Forever Mercy (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Today’s scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:34

Forever …

That word means more to me the older I get.

Forever …

As the old hymn says, “This world is not my home; I’m just a’passin’ through.”

Or as a more contemporary praise song asserts:

All I know is I’m not home yet. This is not where I belong. Take this world, and give me Jesus. This is not where I belong. (© 2011, Building 429)

I can’t wait for forever with my Lord and Savior! He offers us forever goodness and enduring mercy.

The love and compassion He has for me here on earth will be forever.

Forever… I can’t wait!

You Can't Take It With You (James 5:1-6)

Today’s scripture: James 5:1-6

Our society seems to revere the rich and famous. We read about their escapades in the latest tabloid. We stand in awe of their homes, cars, and jewels. Even “mainstream” media seems obsessed with them. I can’t count how often the newsfeeds I often read focus on some celebrity’s multi-million dollar wedding or some star’s latest brush with the law.

Some day, however, all the houses, cars, and jewels will mean nothing. The exotic vacations. The wild parties.

None of it will matter.

When Jesus Christ returns to set up the new heaven and the new earth, this world and all that’s in it will be no more (see Revelation 21:1).

The only thing that will matter then is whether or not a person has put her faith in Christ. Riches themselves isn’t really the issue. Commitment to Christ is. God doesn’t condemn riches. But if you’ve been blessed with money, use what you’ve been blessed with to serve others. Provide for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:35-40).

Don’t live wantonly, focusing only on your money and what it can do for you. Don’t risk the “upcoming misery” of eternity separated from God … because you’ll also be separated from your riches.

You really can’t take it with you. 

Nothing New ... (2 Peter 2:4-11)

Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 2:4-11

King Solomon wrote, “…there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9), and it’s so very true. Sometimes we think we live in the vilest, most corrupt time in history, but truly? This world has seen some really vile, corrupt stuff. Just read those last verses again. There have always been those who “indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires” or those who “despise authority” or those who are “self-willed.” And seriously, twice God destroyed all but a handful of people because of their depravity—once the entire earthly population in Noah’s day, and once two cities in Abraham’s.

So why should we be surprised at the actions of those living today? The only real difference is mass media puts all the “yuck” of the world right in our faces. You can’t even check your email without seeing the latest headline about abuse, murder, sexual sin, moral decline … It’s all around us.

And it can be a bit depressing to see wickedness seemingly prevail.

Ah, but we can’t forget the most important thing. Our holy God is in absolute control. He will judge the sinner and rescue the saint. One day—and only the Father knows when—God the Son will return to earth and gather up those who chose to follow Him. Then our God will judge all who chose not to follow Him. And every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ, God the Son, is Lord. And God the Father will be glorified. (See Phil. 2:10-11.)

One day, all the “yuck” will be forever gone. And we’ll live eternally praising and glorifying our holy God.

And all I can say? “Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

What To Do While Waiting for Eternity (1 Peter 1:22-25)

Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

I love how Peter describes our eternal salvation. We are born again imperishably “through the living and enduring word of God.” The apostle John described our Savior Jesus Christ as the living Word, and we are saved through His death and resurrection.

Because of that gift, we can be assured of eternity with God.

But these verses command us to do something while we remain on earth. We are to have a “sincere love of the brethren.” We are to “fervently love one another from the heart.”

I don’t know about you, but this pierces my heart a bit. I rejoice in the thought of being imperishably born again. I long for the day when I’ll discard this weak, fleshly body—especially on days like today when several of my chronic health issues are flaring—and spend eternity praising and worshiping my Lord.

But do I sincerely and fervently love my brothers and sisters? Do I, as the apostle Paul wrote, think more highly of them than I do of myself? (Phil. 2:3, my paraphrase).

I know I want to. I pray I do.

Encouragement for Today! (1 Timothy 6:13-16)

Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 6:13-16

I am so encouraged by today’s verses! Yes, there is exhortation: Timothy is charged to keep the commandment to be Christ-like. But look at the hope in Paul’s words:

Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, will return! Only the Father knows the “proper time,” but the Son will return one day!

