I could hear geese honking above the dense Oregon fog…Immediately, God said, "I'm going to teach you to hear My voice." Little did I know how much I needed Jesus.
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deuteronomy 30:19
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
Ephesians 1:18-19
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:6-7
When I pray for someone, I take them to the cross immediately. I never carry them because I can’t. Only Jesus can. He designed it that way. Thank You, God.
Please don’t let the devil convince you that you do not have to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. Don’t let Satan make you think you can be lazy about this. He wants us to choose death each day. Remember, he a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
I know it’s a real battle to learn to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. With panic disorder, anxiety disease and other issues, it’s been hard for me to take every thought captive. But with the help of Holy Spirit, we can obey God’s Word in this arena. Please never discount taking thoughts captive, precious people. It’s one of the most important ways that God sets “life” before us each day. If we choose life, we choose to take defeating and care-filled thoughts captive to Jesus. All care, worry, insecurity, inferiority, anger, bitterness, fear, you name it, begins with a thought. We were never designed to carry these heavy things. Take your cares to Jesus and His cross and leave them there. That’s where they belong. Jesus desires for us to live free from the weight of care and all the rest of the above listed items. Take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. It’s not a suggestion. It’s a liberating command from the lover of our souls, Jesus.
Come to me (Jesus, and one of the major ways we “come to Him” is by taking thoughts captive), all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Here’s what I initially jotted down this morning: The Holy Spirit told me this morning that I have the life He wanted me to have including my upbringing. God’s doing things in my life that could not have happened any other way. I need to line up my heart with this and learn all He wants me to learn about what He’s allowed in my life. If I don’t, I can feel like a victim, become bitter, feel ripped off, like the world owes me, develop impatience, and who knows what else.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things (Including thought patterns that keep us bound) are passed away; behold, all things (even what we think was a mistake) are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Brothers and sisters (that’s everyone on my email list), I (The Apostle Paul and us, too) do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
You (God) saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:16
Boy, what a great day. Ann and I could sense the enemy was trying to get us stirred up this weekend and this morning, too. After not sleeping well and having the enemy tell me I’ve been ripped off in my life in certain areas, I was “feeling” a little frazzled lying in bed. I got up and began making our coffee when the Holy Spirit said, “Mark, I want you to know that it was no mistake that you were raised in the home you grew up in and the health issues and DNA you acquired from your family. If I’d wanted you have a different growing up experience and different DNA, I would not have had you born into the family you had. If you’ll let Me, I’ll use all of it for My glory, and, through it, show you My love, grace, and mercy for you as well.”
Boy, I hope that helps someone cause what the Holy Spirit told me was huge for me. What He shared can completely do away with feeling badly about my past and set me free in incredible ways including removing all self-pity, anger, bitterness, not liking myself, etc. It can set me on a path for God to use anything He’s allowed in my past for His glory. I can go on from here trusting totally in Him, His plan, His future for me that’s more glorious and bright now that I know none of my past was a mistake. It was His plan and He’s going to show me all the wonderful reasons as I continue to walk with Him.
Talk about the super-natural power contained in Romans 8:28. Wow.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Forgive me, God, for not trusting you with what You’ve allowed in my life. Help me to move forward free in You as you work out Your perfect plan for me.
Praise Jesus! What a blessing this morning was. Everything in our past can be redeemed by Jesus. In fact, He allowed it for His purposes to be carried out.
God doesn’t make mistakes. In Jesus, everything is redeemable and made into blessings by His great power. We’re truly FREE in Christ! Hallelujah!
No More Night Written By Walt Harrah – Sung By David Phelps
The timeless theme, Earth and Heaven will pass away
It’s not a dream, God will make all things new that day
Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell
Evil is banished to eternal hell
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, “I am”
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb
See all around, now the nations bow down to sing
The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King
Slowly the names from the book are read
I know the King, so there’s no need, no need to dread
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, “I am”
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb
See over there, there’s a mansion
Oh, that’s prepared just for me
Where I will live with my Savior eternally
And there will be no more night, no more pain
No more, no more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, “I am”
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb
All praises to the great, “I am”
We’re gonna live in the lights of the risen Lamb
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
Take time to think about Heaven, precious ones. Heaven – The Father, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. And, all of those we’ll be with there, forevermore…Mmmm.
I’m so thankful for everyone I send these emails to; my wife, daughters and sons-in-law; to have a nice pillow and cozy bed to sleep in; to have shoes and clothes; toothpaste; a shower; to have a home; people who love me; enough water and food; trash pickup; working toilets; to be saved; and to have God’s Word so I can learn how to live more and more free.
Jesus knows how to fix things. That’s such good news…
Romans 8:28 – Places Where Grace Is Soon To Be So Amazing
Unredeemed by Selah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-I6YcLSB1w
The cruelest word
The coldest heart
The deepest wound
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter nights
The wasted years
Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered is laid before the lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed
For every choice that led to shame
And all the love that never came
For every vow that someone broke
And every lie that gave up hope
We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing (Through His mighty grace, God redeems trials)
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered is laid before the lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed
No, no…
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing It may be unfulfilled It may be unrestored But you never know the miracle the father has in store Just watch and see It will not be Just watch and see It will not be unredeemed
*******
Early in life, I (Mark) had to turn to Jesus because I literally had no one else to fall back on. I had to prove His Word and love or I was not going to make it.
