Reflect His Image

When I look in the mirror, you know who I see?  I know, you'd never believe it, but I see my reflection.  I see me.  But that is the problem.  I don't want to see me when I look at my reflection.  I don't want to see my imperfections of character: my stubbornness, over sensitiveness, sarcasm, self-consciousness, insecurities.  I want to see my Father.  

No, not my earthly father, but my Father in Heaven.  I want to see His reflection in me.  I want to reflect His character, not mine.  

What is His character, you might ask?

God is good.  A rich young ruler called Jesus "Good master" in Luke 18:18.  Jesus responds with, "Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God."

God is love.  1 John 4:8, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." and 1 John 3:1, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therfore the world knoweth us not, becasue it knew Him not."

God is just. In Deuteronomy 32:4, Moses is speaking to the Israelites.  He tells them that God is "a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right He is."

God is pure.  1 John 3:3 states, "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."

God is righteous.  The psalmist tells us that The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works.  Psalm 145:17

God is caring.  God even cares for the birds of the air.  Matthew 6:26

God is kind.  Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."

God is gracious and merciful.  The psalmist tells us in Psalm 116:5 that God is gracious, righteous, and merciful.

God is forgiving.  "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

God is faithful.  Lamentations 3:22-23, Jeremiah tells us, "it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is they faithfulness."

God is compassionate.  Psalm 103:8 tells us that God is merciful and gracious, but also slow to anger and plentious mercy.

These are all characteristics I strive for.  I want to reflect His image.  I am made in His image according to Genesis 1:26. He got down on His hands and knees to create mankind.  He spoke everything else into existence, but He formed man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.  When my husband got down on his knee to ask me to marry him, I knew I was special.  But when I realized that God did that to create mankind, I knew we were all special.  He made us to reflect His image, His character. 

Today is a special day.  It is Father's day.  As you celebrate your fathers, husbands, neighbors, remember the Greatest Father Ever.  Remember the One whose image you are created in.  Remember God.  He is the best father anyone could ever ask for.  He is love, just, pure, righteous, caring, kind, gracious, merciful, forgiving, faithful, compassionate, and so much more.  

And fathers, follow the best example given.  Our Father in Heaven will lead you and guide you.  He will show you how to be a great father.  Reflect His image.  Look in the mirror.  Who do you see?  You can see Him.  It is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.

The Wedding

I received an invitation to a wedding in the mail.   I get really excited about weddings when I know God has ordained the relationship.  It is quite obvious that God is leading in theirs.  This is an exciting time for them.  I couldn't imagine missing the wedding of these beautiful people.  So when I received the invitation, I immediately said, "Yes, we will be there!" I couldn't imagine saying no to my friend and her soon to be husband.  

But the crazy thing? There was a wedding where the wedding guests all said no.  To a king.  Can you believe it?  A king was holding a wedding for his son.  He sent out all the invitations.  No one RSVP'd.  No one showed.  The king sent his servants to bring the guests to the wedding.  Maybe there was car trouble.  Or the bridge was out.  Maybe the king would have to send helicopters to the guests.  But even with a personal chauffeur to the wedding of the king's son, the guests would not come.  Can you believe that?  Even after the servants told the guests that the dinner was prepared and the best food was there for their liking, they still didn't want to go.  They had other things to do.  Better things.  What could be better than the wedding prepared by the king?

The king was rightfully upset.  So he finally told his servants that the wedding is ready, but there needed to be guests.  He told them not to waste any more time of those he invited to the wedding.  Instead, find as many people as you can find and invited them.  The servants went everywhere.  Walmart, Sams, Target, parks, streets, houses, tents.  Everywhere.  They did not have to worry about what to wear because the king would provide wedding garments for each guest.  So they all came.  They accepted the invitation.  

If I was invited to a wedding put on by the king, I would want to make sure I was wearing my best.  My best would be whatever the king provided for me. I would gladly put on the garments provided to me.  Yet, there was a guest who chose not to put on the wedding garments.  He was approached by the king.  "Where are your wedding garments?"

He was speechless.  He had no excuse for his actions.  All he had to do was put on the clothing provided for him.  This was unacceptable.  He was kicked out of the wedding.  I am sure the king was saddened by this.  It is unfortunate, but he had a choice.  He chose to wear his own filthy rags to the wedding of a prince.  

