Diversity In Heaven

Who do you think you will see in heaven? Have you thought about it? Have you wondered about the amazing diversity there will be? Do you look forward to seeing people you have never seen before? Are you looking forward to standing before the throne of God?

We hear a lot about golden streets, crystal palaces, and pearly gates. We don’t hear as much about who will be in heaven with us. But it is not only heaven, it is also for eternity in the new Jerusalem on the new earth. Heaven and eternity is amazing to look forward to.

There are some people who do not like diversity in people. What I have found to be true is those people have not been exposed to diversity in any real way. Oh, they may have seen someone different from a distance or only for a few moments, but they have not really been exposed to them. When we get to know people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and races, we find out they are all human and we become more impressed with God’s creation.

John tells us that he saw people from every nation, all tribes and peoples and languages in heaven. That means we will see people from places we have only heard of. There will people from cultures much different than ours. How can this happen? There are people in nations all around the world who are worshiping God, who believe in Jesus.

Too often we get wrapped up in our own little world, our own bubble. We don’t look beyond our neighborhood. We don’t think about people half-way around the world putting their faith in Jesus the same as we do. We forget that Jesus came to save everyone in the world. That means people we don’t know and cultures we have never visited. Yet, we will meet them one day and spend eternity with them, victorious in Jesus.

I pray we all take time to think about heaven and eternity. I pray we look forward to a diverse group of people being with us for eternity. I pray we know Jesus came to save everyone all around the world. Think about heaven. Think about eternity. Look forward to diversity. Know Jesus came to save everyone.

Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.

Be Made Whole

Have you ever denied that you follow Jesus? Have you been afraid to let others know you are a Christian? Have you realized you need to be redeemed? Have you asked Jesus for forgiveness? Do you know that He will reconcile you to Himself?

We all deny Jesus at some point in our lives. Whether it is out of fear of reprisal or because we are ashamed. Perhaps many of us are beyond those days, but it is a very real challenge for our young folks and those who are new Christians.

Peter had denied Jesus on the night He was betrayed. Though Peter had been with Him for three years, he feared being captured and facing the same fate Jesus would face. It is one thing to talk boldly when things are going along well and quite another when suddenly faced with persecution or bodily harm.

Jesus knew He needed to redeem Peter. Not only did He need to redeem him, but He needed to do it in a way that Peter would both know without a doubt he was redeemed, and he would feel contrition. Jesus knew exactly what to do and how to do it. He has the same knowledge about each one of us.

Perhaps the question we need to wrestle with is, are we willing to allow Jesus to redeem us? The only other option is to continue to wallow in our brokenness. Therefore, we should confess our denials and sins to Him and ask Him to redeem us with His grace.

I pray we all realize we deny Jesus at some point in our lives. I pray we ask Jesus to redeem us. I pray each one of us trusts that Jesus will redeem us, welcome us back into the fold, and make us whole. Ask Jesus to redeem you. Trust that He will. Be made whole by Jesus.

John 21:17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Preparing for Old Age

Have you ever stopped to imagine what your life will be like when you retire and grow older? Have you thought about it as you have seen your parents or grandparents grow older? What do you foresee? How are you planning for that time in your life? Are you preparing for it?

When we are young, we don’t think about growing old. It’s not until we get into our mid or late forties, maybe not until we get into our fifties that we finally take notice, if then. Growing old is not on our minds as we go about our busy lives of work, family, and entertainment.

Jesus spoke a truth to Peter after He had reconciled Peter to Him. It is a hard truth that all of us will have to wrestle with. We may not be crucified as Peter was, according to tradition. However, we will get to a point that we can no longer clothe ourselves and will be taken to places we prefer not to go.

How do I know this? I visit at least one nursing home every week. I talk to the residents there. I know they do not want to be there, but they can no longer care for themselves. There are many reasons they cannot. The reason may be weakness, failing eyesight, or some form of dementia. Regardless of the reason, they are where they don’t want to be and often need assistance dressing themselves.

