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Gleanings From The Word

Category: Hope

  • Getting older and the hope of glory

    The stepstool beside it reminded me that I'm getting older

    I know I’m getting older. I used to hop up and down into the bed of a pickup with no problem. Now I much prefer to use a step stool. It’s not as cool, but I don’t look or feel as uncoordinated as I would without one, and frankly, it’s safer. As they say, “Getting older isn’t for wimps.” For all my young friends, you might not relate yet, but your time will come.

    One thing about getting older is that it is one step closer to glory. Now, like many Christians, I am really looking forward to being there with Jesus, but at the same time, I don’t want to go home yet.

    Going to be with Jesus isn’t something I spend my days obsessed with, but it does cross my mind the older I get. A friend from church passed away this week, unexpectedly, and while we know where he went, he will be missed by those left behind.

    I have no fear about what happens after my passing from this mortal coil. As a Christian believer, I know exactly where I’m headed.

    John’s Revelation of Jesus the Christ speaks at length about it, and there are plenty of hints and glimpses elsewhere in the Bible.

    Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” Revelation 19:7-9

    When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child. When I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

    It’s going to be a celebration unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. United with Jesus, the one who knew me and loved me enough to die for me. Gathered with every believer that ever was, regardless of ethnicity, skin color, economic status or any of the other artificial separators and dividers we use here in this world.

    All my sins and sorrows gone, no more pain and suffering. Joy unspeakable. Finally being all that God created me to be.  Free to serve Him in everything, with everything I do for His glory.

    Honestly, I can’t really comprehend what that will be like. I imagine the most peaceful and joy-filled moments in this life and know it will dwarf them. 

    Just meeting Jesus face to face will be better than anything this life has to offer. I don’t know how it will all unfold, but I hope that’s the first thing I see.

    Not sure about what will happen to you after death? Get right with Jesus today.

    I can hardly wait. What about you?

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    Unchanging mountains – How will we fare when the Master returns?

    SUMMARY

    Getting older has a way of turning your eyes toward eternity — and for the believer, that’s not a bad thing. A friend’s unexpected passing this week, a step stool by the pickup truck, and the words of Revelation 19 and 1 Corinthians 13 all point the same direction: a celebration with Jesus that will dwarf anything this life has to offer.

    KEY POINTS:

    • Aging is one step closer to glory, and the Christian can face that reality with confidence rather than fear
    • Heaven is a wedding feast — face to face with Jesus, every believer gathered, every earthly divider gone
    • The most peaceful, joy-filled moments of this life won’t come close to what awaits

    The Gospel: The best news you will ever hear

  • Close to the Master: Embracing Life’s Journey

    Close to the Master: Embracing Life’s Journey

    Unhappy dog in a boat - text better unhappy close to the master than left alone

    This shot was taken quite a few years ago, at Star Lake Lodge, near Clearwater, BC.  Genni the Wonder Dog is clearly unhappy, sitting in the boat with me. She would rather be anywhere else than with me. All the indignities and discomfort were secondary to being close to the master.

    That’s the way life can be. We all face trials, tribulations, and struggles. We have miserable days, weeks, months and maybe even years.  It can be hard. Yet, I’d rather endure all things if it meant being close to the Master.

    Life is going to be hard whether you are a Christian or not. There are going to be highs and lows. Everyone ever born faces them to one degree or another. So the question becomes, would you rather face them alone or being close to the Master?

    The Lord does not promise us a problem-free life this side of glory. He doesn’t promise to make our struggles go away. He makes no claim that we will be instantly perfect. The process of struggle, guided by the Lord, is what sanctifies us (sets us apart for holiness).

    Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

    Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-3

    I know my life will not always be happy and pain-free. I know I will suffer losses. There will be times of injustice and persecution. Still, as Paul says…

    And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

    Being in the boat may not be pleasant at times, but being outside the boat is infinitely worse. I’ll choose Jesus any time. I may not always be smiling in my circumstances, but it’s better being closeto the Master than anywhere else.

    Hold on, my friends. If you are His he has His hand on you no matter how rough the seas.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    SUMMARY

    Being close to Jesus doesn’t exempt us from life’s trials, but it transforms how we face them. Like a dog who endures discomfort just to stay near her master, the Christian chooses to remain with Christ through every storm, knowing His presence is worth more than any comfort.

    TAKEAWAY

    Life’s hardships come to everyone — Christian or not — but facing them with Jesus means we are never truly alone.

    Trials have a purpose: Scripture teaches that affliction produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character gives birth to hope.

    God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness, and His power is perfected precisely when we have nothing left of our own.

    You might also enjoy: “Serving others, transforming worship into action.”