Can you believe there were people who refused the invitation to the wedding of the king's son?  Or that someone would choose not to wear garments provided by the king?

Although this is actually a parable told by Jesus in Matthew 22:1-14, it is something that will actually happen. 

We are all invited to the wedding.  The King of kings is hosting a wedding.  He wants us all there.  He has sent out the invitations.  He wants you to accept His invitation.  He doesn't want you to come in your street clothes.  He doesn't want you to wear your filthy rags.  He is providing a robe for you to wear.  The robe represents the character you must possess to be accounted fit for the wedding.  Each guest will be judged by their character, the one thing we will take to heaven with us.  

In Christ Object Lessons, chapter 24, page 310, it says,

 

"By the king's examination of the guests at the feast has represented a work of judgment.  The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life.  But not all who profess to be Christians are true disciples.  Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous.  This decision must be made prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; for when He comes, His reward is with Him, 'to give every man according as his work shall be.' Before His coming, then, the character of every man's work will have been determined, and to every one of Christ's followers the reward will have been apportioned according to his deeds."

You are invited to the wedding.  Will you accept His invitation?  God has a robe of righteousness for you.  Will you put it on?  I want to accept it.  I want to wear His robe.  But this is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.

Mountains and Valleys

Have you ever been on the top of a mountain only to be knocked down into the valley?  You just got a job promotion, but your car broke down.  You just graduated high school, but you haven't decided on a major and everyone keeps asking you.  Or even more, you aren't able to have a graduation.  We find ourselves in these high moments in life.  Things are going wonderful, but then something happens and it brings us down low.  I know I have felt that way so many times.  I think the hardest ones are where I am up high and I share this with someone, but they then bring me down with their discouragement.

Someone in the Bible had a similar situation.  He was high up on the mountain top.  Things were great.  Then he was afraid for his life and zoom.  Back down in the valley.  Yes, I'm talking about Elijah.

In 1 Kings 18, Elijah went against the prophets of Baal to see who served the one true God.  The prophets of Baal ran around in circles, cut themselves, called out to Baal, danced.  But nothing.  No fire came down to consume the sacrifice.  Then it was Elijah's turn.  Such contrast.  He prayed to God saying,

“Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.  Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 1 Kings 18: 36-37.

He came to God in such peace and reverence.   He praised God.  And God answered.  Fire came down and burned the sacrifice.  All the prophets of Baal were then killed and the drought that was there ended after 3 and a half years.

Talk about a mountain top experience.  I am sure many people were converted that day due to the witness of Elijah.  Unfortunately, we have to turn the page and go to the next chapter

In 1 Kings 19, Jezebel wants the life of Elijah.  She is furious.  Now if the threat of your life does not bring you down off of the mountain top, I'm not sure what will.

Not only was his life at stake, he felt alone.  He thought he was the only prophet of God left.  So...he left.  He ran for the mountains.  Funny that he came off of a mountain top experience to go to the mountains to experience his valley.

God asked Elijah why he was there. His response? "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” 1 Kings 19:10

I wonder if God laughed.  Honestly.  I mean, God knows everything.  Technically God didn't even have to ask Elijah why he was there.  He already knew.  And God's response after all was said and done? Go back.  In verse 15, God tells Elijah to go back to where he came from because he wasn't the only one.  There were seven thousand still in Israel who has not bowed their knee to Baal.  There were still seven thousand who had stood faithful to God.

There is a song by Tauren Wells called, "Hills and Valleys".

On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the One who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes
To the One who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain
I didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley
I know I am not alone!

That is key. We need to praise God whether we are on the mountain top or in the valley.  Those are the two places we usually forget.  We didn't get on top of the mountain on our own.  When Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal, it was God all the way.  When he was in his valley, God was with him the whole time.  He had never left or deserted him.   We are not alone in our hard times.  God is there for us each step of the way.

God says in Isaiah 54:10, "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."

