Tag: Heaven

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Heavenly Friday =)

For in Him our heart rejoices,
Because we trust [lean on, rely on, and are confident] in His holy name.
Psalm 33:21

I’ve Been Through Enough
By Dawn Rogers; Sung By John Starnes

“When I first began to walk with the Lord,
I did not fully trust Him,
How He longed for me to understand that I could
So through the valley He led me, afraid as I could be,
Until I felt His loving arms embracing me

How could I ever doubt my God whose hands hold the universe,
Why would I ever question His ability,
There’s no place that I can go where He doesn’t know,
The things that trouble me
He’s always aware of where I am and what I need

I’ve been through enough to know He’ll be enough for me
He’s come through too many times
That puts my mind at ease, for good
And I’ll stake my very life He’s gonna take care of me,
‘Cause I’ve been through enough to know that He’ll be enough for me”

Oh, I believe Him now, after all these years,
He’s been so faithful; He’s proven to be true,
Oh, Nevermore will I doubt or question why
‘Cause I’ve seen Him work before, and I know what God can do

I’ve been through enough to know He’ll be enough for me
He’s come through too many times
And that puts my mind at ease, for good
And I’ll stake my very life He’s gonna take care of me,
‘Cause I’ve been through enough to know that He’ll be enough for me”

Yes, Jesus is enough, dear ones.  He’s all we need…

Take time to think about Jesus and Heaven this weekend. ☺

God bless,

Mark

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Heavenly Friday

Hello Precious People Loved By Jesus,

I hope you’ll enjoy the short video clip below.  I love it! ☺

Do you remember when you first “saw” Jesus?  You know, when you first felt His love, mercy, compassion, peace and joy calling to your heart?

Why is the Bible the most read book in the world?  Because God, Who is love, put a desire for His love in our hearts that can only truly be met and satisfied by Jesus, The Prince of Peace…

RISEN Clav and Jesus meet

Jesus, there’s just something about that Name…

Take a break from this life’s routine and contemplate Heaven this weekend, folks.  It thrills and calms the soul at the same time. ☺

God bless,

Mark

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Heavenly Friday. Yipee!

Hello Fellow Christians, ☺

What a friend we have in Jesus.

Why take time to remind all of us to dwell on Heaven each Friday?

Well, one of the best reasons to do so is because the devil can use so much of the rest of the week to drag our minds back down into this world and its issues.  He can discourage us and try to get us to take on the weight of the world’s care.

That’s why Jesus tells us to look up; to look to our Prince of Peace and Heavenly Father; to still our spirits; to align our hearts and emotions with Him; to focus our attention on Heaven and all it has to offer us.

Each week, we’re reminded that we get to exchange any and all care we may have picked up during the week for the mercy, forgiveness, love, joy and peace of Jesus.

Truly, what a Savior and friend we have in Jesus.

 

 

 

 

Freed from care and safe in the arms of Jesus…

God bless,

Mark

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Heavenly Friday =)

Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.  Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Phippians 3:15-21

Take time to think about Heaven, precious people.  You’ll be glad you did.

Have a nice weekend and I’ll talk more with you next week…

God bless,

Mark

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Great Is Our God And Greatly To Be Praised: Next Stop Is Heaven, Dear Ones

 

 

 

 

Oh dear Christian, you are SO LOVED by your Heavenly Father!

One day, the sky will roll back like a scroll (Revelation 6:14).  Wow. Amazing.  What unsurpassing power.  You’ll see it happen.  You’ll see your Savior and Lord.

God’s Kingdom contains all of His might, His character, His glory, His joy, His peace, rest, wisdom and understanding…His Love.  Nothing is missing.  Nothing.

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.[b]
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.[c]
14 The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.
Psalm 145

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32

 

 

 

 

 

We lose nothing.  We gain it all!  Oh, Hallelujah, Lord, King of the universe!

Let all of eternity well up in you this weekend, precious ones.  Let the Kingdom dwell within you (Luke 17:21).  It’s your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom, the Kingdom, the Kingdom… =)=)=)

God bless,

Mark

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Heaven and One Person’s Homecoming

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17

 

 

 

 

 

I’m sitting remembering what my daughter, Hope, shared with me about a place she visited in Oregon.  She’d come around a turn on a path and suddenly saw a beautiful garden that reminded her of what she’d read in the “Chronicles of Narnia” books.  For just a moment, she wondered if she’d actually died and arrived in Heaven.  It was one of those surrealistic moments.  As she related this story to me, I could really sense what she’d experienced and felt Heaven tugging on my own heart. =)

For to me (The apostle Paul) to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 ESV

The longer I live, the more I realize that living for and getting to know more about Jesus is all that matters…

Annie and I had a really nice visit with our dear friend Grace (we think of Grace as one of our daughters) a few weeks ago.  Grace told us the wonderful, following story.  I asked her if she would write it down so I could share it with all of you. What a blessed event it was…

*******

“Hi Mark!

