Tag Archives: eternity

All the Riches of God

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1 Timothy 6:17-19

I read a devotional by AW Tozer every morning, and today he reminded me I have a right to claim all the riches of the God-head, “in mercy given.” Jesus spoke about riches. Paul warns us about riches. Their message is clear: we have got to stop equating God’s riches with things that moths and rust destroy, and things that can be lost or stolen. (Matthew 6:19-20). God’s riches are NOT financial or material in any way. They are so much more!

Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.”

This time of year the phrase, “what do you want for Christmas?” is the theme of the day. Sometimes you don’t even have to ask a person what they want. Wives buy what they want and slap their husband’s name on it. Kids don’t have to be asked. They WANT you to know. Some people have ongoing wish lists on Amazon so you get them exactly what they want.

And some people approach God with the same bravado. I want. I want. I deserve.

Dear one, we have a treasure more precious, more intimate, more personal than any beautifully wrapped gift under the Christmas tree. And sadly, it’s the gift most ignored.

Recently a house in our area sold for $30 million. One house. $30,000,000.00! What if the guy bought it with the intention of giving it to his wife for Christmas this year? We’d say that would be an extravagant gesture of love. But hear me when I say, that generous gift would be worthless when the owner steps from this life into eternity, no matter how much love was attached to it.

Worthless.

Listen to Tozer describe a gift much more generous, a truly extravagant gesture of love:

“What a blessed thought – that an infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children! He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives ALL of Himself as fully as if there were no others.” (emphasis mine)

Can you imagine? God gives ALL of Himself to anyone who receives Him. The God of the Universe, Holy God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth in every mine, the One who punished Himself without mercy so that I, so that you, can be forgiven. I have 100% of His love and attention 100% of the time. And so do you if you believe. I can’t explain how. But I know it’s true.

And that’s the gift that’s worth everything. That’s the only gift I will take with me when my life on earth is ended. That’s the gift that will usher me into heaven and a glorious union with God forever.

If you’ve never surrendered to God and received this incredible gift, do it. God wants to give you Himself, all the riches of the God-head wrapped up in the baby in the manger and in the perfect sacrifice on the cross for your salvation. He is the gift of light in this dark world, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and He is yours for the taking. All of Him!

Don’t let another day go buy with that unopened gift at your fingertips. Receive it. It will change your life in ways you can only imagine.

And if you are already a child of God through the blood of Jesus, check your heart. Even we can get distracted, especially this time of year. Remember where your treasure is, that’s where you heart is.

Thank you, God for the extravagant gift of Yourself! My mind can’t fathom the richness of it, but my heart accepts it with all the love I can give back to you.

The Parable of the Virgins

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Matthew 25:1-13

It occurred to me today that all the virgins believed the bridegroom was coming. We’re not talking about believers and non-believers. The difference was between those who did something about their belief and those who didn’t.

A.W. Tozer said a preacher can preach the Truth, but if it doesn’t “alarm, arouse, challenge” the hearer, he might as well be teaching the multiplication table. Those are truth, too. (from Mornings with Tozer daily devotional readings; complied by Gerald B. Smith; Moody Publishers, 1991, 2008; see July 26)

This parable teaches belief is not enough. We know the demons believe and they shutter. (James 2:19)

The question isn’t, “do I believe?” but rather, “am I living as though I believe?” I have to ask myself if my choices, my words, my attitudes reflect the fact that I believe Jesus is the Son of God who loves me, died in my place and rose again so that my sins can be forgiven, AND that that same Jesus is coming again.

Am I ready? Are you? Because this parable is also a warning to people who believe but haven’t let that belief change them.

Paul says in Romans 10:9-10 that if we believe and confess, we are saved. To confess means to speak the words from our hearts. But throughout Scripture we are told that we also confess Jesus by our actions. James says our faith in Jesus is dead without a life that backs it up by what we do.

I’m going to ask again, are you ready? Jesus is coming again. Life on Earth is coming to a close. And once the Bridegroom (Jesus) comes it will be too late to get ready. The sad end for those virgins who believed but who must have felt they had plenty of time to do something about their belief, was a closed Door. Hearing the words: “I never new you” will be the most devastating four words anyone will ever hear.

Let’s get ready. Let’s confess with our mouths and our life choices that Jesus is the LORD of our lives. Let’s do the work so that when – not if – He returns, He will welcome us into our eternal home, where our belief will be sight!