In the book: Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings, we are told:

If you have given yourself to God, to do His work, you have no need to be anxious for tomorrow. He whose servant you are, knows the end from the beginning. The events of tomorrow, which are hidden from your view, are open to the eyes of Him who is omnipotent. MB 100.1 

When we take into our hands the management of things with which we have to do, and depend upon our own wisdom for success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us, and are trying to bear it without His aid. We are taking upon ourselves the responsibility that belongs to God, and thus are really putting ourselves in His place. We may well have anxiety and anticipate danger and loss, for it is certain to befall us. But when we really believe that God loves us and means to do us good we shall cease to worry about the future. We shall trust God as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God. MB 100.2

When you are on the mountain experience, praise God for getting you there.  Hold on to that.  Write it down so you don't forget you were there.  Then when you are in the valley, look towards Him, the One who will never leave you nor forsake you.  Go back to the memory of the mountain experience.  Your valley is only temporary.  He will bring you through.  This is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.

Consider the Lilies

We live in very uncertain times.  There is a lack of job security unless you are an essential employee.  Food supply has been limited.  Pocketbooks have taken a hit due to layoffs, cutbacks, and/or job losses.  These can be some very scary times.

But it doesn't have to be that way.  Psalm 118:8 says, "it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."  Our faith needs to be placed in the One who provides for us.  The flowers do not grow on their own.  They have to be planted, watered, fed.  If the flowers trusted in themselves to grow, they wouldn't even have a chance to blossom.  But God has given the flower what it needs to thrive.

In Luke 2:22-31, it says,

"And He said unto His disciples, 'Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?  If ye then be not ablet o do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest: Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow ins cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.  For all these things do the nations fo the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.'"

We are told in the book Evangelism on page 238 paragraph 3,

"Christ is here teaching a precious lesson in regard to His service.  Whatever experiences may come to you, He says, serve God.  Whatever inconviences and hardships you may encounter, trust in the Lord.  We have no cause to worry and fear if we take our position for the truth, that w and our families will suffer.  To do this is to manifest unbelief in God.  'Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things,' the Saviour says.  If we would study teh Word more faithfully, we would increase in faith."

It is sometimes easier for us to put our trust in man, whether it be our family, friends, boss, or even ourselves.  But we need to put our trust in the One who made the lilies.  Consider the lilies.  If God takes care of them, He will take care of you.  It isn't always easy, but it is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.

Artwork done by @bygodsamazinggrace.
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Mix-Matched

Have you ever felt like you were mix-matched in strength against something you were facing?  Feeling like you couldn't overcome what you were faced against? Have you ever faced an impossible challenge?  I know I have.  I imagine a hundred-pound wrestler going against a Sumo wrestler.  The odds are not in favor of the hundred-pounder.  I'm sorry, but he's going to get squashed...or lost.  Eek.  

You've lost your job.  You just received a cancer diagnosis. You are addicted to meth.  You are in an abusive relationship.  Your bills are piling higher than Mount Everest.  You are being persecuted for your faith.  All of these seem like impossible situations. You have been mix-matched to a Sumo wrestler.

In the Bible, we see many examples of people facing impossible challenges.  They go against people, armies, or things that are unmatched to their strength, or the lack thereof.

In Exodus 5, Moses had to go before Pharoah.  Moses was scared to go before Moses due to his lack of language.  He even tried to talk God out of sending him.

In Joshua 6, Joshua had to face the big wall.  Without weapons.  

In Judges 4, Jael allowed Sisera, a King, to hide in her tent. How was she supposed to save the people while facing a king?

In Judges 7, Gideon and his army of 300 faced the Midianites' army of over 100,000.  He started with many more people and God dwindled that number down to 300. 

In 1 Samuel 17, David, a young man, faced Goliath, a giant of over 9 feet.  Mono a mono.  

In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehosaphat faced a massive army.  His people were facing many armies.

In Esther, Esther had to go before the King.  If she went before the king uninvited, she could be killed.  If she didn't, her people would be killed.

In Daniel 6, Daniel faced the Lions.  All because he prayed and didn't follow the king's edict.

In Acts 12, Peter was placed in jail by Herod.  He was sentenced to death and would be killed the following morning. Sixteen guards stood outside his cell to make sure he didn't escape.

In Matthew 27, Jesus was nailed to the cross.  He was crucified for our sins.  While on the cross, our sins were so great on him that He felt like He was abandoned by God.  He couldn't see past the grave.  He had no assurance of coming out of the grave.

