Author: Jayne Lawson

I grew up as an only child, and as a result, I do not like to be alone. Loneliness is not a pleasant feeling, and I used to do anything to avoid that feeling. After I got married and had children, being alone was never an issue, but now in my “golden years”, times of loneliness often revisit me. The difference between then and now, is that when I feel lonely these days, I remember I have a faithful friend who is always with me. That friend is Jesus, and He reminds me in His Word of why I never have to fear being lonely again.

1. God’s Presence – He is always with me! – “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” – Isaiah 46:4
   1. When it comes to God’s presence in our lives, age is irrelevant. God is omnipresent, all the time!
   2. Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Paul assures us that nothing – not even our age – can separate us from the love of God.
   3. Throughout Biblical history, God cared for his people and sustained them, regardless of circumstances. The number of people living in your home doesn’t negate God’s promise of everpresence. The doors of an assisted living community certainly don’t change anything about this promise either, and you can rest assured that God will continue to be with you regardless of where you are or where you go.

1. God’s Purpose – He has work for me to do! – “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” – Philippians 1:6
   1. Regardless of our age, if we are saved, God has a purpose for us to be on this earth. Just because we are elderly doesn’t mean we are useless.
   2. Finding yourself in your senior years doesn’t mean you can no longer serve God. The Bible tells us that He is continuing His good work in you and will continue to do this until He calls you home to heaven. Sometimes we don’t know exactly what God wants us to do, but there are always some things that everyone should do for Jesus.
      1. Share with others what Jesus has done for you.
      2. Invite others to join you in faith-based events such as ladies’ meetings or holiday gatherings at church.
      3. Pray for others.

3. God’s Peace – He comforts me in times of uncertainty. – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”- John 14:27
   1. Change is difficult, but not impossible. We may not even like the changes that we are experiencing. It is not easy to go from an independent life in your own home to living in a place where there are schedules to follow, others dictate what you can do, and your personal space is limited to a single room. This can be frightening, depressing, and very lonely. This is the time to tap into the peace that only Jesus can offer.
      1. As we get older, our world seems to get smaller.
         1. Children grow up and leave the home.
         2. We retire and leave our workplace.
         3. Friends and family may move away.
         4. Spouse/family members/friends pass away.
      2. Our personal situation changes.
         1. Our independence shifts.
         2. Our health begins to decline… joint issues, oxygen needs, even forgetfulness and more! We may find we need help in our daily activities.
      3. Finances are tight; we can no longer afford to do things we once did or buy things we once never gave a second thought to purchasing.

These are all unsettling, but it is possible to have peace when that peace comes from God. The peace Jesus promises us is a benefit we receive once we’ve trusted Christ as our Saviour. Relying on God’s peace during times of change, insecurity, fear, or loneliness can help people of any age overcome serious challenges in life and find contentment in any situation. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

How can we have this peace in the midst of loneliness and uncertainty in our lives?

1. Pray for God to show you what He wants you to do here. – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end . Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13.

1. God hears every prayer you pray. He promises to answer. The Bible reminds us in Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

2. Be a friend. – “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24

1. Get out of the rut in which you may find yourself. Make it a point to step outside your comfort zone and meet others. Take a class at a community center; attend an activity at your church outside of the worship services; join a gym… there are so many things you can do! Be bold!

2. Invite someone to come to an activity with you… maybe go to the library together or walk around the mall and do a little people watching! Ask a friend to join you in a time of worship at your church or in the facility in which you live if they have devotions or times of Bible study.

3. Reach out to someone who may feel alone and scared. Perhaps a new widow or widower in your neighborhood, church, or circle of influence is yearning for the companionship of a new friend! That could be you!

4. God’s Promise – He is faithful to His Word

1. When we are going through a major change in life, it can be tempting to fall into despair or worry. Perhaps this isn’t how you saw your golden years playing out. It’s okay to have a time of grief for things you’ve lost, but it’s important to remember that grief is only for a time, and joy is coming. In Psalm 30:5, God promises, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” The truth is that God takes any situation in our lives… good or bad… and is able to use that for His good. It is in these hard times that our faith grows as we learn to trust God.
2. We don’t have to wait for the eternal joys that Jesus promises, either; we can look for things to be grateful for daily and experience joy in those discoveries.
3. Lastly, the Bible reminds us in Nehemiah 8:10, “…the joy of the LORD is your strength.” My challenge to you is to determine to be STRONG IN THE LORD (Ephesians 6:10) for that is where you will find your joy, your peace, and your contentment.

Are you weary, are you heavyhearted? Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus;
Are you grieving over joys departed? Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a friend that’s well known;
You’ve no other such a friend or brother, tell it to Jesus alone.

(from “Tell It To Jesus” by Jeremiah Eames Rankin)

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”- 2 Corinthians 1:20

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What joys in the Lord strengthen you in times of loneliness?

 

No matter where anyone goes, they are being watched. It could be a sports event where people will share their opinions on what a particular athlete should or shouldn’t have done during the competition. It could be at a work meeting where people are mentally reflecting on someone’s composure, dress, or even their suggestions as ideas are shared for a specific project. It might even be at a grocery store where a mama may be scrutinized for her control of or lack thereof regarding her young children. No matter where we go or what we do, we should be mindful that we are always under the critical eyes of others.