He (God) sent his word (The Bible), and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (like He’s doing in my emotions, mind and spirit). Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
Psalm 107:20-22
Something in me made me stubborn and resistant to believing Romans 8:28. I just had a difficult time accepting its truth in the midst of trials and when I could not see where seemingly negative conditions (my finite perception of things) were leading me. I could not count it all joy when I fell into diverse trials (see James 1:2-3). When I finally began to stop fighting that God was truly working all things together for my good, I honestly began to enter God’s joy, mercy, grace, love, forgiveness, peace and rest. I entered into a place where I was willing to let God work all things together for my good in His time. This gave me a peace I’d never known before, a peace that truly was willing to let God show me how to let Him surpass my limited, impatient, short-sighted understanding. This brought me to the point where I could lay down the burden of always trying to find the answers and having to understand everything. I just needed to surrender to letting Him be God in my life. That’s when being able to trust Him was born in my life. What a calming, reassuring gift that is. His truth was keeping me. Although I’d asked Jesus into my life and was eternally secure, His truth coming into my life was keeping me from reacting to life in the old Mark, the yet unredeemed Mark who was depressed, fearful, jealous, full of shame, bitter, unforgiving, without God’s hope, peace, rest and joy.
I love it when this happens during my day:
Mark: “Whoops, I messed up.”
God: “It’s okay, I’ll make it work for your good because you’re my son and because that’s Who I am and what I promised to do as your Father.”
Mark: “Right now, I’m scared, God.”
God: “I know. That’s why I’m teaching you to believe that I work all things together for the good of those, like you, who love Me. Once you know My love for you in this way, you’ll never have fear.”
The joy of the Lord is for those who believe; for those who keep on renewing their mind; for those who refuse to give up when they get knocked down; for those who ask Jesus to help them be persistent and tenacious in their desire to be free indeed. If I believe He’s always working all things, all situations, all circumstances for my good, I can always have the joy of the Lord. I’m also finding that believing, while God will always be faithful to convict me of any sin in my life that has the potential to destroy me, Romans 8:28 is silencing satan’s attempts to bring me under his condemnation, to believe his original lie to Adam and Eve, “Hath God surely said?”. I can always rely on God’s love to bring me through and to lead me to spiritual victory. Always.
I could have all the money in the world and still be afraid of losing it if I didn’t know the following that brings me the surpassing gift of being content, of having God’s love and assurance in all things.
I’m finding that all enemy oppression and torment (fear has torment) is leaving as I let the perfect love (God’s perfect love) I’ve found in believing Romans 8:28 (in believing God) have preeminence in my life. Truly, God’s perfect love is able to set us free to live, enjoy and love life to its fullest. Believing is better. Believe me, I know firsthand. ☺
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (I was like that. I was not made perfect in love because I wouldn’t believe Romans 8:28. I was constantly battling satan’s lies and fear).
1 John 4:18
And we know (to know it is to be living in its blessed truth, daily) that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Now unto him (Our precious Jesus) that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jude 1:24
Romans 8:28, the grace promise from our Great Redeemeer, Jesus. Just watch and see, precious one…
Because the devil will do everything in his power to keep us from believing Romans 8:28, I greatly encourage you to surround yourself with people who truly believe Romans 8:28.
And we know (to know it is to be living in its blessed truth, daily) that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
I was out walking on this cool, wet morning in San Marcos. It was really refreshing. I had the thought, what an amazing thing it is that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Then I thought, wow, no wonder God commands us to renew our minds to His Word, to Jesus. He can actually give us His thoughts, His character, His overcoming and all-powerful life living in us if we’ll renew our minds to His Word, to what He says about us if we’ll exchange our fallen nature for His nature. We can be changed inside by His supernatural genes, His Word. That’s amazing.
God’s making me into an eternal optimist like He is by taking my old nature and transforming it into His nature as I adopt His ways. Simply incredible…Incredible.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
He’s working all things together for my good. All things. Every day is glorious because He’s using everything to teach me how much He loves me. His truth, His perfect love (1 John 4:18 above) is removing all fear because I don’t ever need to fear as long as I know He’s always working for my good. Always. It’s true, and it’s the most wonderful truth to know; to have backing me up all the time; to always be stopping the enemy’s lies that attempt to make me doubt and fear God’s perfect love; to have operating in my spirit rescuing me each moment. Just tremendous.
What a wonderful Heavenly Father we have. Oh, thank you, God.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things (fear, doubt, unbelief) are passed away; behold, all things are become new (I can now believe and apply God’s truths to my life and live in His love free from my old nature of unbelief and fear).