Here is the story my father in law shared with me about grandpa’s passing from this life to heaven!!!

“I had just finished reading a booklet hospice had given us about the final stages and breaths of life.  Just as I had finished reading and placed the booklet on the coffee table in front of me, I heard grandpa’s breathing start to change.  His mouth clenched shut and the breaths became fewer.  I called everyone into the family room where his hospital bed lay.  As everyone entered the room, we all began singing grandpa”s favorite hymns.  As we were into our 2nd or 3rd hymn, grandpa took his last breath.  Grandma started dancing around with joy, shouting,  “He’s home!!!!  He”s with Jesus!!!!!”  Grandpa went home to meet his Heavenly Father with his wife of 54 years and all 3 of his children by his side, singing songs of praise!”

This story brings such joy to my heart.  What a beautiful way to leave this earthly life to eternity with God!!!  Grandpa Craker was able to see all of his children, their spouses and most of his grandkids live lives for Christ!!!!!!

I love you and miss you both!!!

Grace”

*******

Yes, furthermore, I (the apostle Paul) count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly].  For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),
Philippians 3:8 AMPC

This life is all about Jesus and Heaven, precious people.  We’ll be happiest and more fulfilled living this life for Christ and sharing His love, mercy, forgiveness, peace and rest with everyone God sends our way.  =)

For God so loved the world…

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Revelation 5:13

Have a nice weekend and remember to take time to dwell on Heaven.

God bless,

Mark

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Cave Church In Cairo, Egypt

Happy Easter In The Name Of Jesus,

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from all nations and provinces and languages, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands.  And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God upon the throne, and from the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10 The Living Bible (TLB)

Wow, how cool is this?  Here are some of our precious brothers and sisters in Jesus.  We’ll get to be with them in Heaven.  20,000 per service at this church.  God is incredible. =)

Also, I looked this church up online and the story behind it is amazing.  God is so good.  The link to that story is near the bottom of this email – “From Garbage To Glory.”

70 thousand Egyptian Christians sing Emmanuel – God is with us

From Garbage To Glory – Cave Church In Cairo
http://www.christianitytoday.com/behemoth/2016/issue-46-april-14-2016/from-garbage-to-glory.html

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:6

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to think about how great Heaven’s going to be.

God bless,

Mark

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Daydreaming About Heaven =)

The Lamb to the Lion

I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.  And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
2 Corinthians 12:1b-4 (English Standard Version – ESV)

Joy of the Lord by Greg Olsen...I love images of Jesus smiling. You don't see them very often.

Make it a weekend filled with Heavenly daydreams…

God bless,

Mark

 

 

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Heaven, Yipee!

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Heavenly Sunlight
Christian Hymn by Henry Zelley

“Walking in sunlight all of my journey,
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, I’ll never forsake thee—
Promise divine that never can fail.

Refrain:
Heavenly sunlight! Heavenly sunlight!
Flooding my soul with glory divine;
Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!

Shadows around me, shadows above me
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the light, in Him is no darkness,
Ever I’m walking close to His side.

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,
Pressing my way to mansions above;
Singing His praises, gladly I’m walking,
Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

Refrain:
Heavenly sunlight! Heavenly sunlight!
Flooding my soul with glory divine;
Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!”

Boy, folks, we get to walk with Jesus while on earth, and then we get all of Heaven afterwards.  Pretty good deal… =)

Image result for heaven images

Think I’m going to just stare at Jesus and the Father for a while when I finally get to Heaven.  Can’t think of anything better right now… =)

I’ll talk with you next week.  Have a nice, Heavenly weekend.

God bless,

Mark

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Heaven’s Coming Right Up!

Hello Folks,

Lots happening in the Middle East these days with God’s people, the Jews, back in their land and all of Israel’s enemies flexing their muscles as they promise the demise of the Jews.  Just like the Bible says, God has placed a hook in the jaws of His enemies to draw them to Israel for the battle of Armageddon, the final confrontation between good and evil.

1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:

6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord.

17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.
Psalm 83

The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine, for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
Leviticus 25:23

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Joel 3:2

8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me.

10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.

11 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

12 And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Zechariah 2:8-13

And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
1 Kings 5:5

14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Zecariah 1:14-16

We’re seeing so many end times events happening.  The Middle East is in the news on a regular basis.  God has said no one will be able to figure out the problems in the Middle East until His agenda has been carried out.

God has returned His people to Israel after 2000 years just like He said would happen in the pages of scripture.  He’s carefully watching over the developments occurring all around His precious possession, Israel.

Image result for heaven images

Heaven’s coming right up!  Take time to meditate on Heaven this weekend, saints.  It’s time well spent.  ☺

God bless,

Mark

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Heaven: And So Shall We Ever Be With The Lord – Such Sweet Words

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Wow, it’s going to be awesome to be caught up in the air with all our Christian brothers and sisters.  Fills me with excitement and joy just to think about it.

And so shall we ever be with the Lord…Such sweet words.