Christians are also subject to the ever-present ever-probing observations from others, but there are two other spectators in the life of every Christian in whom must be recognized as having vast importance when it comes to the manifestations of our faith. Luke 7:1-10 reveals these three spectators in a meeting between a Roman centurion and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Three Spectators in a Christian’s Life

1) Others – The first spectator is anyone other than ourselves. Our testimonies are carefully watched by other individuals all the time. These people can be in or out of the church community. They can be the folks who live next door or the ones you sit next to in the pew on Sunday. Their observations of us either manifest Jesus or the world.  What others see in us can be a deterrent to the cause of Christ or an inspiration for others to follow Him. Our testimony is extremely powerful and very influential to those around us when it comes to sharing Jesus with others.

One such individual is found in Luke 7. In this narrative, Jesus is approached by the servant of a certain centurion who lived in Capernaum. Of behalf of his master, the servant is asking for Jesus’ help in healing another servant of the centurion. The residents of Capernaum told Jesus that this centurion was a man who was worthy of Jesus’ attention and action.

Luke 7:4-5 records the elder Jews intervention on behalf of the centurion. “And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” Although a Gentile, the centurion was loved by the Jews for his actions.  The evidence in these verses indicate that the centurion may have adopted their religion and as a result, he built Capernaum’s house of worship.

2) Ourselves –  The second spectator is oneself. What do we see when we look at a mirror? If the centurion had a mirror, he would have seen a very humble man. Despite the fact that he was a highly trained Roman warrior, who was most likely decorated for valor in battle and respected by many, he was not a proud man. He didn’t believe that was he was worthy of Jesus coming to his home. He said in Luke 7:6-7, “…Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.”  He held such high regard for Jesus and yet, despite his position of authority, he felt unworthy to approach the Lord on his own behalf.

It’s important to realize that we are ALL unworthy to be in the presence of Jesus. God’s precious Son is the only One worthy to be honored and praised. Isaiah reminds us that all of our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags before the Lord. Everything we have is undeserved, unearned, and unmerited. It is only through the grace of God that we have the riches of heaven available to us through Jesus. Proverbs 27:2 instructs us, “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth…” James 4:10 states, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

3) God – The third spectator is the Lord. When Jesus heard the things spoken about the centurion, the Bible tell us that He marveled at the soldier’s faith. Here was a Gentile who lived in Israel, a religious nation, but a nation that refused to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. The centurion demonstrated a faith that Jesus stated he has not seen in all of the land (v9). Jesus commended the faith of this centurion.

What does God see when He looks at you or me? Is He well-pleased? Is He honored and glorified through our lives, or is the Lord grieved at how our faith is manifested to others? Our responsibility as Christians is to serve God to the best of our ability, according to His Word. As servants of God, we should strive to please Him in everything we do. Galatians 1:10 states, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” God should see His Son reflected in our lives at all times.

Every moment of our lives is under continual surveillance by these three spectators. How you show yourself to each one speaks volumes. What story does your life tell?

I saw Jesus in you, I saw Jesus in you,
I could hear His voice in the words you said
I saw Jesus in you.
In your eyes I saw His care, I could see His love was there,
You were faithful, and I saw Jesus in you.   

 (from “I Saw Jesus In You” by Ron Hamilton)

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:22-24.

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Does your life exalt Jesus or you?

(Special thanks to David Wade for sharing his thoughts on “Three Spectators” and allowing me to expound on them.)

 

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” – 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Paul is writing to the believers at the church in Thessalonica, recognizing their faithfulness to the work of the Lord and thanking God for them. As I read this chapter, I was immediately reminded of several women in my life, whom I can remember “…without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father”. What special ladies they were to me!

One such sweet lady was Mrs. Dot (pictured above). She was in her seventies when I met her. I don’t know a lot of her personal history except that she had been raised in an orphanage. (Her favorite song was “The Family of God” – especially verse 2!) She had eventually fell in love, married, and had children… one of whom taught the 2- and 3-year-olds in Sunday school with her. I do know Mrs. Dot had many health issues. She had crippling arthritis, which resulted in her spine and legs slowly being broken down, and she struggled to walk. She was also a brittle diabetic, and by the time she passed at the age of 86, she was nearly blind.

What I remember most about Mrs. Dot is her faithfulness to the Lord. I do not recall a Sunday when she wasn’t in church, faithfully teaching her little ones, two of which were my granddaughters. I have a picture, which I cherish, of her praying with my eldest granddaughter in her class. Despite the pain she experienced in walking, she would climb up and down the stairs that led to her Sunday school room every week to minister to the children. Her determination reflects the instruction in Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Regardless of her physical challenges, Mrs. Dot ran her race with patience and great resolve.

Another area in which she served was AWANA, our mid-week children’s ministry. She came to my class of kindergarten through 2nd grade children to help listen to them say their verses. She once told me that she couldn’t do a lot, but she could sit in a chair and help children learn their memory verses. What a lady! This is truly a godly heritage, and her legacy lives on in the Sparkies whose lives she impacted.