Jesus, our Overcomer (John 16:33), our Victor, our Redeemer, will return! (I know I'm being repetitive, but if anything is worth repeating, this is!) And as I watch this world continue its downward spiral, I can’t help but think it’s going to be soon—or so I pray.

And so, with this confidence, I can join Paul in his words of praise:

Our Lord Jesus is the “blessed and only Sovereign.”
He is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
He is immortal, omnipresent, omniscient, all-loving.
He is “light and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Oh, I hope these words encourage you as they’ve encouraged me. As we keep His commandments while on earth, we can do so with the confidence that we’ll be spending eternity with our Lord and Savior, with our Abba Father.

And with Paul, I give Him praise and honor. Won’t you join us?

Glorious Day! (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8)

Today’s scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8

One of my favorite groups is Casting Crowns, and I love their rendition of Glorious Day. I remember singing the original hymn growing up, and the words haven’t lost their impact.

In the original version, five stanzas take us from Jesus’ coming to earth as a baby to His ascent up Calvary to His burial to His resurrection to His second coming. The chorus sums it up:

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
  Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
    One day He's coming—O glorious day!

My favorite stanza is the final one:

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
  One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
  Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/987#ixzz1bjVRJE29

I really can’t wait!

There’s a difference between the Casting Crown version and the original in this final stanza. Casting Crown’s version says, “Wonderful day, my Beloved One bringing …” I kind of like the original. One day, Jesus is going to bring all those who followed Him together. My beloved ones will be there. My friends and family who chose to follow Him. Yes, what a glorious day it will be!

But with all the anticipation of that glorious day, that day when we will receive relief from our afflictions, we need to remember how critical it is to share God’s truth with our friends and family who haven’t chosen Him yet. Because on that same day, Jesus will “dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

Those of us who know Him need to do all we can do to make that a glorious day for everyone!

Children of Light (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

As children, many of us were afraid of the dark. Perhaps some of us still are. Darkness can be oppressive. Overwhelming. Sometimes terrifying.

We live in a very dark world. It too can be oppressive. Overwhelming. Sometimes terrifying.

But we who know Christ don’t have to be afraid of the dark because the One whom we follow is light, “and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). He illuminates the darkest path. He shines through the darkest night. He holds our hands and leads us when we can’t see the way ourselves.

When this world’s darkness seems to be crowding out the light of truth, be assured: The light of Christ will never dim. It will continue to shine brightly through those who have committed their lives to serving Him. It will burn through the darkness by those who are willing to give their lives for Him.

And one day, His light will be all we need: In the new Jerusalem, “And the city [will] not need the sun or the moon. The glory of God [will be] shining on it, and the Lamb [will be] its light” (Revelation 21:23, CEV).

I'm Just A'Passin' Through (Philippians 3:20-21)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 3:20-21

Are you homesick? Maybe you’re away at school, and you miss home-cooked meals. Or you’re serving as a missionary, and you long for a face-to-face conversation with your mom. Or you’re in the military, and you would give anything to hold your toddler.

I remember a time when I felt homesick. I’d spent the summer traveling with a Christian musical group, and then because of some difficult choice, I decided to move temporarily to the mid-west. It was hard being away from friends and family. And when my sister-in-law announced she was pregnant, I packed my car and moved back home.

Yes, I’ve been homesick. But I’ve never been as homesick as I am now. But it’s not for this physical home God’s blessed me with. It’s not missing family or living on memories. I’m homesick for my real home.

There’s an old gospel song, “This world is not my home. I’m just a’passin’ through.” And that’s exactly how I feel. I reside in a temporary home, and my heart longs more and more for the place of my true citizenship. One day, Jesus will take me home, whether through death or through His triumphant return.

One day, I’ll be home. And I’ll never be homesick again.

Be Prepared! (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)

Today’s scripture: 2Corinthians 9:1-5

Are you prepared?