2 Corinthians 5:17
My wife and I listened to a Dr. Charles Stanley youtube video the other day titled, “Waiting On God’s Timing” – Part 1. In the video, Charles talked about a prayer he prays each morning. Good way to start the day…☺
Lord, I thank You that You have a plan for my life today
I thank You, Lord, that Your timing is perfect
I thank You that You’ll bring into my life whatever You need to bring; You’ll protect me; You’ll guide me; You’ll lead me
If I go through any kind of suffering, or hurt, or disappointment I’ll trust You to bring me through that
I want to thank You that today I am going to walk obediently before You
I’m going to trust that the Holy Spirit will be speaking to me to give me guidance and direction, and to give me Your timing
Whatever You have for me, I’m available to wait
I know that waiting will grow me up, strengthen me, and prepare me for what You have
I want to thank You for this day
Lord, let my life be fruitful all day long
I heard a pastor talking about Heaven yesterday. His words made Heaven seem more real than this earthly life. Sometimes you hear people who can make Heaven feel like that.
He talked about how God calls to us and says, “Worship Me. Let go of earth. Come up here with Me. Praise Me and let Heaven and all the saints here with Me right now fill your thoughts as you join in with the Heavenly hosts.”
One day…And, probably sooner than any of us realize, earthly things will be gone from our lives.
Heaven – Think about it. Worship God and go up there where all the Heavenly host is before Him and all that is Heaven is now theirs to enjoy, forevermore
When I got in bed last night, I realized I’d forgotten to send out a “Blessing” email yesterday. A migraine attack had left me a little dazed…☺
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
The love of God, how rich and pure, How measureless and strong (Lyric taken from The Love Of God by Fredrick M. Lehman)
One of the beautiful things my wife said to me this morning after we’d talked about the following was the lyric from Keith Green’s song “Your (God) Love Broke Through.” I know this is a longer email, but I wanted to include Keith’s lyrics before I get to what the Lord shared with me this morning thinking the song’s words may bless someone:
“Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky
All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why
Until today, when you (Jesus) pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes
Well I’ve been blind all these wasted years and I thought I was so wise
But then you took me by surprise
Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I’ve been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love broke through
All my life I’ve been searching for that crazy missing part
And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart
And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in
And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again
It’s like the power of the wind
Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I’ve been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love, until your love, broke through”
Wow, Jesus just continues to blow me away with His truths that set us free. I keep being amazed at how “unconditional” and indefinably faithful His love is for those who love Him.
Yesterday, I had another migraine and felt pretty bad physically, emotionally and spiritually. I was weak, felt like caving in, like I wanted to give up. And, in the midst of these feelings, God still allowed me to praise Him. Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us. He never gives up and is never taken aback just because I have times when I doubt Him, when I feel weary.
Often, we can live with things for so long that we just accept them as part of life and can even become numb to them being there, being a part of who we are, a part of life. That’s when Jesus, Who is true life breaks through with His liberty and does more work to set us free indeed.
Wow, when God’s love breaks through…
Over the years, I’ve heard pastors talk about “This is the year for your breakthrough.” It almost always had to do with money or business or some other condition. “God’s going to make you super-successful this year” was their promise to their listeners. Unknowingly, I think somewhere in my heart I had a condition (and I’m sure there are others He wants to free me from in my soul) between me and God. I think I’ve felt like when God gives me the chance of having a financial breakthrough, when He finally allows me to provide for my wife, I’ll feel like I’ve finally arrived in life, whatever that means. I’ve been focused on the condition and not Jesus. Boy…
This morning, I was reading where Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. I read about how God had blessed Abraham and made him a very wealthy man…
Right in the middle of my reading, the Holy Spirit told me His love for me is unconditional. At that same moment, He asked me if my love for Him was unconditional. I sat here thinking about His question. It dawned on me that I wasn’t sure if I did love Him unconditionally. Did I have conditions on my love for Him? If so, what conditions? And, if I have conditional love for Him, does that mean I have idols before Him?
I shared all this with my wife during our devotional time this morning. She told me I didn’t have unconditional love for God. Wow, her immediate response caught me off guard. That’s when one of the things she told me was, “I’ll feel loved when…”
“When? When what?”
Boy, a lot of thoughts raced through my mind just then. I felt condemned, guilty, immature as a Christian, spiritually naked before God and my wife. I felt bad, frustrated, weighed down with the sickening condition of “conditional love” for my Jesus, etc. These are the types of symptoms we can live with often without even being aware of them because they’ve become such a part of us, of who we are. Jesus wants to step in and show us Who He is by bringing these symptoms to mind to heal us. What an unveiling this was.
God’s love for me is unconditional. Is my love for Him unconditional? If not, what idols do I have before Him? What hidden burdens am I carrying?
What the Holy Spirit was saying to me is , “You can love Me unconditionally. You can be free from the heaviness of conditional love.” Wow, what a revelation that was for me. What an offer and tremendous gift God was wanting to give me by pointing this all out to me.
It’s truly amazing how deep God will work in our lives. His love for us is so much stronger than I can even imagine. It’s so unlike and far beyond human love. He doesn’t give us everything we want. Instead, He frees us from the burdens we carry in our “want” list. Amazing. Simply, and powerfully, amazing.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!
