name of Christ, who gave Himself for our sins. Deep in one’s heart, each knows which is really true of oneself.  Always remember the promise of our Lord; “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’" (John 7:37-38). Let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from this deep, abiding desire to be filled with His rich blessings. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/27/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Ex. 34:6; “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.”

 

Certainly, God loves us, but we need to understand that love in the context of His being God, and not from what our desires or preconceived ideas want. God’s love can be conceived as condoning any and every activity we engage in, whether righteous or otherwise. While God loves the sinner, He does not approve or condone sin. The Hebrew writer told his audience, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb. 12:6). If God didn’t love us, He would just let us live however we want and then suffer the consequences in eternity. Since we are to be in the image of His Son in eternity (1 John 3:2), the life of love we live today should be one of purifying ourselves from sinful thoughts and actions, just as Jesus is pure (1 John 3:3).

 

If we truly love God, shouldn’t we hunger and thirst for righteousness, as Jesus taught (Matt. 5:6)? Shouldn’t we earnestly seek and pursue peace and holiness? Yes, God loves us beyond measure; this is why life is filled with opportunities to live for Him, to repent and return to Him, to have a real hope for eternity. God in His love offers us all this and more, but His love in us should stir us to “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1).

 

Today, let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us truly love with the love of God, which He revealed in His word, and see the remarkable transformation that it brings, to reflect in us His image. God bless.

 

Robert

 

With Wings Like Eagles

 

One of the great passages of the Old Testament is found in Isa. 40. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (40:28-31).

 

Edward Young, in his comments on this verse, tells us, “With apparently no effort the eagle mounts high into the sky; so the people of God will mount up from the depths of their griefs and difficulties.” The sight of an eagle soaring in the sky, seemingly without effort, is a beautiful and majestic scene. What an image God uses to convey the strength he offers those who trust in him, who put their confidence in him and living for him. 

 

Discouragement is one of Satan’s tools against us in daily Christian living. Not everything goes as we expect. We apply ourselves and work hard, sometimes to see no change, or from our perspective, things worsen. We pray but don’t feel God hears or answers. Facing the circumstances of life can be tiring, and looking at things from the perspective of today can get us down. But God offers a vision beyond today. Seeing eternity in all of life gives us strength and encouragement not to give up. When Paul considered the highs and lows of life, he could say, no matter what he faced, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).  Such confidence comes because he looked up and saw God in it all.

 

The Hebrew writer encourages us with a similar thought. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).

 

Soaring with eagles, running without becoming weary, what an image the prophet used to convey what God offers those spiritually focused in life. Don’t let life get you down, as God is always there to help, no matter the burden, no matter the joy. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle” (Psalm 103:2-5).

 

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/24/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from John 20:30-31; “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

 

The term life is used over 30 times in the gospel of John, which shouldn’t surprise us, considering in Jesus there is life (John 1:4), and that by being in him we have life. The life he offers us isn’t just reserved for eternity, although the promise of eternal life is great and real (John 3:16). In Christ we have an abundant life here and now.  What are some of the blessings we have in Christ for today?

 

Well, God promises to bless us in trials (Jas. 1:3-4). While peace may be lacking in the world, in Christ our sins are forgiven and we have a new life with God in Him, which gives us peace (Eph. 2:14). Sin places us in bondage to Satan, but Christ offers us real freedom and life with a clear conscience (John 8:31-32). Many people may shun us, but God is always available for us to talk to, and help us with our burdens (Phil. 4:6-7). We have promises from God that will never be broken about life today and life eternal (Heb. 6:17-18). Many are filled with despair, but in Christ we always have hope (Rom. 8:24-25). While there is pain and sorrow in life today, we have a life waiting where the pains of life no longer exist (Rev. 21:4).

 

These assurances are only some of all God offers to us as His children. Praise God for his love, grace, mercy, help, strength, and every blessing He offers, so life today will bring life eternal. Let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with complete confidence in what waits for us in heaven. What glory that will be. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/23/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Heb. 12:28-29; “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

 

Our attitude about others affects how we respond to them. If you admire and respect someone, you typically will want to honor them, which is seen in how you treat them.  Conversely, if you do not respect someone, it seems everything they ask is a burden to deal with, and contempt may be your response to them, which is descriptive of your relationship with them.

 

The Hebrew writer in our Scripture speaks of the awesome nature of God, of His great blessings for us. Couple love with an attitude of reverence and awe, and serving God acceptably, conforming to His will for us, should follow. We can claim to honor and love God, but if we refuse to serve Him, is that really true? Jesus said, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46).  A husband can say he respects and loves his wife, but if he’s never there for her, does he really? An employee can say he respects his boss, but if he does his job haphazardly, does he? If we live as we desire, and expect God to accept us no matter what we say or do, isn’t that really disrespect rather than reverence? 

 

How blessed we are to have such a God and Savior as we do!  How awesome is His greatness and majesty!  How deep is His love!  How great is the life He offers us to live!  If we love and reverence Him, should it not be seen in our lifestyle, in what we think, say, do, feel, in everything? Today, let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from reverence, showing to the world God is still God, and we are His creation. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/22/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Luke 17:10; “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.”

 

Have you ever heard anyone say, “I’m good enough, because I don’t do all the bad things other people do”? It’s easy to compare ourselves with those we believe to be worse off than we are, but no doubt there are others who could do the same with us. Everyone has a sin problem (Rom. 3:23), and any sin persisted in will condemn one before God. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Just because one’s sin list is different than another person’s, doesn’t make one good enough before God.

 

The real question that needs to be asked is how we do we do in measuring up to God’s will for us? Paul reminds us this is the standard by which we are to live. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph. 4:15). Christ lived a perfect, sinless life, so He could offer Himself as an atonement for our sins. By thinking just of our own, imperfect efforts, we sin and fall short. On our own, apart from Christ, we stand condemned.

 

Praise be to God, though, that in Christ His blood washes away our sins, and by walking in the light, His blood keeps on cleansing us of our sins (1 John 1:7). Only Christ can offer us the true life that offers us eternal life. How important it is, then, to know we are recipients of His grace and mercy through His shed blood, and that we can be acceptable to Him if our lives are lived for Him.

 

We are unworthy of God’s forgiveness, but the love of God sent Christ to die for our sins, that by submission to His will, we are worthy in Him, and can be more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37). Let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so the world can see the difference He makes in us. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/21/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Psa. 119:15-16; “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

 

How long does it take to read the Bible through? On average, it takes 90 hours to read the entire Bible. That is one hour a day for 3 months, or just 30 minutes a day for 6 months, or just 15 minutes a day for 12 months. How much time do we spend in other endeavors each day? The Bible is not a dry, outdated book! With the right attitude of heart, it’s fresh, relevant, and offers answers to life’s problems.

 

The Bible is God’s word of life to us. It’s our choice whether we take advantage of it or not, but why do so many choose not to? It’s available in so many formats, yet so many ignore it. That only causes problems doing so, and can keep us out of heaven.

One might say, “Isn’t it too late in the year to start being a daily Bible reader?” You can start anytime, at any point in Scripture, and find blessings for life beyond imagination. One verse a day can offer God blessings, and the more you read, the more you grow. The more you understand and apply it, the better life you will have. Think of all the activities you have engaged in and wound up saying, “Well, that was a waste of time!” That will never be true of time spent with God’s word.

 

It’s not just a book about life; it’s the book for life. Be sure of your life and relationship with God; read His word, daily. It is His instructions to us for living. “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life” (Psa. 119:92). God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/20/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Jer. 12:5; “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?”

 

Jeremiah has been called the weeping prophet, because of the suffering he had to endure to proclaim God’s message, and the judgment he knew awaited God’s people, his countrymen, for their sins. The task was overwhelming to him, and he called out to God about the sins of the people, about how they refused to hear, and what he knew was going to happen. God responded in a very vivid way, telling Jeremiah that what he had to experience was mild compared to what was to come. If you can’t keep up with men, how are you going to keep up with horses? If running in a level field is difficult, what about where briars and shrubs make it difficult to navigate? God reminded Jeremiah times would get worse. Even his own family would turn against him.

 

Sometimes what we face in life is but a foretaste of what is to come. If our faith isn’t strong enough to support us in times of relative ease, what will we do when life really gets hard? Life in Christ is to be from faith to faith (Rom. 1:17), and only by facing and enduring trials can faith really grow. Are we fair weather Christians, or are we in it even during the storms of life? If the least issue causes us difficulties, then what will happen when life really becomes difficult?

 

Our challenge, whether young in the faith or a battle-scarred veteran against sin, is to always trust God and never give up, knowing He is with us all the way, that He has a plan that is preparing us for eternity, and that in the end, it will be worth it all. Is Jesus Christ truly your Lord and Savior? Will you live for Him, no matter what? Only by being faithful until death will we receive the crown of life. Never give up. God bless.

 

Robert

 

The Therapy of Kindness

 

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

 

Whether or not you keep up with what is going on in our nation, or the world for that matter, kindness in both word and deed has certainly been abandoned by many. My experience has been there are still kindhearted people in the world, who express feelings of concern and respect in many ways. Of course, it is obvious there are others who are so motivated by selfish desires, almost any expression of kindness is lacking, whether in one’s actions, or speech, or anything anymore.

 

In Christ, we are to be different than the world, and have a different attitude than that motivated from sinful purposes. Instead of being cruel, we should be kind to each other and tenderhearted, as the above passage emphasizes. John reminds us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). We should remember that Jesus taught us, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:34-37). Whether in word or deed, we all want to be justified in Christ, rather than stand condemned by reflecting the sinful world in which we live.

 

It is tragic, however, when Christians in the body of Christ, say or do those things calculated to hurt and offend. Cutting remarks and harsh actions can be unleashed in a moment, but their effect can last a lifetime. We would do well to visualize such before we engage in them. Would it be okay to see some of what we say or do revealed in a public forum for all to see? If the same words were spoken to us, with the same inflections and volume, would we be offended? Perhaps a daily reminder of the Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12) should be dispensed to ourselves, before we let loose our words and actions, as these reflect what is in our hearts.

 

It’s too easy to just pass it off, saying, “Well, I’ve always been like that…that’s how I am!”  It’s not how we’ve always been that matters, but how we grow in the image of Christ. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Pet. 2:23). If we want others to be kind, the best place to start is by being kind ourselves, to everyone. It is the way of Christ, who asked the Father to forgive those who vilified Him, and had Him crucified (Luke 23:34). May it be our testimony to a world who needs Christ as well.

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/17/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 2 Cor. 5:6-7; “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from
the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

 

The thought Paul expresses in this passage of Scripture is much like what he said to the church in Rome. “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Rom. 8:24-25). In both instances, Paul reminds his readers spiritual realities are genuine, but we do not see them while we live in this life, in the flesh.

 

As followers of Christ, we live our lives today by faith, having confidence and assurance of the truthfulness of the spiritual. As it has been put, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb. 11:1). Christians long for the time when what we have hoped in and lived for by faith are seen. “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

 

We all are living by faith in something. We need to make sure where our faith originates,

and where it leads. Not knowing the will of God will allow us to be deceived by Satan,
walking by faith in things that have nothing to do with what is spiritual, godly, or eternal. With the constant nourishment of God’s word, we can know where we’re going, and what awaits us beyond today.

 

Let’s go out today and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in faith, who bids us follow Him and find the life He alone offers. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/16/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 1 Pet. 1:14-16; ““As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”

 

Why has God required this kind of life from us? Is it so we can’t have fun or enjoy the
pleasures of this life? The answer, of course, is no, but so we can enjoy life as it
should be. Only life in Christ is truly abundant (John 10:10), as it’s within the parameters for which God designed us and means for us to live.

 

God calls us to His holiness and His way of life, because it’s the best life to live. It
doesn’t embarrass us, hurt us, or ultimately destroy us. It allows us to truly enjoy this
life, without it controlling or dominating us. It offers hope for eternity. Don’t be deceived by the allure of sin, because Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and never
delivers on what he promises. Hold fast to those things that will endure for eternity.

