Drop in a Bucket

How can you compare your life on earth to the time you will spend in eternity?  Have you heard the expression "a drop in a bucket?'  Better yet, compare life here as a drop of water to an everlasting life as the water in an ocean? 

If you have been to the beach or on a cruise ship it doesn't take much imagination to realize the vast amount of water that the ocean contains.  Comparing that to a drop of water from an eyedropper seems utterly ridiculous.  How does our life on earth compare to being alive forever and ever?  The truth is that the comparison is not fair; not that the drop representing our earthly life is not big enough, but rather that eternity is far greater than all the water in all the oceans of the world.

Yet many people choose to ignore or deliberately not consider what their life will be for the infinite amount of time after their years on earth.  Jesus talked about a man who prospered much and only thought about building bigger barns to store up his wealth but ignored the life of his soul.  Jesus called him foolish. 

In the business world there is a saying that failure to plan is to plan to fail.  Jesus told a parable about the wisdom of the unjust steward who, although he was not honest, at least was wise enough to plan for his future.  Jesus' comment was that the unjust steward was wiser that the sons of men.  In short, be wise enough to plan for your eternal existence. 

In my work there are people from many different cultures and religious persuasions.  Often these religious backgrounds are so ingrained that arguments to the contrary are futile.  Therefore, it is not profitable to argue religions.  The only thing that works and changes everything is Jesus showing Himself.  Therefore, my heart plea to every person is this, Ask Jesus to show Himself to you.  Jesus loves each person enough to die for them, and God delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18) and forgiving sin through what His Son accomplished for you on the cross.  He paid the ultimate price for your and my sin, so it is clear He desires each one of us to enjoy the benefit.

Today there are great numbers of people who have experienced dreams and visions of Jesus which has made all the difference in their lives forever.  This is consistent with His promise that those who seek Him will find Him and that the Holy Spirit would bear witness to Jesus, as God Himself who willingly shed His own blood to wash every heart clean.  Jesus promised in Luke 12:32 that it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  The kingdom that Jesus died to give you is defined as "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17) 

There is no substitute for knowing God.  Jesus, praying to His Father in John 17:3, said that "this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."  Furthermore, He promises that "he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21)\.  Jesus will show Himself to you, who He really is, if you honestly ask.

Eternity is a long, long time, actually forever.  Nothing compares to knowing God and Jesus whom He sent so you will forever enjoy His goodness and love in the coming age.  Life here is a drop in a bucket, well actually less than a drop of water compared to the whole ocean of eternity.  Knowing Jesus and His awesome love for you is His gift that lasts forever.  So as the commercial expression goes, "Don't leave home without it."  

What do you have to lose?  If Jesus is not real, then nothing will happen.  However, if Jesus is real, by asking you open the door for Him to show you who He really is and how much you are loved forever and ever.  Let me repeat my deepest request that will make all the difference, not only in the drop of water that this earthly life is, but forever in the vast ocean of life that goes on forever.  Ask Jesus to show Himself to you.  

I want you to be in heaven with me.

Just as Paul tells the Israelites in Romans 9, I want you to be in heaven with me.  Everything else in this life is trivial compared to this absolute, final outcome.  “Location, location, location” is an old adage concerning real estate. That principle is even more crucial for our eternal existence.  Clearly, nothing in this life matters more than the question, "Where will you spend eternity?"

Beyond our finite mind and understanding, we will live forever.  God created each of us as an eternal being.  Just as described in Genesis, these fleshly bodies have received the breath of God and become living souls that will live forever.  Yes, our physical bodies will fall to the earth and die, but our inner man, the real person we are, has an eternal existence.   

Unfortunately, even though everyone knows that our years on the earth are limited and will end in death, many people allow themselves to be so distracted with wealth, comfort and convenience, that they fail to consider and prepare for the eternity that lies ahead.  Nothing could be more foolish.  Vanity of vanity, says the preacher in Ecclesiastes, all is vanity.  He is so right.  