Each person had to face an impossible challenge.  Each person was mix-matched in strength.  But the amazing thing? They all overcame.  And so can you...through God!

Through God, you can be like Moses and let God's people go.  You can tell others about Him and save them.

Through God, you can be like Joshua and bring down the big wall.  You can break down the walls you have up in your heart and allow God to work miracles in your life.

Through God, you can be like Jael and save the nation by killing the enemy king.  Now I am not saying to go and kill a king, but you can protect those around you ridding your lives of an enemy that is preventing you from following God completely.  

Though God, you can be like David and take down a giant to save your people.  We face giants all the time, but God can help each of us to overcome the giants in our lives.

Through God, you can be like Jehosaphat and do the impossible.  

Through God, you can be like Ester and save your people by speaking to the king.  You can stand up to what is wrong even if you are scared for your life.

Through God, you can be like Daniel and survive the night with the lions.  He can close the mouth of the lions in your life and prevent them from attacking you when you stand for Him.

Through God, you can be like Peter and walk away from prison despite the guards being right there.  He can remove you from situations so you can do His work.  

Through God, you can be like Jesus and live again!  We might feel abandoned, but God is still with us.  We might not be able to see past the grave, but God has resurrecting powers.  We can live again and never die!  We can live eternally with Him when Jesus comes back for us!

We can overcome a mix-matched situation only By God's Amazing Grace.

Why Heaven?

Have you ever wanted something so badly you were willing to work for it, maybe even sell some things you have to earn the money?  Maybe even barter for it?  A man did this in Matthew 13:45-46.  It states, “The kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”  He found a treasure.  The Kingdom of Heaven.  He sold everything he had for this treasure.  Because to him, it was worth it. 

Do we see the Kingdom of Heaven as a treasure worth all the work we put in for it?  Why do we even want this treasure?  With the events happening in our world today, the soon return of Jesus is closer than it has ever been before.  We are seeing the signs from Matthew 24 being fulfilled right before our eyes.  There have been Bible studies going on as to what to expect during the time of the end.  Are you willing to stand up for your faith and endure the trials so you can spend eternity in Heaven?  And if you are, why?

So much emphasis has been placed on preparing for Jesus’ imminent return, as it should be, but not a lot on the reward we receive for our faith.  Where is the hope?  When my students are learning all year long the math formulas and how to implement them, they know there is a prize at the end.  Their prize is promotion to the next grade level, and eventually graduation.  There is hope for all the learning.  Some students look forward to never taking math again.  Some are dreading it due to their careers.  But they know there is hope.  What is our hope? 

When a runner runs a race, they have to be prepared ahead of time.  There is a lot of training that takes place before they are able to run the race.  Their goal? Crossing the finish line.  Their hope is receiving a prize in the end.  They have hope.

We need to study and be prepared.  But we also need the hope of what is to come.  Why are we being prepared?  Why do we need to be able to stand in the last days?  It is for the prize in the end.  The question you have to answer for yourself is, is the prize worth the preparation?

So I asked myself, “Why do I want to go to Heaven?  Is the prize worth it?”  There are many reasons I want to go to Heaven, as I am sure you would have many reasons as well.  In no particular order, I will share my reasons for why the prize is worth it.

The disciples and Jesus are in the upper room taking part in the Last Supper.  Judas has left as he prepared to betray Jesus.  In John 13, Peter asks why he can’t follow Jesus, not truly understanding the events about to take place.  Jesus tells Peter that he cannot follow Him now.  But in John 14, He promises them “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”  Jesus promises He will return and take His followers to Heaven to live with Him.  Jesus has made many promises in the Bible and every single one of them has come true.  I know what He says will take place.  He says He will return and take us home.