The ones I speak with most often are Christians, members of the churches I serve. They do well in those facilities primarily because of their faith in Jesus. They know He will never leave them. They cling to His promise of eternal life spent with Him. Some even pray that He will come get them, though not from a fatalistic perspective. They simply want to be relieved of the pain and be with Him. We all would do well to think about how we will handle a time when we need others to assist us in getting dressed in places we would rather not be.

I pray we all contemplate what getting older will look like for us. I pray we learn lessons from our parents and grandparents. I pray each one of us knows that Jesus will never leave us. Contemplate getting older. Learn valuable lessons. Jesus will never leave you. Trust in His promises.

John 21:18 “Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”

Credit to God

We like to take credit for what we accomplish. In fact, you might say we take pride in it. We get upset, perhaps very upset, when our boss takes credit for something we did. Or worse, someone else on the team we are working with takes credit. We believe credit should be given where it is due, especially when we believe we deserve the credit.

If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we do not follow this axiom very well. Rather than giving the credit to God, we take it all for ourselves. Rarely do we give God thanks for allowing us to do what we do, to accomplish what we accomplish. When was the last time you thanked God for him allowing you to accomplish what you accomplished on any given day?

If you think this is something new, perhaps it is to you, but not to God. After the resurrection, Jesus went to meet His disciples along the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. Peter had decided to go fishing and six others went with him. They fished all night and caught nothing. As morning was dawning, Jesus appeared on the shore and asked if they had any fish to eat. Of course, the answer was no.

Then the miracle happened. Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat and they would catch some. The disciples might have wondered how a man a hundred yards away standing on the shore would know where the fish were. However, they cast the net and caught one-hundred-fifty-three large fish. There were so many they could not haul the net into the boat but had to drag it alongside as they rowed to shore.

When they recognized it was Jesus, Peter jumped in the lake and swam to shore. He was so joyous that he could not wait. Once the other disciples finally get the boat ashore while dragging the net full of fish, Jesus tells them to bring some of the fish they caught.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t take credit for the catch, even though He provided it. He makes His disciples feel as though it was their effort, and it was to some small degree. Yet, it was Jesus who miraculously provided the fish. Also, notice the disciples did not give credit to Jesus for providing the fish. Sound familiar? Don’t we do that?

God provides us with so many blessings, including our ability to walk, pick things up, think, understand, see, and remember. Those are just a few of the things we do every day around our home. If we start thinking about all we do at our jobs or leisure activities, the list quickly grows out of control. All of it is because God has provided.

One significant lesson I have learned is, the more I thank God for what he allowed me to accomplish that day, the more I accomplish in future days. Therefore, allow me to suggest to you, give God the credit for what you have accomplished today. Thank him every day. Take note. See what God will have you accomplishing in future days.

John 21:9-10 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”

Epiphany, Encounter

Have you ever had an epiphany? Did the light bulb suddenly come on? Did you feel enlightened at that moment? Did it stick with you for several days or even longer? How did the epiphany come about? Was there someone responsible for it? Was it God who gave you the insight?

Epiphanies can be very enjoyable. They can point us in the right direction. They can be the solution to a problem we have been wrestling with. They may simply suddenly come to us out of the blue. They may come to us when someone says something that triggers it.

Saul received a message from Jesus that turned into an epiphany. The light of Jesus literally came on and flashed around him. Saul was struck blind and was completely dumbfounded. He was confounded by the voice. He was told it was Jesus who was speaking to him. Imagine his further confusion, wondering how a dead man could be speaking to him. He had to be thinking that maybe what the people of the Way were saying was true.

Saul would soon discover Jesus was very much alive and working in this world. He would even spend time with Jesus, learning about His ministry and fulfillment of prophecy. This encounter with Jesus was just the beginning of him becoming the apostle to the Gentiles. He would be known largely as the apostle Paul once he started his mission to the Gentiles.