At one point a man asked Jesus to intervene so his brother would share the inheritance. (Luke 12:13)   Jesus answered that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of what he possesses, and then Jesus follows with the parable of the rich man building more barns and neglecting his soul.  Jesus calls him a fool who is rich in earthly goods and not rich toward God.  A wise man builds his house upon the rock.  The rock is Jesus Christ and what is revealed in His Word how to be right with God and be saved for a life of joy with Him forever.  

None of us even comes close to deserving to be right with God forever, which is, of course, the reason God sent His Son to pay what we really deserved so we could have His life and right relationship with the Father.  The question isn't why would God send people to hell, the question is why would anyone reject the perfect love of God who died for our sins so we could live in joy forever.  

Therefore, above anything else you think or do, make sure that you have accepted that Jesus Christ has paid the price for you and that because of such great love, you willingly submit to Him as the Lord, or master of your life.  Read this truth in Romans 10:8-10.  It really is as simple as believing that Jesus rose from the dead (meaning every one of your sins are paid for) and being willing to declare with your lips that Jesus is Lord of your life.  Jesus stated in Matthew 10:32 that He would confess each one before the Father who has been unashamed to confess Him (Jesus) before men.  

Lay down every other excuse or persuasion of human thinking, and come as a little child trusting Jesus to forgive you and make you completely new.  He is faithful and promises you will be with Him (and me) in heaven forever.   

  

What is Truth?

"What is truth?" was Pilate's question after Jesus stated that He came to bear witness to the truth.  Likewise, in the movie, The Jesus Revolution, the predominate question of the hippie generation was how to find truth.  It is clear that until we have a foundation of truth about life and its purpose that man is floundering in uncertainty and hopelessness.  

On one hand, God has created an awesome universe and rightfully declares in Romans 1:19-20, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."  On the other hand, God has created us in the image of God and given us free will to seek and search for truth.  Proverbs 25:2 says it well, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter."

Jesus told us to ask, to seek, and to knock.  He pointed out that when we seek Him with all our heart, He will be found.  Proverbs 2:1-5 describes an attitude of desiring and determined seeking that brings great results, concluding in verses 4-5, "If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God."  Jesus asked the man with an infirmity at the pool of Bethesda, "Do you want to be healed?" The point is, how much do we really want to know God better and how desperate are we to go after more truth?

Jesus is the truth, and He has given us the Spirit of truth to reveal truth from His Word.  Jesus promised the Spirit would lead us into all truth.  Rather that live by man's worldly standards and understanding of life, we can know the truth about the purpose of life, about God's will and what really matters, about salvation and all Jesus has done to forgive sin and make us a new creation, and finally, eternal judgment and our glorious forever destiny.  We are the most blessed people on earth who know our God and His truth.  

In the third letter of John, John expressed God's heart when he said he had no greater joy than to hear that his children were walking in truth.  The end of the matter is this: seek truth, know truth, walk in truth. 

Jehovah Nissi - You Have Done It!

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you today, because of what the Lord has done.  

Yet in real life it doesn't always seem that way.  David had similar problems. Psalm 52 starts rather negative as it describes the heart and attitude of Doeg the Edomite who betrayed David and killed Ahimelech and the priests of Nob.  "You love evil more than good, falsehood more that speaking what is right.  You love words that devour."  Evil always boasts of the destruction it can do, but God...   

Thanks be to God who clearly has the perfect plan to "break you (evil) down forever," according to verse 5, and of course, complete eradication of evil in Revelation.  God is not mocked.  Love and Truth, Jesus Christ, has overcome all.  

The verse that caught my attention in this same psalm is verse 8.  "But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.  I will give thanks forever, because you have done it."  

