Heaven. . . .

I have been thinking much about something Piper wrote. It essence he penned, “Would you be satisfied with heaven if only God were there?” Please do not misunderstand, I am no different than anyone else. I have often thought of heaven with the streets of gold, pearly gates, no more pain, no more tears. But it burdens me when my thoughts are more about these kind of real things, rather than of being in the presence of the Holy One.
Granted there are streets of gold, there is no-mores there. Heaven is going to be more than we can try to describe, but I guess what is capturing my attention is Heaven is more about Who than it is about What.
The “blessings of Heavenly things” is real, it is biblical, but they are the results of Who God Is! We get these things because we have become God’s children through faith in Christ. As a child of God I receive an inheritance from God, a heavenly mansion, the wonderful benefits of His place!
Even the old song writers tried to capture it but failed. And perhaps the reason we fail in our understanding of heaven is because it is so unlike anything we can relate to that we just plain fail to communicate it properly.
We sing about the "Mansion over the Hill Top", "The Land of Endless Days", "No Night There." And, perhaps we come a bit closer to it when we try words like these, “In heaven there are many things I’m longing for to see. It’s beauty will my ransomed soul enthrall. But when I’m ushered to the realm of blessed eternity, I long to see my Savior first of all. I long to see my Savior first of all, before on any others I will call, and then through countless days, on His dear face I’ll gaze, I long to see my Savior first of all.”
How can we capture the essence of this future place of the redeemed? I honestly do not know. But I do know that it is real.
God has promised dwelling places for us prepared by the Lord Jesus Himself. He has told us what it is going to be like, at least John wrote down words of his experience that try to paint a picture of this place called perfection - crystal river, golden streets, gates made of solid pearl, foundation walls made of solid jewels, no night, no need for light, no pain, no tears, no former things, no sin!
Oh, I know it is real for His Word, Jesus said, Is Truth!
But more specifically our Lord and God is going to be there! What will it be, to finally see the face of the lover of my soul? What will it be, to stand in the presence of sinless perfection? What will it be, to be overcome by the Majesty of Holiness? What will it be, to tremble at the singing of His Name by the Seraphim?
I cannot begin to tell you! I have no words to describe the touch of His hand that was nailed to the cross. No words to express the Light of His eyes. No words to drip with the goodness of His smile. No words to communicate the tenderness of His welcoming voice. I have no words.
But what I can say is, "Believe!" The Bible not only promises Heaven for the redeemed, it promises Hell for the unsaved. It says believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Saved from sin, and the results of sin, eternal death in the Lake of Fire! It is time for you to believe and be saved.
Come to Christ today, Believe on Him, Trust the Savior, and yield to His Lordship over your life! He will indeed save you and give you Heaven too.

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone!

Lessons from a Broken Foot - Needs

It is very interesting what pain can do for us. It certainly gets our attention.

I awoke this morning praying. It was interesting, I didn't awake and start to pray but was praying when I woke up. My foot was throbbing as I was praying. I praised the Lord and sought His healing and grace, and then began to think about "needs."

At that moment I needed the grace of God to be able to take that pain and some other wonderful manifestations of our dear Lord. But as I continued to think about it, my mind ran to the thought of how many times we expect our "needs" to be met but do not look to the only One who ever promised to meet our needs?

Having been involved in the ministry of the Local Church for awhile I can identify with these words. . . "my needs aren't being met." Somehow people have the idea that every need social and physical is to be met by the Local Church. I have averaged one phone call per week, over the last 6 weeks, from folks looking for financial help, and these were from people who have never attended our church. If they did they would find a very good Adult Bible Class being offered right now on finances, which would go along way to "meeting the need."

But then I got to thinking is the church to meet all the needs. Has it been called to that? I am thinking of the teaching ministry of the church, because that is usually what is referred to when people say "my needs aren't being met." The worship and teaching hour of the church is not about me, it is about God!

I believe in most churches we would find that “needs” can be met if we would take advantage of getting to know one another. There are tremendous resources in the membership of a local church.

It is my contention that "needs" are met through the people of the church doing the work of the ministry. The exercise of the talents and abilities that the Lord has given to each of us are tremendous. Of course there must be a willingness to exercise those skills.

I guess that it all comes down to this. There is but One who ever promised to meet or “supply every need.” He will do it however He chooses. He may even use a doctor to heal a broken foot. After all, did He not give that good doctor his skill?

Think of these words of Annie S. Hawks, written in 1872, as you are trying to slug through the mine field of you needs.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone!