Vacation in Paradise

Revelation: 21:1-4

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A1-4&version=NIV;NLT;MSG

 

Vacations are a great time to get away; to relax; to decompress. Recently my wife and I returned from a week in Paradise. The Riviera Maya is the stretch of white sand beaches south of Cancun, Mexico filled with all-inclusive resorts.

 

Staying at one of these resorts is a life of luxurious living where you are pampered by staff whose only goal is to serve you. The food is gourmet; the architecture is elegant; and the setting is ideal with palm trees, a pristine beach, never-ending sunshine and crystal clear blue water.

 

But the problem with going on a vacation like this is that eventually you have to return to reality; and reality can you hit like a sledge hammer.

 

Upon our return, instead of laying in the sun with 85 degree temperatures, we bundled up with winter coats in 35 degrees. Instead of enjoying the warm summery breeze of the Caribbean, we were buffeted by North wind gusts of 60 miles per hour. Instead of taking a leisurely walk down the beach with waves gently washing over our feet, we battled the commuter traffic for 45 minutes each way. Welcome home!

 

The New Jerusalem that John writes about in these few verses sounds like Paradise. And actually… it is.

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. ² And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.            NLT

 

The new order means living in the presence of God.

 

“Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They are his people, he is their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.”            MSG

 

What sounds better to you, a temporary vacation only to return to the daily struggles of life? Or a permanent vacation in Paradise, living in the presence of our loving God? Immanuel: God with us.

 

 

 

Radically Different

Hebrews 10:19-25

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010%3A19-25&version=NIV;PHILLIPS

 

When I was in grade school and my teacher said to take out a piece of paper and draw

anything you want – I invariably would draw a mountain scene like the one to the left. For me, the mountains represented something bigger than myself that provided strength, security and safety. It was a safe place for me to live vicariously through my drawing. I found peace, purpose and a place in the world.

 

What I never considered though, were the lives of the people who lived in the valleys, the hollows and the peaks of those mountains. Because they were people, no doubt they all had some struggle or issue. Maybe it was poverty, an addiction, a broken relationship or work. Like me, they needed a safe place. We all do.

 

I like how J.B. Phillips wrote this passage in Hebrews 10.

 

So by virtue of the blood of Jesus, you and I may now have courage to enter the holy of holies by way of the one who died and is yet alive, who has made for us a holy means of entry by himself passing through the curtain, that is, his own human nature. Further, since we have a great High Priest set over the household of God, let us draw near…

 

The writer of Hebrews is speaking of the Holy of Holies which is the inner chamber of the Temple where only the High Priest could go on the Day of Atonement. It was where the actual presence of God resided! It was a safe place; not to hide from the world, but to become engaged with the world.

 

…In this confidence let us hold on to the hope that we profess without the slightest hesitation—for he is utterly dependable—and let us think of one another and how we can encourage each other to love and do good deeds. And let us not hold aloof from our church meetings, as some do. Let us do all we can to help one another’s faith…               J.B. Phillips

 

Jesus is our mountain scene; our safe place. From there, we are called to draw nearer to Him, to encourage each other to acts of love and to do all we can to help one another’s faith.

 

What do you need to do to spend time in your safe place; in the very presence of God? Whatever it is, make it a priority today. If you do, your life will be radically different from those who don’t.

 

 

 

Trails of Trials

The obstacles are all around us. They get in the way of comfy living, they prohibit wide open paths; but everyone encounters them. No one is immune from these road blocks. We just need to be aware of them and proceed accordingly. Once we recognize that these boulders on our path are no surprise to God, we can maneuver them with confidence.

It is through hardship that we grow. It is the trials of life which beef up our faith. Smooth sailing never teaches us to navigate the rough waters that are bound to come. Think back to a time when you were stopped in your tracks by an illness, a financial set-back, a friend's betrayal. Looking back, weren't these times of growth? Weren't these times you felt the presence of God strong and sure?

1 John 2:24 (MSG)
²⁴  Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father.
Remember, nothing will stop the sovereign work of God, so see what God can do through the obstacles in front of you.

O ut of my way, Satan, you road block, you!

B e gone, I serve Jesus Christ only and

S tanding firm in the Gospel I am

T aking that stand and sharing my faith while

A lways believing, praying and strongly

C linging to my faith, I hold on to grace

L et our complications become stepping stones and

E mbrace what God can do with those obstacles

1 John 2:18-26

The Face of God

Revelation 21:22-22:7, 20-21

 

 

In 1991, I met Greg Lashutka when he was running for mayor of Columbus for the first time. We were passing each other in a church hallway. Being a good politician, he stuck his hand out to shake. Afterwards, I was so nervous that I couldn’t think of anything else to say other than, “Boy you’ve got big hands”.

 

Being in the presence of someone who is famous, successful and powerful can sometimes be intimidating. And in Lashutka’s case, he had something else going for him. He played tight end for Woody Hayes at Ohio State, and later in the NFL. Needless to say, he was a big man… with big hands!

 

In Exodus 33:20 God spoke to Moses saying, "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." After being in God’s presence Isaiah wrote, "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." When Simon Peter fell at Jesus’ feet, Luke wrote, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

 

What is it about the face and presence of God that is so difficult, if not impossible, for us as humans to encounter?

 

In today’s passage John is describing Heaven. In it, he makes this amazing statement: “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads”. Despite how people have always reacted in the presence of God, in Heaven we will see His face. We will be in His very presence.

 

I am reminded of the song “I can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me.

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.

 

In Heaven we will see the face of God and rejoice; not hide in shame. In Heaven we will

be in His presence; not in a temple. In Heaven, the River of Life will wash over us; not sin and guilt. In Heaven, no longer will there be a curse; but only joy in the presence of God.

 

John wrote these words in Revelation 21:  ^“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

Thanks be to God! Amen.

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A22-22%3A7%2C%2020-21&version=NIV;TLB

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Rev.21.22-Rev.22.7

 

 

 

 

 

Luke 7:11-17

You might think I am way out in left field when I tell you what the scripture for today first brought to mind, but here goes.  I want to know more about the young man Jesus restored to life.  I want to know what the boy thought of the experience.  I want to know how this young man's life was changed because of his brief encounter with the Savior.

Even more, I want to know how his mother reacted, I want to know what the next day looked like in both of their lives.  What about the crowd who witnessed the miracle; did their lives change at all?  Did they view death in a new light after this experience?

What about you? Have you experienced the touch of Jesus?  Has Jesus impacted your next move?  Has His love for you made a difference in how you interact with other people?  "They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” (Luke 7:16)

The last six months of my life have been filled with the presence of God.  I have felt Jesus' touch like never before.  I have witnessed miracles in an age when some don't believe miracles occur any more.  The Master's touch has changed me and I pray these experiences will make a difference in many lives.  How about you?  Have you heard Jesus whisper, "Don't cry," (Luke 7:13a).  Won't you share with us by commenting?

Read the Luke 7:11-17 text here.