Posts Tagged ‘ Heaven ’
I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple.
Psalm 27:4, HCSB
God created everything to give us all home, and He wants to dwell with us. Our greatest desire is to dwell with our God.
“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.”
John 6:35, CSB
God deserves our thanks, especially for coming down from heaven to us and offering Himself for our redemption.
“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:19, CSB
We need God. Wanting and having things is not bad, but only God satisfies all our needs, especially for eternal life and peace of heart, mind, and soul.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”
Matthew 5:3, CSB
The message has not changed, knowing that we are unable to do anything good enough to earn eternal life, but God in His goodness and grace has made a way for us through His Son, Jesus.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21, ESV
The hope of Christ is that the long-awaited Messiah has come, and He is preparing a place for us in eternity with Him. May we treasure our Lord and Savior.
I got to thinking this past week about my mom. She would have been 63 yesterday.
My brother’s 10th anniversary was on Tuesday. They got married in a large room down the hall from mom’s room in the hospital, because we knew, barring some super-amazing miracle, she was going home to Jesus. The hospital staff was amazing, clearing the room and helping with decorating and some of the food. (A celebration of love and life is probably very welcome in that ward!)
10 years later, my brother and his wife have a house, some pets, and two rambunctious and adorable boys (the oldest starting Kindergarten this month.)
I think about that mom got to see me start teaching in Special Education (self-contained autism classroom), but she missed my then going on to get a masters in education and teaching 7th Grade Algebra and later some courses at Grand Canyon University (GCU).
She missed that I not only grew to enjoy coffee but become a barista and business owner.
She missed when I entered paid ministry as a Youth Pastor (and eventually an elder for my congregation) . Add to that the apologetics speaking I routinely do, including a YouTube channel to go with this blog, and eventually achieving a dream of teaching at a college, specifically Christian Worldview at GCU.
There are many things I know she would have loved to see happen in my life that I wish I could share with her.
But I also remember all the conversations had 10 years ago with people who used to “hate God and religion” but had come to faith or at least became more friendly toward Christianity all because of her. That had been her just 14 years before that. (Take it from one who took a lot of her badgering and questions!)
I remember seeing a church filled to standing room only to celebrate her life and share more of those stories.
I like to think there was so much more she could have done in this world, but I’ve talked with hundreds of those lives God used her to change. I think the fact that I have been used to impact hundreds of lives, and I talk about the role she played in that with many of them.
Do I miss my mom?
Absolutely! Is it everyday? Not anymore. Some days are so busy that I barely have time to remember my own needs! (Youth Pastor/Elders, Worldview instructor, and back in seminary.) But most days she is remembered. Even by friends who barely met her or only talked to her on the phone.
Actually, more often than not, I think about the fun we could have in any moment, how she would have responded to a situation, and – most importantly – the fun we’ll have in eternity.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, ESV
Her legacy definitely continues through many who still praise God because of her life and so many other reasons, and, if not for her, I wouldn’t be here. I thank God for her life and the glory of God that is spread because of her life.
Was she perfect? Absolutely not! But she drew near to God for the last 13 years of her life, and that has made her perfect in Christ’s righteousness.
I long for the day we can praise God together face to face.
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Genesis 2:2-3, ESV
Our God is in complete control, having created the heavens and the earth and preparing to bring heaven to earth through us. We can therefore take His example and find rest and peace in Him, trusting that He is working all things for His purpose.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:13-14, ESV
We think we can make our way to Heaven, but it is only by Christ who did all things well that we can get to God. the path begins with the Holy Spirit changing us in faith.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3, ESV
We must do the difficult thing of admitting we are wretched sinners to a holy God then we will find ourselves lamenting our condition. This is when we are free to receive God’s grace and forgiveness in Christ and find the full eternal freedom He offers.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21, ESV
Holding onto the things of this world may bring some temporary happiness, but mostly it leaves us feeling empty and alone.
Seeking Christ in all things brings joy and hope for eternity.
a simple man of God 