John 16:22
You are now very sad. But later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A dear sweet lady who attended my church passed away this week. Ms. Gene was 93 years young. I mentioned her passing to my cousin, who knew her even better than I, and she said, “It’s sad, but she’s missed her husband, Leo, long enough. Every time she spoke it seemed she had something to say about Leo… 'Leo Gray always said…' or some other reference to him." My cousin said, “It's time she was with him again.” And truly, I was not sad that Ms. Gene has gone to heaven as much as I was sad that we will miss this spunky little lady here on earth. I know that Ms. Gene and others who have gone to heaven would not change things and return to this earth for anything. As much as I miss my loved ones who have passed, I wouldn’t begin to ask them to return… and they would not oblige anyway! And nothing I could say or do would change their minds.
Here’s the lesson in today’s passage… and it’s not about heaven, really. Or maybe it is, to some degree. See, I think we should be living in such a way now that we don’t have to get to heaven to know the glory that awaits us there. I know that my thoughts about this earth will change when I am finally at the feet of Jesus. But I think the real change ought to take place NOW! I ought to live on this earth like I’m already at Jesus’ feet.
Oh, sure… heaven will be much more wonderful. Things will be different there. But so much of what God offers us, we put on a shelf and “save” for when we get to heaven. There is so much that we could be enjoying and experiencing now, if we would only open our hearts and minds to the possibilities.
There will be moments of sadness in all of our lives… but they don’t have to last. We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to see Jesus… at least not totally. He is evident everywhere we look. His Holy Spirit can dwell in our hearts and everything we say and do can be permeated by His influence. We can change the way we feel today and experience all the joy He desires for us on this earth. It may not be as good as heaven (and most assuredly, it’s not!), but it can be pretty great if we’ll let Him have control.
This is sort of like the person who saves their good pajamas “in case I have to go to the hospital,” or someone who puts away nicer clothes for a special occasion… and that occasion rarely, if ever, happens. Nice clothes don’t do you any good in the closet or drawers… and saving your joy in Christ for heaven won’t help you in this lifetime. Start living fully – change your heart and mind and let the Holy Spirit fill you from the inside out… and be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel today. Heaven will be better… but with God in control, life on this earth can be pretty good, too!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Christians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christians. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 13, 2010
February 13 ~ John 17:24-26
Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. Good Father, the people of this world don't know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We like to fit in, don’t we?! When we go to a sporting event, we like to wear our team’s colors, or a shirt that has our team name and logo on it. We like to wear clothing with designer labels. Some of us like to belong to clubs and groups and be a part of things. We like to be recognized as belonging – to something or someone. We want to be close to our friends and loved ones and to be surrounded by people we enjoy.
Do you find it amazing that Jesus wants the same thing? And yet, it’s true! Jesus wants His followers close. He wants Christians to be readily recognizable as a group. This doesn’t mean He wants us to wear T-shirts that say, “I belong to Jesus” (although that’s fine if you do!) – but He wants us to live in a way that others know we belong to Him. How do we do this? We live for Jesus by sharing Him with others… through kindness and love, compassion and mercy. We show that we are Christians by being joy-filled and positive. We tell others of the blessings that God has done in our lives, and we avoid negative talk, prejudice, discrimination, and dissention.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the Christians from the unbelievers, because we Christians don’t always behave in a way that pleases God. But we can ask Him to help us do better. We can strive to be more like Christ – our perfect role model – each and every day. It may be nice to fit in with your family and friends, but it’s even better to fit in with Jesus. How are you doing these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. Good Father, the people of this world don't know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We like to fit in, don’t we?! When we go to a sporting event, we like to wear our team’s colors, or a shirt that has our team name and logo on it. We like to wear clothing with designer labels. Some of us like to belong to clubs and groups and be a part of things. We like to be recognized as belonging – to something or someone. We want to be close to our friends and loved ones and to be surrounded by people we enjoy.
Do you find it amazing that Jesus wants the same thing? And yet, it’s true! Jesus wants His followers close. He wants Christians to be readily recognizable as a group. This doesn’t mean He wants us to wear T-shirts that say, “I belong to Jesus” (although that’s fine if you do!) – but He wants us to live in a way that others know we belong to Him. How do we do this? We live for Jesus by sharing Him with others… through kindness and love, compassion and mercy. We show that we are Christians by being joy-filled and positive. We tell others of the blessings that God has done in our lives, and we avoid negative talk, prejudice, discrimination, and dissention.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the Christians from the unbelievers, because we Christians don’t always behave in a way that pleases God. But we can ask Him to help us do better. We can strive to be more like Christ – our perfect role model – each and every day. It may be nice to fit in with your family and friends, but it’s even better to fit in with Jesus. How are you doing these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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