 

We are to walk in purity of heart and lifestyle, as this sets us apart from the evil attitudes and actions characteristic of the world around us. John elsewhere reminds us, when Christ appears, “We will be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). This is truly the life that’s worth living.

 

Today, let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by living the life of holiness which leads us to Him in eternity. What a difference that makes. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/15/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 1 Tim. 6:12; “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

 

As Paul finishes this letter to Timothy, he wants to emphasize something to Timothy that should be a guiding principle for his life, for all of his life. While there are those who put their trust in material possessions and riches, he here reminds Timothy of what is most important in life. It’s not that which is physical in nature, and therefore destined to ultimately perish, but what is spiritual, that which endures to eternity. Here he reminds him to take hold of eternal life, to which he was called by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:13-14). The term “take hold” indicates to pounce on something, to catch, to grab on to something to make it one’s own. What Timothy should grasp and cling tightly to is eternal life. Nothing in this life is worth forfeiting what is eternal, as today is fleeting at best, and salvation in Christ forever.

 

He emphasizes this again in 1 Tim. 6:19; “Storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” Paul wants Timothy to fully understand, and teach, the contrast with life propped up by so uncertain a support as riches, with that which endures forever. To live only for what today offers, and ignore the true riches, is folly. The only real life is the life we have in Christ, which offers us God’s best for today, and reaches beyond the here and now to eternity. No matter how good one may consider life today to be, it ends with death, or at the Lord’s return. Only in Christ can we be carried beyond the carnal to the spiritual, beyond the temporal to the eternal.

 

Let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, grabbing hold of what is eternal to make it our own, and find what Jesus calls the abundant life. It is worth the effort. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/14/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Heb. 9:28; “So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”

 

I recently read an article where the author stated this verse confirms Christ only died for the sins of those God predestined to be saved. Everyone else is summarily condemned to eternal torment, no matter whether they seek God or not. This doctrine has to be one of the saddest, and most discouraging, views of life man has ever conceived. Gratefully, it is also wrong.

 

Jesus’ sacrifice is able to save everyone, but not everyone is willing to come to Him to find salvation. Paul reminded Timothy that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). The word desire doesn’t just mean to wish for it, but implies active volition and purpose. The same thought is expressed in 2 Pet. 3:9; “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” Or consider Jesus’ statement in John 3:16; “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” We also remember Jesus’ charge to His disciples; “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been immersed shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16).

 

There will be those who are lost, but it isn’t because God predestined them to be lost, but because they chose to reject the means to find life in Christ. Let’s rejoice God freely offers salvation to all in Christ. As those who are in Christ, let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and show all the salvation they can freely have in Him as well. God bless.

 

Robert

 

What is Heaven Like?

 

What will it be like in heaven? This question has spawned many books, articles, podcasts, television episodes, and certainly captivated the minds of many. There is a lot of speculation about it, but very little definitive substance offered. Some believe it will simply be a continuation of life on earth, one that has been renovated and prepared to last forever, where one can golf, ride roller coasters, hunt, fish, camp, travel, and do all the same physical things one engaged in during this existence. I recently heard one religious program’s host say that, while there is no such thing as marriage relationships in heaven, it will be like we’re all married, with the same sense of intimacy, not sexually, but a closeness in knowing, that everyone will have of everyone. It seems one can pick whatever one wants it to be, as there is no end to the conjectures that are out there.

 

We know that which is physical is not part of that which is eternal. While our bodies will be resurrected on the last day (1 Thess. 4:13-18), they will be changed into a perfect spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:42-44), in the image of our Lord Himself (1 John 3:2). The Lord and His angels will take us out of this existence (1 Thess. 4:17), to be with Him forever. Jesus told the apostles He was going to prepare a place for them, as well as all who are in Him, and that He would come back to take us to where He would be (John 14:3). Flesh and blood cannot inherit His eternal kingdom (1 Cor. 15:50), as we have citizenship in heaven, a spiritual place (Phil. 3:20-21). The earth will be set free from its dominion by sin in being destroyed by fire, having served its purpose (2 Pet. 3:10-12). All things will be new. Just as the human mind had never imagined the glories of the gospel age (1 Cor. 1:21; 2:9), neither can it imagine the glories awaiting in eternity.