When I reflect upon what the Lord has done for me, how can I strive to be a godly woman like Mrs. Dot? How can I not serve Him to the best of my ability? 1 Samuel 12:24 states, “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” When I am feeling tired, overwhelmed, or suffering from joint pains, I am reminded of women like Mrs. Dot, who fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished their course strong (I Timothy 4:7). Their examples remind me that even at the age of 70, I potentially have many more years to serve Jesus if the Lord so wills. Right now, I am not really limited in my areas of service, but that may one day change. Will that be time for me to stop working in the church? I think not! It may be time to find another area of service that is more conducive to what this earthly vessel can do as it ages, but I believe without a doubt, I will always be able to sit in a chair and listen to children say verses!

As long as a Christian is living, he or she can be used of God. In fact, when my work for Jesus is complete, I believe that is the moment He will take me home to heaven. Until then, it is my responsibility to keep my eyes on the prize set before me and run the race He has given me with patience and endurance.

I praise the Lord for the faithful women He has placed in my life to be examples for me. Their legacy lives on in the lives of the children they have touched and the women they have inspired. May I, through God’s strength and guidance, serve Him faithfully as long as He gives me breath.  I pray that I will “…press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14) as Mrs. Dot and so many other godly ladies I have known, and “… be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Lord, we ask for courage to face our struggles each day.

Fears of the past shall not last if we faithfully stay.

Let Your passion consume us, as to the truth we hold.

With our calling so sure, victory secure, steadfast we press to the goal.

Keep the race before us; keep our hearts turned toward the prize

With patience and endurance, the cross standing firm in our eyes.

Keep the race before us; and reward us, Lord, by Your grace

With crowns of righteousness from the righteous Judge,

When we have finished the race.

(from “Keep the Race Before Us” by Ron and Shelly Hamilton)

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24

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Imagine the joy in her heart when Mrs. Dot heard Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant...” (Matthew 25:23). One day, may we hear those same words spoken by our Saviour!

 

 

 

 

 

It’s spring! I love this time of year! It’s starting to warm up; tiny green leaves are making their appearance on branches of trees, and multi-colored flowers are beginning to bloom! Everything is so beautiful!

Another thing that often happens at this time of year is my annual spring cleaning! I “invite” my granddaughters to help me clean the dusty nooks and crannies, wash the curtains, and vacuum under the bed and behind the furniture! It’s a job, but when we are done, everything sparkles!

I can clean just about anything I want… my house, my car, my clothes, my dishes… I could list a bunch of things, but there’s one thing that I cannot get clean no matter how hard I try or how many cleaning supplies I use.

I cannot clean my heart. I don’t mean my physical heart that is beating inside my body. When I talk about a heart that is unclean, I am referring to my life, which is dirty with sin. It doesn’t matter how much I try to “clean up my act”… the truth is I cannot get rid of the darkness of sin that lives within me.

Even if I try and do good things, like obey the speed limit, or give money to charities, or even by coming to church, my heart doesn’t get clean from sin. Isaiah 64:6 states, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”  All my good works, my works of “righteousness”, are like dirty rags to God! Can you imagine that? There is nothing I can do that will make me clean in God’s eyes! That also means that I cannot get into heaven with a dirty sinful heart because God doesn’t allow anything that isn’t clean into heaven. You see, heaven is perfect and without the presence of sin all the time. There are never any messes to clean up… no garbage cans, no muddy floors, no filthy hands, and NO DIRTY HEARTS!

But there’s good news! There is someone who can clean up a dirty heart! That someone is the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s beloved Son! He alone can make a sinful heart clean! When Jesus died on the cross, taking the burden of all our dirty sins upon Himself, He made a way for us to become clean and be acceptable to God! The Bible says that Jesus is the only way to obtain salvation – the forgiveness of sins. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

However, there is one caveat. This doesn’t happen automatically. When my house is dirty, the broom and duster don’t start cleaning all by themselves. I have to take action to clean the dirty places. It’s the same for getting the dirty sin out of my heart. Even though it is Jesus who washes away my sins, I have to take action first, but it’s super simple!

Once I realized that my heart was filled with sin, my action was to ASK Jesus to forgive me, and in doing so, He “washed away” those dirty sins and made me sparkling clean forever! Isaiah 1:18 states, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” And when Jesus forgives, it’s for all sins, past, present, and future! I am saved forever through Jesus! Now, when God looks at me, He no longer sees a dirty sinful heart. He sees someone who believed in Jesus to save her and chose Christ to be her Saviour! One future day, God will welcome me into His heaven because of my faith in His Son. Psalm 51:10 states, “Create in me a clean heart, O GOD, and renew a right spirit within me.” It is Jesus who makes our hearts clean and right in God’s eyes.

