2-10-07 Gifts From Heaven "Matthew 7: 1-11"

Memory Verse: Matthew 7:11
If ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Answers to prayers are gifts from heaven...personal presentations from our Heavenly Father to His children.

We are invited to ask. To knock. To seek. There is nothing mysterious about this call to prayer. How tender and close is our walk with our Heavenly Father.

What do you need?
As for it.

But what if we ask and do not receive? Does this result from a lack of faith or a misunderstanding about prayer?
Not always.

Another important factor must be considered --- the Father's will: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us" (1 John 6:14). So, the Father's will must be taken into account. He knows what is best for us and sometimes we ask for things that would be harmful if received. In those cases, the Father's wisdom requires withholding the answer.

How then shall we pray?
Ask. Knock. Seek. And leave the results with our Father. Ask big. Knock expectantly. Seek with anticipation. But never demand. Allow all prayer to be offered with the clear understanding that you will be happy with the Father's will.

The four hardest words to prayer are these? THY WILL BE DONE. Nevertheless, they should be the expression of every yielded heart. Our Father knows how to give GOOD GIFTS to His children.

2-9-07 Treasures In Heaven "Matthew 6:19-24"

Memory Verse: Matthew 6:20:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.


Shortly after the death of her aged Christian father, a young lady visited his associate in business. He was not a Christian and had lived only to amass riches.

The business partner said to the grieving daughter, "Your father was a good man. He lived for God and others. His chief joy was to bring happiness to others. I have never known a man more generous with his money. Right up to the end of his beautiful life, His thoughts were of others. In death he went to his riches. In death, I will leave the riches which I could have used for God and others."

The paradox of this conversation is the realization by the surviving partner of the real issues of life and his unwillingness to do anything about them.

There are many like him.

A.J. Gordon wrote: "I warn you that it will go hard with you when the Lord comes to reckon with you if He finds your wealth boarded up in needless accumulation instead of being carefully devoted to giving the Gospel to the lost."

The bank of heaven awaits deposits by those who have been born again. Entrusted with time, talents and material possessions, we have the opportunity to invest them for Christ and in so doing we lay up treasures in heaven.
Treasure there are untouchable.

How much will you deposit today?
Heaven's deposit may require an earthly withdrawal of funds.

Are you willing to reinvest?

2-8-07 As It Is In Heaven "Matthew 6:1-15"

Memory Verse: Matthew 6: 9-10:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed by they name. They Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.


Heaven is a perfect place.
Earth isn't.

Why this difference between heaven and earth since bother are from the hand of our perfect Creator?

The reason for earth's woes is sin. Every evil on earth springs from sin: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).

Sin is the reason for every hospital and cemetery. It is the cause of every prison and chain. Sin enslaves while promising liberty. It offers pleasure and gives pain. Sin has caused the great chasm between heaven and earth.

Earth weeps.
Heaven sings.

Is there really any profit in praying that the Father's will be done here as it is in heaven?
Yes.

This is a prayer for the coming Kingdom of Christ....the Millennium. When the King returns, the Father's will will be carried out all over the earth" ......for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).

Discouraged with world conditions?
A better day is coming. Our Lord will come again.

Perhaps today!

2-7-07 The Goal "Matthew 5:38-48"

Memory Verse: Matthew 5:48: Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

"He's like his father."
What a compliment for most sons to hear!

We are to be like our Heavenly Father. But, of course, we fall far short of that worthy goal.

Some have thought this verse demands sinless perfection as a requirement to enter heaven. Not so. If that were the case not one would enter that promised place. Writing to the "little children".... those who could be sure they possessed eternal life (1 John 5:13) ...... John write: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

Why then did Jesus call for perfection? Hear Dr. Rice again: "God simply set a perfect standard. I have always told my children never to lie, never to do wrong. God could not afford to say that it is all right for a Christian to sin, for it is not all right. It is our own fault, and wickedness and sin always bring trouble. But it is still a fact that we do sin. God's standard is perfect, yet we do not keep it. That is the reason we must have a Saviour."

And here's an added truth: The call here is to maturity in the Christian like. Each day ought to find us on higher grounds. Victories today will bring greater success tomorrow. Meditation on the Bible, memorization of its verses and application of its truths in daily living will bring growth in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.

God's Word will make us clean and will bring Christian maturity.

Others will notice that you're becoming more like your Father every day!

2-6-07 "The Father" Matthew 5:13-19

Memory Verse: Matthew 5:16: Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Children of the Heavenly Father have a responsibility. They are to live so as to honor His name.

Commenting on this text, Dr. John R. Rice has written: "A light under a bushel measure would do no good; so a Christian who gives no testimony for Christ would do no good. The candle should be 'on a candlestick' (vs. 15), so a Christian ought to be in a church. The candlestick stands for a local church in Revelation 1:20. Christians should let their lights shine by a public profession of faith, baptism, public testimony, soul winning, preaching of the Gospel and good works.

"A Christian life ought not to be kept secret. Do not believe Satan's lie that men can live just as good outside the church as in it, or please God just as well without public testimonies. Compare this with Matthew 10:32, 33; Romans 10:9,10; Hebrews 10:25. A Christian's good deeds ought not to be just for show, yet his good life and works out to shine before men (vs16) so that they will glorify God."