The Rich Man and Lazarus

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Luke 16:19-31, 19:1-27

The Pharisees were “lovers of money.” (16:1) So, since Jesus knew their hearts He told them another parable that addressed that. Their money would not buy them a place in heaven. They were living their best life in this life. Eternity would be a different story.

I can’t help but think of Joel Osteen and other prosperity gospel liars who equate healthy bank accounts with God’s blessings. But was that Jesus’ message – ever?

Lazarus, whose health and finances were both bankrupt, went to heaven while the rich man found himself in hell. Neither man had their bank accounts with them. The rich man had his rewards during his short life on earth. Lazarus, whose short life had been hard, was just beginning to receive his rewards.

We – I – put so much thought and effort into what we have, what we invest, what we drive and where we live. We ought to be thinking about what comes next.

Now, here’s a question: is Jesus describing an “intermediate state,” an existence somewhere between earth and heaven where dead people wait for Christ’s return? Is that what He wants us to get out of this parable, this interaction between Abraham and the rich man? O’Donnell seems to think so. (The Parables of Jesus; Crossway Publishers; 2023; p 50)

Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross, “Today you’ll be with Me in paradise.” Was Jesus talking about a waiting room? Scripture tells us when Christ returns the dead in Christ will rise first. Are we to believe they will be raised from that waiting room?

We who are bound by time have to believe our loved ones are somewhere. Where has Mom been since 1996?

The answer is, she is outside of time.

A former pastor of mine said it may be we will all get to heaven at exactly the same moment. The “today” Jesus spoke to the thief will be the “today” I join Jesus in heaven.

There is no 2,000 years in heaven. There is no such thing as a second in heaven. It’s hard to wrap our finite minds around that. So don’t try. Satan loves nothing more than we follow rabbit trails rather than consider the real lessons God wants us to learn.

I’ve already thought about this intermediate state way too much this morning, when the thing Jesus wanted me to consider is my priorities. Am I focused on the now, or am I looking forward, eyes on Him and eternity where I will receive the riches of His glory… eternity in His presence!

And, when we see Him face to face, it will be exactly the right “time.”

When I Die

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Genesis 47:28-48:22

I suppose the older you get the more you think about dying. In truth, our bodies begin to fail, reminding us that we won’t live forever. So we tend to sit more and have more time to consider what’s ahead. We write our wills to assure our children are cared for when we’re gone. Jacob did that.

Jacob didn’t write down his wishes and have it notarized. His word was as binding as any contract as he spelled out what he intended for each of his and Joseph’s sons. Warren Wiersbe in his study on the Psalms entitled Be Authentic (David C Cook publisher) points out that Jacob went a step further than merely planning ahead for his children. He even planned his own funeral.

Jacob did not want to give the wrong impression by being buried like an Egyptian in Egypt. Even though he most likely would have had an impressive send-off, Jacob did not want anyone to question where his heart was. He insisted on being buried with his family like a believer in Holy God. Make no mistake, Jacob was saying he rejected the gods of Egypt, and wanted that to be a plain message even after he died.

I’ve told my family I really don’t care if they have a public funeral service for me or not. I won’t be there, so whatever they need is fine with me. But if there is a service at all, I do want it to glorify God. I want the Gospel clearly and powerfully proclaimed. I want hymns sung – especially “And Can It Be” (all the verses) and the song “Find Us Faithful.” I want my send-off to be less about me and more about the God I love, the God I serve, the God who loved me and loves everyone who would attend my funeral enough to die for us. I want it made known that with my final act, I invite them to give their lives to Jesus so that my funeral will not be, “Good-bye,” but “See you later.”

Maybe I should write this down.

Happily Ever After

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Genesis 24:61-67

What must she have thought when Isaac lifted her veil, and she looked into his eyes for the very first time? The anticipation must have been crazy. Was Rebekah filled with joy the moment she was actually in his presence, knowing her life would never be the same, that this was a precious forever relationship she had entered?

I anticipate the moment Jesus lifts my veil and I am able to gaze into HIs eyes for the very first time. I can hardly wait to know as I am known, to see and feel His love in a way I’ve never experienced before. I am His. He is mine. Forever.

Isaac and Rebekah have a sweet, cute-meet. But their happily ever after didn’t happen. I, on the other hand, the Church, the Bride of Christ will have our happily ever after: no sin to separate us, no sorrow to put a strain on our relationship, no distractions, no temptation, no guilt or doubt.

…and they lived happily ever after.