Psalm 84
and those the LORD has rescued (like Ann and me) will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Philemon 1:7
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
Proverbs 10:28
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.
Hebrews 12:1-2
As most of you know by now, when Ann and I got married, Jesus took us to Oregon to put us on a path to heal us of many things. One of the most important areas I needed healing in was how to be a husband and father. I also needed to know that Jesus could keep me regardless of circumstances, to learn to be content in whatsoever state (condition) I am. And the list goes on and on…
Over the years, Ann and I have had people comment on our walk with Jesus…Some negative and some positive. When I sent out last Friday’s email about falling on my face spiritually, a good friend replied with the following along with a book recommendation.
“Mark, Thanks for the honest reflection this morning. It proves you’re not super-Christian after all. :)”
I had to smile reading their comment about not being a super-Christian. Their observation is correct.
Ann and I aren’t super-Christians. We’re two people God brought together for the purpose of learning we could love each other and help each other grow to be more like Jesus, to experience His love, faithfulness, rest, peace, mercy, grace and joy. We both had a deep need to have Jesus help us come out of some difficult times and backgrounds, to get set free by following Christ. Jesus has been so faithful to bring us along in our relationship with Him and we’re so thankful He’s setting us free in so many areas of our lives.
No, we’re not super-Christians. We’re just two people who desperately need and want all that Jesus can show us in this life. He’s definitely put this desire in us. And, whenever He leads us to do so, we share Him and the liberty we’ve found in Him, with others hoping the Holy Spirit will inspire them to want to follow Jesus as well.
While thinking about this email this morning, I wrote and told Ann, “One day, we’ll look at each other in Heaven and smile with the joy that He let us live this adventurous life together, MY love.”
Desire Jesus above all else, precious people. He alone is the living water that can truly satisfy us and bring times of refreshment and rest to our souls.
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11
With the help of Jesus, we’re running the race set before us…
Ann and I choose Jesus every day. Now, our days might start out with some sort of faith failure, or we may get interrupted during the day with an attempt by the enemy to trip us up in our believing God, but we come right back to what we have come to believe, and that is, we cannot possibly make it in this life without our faith in Jesus, that God is in control, we love Him, and He’s always working all things together for our good. Always. And believing and experiencing that truth brings us great joy. Thank You, Jesus.
Keep choosing Jesus no matter how many times the enemy tries to trip you up. Jesus is always faithful to restore our joy in Him.
If you’ve asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, then all of Heaven is rooting for you…
I got up this morning and fell right on my face. Now I didn’t literally fall on my face, but I did get so spiritually attacked that I fell pretty hard in my spirit. In fact, my heart began to harden to the Lord. Why am I telling you this? Because none of us is perfect and we all need Jesus, His blood, grace, mercy and forgiveness each day. I’m also telling you this because several years ago, it would have taken me months to come back from such a spiritual attack. Today, as soon as the Holy Spirit reminded me to test the spirit behind the lies I was believing, I came out of the attack and my hard heart softened as the Holy Spirit shared His truth with me. It was really wonderful to recover that quickly and I was truly thankful Jesus helped me escape the onslaught.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Heaven’s for us, precious people. God’s in control. Keep on believing and trusting God even when you’re spiritually attacked. God will provide the way of escape. Victory is imminent.
Take time to look up today, to think about Heaven and the victory God has for us each day.
Always remember that God’s mercies are new every morning. That’s the kind of Heavenly Father we have.
I sent the following to a friend I may not see again for a long time and maybe not until Heaven. I wanted to remind them of some of the wonderful keys God’s given me to keep me on the narrow path to Heaven. Reading them again is a good way to begin the new year.
1. God works all things together for good for those who love Him.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Remembering that God is working in every situation in my life helps me to continue trusting Him with my whole heart. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. Thank and praise God in all situations and circumstances.
The Bible talks about praising and thanking God in all things and how doing so stops enemy attacks and causes our enemy to flee in confusion. Praising God in all things brings God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit on the scene.
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Ephesians 5:20
In every thing give thanks: for (because) this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1
3. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
If a thought is making you feel defeated, know that the spirit behind that thought is not from Jesus. As David once said, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
Psalm 42:5
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
The Aaronic Blessing Taken From Numbers Chapter 6 – The Lord bless you and keep you The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is ABOVE every other name.
Live in this life like you’re already in Heaven because God already sees us there with Him where He’s already wiped away all tears. Praise God! Hallelujah!
I thought Amir’s (See his “Behold Israel” site and youtube videos) message reprinted below was really appropriate for the new year. Happy New Year, everyone!
A Special Message From Amir Tsarfati For 2019
Shalom from Galilee!
As 2018 is coming to an end, I can look back and rejoice at what the Lord has done. However, the message that He has placed on my heart for 2019 is a resounding one: Finish well!
