Preparation

I Cor. 2:9, "......No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."

It has been said that "Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people." We know that not a single one of us goes to heaven on our own merit but only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ as we acknowledge our sinfulness and accept Him as Savior. But do you suppose some people will enjoy heaven more than others? In Dante's Inferno there are levels of hell according to the amount of evil men have committed on earth. Do you imagine there might also be degrees of pleasure in heaven according to how we have lived our earthly lives? Let's think about it for a minute.

Certainly the closer we walk with Christ on earth, the greater is our anticipation of heaven. Do you suppose when we gather now with other Christians and sing the great old hymns and the choruses of praise that we are preparing ourselves to rejoice in the hallelujah chorus in heaven? Do you think that those who have pondered the deep mysteries of God will be the most excited when those mysteries are revealed and we know in heaven even as God knows us now? Who do you think will be the most thrilled at meeting the saints of God through the ages, such men as Abraham, Moses, David, the apostles, Paul? Will it be those who have known them best through the Scriptures while on earth? And as we bow before the throne of awesome, almighty God and gaze upon the nail prints in Jesus' hands, will this not be an ecstatic experience for those who have loved them best? Our present Christian life is an opportunity for us to prepare our hearts for the wonders our gracious, loving Heavenly Father has prepared for us.

Life's Little Frustrations

While I'm Christmas shopping for all the others,

Children, parents, sisters, brothers,

Somehow I always seem to see,

And buy, some things that are for me.

Little Things

Many of us are familiar with Corrie Ten Boom's story of dying grace. Her father reminded her that he gave her a train ticket only when she was ready to board the train, and he told her that dying grace was like that. God gives it to us only when we need it. But sometimes it takes more grace, more courage, to live than to die, to persevere through difficult circumstances, to survive in confinement, to wince in constant pain, to operate hand to mouth daily for simple survival, to wonder when the next shoe will drop in a debilitating or fatal disease. This kind of grace, this kind of courage, is often needed right now and everyday. How can we find this kind of grace and courage?

I'm assuming you have already accepted Christ as your Savior, because that's the first step, and it's absolutely essential. I am also assuming that you have a daily quiet time with God where you read His word and communicate with Him, because that's the second step. But I want to suggest a third step, and I will call it "small things."

Seek pleasure in the small things of life--holding a baby, watching a sunset, holding hands with someone you love, eating a favorite meal, reading a good book or watching a good movie, listening to beautiful music, painting a picture or writing down your thoughts, indulging in a little shopping therapy. Treat yourself often to the little pleasures that are God's gracious gifts to you on a daily basis. And be grateful for each and every one.

Also, reach out and share little pleasures with others. Pastor Mat suggests telling someone everyday how good God is. A smile or a genuine compliment can lift someone else's spirits, and also yours, because we can never encourage someone else without that encouragement splashing back on us.

Treasure the little things in your life as well as provide them for others. As you look back you may well discover that, not only is life a compilation of the little things, but the little things were really the big things after all.

Life's Little Frustrations

When my car needs fixing I just leave it 'till it's done.

Then I pick it back up when it's ready to run.

When my body ails I wish I could leave it and then

Pick it back up when it's ready to go again.

God in Creation

Psalm 19:1-4a, "The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies; yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world." New Living Translation

I am a small town Southern girl and always will be. Some years ago my husband and I visited a certain well known American city. After several days of walking up and down sidewalks filled with jostling people and riding through noisy, busy traffic on streets edged with high rise buildings, I grew tired of concrete and asphalt. I longed for my yard that is shaded by giant trees, with soft, green grass underfoot.

There is nothing like seeing an ocean that stretches endlessly to the horizon; or having a view of looming mountain peaks garnished with ribbons of waterfalls or laced with icy, winding streams; or walking through a fragrant garden with a riot of blossoms against a background of variegated greenery; or enjoying God's handiwork twinkling in a black night sky to enable one to experience anew the greatness of an awesome God. In His creation we see the incredible power, the astounding wisdom, and the loving provision of the Creator. Somehow being in nature brings us closer to God and gives us a greater love and appreciation for Him. It also gives us a new perspective because our problems seem to fade in importance when viewed in conjunction with God's fantastic world.

O Lord, my God, how truly great You are!!! Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

Once you've opened it on your lap

It's awfully hard to refold a map!