2-28-07 Journey To A City "Revelation 21:9-27"

Memory Verse: Revelation 21:23: And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

There's a city in the distance
That the eye of faith can see,
And the blood of Christ my Saviour
Purchased entrance there for me.

As I travel toward the city,
With my eyes upon its glow,
I must walk this pilgrim pathway,
Facing dangers as I go.

But my guide, the Holy Spirit,
Christ has sent to lead the way,
And He safely, surely, leads me,
Lest I fall, or go astray.

When I reach that shining city
And the gates are open wide,
I will say, "I would not be here
If you had not been my guide."

Hallelujah! God is faithful!
I will gladly sing for aye,
For His grace brought me to heaven
And His Spirit lead the way.

Wava Campbell

2-27-07 Another Beatitude "Revelation 14:9-13"

Memory Verse: Revelation 14:13: And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Year, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Dr. George Truett asked a widow who was left with the care of several small children, "As you think of heaven, what about it appeals most to you?"

The toilworn woman put aside her sewing and said, "O, sir, that I will rest when I get over there. I am so tired. These children must have my care at all hours of the night. Their father is gone, and I have to be the breadwinner. When I am out of work, I have to go from place to place seeking work. I get so tired in body, mind and spirit. The most appealing thing to me is that I will rest in heaven!"

You may sigh a quiet "Amen."

The load you carry often seems unbearable. The bills keep coming and you must keep going. You may be working more than one job, or at least beyond your strength. The days seem long and the nights fly by. Your life seems a grind. Vacations are scarce or do not exist. Sometimes you are so tense and tired that you do not sleep well.

For now, rest in Christ. Give Him your burdens: "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9).

When you reach heaven there will be another resting time.

This is not to say that heaven is full of sleepers. The invigorating atmosphere of heaven will furnish both rest and refreshment. We will be both busy and blessed.

Walk closely with Jesus. He will see that you get your rest!

2-26-07 Heaven's Song "Revelation 5:8-14"

Memory Verse: Revelation 5:9: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Peter MacKenzie was an English preacher, full of native humor, and most godly man. Once while preaching from our text he said: "Yes, there will be singing in heaven, and when I get there I want to have David with his harp, and Paul and Peter and the other saints gather around for a sing. And I will announce a hymn from the Wesleyan Hymnal, number 749.

'My God, my Father, while I stray . . .' But someone will say, 'That won't do. You are in heaven, Peter; there's no straying here.' And I will say, Yes, that's so. Let us sing number 651 --
'Though waves and storms go o'er my head,
Though friends be gone and hopes be dead . . .'

But another saint will interrupt, 'Peter, you forget you are in heaven now; there are n o storms here.' Well, I will try again; number 536 --
'Into a world of ruffians sent . . .' Peter! Peter!' someone will say, 'we will put you out unless you stop giving out inappropriate hymns.'
I will then ask -- What can we sing?
And they will say: 'Sing the new song, the song of Moses and the Lamb.' "

Though some may dislike songs about the cross and the blood of Christ, that is the theme of the song of heaven. Those who wish to rehearse for the heavenly choir had better practice songs that tell the message of the cross. Get your heart in tune!

2-25-07 An Inheritance "1 Peter 1:1-10"

Memory Verse: 1 Peter 1:4: To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

You may have dreamed of inheriting a fortune.
Here is something better.

You can become in heir of God . . . a joint heir with Jesus Christ . . . the owner of an inheritance that awaits in heaven.

Now what is the condition?

You must become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. There is a common misconception that all are the children of God and all therefore going to heaven. It isn't so.

Who then are the children of God? Those who receive the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Being careful to rule out any false assurance, the Bible adds: "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). That is no one becomes a child of God because he is born into a certain family, because he performs certain good works, or receives supposed forgiveness from some religious authority.

To believe -- to receive -- is an act of faith. Those who become children of God do so as a result of faith in Christ. Today is a good day to become a child of God. Here is a prayer to aid you. "DEAR LORD JESUS, I COME TO YOU JUST AS I AM, A SINNER. I TURN FROM MY SIN TO YOU. I NOW TAKE YOU BY FAITH AS MY OWN SAVIOUR AND LORD. I TRUST YOU TO SAVE ME BY YOUR SHED BLOOD AND GUIDE ME IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. IN YOUR NAME. AMEN!"

2-24-07 Our High Priest "Hebrews 4:9-16"

Memory Verse: Hebrews 4:14: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

We have one in heaven who understands
His name is Jesus.

Here is the miracle of His love. He who the Bread of Life began His ministry hungering. He who is the Water of Life ended His ministry thirsting. Christ hungered as a man, and fed the hungry as God. He was weary, and yet He is our rest. He paid tribute, and yet He is the King of Kings. He was called a devil, yet He cast out devils. He prayed, and yet He hears prayers. He wept, and He is the One who dries our tears. He was sold for thirty pieces of silver, and yet He redeemed the world with His precious blood. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and yet He is the Good Shepherd.

Does heaven seems distant and unreachable?
Jesus is there and awaits your cry.
Do you think you are passing through trials and tests unknown by another other " . . . but was in all points tempted like as we are . . . (Hebrews 4:15).
Have you been hurt by another?
He endured the cross with all its shame.
Do you have less than others?
He had no place to lay His head.
Do some leave you out of their gatherings?
He was despised and rejected.
Our great High priest in heaven knows every burden.

Take all your needs to Him and leave them there!

2-23-07 The Return "1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:14: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

"If people go to heaven when they die, what is the use of the resurrection?" I was asked today.

