HEAVEN

 

What is heaven and are you going to go there when you leave this earth some day? How do you know?

 

Many denominations teach many things, but it is the Bible that is our guidebook before leaving this Earth. Heaven is going to be wonderful. So many people assume just because they are a good person that that is all that is necessary to get the keys to get into heaven so to speak.

In 2 Corinthians 5:1-5(NIV) says 'For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.'

Hollywood may try to depict what their idea is of heaven but it says both Psalm 31:19 and 1 Corinthians 2:9 that basically no one can imagine what God has prepared for those that love Him. Read both verses.

People may say "I am a good person. I go to church. I help people" but the Bible says in Matthew7:21-23(NKJV) 'Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Be sure you are ready. It is not just one denomination that will get in. There will also no doubt be surprises. We are so good at judging righteousness but God is the only judge. Our job is to pray.

 

 When you build a building such as your home there is always a cornerstone. I know when we built the home we are in now we had never built a home before so we dedicated this home to the Lord and placed the scripture from Joshua 24:15 which basically says "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord" and that is a way to remember who blessed us enough to be able to have this home and it is all His anyway. We are only on Earth for a very short while in the big scheme of things. Our home down here is dedicated to God but it is only temporary.

 

Several years ago my minister said something to the effect in 100 years from now no one would really know you. Even if you are famous sometimes people still will not recognize a name. You may have great grandchildren seeing pictures and things like that but everyone who knew you is basically going to be gone too. Hopefully we will be reunited with most in our heavenly kingdom.

Do you know Him and are you certain if you were to die you would be in the wonderful heavenly kingdom? If not say a simple prayer. "Lord Jesus I need you. I ask you to forgive me for ignoring you and doing my own thing. Forgive me for my sins. I want to live a life pleasing to you. I ask you into my heart right who's. Amen."

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your word, The Bible, for in it I learn about what to do to have eternal life and be with you in heaven. Help me realize my time here on this earth is so fleeting and to live like I will be I eternity tomorrow for I never know. Help me to do my part to share Jesus with family and friends that think church membership or getting baptized is all they need. Father forgive me when I myself have turned my back on the truth. Deliver me into your heavenly kingdom when it is my time. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Click on link below and praise the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/_YFGzY_8li8

Note: Strange but true story...today I had already completed this devotion and as I always do was ready to post it this morning. I could not find it in the folder on my computer where I keep my writing, I looked and looked but in the meantime stayed calm. I look at it as spiritual warfare as this one was talking about getting into heaven and of course Satan does not want people to hear about that. Some would say " oh yeah sure. It is just a coincidence." I was able to find a rough draft so rebuilt it from there. To God be The Glory!

SOMEDAY MAY NEVER COME

Do you ever intend to do something, go somewhere, meet up with a
friend, or perhaps meet a new person? I think we all probably do. I
had good intentions of meeting a beautiful lady who was a member of
our contemporary worship team at church but never got to. She died of
cancer Monday.

I had messaged her through Facebook and mailed her cards during her
ordeal with chemo and the few times she was back in church either up
singing on stage or just in a chair I never went forward to introduce
myself. Now I have to wait till I get to heaven someday. This lady had
a wonderful spirit which came across even on messages. For several
years I watched her up front singing praises to The Lord but never got
to meet her. She is singing with Jesus now and her husband and two
children are left here on earth missing her and I am sure deeply
grieving.

The point of my devotion is do not keep saying stuff and putting it
off as you may not get another chance. That card you intend to send.
That apology you intend to render. That visit you intend to make. That
gift you intend to give. That thank you you intend to say. That love
you intend to show.

I have little notes on my phone from this friend I never met but I am
sure she is delighting to be in the arms of Jesus now. No more tears.
No more pain. No more suffering. No more earthly cares and concerns.
Left behind are people who wonder why she died so young.

Friend you may not get another chance to show kindness or say
something to someone you love. Do not keep putting things off. Be pro
active and initiate things so later on you won't have regrets. We do
not know how long we will be on this Earth. Don't hold grudges and
hatred in your heart but instead make an effort to be loving and forgive people.

Read the Bible and study it. Don't wait for someone else to read it on
Sunday. Get to know about Jesus. Pick up His word and start growing in
Christ right now.

Do you know you would go to heaven if you suddenly died? Are you sure?
You can ask forgiveness of your sins and ask Him into your heart
today. He is only a prayer away.

In Philippians 1:22-23(NIV) it says 'If I am to go on living in the body this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know.I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ , which is better by far.'

