October 11 – Where? It’s Up!

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven..” – 2 Corinthians 12:2 (NASB)

Paul was so overwhelmed by a heavenly vision that he did not know the precise details. However, whether he was caught up bodily into heaven, or his spirit was temporarily separated from his body, was not important. This may be a passage that is rather different than most we select. But it gives us a clue about heaven and help answer the question “Where is heaven?”  It is up. Heaven is up. Paul says he was caught up into the third heaven. Jesus reminded us that when He came to earth, He descended, and when He left to go back to heaven, He ascended, (Ephesians 4:10). It’s up. He came down and went back up. The angels told the disciples that this same Jesus who is taken up from you shall so come in like manner as you’ve seen Him go (Acts 1:11). When the Lord returns He will come down from heaven and we will be caught up into heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). John was called to “Come up here and I’ll show you heaven.” (Revelation 4:1) When two witnesses during the Tribulation are killed they are resurrected and called to “Come up here” (Revelation 11:12). Heaven is up!

 

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October 6 – Essential Understanding

“The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.” -  Psalm 14:2 (ESV)

 Among the essentials we need to progress as Christians in our life here on earth is the essential ability of understanding. Understanding is spoken about frequently in the Bible. Understanding does not come naturally but through a process of learning. Our promise in today’s verse affirms the Lord’s inspection of our thoughts and deeds. The words translated “looks down” in the original Hebrew text include a verb that actually says “bent over” to look. In a very real sense all the children of men are made to pass in review before Him. Because God is omniscient, he knows everything about his creatures including those who believe and those who don’t believe God’s words. We cannot escape his will by redefining words and instructions in the Bible and make those difficult to accept more satisfactory to us in our day. Customs change what is accepted or rejected as good and evil. None of these changes cause the meaning of God’s Word to change. What was an abomination to God 4000 years ago still today what God hates. God is always looking to see if there are those among his creatures who are discerning and seek after Him.

 

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May 2 – Near and Far

 Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?  Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 23: 23-24 (ESV)

We all are likely to have times in our life of faith that God seems distant when He is always right beside us. God is always in the process of revealing to us what He is like. In today’s verses there are three questions that we believe are intended to help us know better how God is involved in our lives.  As we read the verses we can see that the last question actually contains the answer to the first two. God asks, “Am I only a God that is nearby and not a God that is far away?” Well He is both and all thing time for God is everywhere. He fills heaven and earth. He fills all of His creation. He wants us all to know this because it reveals what a wonderful and caring God He is. There is nowhere that God is not and so no matter where we are, near or far, he is there with us. He is drawing us near to Him and as He is with us today, He is and will be with us tomorrow and forever – He fills our world and beyond.

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December 17 – Unending Satisfaction

““For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”” – John 6:33-35 (ESV)

Unbelief is overcome only by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise it is a powerful evil influence as we see demonstrated in today’s passage. Those to whom Jesus was speaking had been a part of the large crowd that had been fed to their filling with miraculous created bread and fish. 5,000 was the number of men not including the women and children. Possibly as many as 20,000 had been fed. They continue to ask Jesus for a sign that they could hang their belief on⸺a meal of fish that never swam in the lake was not enough. The people don’t get it. All they could think of was their physical hunger. They wanted more. Jesus makes a better offer and declares “I AM the bread of life.” That is the promise, if we believe in Jesus, we will not have a gnawing hunger for spiritual peace with God. Jesus also promises that those who believe will never thirst. It’s a promise of unending bread and water for our spiritual lives. Because of their unbelief, Jesus repeats with “Truly, truly” in John 6:47-48,. Unbelievers fail to accept the miracle of eternal life Jesus promised to those who believe.

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October 24 – Forever Settled

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.” – Psalm 119:89-90 (NASB)

Following immediately the meditation on yesterday’s promise we are assured in today’s selection that the Word of God has firmly been established. There is no question in heaven about whether His word is worthy of trust. God’s promises, both the negative and the positive will always be fulfilled because it is from the mouth of God. This is important. Some will take issue with God’s word claiming confusion over many conflicting “interpretations.” But those who choose willfully to disregard the truth in God’s word will not be excused from the consequences. The Bible may often be interpreted wrongly and some do proclaim false teaching by corrupting the intended meaning of God’s word, but that does not mean the Bible is every wrong in what it teaches when it’s carefully studied. Wayward Christians and unbelievers (sometimes it’s difficult to understand which is which), will use these excuses to avoid facing the truth about their own actions and attitudes which are contrary to the teaching in God’s word. Gods Word is settled in heaven and God’s faithfulness endures throughout each generation. Things like this and His revealed word are established by God and cannot be shaken.

