There is a heaven to gain.

There is a hell to shun.

We need to show those in our communities a glimpse of heaven and make it hard for anyone to go to hell.

You can't go into the poverty stricken areas of your city and tell people, "accept Jesus in your heart or you are going to hell."

They don't understand that because they are already living in hell.

Instead, we should show them a glimpse of heaven with it's race, gender, health and economic equality for all.

"I resolve to endeavor to my utmost to act and think as if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and the torments of hell."

-- Jonathan Edwards

Heaven and Hell.

Let's always be reminded of their realities as specified in Scripture.

Souls are weighing in the balance.

Let's show them heaven.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

This may be one of the worse days of your life.

This may be one of the best days of your life.

Or, your day may be somewhere in between; the worse or best.

One thing is certain; God's grace.

"Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace." - Jerry Bridges

No matter what today unfolds, and life deals out, let's take time to meditate upon, and receive God's available abundant grace for each of us.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

The initial response the proclamation of the reign [of God] produces...is one of joy and happiness. Later, there will be a call to live up to the values of the coming reign.

- Juan Ramsn Moreno, Jesuit priest murdered in El Salvador in 1989.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Lord, let the thick skin that covers me not be a hindrance to you. Pass through it. My eyes, my hands, my mouth are yours. This sad lady in front of me: here is my mouth for you to smile at her ... This smug young man, so dull, so hard: here is my heart, that you may love him, more strongly than he has ever been loved before.

- Madeleine Delbrjl, Missionary and activist (1904-1964)

Pass through my thick skin Lord, and touch others with your grace, peace and love.

That is my prayer today.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

If so, are you?

If not, He will.

When He does, will you?

And he [Jesus] said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 ESV)

Know that you are loved,
gaj

We all have done things in the past that we would do differently in the present.

We were not perfect in the past, nor are we in the present.

As we follow Christ, there are improvements along the way, until one day, when our journey here is completed, we achieve that which we have long awaited.

The struggle is over.

The battle is won.

What a glorious day that will be.

In the meantime, we follow Him.

John Ortberg says, "God sees with utter clarity who we are. He is undeceived as to our warts and wickedness. But when God looks at us that is not all He sees. He also sees who we are intended to be, who we will one day become."

So Beloved, lift up your head today.

Be encouraged!

Your redemption is nearer today than yesterday.

The best is yet to come!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

I have a natural tendency to worry and be anxious.

I know those who do not have as much of a tendency, and I admire them.

I'm married to one such person.

Becky and I will celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

We were wed on March 6, 1982.

Throughout our marriage and ministry together, at times I have leaned toward panic instead of faith.

Not Becky.

She has a solid and childlike faith in our Father.

For all those who have the same tendency as I, let me share a quote with you that will encourage:

The secret of Christian quietness is not indifference, but the knowledge that God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, and worry becomes an impossibility. -- Oswald Chambers

Beloved, God is our Father.

He loves us.

We will never think of anything He will forget.

Father is in control.

The best is yet to come!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

My wife, Becky, is a pro at saving money on food and necessity purchases.

She amazes me.

She watches store ads, collects coupons from the newspaper and files them.

When the stores nearby have an item on sale in which she has a coupon, she goes into action.

Some stores double the coupon and she gets the item free.

Now, that's redemption!

Jesus came into our world and experienced the difficulties of our life.

He was homeless, having nowhere to lay His head at night.

He was rejected, despised, and ridiculed.

He suffered and was crucified.

He willingly gave His life so that we can have life with the Father now and for all eternity.

Now, that's real redemption!

He is the foundation of each of His followers.

He is the Rock, and those anchored to Him will not be moved, even in the fiercest of storms that life can bring.

He finds pleasure in each of His followers as they allow Him to shape their words and thoughts.

He is the Rock and the Redeemer!

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. -- Psalm 19:14

Please Him beloved.

Please Him.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

The instruments used to communicate God's words to us were imperfect humans, yet the words are God breathed.

Kings, murderers, physicians, and fisherman were among some of the writers.

The Creator gave the created the flexibility to write words shaped by their intelligence, individual style, and experience, yet each author of the Bible wrote under the unction of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is what makes the words holy, true, powerful, life changing, sharp, and encouraging.

The words give direction and build faith in the reader and listener.

The Bible is worthy of attention, study, and consumption on a daily basis.

It is priority in the life of all those who long for God, wanting to know, and obey Him.  

Origen said, "The Word is stronger than all the evils in the soul. The Word is the healing power who dwells in him".

Beloved, stay in the Word.

Read it.

Listen to it.

Follow it.

Let it change you.

Let it heal you.

Let it empower you.

Stay in the Word.

Know that you are loved,
gaj