Arrival in Heaven

Featured / pastorpete51 / 22 Comments

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”

Ancient Landmarks – Day Two

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless; for their Redeemer is strong, He will plead their cause against you. Proverbs 23:10-11 ESV

Yesterday we read in Proverbs chapter twenty-two, that, it is wrong to move the landmarks that God has chosen for our lives. In chapter twenty-three, Solomon returns to landmarks, warning us to never move a neighbor’s landmark in order to steal the inheritance that God has chosen for them.

Now, we might say, “Boy I would never do that!” thinking that God is only talking about possessions or property. But when we add things like, “Who impressed mom and dad the most with their school project, who was promoted at work, or why did brother Bob get elected as deacon instead of me?” the truth hits closer to home. Wishing for the most love and attention in our family, the fastest advancement at work, or the power positions in church, are red flags warning us to check our motives. Maybe mom and dad, just assumed you knew they loved you equally, the promotion you missed would have robbed you of time needed with your children, or that brother Bob was the perfect guy to deal with finding the best contractor to repair the church roof. Manipulating people, pretending interest, flattery, or even outright lies, can crop up like weeds in the garden of our hearts if we aren’t careful.

Solomon also points out that there are consequences of moving the landmarks of others for our own advantage, because there is someone watching over us both. Our watcher is strong, and whether he will be our opponent or our Redeemer depends on our choices. Yes, sometimes life is hard, the future looks bleak and we feel alone, but stealing the inheritance that belongs to others is never the answer, because God’s plan is perfect. The ancient walls that He chose to surround our inheritances, do not separate, or restrict us, instead they tell us that we are neighbors. And if God made us neighbors, then remember what He said about neighbors:

“And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself!” Matthew 22:39 ESV

Ancient Landmarks – Part One

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
Do not move the ancient landmark that your father have set. Proverbs 22:28 ESV
Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless. 
Proverbs 23:10 ESV

In my recent daily Bible reading, I became intrigued with how Solomon talks of ancient landmarks in subsequent chapters. Now the phrase “ancient landmark” used here isn’t the kind of landmark we think of, such as Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty. These landmarks were the ancient boundary lines spoken of in the book of Deuteronomy, which designated the inheritance of each tribe, family and individual. These boundaries were not self-imposed ones decided on by people. Instead, these were the hills and valleys, streams and wilderness areas chosen by God and given to them. Think of the stone walls, which Robert Frost spoke of in his poem, “Mending Wall” where he tells us.

“Good fences make good neighbors.”

Today, we often fear barriers of any kind, considering them to be restrictions, preventing us from experiencing or having something better. These ancient fences which God has placed between us, are given not to divide us, but rather to assign us each a responsibility. And in these two verses in Proverbs Solomon warns us of two opposite errors. Today we are focusing on the first: not trading away our own ancient landmark. We are not to give away, what God has chosen for us, though it may seem right and good and profitable in the moment, as in did for the prodigal, when he headed for a far-off city. The life God had chosen for us is best and no amount of gain, excitement or prestige can better His eternal plan. God has set boundary lines to protect, not restrict us, and our contentment comes when we accept those limits, plant our own gardens, and dig our own wells. If we will just trust the limits God has set, the time will come for an abundant harvest, when God’s blessings overflow so much, that we will have more than enough for our family and then an abundance to share with others!

Lemon Trees and Thorns

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. Proverbs 27:7 KJV

In our backyard grows an old Myers Lemon tree that my father planted. Though our tree is no more than six feet tall, it yields a harvest of lemons so abundant that we have to share them with our neighbors and friends! In today’s verse, we read about a contrast between sweet and bitter things in life and though lemons are not known for their sweetness, it is amazing how our little tree has taught us so many lessons about it. That lesson begins in February, just after the last lemon is picked and I begin pruning the tree. First, I have to be sure to put on a thick long-sleeved shirt and heavy leather gloves, to protect me from the long thorns of our little tree. I cut out any dead branches, cut off the low hanging branches and trim back the tops and sides to keep it compact. When I am finished our tree looks forlorn and bare, but just a week or two later, you would understand why. Stepping out into our backyard (or anywhere near our house) a powerful and beautiful aroma as the lemon tree fills with blossoms. What the fruit itself lacks in sweetness; God pours out in its flowers. Then God adds some really long thorns so that we must be very careful when we pick its fruit.

If your life feels like it is filled with the thorns from bitter experiences, remember our lemon tree. God is not through with you. Just like our little tree, It might be pruning time, but the sweetest blossom may be right around the corner. And just like our lemon, God often chooses to guard His sweetest fruit with the longest thorns. He knows about every sharp and bitter thorn, but He wants us to see that those thorns are simply reminders of what is still to come. So, let’s accept with patience our bitter times, knowing that a harvest lies ahead that is filled with the sweetness of all God has in store!