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October 6 – A Matter of Citizenship

 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” – Philippians 3:20-21 (NASB)

“Citizenship” was of special interest in the first century. Philippi was an important Roman colony. Named by Alexander the Great for his Father Philip II. New Testament usage had varied applications. Primarily, it designated one’s city or city-state of birth and upbringing. Additionally, if Roman,  it conveyed protections, benefits, status, and responsibilities of the Roman empire. Paul uses his birthright as a Roman citizen to take advantage of legal privileges. Roman citizenship could be purchased if not conferred by birth. Our citizenship in heaven comes freely with our new birth into God’s family. Granted to us by God the Father on the basis of what Jesus Christ did when He sacrificed Himself for us and died a criminal’s death on a Roman cross. But on this earth our citizenship is – temporary. It comes with a guaranteed promise that will be fulfilled when one day, our Lord Jesus Christ transforms and conforms our bodies into ones that will be like His resurrected body reflecting His glory. This happens for all when Jesus returns as He promised. Alive or asleep (physically buried) The creator of all things, the Son of God will recreate for us a new perfect body.  

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June 2 – We Have No Other

“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. ” – Psalm 73:24-25 (ESV)

Let’s take a moment and consider the first promise. We are guided by God and He does so according to His counsel which is without fault and prefect in wisdom. Understanding these verses really requires reading them in context with the whole psalm. He faces temptation and nearly slips into the evils of envious arrogance (v. 2-3). The author is in conflict inwardly (vs. 14-15) Embarrassed as to how to act, he finds deliverance from his dilemma (v.16). He ends up with this declaration. The Psalmist acknowledges that it is God who guides us and it is also God who sees to us being received in glory. He thus declares his allegiance to God. We truly have no one besides God who will guarantee, and assure our eternal future in heaven. Another promise is here in the next verse (v. 26) that God is the strength of our heart and His portion is our best possession. Hence, there is nothing on earth that should capture our desire besides God.  Let’s not buck against this but instead, with Asaph, the Psalms author, let’s make the Lord God our refuge and testify of all His works (v. 28).

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May 12 – Is Never Asleep

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” -  Psalm 121:1-3 (ESV)

The title “Song of Ascents” identifies each of the Psalms 120–134 as a pilgrim song which was sung when the Israelites “ascended” (went up) to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. Festivals and feasts were very important annual events in Jewish life.  The pilgrim-psalmist, as he contemplated his own spiritual journey while walking the roads through the hills to Jerusalem. He asked where his help came from. It was a rhetorical question framed in the song for  he knew.  He had found the answer to this question in the affirmation of his faith that the Lord. It was the Lord God who created heaven and earth, including those hills. God was his only Source of help. God’s people then and today are encouraged to trust the living God because He will bless them all.  Verse 3 has our promise for today, and every day.  God is watching over us on our journey. We need not look to anyone but Him for the help we need. He will not let our foot to slip; and He never dozes off. God takes no naps or ever go to sleep and he guards us going and coming. 

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March 23 – Jesus said, “I Am"

And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” - Mark 14:60-62 (ESV)

Our passage today from the Gospel according to Mark, covers the illegal trial of Jesus before the Seventy of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Council).  Witnesses have lied about Jesus and twisted His words into things Jesus never said. The High Priest wants to find legal means according to Jewish law to condemn Jesus to death. In Matthew 26:63 The High Priest is puts Jesus under oath by declaring, “by the living God” and demands an answer, an admission or denial, as to whether Jesus considered himself to be the Messiah and the Son of God.* Jesus unequivocally answered, “I AM,” meaning, “I am indeed the Christ, the Son of the Blessed.*” In fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7, Jesus refused to reply to the false accusations or open his mouth to defend Himself. Now He responds with an absolute by saying, “You said (it), I am the Messiah, the Son of God.” Therefore, His meaning is a majestic, assertion that He is indeed The Anointed of God. “Yes, I AM.” He confirms that He is the Messiah. Our promise from Jesus is that one day we too will see Jesus come again in power with the clouds of heaven.

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*The title “Blessed One,” used in this way is only here in the New Testament, is a Jewish substitute for “God”. The Jews avoided every opportunity to say or even write the name of God YHWH and instead created substitute titles known to be references to God.  These two titles of Jesus both refer to His claim to be the Messiah. The Jews also know very well the implication behind the name “I AM” for that is the name claimed by God YHWH Himself.