Though we may never encounter Jesus in the same way Saul did, we may encounter Him in epiphany moments. He can provide us with thoughts we would not normally have had. He can point us in the right direction when we need it most. Jesus is still very much active in the world today. We simply need to keep our eyes, ears, and minds open to recognize Him.

I pray we all know that Jesus is alive and active in our world. I pray we stay open to hearing Jesus speak to us. I pray each one of us will listen and follow Jesus as he leads us where He wants us to go. Jesus is alive. Jesus is active. Be open to hearing Jesus. Follow His lead.

Acts 9:3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

Despair To Celebration

Have you experienced a dramatic turn of events? Have you been lifted from the depths of despair to be raised to the heights of celebration? Have you gone from barely being able to pay your bills to being able to save for the future? Have you thanked God for the change?

We experience ups and downs, positives and negatives throughout our lives. There are small changes that occur each day. Those we often take no notice of. However, it is often the small changes each day that lead to a much larger change over time.

It is only when we stop to look back over time that we see the large change that has taken place. Often, when we are young, just starting life as an adult, we struggle financially. We barely earn enough to pay our bills. We long to have what our parents have, but we don’t want to wait thirty years to get it. Yet, for most, it takes many years to accumulate financial stability.

Some experience deep sorrows through the loss of a loved one or a heartbreaking loss of a relationship. In the days, weeks, and months that follow, we may not think we will ever get over it. The truth of the matter is, we won’t. However, we will grow from it and experience times of celebration again. We overcome the sorrow and joy returns.

How does this happen? We can attribute it all to God. He works in our lives when we don’t realize it. He puts new people into our lives. He arranges for a promotion in our job or new job for us. God lifts us out of the depths of despair and sets our feet to dancing with joy. Therefore, we should praise him and give him the thanks he deserves.

I pray we all know that sorrow and despair will not last. I pray we look forward to the joy of God coming into our lives. I pray each one of us praises God and give him thanks for working in our lives. Celebration will come. Joy will come. Praise God. Thank God for lifting you up.

Psalm 30:11-12

You have turned my mourning into dancing; 

you have taken off my sackcloth 

and clothed me with joy, 

so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. 

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

Rest In God’s Favor

Have you thought God was angry with you at times? Have you had nights of sadness, shedding many tears? Have you considered that God is on your side for your lifetime? Have you noticed that joy comes after sadness? Do you still praise God? Do you give God thanks?

When things go badly, we may think God is angry with us, and he may be. Yet, God does not stay angry with us for long. He forgives us. He knows we are human and fallible. And because God walked this earth in Jesus, he is on our side and sheds his blessings on us.

Sadness comes in many forms, but it won’t stay. We shed tears as we weep over the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, or any other loss. Yet, joy will follow the sadness. When we are in Christ, joy will come because He cares for us. He will bring us joy in unexpected ways. We just need to look for it and recognize it when we see it.

Because God is on our side and he brings us joy, we should always praise him and give him thanks. Praise him for his many blessings. Praise him for his awesome plan for your life. Give God thanks for your health. Thank him for your job. Thank him for your family. Thank him for the joy you have. Thank him for caring about you.

I pray we all know that we rest in God’s favor for a lifetime. I pray we trust that joy will come following sadness. I pray each one of us with praise God and give thanks to him for all he has done for us. You have God’s favor. Your joy comes from God. Praise God. Give thanks to God.

Psalm 30:4-5

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, 

and give thanks to his holy name. 

For his anger is but for a moment; 

his favor is for a lifetime. 

Weeping may linger for the night, 

but joy comes with the morning.

Myriads of Myriads

What is the largest crowd you have ever been a part of? Have you been to a sporting event with several thousand? Have you been to a concert with several thousand? How large is the city you live in? Are there thousands living there? How many do you think are in heaven?