Do the best you can to serve Christ down here and on Earth and live like today may be your last on Earth. Do not always wait for the other person to initiate the first contact.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the opportunities for impacting others lives. Help me Lord not to always think of ways to make myself more comfortable but help me reach out to others and make a difference in their life and they in mine, before it is too late. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below and praise God for who He is today and always!

http://youtu.be/_YFGzY_8li8

FOUR CROSSES

 

Recently I was driving on a five mile stretch of highway in the nearby countryside close to New Market, Alabama and on this short road there were four "memory" crosses within two miles of each other with a name of a loved one who had tragically died in a vehicular accident. I am not sure if those of you living outside Alabama and Tennessee have these homemade crosses on the roadside but they make you stop and think about your life and about your habits in your car while driving. No doubt these deaths left a huge hole in the hearts of at least four families and possibly more.

Life is very short. Recently one of my favorite actresses from my childhood passed away as a result of Multiple Sclerosis. Having your life is a true gift from God and we are never promised tomorrow. Whatever you do live like it may be your last day. An accident could cut your life shorter than you expected. Perhaps an illness. Also some will just peacefully die in their sleep. A stroke is what caused the death recently of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at the age of 87.

The Bible says we are here today and gone tomorrow. James 4:14(NIV) says '

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.' Our real mission on this earth as a follower of Jesus Christ is to try to help share His love with others so they might come to know Him. Satan works around the clock with his demons twisting the truth, deceiving,hurting, killing and stealing. In order to get Satan out of your life, why not try getting up daily and first thank God for another day He blessed you with ask Him in pray to help impact the world he has placed you in. You are not here for yourself. Get into His word to hear the truth. Read the Bible daily. It is more than a bookend or coffee table decoration.

I heard somewhere that a Bible that is falling apart if owned by someone who is not. The Bible is to be used. Yes you can even write in it. It is a study manual and guidebook for your life on Earth. How can you have power to defeat Satan if you do nothing but look at it?
Proverbs 27:1(NIV) tell us 'Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what tomorrow will bring forth.' That is such a true statement. In Psalm 90:10(NIV) '

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.' Enjoy your life and do not sit around wondering how long you will live or how you will die.

Isaiah 57:21(NIV) says '

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.' Hopefully all reading this will be around to read them over and over again for many more days. Do you know for certain that if you died today you would be with Jesus? If not why not ask Him in to your heart today. Then open up that "instruction" manual called The Bible and study to be ready.

PRAYER: Lord you are good and your mercies are new every morning. You give me so many wonderful blessings and benefits. It is hard to fathom just how much you truly love me. I want to live like tomorrow may never come. Give me your strength to do this. In Jesus'name.Amen.

Click on link for wonderful song:
http://youtu.be/UGFazR4iCbo

Note:Yesterday, due to technical difficulties, some of you may not have received this blog. If you were one of those and want to read it you can also go to www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com and there you will find all my blogs for the past 3 years as well. Thanks. Be blessed to be a blessing!

EVIL FOR EVIL? NOT!!

Here we are one day prior to the celebration of Easter Sunday. I think today of the evil forces in this world that hate Jesus and God and hated him so much back then that they hung him on a cross to die. Even when all this torture was going on what did He do? He wanted us to forgive those soldiers who hammered nails into His hands and feet, put a crown of thorns on Him and treated him so horribly. In Luke 23:34(ESV) it says 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do'.

Evil for evil, no way. God is good, and Satan is evil, the king of evil and lies. He is at work overtime even in the lives of Christians to trick, deceive and lie to them. That is why it is so essential that we saturate ourselves with the truths found only in God's word, The Bible. Do you study it and take time to "know Jesus"?

Do you ever catch yourself saying you do not like someone or even utter the word "hate"? Maybe someone has hurt you, been mean to you, or just treated you poorly. In Matthew 5:43-48(NIV) says 'You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?Are not even the tax collectors doing that?And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.'

Try an experiment. Try actually forgiving people who have wronged you. Even if they are no longer around and you are unable to do it in person. Try just loving for a change. Ask God to transform the hate you may feel into His love for them. Only Satan wants revenge, not God.