I am so glad my heart is no longer dirty with sin. Jesus “washed away all the filthiness of sin” the moment I asked Him! I now have the assurance that one day, I will live forever with Him in heaven.That is salvation! Jesus has saved me from the punishment of my sins, which is separation from God forever  in hell, a place that God actually prepared for Satan and the fallen angels. By accepting Jesus as my Saviour, I am assured of an eternity with Him in His perfect sinless heaven!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Have you ever asked Jesus to wash away all the dirty sins in your heart? Maybe you’d like to do that now. It’s really simple. All you need to do is understand that you are a sinner and believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for those sins and rose again to become the Saviour of the world! Then you simply need to ask Him for His forgiveness! That’s it! Jesus promises to save all those who call upon His name! Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Cleaning up a dirty sinful heart is just a prayer away!

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.

See if there be some wicked way in me;

Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free.

(from “Search Me, O God” by J. Edwin Orr)

“Create in me a clean heart, O GOD, and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10

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If you just asked Jesus to forgive you and save you from the sins of your dirty heart, please let me know! I will pray for you to grow in your new faith and relationship with Him! And I’ll look forward to meeting you in heaven one day!

 

“For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?” – Romans 11:24

Today, I was out in my flower garden admiring all the blooms, and I noticed an oddity. My white rose bush had some pink blooms growing among the white ones. I did a little research and discovered that a white rose bush can develop a few pink roses due to grafting or a mutation. Since I had never grafted any other rose plant into my original white rose bush, the pink roses were a delightful surprise for me!

As I admired them, I was reminded (I love how the Holy Spirit does that!) that I am not part of God’s chosen nation, Israel, but I am part of His family because I have been grafted into His family through Jesus! In Romans 11:24, the word “graffed” is used. It is an archaic form of the word “grafted”, and means “to unite a bud or a plant shoot with a different growing plant by inserting the piece of the original plant into the second plant”. Upon salvation, I am “grafted” into the Saviour. Jesus refers to Himself as the Vine and His followers as the branches. John 15:5 records His words. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” As a branch separated from its host plant, I would surely die, but once I am grafted into the living Vine, I am given a new life with the opportunity to grow. But there’s more!

As a “grafted” branch in Jesus, I also become a joint-heir with Him! “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” – Romans 8:16-17. This means that what Jesus inherits, so do I and all other true believers.

This inheritance is two-fold. First, since Jesus suffered, I will also suffer, and being in this fleshly tabernacle, I constantly face struggles, challenges, and illnesses. Romans 8:18 states, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” When I read about people in the Bible like Mary (Jesus’ mother), Stephen, Paul and others, I see how they suffered physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. However, I also read how God was always with them every step of the way, providing His strength and the truth of His Word to get them through every difficulty. This is a comfort to me knowing that when I go through hard times, God will always be faithful to help me as well.

The second aspect of being a joint-heir is also seen in Romans 8:18. God’s glory will one day be revealed in me when I am raised to eternal life and glory just like Jesus was! Because I am still in my sinful carnal body, this second part of my inheritance is yet to be. However, as a saved child of God, I have a new life in Jesus and my mind is being transformed in this life! Romans 12:2 states, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within me! Through God’s Word, His Spirit teaches, convicts, and renews me, making me more like Jesus every day!

Eventually, I will be transformed spiritually when the Lord calls me home, either by death or the rapture, and then I will receive everything that Jesus receives! My inheritance will be “…incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:4). That is when I will experience the glory of God face-to-face in heaven! What an amazing day that will be!

Whatever else God has for me… and there is more… I cannot even begin to fathom. 1 Corinthians 2:9 states, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Finally, God does make a last comment about my inheritance. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” – Revelation 21:7. All things! Wow! What an inheritance awaits me!

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God

I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod

For I’m part of the family, the family of God!

(from “The Family of God” by Bill & Gloria Gaither)

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:7

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Are you a joint-heir with Jesus? If not, I’d love to tell you how you can be!

 

The Problem

Recently, I was struggling with a situation in my life and pondered what the Lord was trying to teach me through the experience. After some prayer and contemplation, I thought that perhaps I should just be satisfied with how things were and not take any action. After all, I reasoned, perhaps this was just a “thorn in my side”, and I should merely be content and not dwell on the issue. However, the more I reflected on this, the more the prospect of simply becoming resigned to the circumstances came to mind, and I had to ask myself if I was being content or just complacent.

According to Merriam-Webster, “complacency” is defined as “self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies”. It is also described as “an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one’s situation or achievements”. Any time I see the word “self-satisfaction”, a red flag goes up! In this case, the definition of complacency sounds suspiciously like a synonym for being prideful or arrogant in one’s status or situation to the point where it’s fine to just sit back and do nothing because we are “satisfied” with the ways things are.

Conversely, the definition of “contentment” is “the state of being satisfied with one’s possessions, status, or situation” and that everything needed to fulfill the biblical responsibilities that God has for one to accomplish, He will provide. Notice, the prefix of “self-” is not attached to the word “satisfied” in this definition. Contentment involves acknowledging certain circumstances are beyond one’s own control and trusting God to achieve that particular goal or purpose through His power working in you. It is the acceptance that, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

So, how can I be content without becoming complacent?

One of the most familiar verses about contentment is Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” One of the most important words in this verse is “learned”.  Contentment is not automatic. It is a learned response.

