Wow, where did the week go? I'm sure you are too busy with activities, kleenex, and sleep to notice that the week is almost over. The weekend is coming. Yay! It is when our hearts say, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Life is good."
There are times in my life when I just stop and look out the window and meditate on my life. I think about where I am and where I've been. I think about my wife and kids and what life might have been like without them. Then I thank God for my wife and kids because they have made so much of my life worth living, second to Jesus. I have so much because of them. It's in that moment I find my soul saying, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Life is good." Then the phone rings and I'm back to reality.
Have you had moments like that? For me, I want more moments where my soul says, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Life is good." It helps me during the tough times to keep moving forward.
Some day we will say every day, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, life is good." That day is the day we leave this earth and spend eternity with the Savior.
We've talked all week about Glorification. It is God's gift to you and me when we get to heaven. It is when we will say everyday, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Life is good."
But we are not there yet. Every week we work hard and take a breath every weekend. The week builds up excitement for what is to come on the weekend.
We live this life everyday and we can't wait for the moment we get to heaven where we say, "Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Life is good." In the here and now, that is what the week does for us. This life is a build up of anticipation of what is to come. We live in the here and now, in view of over there. How are you living in the here and now?
Read what Jesus has to say about living today in light of what is to come in Luke 21:5-36 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+21%3A5-36&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
The Time is coming of His return but until then we are to live with a watchful heart and a praying heart. What is He trying say? We should do our work in light of His return. We should live with our bags packed because we don't know if it is today or tomorrow.
As you walk this earth, keep looking up.
As you close: Pray for God to keep your eyes open to His return. Pray for God to help you work hard and to do your best but always be looking up.
God bless!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Glorification Day 4
How are you today? Did you sleep well? Did you eat your breakfast? Did you vote yesterday?
I voted and I am glad I did. I watched the results and at the conclusion, I looked to God and said, "Okay, I did my part. Now you do yours." I know He will do His part. He always does. I have no idea what will happen tomorrow or even today. I will have to trust Him. All I know is that I long for a better place.
That is what we are talking about today. A perfect place awaits us.
We've talked about a perfect spirit that won't struggle with sin and a perfect body that will never break down and die. The final part of this gift of glorification is a perfect place.
Jesus said in John 14:1-3 that He is going to prepare a place for us. Once He's completed it, He will come and get us and take us home. But what will this place be like?
There are three thoughts that I would like for you to think about:
1. God will be there. Revelation 21:3 says that God will dwell with His people. We get to look forward to being with God forever.
2. Others will be there. Revelation 22:3-4 says that we will serve Him with many others. The others are those who have given their hearts to Jesus. We will see family and friends that have given their hearts to Jesus in this perfect place.
3. It will be here on earth, remade of course, forever. Revelation 21:2 says that this city that Jesus is preparing will come down to earth and we will live with Him forever. It will be Eden all over again.
Can you imagine that? A perfect place awaits us. Like the garden of Eden. Take a minute and reread Genesis 2:4-25 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+2%3A4-25&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
No more weeds. No more rotten food. No more flowers wilting. No more homes breaking down. Everything is peaceful, beautiful and something to be enjoyed. I can't wait can you?
God will give us a perfect spirit, a perfect body and now a perfect place to be with Him and other family and friends forever.
As you close: Take a minute and thank God for the perfect place that is waiting for us in heaven. It is a beauty that is unimaginable at this moment but someday we will realize it.
God Bless!
I voted and I am glad I did. I watched the results and at the conclusion, I looked to God and said, "Okay, I did my part. Now you do yours." I know He will do His part. He always does. I have no idea what will happen tomorrow or even today. I will have to trust Him. All I know is that I long for a better place.
That is what we are talking about today. A perfect place awaits us.
We've talked about a perfect spirit that won't struggle with sin and a perfect body that will never break down and die. The final part of this gift of glorification is a perfect place.
Jesus said in John 14:1-3 that He is going to prepare a place for us. Once He's completed it, He will come and get us and take us home. But what will this place be like?
There are three thoughts that I would like for you to think about:
1. God will be there. Revelation 21:3 says that God will dwell with His people. We get to look forward to being with God forever.
2. Others will be there. Revelation 22:3-4 says that we will serve Him with many others. The others are those who have given their hearts to Jesus. We will see family and friends that have given their hearts to Jesus in this perfect place.
3. It will be here on earth, remade of course, forever. Revelation 21:2 says that this city that Jesus is preparing will come down to earth and we will live with Him forever. It will be Eden all over again.
Can you imagine that? A perfect place awaits us. Like the garden of Eden. Take a minute and reread Genesis 2:4-25 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+2%3A4-25&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
No more weeds. No more rotten food. No more flowers wilting. No more homes breaking down. Everything is peaceful, beautiful and something to be enjoyed. I can't wait can you?
God will give us a perfect spirit, a perfect body and now a perfect place to be with Him and other family and friends forever.
As you close: Take a minute and thank God for the perfect place that is waiting for us in heaven. It is a beauty that is unimaginable at this moment but someday we will realize it.
God Bless!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Glorification Day 3
Did you wake up this morning with aches and pains in parts or through out your body? I do almost every morning. My back hurts or shoulders are sore and I wonder if sleep is worth the pain. I thought sleep was supposed to help you not hurt you. Some would say, "You need a new mattress." What I need is a new body.
And I will get it as soon as I get to heaven. We've been talking about this gift called "Glorification" and it is God's gift to those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Day 2 we talked about part of the gift and that is a perfect spirit. We will not struggle with sin for the rest of eternity when we reach heaven.
Today we are talking about the second part of the gift and that is a perfect body.
Read what Paul says about this perfect body in I Corinthians 15 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
Paul tells us that we will receive a new body in heaven. It will be a heavenly body. It will be imperishable. It will be immortal. Can you imagine that? It will be a body like Adam and Eve prior to "the fall". One that is perfect in every way and will never break down and die.
In our day and age of botox and plastic surgery, we are doing what we can to keep this body together. We have hospitals and doctors who are doing their best to keep us alive and healthy. We have people living longer these days, but unfortunately everyone's body still breaks down, decays and dies. Sad news, I know, but it's true.
Can you imagine a day when there will be no longer a need for doctors and nurses. By the way, I thank God for them. But there will be a day when we don't need their services anymore because we have a perfect body. We won't need nursing homes either because people won't grow old. They won't grow weak and frail. We won't need cemetaries either because no one will die. We won't need the Center for Disease Control because there won't be any more diseases. Can you imagine that?
But we are back to reality because that part of the gift is later. We will have a perfect spirit and we will have a perfect body.
Tomorrow we will talk about the third part of this gift and that is a perfect place.
As you close: Thank God for making you, your body. Thank God for watching over your health and being with you when you are battling something. Thank God for the gift someday, that a perfect body is waiting for us.
God Bless!
And I will get it as soon as I get to heaven. We've been talking about this gift called "Glorification" and it is God's gift to those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Day 2 we talked about part of the gift and that is a perfect spirit. We will not struggle with sin for the rest of eternity when we reach heaven.
Today we are talking about the second part of the gift and that is a perfect body.
Read what Paul says about this perfect body in I Corinthians 15 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
Paul tells us that we will receive a new body in heaven. It will be a heavenly body. It will be imperishable. It will be immortal. Can you imagine that? It will be a body like Adam and Eve prior to "the fall". One that is perfect in every way and will never break down and die.
In our day and age of botox and plastic surgery, we are doing what we can to keep this body together. We have hospitals and doctors who are doing their best to keep us alive and healthy. We have people living longer these days, but unfortunately everyone's body still breaks down, decays and dies. Sad news, I know, but it's true.
Can you imagine a day when there will be no longer a need for doctors and nurses. By the way, I thank God for them. But there will be a day when we don't need their services anymore because we have a perfect body. We won't need nursing homes either because people won't grow old. They won't grow weak and frail. We won't need cemetaries either because no one will die. We won't need the Center for Disease Control because there won't be any more diseases. Can you imagine that?
But we are back to reality because that part of the gift is later. We will have a perfect spirit and we will have a perfect body.
Tomorrow we will talk about the third part of this gift and that is a perfect place.
As you close: Thank God for making you, your body. Thank God for watching over your health and being with you when you are battling something. Thank God for the gift someday, that a perfect body is waiting for us.