It is finished.  Jehovah Nissi declares it.  The surface meaning of Jehovah Nissi seems weak, "the Lord is my banner."  However, the more complete context is that it is a banner of total triumph, much like the Avalanche would hang up a banner in Ball Arena after winning the Stanley Cup declaring their victory and championship.  Our banner, our championship, is Jesus on the cross, which once for all establishes God's total overcoming of sin and all its consequences.  Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians that the cross is the power of God and the wisdom of God.  His victory gives you new "green olive tree" vitality and a fresh awareness that you have God's Word assuring lovingkindness (mercy and goodness) forever.  Our relationship with the God of total love and mercy never ends. We are joined to Him and His lovingkindness forever.  The concept of never ending is beyond my finite imagination, but I am so grateful to declare what He has done for me and simply receive it with thanksgiving!

Choose Joy

Joy is a choice.  Paul, while in a Roman prison and probably knowing that he would lose his life, wrote the letter to the Philippians. That is why it seems so incredulous that he states in Phil 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice."  Peter and John express the same sentiment, even after being beaten for sharing the good news of Jesus, in Acts 5:41, "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."  There must be an anchor much deeper and stronger than the present circumstances in which the believer's life and joyful well-being depend upon.  

We just celebrated the birth of Jesus.  We sing the words, "glorious morning when Christ was born!"  We not only celebrate His birth, but also enjoy forever the purpose of His coming.  How can we describe an awesome and excellent God who cares so much about each of us?  This message was declared by the angel "I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people." Jesus clearly demonstrated this through taking all men's sins to the cross and releasing everlasting life to all who call upon Him.  He explains to His disciples in John 15 the purpose of His life and His work, "that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."   

Have you noticed that children look forward to Christmas often because of the gifts, but the adults, or the mature, can see beyond the gifts to the loved ones who give gifts as tokens of their desire to give of themselves to those who are dear.  Certainly, in the midst of all God's gifts is the overriding truth that He has given Himself to us, and He desires to be our everlasting strength, joy, and life.  His gift of Jesus clearly reveals not only what He has given to us, but more importantly, the person and Life He is. 

Who are we and how can we respond to the fact that He has not only given Himself to us in coming as a child at Bethlehem, but also that this gift shows His heart which is willing to lay down His life for us in order to purchase our eternal joy with Him?   

In the carol O Holy Night, there is a line "and the soul felt its worth."  The fact that the infinite, glorious God would cheerfully lower Himself to be born a frail, helpless man in the most humble of circumstances, to a poor family in a dirty manager and and be known as from corrupt Nazareth (Can anything good come from Nazareth?), clearly reveals His total commitment to love us.  Psalm 8 reminds us "what is man?" with the answer that God has crowned us with glory and honor.  His coming and establishing us as His children with the authority and gift of ruling with Him forever is beyond our finite understanding, but the truth of His coming, His death and resurrection continue to manifest His eternal devotion to our value and place in His heart forever. 

No matter what happens or how evil the world becomes, the eternal truth of who we are in God's eyes and the value demonstrated by His coming, death, and resurrection far surpass any earthly suffering.  In short, all those who receive Him receive His love and nothing can separate us from the joy of reigning with Him forever.  Let us rejoice. 

In Darkness Come to the Light

 One of the most depressing truths about human nature is our pride.  John 3:16-19 reveals Jesus came to save the world so that we don't perish, but men loved darkness -- their evil deeds -- and refused to come to the light.  Jesus didn't come to judge, but to save and yet men will choose to be separated from God and His goodness FOREVER rather than humble ourselves and admit we need His forgiveness. 

In our walk through of Revelation, chapters 8 and 9, we see God seals the tribes of Israel and has a multitude of people from every nation and tongue rejoicing before His throne that salvation belongs to the Lord.  There is and always has been a divine seal and protection over His people.  Instead of being fearful and defeated, the people of God rejoice greatly to see the perfect plan of God and declare "blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever."  Just as a policeman by the road may incite fear in every heart, those who are driving the speed limit can have peace.   

