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Gleanings From The Word

Category: JOY

  • 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

  • New Every Morning – God’s Gift of Another Day

    New Every Morning – God’s Gift of Another Day

    Sunrise over the forest with text of :New Every morning" and Lamentations 3:23

    I suffer from a variety of sleep issues, which are kept somewhat under control by a CPAP machine and a variety of meds. I confess there are mornings when it takes me time to move from “Oh God, it’s morning” to “Thank you God for the gift of another day.”

    When we wake up, no matter the circumstances, it truly is God’s gift of another day. It doesn’t always feel that way. We might be fighting giants of many kinds in our lives. We may be dreading things to come. 

    Or we might spring out of bed because great things are on the horizon, and we can hardly wait for them to happen. That special holiday begins, or we’re meeting with a loved one we haven’t seen in a long time. Maybe it’s simply because you had a really great sleep that night.

    We might awaken slowly with no particular thought of the day. It’s simply time to arise.

    For most of us, it’s likely a combination of the three. There will be seasons of one of the other extremes, but most days are simply routine.  

    When I awaken, it is a new day. I do not know what it holds, good or bad, but it is another day to draw close to the Lord and be made a little bit more like Him.

    The loving kindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul, Therefore I wait for Him.” Yahweh is good to those who hope in Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of Yahweh. Lamentations 3:21-26

    You might be more familiar with that verse in hymn form. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, O God.”

    Whether it’s a great day ahead or a day of slogging through the mire, it truly is God’s gift of another day. New mercies. Fresh compassions. New opportunities to draw close to God.

    It is the LORD who ordains our number of days and the circumstances we face each day. He promises everything in those days will be for the good of those who love him. No pain or tear will go wasted.

    David touched on that idea with a Psalm.

     I will exalt You, O Yahweh, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my enemies be glad over me. O Yahweh my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. O Yahweh, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit. Sing praise to Yahweh, you His holy ones, And give thanks for the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:1-5

    I don’t know what your day holds, but I do know that as a believer, you are safely held in the arms of an all-loving, all-powerful and Holy God. Hold fast.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone) 

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    SUMMARY

    Every morning—whether dreaded, anticipated, or simply routine—is a gift from God, carrying with it fresh mercies and new compassions that never fail. Whatever the day holds, believers are safely held by an all-loving, all-powerful God who wastes nothing.

    KEY POINTS

    God’s mercies are literally new every morning, meeting us exactly where we are—in struggle, in joy, or in the ordinary in-between.

    The Lord ordains our days and promises that every pain and tear will be worked for the good of those who love Him.

    Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning—so hold fast, no matter what the day ahead looks like.

    You might also enjoy: The gospel, the best news you will ever hear!