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Gleanings From The Word

Category: 1 Corinthians

  • 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

  • A Progressive Revelation of Heaven: Seeing Jesus More Clearly Every Day

    A Progressive Revelation of Heaven: Seeing Jesus More Clearly Every Day

    A progressive revelation of Willow Badger from River Edge Farms books

    This image is of Willow Badger, the primary character in my book series “River Edge Farms.” It is split into thirds. Each with a little more detail, moving left to right. Line art – illustrated novel, ink style – full color. It’s a progressive revelation.

    We gain a progressive revelation of what heaven would be like through life.  As non-believers, we have absolutely no real concept. If we think of it at all, it’s based on wishes, half-truths and skewed ideas about God.

    As we become believers, we grow in our knowledge of the Bible’s teachings and in our intimacy with the Father. As we begin to see Him more clearly, we begin to develop a clearer idea of the afterlife.

    John’s Revelation of Jesus the Christ (the last book of the Bible) devotes several chapters to describing what was revealed to him. That begins to give us a picture of what he saw. It’s an incomplete illustration to be sure, but I think it gives us a taste.

    The apostle Paul speaks of this progressive revelation of glory.

    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. But now abide faith, hope, love—these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13

    Paul is speaking of so much more than glory. He is talking about seeing and becoming more Christ-like. He speaks of the things of utmost importance.

    He has hit on something far more important than what heaven will be like. He realizes that the one he will be with is far more important.

    We will be with the one who loves us beyond measure, our perfect Creator. We can trust that whatever glory will be like, it will be beyond our wildest expectations in His presence.

    In this life, we have been forgiven, transferred from the bondage of sin into the family of God. We have been adopted as His children and given the Holy Spirit. We are being shaped more closely into His image every day.

    Even when we don’t recognize it, we are being blessed far beyond what we deserve. When we get to glory, where there is no sin to practice, and no sin present, and the Lord is present in all His glory, what a blessing that will be.

    Do I wonder what it will look like? Of course I do!

    Am I more looking forward to being with Him? Without question.

    He’s given us a progressive revelation of Himself. It’s not that he changes, but that we see and understand more clearly. The more I see and understand, the more blessed I feel.

    I want to see the beauty of heaven, and I’m coming to realize, more and more, that the beauty is Jesus. Everything else is secondary.

    I can hardly wait. What about you?

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    Profound Change: The Journey to New Creation

    SUMMARY

    This life gives believers only a partial glimpse of heaven, but as we grow in Christ and understand Him more deeply through Scripture, our view becomes clearer. In the end, the greatest joy of glory is not merely heaven itself, but being forever in the presence of Jesus Christ.

    KEYPOINTS

    ·  Unbelievers often view heaven through distorted or incomplete ideas, but believers gain clearer understanding through Scripture and intimacy with God.

    ·  Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 13 that our understanding is partial now, but one day we will see fully and face Christ face-to-face.

    ·  The true beauty of heaven is not its appearance, but the presence of Jesus, who loves and redeemed His people.

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