Heaven

Heaven’s 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 

The story of the children of Israel leaving Egypt reminds me a lot of our situation in America today. Just like us they were fearful because of the crises they faced. Every time they faced an emergency the people ran to Moses in a panic and demanded answers. Moses in turn knew that he didn’t have the answers, so he dialed God’s hot line. And every time Moses called for God’s help, whether it was about the Egyptian army, the lack of food in the desert or the bitter water at Mara God worked another miracle. It might seem strange that no matter how many times God delivered them they never trusted Him the next time, but are we really any different? Instead of chariots, hunger and bitter water we face the Corona virus, Antifa and economic disaster. Just like the people of Israel it seems as if the world as we know it is about to fall into the depths of the sea. But in the same way that God answered His heavenly hotline for the children of Israel, He is still ready to answer us today 

Though, it feels like running away from our problems would be the safest solution; the real truth is that the only safe place is in Jesus Christ. He offers us a gift of life that cannot be taken away. He makes available a citizenship in a kingdom that will never be overthrown. He is making plans to adopt us into His family where we will be loved and accepted forever. Why not trust Him as refuge and strength in whatever trouble you face? Before turning on the morning news, remember that He is guarding the doors, of both our homes and our hearts. Even when mountains are falling into the sea, He will be with us. He has promised to walk with us both through fire and through the flood. He is our refuge and strength and in Him we don’t ever need to be afraid again! 

    Spiritual Dream Home

    / pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

    But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison whatever they did there it was his doing.              Genesis 39:21-22 

    My wife and I are somewhat addicted to HGTV home remodeling shows. We enjoy watching while either the Property Brothers; Rick and Joanna Gaines or Hillary Farr rip to shreds and then rebuild old worn out houses and make them into someone’s dream home!  Have you ever noticed that construction zones and demolition zones seem very much alike? Maybe that’s because both involve some smashing down and some digging up that are equally painful. Recently we experienced lots of digging up, filling in and then digging up and filling in again of several large pipes under our street. The issues were complex and the rerouting didn’t work the first second or even third time. One night they were smashing and pounding till 11 o’clock. My response to waking up to the racket was to put my jacket on over my pj’s and march indignantly down the street to complain.

    traffic red blue sign

    Photo by Mabel Amber on Pexels.com

    The tired foreman of the job took off his hardhat and politely answered that they couldn’t wait to go home either but they had to finish before they were allowed to quit. Sheepishly I went home realizing that I was not the only one who wished the work was done.  In Joseph’s life he also passed through a construction zone when he was unjustly thrown into prison.  Unlike me, Joseph was patient and continued to listen rather than complain. The heavy construction that God was doing in his life became a season of blessing and growth because Joseph chose to listen.

    On those occasions where I have followed Joseph’s example and tuned my ears to listen I have discovered as he did that it is God who is at work digging and pounding and He won’t stop till He has finished! God’s promises are real. He hasn’t abandoned us or forgotten the dream which He sent. In fact the painful circumstances which we are in today are what God is using to build the spiritual dream home which He has prepared for us in eternity!

     

    Our Hope of Heaven

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    As we are ploughing through this sixth week of Corona related shutdown here in Florida I thought that today it might be a good idea to focus on joy. God has not called us to worry, to live in depression or in fear. He has given us instead a hope that is not only eternal but it is also filled with joy.

    He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 ESV

    When I was doing my nursing home ministry up till this shutdown I found that some of the residents’ favorite songs were about heaven They often not only listened but the sang along, smiled and swayed back and forth in their wheel chairs in time to the music. Here are a few of those songs; including When the Roll is called up Yonder; When we All Get to Heaven and Mansion Over the Hilltop.  We know that if we follow Jesus He has promised to lead us home to His Father’s house in Heaven! Have a blessed day everyone!