In Isaiah 60:18 it says, “Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders”.  In Heaven, there will be no violence.  I remember when I was growing up, I was allowed to play outside without adult supervision.  I could go to a friend’s house and we could roam our area with no fear.  Today, as a parent, my daughter is not allowed out of my sight.  My husband and I do not allow our daughter to play outside without someone watching her.  There is a fear for her that was not there when I was a kid.  Kidnapping was a fear when I was a kid.  Today, the fear is trafficking.  It is a very real fear.  When our family goes somewhere outside of our small town, we are constantly on alert.  It is not that we don’t trust God to protect us, cause we do trust Him.  It is that we have to be aware of our surroundings.  When my husband honks at someone, my initials response is, “Hun, I don’t want to get shot.” You never know if you are honking at the wrong person. Make the wrong person mad, and they will take action.  There have been many stories of people with road rage shooting at the other vehicle.  Unfortunately, that is a real fear.  Just imagine when we are in Heaven.  That fear will be non-existent.  Our children can run free and play without fear of being taken, run over, or shot at.  There will be no fear of anyone breaking into our house and stealing our belongings.  There will be zero identity theft, serial killers, rapers, or arsonists.  There will be zero violence in Heaven.  

In Isaiah 65:25, it says, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat.  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,” saith the Lord.”  According to animalplanet.com, the most feared animals include: the American alligator, coyotes, American black bear, pigeons, sharks, bats, bed bugs, rats and mice, rattlesnake, and the black widow.¹ Many of these I can understand.  Their behaviors can be unpredictable.  Sin has caused us to fear animals.  People are afraid of animals due to the harm they can do. Many animals have a bite that is deadly or can cause a tremendous amount of damage.  But in Heaven all of these animals will be gentle.  They will not bite.  Their diet will not consist of meat.  Wolves and lambs, which are enemies now, will lie together and eat together.  And snakes, which seem to be one of the most feared animals, will no longer be feared.  Snakes will eat dust and not be venomous.  There will be no reason to fear them.  There will be no invasive species in Heaven.  They will not destroy the land or hurt people or other creatures.  I look forward to the day when I can lie down with a lion or have an actual bear hug.  No longer will I have to go the zoo and see animals behind bars or go to a petting zoo just to see and touch animals.  In Heaven, the animals will be able to come up to us and there will be no fear of them.   “There shall be nothing to “hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 65:25. There man will be restored to his lost kingship, and the lower order of beings will again recognize his sway; the fierce will become gentle, and the timid trustful.” Education page 304 paragraph 14

In Revelation 21:4, it says, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  Oh what a day that will be.  In less than four years we have lost my mother-in-law, a baby, my father-in-law, my grandmother, a co-worker, a woman who was like a grandmother to our daughter, and another co-worker.  To say I am ready for death to be done with is an understatement.  I look forward to the day I no longer cry because someone has died.  I look forward to no longer being sad.  There will be no more depression or anxiety.  There will be no need for hospitals because no one will be sick.  There will be no surgeries, stitches, medicines, diseases, pestilences.  COVID-19 will no longer be a fear. There will be no more quarantine.  People won’t be stocking up on toilet paper.  Actually, I am not even sure if we will need toilet paper in Heaven.  Hospice, ambulances, and fire stations will no longer be necessary.  All the pain from this earth will be erased.  What a day that will be.  

In Isaiah 65:17, it says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.”  I will no longer remember my mother walking out, the abuse I experienced, the miscarriages, the pain I have gone through.  None of that.  The memories will be lost forever to never be found.  I won’t be sad when I see little girls with their mothers.  I won’t hurt when I see families together and not hurting each other.  I won’t cry when I see babies.  That pain will be gone.  The history that is taught in schools will no longer be needed.  The Holocaust, World Wars, 9/11, slavery, racism, genocides.  All will be forgotten.  Going to the Grand Canyon gives evidence of a flood.  Auschwitz gives evidence of hatred.  The Colosseum is evidence of persecution.  All of these places will be destroyed when the new earth is created.  There will no longer be reminders of the sins of the past.  Only reminder we will have are the scars in Jesus’ hands and feet. 