January 6 – When Never Means Forever

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35 (ESV)

Notice how that statement has been fulfilled. There was no short-hand reporter following Jesus around taking down His words; there were no papers to print His sermons, and they wouldn’t have printed them if there had been any daily papers. The leaders of the people were against Him. We might see one of our modern freethinkers standing near Christ, and he hears Him say: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.” We might see a scornful look on his face as he says: “What ignorance!” If you find this difficult to believe, ask yourself this question—has it passed away? Do you know that the sun has shone on more Bibles to-day than ever before in the history of the world? There have been untold numbers of Bibles printed. The complete Bible has been translated into 670 languages according to Wycliffe Global Alliance (2017). They tried to ban it, to burn it, to chain it, and keep it from the nations, but God has preserved it, and sent it to the ends of the earth.  Today’s promise has proven true ever since it was made by Jesus, it will never fail.

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Thanks in part to: A Living Daily Message From The Words of D. L. Moody selected by Emma Moody Fitt, Copyright, 1900, by Fleming H. Revell Company, now in public domain.

December 8 – Making Heaven Our Treasure Trove

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:21 (ESV)

We do not have to dig very far in our verse to see our promise is today. Where do we find our heart anchored?  It’s where the things we treasure most are. If the things that have the greatest value to us are here on earth, that is where our heart is.  If we treasure the things in heaven, our heart is there. For several reason in previous verses (Matthew 6:19-20) we are told to not store treasure on this earth.  Earthly treasures lose value, if the start out with any in the first place. The clothing we treasure will be deteriorate and become rags because all things are subject to decay. Material trinkets will rust away even when kept carefully. Thieves will steal your valuables treasures. None of these things will happen to the truths which we find in the Word of God and treasure at great value. What does this mean to us? We may favor certain things in our life but nothing should become so much a treasure that it draws us away from the treasure God has given to us in His Word. Let’s use Heaven for our treasure trove.

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October 18 – It’s All From Him

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”  Acts 17:24-25  (ESV)

Understanding context is important. When the apostle Paul spoke these words he was in Athens, Greece.  He was standing on the Areopagus (Romans called it Mars Hill). This is where the Athenian supreme tribunal and “court of morals” was held.  Paul has been invited to speak to the wise ones. Today we look at a bit of what he said and a couple of promises which Paul was proclaiming to the Athenians.  First, God made the world and everything in it. Temples made by human hands were not where God lives. The same is true today. We worship God in buildings and we might call them God’s House but God’s House is all of Creation. We also think of the things we do as a means of providing what God needs. But the promise is that He Himself provides for us and He needs nothing from us. God has no needs. God calls us to worship Him, to give glory to Him and His Name, to Praise Him, to Love Him and His Word, and to Obey His commandments. We need to do those things and others out of obedience and not out of God’s need of them. 

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June 15 – In the Same Way

“And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.””  - Acts 1:11 (ESV)

Have you ever been caught daydreaming?  Just gazing off with your mind on something else instead of what is happening right where you are?  Our first verse today might sound like that is what the disciples were doing, “gazing intently into the sky.” But they were not daydreaming.  They had witnessed an incredible event.  Jesus, their friend, their teacher and Lord, had parted from them.  Maybe they did not yet understand what was happening but they soon would catch up.  The angels confirmed the promise that Jesus would return in the manner and place where He had left. Likely it wasn’t only the disciples there to see him part from them this way. They are near Bethany on the Mount of Olives, a mile east of Jerusalem. Not the Bethany near Galilee on the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized.  This promise is the reassurance that Jesus will return.  His return is the hope of all who by faith alone have believed in Jesus.  This hope will not disappoint us nor will it in anyway let us down.  He is coming back for us. He is coming back to settle all accounts and make all things right. 

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May 21– 40 Days Past - Ascension Day

“And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”  - Acts 1:10-11 (NASB)

It has been 40 days. Forty days before this event recorded in our verse today Jesus Christ rose from the tomb where His lifeless body had been placed three days before. Crucified, Jesus died on the cross to pay the wages for the sins of all who by faith have believed in Jesus.  Jesus is standing on the Mount of Olives with his eleven disciples (Judas is no more). Jesus gives them a promise and a charge. Soon, He promises, the Holy Spirit will come upon each of them and with His power, they will begin to witness to the world all that Jesus has given them and all that the Holy Spirit will give them.  The disciples see Jesus ascend from where He stood.  They watch him rise until clouds obscure Him and they stared after Him.  What is our promise?  There are many in this passage but today we focus on what the angels said. They appeared while the disciples had their neck bent looking at the sky.  The promise was direct.  Jesus was coming back. He will come back exactly revers of the way they saw Him leave. A promise to look forward to.

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* Ascension Day is officially celebrated on a Thursday on the 40th day of Easter, or 39 days after Easter Sunday. Ascension Day in 2020 is May 21. 