At the opening of the seventh seal, the magnificent masterplan of establishing the Kingdom of God on earth brings overwhelming awe and speechlessness from all of heaven.  All the prayers of the saints, who throughout the ages cried out for God's justice and praised His goodness, were mingled with the coals on heaven's fire to yield a pleasing incense before the throne.  The harvest is ripe and God's unstoppable power and majesty are to be shown. The seven angels with the seven trumpets are ready and this dramatic climax begins.  

Unlike the more "natural" events of the first six seals, this final seal releases significant supernatural consequences.  Hail and fire, mingled with blood destroy a third of trees and grass.  A mountain on fire hits the ocean turning a third of the sea into blood.  A burning star from heaven turns a third of the rivers and springs of water into a bitterness that kills many. The fourth trumpet sounds and a third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened.  Amazingly, just as Goshen was still in the light when all Egypt was darkened, the camp of the saints will continue to be unaffected.  What a call to "Wake up and repent!"

Even the angels know and declare that the 3 remaining trumpets bring woe to those on the earth.   The angel opens the bottomless pit releasing a horde of supernatural locusts that inflict great scorpion-like torment to those who do not have the seal of God, with such pain that they wish they could die.  Following this, the next angel releases the supernatural beings held by the Euphrates river with their two million army that kill one-third of earth.

At this point, the heart of God, in the midst of these judgments, is revealed.  The purpose of all these catastrophic events was to open the hearts of men to repent, but unfortunately many did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or thefts. 

God has planted something deep inside of each of us that desires all thing to be right, and to execute His promise that all will reap what they have sown.  As the body of Christ matures and hears the voice of God, the united Church will stand with Jesus calling forth the revealed judgments of Revelation so His purpose can be fulfilled.  Thy kingdom come! Yet God is merciful and even in the midst of judgment longs for all to receive what Jesus has done on the cross.  What a beautiful picture to show us the heart of God.  Count if joy when trials come that we may be perfect lacking nothing. 

Life on Earth - A Drop in the Ocean

How can you compare a drop of water to the entire ocean?  People have no idea, actually our finite minds can't fathom, how long eternity is.  How much more overwhelming is the thought when we consider eternal judgment!

Amazingly, Jesus describes it like this.  "This is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."  Notice, His definition is not duration that it lasts forever, but rather a quality of life that comes only from knowing God.  So eternal judgment is this life's final exam, that is answered by whether one knows God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. 

When I was a dumb, little kid, I wrestled with the idea of how could we live forever, and what would we do, and how could I stand it.  So I thought it might be easier to just go to hell, burn up, and have it all over with, sort of like the mistaken idea some people have about suicide.  Then someone told me that hell is forever too.  Wow!  My unthinkable concept changed immediately!

There is a truth about God that is hard for us to handle.  Absolutely Just.  We somewhat grasp the concept of mercy, that God forgives the worst sinner, which Paul considered himself to be.  However, what do we know about Him being perfectly just?  Every sin will get perfect retribution.  It will be paid in full.  God is not mocked, what is sown shall be reaped.

There is a hint of this in the well-known John 3:16 verse, "For God so loved the world that He gave HIs only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  Notice the contrast, either perish or have eternal life.  Then in verse 18, this truth is brought home stronger, "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."  Sin deserves death.  Man, who is sinful, is condemned already, and rightly deserve death.  

So God, in His perfect mercy and love for us, sent Jesus to pay the "condemnation" penalty because He wants us to be free and live with Him forever.  Ephesians 1:5 reveals that His eternal plan is that we would be "holy and blameless before Him."  That is why receiving what Jesus did on the cross and His resurrection is so crucial.  Either you accept that Jesus, God's Son, paid the supreme price and eternal consequences for your sin, or that incredibly serious debt still remains.  You are rightly condemned for not only your sin but also for rejecting God's love in the person of Jesus who took your punishment.

