Tag: Jesus

  • In Charge: Finding Faith in Chaos

    Dark storm clouds over a vally with the text "Is anyone in charge?"

    The world is in chaos. Political divisions, economic messes, pollution, crime, hatred and more. It can feel as if God is slowly slipping out of sight. It makes you wonder, “Is anyone in charge?”

    The church is in chaos. It feels like we’re losing ground to competing worldviews, and people seem to be walking away from the faith. Churches struggle financially, and there are plenty of false teachers out there. It makes you wonder, “Is anyone in charge?”

    Sin is running rampant. It feels like the inmates are running the asylum. Relationships are breaking down, and people are more connected than ever before through technology, yet lonelier than at any time in history. It makes you wonder, “Is anyone in charge?”

    The answer is yes, someone is in charge, and none of this is a surprise to Him.

    In his letter to the church at Colossae, the Apostle Paul writes about Jesus.

    Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, And in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:15-20

    Jesus is in control of all things. In Him, through Him and for Him. Nothing can thwart His plans. His victory was never in doubt and has already been accomplished.

    That’s why Paul could also write…

    For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

    The Lord is all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing) omniscient, and all present (omnipresent). He is ruler (sovereign), unchanging (immutable), non-created (self-existent) and outside of time and space (transcendent).

    Nothing in all of creation can thwart His plans for us or His creation. The church will always be, and believers will always belong to him. The answer to “is anyone in charge?” is clearly yes and amen.y

    No matter what you face today, because the Lord knows, He cares, and He is in control.

    Praise Him and give thanks no matter your circumstances.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

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    SUMMARY

    In a world that feels out of control, the Apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus is sovereign over all creation — nothing in heaven or earth can thwart His plans. Because He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, believers can rest in the certainty that they are held securely in His love.

    KEY POINTS

    The chaos we see in the world, the church, and in sin is not a surprise to God

    Jesus created all things, holds all things together, and will have first place in everything

    Nothing in all creation can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus

  • 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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