God Bless!
Glorification Day 2
What a beautiful day today. Today is voting day. I hope you got out and voted. I know that many people are discouraged with our government these days. But if you don't vote, you have no voice and really no right to complain. So make sure to get out and vote.
Glorification: A wonderful gift that God has for us in heaven. We just have to wait for it.
What exactly does this gift include? There are three specific parts to this gift.
1. A perfect Spirit
2. A perfect Body
3. A perfect Place
Today we will look at the first one: A perfect Spirit.
Paul explains in the book of Romans that you and I have a sinful nature. It is a rebellious spirit towards God. We don't want to listen. We don't want to obey. We simply don't care for God or the things He desires.
When we get to heaven, the bible explains that you and I will no longer struggle with this sinful nature. We won't rebel against God, we will want to obey. There will be no crime, no prisons, no law enforcement. People will live in righteousness.
John writes in Revelation 22:1-6, read it or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+22%3A1-6&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
John says that there will no longer be any curse. The curse of sin and death will be removed. All of us will be his people and live righteously. What a great gift.
That is what we get to look forward to. We get to be free from our sinful struggles and desire to live right and please God. I can't wait for that day.
Unfortunately, that is not how it is yet. We still have crime. We still have people looking over their shoulders hoping that danger isn't lurking in the shadows. We still lock our doors and keep guns in our basements. Why? Because we are not free from this sinful nature.
So what am I to do until then?
1. Pray: For God's help to do the right things.
2. Observe: Watch how you live and be held accountable.
3. Be wise: Know that crime and evil still happen around us. Be wise how you live in light of it.
As you close: Pray for God's help right now in living a righteous life. Ask for wisdom in how to live in a fallen world and seek advice for how to live in this kind of environment.
God Bless!
Glorification: A wonderful gift that God has for us in heaven. We just have to wait for it.
What exactly does this gift include? There are three specific parts to this gift.
1. A perfect Spirit
2. A perfect Body
3. A perfect Place
Today we will look at the first one: A perfect Spirit.
Paul explains in the book of Romans that you and I have a sinful nature. It is a rebellious spirit towards God. We don't want to listen. We don't want to obey. We simply don't care for God or the things He desires.
When we get to heaven, the bible explains that you and I will no longer struggle with this sinful nature. We won't rebel against God, we will want to obey. There will be no crime, no prisons, no law enforcement. People will live in righteousness.
John writes in Revelation 22:1-6, read it or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+22%3A1-6&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
John says that there will no longer be any curse. The curse of sin and death will be removed. All of us will be his people and live righteously. What a great gift.
That is what we get to look forward to. We get to be free from our sinful struggles and desire to live right and please God. I can't wait for that day.
Unfortunately, that is not how it is yet. We still have crime. We still have people looking over their shoulders hoping that danger isn't lurking in the shadows. We still lock our doors and keep guns in our basements. Why? Because we are not free from this sinful nature.
So what am I to do until then?
1. Pray: For God's help to do the right things.
2. Observe: Watch how you live and be held accountable.
3. Be wise: Know that crime and evil still happen around us. Be wise how you live in light of it.
As you close: Pray for God's help right now in living a righteous life. Ask for wisdom in how to live in a fallen world and seek advice for how to live in this kind of environment.
God Bless!
Glorification Day 1
Good morning all. I'm sorry I am a day late for this day one of glorification. Our family was traveling back from Iowa and I couldn't make it to the computer.
If you were unable to attend Brighton Chapel on Sunday, you missed a great talk about glorification. So this week will help make that up for you.
These five words, Condemnation, Reconciliation, Justification, and Sanctification all lead up to this last word Glorification.
What does it mean? The word means, to be glorified or to be like Jesus. God has an end goal for our lives and that is to be conformed into the likeness of Jesus.
Paul writes in Romans 8 that we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. That is what awaits us in heaven. It is like a gift that God has prepared for us.
Do you like Christmas? I do. I like to give gifts to those I love most dearly. As a pastor I love you dearly, but I don't have the resources to get you all gifts so suffice it to say, my family are the ones I give gifts to. Sorry. LOL. Anywho, I love to give gifts to my family and put their names on it. I have a gift for each one and it is especially for them. They receive the gift because their name is on it. They don't put it there, I do.
