Being A Light Giver and Shining Like the Stars

I was on my way to Isaiah when I reached for my Bible and it randomly fell open to Daniel 12. It caught my eye, partly because our pastor preached from there on Sunday, and partly because of one phrase. "Those who have insight." 

"And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." Daniel 12:3 nasb

Imagine this: The pastors who lead us to righteousness, and those who understand Scripture and teach us well, will be distinguishable in eternity. They will shine brightly. The word translated as "shine brightly" means to literally give off light. 

I know this is silly, but for a moment, I imagined having to wear sunglasses when I talk with Pastor Scooter in heaven. Our good pastors and teachers will shine that brightly. Their life's effort of understanding the Word of God and teaching it will be visible for all to see.

The sunglasses thought ricocheted my brain straight over to our Global missionaries. They literally spend their lives leading the many to righteousness, and they sacrifice mightily to do it. We, in this country, cannot begin to imagine the difficulty of their lives, nor the hardships they endure. One day, those sweet, sacrificing missionaries will "shine brightly like the stars forever and ever," and we will probably stand in awe at the light they emit.

What about us? If we want to be light-givers in eternity, we must be light-givers here on earth. We must share the light of Christ within us to those in darkness. We must study our Bibles in order to gain understanding and insight. We must be light-givers now. 

Today, let's make a fresh commitment to pursue understanding and insight in Scripture and to encourage others to walk in righteousness. Be a light-giver now.

"And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." Daniel 12:3 nasb
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Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When God Whispers

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Caregiver Chronicles: Focusing on the Future

Yesterday, I offered Sam some dinner he didn't really want. "I better eat it so I can get well," he told me. 

Getting well is not one of Sam's options, but I didn't argue. When he gets to heaven, he won't have to do a thing to heal his body. He'll be completely healthy when he arrives inside.

We've been reading about that beautiful place lately. Last night, we read through the "good" parts of the Revelation. River of life. Trees that bear a new crop every month. Leaves that heal nations. No tears. No sorrow. No sickness. It's an amazing place and Sam will be there soon.

"What do you want to see first when you get there, Sam?" 

He didn't hesitate for a second. "God."

"You don't want to look for family?" 

Sam looked bewildered. "No. I want to see God. Really, He's all there is. All that gold don't matter. It's just gonna be dust under our feet."

"What about second, Sam? What do you want to see next?" Since Sam loves to grow things, I thought he'd want to see the trees growing along the banks of the river of life.

"Well, I'd kinda like to see my baby that died, but I don't know how I'd recognize her. I think I'll be content if I just see God. All I really want is to be there." He leaned back on his pillow. That was all he had to say on the subject.

Sam condenses eternity into one simple truth: Being in the presence of God is all that matters.

The more I've thought about those words, the more I've realized their truth. If we understood this one principle, we might live a little differently. Maybe a lot differently.

If being in the presence of God is all that matters in eternity, (and it is) pleasing Him ought to be the most important thing now. The latest fashions, the cutest shoes, the fanciest food, the biggest house, the best of whatever our heart desires today...none of that matters. 

The only eternal significance those things have is how much they take our hearts away from pursuing the paths of righteousness.

That truth stings a little, doesn't it?

Pause for a moment to consider the certain truth of eternity and the only thing that matters there - being in the presence of God. Consider, then, the life we should live now in preparation for eternity in God's presence. 

Are we living a life that prepares us to see God? 

Are we seeking to obey in all things? 

Are we striving for less sin and more righteousness?

One day, we'll meet our God face to face. Neither the stuff we wanted nor the stuff we accumulated will matter a bit. The only thing of significance will be our relationship with Him. 

Shouldn't that relationship with our Lord also be the matter of most significance now?

Let's take a look at our lives. On what do we focus? Men - do you love your wives as Christ loved the church? Women - do we respect our husbands above all others? Do we actively pursue righteousness? Forgive when offended? Love our enemies? Pray for our persecutors? Love our neighbors as we love ourselves? If Christ is foremost, we do.

If that's not how we're living, let's ask for forgiveness and make a fresh start.

As Sam has realized, eternity is a lot closer than most of us realize. We need to live ready.

"...and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bondservants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face..." Revelation 22:3-4 nasb

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Please like and share if this blog post has touched your heart. It extends our digital reach in significant ways. Thank you.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Caregiver Chronicles: Ten Ways to Help a Caregiver

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line

Finding Thanksgiving: The Future Hope

I know heaven will have streets paved with gold and pearly gates. There'll be a big crystal sea and the trees with healing-leaves. 

It all sounds beautiful, but I'm not accustomed to that kind of splendor. I just hope heaven has flowers.