In Isaiah 65: 21-23, it says, “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree and the days of my people, and mine let shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.”  I know in John 14, Jesus tells His disciples that He has prepared mansions.  But in the new earth, we will build our own houses.  Imagine being able to build your own house.  Each one of us will be architects.  There will not be a need to hire one.  We can design our house the way we want them.  In my geometry class, I have the students create a floor plan of their dream house.  They each do a great job creating their dream.  In the new earth, we each can create our dream home to perfection.  We won’t get splinters or accidentally hit our finger with a hammer.  Our measurements won’t be off.  We won’t have to start over due to mistakes.  And the house we build will be ours.  There are many architects and carpenters that create and build homes for other people.  They do not get chance to live in their own creation.  But in the new earth, we each will be carpenters and architects and will get this chance.  We each will be gardeners as well.  I have never had much of a green thumb.  I’ve tried planting and growing before with little to no success.  But in the new earth, there will be 100% success.  As much as I hate peas now, I know that I won’t in Heaven.  I will be able to eat blueberries, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and dandelion without an allergic reaction.  That would be amazing.  Oh, how I miss eating those things.  But in Heaven, I will be able to eat anything that grows on the trees or in the garden.  No hives, anaphylaxis, no itching, no burning, no fear.  And everything will taste delicious.  Even peas.  Not only will we build our houses, grow our own gardens, but we will enjoy it.  There will be happiness in the growing and building.  It won’t be a chore, but a joy.  “There will be happiness in the growing and building.  It won’t be a chore, but a joy.   In the earth made new, the redeemed will engage in the occupations and pleasures that brought happiness to Adam and Eve in the beginning. The Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field. “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. These were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God.”⁴

In 2 Peter 3:13, it says, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Righteousness will dwell there in Heaven.  It is hard to look around and see righteousness here on earth.  Billboards, ads, commercials, clothing, websites, books, magazines and more are all filled with unrighteousness.  You can’t watch a television program without seeing women in scantily clad clothing, crude jokes, alcohol, drugs, self-seeking pleasure, or even normalization of non-Biblical lifestyles.  It is everywhere.  We can shelter our kids as much as we want, but it is still there.  Want to watch a Christian song on Youtube?  Okay, here’s an ad for a horror movie.  How about a sermon?  Oh, wait, here is an ad for alcohol.  In Heaven, there will be none of that.  The temptations of this world will be eradicated.   We can safely go anywhere or look at anything without fear of seeing something demoralizing.  Righteousness will be everywhere while sin will not be found.  

In Revelation 22:1-4, it says, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the middle of its streets, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month.  And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And the curse, but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.  They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.” First of all, my fear of water will be gone.  Praise the Lord!  This water will be pure, clear, and free of anything that doesn’t belong in it.  If we are able to lie with the lions, imagine swimming with a great white shark.  But this water flows from the throne of God.  The purest water is the water that comes directly out of its source.  This water comes from God’s throne.  How much more pure can it be? But in Heaven, this water will always be pure.  The amazing thing is that there will be the tree of life and a lack of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Can you imagine seeing the tree of life growing twelve different fruits each month? Each tree on earth produces fruit for the season.  Only one fruit.  No tree that I know of produces more than one type of fruit.  We serve a mighty God, wouldn’t you say? Also, we will be healed.  The curse of sin will be gone.  His name will be on our foreheads.  How amazing is all of that?  

All of these are amazing.  But there is a song by the Nebblett family that goes, “Last night I had the strangest dream, an angel carried me to heaven’s gates.  Glory flowed out a golden stream, the angel said, ‘Go right in, celebrate!’ But then the angel asked me, ‘what if Jesus wasn’t there? What if He were still out on a cross somewhere?  What would you say?  What would you do? Would you go in and wait for Him in heaven, or is Jesus Heaven to you?’”²  In Isaiah 25:9, it says, “And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.”  I have waited for Him!  Heaven is not the same without Jesus.  He came as a child to earth to give His life for each one of us.  When He was on the cross, we were on His mind.  There is no doubt about that.  Before Adam and Eve sinned, the plan of salvation was in place.  Revelation 13:8 says that He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  What a source of joy to the disciples to know that they had such a Friend in heaven to plead in their behalf! Through the visible ascension of Christ all their views and contemplation of heaven are changed. Their minds had formerly dwelt upon it as a region of unlimited space, tenanted by spirits without substance. Now heaven was connected with the thought of Jesus, whom they had loved and reverenced above all others, with whom they had conversed and journeyed, whom they had handled, even in His resurrected body, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, and who, while the words were upon His lips, had been taken up before their eyes, the tones of His voice coming back to them as the cloudy chariot of angels received Him: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”³ The disciples realized that Jesus was their great reward.  

