A Needed Reminder about Heaven!

It is so very easy to get so wrapped up in "this life" commitments and activities, that we can lose sight of "the next life." Yet even a casual read of the New Testament reveals that we as followers of Christ cannot afford to do so! We must be striving to "set our minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2). Because of our need to stay focused on heaven, I thought what I had to say last September was worth repeating --- first to me and then to you!

Originally Posted: September 25, 2007 under the title:
"Now That's Some Piece of Real Estate!"

Not too long ago, my wife and I were taking a walk when we came upon this sign. After reading the sign, I checked with my wife to see if she thought we should make an offer. An acre of real estate for just $1.7 million - sounds like a real deal! However, our credit card's spending limit was not quite enough!

The old saying that with real estate it's all about location, location, location - is definitely true. The acre being advertised for sale in this sign is located on the waterfront in Bar Harbor, Maine. Definitely a prime location! And if I had the financial capacity to do so, I would possibly think seriously about making an offer. It is incredibly beautiful in that part of Maine! (I wonder if they would accept an even million? Hmm...)

Now as valuable as this piece of property is - there is real estate far more valuable. In fact, the real estate I am thinking of is "out of this world!" It is the real estate of heaven (yes, heaven is a real place - just as real, if not more so, than that acre of waterfront property in Bar Harbor!). If you have not read the Bible's most complete description of heaven recently, let me encourage you to read the final two chapters of the Bible (Revelation 21-22). I just read it and WOW! I am more than ready to go there!). But unlike the acre in Bar Harbor, the real estate of heaven is not for sale! It has already been paid for -- by the blood of Jesus Christ. How about YOU? Are YOU trusting in Christ's sacrifice (and his sacrifice alone) to gain your entrance into this wonderful eternal place called Heaven? Jesus is indeed the ONLY way (see John 14:1-6).

Thanks for listening,

pj

For Believers Who Are Grieving the Death of a Loved One

If you have recently experienced the death of a loved one who was a follower of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, then read the following. This quote is from the great evangelist of the 1800's, D. L. Moody.

"Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody, of East Northfield, is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all; out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, a body that death cannot touch."

"More alive than I am now!" Wow!! This will be the experience of every single person who has confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! And if you have lost a loved one who is"in Christ" - your loved one has already experienced the reality of Moody's words!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

This Weekend Chew on This . . .

Here's a quote from the pen of R.C. Chapman* that I just read this morning. It is worthy for some thought and reflection.

"My business is to love others, not to seek that others shall love me."

Ouch!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

*R. C. Chapman (1803-1902) was an English pastor who was a close friend of J. Hudson Taylor (pioneer missionary to China) and a spiritual mentor to George Muller of Bristol.

Wedding Bells to Toll Again!

In China it is the Year of the Rat. In the Smith household, it is the Year of the Wedding! My youngest daughter tied the knot back on June 29th. Now, in just a little over two weeks (October 12th) my oldest daughter will be doing the same! I will be one tired but happy dad when the dust finally settles!

Today a movie on marriage hits the theaters. It is called, Fireproof and stars Kirk Cameron (probably best known for his role as Michael Seaver in the mid-80's television sitcom, Growing Pains). Take a moment to read what others are saying about this film ... and watch the trailer. Then take your spouse by the hand and go and see this movie TOGETHER! It could change your marriage!

What Others are saying about Fireproof:

"Amazing! Action-packed, heartwarming, and a great resource to help strengthen and affirm marriages!" Dr. Gary Smalley, author of Change Your Heart, Change Your Life

"On top of a powerful message and the potential to change lives and marriages, this is one great movie!" Bubba Cathy, Senior Vice President, Chick-fil-A

"FIREPROOF is going to do much more than entertain and stir hearts; this is a movie that will impact couples in a profound way for decades to come." Dennis Rainey, President, FamilyLife



Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

The Power of O (Oprah, that is!)

In 1999, Eckart Tolle published his book, The Power of Now. The premise of his book? Living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. Hmm. I think Jesus might beg to differ. (as if the Lord of the Universe would beg - wrong choice of words, John!) .... Let me begin again. I think Jesus would disagree in no uncertain terms. The truest path to happiness and enlightenment is to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ alone is worthy of our allegiance and only HE has the key to the abundant life! Tolle's emphasis is nothing more than new age spirituality - which is totally different from biblical spirituality.

Well, Tolle followed up The Power of Now with another book in 2005. This book, titled A New Earth, only became a bestseller in 2008. Why a three year delay between publication and making the best seller list? A New Earth only became a bestseller when Oprah Winfrey (January 30, 2008) made it a selection of her million member book club. Once Oprah did that, sales of the book skyrocketed! Apparently for many people, Oprah's endorsement is all it takes! And that, my friend is power!

Just yesterday I received an email from someone who is concerned about the influence this book, A New Earth is having on people. So I did a little research, and found a solid biblically grounded review of the book by Don Whitney. You can read it at http://biblicalspirituality.org/newearth.html. What concerns me about this book and other bestsellers like The Shack (see my August 5, 2008 posting) is that many Christians read these books with little biblical discernment. As followers of Jesus, we MUST learn to discern, using the Bible as our compass for morality, theology and all of life's pressing issues!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Christianity on Display?

The British playwright, George Barnard Shaw once wrote, "Christianity might be a good thing if anyone ever tried it." Shaw's point? Far too many who claim to be Christians are not living as Christians (according to his definition of Christianity). When I read this quote early today, it got me thinking - not so much about others but about me. I have a tendency to not always live out what I profess to believe. Now I know that Jesus is not expecting perfection out of me (so that my walk perfectly lines up with HIS Word). But Jesus is expecting consistency from me. And the same goes for you, if you claim to be a follower of Christ.

So today ... and every day, let's pursue consistency, striving to align our talk and our walk with God's will. Of course, all by HIS grace and for HIS glory!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Maybe? Perhaps? Probably but . . .

Last night I found myself chuckling to myself as I watched of all things - the weather report. I was amused by the discussion of the forecast by the on camera meteorologist. He was talking about an approaching storm ... well, sort of. You see the storm hasn't formed yet. And although it probably will, it is still not a sure bet. And if it does form, which it probably will, it may move westward into the southeastern states OR it may move up along the coast into the mid-Atlantic states OR it may skirt the coast and head for New England. Oh and it may or may not become a tropical storm or ... yes ... possibly even a hurricane - maybe. I will give the weather guy credit -- he finally admitted that he just didn't know!

I am so glad that this type of uncertainty does not apply to the Bible. When God speaks in this book, we can rest assured that he speaks with certainty. He is, after all, the Designer, the Creator, the Sustainer of this vast universe. And he and he alone is sovereign over all. So when he speaks, it is not in the language of "maybe," "probably," "perhaps," or "likely." No. What he says, goes! And there is no "ifs," "ands," or "buts" about it! The writer of Psalm 119:89 put it well when he said, "Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." And what is firm in heaven is rock solid on earth!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj