Read Revelation 21:15-27
And I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. Revelation 21:22 (KJV)
Over ten years ago, my mother passed away. After struggling with various illnesses for more than a decade, she passed away due to heart and lung failure early on a Saturday morning. While I would never wish that she were still here as sick as she was, I do miss the mother and grandmother that she could have been had her health not failed her. She has missed the lives of all eight of her grandchildren and so many more things.
When I go home to see my Dad, I occasionally think about taking my oldest children out to her grave, but I usually don’t because I know that she is not there…just her body is. I know that I will have to wait for eternity to see her again, for in eternity, all things will be made complete. Just as we worship a risen Savior here on earth, in eternity we will worship Him face to face.
“If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for this present world are just the ones who thought the most of the next.” C.S. Lewis
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Waiting for the Bride
Read Revelation 21:9-14
Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Revelation 21:9 (KJV)
On the day of our wedding, my wife and I chose to follow the old tradition of not seeing each other until the actual wedding ceremony. Since our ceremony was at night, I had all day to wait to finally see her in her dress and to marry the girl who had won my heart. During the day we talked by phone a few times, and, while I was dressing in my tuxedo, she sent me a sweet card. Yet, nothing could prepare me for the moment those doors opened and she and her father stood at the back ready to come down the aisle. The long day of anticipation was worth the wait…she was breathtakingly beautiful!!!
Christ loves His church in much the same way. He longs for the day when His church will be redeemed.. For now, He chooses to talk with us through prayer and through the Holy Spirit, but the day is coming when the bride of Christ will be united with Jesus for eternity.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The Apostle Paul (Col. 3:2)
Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Revelation 21:9 (KJV)
On the day of our wedding, my wife and I chose to follow the old tradition of not seeing each other until the actual wedding ceremony. Since our ceremony was at night, I had all day to wait to finally see her in her dress and to marry the girl who had won my heart. During the day we talked by phone a few times, and, while I was dressing in my tuxedo, she sent me a sweet card. Yet, nothing could prepare me for the moment those doors opened and she and her father stood at the back ready to come down the aisle. The long day of anticipation was worth the wait…she was breathtakingly beautiful!!!
Christ loves His church in much the same way. He longs for the day when His church will be redeemed.. For now, He chooses to talk with us through prayer and through the Holy Spirit, but the day is coming when the bride of Christ will be united with Jesus for eternity.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The Apostle Paul (Col. 3:2)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
In the Arms of Jesus
Read Revelation 21:1-8
And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes… Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
As the father of six young children, tears flow freely in my house everyday, especially from our preschool-aged children. Younger children wear their emotions on their sleeves and often need to be comforted and consoled. After a fall or a big fight over a toy, we scoop them up in our arms, wipe their tears away, and shower them with hugs and kisses. In a short moment, they are back to running and playing again.
I believe that when we finally stand before Jesus in heaven, He will wipe tears from our eyes. These will be tears of overwhelming joy – joy of finally being in the presence of our Savior. But, I also sense that there possibly will be tears of sorrow as well – sorrow for all of the ways we fell short of who God called us to be, for all of our sin and brokenness. How beautiful it will be to be comforted in the arms of Jesus as He wipes our tears away and invites us into eternity with Him!
God, help us today to rest in the promise of eternity with You.
And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes… Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
As the father of six young children, tears flow freely in my house everyday, especially from our preschool-aged children. Younger children wear their emotions on their sleeves and often need to be comforted and consoled. After a fall or a big fight over a toy, we scoop them up in our arms, wipe their tears away, and shower them with hugs and kisses. In a short moment, they are back to running and playing again.
I believe that when we finally stand before Jesus in heaven, He will wipe tears from our eyes. These will be tears of overwhelming joy – joy of finally being in the presence of our Savior. But, I also sense that there possibly will be tears of sorrow as well – sorrow for all of the ways we fell short of who God called us to be, for all of our sin and brokenness. How beautiful it will be to be comforted in the arms of Jesus as He wipes our tears away and invites us into eternity with Him!
God, help us today to rest in the promise of eternity with You.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Our Perfect Example
Read Ephesians 4:17-24
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, the truth is in Jesus: Ephesians 4:21 (KJV)
Our world is in desperate need of positive role models today and it seems that almost no one wants the job. Too many professional athletes, movie stars, and entertainers live selfish sinful lifestyles which provide fodder material for the numerous tabloids. Our teenagers especially are negatively influenced by these “famous” people. While there certainly are some excellent high-profile Christian leaders (Tim Tebow for example), these are often overshadowed by the sheer magnitude of negative choices made by others.
In stark contrast to this, Jesus’ earthly life provided a perfect example for us, showing how to both live and love. His last three years of life and ministry were lived giving Himself away for others, and His death on the cross was the ultimate selfless act in history. As we study His life as recorded in the Gospels, we can learn from the way He lived, the way He taught people, and the way He died. Through the life of Jesus, we clearly see God’s truth.
God, thank you for the perfect example of Your Son Jesus! May we walk in His footsteps today.
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, the truth is in Jesus: Ephesians 4:21 (KJV)
Our world is in desperate need of positive role models today and it seems that almost no one wants the job. Too many professional athletes, movie stars, and entertainers live selfish sinful lifestyles which provide fodder material for the numerous tabloids. Our teenagers especially are negatively influenced by these “famous” people. While there certainly are some excellent high-profile Christian leaders (Tim Tebow for example), these are often overshadowed by the sheer magnitude of negative choices made by others.
In stark contrast to this, Jesus’ earthly life provided a perfect example for us, showing how to both live and love. His last three years of life and ministry were lived giving Himself away for others, and His death on the cross was the ultimate selfless act in history. As we study His life as recorded in the Gospels, we can learn from the way He lived, the way He taught people, and the way He died. Through the life of Jesus, we clearly see God’s truth.
God, thank you for the perfect example of Your Son Jesus! May we walk in His footsteps today.
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