May 9 – Not Slow, But Patient

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. … Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.”  - 2 Peter 3:13, 15 (NIV)

In this letter by the Apostle Peter, we read of a day to come when God will be done with this earth. Peter tells us of God’s promise regarding the end of the world as we know it now.  He encourages us, those who have believed, to maintain holy and godly lives. Doing so will speed the coming of that day.  What will it be like?  We encourage you to read the context in 2 Peter 3 as the promises here in our verses today and in the larger passage are very important to remember for us who believe.  When the world is in chaos or near chaos, we are taught to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him (2 Peter 3:14 NIV).  But we are to also remember that the reason these days have not yet come is because God is patience for more to believe in the Gospel and become children of God. Peter also confirms the Apostle Paul’s words to be wisdom and given to him by God. Although Peter and Paul began their relationship over a conflict, (Galatians 2:11-12) we see here that they are of one mind and on the same page. 

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March 25 – Solid and Sure

“[By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope] …and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, …”  1 Peter 1:4  (ESV)

People who have not believed do not yet know or understand what the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus means for those who have believed.  When Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, He was raised to a new life.  That new life is given to all believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With that new life comes an inheritance, a spiritual trust because we are heirs with Christ.  Jesus Christ is our portion of that inheritance because He now abides in us through the Holy Spirit and we abide in Him. God is our Father and we His children possess the promise of an inheritance which is never-ending.  It is a pure and unsullied trust.  It never diminishes as it holds its priceless value for all time.  This inheritance is founded in heaven. Each of these descriptions of our inheritance are promises given to us that we can believe and abide by every day.  Starting today, we have it guaranteed and we can be encouraged to know that there is a time when this trust will become a very real inheritance for each of us in heaven.  

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January 23 – Where It All Begins

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.- Matthew 5:3 (NLT)

Blessedness is a word pronounced on people, as recipients of all the goodness of God. This blessedness produces in us a condition of happiness. Each of the nine promises in this passage from Matthew 5:3-11 are promises on the way to true happiness. Such happiness comes from God and which we receive it as we abide by the conditions in these verses. Today’s promise of happiness or blessing comes to us when we realize that we need Jesus because we can do nothing for ourselves spiritually.  We have no reserve to draw from, no works, because we are bankrupt spiritually.  We can’t bring ourselves to true happiness or receive the promised blessing from God on our own effort. We must trust in God by faith. When we realize that we have nothing that qualifies us and we acknowledge our condition we turn to God for help.  Our acknowledgement of our need for God is a blessing. This is where it all begins. No one can get into the Kingdom of Heaven except through acknowledging their need for God’s help.  This is where the entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven begins and it all comes from God through blessings. 

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December 18 – Joy From Serving Right

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. ”  - Acts 17:24-25  (ESV)

It may be common to think it is our duty to serve God by providing His needs. No, for we glorify God by praying that He would provide our needs and then, trusting Him to answer.  That results in living in the joy of God providing and caring for us as we serve others with our lives and love.  We learn from our verse that God is not served by our human hands as if He needs anything.  If we think God is needy of our service, we are actually taking Him down from His rightful place in our heart – we belittle Him in that way. Pagan religions live in fear by that rule.  The mighty grace of God, which brought us into His family, should not be preempted by our thinking God needs us to serve his needs.  “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45  By faith, God is glorified in our dependence on Him and our trusting Him to do what He came to do – providing us with what we need to serve others. A joyful life is the promise.

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October 26 – As He Will

“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”  Daniel 4:35 (NASB)

The words in this verse are the words spoken  by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.  God had fulfilled the prophecy He sent in a dream and King Nebuchadnezzar, the most  powerful person in the world at that time, was driven mad and away from his kingdom.  He lived like an animal until He came to the understanding expressed in these words.  Our promise is that no one on earth is above God.  In comparison, we account for nothing.  God does as He will and no one can question Him. Our God is a great God! He is sovereign in His dealings with all of us. God has always had His purposes in mind as he has dealt with His people. He has a purpose for you and for me. Sometimes He reveals why He deals in a certain way. We need to recognize that He works for our welfare and in love because He is a God of love.

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September 24 – Our Guarded Salvation

“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)

Our passage today is longer than most since it is one statement covering three verses.  The Apostle Peter wrote this letter to all believers who had been dispersed by exile from the land of Israel.*  Many of these scattered believers had converted from the Jewish religion. With an expression of praise to God, Peter wrote about the prospects ahead of them and us.  God, by His grace and mercy caused us to be born again with a new hope that is alive because of Christ's resurrection.  This is a promise –  we have an inheritance that is indestructible, uncorrupted, and unfading being kept in heaven for us.  But the promises do not end here, for by the unmatched power of God we are being guarded through faith for salvation.  Our salvation, though we know it is ours now, will be fully revealed in the last time.  Let's join that expression of praise and rejoice with Peter for these wonderful promises.  

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* Regions under Roman control, in the area that is now Turkey – Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.