Tag Archives: heaven

Finding Me

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Matthew 10:39

Satan is a master at trying to use God’s words against Him. For instance, Jesus said, “This is my body.” Satan says, “My body, my choice.” In Isaiah 14 God describes how the fall of Satan came as a result of pride. Satan says, “Let’s fly the rainbow flag and celebrate pride.” Jesus tells us He is the way, the truth, and the life. Satan says, “it’s your life, your truth, find your own way.”

Satan says to find your true self, take care of yourself, follow your heart, keep trying, you can do it. He is intent on keeping people from knowing that…

Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.

I’m not about to take one minute trying to find “me” apart from my Savior. This “me” has surrendered her right to her body, her choices, her present and future to the One who loves me and gave Himself for me. Talk about identity! I am a child of God, saved by grace, an heir of His Kingdom, cherished and protected by Creator God, my Heavenly Father.

And one day, you’ll be finding me sitting at the feet of Jesus and joining the angels worshiping God in person – forever! I pray you’ll be finding yourself there, too.

Make the Main Thing the Main Thing

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Ezekiel 46-48

And there it is.

Sometimes we get caught up in the minute details of things in Scripture, like Ezekiel’s vision, when what we’re doing is merely chasing rabbit trails. God inspired Ezekiel to record his vision, so I know God considers it important for us to understand. But my question is, is it the “what” or the “who” of it that God considers important?

For me, Ezekiel 48:35 sums it all up. It tells us to look at the perimeter of the city, the circle around the city. Distance yourself from the joists and doorframes. See the city and understand THE LORD IS THERE!!!

That’s the whole point of Ezekiel’s vision. The main thing is God.

I was reading the September 14 devotion in “Mornings with Tozer,” compiled by Gerald Smith and published by Moody Publishers, 20028. He said we Christians tend to concentrate on “what our Lord Jesus Christ is to us in our personal lives, moment to moment.” It’s not that we shouldn’t be aware of and thankful for the many blessings which are ours in Christ. But are the blessings the main things? Do we praise Him merely for what He has DONE?

Tozer warns us against emphasizing the “utility” of the cross on which Jesus died instead of the Person who died on that cross.” We sing “Jesus died for ME!” But shouldn’t our emphasis be, “JESUS died for me?” Tozer suggests that because of the theology of the utility of the cross, “many have no emotional yearning for the return of Christ.”

Oh, we believe we are going to heaven where we’ll walk with our loved ones on streets of gold, chat with the apostles, play with our pets that we buried in this lifetime. We picture heaven as a cleaned up Earth. But, y’all…

THE LORD IS THERE!

What makes you think your loved ones will want to take their eyes off Jesus to take a walk with you? Why would Paul or John want to leave Jesus’ side to answer your questions which by then, will be moot? Do you honestly see yourself telling Jesus, “Hold on a second. Gotta go walk my dog. I’ll be right back?”

Just like the city described in Ezekiel’s vision, including all the little details, heaven will be heaven because THE LORD IS THERE.

If that isn’t enough for you, if you aren’t yearning to see HIs face, gaze into His eyes, I pray that you will fall in love with Him today. Not just love Him along with others in your life. Is He the main thing in your life, the love of your eternal life?

I pray that all of us will grasp the amazing truth, that we are the NT temple in which God resides. THE LORD IS THERE right in your heart. Stop and think about that. Wow.

And one day we will be ushered into His Presence where forever we will actually see Him, and know we are home because THE LORD IS THERE.

Practicing Worship?

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Luke 14-15

I don’t claim to know exactly what heaven will be like except to say everyone who tries to describe it always falls short. John did his best to describe what he saw, but I don’t believe his revelation is a photograph. He had a vision of heaven.

I read a devotional of readings by AW Tozer every morning. (Mornings with Tozer; Moody Publishers; 2008; for December 15) I am challenged, enlightened, and blessed most days by the wisdom God gave the man. Today I have to say I think Pastor Tozer blew it.

He seems to have thought people who don’t worship with joy and excitement today will have to learn how to worship in heaven. “If worship and adoration of God are tedious now, they will be tedious also after the hour of death.” He said death won’t transform that person into an enthusiast.

But I believe with all my heart that the moment we look into the eyes of Jesus, true worship will naturally and fully pour forth. I do believe the hour of death will turn all believers into enthusiasts.