The Preparation

Preparing to learn is critical if understanding and growth is the desired outcome. The Bible states in 1 Peter 1:13, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

1) I must be a student who has a heart that is open and desiring to learn.

• “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5
• An active faith is demonstrated by seeking God and His wisdom.

2) I must have a teacher who is knowledgeable.

• “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” – John 14:26
• With God as my teacher, I can rely on every morsel of knowledge He gives as truth because He is truth!

3) I must have a reliable textbook.

• “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” – 2 Timothy 3:15
• The Bible is the Word of God. It is essentially “The Lord in print”. No errors; no lies, and it will endure forever.

The Precedent

Complacency stifles spiritual understanding and growth. It is characterized by a spirit that is noncommittal, accepting what is without any aspiration to become all that you can be… all that God desires for you to be. This is the “whatever” mentality, and Jesus speaks to this in Revelation 3:16 when He addresses the church in Laodicea, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Complacency is being lukewarm. It is also NOT a learned response. It is part of the sin nature of humanity. Complacency stops us from becoming all that God intends for us as we go through our lives. Becoming satisfied in the “whatevers” of life is not glorifying to God, nor is it an attribute He desires to see in us.

On the other hand, I may be unsure of what to do in a given circumstance, but learning contentment allows me to have a mindset that regardless of who I am, where I have, what I have… God has a purpose for me, and He will equip me to do the work. Contentment gives me enthusiasm and excitement in serving the Lord regardless of what challenges I may face in my life because I am consciously aware that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). The ONLY way I can learn this is through experience.

God allows challenges in my life to help me learn some very important concepts that will help me develop a deep satisfaction with my life in Him, and that will lead to a strong and abiding contentment in my heart and soul.

Here are three Biblical examples of individuals who learned contentment through adversity:

• Joseph – This young man was hated by his brothers, sold into Egyptian slavery, falsely imprisoned, and forgotten by all except God. Eventually, he became a ruler in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, and saved his family from famine. Joseph endured great hardships in his life, but through it all, he held on to his faith, trusting God for the outcome. Genesis 50:20 records his words, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Joseph’s life is a picture of contentment in the Lord regardless of the circumstances.
• Ruth – This young Moabite woman had gone through the loss of a husband, a father-in-law, and a brother-in-law. Now, she was facing a future of poverty and rejection from a culture that was an enemy of her homeland when she accompanied Naomi, her mother-in-law back to Israel. Because of her faith and trust in the true God, Ruth demonstrated contentment to go wherever He would lead her when she said to Naomi, “… for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:” (Ruth 1:16). Her contentment resulted in her becoming the great grandmother of David.
• Paul – A few of the experiences that Paul endured included being beaten with rods, stoned, imprisoned, and shipwrecked, still he continued to do God’s will in his missionary journeys. Additionally, Paul stated he had a “thorn in the flesh” that God did not remove despite his praying for deliverance from it. Through all adversities, Paul stated he had learned to be content in all situations (Philippians 4:11). His contentment resulted in the gospel message being shared with the Gentile nations.

Notice that each of these three individuals (as well as others in Scripture) went through difficult times that they were not able to control; they had to rely on God, but that did not stop them from taking action. They didn’t just sit back and take a “whatever” attitude. They never allowed their circumstances to replace or even dampen their faith in God or their service to Him. They may have had moments when they cried out to God in anguish, but they were always accepted His decisions, and they chose to obey and keep going. Through their experiences, they learned to be content, not complacent.

To be content like these Biblical examples, I, too, must have a pro-active faith. I must do what God directs me to do; I must trust Him to do that which I cannot; and I must be willing to allow Him to be holding the reins at all times. Never should I never usurp His position as God for He reminds me, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The Plan

Here are the four steps of the Biblical formula for contentment.

1) Trust in the Lord – “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” – Psalm 37:3

• Placing my trust in the One who will never make a mistake in guidng me is the first step. Knowing God will always lead me in His paths of righteousness toward what is best for me and to what His will is for me gives me peace and contentment.
• My faith must be actively “doing good” to perpetuate contentment. Passivity only breeds complacency.

2) Delight in the Lord – “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” – Psalm 37:4

• Delighting in God means to take great pleasure in Him! When I immerse myself into my relationship with Jesus, and my will begins to align with His, I find my heart and soul experience unexplainable contentment. The closer I am with God, the greater the contentment.

3) Commit My Plans to the Lord – “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” – Psalm 37:5

• Committing my plans to God means I must partner with Him via prayer and Bible study.  I must direct my actions to bring Him glory and honor! I must share my heart with Him and then rely on Him to guide me throug His Word to a successful outcome. Without His involvement in my plans, I will become complacent, satisfied with the world’s view of “whatever”, and miss out on God’s blessings through His interactions with me.
• Whatever I am facing in this life, when I seek God’s will and guidance, dedicating my actions to bringing Him glory (refocusing from me to Him), God will make it happen. He brings to pass my safe navigation through whatever challenge or struggle I am facing. There is no obstacle too great for God to overcome. The key to contentment is letting God make it happen in His time frame.