Being in large crowds can cause anxiety for some folks, but I’m not one of them. I have been the NFL Football games with approximately seventy-five thousand people. I was at the very first stadium show done by Garth Brooks and there were approximately eighty thousand people at it.

However, I have never been in a crowd of thousands of thousands. Think about the number of people that is. Just one thousand times one thousand is one million. Therefore, a crowd of thousands of thousands would be millions. John tells us that in his revelation there were myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. Myriad can mean countless. Imagine countless upon countless people!

Why is this important to us? That is the number of people, according to John’s revelation given to him by Jesus Himself, who will be with us in heaven and for all eternity. If we for some reason think there will be a select few who are accepted by God, we are grossly mistaken. There will be countless people with whom we will spend eternity. Only God knows how many that will be.

So, rather than judging others and thinking there is no way they are getting to heaven, perhaps we should instead look at them as one who just might be there with us. Maybe if we look at them as though we might spend eternity together, we will look at them a little differently. Maybe we will begin to treat one another with love, just as Jesus treated people with love.

I pray we all realize there will be countless people with us in heaven and eternity. I pray we see others as people we may spend eternity with. I pray each one of us will love others as Jesus loves us. You will spend eternity with myriads of people. Love others as Jesus loves.

Revelation 5:11-12a Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,

One Body, One Spirit

How many differences do you notice on a daily or weekly basis? Do you note the differences in people? Their hair color? Whether they are short or tall? What about the language they speak? Do you notice their style of clothing? How do you feel about those differences?

There are differences in all of us. We see those differences every day, if we merely take a moment to notice. We can point out the differences among every person we meet, even identical twins. Yet, we are called into unity through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Does coming together in our differences seem odd? Let’s look at an example we all are familiar with. Take the car you drive. How many parts do you think it consists of? On average, a vehicle consists of approximately 30,000 parts. Each part is designed for a specific purpose. Such is the case with each of us.

God has uniquely created each of us for a purpose. It is only as we come together in unity through Jesus, becoming His body here on earth, that we can serve the larger ministry God desires of us in the world. No one person can do it all. No one local church can do it all. It requires all of us working together, using our gifts, to carry out the mission God has given us. The more we meld together our gifts, the more effective we can be in reaching people for Jesus, and thereby transform the world.

I pray we all realize we cannot do it all on our own. I pray we recognize our gifts and our purpose in this life. I pray each one of us commit to coming together to share our gifts so that we can better carry out the ministry God has given us. See the differences. See the possibilities. Unify to carry out God’s plan.

Ephesians 4:4-6 there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Life Altering

Have you ever heard something you thought was too good to be true? Have you heard someone claim to have witnessed something that you think is impossible? What did you do? What did you say? Did you ask them if they were playing a joke on you?

We hear people make claims that we can’t believe are true. We may think they are trying to pull one over on us. We hear promotions of products that we are sure is an exaggeration. There is no way anything can be that good. And of course, there are the scams we hear today.

We have heard and maybe said it ourselves, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Thomas operated in this way. So, when the other disciples told him they had seen Jesus, he balked at their claim. He knew there was no way Jesus was alive. He knew Jesus had died on the cross. Though he had seen Jesus raise people from the dead, he could not comprehend anyone raising Jesus from the dead.

It is true that Thomas had heard Jesus say He would rise on the third day. But like the other disciples, he did not understand it. It is likely Thomas believed in the resurrection, just as most Jews of his time did. Yet, their understanding was that the resurrection would come at the end of time.

The question we must wrestle with is much the same as Thomas wrestled with. Will we believe Jesus rose on the third day? If we do, how does it change us? Or does it? The resurrection should change us immensely. It should cause us to call Jesus Lord and Savior. It should be a life altering belief.

I pray we all wrestle with believing the resurrection. I pray we believe Jesus rose on the third day. I pray each one of us has a life altering belief in the resurrection that results in a strong faith. Wrestle with the question. Believe Jesus rose on the third day. Have a life altering belief.

John 20:24-25 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”