I recently relocated from Southern California, where we experienced earthquakes periodically. Each time another earthquake occurred, everyone talked about being prepared: Do you have an earthquake kit, including plenty of water, food, flashlight, etc.? Do you have a communication plan, with an out-of-area contact? Do you have an “escape” plan to get you back home?

Now that I live in an area prone to thunderstorms that can knock out power, the same questions apply.

My answer? Yes and no. I do have adequate food at home, but I’m not certain about water. I have kit in my car, but I’m not sure if any of the food in it is good. I certainly have out-of-area contacts, but if my cell phone doesn’t work, how will I call?

Being prepared is so very important. But even more important than being prepared for a natural disaster, we need to be prepared for eternity. And we need to help others be prepared as well.

While I may not be fully prepared for a major catastrophe, I am prepared for eternity. I have accepted the gift of salvation through a personal belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I have committed my life to serving God—Father, Son, and Spirit. I go to the throne of God daily and surrender myself to His purpose.

My desire now should be to help those around me who are not prepared for eternity become prepared.

Because just as an occasional earthquake is inevitable in Southern California or a severe thunderstorm in Eastern Tennessee, eternity is inevitable.

Are you prepared?

Heavenly Clothing (2 Corinthians 5:1-5)

Today's scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Living with chronic health issues isn’t fun. And those of us who deal with these kinds of issues would prefer not having to do so. Truly. If God were to completely heal me this moment, I’d be perfectly happy!

But—and I’m speaking only for myself—there are a few positives about ill health. Knowing I have little strength of my own, I’m much more dependent on God’s strength. I have the blessing of encouraging others who deal with chronic health issues.

And most of all, I long to be “clothed with [my] dwelling from heaven.” I groan here on earth as my earthly “tent” continues to fall apart. I’m burdened every day by my body’s lack of energy, limited capacity, and relentless pain. I look forward with great anticipation to that day when I can shed this earthly skin, when I will feel pain no longer.

So when I struggle to get out of bed and when I just don’t think I have the strength to go on, I remember the words of a great old hymn:

This world is not my home; I’m just passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door. And I can’t feel at home in this world any more. 

Kingdom-Focused (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Today's scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The older I get, the more I understand Paul’s words “our outer man is decaying …” I certainly feel that way. As my health gradually decreases, I have much less capacity to do what I’d like to do.

But I also better understand “our inner man is being renewed day by day.” I find myself clinging more and more tightly to my Lord. I more eagerly await eternity with Him in heaven. I better understand how today’s “light affliction” is for God’s glory as I’m able to show true compassion to those who are hurting.

And I absolutely understand temporary versus eternal. Life is short. Really short. And the things that seemed so important a mere five or ten or twenty years ago just don’t seem to matter. I’ve been abundantly blessed with material things. We live in an increasingly lovely home (still a work in progress after only two weeks …) in a beautiful new environment. We drive cars (with no debt). We have ample food.

But when it comes down to it, none of this matters any more. The only things that matter—that truly matter—are my God, my family and friends, and how I’m serving them. Is what I’m doing building God’s kingdom? Will it matter for eternity?

In John Piper’s book, Don’t Waste Your Life, he writes of a couple who retired early and spent their days traveling on their yacht. They walked along the beach picking up shells. One day, they’ll stand before the Lord’s throne and say, “Look at my shells.” What a waste of this life God has given us. Elsewhere, Piper writes:

God created you—and me—to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion—namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying His supreme excellence in all spheres of life … The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples.

Yes, we’re all slowly, but surely, falling apart (sorry, but it’s true), but if we focus on the eternal, if we strive to bring glory to God by serving Him and others, our lives will not be wasted.

Our lives will have eternal meaning. And that’s all that really matters. 

Victory Over Death (1 Corinthians 15:50-57)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-57

What’s that old saying? “Nothing is sure but death and taxes.”

And yes, death is inevitable … Unless Christ returns, we’ll all die one day. And for some people, death is frightening.

But for those of us who know the Lord, death is merely a graduation. It has no power. It has no victory.