4) Rest in the Lord – “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” -Psalm 37:7

• This is perhaps the most difficult step of all for me. Resting in God means trusting Him to meet all my needs and surrendering control to Him. It means to trust Him to leadand release all anxiety and worry in that trust.
• Waiting patiently on God is another area of difficulty for me. It is good to remember that longsuffering is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which means that I need to cultivate it by striving to wait patiently on God to direct me on how to proceed as I face challenges in my life. This is done through His Word and prayer.

The Payoff

Contentment in the Lord doesn’t mean that my life is void of conflict, struggles, or frustrations. It means that despite these things, I am content because I have shifted my focus from me to Him. When I am content in the Lord, I have the following:

• Joy – “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” – 1 Peter 1:8
• Peace – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3
• Hope – “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” – Romans 15:13

Have I mastered the art of contentment? Not at all. It is, and will continue to be, a continual learning process for me that will most likely continue until God calls me home. The good news is I am actively learning that “… in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

(from “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio G. Spafford)

“And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” – Isaiah 58:11

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Where’s your focus today? Are you looking inward or upward?

 

Have you ever made a dinner reservation and then when you arrived at the appointed time, you were told that your name was not on the list? Furthermore, despite a heated conversation with the host or hostess, you find out the wait for a table is over an hour, and to say you’re a bit upset is a gross understatement! You vigorously state you made the call days earlier and then you ask for the list to be checked again. Sadly, your name really isn’t there. Things are not going your way, and you end up leaving, bitterly disappointed, and vowing never to visit the restaurant again.

Imagine what it will be like one day when a person, standing before the Lord Jesus Christ, is told that his name is not on Jesus’ list… the one found in the Lamb’s Book of Life. This heavenly book is the reservation list for all those who have accepted Christ’s forgiveness of sins and made Him Lord of their lives. If a person has never accepted Jesus as Saviour, their name will not be found in His book. Admission into heaven will not be permitted. In fact, Jesus will say, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:41).

The Lord states this after the people are asking why they aren’t on the list. They thought they should have been because they had done things in life that were considered good, but Isaiah 64:6 reminds us, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Our salvation is not dependent upon anything we can do ourselves. Arguing with the Lord that our works and personal righteousness should entitle us to heaven will be futile. Jesus confirms in John 14:6 that, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” It is only through believing in His atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection and accepting His forgiveness for sins will we have eternal life in heaven… only then will our names be on His list in His book of life.

Imagine the joy that one who has been saved from their sins by Jesus will experience when they arrive to heaven. The Bible gives us a very limited glimpse into what true believers will find in heaven:

• A Divine Welcome
  • “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:11
• Eternal Joy
  • “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” – Psalm 16:11
• No sadness
  • “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
• Glorified bodies
  • “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” – 1 John 3:2
• Constant presence of Jesus
  • “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” – Ephesians 2:6
• Perfect Peace
  • “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Wow! This is one list you definitely want your name on!

Lord, I care not for riches, neither silver nor gold;

I would make sure of heaven, I would enter the fold.
In the book of Thy kingdom with its pages so fair,
Tell me, Jesus, my Savior, is my name written there?

Is my name written there on the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom, is my name written there?

 

Lord, my sins they are many, like the sands of the sea,
But Thy blood, O my Savior, is sufficient for me;
For Thy promise is written in bright letters that glow,
“Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them like snow.”

Is my name written there on the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom, is my name written there?

(from “Is My Name Written There?” by Mary A. Kidder)

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:15

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If you’re not sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, today is a good day to make sure!

 

 

 

 

 

The other day, I was on the phone hoping to get some answers regarding an online subscription. The automated message placed me on hold, and I waited for a real person to come on the line. As the minutes droned on, I continued to wait, but my frustration was growing, as I listened to static-filled music, wondering when someone would join the call.

Another time, I went to renew a driver’s license at the DMV. I had to take a number, sit and wait until my number was called to start the process. Even more unsettling was the digital read-out on the wall that had the current number being served. Mine was more than 10 numbers out. It was going to be a long wait.

Have you ever been a situation where you had to wait and wait and then wait some more for something? It can be extremely  exacerbating! I have to admit that there have been times when I’ve actually given up and either hung up the phone or left the facility to try again another time. (Kind of futile since the situation will be unchanged when I try again!)

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was never a need to wait to speak with a person? Imagine what it would be like if there was someone who was always ready and waiting to speak with you at any given moment on any given day for any given reason!

There is!

I never have to take a number or wait in a line to speak with my heavenly Father! In fact, the Bible tells me in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” To “come boldy” means that I can come to God in a confident and courageous way without any fear or hesitancy!

In Old Testament times, approaching a king without being summoned could result in imprisonment or even death as evidenced in Esther 4:11. “All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.” I don’t have to fear anything when I approach the King of kings, nor do I have to wait for Him to summons me into His presence. God yearns for me to come to Him!

He bids me to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) because He loves me so much that He desires for me to share what is in my heart, and then He wants to share with me what is in His heart! Psalm 100 bids me to “…come before his presence with singing” and “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

How can I boldly come into His presence?

