Category: Heaven

The great homecoming…

God bless you all,

Mark

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:16-17

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3

Please listen to this song…

Silverwind – Cinderella’s Dream – Lyrics Below

“Cinderella’s Dream” By Silverwind

In a house made out of stone,
By the window all alone,
Wiping ashes from my face,
Sweeping dreams from the fireplace.
Then I saw the Morning Star,
Made a wish,
Now here You are,
Miracles came in with You,
Not make believe, but very true.

Fairy tales are real,
Wishes do come true,
Fantasy won’t steal,
What I’ve found in You.
Morning star I see,
By your silver beam,
You have given me,
Cinderella’s dream.

Beauty came from ashes here,
A diamond crown from silent tears.
The Prince of Peace has won my heart,
Now the happy ending starts.

Fairy tales are real,
Wishes do come true,
Fantasy won’t steal,
What I’ve found in You.
Morning star I see,
By Your silver beam,
You have given me,
Cinderella’s dream.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Oh my Bright Morning Star, my Jesus, the One Who’s won my heart, come quickly…

Please take time to think about your Prince of Peace. He’s really coming for you…And, soon, dear one.

And they lived happily ever after…

God bless,

Mark

Satan is an arsonist. He roams around shooting his fiery darts at us hoping to start a consuming fire. Jesus, on the other hand, is trying to teach us not to listen to Satan’s lies so that we don’t keep running around trying to put out fires. God has His rest, peace and joy for us. That can only happen “in Jesus.”

We’ll be in Heaven forever. Focus on that thought. Don’t let the things of earth snare you, my friend. Cast all your care on Jesus and keep looking up.

God bless,

Mark

The Apostle Paul talking about his visit to Heaven –

But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
2 Corinthians 12:3b-4

This has always been one of my favorite pictures depicting Heaven.

Wow, what an amazing thought to fill our minds. What will it be like when we first get there and when we first see Jesus? Really fun to think about…

Life in Christ on earth is full of change, adventure and joy. Heaven will be way beyond this life. ☺

God commanded us to look up when we see end times events begin. Take time to think about Heaven. Look up!

God bless,

Mark

1 After this I (The Apostle John) looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation Chapter 4

It’s so fun just to stare at this picture. Boy, Heaven’s going to be amazing.

God bless,

Mark

We’re pastors, business owners, managers, office workers, writers, computer field experts, department heads, teachers, medical professionals, students, husbands, wives, family members, providers, comforters, and more. First, and most of all, we’re Christians. We carry His Name. The Name that is ABOVE every other name. Never forget how important you are and where you’re headed for eternity. And, always remember Whose you are. While caring for you, He neither sleeps nor slumbers.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17

God bless,

Mark

I’m going through one of the most severe series of migraines I’ve had in years – two separate attacks in just the last 14 hours. I just keep praising God in all things. Doing so keeps me looking up. ☺

Keep looking up, my friends.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1

Live life with Heaven on your mind. It’s the right way to live this life.

God bless,

Mark

Often, when He was on earth, Jesus went to be alone with the Father for rest, to be revived and to seek God’s will. He looked up.

Our Prince Of Peace…

Oh, sweet Jesus.

Look up to Jesus.

God bless,

Mark

This life is all about Jesus and Heaven. Please take six minutes to watch this video by Pastor Francis Chan. It’s so important.

We love you all.

God bless,

Mark and Ann

God just keeps telling me not to set my emotions, my hopes and dreams on this earthly life. He really wants me to not let this life bother me in the least because He already sees me with Him in Heaven – He wants me to realize that I’m dead to this life and alive to Christ – Really. The focus and attention is on Christ and Heaven. I’m telling you, it’s all about Heaven and that thought should supersede this present life all the time. Don’t get bogged down here – not at all.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:1-7

Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
Philippians 3:19b-20

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Colossians 3:2-4 New Living Translation

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:2-4 King James Version

This boasting will do no good, but I (the Apostle Paul) must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
2 Corinthans 12:1-4

Keep looking up, my friend. It’s the proper perspective. It’s God’s directive to His children. Looking up will change your life – here and now.

God bless,

Mark

5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:5-36

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:17

God bless,

Mark

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:52

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”
Romans 14:8

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.
2 Corinthians 5:1

One day soon, we’ll give up these temporary living conditions – our earthly bodies, these tents we’ve been given to live in here on earth – for our permanent home in Heaven. No more tents. We’ll finally be home…Forever.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Home…

God bless,

Mark

This reminder by Hal Lindsey was so uplifting that I just had to send it to you. Keep looking up! ☺

A Miracle Most Astounding

By Hal Lindsey

According to the prophecies of Jeremiah, we are now seeing a bigger miracle than the parting of the Red Sea. It’s happening before our eyes. We should be shouting it from the housetops. It provides overwhelming evidence for God’s existence, His love, and for the validity His word.

But instead of finding joy and comfort in this amazing miracle, most of official Christendom reflexively denies it. They choose instead to hold on to past doctrinal errors – errors based on the idea that God does not always keep His word.

Let’s look at this amazing miracle. Throughout the Old Testament, God warned Israel that He would punish them, scatter them around the world. But He also promised repeatedly that He would eventually bring them back to the land – not because they have repented of their sin, but for the honor of His own name. We see Israel being regathered right now.

If you don’t think that’s a big deal, look at how God describes it. Ezekiel 36 tells about Israel’s sin, its dispersion, and then God bringing it back to the land promised to Abraham. This chapter makes it perfectly clear that He will first regather the nation of Israel into the land. Then He will bring about that nation’s spiritual rebirth. Individual Jews have been turning to Jesus since the first disciples, but national conversion takes place after the final regathering.

Ezekiel 36:24-26 says to Israel, “I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

In the next chapter, Ezekiel 37, God described this process with some of the most dramatic imagery in all of literature. It tells the story of the valley of dry bones. These people are deader than dead. They’re dry – nothing left but bleached bones in a mass grave. Then God begins to pull those bones together. He puts flesh on them. Eventually, the bodies look whole again, but they’re still dead. Then, as the last step, He breathes into them the breath of life.

That’s a picture of Israel’s regathering. In Jeremiah 16:14-15, God Himself compares this miracle to the miracles surrounding Israel’s deliverance from Egypt – including the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. “‘Therefore behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when it will no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.”

God says it again in Jeremiah 23:7-8. And why wouldn’t it be a bigger miracle than the Red Sea? Imagine a mass grave with millions of dry bones being pulled together. They’re putting on sinews and flesh. And someday soon they will be imbued again with the breath of life. If that vision of the dry bones were literally happening, we would be witnessing a miracle of unprecedented scale.

Well, it is happening! God is pulling those bones together. He’s putting flesh on them, and He will soon put new hearts inside those bodies.

The drawing together of Israel is promised over and over in the Bible, but much of Christendom holds to the idea that the Church has replaced Israel, and that the promises God made to the people of Israel are not true. Titus 1:2, Numbers 23:19, and 1 Samuel 15:29 all say that God cannot lie. Hebrews 6:17-18 says that God’s word is immutable. According to 2 Timothy 2:15, God’s word is “the word of truth.” In John 14:6, Jesus said that He is truth.

Jeremiah 31:35-36 says, “Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day, And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night… The Lord of hosts is His name: ‘If this fixed order departs From before Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘Then the offspring of Israel also shall cease From being a nation before Me forever.'”

Have you noticed the sun ceasing to shine? Then God has not replaced Israel! He will fulfill His promises! Even more exciting is the fact that right now, before our eyes, He IS fulfilling those promises. The bones are lining up. The cartilage is forming together with muscle and organs and skin. The long dead are reforming before our eyes!

God’s word is true!

God bless,

Mark

Happy Friday!

HE WINS! Thank You, Jesus!

Ann and I like Pastor Christopher Gordon’s teachings. Below is one of our favorites and it is so timely. We get so blessed (happy) listening to it over and over. Oh, the blessings and joy of living for Jesus in these days. Truly, the joy of the Lord is our strength. No other joy like it in the universe.

https://www.agradio.org/resource/he-shall-win-the-battle-part-2-revelation-19

Soon, we’ll be with Him in all His glory.

Take time to think about Heaven, precious people of God. It does your heart so much good.

God bless,

Mark

It’s Heavenly Friday,

Yay!

Actually, we should think about Heaven as often as we’re reminded of it. It does us so much good to know it’s all coming and that we’ll be there forever with Jesus, the saints, the Father, Holy Spirit, and all the other sights, sounds and wonders beyond our imagination.

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:1-8

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

God bless,

Mark

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Galatians 4:25

Jim and Penny Caldwell: “When we realized where we were, we were so overwhelmed with the reality of it – with everything that took place there – that we fell to our knees.”

Some years ago, Ann and I came across a story about finding the real Mount Sinai. We were so captured by the story, and have shared it with others. Those who have seen the actual site in Saudi Arabia have shared their life-changing experiences.

Probably the most incredible stories about the real Mount Sinai are told by Jim and Penny Caldwell who documented their discoveries at the mountain when on vacation from their petroleum engineering jobs in the Mideast years ago – They visited the site 15 times and have wonderful stories, pictures and videos.

You can find many other Mount Sinai-related youtube videos. It’s really fun to see the evidence that backs up the Bible’s Exodus account.

We hope you enjoy the 25 minute video below. To see more of the evidence, see any youtube videos the Caldwell’s have been included in. By the way, the Caldwell’s also have a four hour Mount Sinai video you can purchase. We’re going to buy it because we just love this type of Biblical evidence.

Finding the Mountain of Moses: The Real Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia

The Exodus is real. So is Heaven.

God bless,

Mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-ztexJha1Q

Our Father Who art in Heaven. And yet, He is by our side each moment – Mmmm.

God bless,

Mark

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step.
1 Corinthians 9:24-26a

For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
Hebrews 3:14

For Christians, there’s no place like home – Like Heaven. Please take time to remember that Jesus already sees you in Heaven with all tears wiped away. With the help of the Holy Spirit, all we have to do is to keep walking towards that day when we step into Heaven.

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

God bless,

Mark

Emmanuel – God with us. Wow, isn’t that something? God is with us. All we have to do to acknowledge that is to ask Him into our heart to be our Savior. And then we get to walk everyday with Him in our hearts. God with us – Wow.

Though you have not seen him (Jesus), 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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

Take time to think about Heaven…

God is with you…

God bless,

Mark