However, glorification is like a gift that God has wrapped especially for you. Truth be told, He doesn't put your name on it, you do. The Bible tells us that when we surrender to Jesus, our names are written in the Lambs book of life and all the names written in that book have the gift of glorificaiton waiting for them. So, you are the determining factor if you receive this gift or not. And it all hinges on you surrendering your life to Jesus Christ and letting him lead your life. Have you done that? If you have, this gift called glorification has your name written on the tag and it awaits you in heaven. If you haven't surrendered your life to Christ, then there is no gift with your name on it.
So, maybe you're thinking, "I want this gift. How do I surrender to Jesus?"
Good question. Jesus asks a question to his disciples and he asks you the same thing. It is a question about belief. "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus wants to know what they really think. Do they believe he's the Savior of the world or do they think he is just a regular guy who is not who he claims to be. Peter said to Jesus, "You are the Christ (meaning the savior of the world)."
Who do you say that Jesus is? If you believe he is the savior of the world, just whisper this prayer to him: Jesus, I believe you are the Savior of the world and I want you to be my savior.
If you said that prayer and meant it, there is a gift called glorification that awaits you. Your name is written on a tag on a gift in Heaven waiting for you. Heaven is celebrating right now because of your decision.
What will heaven be like? Read Revelation 4 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+4&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
Now that you have this gift "glorification", what exactly is in the box? How exactly will he conform me to be like Jesus?
That is what we will talk about for the next few days.
As you close: Pray and thank God for the gift of glorification. Thank God for his grace that he even allowed you to even have a gift waiting for you. He is good and we need to thank him for his goodness.
God Bless!
If you were unable to attend Brighton Chapel on Sunday, you missed a great talk about glorification. So this week will help make that up for you.
These five words, Condemnation, Reconciliation, Justification, and Sanctification all lead up to this last word Glorification.
What does it mean? The word means, to be glorified or to be like Jesus. God has an end goal for our lives and that is to be conformed into the likeness of Jesus.
Paul writes in Romans 8 that we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. That is what awaits us in heaven. It is like a gift that God has prepared for us.
Do you like Christmas? I do. I like to give gifts to those I love most dearly. As a pastor I love you dearly, but I don't have the resources to get you all gifts so suffice it to say, my family are the ones I give gifts to. Sorry. LOL. Anywho, I love to give gifts to my family and put their names on it. I have a gift for each one and it is especially for them. They receive the gift because their name is on it. They don't put it there, I do.
However, glorification is like a gift that God has wrapped especially for you. Truth be told, He doesn't put your name on it, you do. The Bible tells us that when we surrender to Jesus, our names are written in the Lambs book of life and all the names written in that book have the gift of glorificaiton waiting for them. So, you are the determining factor if you receive this gift or not. And it all hinges on you surrendering your life to Jesus Christ and letting him lead your life. Have you done that? If you have, this gift called glorification has your name written on the tag and it awaits you in heaven. If you haven't surrendered your life to Christ, then there is no gift with your name on it.
So, maybe you're thinking, "I want this gift. How do I surrender to Jesus?"
Good question. Jesus asks a question to his disciples and he asks you the same thing. It is a question about belief. "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus wants to know what they really think. Do they believe he's the Savior of the world or do they think he is just a regular guy who is not who he claims to be. Peter said to Jesus, "You are the Christ (meaning the savior of the world)."
Who do you say that Jesus is? If you believe he is the savior of the world, just whisper this prayer to him: Jesus, I believe you are the Savior of the world and I want you to be my savior.
If you said that prayer and meant it, there is a gift called glorification that awaits you. Your name is written on a tag on a gift in Heaven waiting for you. Heaven is celebrating right now because of your decision.
What will heaven be like? Read Revelation 4 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+4&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
Now that you have this gift "glorification", what exactly is in the box? How exactly will he conform me to be like Jesus?
That is what we will talk about for the next few days.
As you close: Pray and thank God for the gift of glorification. Thank God for his grace that he even allowed you to even have a gift waiting for you. He is good and we need to thank him for his goodness.
God Bless!
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