Yes my friends, we are close to the finish line. The writing is on the wall, the signs are on the ground, all the players are in place. We are the generation that shall not pass away. We are the generation that will experience more deception than any other simply because it’s so easy to fall into deception with the digital world.
The questions I’ve been posed to ask myself, as well as all of you are: Is life here in this world all that you care about? Is this world all that you have? Is it all about “making the most” out of it? Are the things of this world the main issues on your mind and the prime goals of your life?
I heard a well-known pastor saying that his dying son, who had only three weeks to live due to severe cancer, told him, “Dad, I am so excited for what is coming next!”
Another good friend of mine, who happens to be a pastor here in Israel, told me, “Once I am dead, don’t let anyone bring me back to life or else I will kill him!”
Are you as excited about eternity that you wouldn’t want to live here in this world again? Is heaven your home or this world? You can only be homesick for where your home is!
Can you honestly live your life with the excitement for what is coming next? Is this world the end for you?
When you wake up in the morning and start your day, who are you aiming to please and impress?
“…For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world…”
1 John 2:16
In 2019 can you honestly say?
“…For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain…”
Philippians 1:21
As we approach the finish line, we must all examine our hearts and ask ourselves…Do we know that when the Lord comes back He will tell us?
“…well done, good and faithful servant!”
Matthew 25:23
My friends, let’s finish well. Let’s finish strong!
“… If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all…” Colossians 3:1-11
A new Russian threat was received in Israel on Wednesday, Dec. 26: Any more air strikes and Syria’s SA-5 air defense missiles will be fired deep into Israel – like the one that shook several towns on Tuesday night in the middle of an IAF (Israeli Air Force) attack on Iranian sites in Syria. Israel’s air defense system missed the intruding missile; it exploded harmlessly in an unpopulated part of Mt. Carmel. By issuing this threat, Moscow confirmed that the Syrian missile was aimed deliberately at the Israeli heartland, and was not a stray from the attacks on Israeli aircraft, as some Israeli officials have claimed.
People living in the towns of Hadera, Caesarea, Or Akiva, Zichon Yacov and Binyamina reported that their houses shook under the blast and for many hours the air reeked of gunpowder. A quarter of a million Israeli civilians were affected. That would be a mild foretaste of what is to come if the Russians carry out their threat of payback for any more Israeli air strikes over Syria. And that was a single SA-5 missile. The impact of five or 10 fired by a Syrian battery does not bear thinking of.
One Blogger’s Comment –
“Yes Israel will attack again, and Russia will strike back and Israel will strike harder and Russia will get more angry and strike even harder. The world will try to calm down the situation but the damage will be irreversible. At this point a true test will be there for Trump and his loyalty. Will he stay loyal to the grand puppeteer Putin or will he show loyalty to America’s step child – Israel?”
As I mentioned recently, one top Israeli military leader commented that Israel will probably be involved in a major war in 2019.
The way God’s been faithful to bring the Jews back to life in the land He promised them so many centuries ago, and the war mentioned in chapters 37-39 of the Bible’s Old Testament book of Ezekiel (I included those chapters below for those who have not read them) are signs to the world that He keeps His Word. In the Ezekiel war, God will completely destroy the enemies (Russia, Syria, Turkey, Iran…) that attack His people, defenseless Israel.
Take time to look up, to think about Heaven and how close we are to being there based on the end times events that continue to inch closer and closer to being culminated.
God bless,
Mark
Ezekiel Chapters 37-39 New Living Translation (NLT)
A Valley of Dry Bones
37 The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. 2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. 3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”
“O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”
4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! 6 I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. 8 Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”
10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.
11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ 12 Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord. 14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!’”
Reunion of Israel and Judah
15 Again a message came to me from the Lord: 16 “Son of man, take a piece of wood and carve on it these words: ‘This represents Judah and its allied tribes.’ Then take another piece and carve these words on it: ‘This represents Ephraim and the northern tribes of Israel.’ 17 Now hold them together in your hand as if they were one piece of wood. 18 When your people ask you what your actions mean, 19 say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take Ephraim and the northern tribes and join them to Judah. I will make them one piece of wood in my hand.’
20 “Then hold out the pieces of wood you have inscribed, so the people can see them. 21 And give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: I will gather the people of Israel from among the nations. I will bring them home to their own land from the places where they have been scattered. 22 I will unify them into one nation on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule them all; no longer will they be divided into two nations or into two kingdoms. 23 They will never again pollute themselves with their idols and vile images and rebellion, for I will save them from their sinful apostasy. I will cleanse them. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.
24 “My servant David will be their king, and they will have only one shepherd. They will obey my regulations and be careful to keep my decrees. 25 They will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They and their children and their grandchildren after them will live there forever, generation after generation. And my servant David will be their prince forever. 26 And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and increase their numbers, and I will put my Temple among them forever. 27 I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28 And when my Temple is among them forever, the nations will know that I am the Lord, who makes Israel holy.”
A Message for Gog
38 This is another message that came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. 3 Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! 4 I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your whole army—your horses and charioteers in full armor and a great horde armed with shields and swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all their weapons. 6 Gomer and all its armies will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north, and many others.
7 “Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them. 8 A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel. 9 You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.
10 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme. 11 You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence! 12 I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them!’ 13 But Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish will ask, ‘Do you really think the armies you have gathered can rob them of silver and gold? Do you think you can drive away their livestock and seize their goods and carry off plunder?’
14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy against Gog. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: When my people are living in peace in their land, then you will rouse yourself. 15 You will come from your homeland in the distant north with your vast cavalry and your mighty army, 16 and you will attack my people Israel, covering their land like a cloud. At that time in the distant future, I will bring you against my land as everyone watches, and my holiness will be displayed by what happens to you, Gog. Then all the nations will know that I am the Lord.
17 “This is what the Sovereign Lord asks: Are you the one I was talking
about long ago, when I announced through Israel’s prophets that in the
future I would bring you against my people? 18 But this is what the
Sovereign Lord says: When Gog invades the land of Israel, my fury will
boil over! 19 In my jealousy and blazing anger, I promise a mighty
shaking in the land of Israel on that day. 20 All living things—the fish
in the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, the small
animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people on earth—will
quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs
will crumble; walls will fall to the earth. 21 I will summon the sword
against you on all the hills of Israel, says the Sovereign Lord. Your
men will turn their swords against each other. 22 I will punish you and
your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain,
hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur! 23 In this way, I will show my
greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations
of the world. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
The Slaughter of Gog’s Hordes
39 “Son of man, prophesy against Gog. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am your enemy, O Gog, ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal. 2 I will turn you around and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north. 3 I will knock the bow from your left hand and the arrows from your right hand, and I will leave you helpless. 4 You and your army and your allies will all die on the mountains. I will feed you to the vultures and wild animals. 5 You will fall in the open fields, for I have spoken, says the Sovereign Lord. 6 And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
7 “In this way, I will make known my holy name among my people of Israel. I will not let anyone bring shame on it. And the nations, too, will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. 8 That day of judgment will come, says the Sovereign Lord. Everything will happen just as I have declared it.
9 “Then the people in the towns of Israel will go out and pick up your small and large shields, bows and arrows, javelins and spears, and they will use them for fuel. There will be enough to last them seven years! 10 They won’t need to cut wood from the fields or forests, for these weapons will give them all the fuel they need. They will plunder those who planned to plunder them, and they will rob those who planned to rob them, says the Sovereign Lord.
11 “And I will make a vast graveyard for Gog and his hordes in the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Dead Sea. It will block the way of those who travel there, and they will change the name of the place to the Valley of Gog’s Hordes. 12 It will take seven months for the people of Israel to bury the bodies and cleanse the land. 13 Everyone in Israel will help, for it will be a glorious victory for Israel when I demonstrate my glory on that day, says the Sovereign Lord.
14 “After seven months, teams of men will be appointed to search the land for skeletons to bury, so the land will be made clean again. 15 Whenever bones are found, a marker will be set up so the burial crews will take them to be buried in the Valley of Gog’s Hordes. 16 (There will be a town there named Hamonah, which means ‘horde.’) And so the land will finally be cleansed.
17 “And now, son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Call all the birds and wild animals. Say to them: Gather together for my great sacrificial feast. Come from far and near to the mountains of Israel, and there eat flesh and drink blood! 18 Eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of princes as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all fattened animals from Bashan! 19 Gorge yourselves with flesh until you are glutted; drink blood until you are drunk. This is the sacrificial feast I have prepared for you. 20 Feast at my banquet table—feast on horses and charioteers, on mighty men and all kinds of valiant warriors, says the Sovereign Lord.
21 “In this way, I will demonstrate my glory to the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power of my fist when I strike. 22 And from that time on the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. 23 The nations will then know why Israel was sent away to exile—it was punishment for sin, for they were unfaithful to their God. Therefore, I turned away from them and let their enemies destroy them. 24 I turned my face away and punished them because of their defilement and their sins.
Restoration for God’s People
25 “So now, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will end the captivity of my people; I will have mercy on all Israel, for I jealously guard my holy reputation! 26 They will accept responsibility for their past shame and unfaithfulness after they come home to live in peace in their own land, with no one to bother them. 27 When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, I will display my holiness among them for all the nations to see. 28 Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of my people behind. 29 And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
It’s just so much fun to let Jesus work in your life – To let Him set you more and more free.
Am I really a disciple of Christ? Or am I just a hearer of the Word? I think of all the years I went to church thinking I was a disciple of Jesus, but I was really just a hearer because I wasn’t doing the Word.
The “If, then” that leads to freedom in Christ.
I know that in my life, I was stuck in my sins until I started ‘doing’ the Word. I was constantly dismayed, had my own agendas, confused, double-minded, stuck in resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness, greed, jealousy, anger, religious pride, scared of the future, wasn’t loving my wife and daughters the way Jesus wanted me to, constantly let circumstances ruin me (and those around me), couldn’t find and didn’t have Jesus’ peace, and a whole list of other sins until we began memorizing and “doing” the Word. I mean it when I tell you I was living a miserable life and living far apart from the freedom Jesus had in store for me.