Regardless, I'll be glad I'm there. 

I haven't always lived my days with the thought of heaven on my mind, but I've been to too many visitations and funerals in the last few years. These days, I hold the hope of heaven pretty close.

After the last few months of political turmoil, I'm not just hoping for heaven. I'm hoping Jesus will return and take us all home. (Well, a part of me is hoping for that. The other part of me, the part that knows we haven't gathered the harvest we were commanded to collect, hopes He'll delay.)

 This morning, I read the lovely passage in 1 Thessalonians, that describes Jesus' return. It's going to be very exciting, and just the hope of it causes a swell of gratitude in my heart. 

In case you've forgotten, here's what we anticipate with certainty:

"The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 nasb

No matter what we face now, no matter how hard, there will be a day when we meet Jesus in the sky. We won't need wings, and we won't suddenly become angels. Jesus will summon us, and we'll soar right into the clouds to join Him. 

It will be glorious.

Today, I'm grateful for the hope of eternity and the hope of sky-soaring with Jesus. 

Let's be sure to thank Him for His promises of the future as we make our way through the difficult days we face. Better days are coming. Take courage, my brothers and sisters. No matter what trials we face, one day, it will all be worth it. 

In fact, the troubles of today won't matter at all, for we will see Jesus face to face and we will be changed in an instant, all troubles, all trials left far behind.

"Therefore, comfort one another with these words." 1 Thess. 4:18
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If you've been blessed by this digital ministry, prayerfully consider supporting  this outreach. Here's the link for online donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841
In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: Finding My Heart of Thanksgiving Again: Forgiven
#thanksgiving2016, thankful, hope

Grateful heart: Family

The view from our balcony

I'm celebrating Thanksgiving at the beach with my family this week. As a total homebody, being away is a mixed blessing for me. This week, though, I've taken a part of home with me because of the people who are here. Once again, I've been reminded that home is more about the people within the walls than the walls themselves.

We've walked on the beach for hours, gathered bucket loads of shells, laughed, and played together. It's been good. Tomorrow, most of us will begin our treks toward home.  

As good as the time has been, as sweet as the companionship, a part of me is already packing my bags and loading the car... at least in my mind. A part of me is already heading home.

That may sound shocking, because our time here has been nothing but good and there are no other people in this world with whom I'd rather share these days.

The truth, though we often forget it, is that this world is not our home and we are all, whether we realize it or not, already headed home. 

It was the Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth, who said, "For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens..." Paul lived his life as a journey, headed to his final, eternal, destination. "I prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord...." 2 Cor. 5:1,8 nasb

Until we reach eternity, let us live with one eye on our final destination, for we like Paul, are on a journey. We, too, are already headed home. 

Early morning quiet

My morning walking track 

Family

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In case you missed any of the past week's posts, here are the links:   Nigerian Nightmare,  Grateful Heart: Maggie Protects her Master, Grateful Heart: Hard Times, Red Hot Christmas Pickles and the Broken Jar, Grateful Heart: The Beginning of Stories, Grateful Heart: Blessing of Position, and Grateful Heart: Wonder Pickle.

The most read post of the last week: Praying for Peace.
#family #heaven #thisworldisnotmyhome #eternity #journey #Jesus Christ

I Shook His Hand Once

There's a scene in the movie Lawrence of Arabia in which a reporter tries to get quotes from passersby about T.E. Lawrence. One man says, "He was a great man..." The reporter asks, "Did you know Major Lawrence?" The man replies, "I shook his hand once." He admired Lawrence and he shook his hand, but, he admitted, he never actually knew him.

There's a big difference between shaking hands and sharing hearts. 

Jesus described a scene where the same sort of interaction will happen. He was passing through from one city to another, teaching and preaching as He went, headed toward Jerusalem. Headed toward the cross.

His journey was deadly serious because His destination was deadly serious.

Someone in the crowd asked a serious question. "Are there just a few who are being saved?" 

Jesus, on His way to make the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to save everyone, gave a cryptic answer. 

"Strive to enter by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." 

He described a terrible scene. The head of the house will close the door (metaphorically speaking of God the Father) and many people will knock on the door, desperate to get inside. "Open up," they will demand. The head of the house will say, "I do not know you."

The desperate people will justify themselves by saying, "We ate and drank in Your presence." 

Being in the same restaurant where someone ate and drank, even being at the same table where they ate and drank, is not the same as knowing them, being friends with them, being family. 

"You taught in our streets," they will insist. 

Being in the same town as the teacher is not the same as being a disciple of the teacher.

