Do you like puzzles or riddles? Well, try this one on for size. A man makes it and sells it. A man buys it and let's someone use it. The person using it doesn't know that they are using it. What is it? (Answer at the end)
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a dream one night. It puzzled him. He had no idea what it meant. But he could do nothing until the puzzle was solved or the riddle was answered. What was the dream? Read about it Daniel 2:31-35 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+2%3A31-35&version=NIV (Click the back arrow on on web browser to return)
The dream was about a statue. Head, Chest and Arms, Belly and Thighs, Legs, and Feet. Each area was made of a kind of precious metal. But what did it mean?
Now the King had asked his advisors to tell him the dream and it's interpretation. No one could do that but one person, Daniel. God had given him a new direction in life. He wasn't going to be a priest, he was going to be the dream doctor for God. But there was one problem. Daniel didn't know the dream and dream doctors require that piece to the puzzle. Charles McPhee, Host of Nationally Syndicated Radio Program 'The Dream Doctor,' interprets dreams for a living. But there is one thing he needs to accomplish his task. He needs to hear about the dream. Then he can give its meaning.
For King Neby, he wanted someone to tell him what his dream was and then to interpret. No one can do that. But then there is Daniel. Daniel has been given the job to interpret dreams. But in this situation, He was would need God to tell him what the dream was. As a result, Daniel was able to witness to King Neby about the greatest of God and the greatness of His Kingdom. After Daniel told him the dream and its meaning, King Neby said, "Surely your God is the God of gods and Lord of kings..." King Neby's life was forever impacted because one man was fully surrendered to God and used by God to impact an entire empire for God's glory.
None of that would have happened unless Daniel had accepted God's plan for his life. God may be taking you on a journey that you don't get. You may even be angry with Him. Don't be. He has every step of the way planned out, prepared and is preparing you to be used by Him for His glory. It may not make sense right now and you may want answers to the puzzles and riddles in your life. Know this, He will make Himself abundantly clear in His time. Just follow Him. Fully surrender to Him. And in time the answers will come and you will be amazed how God displayed His glory through you.
By the way the answer to the riddle is...................a coffin.
Have a great day today and remember, fully surrender to Him. You won't regret it.
As you close: As God for wisdom with the riddles in your life. And then wait. Watch what He is doing and will be doing. It will amaze you.
God bless!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Fully Surrender:Daniel - Day 1
When you were a child, what did you most want to be or do when you grew up? Take a minute and think back and try to remember.
I loved baseball. I lived it everyday. I couldn't wait to wake up in the morning and put on the glove. I've noticed my son is the same way. It must be a boy thing. That love for baseball gave me dreams of being a Major Leaguer for the LA Dodgers. I know, you may not be a fan, but they were my favorite team. I was in little league, travel leagues and High School. Mid way through my High School career, my passion for baseball faded. What? Yes it did. There went all my dreams of making it to the big show. But I had a different passion at that time. As soon as baseball faded, another one sprang to life; being a pastor.
Did this happen to you too? Many people have had similar experiences. They grew up with one passion and ended up doing something else. Why does that happen?
It happens because our dream was truly childish. We grow up and realize that it was just a childs' dream. Another reason is that we just got burned out by it. We gave it all of our lives early and when the time came for it to be a career, we had nothing left to give. Many potential sports heros tell their story of quiting because they burned out on it. I'm sure that is true in many areas.
I also think that our passions change because we wanted to do what we were gifted to do but not what we were made to do. That is where God enters the picture.
For Daniel, he probably had dreams of getting a job and raising a family in a suburb of Jerusalem and found himself in Babylonia as a servant in the kings court. Ezra 8:2 we find that Daniel is a descendant of Ithamar. Who's Ithamar? He is the son of Aaron. Aaron is Moses' bother and the head of the priestly line. The priestly line took care of the temple and the services inside. If you were a descendant in the priestly line, your job was set before you. So possibly, Daniel was getting ready to start his duties as a priest.
But things changed in the blink of eye and God had other plans for him. Read Daniel 1 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
Daniels new job is found in verse 17: He could understand visions and dreams. That was his new job and in a foriegn country too.
How did Daniel respond? We don't know those fine details but as you read his book, he followed God's plan for his life instead of resenting it.
What career does God want you to have? Are you doing it? Are you willing to follow Him no matter what?
Don't misunderstand. I don't want you to quit your job right now. Especially when jobs are hard to come by. Just stop and pray. Ask God, "Am I doing what you want me to do?" And then just listen and wait.
As you close: Thank God for His plan for your life. Thank Him in advance for showing His glory through you as a fully surrendered follower of Christ.
God bless!
I loved baseball. I lived it everyday. I couldn't wait to wake up in the morning and put on the glove. I've noticed my son is the same way. It must be a boy thing. That love for baseball gave me dreams of being a Major Leaguer for the LA Dodgers. I know, you may not be a fan, but they were my favorite team. I was in little league, travel leagues and High School. Mid way through my High School career, my passion for baseball faded. What? Yes it did. There went all my dreams of making it to the big show. But I had a different passion at that time. As soon as baseball faded, another one sprang to life; being a pastor.
Did this happen to you too? Many people have had similar experiences. They grew up with one passion and ended up doing something else. Why does that happen?
It happens because our dream was truly childish. We grow up and realize that it was just a childs' dream. Another reason is that we just got burned out by it. We gave it all of our lives early and when the time came for it to be a career, we had nothing left to give. Many potential sports heros tell their story of quiting because they burned out on it. I'm sure that is true in many areas.
I also think that our passions change because we wanted to do what we were gifted to do but not what we were made to do. That is where God enters the picture.
For Daniel, he probably had dreams of getting a job and raising a family in a suburb of Jerusalem and found himself in Babylonia as a servant in the kings court. Ezra 8:2 we find that Daniel is a descendant of Ithamar. Who's Ithamar? He is the son of Aaron. Aaron is Moses' bother and the head of the priestly line. The priestly line took care of the temple and the services inside. If you were a descendant in the priestly line, your job was set before you. So possibly, Daniel was getting ready to start his duties as a priest.
But things changed in the blink of eye and God had other plans for him. Read Daniel 1 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1&version=NIV (Click back arrow on your browser to return here)
Daniels new job is found in verse 17: He could understand visions and dreams. That was his new job and in a foriegn country too.
How did Daniel respond? We don't know those fine details but as you read his book, he followed God's plan for his life instead of resenting it.
What career does God want you to have? Are you doing it? Are you willing to follow Him no matter what?
Don't misunderstand. I don't want you to quit your job right now. Especially when jobs are hard to come by. Just stop and pray. Ask God, "Am I doing what you want me to do?" And then just listen and wait.
As you close: Thank God for His plan for your life. Thank Him in advance for showing His glory through you as a fully surrendered follower of Christ.
God bless!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Glorification Day 5
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!
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!
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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