When’s the Last Time You Thought About Heaven?
and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11 ESV)
When it comes to the subject of Jesus’ return to earth, there seem to be two extremes within Christian culture. Some believers seem to have their heads in the clouds, but have no impact in the world around them. Then there are others who are more hip than holy.
Some gaze constantly toward heaven; others barely give heaven a glance.
Somewhere between those extremes is found the beauty of expectancy, coupled with a heart for the world.
Quite honestly, I don’t think we talk about heaven enough. Old-school saints know about heaven. They grew up hearing sermons about it (and hell). They sang about heaven. They long for heaven.
I find myself longing for heaven more than ever before. When someone I love dies I pause and thank God for the promise of heaven.
But while meditating on the wonders of spending eternity with Jesus, I find myself motivated with a compassion to reach the world with the hope of Jesus. Heaven motivates me to reach the world.
Father,
Thank You for heaven. Help me to get more people there.
Amen.
Loving People Who Don’t Deserve It
So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. (Luke 20:20 ESV)
A hard lesson I have learned, particularly as a leader, is that not everybody in my life is seeking my good.
Peppered amongst the group of people who surround me – family, friends, church, etc. – there are people who seem sincere, but whose loyalties lie elsewhere.
I can have a few different responses:
1. Ignorance. I can blissfully go through life assuming that everyone likes me and is for me. But one day I will learn a very hard lesson.
2. Defensiveness. I can distrust everybody and become skeptical. Conspiracy theories will prevent me from having any valuable relationships at all.
3. Faithfulness. I can be loyal and honest, despite the people in life who aren’t.
Long before He was betrayed, Jesus perceived (by the Holy Spirit) that Judas would be disloyal. But Judas’ disloyalty never changed Jesus’ faithfulness.
In fact, Jesus even called Judas His friend.
Being like Jesus means being loving people who don’t deserve it.
It’s easy to love people who love you. But God’s love goes deeper.
Father,
Help me to love people unconditionally.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blinded By My Own Perspective
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Luke 13:34 ESV)
Both of my kids are certified lifeguards. They were trained to recognize the signs of someone who is having trouble in the water, and to respond accordingly.
However, when a person is struggling in the water, they can begin to panic. Often a drowning victim will even fight against their rescuer, instead of allowing him/her to bring them to safety.
Jesus mourned over the people of Jerusalem because they resisted the very Person who was there to rescue them.
I wonder how often I have resisted the hand of God in my life. He is there, ready to do a great work, but I am blinded by my own perspective.
Father,
Please give me discernment to know the work of Your hand in my life, so that I can receive all that You desire to do in me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
My Decisions Determine My Destiny
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: (Luke 6:12-13 ESV)
Yesterday I had a conversation with my daughter, helping her make some decisions regarding which upcoming classes to take at college. Her short-term decisions can set her up for long-term success.
Last night my wife and I attended my son’s “Meet-the-Teacher” night at his high school. His teachers all spoke well of him and his progress – a sign that he has made some good choices over the last several weeks, since school began.
Each of us faces choices. There are times when I have made poor choices, which have cost me. There are also times when I have made good choices, and enjoyed the benefits of wisdom.
My decisions determine my destiny.
Before making the decision as to who would be His closest partners in ministry, Jesus took time for sincere, sustained prayer. He took some time to be alone with God, and sought for God’s wisdom for this important decision.
Too often I have made decisions without consulting God. It’s not that I purposefully excluded God; it’s just that I got caught up leaning on my own understanding.
Joshua once made a covenant with a group of men who had come to him for help. Had Joshua known that they were deceiving him, he would not have made that decision. He failed to inquire of God, and it cost him.
On the other hand, David, on one occasion, asked The Lord: “Should I pursue this enemy?” The Lord responded by giving David a clear strategy, which resulted in a great victory for the kingdom.
What decisions are you facing today? Whether small or great, today’s decisions determine tomorrow’s destination.
It would be well worth your time to pause and seek the wisdom of The Lord. Ask Him to show you what to do. He promised to give you wisdom in abundance, when you seek Him.
It’s also worth noting that, after Jesus spent time in prayer, he still chose Judas to be part of his team. Our good choices don’t preclude others from making poor choices. Each one of us is free to follow after The Lord…or not.
Father,
As I face various opportunities this week, I pray that I would hear Your wisdom. Speak to me, so that my choices can set me up for success.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Diligence Will Be Rewarded
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. (Psalm 128:1-2 ESV)
Few things are as satisfying as experiencing the rewards of your own work.
Standing back and looking at the bright, shiny car you just washed and waxed, seeing the straight lines and perfectly trimmed grass of your lawn after a day of mowing, smelling the clean scent of your home after hours of chores – these things can be very satisfying, albeit temporary.
Other things are more significant and require that much more diligence. Completing a long-term project at work and being commended by your boss, finishing that research paper and receiving high marks, celebrating twenty years of marriage – these things are more rewarding, partly because they were more demanding.
John was the longest living disciple/apostle of Jesus. All of the other original twelve had died, but John lived to be very old. His was not an easy life – in fact, he was exiled to the Island of Patmos in his mid-nineties!
Beneath the gray hair and wrinkled skin, John maintained a sharpness of mind and spirit that allowed him to write some of the most compelling and prophetic words ever penned.
One of his letters seemed to sum up the greatest satisfaction of his life. After decades of labor for The Lord, John said, “I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)
God promises us that, when we live in such a way as to fear and honor The Lord, we will experience the joy of our labor. I can think of no greater desire than to see my children – both physical children and the spiritual “adopted” children – to walk in the ways of God.
Father,
Today I declare by faith that all my children shall be taught of The Lord, and great shall be the peace of my children! (Isaiah 54:13)
I put my trust in You, therefore I will reap the rewards of my labors!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Pastor Dale Jenkins 