Tag: relief

Heaven: Worth The Hype

Todd Childress

There are times in our lives when we get hyped up and get excited about events we want to attend or new places we want to visit or new restaurants we want to try out and we go to these events, new places, and restaurants and they end up not meeting our expectations and we are left feeling disappointed. We can also get hyped up about our sports teams at the beginning of the season. The season ends and we are disappointed of the season’s outcome. I know several of us sure have been disappointed over the past four years with that Kentucky basketball team.

Fortunately for Christians, we know of a place that will always live up to the hype and surpass our highest expectations: Heaven.

  1. Why do we have the opportunity to be in Heaven with God/Jesus?

John 3:16 

Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins so that we can all have a home with Him and God for eternity in Heaven. We should always be grateful for his ultimate sacrifice.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus says, “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

There is room for all who seek and do God’s will. Jesus gave us this great promise that he has made a way for us to be in God’s presence and is actively working on a perfect place for us to live.

     2. Descriptions of Heaven, based on what the Bible says:

Revelation 21:4 tells us, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes: there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Really, if you think about it, Heaven is opposite of the World we live in. No pain, no death, no sorrow, no cancer, no sickness, no diseases, and NO SIN.

I also think about how we have had to say goodbye to loved ones who have passed on from this life. In Heaven, no more saying goodbye. We will be with them for eternity. Imagine the most beautiful ocean, or beach, or waterfalls, the most beautiful places on Earth you have seen. They do not compare to what our eyes will witness in Heaven. 

Likewise, think of the most wonderful and peaceful sounds like birds chirping, the relaxing sound of streams flowing, waves crashing on the shore. None of these sounds will compare to the sounds we will hear in Heaven.

  1. What can we do to make sure we are in Heaven?

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Earthly treasures wear out and can be stolen and are only temporary, but our treasures in Heaven will last for eternity. Jesus warns us against stockpiling money and possessions on earth. Instead, believers should make choices that allow them to store up treasures in Heaven. A person’s top priority can be God, or money, but cannot be both. We strive after what we desire and THAT is our treasure. What we treasure indicates what really owns us. So let us treasure God and make him our top priority.

Colossians 3:1-5 teaches,

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

In this scripture, Paul tells the Colossians since they have been buried and raised to new life, they ought to set their minds on things above rather than following religious rules and seeking to satisfy the opinions of men. We should do the same.

In October 2001 the Christian band Mercy Me released the song I Can Only Imagine.

In the song, the narrator wonders what it would be like to stand before God in heaven. 

 In the refrain, the singer ponders, “Will I dance for You Jesus/or in awe of you be still/Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall/Will I sing hallelujah/will I be able to speak at all/I can only imagine/I can only imagine”.

I want to encourage you and challenge you. Let’s not just imagine what Heaven may be like, let’s do God’s will and lay up treasures for ourselves in Heaven.  Let’s turn our imaginations into reality.

 I am really looking forward to when we are in Heaven together someday.

If you have not put Christ on in baptism to have your sins forgiven, but want to do so, today is a great opportunity. If you are a Christian and you have struggles that have kept you from focusing on Heavenly treasures, we will pray with you and encourage you. Heaven is worth the hype!

The Wandering Albatross

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Dale Pollard

Did you know? 

  1. The wandering Albatross is the biggest flying creature on earth today. 
  2. It’s lifespan can be over 60 years. 
  3. They can go years without ever touching the ground. 

Did you know? 

Many people today haven’t decided that God is the answer to the void we have in our lives. For this reason, James will give us the following instructions to help us in our prayer lives. 

He writes, 

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1.6 

God wants His children to trust Him, and He is ready to reward the evidence of our trust in Him. 

The Evidence 

We show God our faith in Him in two major ways based on this verse and its original context. 

  1. God’s where we go when we need wisdom (verse 5). 
  2. We’ve decided and are convinced that God is the answer by praying to Him without doubting His ability to aid us. 

Unlike the albatross that wanders for years without touching the ground, we’re not commanded to drift through the air without landing. We’re expected seek out the truth, land, and stay there. 

Maybe you’ve wandered off and you’re starting to see the signs. Signs like constant panic, unrest, anxiety, and feeling a loss of control. These can all point to a spiritual problem that you’re no longer grounded.

 God is always the answer and we can prove to Him that we believe this truth by letting Him take the lead. 

via Pixabay

God’s Spiritual Stimulus Plan

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

Gary III

Gary Pollard

Many Americans have recently been recipients of a stimulus check. Quite a few have taken that and made some big purchases or padded a savings account or used it for much-needed relief. Whether or not this stimulus was an economically sound decision, most have seen it as a well-timed gift that – at least in the short term – has lessened some of the difficulties of this pandemic. It was designed to bring relief, and for many it has. 

We often look at salvation as something we received at baptism (which we did, I Pt. 3.21, Acts 2.38, Col. 2.12-14). We are grateful to have grace and a mediator for when we fall short as Christians, and this gift is not something we should ever take for granted. 

When we think about how we got salvation, though, we don’t always think about the enormous amount of preparation that went into it. The ability to have our sin problem erased (Colossians describes it as a certificate of debt with legal demands in 2.14) is no small gift. 

I Peter 1.10-12 says, “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven – things into which angels long to look.” 

Briefly, I’d look to look at how this passage brings out the enormous value of salvation. Firstly, ancient prophets were told that this salvation was for future generations. They wrote about this while living under a far more difficult system of godly living, knowing that they would not be beneficiaries of that salvation. 

Secondly, the early church benefited from the sacrifices and hardships of those who brought the message of salvation to them. It was valuable enough that those men were willing to assume that risk to give it to others. 

Thirdly, angels – who, like the early prophets, are not beneficiaries of this salvation – were extremely interested in salvation. 

If two of the groups mentioned here were not even beneficiaries but strongly desired to know more about it or recorded it for all time, what does that tell us about salvation’s value? Peter set up its value this way to encourage the early church to live holy lives. 

Knowing just how valuable our salvation is should push us to live like we appreciate it! Not only does it have enormous value as a gift, the One who gave it wants us to have it. With that in mind, let’s cultivate greater appreciation and godliness because of the awesome gift of salvation. And if we know anyone who could use it, let’s pass the good news on to them, too. 

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 Homesick For Heaven 

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Daleheadshot

Dale Pollard

There is so much debate out there as to what Heaven will actually be like. Some make the argument that we just can’t know for sure. We know that there will be no tears in Heaven, so since that is the case there will definitely be some meatloaf there. Because in a place where there is no meatloaf present, I would cry. Now with that out of the way, let’s look at three quick promises about Heaven.

First there is the promise of “relationship.” In Revelation 21:3 it says, “He will dwell among us…” Not just any relationship, an actual relationship with Jesus Christ.

The second promise is that of “Relief.” In the very next verse it says, “God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” How many of us can’t wait for that day?

Now the third promise is one that is pulled from a verse that many people do not like to read. In Revelation 21:8 we see that there is a promise of “refuge.” You see, Heaven is going to be so great because of who will not be there. After we get a glimpse of what is promised to those who love Him (James 1:12), we see what is promised to those that don’t. Yet even here we see a blessing. Heaven is going to be place that is absent of, “…the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars…” Heaven is going to be a place filled with family. The faithful Church family.

I’m going to Heaven! It’s a choice. It’s a choice to live right and follow Christ no matter what. You have the ability to say it confidently and you should never have to wonder if you’re going to Heaven. It’s a promise! Take hold of that promise, because it’s the only thing that matters.

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