For years, we’d heard the Word, but the only time it made a difference in us was when Jesus motivated us to begin to do it, to put it into practice in our everyday lives…And then, to continue in the Word so it could help us grow in Jesus and become more free from the list of sins I mentioned above.
To the Jews who had believed him (as well as any of us who have believed in Jesus), Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching (if you continue to follow Me), you are really my disciples. Then (and only then) you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
If we don’t follow Jesus by doing what He says to do, we’re not really His disciples and we won’t be set free from our ways, the sin that’s destroying our lives.
Jesus was saying that if a person is a “doer” of the Word, and not just a hearer of His Words, that person will know the truth (will know Jesus Who is the truth), and that person will be set free.
I heard a pastor in a Christian movie say something like this: “If we return hate for hate, greed for greed, anger for anger, jealousy for jealousy, pride for pride, selfishness for selfishness, unforgiveness for unforgiveness (or road rage for road rage as in my case), then we’re (professing Christians) no different than the world and they’ll never see Jesus living in us.” His words reminded me of Matthew 5:13:
“You (Christ’s disciples; those who have asked Jesus into their lives) are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, it cannot be made salty again. Salt is useless if it loses its salty taste. It will be thrown out where people will just walk on it.
Matthew 5:13
It’s true, if we continue in His Word, if we “do” His Word, if we apply it to our lives and everyday circumstances, we will know the truth (we’ll be forgiving, we’ll have Jesus’ peace in our souls, we won’t be jealous or covet, or hateful, or greedy, or angered when things don’t go our way, He’ll enable us to live above our circumstances, etc.),that is, Jesus’ instructions for how to live life His way, and we will be free from anger, jealousy, self-pity, fear, unforgiveness, etc. Jesus is telling us this can only be accomplished if we truly follow Him by doing His Word, by letting His Word work in our lives to change us.
Put the Word into practice in your life no matter what others think. Let Jesus set you free, and then let Him continue to set you free. Become doers of the Word beginning today. You’ll be so happy you did.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
God really wants those who love Him to walk in all the spiritual freedom they can. If they’re willing to follow Him, and to change the way they’re responding to His call, and the way they’re living, He’ll continue His liberating work in their life to bring them out of all the deception the Devil has planted in this world and in their life. This is what God’s doing in my life and I know His liberating work in me has only just begun.
I needed a new pair of headphones for my computer. My son-in-law, Matt, is letting me try out one of his headphone sets. I tried them out on the following song made popular years ago. The headphones work really well. ☺
As I listened to the song, the Holy Spirit began to move on my heart in some new ways. This is a powerful song God has used to help many people desire to become much closer to Jesus in their walk with the Lord. The lyrics sure spoke to me in some powerful ways
Are you living in an old man’s rubble
Are you listenin’ to the father of lies?
Are you walkin’ with unnecessary burdens?
Are you trying to take them upon yourself?
If you are then you’re living in bondage,
And you know that’s bad for your spiritual health
And are you trying to live by your emotions?
Are you puttin’ your faith in what you feel and see?
Then you’re living just to satisfy your passions,
But you better be careful, you’re being deceived.
Are you living in an old man’s rubble;
Are you listenin’ to the father of lies?
If you are then you’re headed for trouble.
If you listen too long, you’ll eventually die.
Are you living in an old man’s rubble;
Are you listenin’ to the father of lies?
If you are then you’re headed for trouble.
If you listen too long, you’ll eventually die.
Are you puzzled by the way that you’re behavin’;
Do you wonder why you do the things you do?
And are you troubled by your lack of resistance;
Do you feel that something’s got a hold on you?
Deep within’ you there’s a spiritual battle;
There’s a voice of the darkness and a voice of the light.
And just by listening we’ve made our decision,
’Cause the voice we hear is gonna’ win the fight.
Are you living in an old man’s rubble;
Are you listenin’ to the father of lies?
If you are then you’re headed for trouble.
If you listen too long, you’ll eventually die.
If you’re living as a new creation;
If you’re listening to the Father of light,
Then you’re living in a mighty fortress
And you’re gonna’ be clothed in power and might.
Are you living in an old man’s rubble;
Are you listenin’ to the father of lies?
If you are then you’re headed for trouble.
If you listen too long, you’ll eventually die.
If you’re living as a new creation;
If you’re listening to the Father of light,
Then you’re living in a mighty fortress
And you’re gonna’ be clothed in power and might.
17 With the Lord’s authority I (the Apostle Paul) say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity (*lasciviousness in the KJV).
20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for (because) anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:17-27 (New Living Translation – NLT)
God bless,
Mark
*”The lascivious person will not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 5:19-21). To ignore the biblical warnings is the epitome of folly.”
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you
Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb? That sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.
Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him (Satan) who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28
As we move further into the “End Times” and closer to the time of the “Great Tribulation” the Bible speaks so clearly about, I wanted to send out an article that talks about who goes to Heaven. So many people have their own ideas or are confused about Heaven and how to get there. Based on the Bible, the following article concisely states who will and will not be allowed into Heaven.