Good Intentions

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2 Samuel 4

Recab and Baanah must have expected a different outcome. Wasn’t Saul David’s enemy? So it would make sense that Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth would be David’s enemy, too. David’s power was increasing. Saul’s camp was weakening. Racab and Baanah, from Saul’s camp, made the decision to break ranks and defect to David’s side. And just so David would understand their sincerity, they killed Ish-Bosheth and brought his head to David.

“Look what we have done for you, King David. We know you will welcome us and throw a party in our honor because we have defeated your enemy.” (not exactly a direct quote if you’re wondering)

Recab and Baanah actually gave God credit for the murder (4:8). They were covering all their bases.

David did not accept their well-intended good deed. Instead, he ordered the execution of Recab and Baanah.

I am reminded the same kind of thing is happening today. So many religions, so many individuals believe that if they are good people, if they go to church occasionally, if they treat people with respect and don’t kick the dog, God will welcome them into heaven and throw a party in their honor. It makes sense, in the eyes of many, that God owes them heaven because they do things in His name. Their intentions are good. God should accept that.

There are those who believe people from every religion – or no religion – will be welcomed into heaven for their good intentions. They tell themselves a loving God wouldn’t send a nice guy to hell. They seem to say, “Take what we give you, God, and be grateful.”

Jesus tells us:

Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.” (Matthew 7:22-23)

Here’s the thing. When Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” He meant that He is the way, the truth and the life and no one – not even really good people – comes to the Father except through Jesus. In fact, there is no such thing as a really good person because all have sinned. There is no one righteous – not even one.

Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior and allowed Him to place His goodness on you? If not, you may stand before Him on that day holding Ish-Bosheth’s head with all the good intentions in the world. But it will cost you your life.

Rest

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Hebrews 1-4

Everything in creation, every life experience recorded in Scripture, and individually lived in 2023 points to God. I believe we don’t see the half of it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not there.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God rested after six days of creation. Many people have asked, “why?” I think the overall reason is, God was revealing something about Himself and His plan for humans. We find the answer in Hebrews.

God was done creating. His work was finished and it was very good. Then He showed us on the seventh day, that there is something after the work.

Rest.

And what we see is, God invites us to join Him. The older I get, the better that rest sounds.

But the writer of Hebrews also reminds us not everyone will enter that rest. That rest is reserved for believers.

If you are a non-believer and think life is hard, that things can’t get much worse, that you are hoping things will improve in the future – you don’t understand hell. If you toss and turn on those sleepless nights now, get used to it. There will be no rest in hell. If you have experienced trying to function after a couple consecutive nights of no sleep, think about sleepless consecutive nights for a couple million years.

God demonstrated that there is something after the work. There is life after life. And He is inviting you into a sweet rest with Him where you will put your feet up. Snuggle in. Take a deep breath of heavenly air. Rest.

My prayer is that if you haven’t already repented of sin in this lifetime, if you haven’t received God’s grace and forgiveness through the blood of His Son, Jesus, you will do that today.

Our souls need that. You need that. Receive the Lord Jesus and you will find rest for your soul. That’s a promise.

A Mystery No More

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Colossians 1

Christ in me, the hope of glory! That was a mystery unsolved for thousands of years. How would God send a Savior? Who would it be? How would people know for sure? And how would He save the world?

That mystery began to unravel when Jesus was born. A virgin mother? A nursery in a barn? A manger instead of a crib? A carpenter? Unschooled? A preacher not a soldier? A spiritual kingdom consisting of repentant hearts and not an overthrow of Roman rule?

The clues continued to mount up… and then Jesus died. Not exactly the conquering hero everyone expected.

Jesus died. But He didn’t stay dead. He lives. And He is every bit the conquering hero God expected.

I might not be able to explain to your satisfaction how Christ lives in me, how He defeated Satan in my life and continues to defeat that snake as I grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. It may still be a mystery to you – but it’s a sure fact for me.

Christ IS in me. And my future, if it’s anything like the awesome privilege of having Jesus in my life today, promises to be glorious! Paul called it the hope of glory. Not an “I think so, or I imagine so” kind of hope. This hope is assured, cemented, true and is promised by the One who said:

And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)

Christ in me, the hope of glory! It’s a mystery no more.

Woe To Us All

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Luke 11

I know I probably comment on this every year when I get to this passage in God’s Word. But Jesus’ response to the lawyers’ hurt feelings is something we ought to emulate.

