Heaven and Home and Hope!

“You’re pre-occupied, honey, aren’t you?” Bev noted last night. And, so I was.  I’ll be ministering to a family of a young woman today and my mind was thinking about their loss.  Driving through our town yesterday I realized anew that Christ’s church has much to do in leading others to know Him.  Our troubled world is an unsettled place – war, terror, poverty, oppression being the lot of millions today.  Those things, and more, made me think of heaven, home, and hope –  the inheritance my Father has prepared for me. 

Am I complaining or in despair? Not at all! I enjoy rich blessings - the love of God, many friendships, a loving wife, great kids – overall a privileged life! What I am trying to say is that even with a good life, there is a longing for that promised place where sin cannot enter, where suffering is unknown, and where intimacy with God is unbroken.  The Psalmist expresses my desire:  "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (Psalm 27:4, NIV)

Our Creator made us to love and serve Him and His Spirit works in us causing us to intensely desire His Presence. We will only fully know rest and communion with Him when we reach Home!  The late Dallas Willard pointed Christians forward to eternity.  Without a real conviction about Heaven and home we risk becoming disillusioned, even embittered, with the passing of time.  Read his thoughts slowly. They are rich with meaning. 

"I meet many faithful Christians who, in spite of their faith, are deeply disappointed
in how their lives have turned out. Sometimes it is a matter of how they experience aging,

which they take to mean they no longer have a future.

But often, due to circumstances or wrongful decisions and actions by others,

what they had hoped to accomplish in life they did not ....

Much of the distress of these people

comes from a failure to realize that their life lies before them…

the life that lies endlessly before us in the kingdom of God." (The Divine Conspiracy) 

Christian, are you taking hold of Heaven, home, and hope that is your inheritance?  Remember, too;  eternal life DOES NOT begin only after we die.   WE are citizens of Heaven, now by the grace of Jesus Christ.   I commune with the Lord of Glory now.   I am called to bring Heaven to earth, to live in earnest expectation of glories to come, while confronting the darkness of sin with the Light of Heaven, right now.   

Abraham is a model for us.  He heard God's call, grasped the reality of eternity, and lived the rest of days here on earth on pilgrimage. Was he perfect?  No! He took some detours from the straight and narrow path, but he never lost sight of where he was going.    "By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God."  (Hebrews 11:8-10, The Message)

Our silly fantasies about heaven can diminish our anticipation of that prepared home.   The images of the misty fog enveloping transparent spirits floating in a ghostly realm, the fat little cherubs strumming harps as their feet dangle over the edge of clouds, are nonsense. Heaven is a real place, created by the same God that thought up the refraction of sunlight by water moisture which produces the beauty of a rainbow.  He did that for a thing of beauty that lasts for a few moments.  The One who designed this temporal world, which is destined for destruction, has built a place where we will live eternally.  If He would make a temporary world of such splendor, what must the eternal home He’s created for to enjoy forever be like?  John tried to describe it for us, but could only speak of gates of pearl and streets of gold.  The amazing beauty of a Mozart composition will sound like a beginner’s piano piece compared to Heaven’s music.  The inspiration I find in Hillsong’s worship song, Oceans, will be nothing compared to the roar of the throngs around the Throne of God who will raise a song of worship.

The best conversations, the deepest love for another, the most wonderful worship, the most blissful day - are just glimpses of what we will enjoy ALL THE TIME in our Home!  

So, by faith, reach out and set your hope in Heaven.  Never lose sight of that place.  When life is overwhelming, when sin threatens to engulf you,  when all seems futile,  when disappointment breaks your heart - look up and thank God that He has written Heaven into your heart.    It is precisely that longing for home that makes us unwilling to settle down and desire our best life now. 

Jesus’ words of promise are our word from the Word.  Read them, believe them; He promised. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3, NKJV)

_________________________

Onward to the Prize before us,
Soon His beauty we'll behold.
Soon the pearly gates will open,
We shall tread the streets of gold.

When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be,
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory.
-public domain

Jesus-style leadership

People have opportunities to lead – in their family, at their church, in civic organizations, at work, and in government. Not all leaders are generals or Presidents!  No army could function without its sergeants (a word that comes from a Latin word meaning ‘one who serves’).  Don’t make the error of believing that only those who hold command rank, or those who are chiefs, or those who are in the CEO’s chair can lead.