• I can come into God’s presence lifting my voice in worship and praise to the ONLY ONE who deserves it… MY heavenly Father!
  • I worship Him because He is the Creator of all things!
    • “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” (Psalm 95:6)
  • I worship Him because of His great love for me!
    • “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.” (Psalm 63:3-4)
  • I worship Him because He is worthy!
    • “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
• I can come to God’s throne with a heart of thanksgiving!
  • I give thanks because His mercies are eternal!
    • “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:26)
  • I give thanks because God is so good!
    • “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good…” (Psalm 106:1)
  • I give thanks because He gave me His Son, Jesus, to be my Saviour!
    • “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;” (1 Corinthians 1:4)

God beckons me to come boldly into His throne room without having to wait for my turn. God can listen and talk to anybody at any time. If millions of people are pouring their hearts out to Him in prayer, He is able to hear every one the moment they call out to Him as if they were the only one praying! Unlike God, it is nearly impossible for me to talk to two people at one time. If my husband is talking with me, and then my granddaughter comes over to chat, I have to ask one of them to stop talking because I can only give my full attention to one at a time. I have to say, “Wait a minute, please! I can only hear one of you at a time.” But that is not the case with God. He hears me whenever I pray, and I never have to wait on Him.

The heavenly Father loves His children so much that He wants to hear each one’s voice, to know each one’s heart’s desires, and He wants each of us to know His heart’s desires for us. His invitation to come into His presence at any time for any reason is always open, and there is never any waiting! Guaranteed!

Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea

A great High Priest whose name is love, Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart

I know that while in heav’n He stands, No tongue can bid me thence depart

No tongue can bid me thence depart 

(from “Before the Throne of God” by Charitie Lees Smith)

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” – Ephesians 3:12

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The invitation is always there. Why not accept it and spend some time with God today?

(Special thanks to my sweet friend, Barb Depew, for sharing her thoughts on “Entering the Throne Room Boldly” and allowing me to expound on them!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” – Luke 24:32

Three days after the crucifixion of Jesus, two of His followers were walking to Emmaus, a town that was about 7 miles from Jerusalem. No doubt they were heartbroken over the events of the past few days, and the Scriptures tell us that these men were discussing the things that had recently happened in the city. As they walked, they met a man whose identity was unknown to them. The stranger inquired as to their sadness, and they were somewhat taken aback that this man did not know of all that had transpired jsut a few days earlier in Jerusalem.

Cleopas, one of the men, stated, “…Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?” (Luke 24:18). He then explained about Jesus’ crucifixion and their shattered hopes of Him being the one who would “redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). It seems they did not believe that Jesus would live again as He had stated, or they would have undoubtedly stayed in Jerusalem to see Him after His resurrection. Instead, they left the city, dejected, defeated, and without hope.

This account continues as Jesus first admonishes them for their disbelief, and then begins to recount the prophecies from Old Testament Scriptures about Himself. As the trio nears Emmaus, the two men, still not knowing who it is who is walking with them, invite Jesus to stay with them. Jesus accepts their invitation, and when it is time to have a meal, He takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, and gives it to the men. At that moment, the eyes of Cleopas and his friend are opened, and they immediately realize in whose presence they are (Luke 24:31). Once they recognize Him, Jesus vanishes.

The Bible states that these two men then rushed back to Jerusalem and proclaimed to the disciples and other followers, “The Lord is risen indeed!” (Luke 24: 34). For them, seeing was believing!

There are so many times and places in our own lives when Jesus is present, but not recognized.

He is in the whisper of the wind, the colors of the sky at sunset, and the morning melodies of the birds. He is present when a mother feels the first kick of the child within her; when a newborn baby draws its first breath; when a child blows the seeds off a dandelion. Jesus is present as the trees lift their branches toward heaven, and the waves crash against the shore. He is there when the snowflakes fall gently to the ground, and the stars shine brightly in the night. He is everywhere, waiting, not just to be seen, but to be recognized as our Lord and Saviour!

Easter is a time when many of us do “see” Jesus, but do we truly recognize Him for Who He is? John the Baptist did. He recognized Jesus immediately and proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” (John 1:9).

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provided the way to redemption and eternal life in heaven for anyone who trusts in Him as Lord and Saviour. His resurrection proved He is the Son of God, and He alone has the power to forgive us and redeem us from our sins! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

(from “Open Our Eyes” by Robert Cull)

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” – Psalm 119:18

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“He is risen indeed!” is the heart’s cry of recognition! Does your heart recognize Jesus as the Risen Saviour?

 

 

 

 

 

My husband and I love to travel. We plan multiple trips throughout the year, and they may be camping trips, cruises, or just road trips! No matter how we are traveling, however, they all have similarities.

1. DESTINATION

It’s not wise to take off without knowing to where you are heading! Without a specific destination in mind, one might meander around aimlessly. I don’t mind a spontaneous side trip now and then, but I really need to have an end destination in mind when we travel.

Once we have the destination, we need to know the route we are going to take. Whenever we go on road or camping trips, we often like to take the back roads instead of the main highways because the way is often has nicer scenery, less congestion, and it’s easier to settle into a relaxed pace. Once that is settled, we were ready to begin the preparations.