No one worships perfectly now no matter how much excitement we try to express. Right now we worship the One we cannot see. Put Jesus’ face in front of us and the most beautiful, intimate, joyful, and perfect worship will occur as naturally as breathing is today. (If Tozer is allowed to have an opinion, I hope you don’t mind if I express mine).

Here’s the thing. When we get to heaven JESUS WILL BE THERE! Our Bridegroom will embrace us, Our King will gather us around His throne and we will never get tired of worshiping Him. You won’t worship Him better because you waved your hands during the songs on Sunday mornings in this life and I kept mine to my sides. You won’t feel more comfortable with heaven’s worship than I because you smiled at the song leader and I sang with my head bowed and eyes closed as I focused on Jesus. Neither of us have experienced the level of worship we will experience at the hour of death. But I don’t believe there will be a learning curve.

JESUS WILL BE THERE! Period.

I read these two chapters in Luke today and found myself longing to meet the Man who spoke the words written there. That same Jesus will welcome me home one day, and no one will have to teach me how to worship Him!

Too Harsh?

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Deuteronomy 34

Have you ever thought God was a bit too harsh when he prevented Moses from entering the Promised Land? Moses had tapped a rock like he’d done before to get water. Sure, he was frustrated and angry at the time, and expressed an “I’ll show you,” attitude toward the people. Sure, God had told him to speak to the rock this time, and said nothing about tapping it, so there was that. But Moses had worked hard most of his adult life, trying to get a thousand Jews into the Promised Land. One goal. One focus. Every waking minute was spent toward that end. Plus, he was a good man!

But when Moses stood right there in front of the Promised Land, steps away from realizing his goal, God slammed the door in his face.

Harsh.

Where is patience, slow to anger, abounding in love? Where is forgiveness?

Angie Smith, in her book “Seamless” published by Lifeway, said something I hadn’t considered before. It’s found on page 79:

“Moments after Moses was blocked from the promised land, God brought him into an eternal life with the Father. The loss was momentary. Temporary. It paled in comparison to what was next.”

I love that.

The consequence for his disobedience was an important lesson for the Jews, and us. It doesn’t matter who you are, disobedience of any kind is rightly punished by God. All of us are to obey God or face the consequences.

For Moses, however, his momentary disappointment was replaced by the most amazing experience of his life – entering into the arms of God in a place too wonderful for words; a place that made Moses forget the so called Promised Land without regret.

This life is full of disappointment, often caused by disobedience. There are also times of blessings as we enjoy an imperfect relationship with God. But take heart.

We believers will one day be ushered into the Presence of God where all of it – good and bad – will pale in comparison to looking into the eyes of our Savior and getting lost in His embrace.

Was God’s punishment for Moses’ sin too harsh? Believe me, Moses hasn’t given a thought to what we see as loss. Not one thought.

The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

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Matthew 20:1-16

I was sitting here this morning thinking about this parable, and how it speaks to death-bed-confessions like the thief on the cross. What is their reward? According to Jesus, the generosity of God rewards them the same as He does a Billy Graham. The newly saved person meets the Savior in the same way we who are seasoned Christians meet Him, as sinners saved by grace. The Kingdom of God is like that.

Oh we, like the early workers in the parable, think the longer we serve God, the greater our reward ought to be. We’ll certainly have more stars in our crowns and live in mansions next to their bungalows. Right? I mean, we’ve put in the time. That ought to count for something.

But this parable tells us our rewards will be exactly the same. So if that’s the case, what good is it to live a lifetime of faith in Jesus? What good is it to be separate from a world that offers so much, if in the end I’ll receive exactly what a last minute confessor gets?

I can’t begrudge a last minute convert’s eternal reward. In fact, I kind of feel bad for him. A person saved on his death-bed doesn’t know what he’s missed. He doesn’t know the joy of fellowship with the Creator in this lifetime. He doesn’t know the wonder of answered prayer, or the privilege of introducing a lost soul to his Savior. He never experiences the hand of God to guide, protect, comfort, and hold. The death-bed confessor doesn’t know what that’s like. But I do.

And I wouldn’t trade one minute of this walk with Jesus for anything. This precious time He has given me to experience Him, to serve Him, to get to know Him and love Him is a gift I cherish. May I be a willing and joyful worker in His vineyard no matter how long I have to serve Him in this lifetime.