Jesus never held any office. He was without an organization. He had no budget, no buildings; but what a leader He was and is!  Isaiah, moved by the Spirit, described His leadership this way.  “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.

In his law the islands will put their hope.” (Isaiah 42:1-4, NIV)  

Since we are called to be like him, our leadership will mirror His.

Spiritual leaders are CHOSEN. 
Jesus did not appoint Himself. His influence did not come from a Harvard degree or a well-connected family tree. God put the Spirit in Him, sent Him with a commission.  Christian your influence and authority – be it in your home, at work, or in your church – comes from the Spirit’s call.  Yes, you can prepare with education. It is valuable. You can find the right mentors. But, a true spiritual leader seeks God’s anointing and with that is empowered to lead.

Spiritual leaders are SELFLESS.   
Jesus’ mission was to reconcile people to God and to one another. He did not seek the perks of power. He did not try to associate with the beautiful, the intelligent, or the privileged. Instead, He gave Himself to those who needed an Advocate.  He never tried to position Himself for the next level, hoping to catch the eye of somebody higher up.  The Message says, "He won’t call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right." (Isaiah 42:2-3, The Message)  Are you a selfless leader, seeking the best for those in your sphere of influence?  Do you give yourself to those that others ignore, seeing God’s image in the least among us?

Spiritual leaders are FAITHFUL.  
 Hebrews says that "Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God— he (Jesus) could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." (Hebrews 12:2, The Message)  Leaders, even the best, are met with disappointment.  Plans are frustrated. People can be uncooperative.  Fatigue sometimes stalks them.   Good leaders keep the vision.  They see beyond the mountain and push on. "Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31, NLT)

Disciple, God has a calling for you, a role He has chosen you to fill, and gifts of the Spirit that will equip you for that service.

Will you serve well?  Will you be content to be placed where He desires?  Will you contentedly lead as a sergeant or a general, surrendering your ego to Him? 

There is a constant temptation to take a poll to see if we are a success.  We love results, numbers, charts – measurable indicators that we are ‘good leaders.’  Spiritual leaders know that not all results for the Kingdom can be charted.  They know that as they are faithful to the Lord’s calling some will regard them as failures.  Here’s a word from the Word.  Let it encourage you to finish well- seeking the praise of the One whose approval matters most.

"Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. . . . no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God." (1 Corinthians 3:18-23, NIV)

"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." (1 Corinthians 4:2-4, NIV)  

Chosen, Selfless, Faithful – go change YOUR world!

_________________

I Would Be True

I would be true,

For there are those who trust me.

I would be pure,

For there are those who care.

I would be strong,

For there is much to suffer.

I would be brave,

For there is much to dare.

I would be brave,

For there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all,

The foe, the friendless.

I would be giving,

And forget the gift.

I would be humble,

For I know my weakness.

I would look up and laugh

And love and lift.

I would look up and laugh

And love and lift.

I would be learning,

Day by day, the lessons;

My heav'nly Father,

Gives me in His Word.

I would be quick to hear

His lightest whisper

And prompt and glad to do

The things I've heard.

And prompt and glad to do

The things I've heard.

I would be prayerful

Through each busy moment.

I would be constantly

In touch with God.

I would be tuned to hear

His slightest whisper,

I would have faith,

To keep the path Christ trod.

I would have faith,

To keep the path Christ trod.

Howard Arnold Walter | Joseph Yates Peek

© Words: Public Domain

Help Wanted

Imagine a person thinking that being the President of the United States was only about getting a big limousine in a motorcade, having a band play “Hail to the Chief” when he entered the room, and traveling in the luxury of Air Force One! There are perks that go with the office, but the cost of leading the nation is all-consuming. The President carries responsibility that does not stop, from which he takes no breaks. His decisions have real consequence for millions, his word sends soldiers into battle. Look at pictures of recent presidents from the day of their election to the day they leave office.  The weight of responsibility etches lines into their faces, grays their hair, and bends their shoulders.

Chris (name changed) had an ambition. He wanted to be a leader. He read leadership books, attended seminars, and sought positions in various organizations. He was turned away, over and over again. He wanted a position of importance. He wanted an office, a title. He thought that with those things he could enjoy the love of devoted followers.  Chris did not ‘get’ that leadership is about serving, not Self.