2. PREPARATIONS

Every trip requires preparation. It could be as simple as packing an overnight bag with the bare essentials to making a reservation, securing a passport, or packing several luggage cases! Even when camping in our trailer, there are many items that need to be stocked up or replaced before we hit the road.

We also visit the websites and read brochures about the places we intend to visit. The anticipation of seeing the things pictured online or in the flyers grows as our departure dates get nearer!

3. TRAVELERS

Our trips are more enjoyable (at least for me) when I have someone to go with me! I’m just not a solo traveler. Of course, my hubby is my first choice as a travel partner, but traveling with other family members or friends adds a whole new dimension of fun to our trips! Having others with us when camping or vacationing is such a treat, and the memories we make are so cherished!

4. THE JOURNEY

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to take in the scenery as we drive along. It’s much more fun for me to be the navigator than the driver. My husband gets to look around as he drives, but not as in depth as I can do because he has to maintain constant attention to the road and traffic around us. I, however, get to look for animals (my favorite thing to do!), take in the scenic views as we drive, and even take pictures along the way!

 

A TRIP THAT IS “OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD”!

I am reminded of another trip we’ll be taking one day. It will be the best place of all the places we’ve visited. We’ve already started the trip planning!

• Destination
  • Our last trip will be to a place often referred to as “Beulah Land”, which is a symbolic name for HEAVEN! This trip will undoubtedly be the best one we’ll ever take!
  • As one who has placed my faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, I know that one future day, I’ll be going to heaven to be with Him forever! While I don’t have a website I can visit, I do have a “brochure” that gives me a glimpse of what this heavenly destination will be like. The Bible provides some insight into heaven, but it clearly is too amazing to be put into words that we can comprehend at this time. I do know that the beauty of earth’s most incredible places, like Yosemite, the Swiss Alps, Iguazu Falls, and others, will pale in comparison to the beauty of heaven! The Bible tells us, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
  • As in all of our other trips, we do need to know the route. The route to heaven is given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Now, that we know where we’re going and the way to get there, we have to make our preparations!

• Preparations
  • Sometimes when I’m trip planning, it takes weeks to complete. If it’s a camping trip, I’m purchasing and then packing the camper with what we’ll need. If we’re traveling abroad, it’s making sure my passport is current, the luggage is packed, getting the necessary vaccinations, and having emergency contact numbers in place. It’s quite a chore!
  • In contrast, there are only two preps that I need to make for my trip to heaven. The first of my preparations has already been completed, and it was quite simple… as simple as A-B-C!
    • The first step was “A” – Admit I was a sinner. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” That is done and checked off my list!
    • The second step was “B” – Believe that Jesus is God’s Son, that He died on the cross to pay for my sins, and that He rose from the dead 3 days later. Acts 16:31 states, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” I do believe! #2 is checked off!
    • The third and last step was “C” – Choose Him to be my Lord and Saviour, and Call upon Him to forgive me! Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Done! (I finished this prep for my heavenly trip in March 1968!)
  • The second part of my preparation for my trip to heaven is to familiarize myself with the sights and sounds I will experience. While I don’t have a website I can visit, I do have a “brochure” that gives me a glimpse of what this heavenly destination will be like. The Bible is provides me with some insight into heaven, but my ultimate destination is clearly too amazing to be put into words that I can comprehend at this time. I do know that the beauty of earth’s most incredible places, like Yosemite, the Swiss Alps, Iguazu Falls, and others, will pale in comparison to the beauty of heaven! Just seeing my Saviour face-to-face will be the most incredible part of this trip, and then I am hoping to get a divine tour of the place!

• Travelers
  • This is one trip in which I want to have as many family and friends as possible accompany me! I know the Lord desires that as well. The Bible tells me that God is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Since everyone in my family is saved, I know that they will be with me. Most of my friends also are saved, but I know others who are not. So, my job is not only to share the wonderful joys of a trip to heaven with those who don’t know about it, but to also share how they can get their own reservation for the trip! Jesus gave this directive to all believers, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19). A few of the ways I do that is by sharing the gospel one-on-one, leaving a tract in a restaurant, or teaching a Sunday school class, but one of the best ways is to live a life that reflects Jesus to others! Being a living testimony speaks so much louder than my words ever will!

• The Journey
  • The actual traveling time for this trip will be so quick. In fact, the Bible tells us that the departure will be as fast as the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52)! There will be two times of departure. The first will be for those believers who have died, and the second will be for the Christians who are still living. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes the departure as this: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I’m not sure at this time which one will be my designated time, but I do know that I am ready to go… just waiting for the shout and the trumpet sound!

God’s invitation to heaven is for everyone! That includes YOU! Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Let’s go!

I’m kind of homesick for a country to which I’ve never been before.
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken for time won’t matter anymore.

Beulah Land, I’m longing for you and some day on thee I’ll stand

There my home shall be eternal, Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land

(from “Beulah Land” by Squire Parsons)

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By the way, you know how when you’re on a fabulous vacation, you don’t ever want it to end? Well, this trip to heaven won’t! It is eternal! I am so ready! Are you?