Arrival in Heaven

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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!”

The Great Commission Has Not expired!

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Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

The pastor has tattoos and preaches in flipflops, the music is too loud, and the crowd is too big. are just a few of the items on the laundry list of reasons people today give to turn down an invitation to church. Ironically, the list we heard thirty years ago was, all they sing is old hymns, you have to wear a shirt and tie, the pastor is boring, and only a few old people go there. The church has faced pushback, ridicule, and even outright persecution, in every generation. It may feel discouraging, pointless, or old-fashioned to continue presenting the claims of Christ and asking people to make a decision to follow Him. But the presence of opposition in no way invalidates the necessity of continuing to do the job that Jesus gave us to do.

The Great Commission has no expiration date, and even in this age of an AI Jesus and slick marketing, a simple, person to person, gospel message is still the most effective way to lead a person to Jesus Christ. It isn’t hopeless, someone else’s job, or a forgone conclusion that the church will fail. God’s word, honestly and fearlessly spoken, still has power. But we don’t need to start knocking on doors or even begin preaching on street corners to reach lost souls. God will put individuals in our path or will arrange for us to be in theirs. Our only job is to tell people about God and share what He has done in our life. Keep inviting anyone who will listen to come to Jesus and keep believing that what the Holy Spirit has done for 2,000 years, He will continue to do till Jesus returns!

Rock of Ages

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Ironically this hymn, which could be called our declaration of independence from sin and death was first published in England in 1776, the year we in America declared our independence from Great Britain. Also, noteworthy, “Rock of Ages” was the last and greatest work of August Toplady, who died just two years later at the age of thirty-eight. Last Sunday, the residents at Discovery Villages. joined in quite heartedly. Though they come from a variety of denominations, as we sing these words, we are united by our faith in Jesus Christ, who is the rock of our salvation and our hope for eternal life. I pray you might be blessed as you listen and even better as you join in.

God’s Heavenly Hotline

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2 KJV

When the people of Israel left Egypt, they were terrified as they faced the Red Sea in front of them with Pharaoh’s army in hot pursuit behind. So, they ran to Moses demanding answers and blaming Him for the situation. On his part, Moses knew that they were partly right: he didn’t know what to do either, so he dialed God’s heavenly hot line. When Moses called, God answered in spectacular fashion and parted the water of the sea. Now, you might think that when the Israelites saw God’s power that allowed them to escape, Pharoah’s army while drowning their enemies, that they would trust God from then on.

But just like us, every time another emergency arose, they repeated the same complain and blame game over and over again. No matter how many times God delivered them they didn’t trust Him the next time, and things aren’t that much different today. Instead of chariots, and a dead end at the seashore, we face political divisions, environmental disasters, and economic crises. Just like the people of Israel we feel as if our world is about to end, but the good news is that God still answers His heavenly hotline. Just as it was back then, God is the only one with the answers. So, before turning on the news today, remind yourself that He who protected the Israelites so long ago will guard our homes and hearts if we trust in Him. Even when mountains fall into the sea, He promises to walk with us and be our refuge and strength. So, when problems, fears, or catastrophes strike, why not do what Moses did? Fall on your knees and call God’s Heavenly Hotline today!

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