Two of Jesus’ disciples were like Chris! James and John approached the Lord one day and asked for positions of importance.  “Make us your right-hand men,” they said. “Put us on either side of your throne when you come into your Glory.”  They had seen the aides standing next to powerful men. They craved the perks they imagined belonged to those people. Jesus did not refuse their request. He clarified the cost!  “You think you’re ready to pay the price that comes with those places in my kingdom?” He asked them.  In Christ’s Kingdom, those who lead must die to Self.  He knew that the path to His throne would travel through the Cross. “Can you drink the cup I’ll have to drink?” He asked them.  They naively insisted that they were prepared to go the distance. The other disciples were equally clueless.  They were ready to fight for a place of importance, too.  "When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." (Mark 10:41-44, NIV)  That took some of the shine off of being a ‘big man’ next to Jesus!

One of the most desperate needs of the Church in 2014 is for servant leaders.  There are millions of people that think Christianity is just a two-hour long ‘weekend experience.’  Some want to lead, but only if that means having a title and visibility in an organization.  The real need is for men and women who want to give their lives to serve, who pray and think about ways to help others find hope, peace, purpose, and eternal life.  They will mobilize others, equip and inspire them, without craving power or perks. Jesus points us to the path of true leadership – selfless service.

It’s not that genuine service goes without reward in God’s work. There will be a rich return but it is not the same kind of reward that the leaders of industry or politics may enjoy. It’s not wealth, prestige, or power that those who serve Him well will find.  It is the commendation of the Lord of Glory, a celebratory welcome into Heaven, “God’s applause!”  Near the end of his life, Paul wrote that he was anticipating receiving “a crown of righteousness.” (2 Timothy 4: 7-8)

Moses was of the great leaders of God’s People. In the word from the Word note his inspiration to serve. Let it inspire a prayer in you – “Lord, I’ll go and serve.”  “By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. He chose a hard life with God’s people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. He valued suffering in the Messiah’s camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff. By an act of faith, he turned his heel on Egypt, indifferent to the king’s blind rage. He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going.”  The Message (Heb 11:24-27)

“Help wanted” – will you go to work for Christ today?

Think you're "Mr. Wonderful"?

Hubris is the point of vulnerability in us all!  What’s hubris?  It is “excessive pride or self-confidence, arrogance.” We want to believe the wonderful things about ourselves that others say. A great compliment is encouraging.  Caution is in order, however. None of us has life completely mastered nor has any of us conquered every sin.  Young or old, we have blind spots, broken places, and unfinished business in life.  Hubris makes us blind to our brokenness. I cringe when I remember occasions of arrogance in my life. Nothing has cost me more dearly than becoming too confident in my own wisdom and failing to listen – to the Spirit of God and the wisdom of counselors!

Rehoboam, son of King Solomon came to the throne from a prince’s privileged life. Everybody admired him, told him he was wonderful- and he believed it!  After his coronation, the citizens of Israel asked for relief from taxation. Solomon’s building of a great nation had been costly.  Knowing the young king did not have the affection of the people that his father enjoyed, they advised him to go slowly,  "but he rejected the counsel of the elders and asked the young men he’d grown up with who were now currying his favor," (1 Kings 12:8, The Message) "and went with the advice of the younger set, “If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!”  (1 Kings 12:14, The Message)  Is that not the very definition of hubris? A short time later the nation divided, with the northern half rebelling and appointing their own king!

A little success can  be more dangerous than a string of failures. When we are ‘winning’ there are plenty of sycophants that will surround us to remind us of our amazing talents. Governments, corporations, and even churches falter when those leading them start to believe in their own ‘exceptionalism.’ The Lord says: "if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12, NIV) Paul’s understanding of God’s gifts and his responsibility instructs us well. "Whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace." (1 Corinthians 15:10, NLT)  

Lose hubris, gain humility. “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5, NIV)  Accomplishment will not bring on hubris in that person who knows that he is who he is only who he is because of the grace of God.  When we are impressed with ourselves, this question needs to come to the forefront of our minds: “Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,” Paul wrote, “but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3)

Hubris or humility?
What will it be?  

Take the wisdom of Jesus with you today as you meditate on this word from the Word.  

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4, NIV) 

________________

“Earth’s crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire

with God:

But only he who sees takes off

his shoes.”

Elizabeth Barrett Browning