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.”

The Prodigal Son

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Luke 15:11-32

Why did Jesus tell this parable? I think it was to soften the hearts of the Pharisees. Jesus often used parables to challenge their thinking, to convict them of their own sin and to emphasize their need of a Savior.

They would never admit to being the prodigal in this story. They were “obedient” servants. After all, didn’t they pray impressive prayers, give generously, and study and teach the Scripture? Weren’t they revered by the masses because of their obedience? Didn’t they look down on the prodigals from their lofty position of religious leadership?

Jesus wanted them to know they were receiving their reward in real time, like the prodigal son had. But, like the son, they would one day stand before the Father bankrupt, destitute, and undeserving of the Father’s forgiveness. Then what?

In the parable, Jesus made it plain that repentance came before reconciliation. The son’s repentance opened the door to his father’s home, and the celebration of a loving father for the return of his lost son.

It would take repentance for the Pharisees to receive the same kind of welcome from their Heavenly Father. The same is true for all of us.

Finished

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Galatians 3:1-14

Paul goes on to explain how believers are justified by faith, and continue to live by faith. He wonders how anyone can look at Jesus on the cross and think they could do more.

How can anyone look at the Mona Lisa and think they could take a paintbrush and add a little color around the eyes. To do so would cheapen the finished work – or worse – reduce its value to $0.

Jesus’ work on the cross is enough. He said, “It is finished,” not “I’ve done my part so now it’s your turn.” Our good deeds are unable to change our sin to righteousness. A sinner can’t just one day declare himself not a sinner.

The curators at the Louvre in Paris care for Da Vinci’s finished work. They protect it, treat it with utmost respect and honor, they share its beauty with the world. But none of those deeds painted the picture or add to its worth.

I was at the hairdresser’s yesterday and, you know how those women can talk! They were speaking about the wife of a man who had just left, how kind and sweet and good this woman is. One of the ladies said, “If Sue ain’t gonna go to heaven ain’t no body gonna go.”

What a tragic belief. When Sue faces God she will be judged exactly the same way the rest of us will be judged. Did she live by works, or by faith in Jesus for her righteousness? Sadly, if she is counting on her own goodness instead of wearing the righteousness of Jesus, she ain’t gonna go to heaven.

We who have been entrusted with the Gospel are like the curators of the Mona Lisa. We love the Gospel, protect it, share it. But those deeds add nothing to the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

It is finished. And it is enough.

Wonder No More

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Gal 2:11-21

To anyone who wonders if, or hopes they’ve done enough good to go to heaven – READ THESE VERSES! Paul answers your questions clearly:

You are not good enough!

No amount of law-abiding behavior, no matter how loving or compassionate you are, no matter how many times you go to church, or how well you are thought of at work – you aren’t good enough to earn your way to heaven. Good people go to hell the same as bad people.

The fact is, Jesus died on the cross to pay the death penalty for sinners. We all have sinned. Even you. What Jesus did there on the cross is the difference between heaven and hell. You can’t come close to equalling that.

If we could somehow pay the death penalty for our sin then live again, or if we could do enough good to erase the sins we’ve committed, Jesus should have just stayed in heaven. His painful death would be worthless.

Paul tells us he was crucified with Christ. We know he wasn’t put on that cross with Jesus. But Paul often talks about the surrender he made to Jesus that changed his life. He calls it dying to self. Paul doesn’t live on his own anymore. It’s Jesus living in him! I hope you can say the same.

Do you wonder if you’re going to heaven? Answer this: have you repented of your sin and accepted the work of Christ on the cross as the payment for your sin? Have you surrendered to God and is Christ living in you in the person of the Holy Spirit? Are you, like Paul, allowing God to live through you?

If you can’t say yes to those questions then Scripture tells us you aren’t going to heaven. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one goes to the Father except through Jesus. There is no room for, “well he’s such a good person. Certainly God will accept him.”

My prayer is that you can honestly say yes to those questions. I pray that Jesus is your Savior, that you have surrendered to Him and accepted His grace, the forgiveness of your sins. Heaven awaits you.

If you wonder if you are going to heaven, wonder no more. The answer is as plain as day.

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.