Just yesterday, I attended the I-22 signage ceremony. Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves was there. Senator Roger Wicker was there. They both "taught in our streets." I spoke directly to neither man. I personally know neither man. The fact of our proximity while they spoke in no way indicates a personal relationship between us.

In that same way, attending a church where Jesus is proclaimed does not indicate a personal relationship with Him. Attending a Bible study and learning about what Jesus taught does not indicate a personal relationship with Him. The only thing that qualifies as a personal relationship is... a personal relationship. 

The only thing that qualifies us as disciples is that we follow the Master.

One day, time will end. The door of heaven will close and there will be some, Jesus said, who thought proximity would be an adequate substitute for relationship, for discipleship. It will not.  

The time to follow is now. The only One to follow is Jesus. 

"Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able... And they will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last." Luke 13:24, 29-30 nasb

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In case you missed any of the past week's posts, here are the links: Removing the Callus, Refillable Nespresso capsules,  The New Normal, The Blessing Disguised as Coincidence, The Blessing of Protection, and Becoming a Writer: Cover Reveal.

The most read post of the past week: Removing the Callus.

Here's the link to The Clay Papers, available as an e-book for personal use or to send as a gift for only 99 cents. 

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photo courtesy of freeimages.com

#disciple #JesusChrist #followHim #relationship, #TheClayPapers

The Problem with Phone Calls

I don't like phone calls. 

Since 1986, when I graduated from medical school, very few of the phone calls I've received have delivered good news. The vast majority of my phone calls have been about patients. Night call can do that. None of those calls were to celebrate a miraculous recovery. Most were because of a problem, and most required some sort of action on my part.

It's no wonder, then, that I avoid the phone like the plague. It has seldom brought good news. 

Today marks four weeks since that pivotal call from Sam. "Jamie's on the floor and I can't get her up." It was an ordinary day like every other ordinary day, but it changed everything. 

I had no idea what that call would mean to our future, nor did Sam. 

I don't guess Jamie knew, either. Sam's call led to a 911 call requesting an ambulance. A call to the referral center requesting transfer. A call to family requesting their presence after a downturn in condition. A call to hospice with another referral. A call to the funeral home.

One call after another, one request after another, all marching in a steady spiral toward an eternal destination. 

There were a few calls, however, that made a difference we won't soon forget. Jamie called out to God, and grace, mercy, and redemption were given. Calls to friends and family for prayer were answered with an outpouring of grace. Sam and I called out to God for strength and peace, and we received it. 

Decades of phone calls have taught me that life can change in an instant. When we least expect it, disaster can strike. A downward spiral from which there is no escape can begin. The doors of eternity can open and someone we love can walk through. 

There's no escaping the inescapable. No avoiding the inevitable.

Trouble will come. Sorrow will overwhelm us. Life will end. Eternity will begin.

Life is precious and fragile. 

Knowing life's brevity should make a difference in how we live, both today and tomorrow. 

Leave nothing undone. No kind word unsaid. No forgiveness withheld. Love without reservation. Give without limit. Obey without hesitation. 

One day, our call will come. We will step into eternity and everything will change. Until then, let us live and love with abandon, as if this day, every day, might be our last.

Behold, I tell you a mystery, we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will all be changed." 1 Corinthians 15: 51-52 kjv

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In case you missed any of this week's posts, here are the links: Still a Sinner, How to Have a Flood of God-Love, The Wonder Girls Close the Park, Soft drinks, snacks, and airplane takeoff, and Yeast in the Flour. 

The most-read post of the past week: Death is Not the End. 

#lifeisshort #JesusChrist #eternity #death #eternallife #phone

photo courtesy freeimages.com

The eternal destination

My "life  verse", the one I count on every day, is Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope."

Today, as on all the most difficult days of my life, I am clinging to this verse. God knows the plan, and it is good. There is a good future in store for us, but it's not necessarily in this world. 

There is a better life to come.

 After five difficult days, my neighbor teeters on the edge of life and death. The family has been called in and I will leave shortly to help escort her into eternity, if that be God's will.  

She is one breath from eternity, as are we all.

For those who have entrusted their lives and their future to the One who created us and holds time and eternity in His loving hands, we don't have to fear. 

Good awaits. 

Sam Wiley said something yesterday that I hope I never forget. "This just shows we serve a loving God." In the midst of one of the most difficult times of his life, Sam knows the One in whom he has anchored his hope is faithful.

Indeed, we do serve a faithful God.

As you begin your day, remember Sam and his family as they wait to see what God has in store for this one they have loved so long. Take time, too, to consider your own life. Have you anchored your life, and your eternal destination, in the God who holds time in His loving hands? 

