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!”

Meet You in the Morning!

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But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
John 21:4 NKJV

Have you ever wondered what we would look like, sound like, or feel like in Heaven? Will we recognize each other in our transformed eternal bodies? Will the old be young? Will children be full grown? Will the plain among us be beautiful and the short ones tall? Even here on earth, the disciples did not recognize Jesus, until He gave them something to do, “Cast your nets on the other side of the boat.” Where had they heard that before? It had such a familiar ring: and then it clicked, at least in John’s memory, “It is the Lord!” Though I don’t know how theologically accurate these lyrics are, I love how Alfred Brumley sums up our meeting in Heaven. “You will know me in the morning, by the smile that I wear.”

Jesus revealed Himself to Thomas by His wounds, and in the book of Revelation He is still called, “The Lamb that was slain.” (See Revelation 5:6; 5:12; & 13:8) But, we will be changed, our tears dried, wounds healed and sorrows will flee away. All that will be left behind will be the joy of our faith in Jesus and our love for Him and one another. So, maybe, just maybe, you will know me in the morning, by the smile that I wear! Have a blessed weekend all, and I hope you enjoy this rendition of the chorus from that hymn which we sang at Life Care this Friday.

Woulda – Coulda – Shoulda

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Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda were
All childhood bosom friends
And they live near each other 
Where the Worry River bends

Though God still loves them dearly
He hopes for them to hear
His voice that calls them to launch out
By faith and not to fear

But instead, they sit at home 
And say “Oh, not today.
This is really not the time
Tomorrow, we'll obey!”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2b ESV

Woulda – Coulda – Shoulda
by Peter Caligiuri
copyright © 2024
All rights reserved
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels.com

Ancient Landmarks – Day Two

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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