 

So, while there is much that we must wait to understand and experience regarding eternal life, two things are revealed in Scripture. What is closest to heaven isn’t based on this carnal existence, but the spiritual. In the church, the body of Christ, we see two elements happening today that will happen in eternity. As we praise God in worship today, so shall we praise Him in worship in heaven (John 4:24; Rev. 7:9-17). As we serve God today, so shall we serve Him in eternity (1 Cor. 15:58; Rev. 7:15; Rev. 22:3).

 

We aren’t given specifics in Scripture regarding the details of life in heaven, other than we will be joined together forever to praise God and serve Him. The fact God and Christ are there should be sufficient for us to desire being there, above everything else. Whatever is planned for us is perfect, and perfectly suited to how God created us in His image. Satan would have us substitute what is eternal for what is temporal, incomplete, carnal, and destined to perish. We should long for the eternal each day, because how we live now should reflect our desire for heaven. Have we been deceived into thinking heaven will be like life is in the here and now, so it’s okay to live as we want? Instead of this, we are being transformed to think like Christ (Phil. 2:5) and live for what is eternal (Col. 3:1-4).

 

Paul said of himself he “was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak” (2 Cor. 12:4). If it was not lawful, not allowed, for Paul to reveal what he heard, then anything that comes from our opinions and thoughts are mere speculations not worth considering. It will be far more than anything we can conceive. It is the place where God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit dwell. It is the place God has prepared for us. It is the place where we can worship and serve unhindered by sin. It is the place where the saved of all ages will be gathered together for all eternity, where our fellowship together with each other and Deity will never end. What more can the child of God want? Why fetter our thoughts with anything less? May we be content with what God has revealed, and live to be there. That is enough.

 

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/10/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 2 Cor. 9:6; “The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.”

 

Certainly, God wants us to have a heart of generosity, which comes from understanding how blessed we truly are. Paul wrote the church in Corinth about this, after they began to hesitate in fulfilling a promise to give liberally for the needs of the poor saints elsewhere. He reminded them, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:7-8).

 

While Paul is thinking primarily of a financial contribution, realizing God has blessed us in every area of life, we should have generous hearts in how we use our time, talents, finances, and the whole of our lives. All of our lives should be lived to please God, as He is the source of all the blessings we have. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory” (1 Cor. 10:31).

 

Certainly, none of us individually possess all the resources needed to provide for all the necessities of life that are lacking in others around us. All of us should however, from time to time, take inventory of how we make use of what God has blessed us with. May we seek to cultivate a spirit of generosity in our hearts, so God may enable us to excel in
every good work. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and make use of what we have, of who we are, so that others see God alive in us. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/9/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Rev. 22:4; “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”

 

In the book of Revelation, the concept of a mark being placed on one’s forehead plays a prominent part of the message. In several passages, such as the one we have read, it is a sign of ownership on the part of God to those who belong to Him. It is used this way in Rev. 7:3; 9:4; 14:1; as well as 22:4. However, it is also used as a sign of ownership on the part of Satan to those who belong to him. “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead” (Rev. 14:16).

 

What these passages point out to us is we are either on the side of God or the side of Satan. Paul expressed it this way in Rom. 6:16; “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” He also goes on to say, “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18).

 

James said, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4). Any identification with Satan and the world is short-lived at best, as it is before God that we will give an account of how we have lived (2 Cor. 5:10). To be owned by our Lord is where the true riches and blesses come now and forever.

 

Whose mark do you bear? Let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and show we belong to Him who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/8/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Gal. 5:22-23; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

 

When in college, at evening devotionals, we used to sing a song that had these lyrics: “I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.” You may have noticed these three qualities are the first three fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul in our passage today. The fulness of these blessings from God are illustrated by comparing them to a flowing river, the vastness of the ocean, and a continually flowing fountain. These and the other virtues Paul lists here are part of what God offers us when we connect our lives to Him in Christ, by living faithfully for Him.

