In Times Like These, Look Toward Heaven

In these hard times, look toward heaven. It is a paradise prepared for those who love God, those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ and have received (and have right now) eternal life. “What no eye has seen, not ear heard, not the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9). Revelation 21:9-22:5 describes the New Jerusalem that God has ready and prepared for us.

In place of darkness, God has prepared light. Indeed, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12) In heaven “the Lord God will be their light.” (Rev.22:5)

In place of famine, economic and financial hardships and hunger God has prepared food – “the Tree of Life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month” (Rev. 22:2) - always there-always enough. It is provided for our enjoyment, for we will not have to eat to live. We will never die. (Jn. 11:25,26) We will not have to eat to stay well, for there will be no sickness. The leaves of the Tree of Life is for healing. (Rev. 22:5)

In place of drought there will be the river of water of life flowing constantly from the throne of God down the street of gold.(Rev. 22:1) We may drink of it freely. Thirst will be unknown for Jesus has said, “Everyone who drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:13,14)

In place of wars there will be peace. Life will be free from violence, false judgments, persecution, reviling, quarrellings, hatred. There will be no corruption, evil, deceit, filth, coarse talk or swearing, hatred or murder. “Nothing unclean will ever enter it (heaven), nor anyone who does what is detestable or false.” (Rev 21:27). “For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it” (Rev. 22:3) God and the Lamb will rule forever; all will pay homage and worship Him.

In place of rejection will be acceptance. No longer will we feel lonely or devalued; for we “will see His face, and His name will be on their (our) foreheads.) (Rev. 22:4) We belong to the family of God; we are special; we are His! We are privileged, for we will reign with Him forever. (Rev. 22:5) All around will be beauty – no ugliness. (see Rev. 21:10-21) Never will there be sorrow, or sadness, or mourning, or crying, or pain. “For God Himself will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death will be no more.” (Rev. 21:3-4)

“O, that will be glory for me, glory for me, glory for me; when by His grace I shall look on His face, that will be glory, be glory for me!” (Charles H Gabriel, 1856-1932) Oh, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20) Come today! Come now! Come and set Your people free! Come and take us to live in Your Presence forever!!! AMEN

God's Pure Words

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." Psalm 12:6 (ESV) God's words are as pure as pure silver. The refining process of silver is a long process that results in pure silver. The lead ore that contains the silver must be heated in a furnace so hot that only the molten lead ore mixed with silver remains. The lead oxide (dross) rises to the top and is skimmed off (or poured off if it is in a vessel). To "purify seven times" results in all the dross being removed. Only pure silver remains.
Webster's College Dictionary defines "pure" as being free from adulterating or extraneous matter; being free from contamination, pollution or dirt; unmodified by an admixture, simple or homogeneous; absolute; being that and nothing else; being free from blemishes, spotless; without any discordant quailty (rings clear and true); untainted with evil or guilt; innocent; independent of sense or experience (pure knowledge); maintaining the same quality throught its duration.
Apply each definition to God's Word. God's words are indeed pure! I can read it, meditate on it, and trust it - it is pure, it is true. God never changes. "God said it; I believe it; that settles it!" Man may attempt to manipulate it. He may try to change it. He may question it. He may attempt to disprove it. He may even try to destroy it. But the fact remains - God's Word, all of His words, needs no defense. It is pure, pure as the purest of silver. It will stand forever.

(See Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17; Matthew 24:35; Isaish 40:8)

"But for me..."

"But for me..." - three little words seemed to jump out at me as I read Psalm 73. The Psalmist had just spoken about the wicked and about how God would deal with them. Then comes the words, "Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire beside you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." What a treasure in the middle of gloom! Focus on Him, not on the wicked or the troubles about you. God will put an end to those who are far from Him and who are unfaithful to Him; "But for me, it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." There is a determination to stay close to God. God is my strength, God is my refuge. "I have decided to follow Jesus." But for me... I want to be near God. I want to be continually with Him. I want to tell others about Him. How about you?