The answer is simple.

Christians are coming back with Jesus to get their bodies.

Notice the text calls for God to bring with Him those who have died and are in heaven. Then follows an explanation of the resurrection. This great picture of the Rapture is a scene of reunion. Christians are being reunited with their bodies that have been in the graves.

And calling forth bodies from dust will be no problem for the ONe who formed the first man from the dust of the ground.

But what about those who have no been buried. Their bodies have been burned or lost at sea -- perhaps destroyed in explosions. No matter. Our Lord knows where every atom resides. At that day, He will call them together and form again the bodies of those who have died.

And these new bodies will be superior.

No more sickness. No falling hair. No infirmities of any kind. Those who died with bodies afflicted with any of earth's diseases or deformities will be perfect in the resurrection. John ended all speculation with these words: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).

Great day!

2-22-07 The Hope "Colossians 1:1-14"

Memory Verse: Colossians 1:5: For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.

There was good evidence that the faith of the Colossian Christians was genuine. It was demonstrated in their love for all the saints. Watching the lives of these Christians one concluded they were real. Their earthly walk gave testimony that they were headed for heaven.

The Pulpit Commentary says of our text: "What the apostle hears of 'the faith and love' of the Colossian brethren moves him to give thanks for 'the hope which is in store for them in heaven.' Of that hope this faith and love are to him a pledge and an earnest, even as the 'seal of the Spirit.' "

People who are going to heaven ought to love one another while on earth. Some expect to love others in heaven but they don't seem to be practicing here below.

To live above with saints in love
Will be eternal glory;
T live below with saints we know
Is quite another story.

But love for one another is the identifying mark of those who are citizens of heaven: "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his abideth in death . . . And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment" (1 John 3:14,23)

If love for others identifies those who are born again and are going to heaven, will others know your destination by your present attitude?

If no, it's time for a change!

2-21-07 Citizens Of Heaven "Philippians 3:15-21"

Memory Verse: Philippians 3:30: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is world is not our home.
We're just passing through.

Strangers, Peter called us. Pilgrims. No wonder we don't always fit in. We're citizens of another country. Foreigners.

Our language is different, regardless of the mother tongue. Every earthly language has its carnal and spiritual tongue. For the vast majority of earth's citizens everything centers in materialism and is punctuated with profanity. Using that same language there is a minority who speaks the language of heaven, a divine dialect centered in Jesus and punctuated with praise.

The aim of heaven's citizens should be different. While others hoard earth's trinkets and struggle to own as much as possible of this troubled planet, the citizen of heaven remembers that there is a better land in which to invest. He is driven by a statement of his Lord that contrasted the owning of the whole world to the value of one soul.

Heaven's citizens are good citizens of earth. The obey the laws, treat their neighbors with respect and kindness and work for the good of the nation in which they live. They take part in worthwhile projects and bring a positive influence in any community. Still, they are not overwhelmed by earth's problems, knowing that God is working out His purpose and that at the proper time, their Lord will come.

While traveling through this world, heaven's citizens are not immune to earth's afflictions. They catch cold, get the measles and sometimes have headaches. They even experience death because they are members of Adam's race. But they know that life's end can only take them home. And that is where thy really long to be . . . heaven!

2-20-07 Lord of All "Philippians 2:1-11"

Memory Verse: Philippians 2:10: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.

Leonardo da Vinci took a friend to see and criticize his masterpiece, "The Last Supper." Upon seeing the great work, the friend remarked, "The most striking thing in the picture is the cup!" the artist immediately took his brush and wiped out the cup, saying: "Nothing in my painting shall attract more attention than the face of my Master!"

The earth has known Jesus in His humiliation. The record of His life and ministry here is one of tears and the cross. His resurrection guaranteed the truth of His words and His deity. Still millions turn Him away even today.

He has ascended to heaven to prepare places for His own and to intercede for us. We shall go to be with Him at the end of life's journey. One day He will return to take His bride to heaven. Those living at the time will not die but will be translated in a moment, caught away to heaven.

At the end of the Tribulation period, Jesus will come as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Then his full authority will be known and recognized by all. Every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue will confess that He is Lord of all.

Some allow Him to be Lord of all now. They are headed for heaven but have a taste of heaven on earth. F.B. Meyer cried, "Oh for more of heaven on the way to heaven!" The he explained that this is a prayer we can almost answer for ourselves by seeking more of Him who is Himself the heaven of heaven -- the Lord Jesus.

Make Him Lord of all!

2-19-07 Far Better "Philippians 1:19-30"

Memory Verse: Phiippians 1:23: For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

An old Scotch preacher had struggled all through his ministry to help those who were facing death. He had difficulty in this part of his ministry because he had never himself conquered the fear of death.

Near the end of his life, he moved to another house. When all the furniture had been removed from the old home, he lingered there. His children had been born there. He had prepared hundreds of sermons within those walls. It was hard for him to leave. A thousand memories moved through his mind.

Finally, one of those helping in the move came to him and said, "Everything's gone/ and the new house is better than this one."

It was just what he needed. The sermon in that statement was unforgettable. He understood Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ because heaven is far better. The years that remained found him capable in aiding others to prepare for heaven.

There are many wonderful sights on earth . . . but heaven is far better.

Fond friendships are formed on earth . . . but heaven is far better.

Dream homes rise out of the minds of architects and under the sound of the builder's hammer . . . but heaven is far better.

Sweet music is played by gifted people and it echoes in great auditoriums produced by famous orchestras . . . but heaven is far better.

And for the Christian, heaven is home!