Memorize this verse below if you can, found in 1 Peter 3:9(NIV). '

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.' When you start to get mad or let your thoughts dwell on being mad, turn it into love instead. PRAYER: This is the day you have made for us to enjoy and serve you. I know Lord at times I allow the enemy to capture my thoughts and start wrong thinking. I allow hate and anger in when I should instead be allowing your transforming power of love. Help me Lord as I seek to stay on the path of love and forgiveness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link before and enjoy this Easter melody.

http://youtu.be/Li8Ld8KWTbA 

THE PRIZE

 Who doesn't like to win a prize? I know I do! I am always signing up for contests. Lots of people tell me I am lucky but I say "no I am blessed" because over the years I have won everything from flowers, movie tickets, tickets to amusement parks, concert tickets, American Express gift card, ice show tickets, sunglasses, flying lessons(which I transferred to my son who is a commercial pilot now), inflatable goal posts, a gold watch, door prizes at coffees and Bunco, and most recently an IPOD Touch which became an instant birthday gift to my younger son!!
 These early prizes and rewards are great but do not compare anything to what awaits those who have made Jesus Lord of their life. James 1:12 says "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for where has stood  the test, he will receive the crown of lifer hat God has promised to those that love him." Wow we get to be like royalty!!  A crown is special. It is the best reward of your life. Better than a Grammy, better than an Oscar, better than a Tony!! They do not compare with the reward of being with Jesus in eternity!
 Where are you today? Have you asked Jesus to be Lord of your life and are your walking with Him daily? If not, why not stop right now and say "Lord Jesus I need you in my life. I want to live for you and serve you. Forgive me for doing my own thing and sinning against you. Come into my heart right now. "
The journey ahead is marvelous. Not always a joy ride because trials will come into your life Hang on to Jesus and He will see you through.  Isaiah 43:2 reminds us "When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned. The flames will not set you ablaze."  Look to Jesus  for your strength when the world seems to be caving in around you. He indeed will see you through!!
 PRAYER: Father in heaven thank you for being my best prize ever. I do not need earthly rewards and pats on the back I need you in my life Lord. Shine your light through me. In Jesus name. Amen.

PARADISE

When you hear the word 'paradise' what  comes to mind? Perhaps a beach or some other exotic location? Heaven is oftentimes is  referred to as 'paradise'.

In Luke 23:43 when Jesus was hanging on the cross between two common criminals he said "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."  Paradise. Just daydream on it for awhile. No more chaos, no more wars, no more confusion, no more misunderstandings, no more striving but just total beauty and peace! Revelation 2:7 says "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." In Revelation 21:4 it says "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." Just imagine how wonderful.

For now he has an assignment for we Christians here on this earth before we go to that wonderful place. Are you working for the Lord's kingdom where he has placed you or do you just coast along in life doing your own thing? Say "Lord use me to fulfill your plan and purpose." 1 Corinthians 2:9 says "However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him." Just imagine. As much as people in Hollywood's movie industry can dream up the unthinkable in fantastic motion pictures sets they will NEVER be able to dream up anything close to what God has prepared for those who love Him! Do you love Him? I mean REALLY love HIM? Do you look forward to His paradise some day. No one knows when we will be called home. Some leave earth early and some at a very old age. The key is being ready? Are you ready? Do you know if you were to die right now you would be with Jesus in paradise?

2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." When men and women reject God and His word they pay the consequences but it does not have to be that way. You can turn from evil and get on the path to walking with the Lord today. It is your choice. Why chance it? Does your life reflect the goodness of God? If you are in question why not get things right today. Revelation 3:16 sort of says it all "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Are you a lukewarm believer or do not believe at all? Do you think what you are doing or how you are living is good enough? Lukewarm water is just so so  and so are lukewarm Christians. Are you one of them? 

Time to make sure today that you will be in that wonderful paradise someday. You can say this prayer "Father God I need you. I confess I have been living my own way and ignoring your words. Forgive me. I want you to come into my life and set me free and make me clean and whole. In Jesus Name."

A Christian life does not mean everything is easy and without challenges. You might have more challenges. But God is there to help you through.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for being my saviour and Lord. Thank you for this beautiful world we experience now and the wonderful paradise to come once we die and enter our heavenly rest. Forgive me for the times I have not put you first place in my life. In Jesus Name. Amen. 

Click on link for worshipping the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/pMNwgYWhwx8

LIFE COMES TO THIS....DEATH

This past Saturday, pop icon Whitney Houston, was laid to rest after an untimely death at an early age, which stunned her many fans. Throngs of her adoring fans stood with signs, pictures, balloons, and flowers outside the  Baptist church in Newark, New Jersey where her funeral was held.

Famous people seem to get a better break at funerals. Lots of folks there, many news stories at no charge to them, and non stop talk of the wonderful life they led. Everyone seems to be great  at the end so it seems.

The indisputable fact of life is we all will die. Many people live like there is no consequence and atheists laugh off the after life or heaven and hell. Guess what? You will either go to heaven or you will go to hell whether you believe the Bible or not. Period. End of story. Why chance it? Your life could end today in a head on crash, a heart attack, a stroke, an unexpected illness, or a myriad of other things. No one knows when. Young people die, babies die, celebrities die in their forties like Miss Houston, and people die late in life. Nobody can predict it. This could be your last day on earth. We are all valuable to God whether we are a platinum album singer, bank president, business leader, politician, teacher, homeless man  or factory worker. There is not some social class to get into heaven. It boils down to have you asked Jesus into your life.