The article about Heaven is a little long, but very good.
Take time to think about Heaven today and this weekend. It’s so good for us to spend time thinking about it.
Don’t All Good People Go to Heaven? By Robert Velarde at Focus On The Family
In John 6:38, Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (NIV). Six times in John 6 it is stressed that Jesus came down from heaven, underscoring not only his divine origin, but also that his purpose is to do God’s will. The Greek word translated as “heaven” refers to the dwelling place of God. In Christian theology it is also where the redeemed (Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior) will dwell.
There is a common perception that so long as one leads a generally good life, they will get into heaven. But the question, “Don’t all good people go to heaven?” presupposes a number of points. First, there is usually the assumption that God exists and that He is all loving. Second, there is an assumption that although some “bad” people may need punishment, most people are generally “good” and, as such, are entitled to heaven. Third, there is the view that entrance into heaven is on the basis of merit (our works) rather than God’s grace. Fourth, related to the question about heaven is the implicit suggestion that hell, if it exists at all, is really only for a marginal few who are responsible for particularly evil acts. Let’s briefly look at these points.
God Exists and is All Loving
That God exists is an obvious component of the Christian worldview. He not only exists, but is also creator, designer and sustainer of the universe and everything in it. Not only is He ever present, all knowing, and all powerful, God is also all loving. He is a personal being active in His creation, but distinct from it. Those who argue that all good people go to heaven then make the case that a loving God would not turn away good and sincere individuals. Instead, they reason, it’s obvious that He would allow them into heaven.
This position, however, fails to consider the broad spectrum of the nature of God. While we may glean general principles about Him from what He has made (Romans 1:20) such as His existence, power and moral nature, we learn specifics about Him from the Bible—His special revelation. It is here that we learn that God is indeed merciful (Deuteronomy 4:31; Daniel 9:9), but also just (Job 34:12; Psalm 45:6; Isaiah 30:18). He is also completely holy. These aspects of His nature, particularly his justice and holiness, mean that anything even remotely sinful cannot dwell in God’s presence.
Are Most People Good?
The next assumption is that although some “bad” people may need punishment, most are generally “good” and entitled to heaven. The position that views people as generally good and entitled to heaven tends to make the error of viewing human nature as basically good. Biblical evidence as well as experiential evidence show this view to be false. As the Bible explains, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV). Psalm 51:5 comes across even stronger: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
Biblically speaking, most people are not “good.” In fact, when compared to God’s standards of holiness, no one is “good.” To one degree or another, we all “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This does not mean that we are always actively engaged in doing evil or participating in depraved acts all the time. But it does mean that in our very nature we are “fallen,” in rebellion against God and incapable of saving ourselves.
Works and Grace
The view that entrance into heaven is on the basis of merit (our works) rather than God’s grace is also common. But a works based system of salvation is foreign to the message of Christ. Whether or not one enters heaven is not dependent on a continuum of good and evil, wherein we hope our good acts outweigh our bad ones. While this perspective may be common, it is biblically incorrect. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (NIV). Grace is God’s unmerited favor, demonstrated most fully in the sacrifice of Christ. In short, the only way to heaven is through Jesus, “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Those who argue that all good people go to heaven often suggest that if hell exists, it is reserved for a minority of particularly evil people. But since most people are not so evil, they argue, it makes sense to claim that all good people will get to heaven regardless of any minor lapses in moral behavior. Does this reasoning hold up? It does so only if it fails to take into account the nature of God, the nature of sin, and what the Bible has to say on the subject. As we’ve noted, God is holy, but He is also just. God’s justice requires the reality of hell for the unredeemed. The nature of sin extends, biblically speaking, to everyone. Salvation is not by works, but by God’s grace through Christ.
What if you’re sincere?
What about sincere and good people who are not Christian? Won’t God welcome them into heaven? This assumes that sincerity is enough to correspond to truth, when in reality it is not. As Proverbs 16:25 reads, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Sincerity will only get someone so far, then it must face reality. No matter how sincere someone may be about being able to fly by frantically flapping their arms, their sincerity will not keep them in the air. Besides, if someone is actively believing something that is not true and, as a result, is implicitly if not explicitly rejecting God, it seems odd for God to welcome such a person into heaven. Sincerity, then, is not enough. One also has to believe what is true.
“No one is good – except God alone”
Like the man who approached Jesus and used the word “good,” perhaps without giving it much thought, we too need to be careful how we use and define our terms. As Jesus answered, “No one is good – except God alone” (Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19). Do all “good” people go to heaven? Since no one is good as defined by God, the answer is, “No.” Those who enter heaven do so not on the basis of merit, but on the basis of God’s grace as bestowed by Jesus Christ. We can’t work our way to heaven or claim to be without sin (1 John 1:8). Instead, we must humbly submit to God, turn from our wrong behavior, and turn to Christ for salvation.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)
Will I go to Heaven or Hell when this life is over? The choice is up to each of us…