Our Heavenly Father cares about all living things on earth. Even a sparrow that falls is the object of His concern. And Jesus taught that we are of more value than many sparrows.

The old hymn said it well:

"God understands your heartache,
He sees the falling tear;
And whispers 'I am with thee;
The falter not nor fear.' "

Since He cares about our earthly needs, we ought to care about His will and be careful to live in a manner that pleases Him.

2-5-07 Rewards In Heaven Matthew 5:1-12

Memory Verse: Matthew 5:12: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

You can't take it with you.

But you can send it on ahead.

The Bible is clear in its teaching that no one can earn heaven through good works: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us....." (Titus 3:5). Neither are we saved by faith and works: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" (Galatians 2:16). Salvation is by faith alone: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

Equally clear is the truth that the saved can lay up rewards in heaven through faithful service for Christ. And these rewards may be the most underrated possible possessions in the universe.

One of the shocks of heaven will be the revelation of what really should have counted on earth. Riches here compared to rewards there will seem unimportant. We will wonder at our folly and the lack of wisdom in our presents priorities.

We must lay down riches here to lay them up in heaven.

Interest rates here will seem small compared to God's hundredfold paid in heaven.

Where are you investments?

Heaven's dividends are eternal.

2-4-07 Settled In Heaven Psalm 119:89-96

Memory Verse: Psalm 119:89: For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in Heaven.

The Bible is a completed Book. No more written revelations are to be unearthed or given. All supposed added revelations must be recognized as fraudulent. Consider Revelation 22:18 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in the book."

There will never be a discovery or demonstrated scientific fact that will disprove the Bible's reliability. The supposed proofs of the theory of evolution that were taught in my college experience are not outdated. I still have the major textbook that confidently laid out the links in the chain of man's evolution. Today, a number of those links are known to be in error and have been discarded. The theory has had to be revised. Yet the Bible stands! Jesus said: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away" (Mark 12:31).

There will never be a judicial act from heaven to change any part of the Bible. The constitution of the United States of America is a wonderful work and is called a living document. Nevertheless it has been amended again and again as needed. The Bible is perfect and needs no amending.

God's Word is sure. Peter declared: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy: whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place....." (11 Peter 1:19).

The Bible is complete....perfect....settled in heaven.

Depend on it!

2-4-07 A Friend In Heaven Psalm 73:23-28

Memory Verse: Psalm 73:25: Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Upon the death of Anne Sullivan, her patient, painstaking teacher, Helen Keller said, " I look forward to the world to come where all physical limitations will drop from me like shackles/ I shall again find my beloved teacher, and engage joyfully in greater service than I have yet known!"

A man of God once sat at our table and reminisced about his son who had died in the service of our country. He had been an only child and had looked forward to entering the ministry upon his return from the war. The good man shared his heart with us and said that he and his wife were looking forward to heaven to see their son.

Many anticipate heaven because a friend or loved one is there whom they long to see. Heaven will be a place of glad reunions but the greatest thrill of all will be our meeting with Jesus....our most faithful friend.

Christains have a friend in heaven. Joseph Scriven said it well: "What a friend we have in Jesus!"

People often boast of having friends in high places. Let one know the President or one of his cabinet and he will announce it to the news media so that all his friends and neighbors will know of his important connection with one in power. Name dropping becomes his favorite pastime.

But we have a friend in the highest place in the universe. No earthly sphere of influence compares with the throne of God.

And our friend is there.

Aren't you glad you have a friend in heaven?

2-2-07 The Throne Psalm 11

Memory Verse: Psalm 11:4: The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Heaven is the focal point of theuniverse.
God's throne is in heaven.
Justice and jundment proceed from the throne of God.

There are many wrongs in the world as a result of sin. Wars rage. Oppression thrives. Dishonesty is rampant. Evil people seem to prosper. But God will make everything right. There will be a day of reckoning. The Psalmist declared: "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne..." (Psalm 89:14).

God's throne is a throne of grace. While none deserve the privilege of prayer, God deals with us in a grace. Thankfully, our merit is not a factor. We come to the throne on the basis of Christ's death for us on the cross: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16)

The throne of God is a place of breathtaking beauty. John described it as follows: "And immediately I was in the spirit" and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sitht like unto an emerald...And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal.." (Revelation 4:2,3,6)

The throne of God is a place of prasie: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy..." (Revelation 5:9).

Someday we will join the heavenly choir...and sing His praise!

2-1-07 Caught Up 11 Kings 2:1-11

Memory Verse: 11 Kings 2:11: And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Heaven is a real place.

Elijah ascended there without experiencing physical death. He was caught up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Enoch was the only other human being to escape death, going directly to heaven. In the New Testament it is written of him: "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5).

Translation. What a good word to describe the miraculous journey from earth to heaven taken by these two men of God. In translating words from one language to another we make thoughts and statements understandable that were formerly mysterious. When Elijah and Enoch arrived in heaven their discoveries must have been enlightening beyond their wildest dreams.

Christ is coming again. Perhaps soon. When He comes He will take all living Christians to heaven. IF that great event takes place before we experience physical death, we shall be translated....take to heaven....caught up: "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Those who have died before His coming will be resurrected and will also be caught up to meet Him.

If Christ should come today, are you ready to be CAUGHT AWAY?