Certainly, when those of us who have accepted the gift of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection die, we will cease to inhabit our temporary, earthly bodies. But we will not cease exist. Death will not swallow our souls—the essence of who we are.

We will live in heaven with our God—Father, Son, and Spirit. We will serve Him and praise Him throughout eternity.

No. Death is no victor. We serve the One who is stronger than anything—including death.

Praise Him!

Gloriously Changed (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:42-49

I wrote on Friday that I look forward to having a glorified body, one without pain or fatigue. And I seriously can’t wait.

The concept of earthly versus heavenly, natural versus spiritual, continues in today’s verses:

Such is the established order of Providence. We must have weak, frail, mortal bodies by descent from the first Adam, before we can have lively, spiritual, and immortal ones by the quickening power of the second. We must die before we can live to die no more. Yet if we are Christ's, true believers in him (for this whole discourse relates to the resurrection of the saints), it is as certain that we shall have spiritual bodies as it is now that we have natural or animal ones. By these we are as the first Adam, earthy, we bear his image; by those we shall be as the second Adam, have bodies like his own, heavenly, and so bear him image. And we are as certainly intended to bear the one as we have borne the other. As surely therefore as we have had natural bodies, we shall have spiritual ones. The dead in Christ shall not only rise, but shall rise thus gloriously changed. (Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible)

Gloriously changed. Bearing the image of Christ.

One day. One day soon, I pray.

A Glorified Body ... (1 Corinthians 15:35-41)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-41

I may be going way off-track of what Paul might have meant by heavenly and earthly bodies, but these verses remind me that this earthly body I inhabit now is temporary. One day, I’ll have a glorified body in which I’ll spend eternity.

This earthly body is frail. Weak. Flawed. It is in constant pain. It is chronically fatigued. It lacks energy. Yes, God gives it enough strength to do what He calls it to do, but I tire of it. Often.

So many days, I want to shed this earthly skin and take on a new body that is strong and pain-free. Days like today. My joints are stiff. My hips and knees throb. My muscles spasm.

It makes me long all the more for the day when I feel no pain and have energy in abundance to praise and serve God. One day, in the mansion He’s designed just for me, I’ll live—I’ll thrive—in that glorified body. That heavenly body.

And that day can’t come soon enough!

A Greater Purpose (1 Corinthians 15:29-34)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

If Jesus Christ didn’t rise from the grave, then everything is futile. There is no purpose, no meaning. If, as some people say, when we die, we die and become worm food, then why bother?

If I didn’t believe there was a purpose to my life, a God-designed purpose, I wouldn’t want to live. Seriously. I watch this world get more and more corrupt. I see the selfishness in its people. I hear the hate and anger. It’s so often not a very pleasant place to be.

And when I wake up in the morning, and the pain is overwhelming, if I didn’t know God would give me the strength to make it through each moment and if I didn’t know He’d use the pain for His glory … well, again, I wouldn’t want to live.

But I do believe Christ rose from the dead. I do believe He lives today. I do believe God has a great purpose for all things.

So I do get up every morning. I do trust in His strength. I do believe in His purpose and plan.

And I look forward to the day of Christ’s return.

The War Is Won! (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Adam’s choice in the Garden of Eden brought sin into the world—the sin of pride, of wanting to not just be like God, but to be God.

And Adam’s sin infiltrated the hearts and souls of all of his descendents. We are all sinful. Or as Paul wrote in another of his epistles: “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23).

We can in no way solve the problem of sin—on our own, that is. But there is One far greater than any sin we could possibly commit. There is One through whom we can “all be made alive.”

Sometimes it seems like the enemy is winning. Sin is rampant. Corruption prevails. Perversion triumphs. Satan is licking his chops in glee as he sees the downward spiral of this earth.

Ah, but we know the end of the story. We know that Jesus “has put all His enemies under His feet … He has put all things in subjection under His feet.”

Yes, through one man sin entered the world. But through the Son of Man, the “last enemy that will be abolished is death.”  Right will overcome wrong. Life will vanquish death.

And those of us who have chosen to follow Christ will spend eternity with our God—Father, Son, and Spirit. Everything else will fall away.

