Heaven is a Place!

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The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:44 ESV

Ottawa, Canada, Brisbane, Australia, Marseille, France and Jaigaon, India are on four different continents, speak three different languages and share at least two things in common. These all can be found on a map, and they are all capitalized. How strange it is that places on earth that are temporary are given the honor of capitalization while the place in Heaven where God rules is not.

Did you ever stop to think while you prayed, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” that Heaven is far more real and permanent than where you live? Maybe we miss Heaven’s importance because it is a treasure, but one that God has hidden in the field of this world. Yet this is a place so valuable and true that we are urged to sell all we have to find it. Heaven is our greatest reward and Hope. Heaven is where flowers bloom forever and we will never grow old. Heaven is where God sings and sorrow flees, where angels fall down before Him, and Jesus is lifted up. Heaven is where orphans are adopted, the hungry are fed and tears are wiped away. Heaven is where blind eyes see God and that one day we will be changed to be like Jesus, where finally and forever we will be with Him. Heaven is more wonderful and real than any place on earth. So, let’s capitalize the place where God will forever rule in the hearts of everyone who loves Him!

He Goes With Them

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
How do the birds know when to gather? 
Who sets the alarm that they hear? 
Why do they prepare when the wind still blows warm 
To fly away year after year? 

Who guides their course in the evening 
And tells them the time that is best 
How can they know that the place that is waiting 
Has food and protection and rest? 

Their designer who fashioned each feather 
And has given a voice for their song 
He watches them all 
Even sees when one falls 
And goes with them 
On their journey so long

He Goes With Them by Peter Caligiuri copyright 2022 all rights reserved



Serving in God’s Delicatessen

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But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. Matthew 20:25-26 ESV

“Number 23!” The lady behind the counter calls out. “How can I help you today?”

“I’d like 1/4 lb. of baloney, 1/4 lb. of provolone, 1/2 lb. of potato salad and 1/2 lb. of whatever ham is on sale.” I answer. After several minutes of wrestling heavy rolls of cheese and meat in and out of the display case she returns with neat little packages of my requested items, then asks with a smile, “Will there be anything else?” Moments like these have convinced me that it isn’t the managers who work the hardest in a grocery store, it is the deli people. I also think that these folks have a special place in the heart of God. Today’s passage shows us why. The disciples were getting stressed out that day over who was the most person in God’s kingdom. In case you think we don’t do that, check out the avalanche of books on leadership, high priced conferences on building a successful career and outright financial gimmickry marketed daily to us. Though we rightly long for significance, just as the apostles did, Jesus tells us all that getting a management position in God’s Kingdom isn’t what matters. What is important to God is training for a job in His deli department! Now of course we shouldn’t just slice up the Bible to tell people what they want to hear, but should ask them about their needs, cheerfully serve and then be willing to ask, “Will there be anything else?” In a paraphrase of Psalm 84:10 we should say along with one of the greatest leaders, whose name was King David: “I would rather work in God’s deli department than be a manger in the devil’s super center!”

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