 

You may also notice, in the works of the flesh, the poor substitutes Satan wants us to replace them with, sinful attitudes and actions that only destroy and rob us of true love, ridding us of lasting joy, and making any peace of mind impossible. Sin is always counterproductive to what is real and genuine in Christ. His blood cleanses us of our sins, and brings us back to the way of life God created us to have. How many lives lay ruined and discarded because of the works of the flesh? How many lives have confidence today and tomorrow because of the fruit of the Spirit? Why discard these precious promises for the fleeting pleasure of sin that only leads to judgment?

 

As you go about living life today, if you remember this song, maybe you should let it fill your thoughts and hearts in remembrance of the goodness of God. Remember His promises, and His provision in Christ for life today, and eternally. There are many ways we can keep ourselves focused on spiritual living, and hymns can fill our hearts with hope in what God does for us. Go about today, serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with confidence that God will finish His work in us, if we live faithfully for Him. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/7/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Isa. 6:1-3; “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  And one called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.’”

 

The heavenly host understands the essential nature of deity, and the response that is appropriate to God, that should be true of all creation. Acknowledging the glory inherent in God, the seraphim constantly praise Him, declaring His holiness, how all of creation should acknowledge His glory. While this is true of those who dwell in God’s presence, how sad it is that it is not true of those who are created in His image.

 

Glorifying God is not just reflected in our words, but in the lives we live. While we assemble together every Lord’s Day to sing praises to His name, what happens when we leave each other’s presence to live our daily lives? We never leave the presence of the Lord of hosts. Do our lives continue to show Him glory in all we say and do?

 

It’s sad there are those who want to alter worship to suit human desires, rather than reflect the glory of God as He has prescribed. It’s sad we can say “Lord, Lord” to Jesus but not live for Him as Lord, choosing to engage in what, again, suits human desires. The glory of God permeates everything He has made, everything He sustains, including us. How sad when we choose to reflect the image of sin instead of the righteousness of He who loves us.

 

In heaven there is nothing but ceaseless praise to God. If we don’t have the time or inclination to do that today, will we get the privilege to do so eternally? It’s something to think about. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/4/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Acts 2:22-23; “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”

 

Who is responsible for Jesus’ death? The question is still important today, as the death of Christ had a distinct purpose in mind, which was to offer forgiveness of sin. Some would reason if they had no hand in His death, then they are free from responsibility to Him as Lord and Savior.

 

The Jewish authorities, out of envy (Mark 15:10), handed Jesus to Pilate, who heard the Jewish crowds cry out for Him to be crucified (Mark 15:13).  Pilate acquiesced to their wishes, turning Him over to Roman soldiers that Jesus’ crucifixion could be carried out (Mark 15:15-37). Historically, these are the ones who brought Jesus to the cross.  But if we understand the purpose of the cross, we know the necessity of the cross is for everyone’s sins.  Everyone shares in the burden of the cross, because all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and all need the cleansing that the death of Christ provides.  The sins of the world led Jesus to the cross, and it was His love for us that kept Him there.  God’s eternal plan for our sins made the cross necessary, and only in the cross is there hope for eternal life (Col. 1:20).

 

Jesus died on the cross because everyone needs the forgiveness of sin, and only in Christ is that forgiveness found (Acts 4:12). Everyone’s need for forgiveness sent Jesus to the cross, but His love for us kept Him there to die for us. Today, let’s rejoice in the salvation we have in Christ, affirmed to us by His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20). Let’s serve Him faithfully, that we might gain the crown of life He offers. God bless.

 

Robert

 

What Do Our Deeds Say?

 

“And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!”’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them’” (Rev. 14:13).

 

Monday is Labor Day, considered unofficially as the end of summer, the last work holiday for most people before Thanksgiving. Labor Day honors the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. There may be parades and speeches that accompany this holiday, but for most people it’s a day off from work that allows them to enjoy a variety of activities with family and friends.

 

From a spiritual perspective, the term translated labor in the above passage means a wearisome effort generally, being used to denote not so much the actual exertion which a person makes, but the weariness which is experienced from that. Here it is referring to the labor those Christians who had died offered in service to the Lord, and how those labors followed them to eternity, commending them before the Father’s throne as those who truly belong to Him.

