HEAVEN......FOR REAL

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I have seen a scripture that makes me think.....and of course, that's what we need to be doing, thinking on the Word so that our minds can be renewed on an ongoing basis.

We know that once we have made Jesus Lord of our lives, born again by the Spirit of God, that the bible assures us that we have eternal life in Christ. But once that is all signed and sealed, do you ever wonder what it's really going to be like......I do! 

In 1Peter 2 we find that we can be assured of something fabulous - 
an ABUNDANT entrance into the kingdom of God!   
Not just making it by the skin of our teeth!  
However, the small print gives the conditions (in my own words) - 

There are several vitally important things we need to be diligently 
ADDING to our faith, like:

VIRTUE - moral goodness. Gives a new twist to 'bye now, be good'
KNOWLEDGE- remember the verse that exhorts us to study to show 
yourself approved, get into the word, get to know what you believe.
SELFCONTROL - don't just do it....
PERSEVERANCE - never, never, never give up
GODLINESS - we are called to this, and empowered by the Holy Spirit for it.
BROTHERLY KINDNESS - he ain't heavy, he's my brother type of thing, family
LOVE - if you haven't got it, ask the Lord to give it to you and He will. 
Gotta love people until you like them as well.

The bible says it we need to do it if we really want that abundant entrance....

FEELING GOD'S PLEASURE

Scotsman Eric Liddell was a champion marathon athlete who did remarkable things at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.  He featured in an all time favorite movie with a Christian theme - the 1981 film entitled 'Chariots of Fire'.

There is a famous line in the movie where Eric's sister is arguing with him about his going to Paris instead of going instantly to the mission field in China. Eric's response was:

"God has made me to be a missionary, aye, but he has made me fast, 

and when I run, I FEEL GOD'S PLEASURE."

If you are functioning in your God-given gifting, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about!  If you aren't, there must be a reason......so pick one now:

You haven't discovered it yet (please hurry up, it's needed)

You don't think it's good enough (it is - just work harder at it to improve)

You are fast asleep (please wake up)

You are lazy (please move it)

You can't be bothered (......get a (Christian) life!)

I think The Lord takes immense pleasure when we bring glory to His name by being the best we can be.  He has given us everything possible to achieve the potential He placed within our unborn human seed - the Holy Spirit is His empowering agent and He is the wind beneath our wings.

THE CROWN OF THORNS

1. 
   
2. 
3. 
   
4. 'BEHOLD THE MAN!'
5. 'THE KING OF THE JEWS!'

In the Gospels, we read about the trial and crucifying of Jesus - and I can't help but wonder how many words have been written through the ages, for reading and for singing, on the suffering 

endured by our Saviour.  'When I survey the wondrous cross' is a good example:

1. 
   
2. When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
3. My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
4. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my Lord.
   All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
5. See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down!
   Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
6. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;
   Love so amazing, so divine,  demands my soul, my life, my all.

We have an Acacia tree in our garden, and I have on several occasions cut branches to make a crown of thorns to place on the cross for Easter services.  To do this, you have to wear heavy duty gloves to prevent injury from the thorns - but think of it.....the crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus was probably pressed into His forehead.......as referred to in the third verse of the hymn above. He died with a crown of thorns on His head, but He will return wearing many golden crowns......the sign of ultimate authority of the King of kings.

'HE CAME TO HIS OWN, AND HIS OWN DID NOT RECEIVE HIM, BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD, TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIS NAME....' John 1:11-12.

THE SENSITIVITY OF JESUS

I just love the sensitivity of Jesus! 

In John chapter 8 we read how the scribes and Pharisees brought before Jesus as He was teaching in the temple, the woman caught 'in the very act of adultery.' But instead of reacting how they were hoping He would, He took the opportunity to convict them of their own sin, and as a result, each and every one slunk away with their tails between their legs! I love the comment 'starting with the oldest!'

What of the woman? How embarrassed she must have been, but Jesus was mindful of this, and kept His eyes averted, only addressing her once the accusers had left, and absolving her of her sins.  

When one thinks of all the players in this incident, and the wisdom dealt out to them by Jesus, one can only marvel.  In James 3:17 we read:
'The wisdom that is from above is first pure, 
then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, 
full of mercy and good fruits, without 
partiality and without hypocrisy.'

How we need this kind of wisdom in this day and age.  
GOOD NEWS: 
James 1:5 advises us that it is available to us:
'If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, 
who gives to all liberally, and without reproach, 
and it will be given to him.'

THE HEART OF A KING

I haven't posted to this blog for a few weeks now, spending more energy on the 365 day blog challenge I'm doing on finefeatheredfriends365!  However, I haven't completely forgotten this one, and here are a few thoughts I've been attacked with....

John ch.2 tells us that Jesus knew what was in man (vs.25).... And this ties in well with the choosing of David as the future king of Israel. You remember the story of Samuel the prophet being directed by God to go and anoint a son of Jesse, and poor little David wasn't even lined up along with his brothers, wasn't even considered to be eligible by his family.  But God had already chosen him, and he was sent for and anointed with oil.

In 1 Samuel 16:7 we find these dynamic words:
"Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, (referring to Eliab, probably
the eldest son of Jesse) because I have refused him.  For the Lord does not see as 
man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart."

No one knows what goes on in the heart of man except the Lord, and nothing is
hidden from His sight.   But He has made provision for our human failings through
the shed blood of Jesus, and once we commit our lives to Him, we can begin walking 
in the light and our lives are cleansed from sin, our minds being renewed in God's word.

We may not have been chosen to be king of Israel, like David, but as believers we are chosen
to serve the Lord in newness of life. 

A STRONG WALLED CITY

In Old Testament times, a strong city was only as strong as its perimeter walls; think of the city of Jericho tightly secured against its enemies. It doesn't take much to deal with a leaning wall or a tottering fence (Psalm 61:3) but a mighty walled city is another matter, right? Wrong! Add to the scenario the power of God - all it took was 7 days of obedience from Joshua and the army of Israel, & the walls were flattened.

Knowing, understanding and living in God's plan of salvation is a lot like that. Strong walls of security and protection are much used metaphors in the bible for salvation.  A strongly built wall that can stand against the storms of life represents an eternal life assurance policy...the only sure way to go.  Is yours up to date?

ISAIAH 60:18

You shall call your walls salvation and your gates praise.

PLAYING WITH FIRE, SOMETIMES...

ISAIAH 50:11:  
Look, you who kindle a fire and encircle yourselves 
with sparks. Walk in the light of your fire and in the 
sparks you have kindled. This you shall have from 
My hand: you shall lie down in torment.

Wooaaaah, such words of warning against playing 
with fire!  

Got me thinking about different ways we play with 
fire....like subtly, not out and out FIRE kind of fire.  
Maybe you can also think of a few of your own 
minor arsonistic moves?  

Maybe.....a little unkindness instead of just being cruel?
Maybe.....a little cold love instead of outright dislike?
Maybe.....a little rude remark instead of politeness?
Maybe.....riding roughshod instead of being mannerly?

I guess we all slip up on behavioral niceties from time to 
time, but a good dose of Jesus-type humility surely
does not go amiss in anyone's life.  Who was it who
said 'they will know we are Christians by our love?'
Or was that just a line from a song that was popular
once upon a time and is no longer on the hit parade.....