Why is eternal judgment in the foundational doctrines of Hebrews 6 that needs to be settled if we are going to mature?  Eternal judgment is an awesome reality that makes the whole issue of being saved absolutely the most important step anyone and everyone must personally take.  Understanding God's justice, and then His beautiful mercy in paying everything for us, will produce a heart of gratefulness and a strong foundation upon which our life always rests.  We belong to Him and are secure forever because of what Jesus has done.  Secondly, this need for everyone to receive Jesus changes evangelism  from a nice thing to an absolutely necessary reality.  This truth sets us free from our self-consciousness of how we feel or what others think, to being unashamed as God's representative to bring this good news to all men.  We are His instrument to share and be a witness of HIs love for each one. 

No one can know their purpose in life unless they understanding how eternal judgment is the climax of sowing and reaping.  God is not mocked, what one sows he will reap.  Standing before God is the most crucial appointment we will ever have with the most awesome possibilities: everlasting joy in the Father's presence or eternal separation from all that is good.  We need to see this life as an opportunity to be a light for Him, with eternal rewards.  No one will even give a drink of cold water to a child without reaping a reward, how much more sharing Jesus with a sinner who otherwise would be lost forever.  The time on earth may be only a drop in a bucket compared to eternity, but this life is the proving ground where God is revealing who He is, and empowering us to will and work for His pleasure.  So live today with the realization that every choice will have eternal ramifications, for good reward or evil consequences.  Your choice.   

God Chose You, to be With Him Forever!

Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts.  We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house. Psalm 65:4  A 23-year old young man who died and then came back to life, tried to share what it was like to be before God.  All he could say is that he felt "satisfied" and just wanted to do whatever he could to serve Him.

This morning I had a rough time reigning in my mind and some thoughts from dreamland, but the Word of God proved true as I began to declare God's fresh mercy this morning.  Psalm 59 states "I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning."  So I just started singing that old classic song, I will sing of the mercy of the Lord forever....with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations.  It didn't take long for the Holy Spirit to refresh my mind and help me reflect on all He has done for me.  I am a strong believer in Psalm 92:2 which tells us to declare His mercy every morning and His faithfulness every night.  What a great way to start the day, and what a great way to have peace as you retire at night.  

Part of what the Lord used to refresh me was the gift of realizing that He chose me, I didn't choose Him.  Incredible, that the almighty creator of the universe desires my company and will do anything (including dying on the cross) to make sure that I can be with Him forever.  So my Word today, is to realize and thank God that He chose you and has eternal purpose for you.  Before you were formed in the womb, God already had a definite plan, "for you were created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10   So it is easy to see why He makes all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. It's because He chose and loves you, and therefore desires you to fulfill your purpose.  When you know you are chosen by God, the rejection of men can't touch you.  

Just a side thought, He loves you because He is love, not because you are so lovely.  It is fallen man's nature to think you are not "good" or "worthy" enough.  Instead, set your mind on the truth of the Word, humble yourself like a little child, and receive His love.  Isn't it awesome to be chosen and loved by God?  Truly, we have every reason to confess Psalm 21:4, "I am the most blessed forever!"  

Last, but not least, Jesus came to serve not be served.  The Holy Spirit gently reminded me how easy it is to live for what I want, rather than see today as an opportunity to live to bless and glorify Him.  In the John 15 verse that reveals God chose you, Jesus continues to say the reason is to bear fruit and prove to be a disciple.  God even promises to help us do this.  He is the one who enables us  "to will and to work for His pleasure."  The clear goal of Jesus saving us and changing us into children of God is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, in other words, become like Him. 

In the Luke 18 parable on prayer and the widow woman who kept after the judge, Jesus concludes with the question, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"  Faith is shown by obedience, so when we respond to His choosing us, we choose to obey His command, "go and do likewise."  My question, will the Lord find you and me loving Him enough to serve Him (by serving others) rather than just getting caught up in society and spending all our time and effort in taking care of our own needs.  Remember, God chose you to live for His purpose.