So I say, “Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

Truth (Psalm 28:4-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 28:4-5

God has revealed Himself to seeking hearts and minds. Through His creation. Through the testimony of men and women.

Yet, tragically many refuse to acknowledge Him as the one true God. They deny His work. They scoff at His words. They choose to live just as they please.

One day, though, everyone will stand before the throne of God. Each and every person will hear either, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21, 23), or "I don't know you" (Luke 13:27). He will reward those who have committed their lives to Him, and He will judge those who refused Him.

This world is winding down, and I believe the day of Christ's return is close. We who follow Christ need to be diligent about living for Him. We need to surrender to Him each and every day. We need to seek His purpose and His ill.

Ever more, we need to share His truth with others. We need to look for moments to share our stories. We need to help those who are seeking Him to find Him.

It's all that really matters.

Vindication (Psalm 17:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 17:1-2

I'm very blessed. Very, very blessed.

Sometimes, though, even with all the many blessings God has given me, I cry out to Him. I cry out in pain. I cry out for others who are suffering. I cry out for justice for those who have been wronged.

There is so much wrong with this world. As the cancer of sin continues to spread throughout this rapidly-decaying planet, corruption and disease and perversion wreak havoc.

It's enough to make the strongest among us want to crawl into a hole and hibernate.

I still have hope, though. I know that those of us who have been hurt in so many ways will one day be vindicated. The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, the Righteous Judge will one day reward those who have chosen to follow Him ... and call down judgment on those who have rejected Him.

One day, this world will be no more. Its pain and suffering and injustice will be wiped from our hearts and minds. We will live in the light of our Lord and Savior.

As the old hymn says, "... what a day of rejoicing that will be!"

Dwelling with the Lord (Psalm 27:4-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 27:4-5

Yesterday, we talked about why we don't have to fear. I ended the devotional by saying that even if man takes my life, I still don't need to fear because I'd be in the arms of my Savior.

Today, the psalmist echoes a longing in my heart: to "dwell in the house of the Lord ..." In context, he's writing about dwelling with Lord in spirit while still on earth. But I imagine he's also thinking about dwelling with the Lord for eternity.

That's what resonates with me.

I think that people who suffer from chronic health issues may imagine being with Jesus even more than those who don't. Because I long to be pain-free (and it doesn't seem like God's plan includes my being pain-free on earth), I so look forward to heaven where one day there will be no more pain (Revelation 21:4).

I can hardly wait for the time when I can "behold the beauty of the Lord." I eagerly anticipate seeing His face, being in His presence.

And, "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6).

To Live On the Holy Mountain (Psalm 15:1-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 15:1-5

We're going to take a one-day look at a small, but mighty psalm. I usually meditate on either the New King James Version or the New American Standard Bible, but today, I'm going to focus on the Contemporary English Version, a paraphrase I often use to emphasize or explain.

This psalm begins by asking a very important question:

Who may stay in God’s temple
    or live on the holy mountain
    of the Lord?

Honestly, the initial answer to this question is "no one." No person is worthy to stand in God's temple. We are all sinners, and Holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. Ah, but Holy God is also a God of love, and just as we talked about yesterday, He is a God of mercy.

However, the psalmist gives a true and profound answer to his own question: "Only those who obey God and do as they should."

He then goes on to describe what "doing as they should" means: speaking the truth; not spreading gossip; treating others fairly; and not saying cruel things.

Well ... as I read this list, I have to ask myself, "Do I do as I should? Do I do—or not do—these things?" I certainly try, but I often fail.

Then I read on. One who obeys God also shows respect for "all who worship the Lord." She also "keeps her promises, no matter the cost."

Hmmm ...

Convicted much?

I want to be a woman whom God looks at with pleasure, with pride. I want my Abba to smile when He sees my actions. I want to be one who obeys God and His word. I want to do all those things listed above.

And so I pray for strength to be Christ-like, for conviction when I fail.

Because, more than anything, I want one day "to live on the holy mountain of the Lord."