#eternityawaits #faithfulGod

Waiting well: Serving Faithfully, Every Day

"Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. You, too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect." (Luke 12: 35-40 NASB)

This passage has so many layers that it may take some time to work our way through it. The first point to note is that we are to be ever vigilant, always ready. Jesus makes it clear that we are to wait as servants prepared for our master. When the master is expected, the servants don't go to bed to wait at their leisure for his call. Instead, they stand, dressed and ready, in order to serve as soon as the master appears.

We, too, as bondservants of Christ, are to remain completely ready for His return. There are two returns for which we wait. The first is that time when our Lord will call us to our eternal reward at our death. If we have remained faithful, we will enter heaven with joy and hear those beautiful words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." The other return for which we are waiting is His Second Coming. (more later on this)

A critical part of remaining faithful to our Lord is waiting well. A servant who is dressed in readiness with his lamps lit is one who is still actively serving. "I did my part when my kids were little," will not be an adequate excuse for choosing not to serve Him in later years. God has places of service for each of us, and He expects us to serve, no matter our age. 

A servant who is dressed in readiness with his lamps lit is one who is actively serving his master. "I'm too busy with my children and my family," will also not be an adequate excuse for choosing not to serve our Lord. Our children and family must have a high priority, but we are to set an example of service for our children to model. 

The Proverbs 31 woman is an excellent example of service. "She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hand to the needy." (Proverbs 31:20 NASB) In the midst of caring for her family, she finds ways to care for those in need, as well.

If my focus is only on my family, my children, my priorities, I'm missing the point. As a servant of Christ, I am called to serve Him in the world around me. My life is about more than me and mine. Loving my neighbor as myself requires that I am active in loving my neighbor.

Our lives are short. Our days are numbered. None of us know when our own death will come. Though I expect to live for several more decades, those expected years are not promised to me. I must live as if today were to be my last. 

At every moment, I am one breath away from eternity, one step from meeting my Lord Jesus face to face. Whether He gives me more breaths, more steps on this earth or not, I need to live as if each were my last. I need to live as if the action, the thought, the words spoken, will be the ones with which I greet Him as I step into heaven.

The promise of eternity infuses every moment of my life with hope and with accountability. Jesus sees it all. One day, we will be held to account for how we chose to live this life. Let's be sure we live it as faithful servants, dressed and ready, serving every moment until we see Him face to face.

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Heavenly Father, forgive me for the way I have used my time, my resources, my talents, to serve myself more than You. Help me to live my days in such a way that I will be a faithful ready servant for You. In Jesus' name. Amen

Arcus Senilis and pressing on

"No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays." (Luke 11:33-36 NASB)

We are currently taking a detour through a few eye diseases to help us understand the concept of "clear eye" and to make spiritual applications. We have previously considered Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Detached Retina, Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetic Retinopathy #2, and Diabetic Retinopathy #3. You can click on the links to see those.

Our topic today is not a disease at all. Arcus Senilis is a white ring that forms at the outer edge of the cornea and is due to lipid deposits in the deep tissue. When seen in younger people, it can indicate a high cholesterol. In older people, it is considered a change of aging. 

When  I look at the white ring beginning at the outer edge of my own cornea, I am tempted to be dismayed. How can this be? I still feel 25 and I do not welcome signs of aging. That tiny sliver of white, however, is an inescapable reminder that I am growing older and am officially a "senior citizen." I am closer to eternity than I have ever been.

I haven't always lived with eternity in view, but it is on my mind these days. Just yesterday, my friend told me about her son's lifelong friend who has terminal cancer and is now on hospice. He is just a few years old than my own son. I suspect eternity is on his mind, too.

Perhaps we should all live with our eyes focused on eternity. If we remembered our eternal destination, we might be able to keep our present in perspective. The riches of this world are nothing more than dirt and stone in eternity, where gold is used to pave the streets. 

If we kept heaven in the foreground of our minds, would we make better choices in relationships? In priorities? I think we might. One day, we will answer for our choices, our priorities. As the time for giving answers draws nearer, I want to be prepared. It is only the blood of Jesus that cleanses us and makes us fit for heaven, but we will give an account of how we lived our lives. 

Every day is a gift, for we are not promised length of days. Each one that passes brings us closer to the time when we will see our Lord face to face. When the moment comes to cast our crowns at His feet, I want to have lived in such a way that I actually have a crown to cast. When we give account of our lives, I want my life to have borne fruit to give Him who gave His life for me.

We are closer to meeting Jesus face to face than we have ever been, no matter our age. Let us live our lives as those who have been redeemed, our eyes fixed on the final destination, our hearts centered on Christ. 

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 NASB)