Do you know if you were to take your last breath you would spend eternity in heaven?  I did not say "are you a good person" or "are you a church member" or "have you worked on lots of church committees" or "have you gone to Sunday School class" or "are you baptized"  but do you know Jesus as your saviour and has your life been lived for Him? Does your life reflect Him?

Is your life ready for a 'Home Going' to heaven? Are you sure? We can not assume just because we were in church every Sunday that is what is required. People who have rejected Jesus during their life will not be with Him in heaven but it is never too late to ask Him into your heart.

1 Timothy 2:4 says "who wants everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth." Ezekiel 18:23 says "do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather am I not pleased when they turn from their wicked ways and live?" James 4:13-15 says "Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Psalm 90:12 tells us "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Do not live like death will never come because believe me it will and it may catch you off guard. But guess what, once you are dead you can not decide to accept Christ. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart."


 I can not imagine someone not wanting to be sure they are going to heaven. In Romans 3:23 it says "All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Acts 3:19 says "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord". Repent means to turn away from. When you know something is wrong do not keep doing it. Ask God to help you. He is ready to save. Give your heart to Him today.

PRAYER: Father I know my days are numbered here on this earth. Help me to make a difference for the kingdom of God during the short time I am here. Help me to not get caught up in the craziness and sinfulness of the world but to be set apart for the work of Christ and let me leave an imprint for you when I leave this earth. In Jesus Name. Amen.


Click on link to worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/iB-yX5p0p4I

LIFE IS SHORT

One month ago a friend's 58 year old husband died unexpectedly. We just never know when it is 'our time'. We live as if we will go on forever. Many people live like there are no tomorrows. Luke 12:20 says "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' The Bible says in James 4:14 "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." Picture that! A vapor, like steam, that just floats away. What are you doing in this life to make a difference and are you leaving a legacy that others will be able to see you loved the Lord? Death is a part of life. We all seem to expect we will live to be 80 or 90 but we do not know. Live fully and make each day count!

My friend Barb went to be with the Lord back in the early 90's at the young age of 44 after a short bout with cancer. In her obituary it had this verse from Philippians 1:22-24 and it says "Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you." She left a true legacy.

The minute you are born you begin to die. It is true. One day we will all stand before God. Atheists do not think so but as the 60's TV character Gomer Pyle used to say "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!" It is true.  2 Corinthians 4:16 says "Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day." There is a heaven and there is a hell.

Psalm 39:6 says "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it." We build big homes, buy all the fancy things we think we need to be happy, but in the end none of it goes with us to the cemetery. As I heard once, there are no U Hauls following the hearse to the graveyard. What are you doing to leave a lasting legacy? If you are a parent are you instilling God's word into the hearts of your children?

Who are you building your foundation on?  Do you know if you died today you would go to heaven?  Hell is for those who reject Jesus Christ. The lake of fire is a real place. It is a place where God is not there and you will be in constant torment separated from God forever. There is hope and there is forgiveness. 2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Do you know if you died today you would go to heaven? I mean do you really know? Church membership is not the key to heaven. Being in a certain denomination is not the way to eternal life. Simply being baptized as a baby is not enough. You have to ask Jesus to be Lord of you life and live for Him. Say "Jesus come into my life. Forgive me for not living for you. I want to live for you and serve you Lord. Come into my heart today and save me." You can pray that prayer now and let Jesus be Lord of your life.

John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked but he wants all men to repent and turn to Him. Ezekiel 33:11 says "Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?"  Jesus died so that all men might have eternal life.

Where are you today? Do not take a chance. We do not know when we will breathe our last breath. Turn to Jesus today. He is waiting and wants to be Lord of your life. Proverbs 27:1 says "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth".
Start living like today may be your last. If you do not have the assurance you will enter heaven upon your death why not say that prayer today?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for preparing a wonderful place for us after our time here on Earth is over. Father help those skeptics who can not seem to grasp that hell is real. Some reading this may not believe or we may know of someone who claims there is no God. Forgive those people and turn their hearts to you Lord. Help me Lord keep my heart turned to you and live for the kingdom of God each and every day. In Jesus Name. Amen.


Click on link to enjoy a wonderful praise song.
http://youtu.be/5wWDhl_nICc

Book suggestion:
First of course is the Bible but after that is "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be An Atheist" .