The lawyers didn’t object to Jesus hammering the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. But the truth of what Jesus was saying was hitting a bit too close to home for the lawyers. The lawyers, at least in their own minds, weren’t as bad as the Pharisees and they wanted to be sure Jesus made that distinction.

“Jesus, you’re starting to hurt our feelings with your ‘Woe to’s’ toward the Pharisees. We’re beginning to feel a bit threatened, unsafe, disrespected, misidentified.”

Jesus answers, “Oh, I’m sorry. Woe to you, lawyers…” and just so there would be no confusion Jesus began hammering them for their own sins. He didn’t coddle them, didn’t find them a safe place, or encourage them to stand strong, be proud, be who they were meant to be. “YOU ARE SINNERS,” He told them.

Do you honestly think Jesus would say to a man pretending to be a woman and upset because Jesus “misgendered” him, “Oh, I’m sorry, Ma’am. Sit here and let me do your nails?” No! He would say to that man, “YOU. ARE. NOT. A. WOMAN.”

The lawyers thought they weren’t as bad as the Pharisees. Today some men think they are women, some women think they are men, some people think they are cats. It doesn’t matter what you think!

Hear God say, “Woe to you.” And you know what? I think it’s time Christians did the same. So here goes. Sorry, not sorry.

XX will always be XX. XY will always be XY.
No one can change the binary gender God created: male OR female.
A male is a “he.” A female is a “she.: “They” is plural.
Woman are designed by God to carry a developing human in their wombs. Woman (not birthing persons) have babies. Men do not. Cannot.
Abortion is murder. Life begins at conception. God knew that person BEFORE he or she was planted in the mother’s womb. To end that life is murder.
There is objective truth.. There is right and wrong, good and bad, black and white.
There is truth, and there is opinion. They are not the same. And I will not pretend “your truth” is anything other than your opinion.

Call me what you want. Call me bigoted, hateful, intolerant, deplorable. I don’t care. Show me in the Bible where I’m wrong. Woe to all of us who deny what God has revealed in His Word.

Now, before you think I’m condemning anyone to hell, let me remind you what else God’s Word has to say.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Jesus died on the cross to buy your freedom from sin and mine, to break the chains of sin, to forgive us for our sins, to make us the righteousness of God. There isn’t anyone reading this post who cannot be saved. Show me in the Bible where I’m wrong.

What I’ve said here is not hate. In fact, I can honestly say I love you enough to be truthful with you. Jesus loved those lawyers enough to confront their sin. It would be hateful to go along with anyone’s sin, because sin separates us from God now, and in eternity. My friend, my heart’s desire is that you experience the Truth of God’s Word today; whether for the first time, or with a revived energy for proclaiming the Truth. Woe to us if we don’t.

What Do You Mean You Don’t Know Me?

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Matthew 5-7

If there were no other Scripture than the Sermon on the Mount, and if people everywhere did what Jesus said, our world would not be in the shape it’s in. I mean, who can argue with controlling your anger, being a faithful spouse, treating people with kindness and respect, giving to the needy, living by the Golden Rule? This is good stuff!

I read recently that even Gandhi memorized Jesus’ entire sermon.

But taking out God’s rules for living and separating those from the person of Jesus Christ is the difference between building a life on sand and building a life on the Rock. You won’t survive the storm on sand.

Living a good life – even living a really good life – will mean nothing in eternity if Jesus doesn’t know you.

It would be like a person going into a bank to close out a savings account, only to find there is nothing there because he’s put all his money in his mattress in a house that has burned to the ground. The man might argue, “But I saved almost a million dollars,” only to hear the owner of the bank say, “But not with this bank. I don’t even know you.”

The things Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount ought to be lived out in the lives of all believers. An honest person will look at Jesus’ words and admit it’s impossible to live like that 24/7. And that would be true if the foundation of your life is self, religion, academia, or whatever.

But if your foundation is Jesus and his work on the cross on your behalf, living the truth of the Sermon on the Mount becomes more and more possible every day. When you and I are wearing Jesus’ righteousness, living the way Jesus lived becomes second nature. Maybe not immediately. But walk with Jesus for a while. He rubs off on you!

My prayer is that you are laying up treasures in heaven. Because one day you will want to cash in your account. When you stand before God, I pray He will welcome you with open arms and call you by name. It would be awful if he turns you away, and you hear yourself argue, “What do you mean you don’t know me? I’ve done a lot of good things.”

But you’ll know the answer to that question, and the life you built on sand will crumble.