Take time to think about Heaven, about ever being with our Lord, precious people.

God bless you all, and have a nice weekend letting the peace of God rule in your heart.

Mark

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Heaven: The River Of Life and Serving God

I just can’t stop thinking of how close we are to being in Heaven…

This is a great time to be rejoicing in the Lord as we anticipate all the wonders we’ll soon be experiencing.  As the Lord keeps replacing my thoughts of the things of earth with His healing thoughts and joy, Heaven’s becoming more preeminent in my thoughts every day.  I love it!

The Perfect Life

22 Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Christ),  2 in the middle of its street.  On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  3 There will no longer exist anything that is cursed [because sin and illness and death are gone]; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve and worship Him [with great awe and joy and loving devotion]; 4 they will [be privileged to] see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.  5 And there will no longer be night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign [as kings] forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5

The other morning, Ann and I were talking about God and Heaven.  Ann was wondering what the river of life would be like.  We sat just thinking about what it could mean.  River of life…Paints a pretty picture in our minds.  Fun to think about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other item that speaks to me in the above passage of scripture is that we will serve God.  I’ve had a lot of different bosses over time.  It’s really fun to think that I’ll be serving for the best boss possible, forever.  ☺

Let your spirit soar as you remember Heaven, and its ingredients, this weekend.  Thoughts of Heaven bring newness of life to each of us.

God bless, and we’ll have more fun next week.

Mark

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Heaven – Boy oh Boy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
2 Samuel 6:14-15

Boy Howdy!  (I read where that means “Yee Haw” in Texas.) ☺

Put your phone down and hang onto your seats saints.  This is going to be a fun, uplifting email.  I pray the Holy Spirit fills you with the same Heavenly liberating excitement and joy I have right now.

Ann and I were in a long line at a market the other day.  We started chatting with a sweet, soft-spoken elderly woman behind us.  She began sharing how different things are today from when she was young.  She said disrespect and lawlessness were growing more and more.  She told us the world is in a real mess.  We agreed.  The world is in need of someone who can straighten things out without setting of another world war.

I was thinking about that conversation this morning and I just had to smile and think about Heaven.  We have so much to look forward to.  End times birth pangs are everywhere.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18

I have Jesus (the answer to the world’s woes, the One Who’s already wiping away all of my tears) living in me, and I can’t help but tell you, the joy of the Lord is my strength.  I love it!  I just can’t seem to get upset or discouraged about the shape the world’s in.  And, Jesus never asked me to.  Instead, He commands me to look up to all that awaits us.

Yipee, big time!  ☺☺☺

Encourage yourself in the Lord like David did.  God is for us.  Stay in the Lord, in the safe and glorious dwelling place of the Most High.

The New Jerusalem is going to measure 1363 miles square.  Think on that for a moment.  That’ll be a sight.

No, don’t let news get you down.  Instead, look up!  Rejoice!  Jesus, and all of Heaven, is so near.  Aren’t you incredibly thankful you have the hope of Heaven?

Look up, our redemption is drawing nearer each day.  That should put a spring in our step and a smile on our face.  Man oh man, I feel like David when he began shouting and dancing in the presence of the ark of God.  I love getting carried away in the Lord.  Praise you, Jesus!  Oh Hallelujah!

Heaven…Rejoice!

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.  The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  And night will be no more.  They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5 English Standard Version (ESV)

They will see his face…Yee Haw!

God bless,

Mark

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Heavenly Friday, Again. ☺

I love every day of the week because I get to choose Jesus every day.  Friday’s have their own special appeal since it’s usually the end of the work week for many.  Time to rest and think about Heaven, and all of its splendor.

Image result for heaven with family images

Wow, to be able to talk with Jesus face to face.  That’ll be amazing!

I’ve Just Seen Jesus
By The Gaithers and Danny Daniel
Sung by Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris

One day in Heaven, we’ll be able to say, I’ve just seen Jesus, our precious Lord, ALIVE!  And all we’ve ever done before won’t matter any more.

And forever, we’ll never be the same, again.

God bless and have a nice weekend.

Mark

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Heavenly Friday

“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Image result for the things of heaven images

Boy, it’s going to be a life-changing and awesome time when His Kingdom comes on earth.

Wait, that can begin happening now in the life of anyone who becomes a “doer” of the Word.  All a person needs to do is to ask God to help them apply His Word to their life.  This is what being transformed by the renewing of our minds is all about.  It’s about releasing all of the joys of Heaven into our lives.  The things of God’s Kingdom – His glorious, higher understanding, truths and ways – will be poured into our lives if we’re willing to cooperate with the precious, loving, comforting Holy Spirit.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of life:  and I will dwell in the House of the Lord for ever…”  ☺

“Lord, please bring all of the life-transforming beauty of your Kingdom into my life…”

Thank you, Jesus.

Take time to think about the things of the Kingdom, Heaven…

God bless you all,

Mark

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Nice Thought To Contemplate