Revelation 21:1-3 says, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea.  Then, I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God himself will be with them and be their God.’” I remember preparing for our wedding.  It took months to get everything ready.  But the wedding wasn’t the most important thing to me.  Spending my life with my husband was truly the important thing.  Making sure that our life together went according to God’s plan. I really don’t remember all we did to prepare.  I know we went to pre-marital counseling, decided on outfits, sent out invitations, and discussed what life would be like once we were married.  We are His bride.  We are His people.  Are we going to pre-marital counseling, church and Bible study?  Are we deciding what we are going to wear, His righteousness?  Are we sending out invitations, letting others know about His soon return?  Are we talking about Heaven and life with Jesus?  When the New Jerusalem comes down, our life with Him will be of most importance. Knowing the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us is my main reason for wanting to be in Heaven.  I can spend eternity with the One who gave His life for me.  There are many people that have received organ donations over the years.  Many of the survivors never got the chance to thank their organ donors due to the death of the donor.  But we will have a chance to spend eternity with our donor.  Jesus Christ.  He donated His body for our salvation.  All of the other reasons are amazing reasons.  They are wonderful.  But without Jesus, they don’t mean much.  He completes the package.  He is my Great Reward.

I look forward to eternity with Jesus.  This is possible only by God's amazing grace.

¹“Top 10 Animals That Scare Us the Most.” Animal Planet, 14 Dec. 2014, www.animalplanet.com/wild-animals/top-ten-scary-animals/.

²”Strangest dream lyrics by Nebblett family” Youtube, 7 Jul. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuvumpGEnUY

3 “Heaven.” Ellen G. White Writings, m.egwwritings.org/en/book/36.276#277.

⁴“BibleTools.info.” BibleTools.info, bibletools.info/.

The Wall

I have a little annoying habit.  I can turn almost anything into a song.  And I sing it.  To the displeasure of those around me.  The hubs calls me a walking Disney movie.  I even wrote a song about remembering to put your name on your paper.  My poor Hubs is subject to songs galore.

So a song has been going through my head all day.  "I fought the wall and the wall won.  I fought the wall and the wall won." 

Give me a minute.

I had to clean out the laundry room of our clean clothes. I placed them in the clothes basket in our bedroom.  Little Bit was sorting through them getting her clothes out and tossed some hangers here and there.  I've been a wee bit busy and have not had a chance to clean up after her.  So this morning there were still hangers on the floor at the end of the bed, my personal walking space out of the bedroom.  

This morning I had to go back into my room to grab something when I stepped on one of the strewn hangers.  The hanger broke and slipped under my foot.  My foot decided it wanted to slip as well.  I believed I could fly.  I was wrong and landed head first into a brick wall.  

I screamed.  I may have cried.  A lot.  The hubs came running into the room.  "Wife?!"  "I'm here, on the floor." "Get up!"  "I can't." Through sobs, I slowly got up with his help.  Sitting on the bed, holding my head, The Hubs gets me ibuprofen.  

My head was burning where I hit.  Vision in my left eye was slightly off.  I was dizzy.  But mostly in immense amounts of pain.  My foot hurt from the hanger.  My head hurt from the wall.  

I fought the wall and the wall won.  I fought the wall and the wall won.  

See, here's the thing.  The wall is an immovable object.  I'm not huge into science, but I do know that if my head runs into an immovable object, the immovable object will not move.  Instead, I will have a bump on my head and the wall will not be affect at all.  

So I have walking around with a huge headache all day.  And of course a song.  "I fought the wall and the wall won.  I fought the wall and the wall won."

Here's the thing.  I fell.  I got hurt.  I didn't think I could get up, but I did.  I needed help, but I got up. I didn't let the fall keep me down.  

Proverbs 24:16 says, "For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity."  

That's right.  The righteous fall and get up each time.  They do not allow things to keep them down.  Not sins or shortcomings.  Not hurtful words or rumors.  Not enemies or backstabbers.  Not even a wall.  I can tell you that I felt like staying down after my head hit the wall.   But I was able to get up, with help.  That's part of the key.  With help.

There are times you are going to fall.  We live in a sinful world.  Perfection has not been reached, yet.  But when you fall, get up again.  Ask God for help to get up.  Do not stay down.  Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit.  Get up again.  I got knocked down, but I got up again.  I'm not going to let this world keep me down.  Not even a wall.  But this is only possible By God's Amazing Grace.