 

Scripture is filled with references of how living the Christian life is a life of service to the will of God. Such was God’s plan for those who would be His, even from eternity. “For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). This is fitting, as we are to reflect the image of Christ, who came to serve the Father in obeying His will, so we could have the forgiveness of our sins (Heb. 10:7). If we have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5), we are integrally connected with Him when we as His followers seek to obey Him. “He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works” (Titus 2:14).

 

How does God accomplish His goal of forming us in the image of Christ, in perfecting us in holiness? One way is through our willingness to submit our lives in obedience to Him, that we might leave sin behind and experience the power of real fellowship with Him. It is not a labor given grudgingly, or reluctantly, but from love, the same love that Christ offered in doing the will of the Father. So He says to us, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). How can our lives not be drawn to serve Him if we truly are connected to Him, if we genuinely love Him?

 

There are trials that go with our labors here and now. Satan continually tempts us to sin, to thwart God’s work of forming us in His image. There can be opposition from those who reject the will of God. For those first century Christians John witnessed, they labored strenuously for the sake of their Lord, for many of them even to death. Their rest, however, came, not in the form of a legal holiday, but of an eternity in the presence of the Almighty God and Christ His Son, where the struggles of the flesh are no more and the joy of salvation is fulfilled. Paul wrote, “We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me” (Col. 1:28-29). May we have such a labor of love, knowing the rest God provides.

 

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/3/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Joel 2:12-13; “Even now—this is the LORD’s declaration—turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the LORD your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster.”

 

The concept of the day of the Lord is a prominent theme in the book of Joel. It has to do with God’s coming judgment on sin, preceded by a national disaster created by a plague of locust. What should the people’s attitude be when confronted with sin? Ignore it? Act as if it doesn’t exist? Or plead with God for forgiveness? Without God’s forgiveness, judgment is assured. However, God desires something better.

 

Joel reminds the people that, if their remorse is more than just an outward expression, but an inward change of heart, God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in His covenant love for them, and will relent from the disaster sin brings. His love and mercy can turn a repentant heart from destruction to salvation.

 

Many today want to act as if sin is nothing to God, but the fact Christ died on the cross for our sins tells us otherwise (1 Pet. 1:17-21). An humble and contrite heart, that turns back in submission to God, can find forgiveness through Christ’s cleansing blood and a relationship that blesses us for eternity. Like the people of Joel’s day, it’s our choice as to what we receive, either condemnation or compassion. Paul tells us to stop being deceived, because God is not mocked. What we sow is what we will receive, and it is far better to sow to the Spirit for eternal life, than the flesh for destruction (Gal. 6:7-8).

 

Today, let’s go serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in humility of heart before God, knowing the fruit it bears. Let’s show a world arrogant in sin what such a life can bring on the day of judgment. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 9/2/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Jas. 1:27; “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

 

In our world today, the word religion has fallen on hard times. It has come to represent formalism, something offered out of ritual and therefore empty or void of real meaning. In the Bible, however, the term means to worship, to be pious to a deity. While one can direct worship in the wrong way, and it be meaningless, it is also used of true worship offered to God. Whether it is empty or meaningful depends on where it is directed.

 

James tells us genuine religion includes the heart as well as our actions. It is to have two important elements that make it a valid expression of dedication to God. First, it must be pure, meaning sincere, and upright. It is also to be undefiled, meaning unstained, unsoiled, unpolluted by sin. This is a legitimate expression of commitment and love for our God, as well as our Savior, who offered Himself on our behalf. It is seen in two elements James says are crucial to having a genuine relationship with God. We are to look after, to take care of, those who are most vulnerable, who are having to deal with the pressures and difficulties of life, often without the means or help available to deal with such problems. It is also seen in living a life free from the blemishes and stains of sin, which the world entices us to embrace.

 

We should have a faith that expresses itself in both worship and service to God. It is to be pure as we worship and serve a holy God, and concerned about each other’s needs. This is true fellowship, real love, and kindness that the world rarely expresses. It transforms the lives of those who show it, and those who are its recipients. Today, let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, from a pure and undefiled religion, that honors God, blesses us and others, and shows what genuine faith truly is. God bless.

 

Robert