by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
A Place of Reunion
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
The Holy Scriptures teach clearly that heaven is a real place, a permanent place, a personal place, a holy place and a place open only to those who have been truly born again. The Bible also reveals that heaven is a place of reunion.
In 2nd Samuel we see a very clear picture of God’s grace, mercy and comfort in the joys of heavenly reunion. We serve a God who chastises acts of sin, yet His repentant children have the sure hope of His forgiveness and of seeing loved ones who have died “in the Lord.” In Chapter 12 of 2nd Samuel we read of the prophet Nathan’s rebuke of God’s anointed king. King David had surrendered to his fleshly desires ultimately leading to adultery, a child conceived out of wedlock and murder. As we continue to read 2nd Samuel Chapter 12, we see that King David was going to suffer the consequences of his selfishness and uncontrolled lusts. It was only after God sent Nathan to expose David’s sinful actions that the King was able to come before God with a humble and contrite heart fully surrendered to God’s will. Even though the consequences of sin can have an extraordinary cost, there is forgiveness and mercy to be found for those who have a truly repentant heart before God.
We know that David had a right heart before God for, instead of adding rebellion to his list of sins, David sought the Lord’s mercy, interceding in prayer for the child who was struck with an illness that would lead to his death. (2 Samuel 12:16, 18, 22) Even after the boy died, David does not fall into bitterness or rebellion. He clings to a truth that is for all who have lost young children or Christian loved ones. That truth is found in 2 Samuel 12:23, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” Don’t fail to catch that truth, “I will go to him.”
King David found something to cling to and the Scripture says that he also “comforted his wife…” (2 Samuel 12:24) Their consolation came in knowing they would see their son again.
Because heaven is a place of reunion, Christians who have had a baby or child die before reaching the age of account-ability will see that child again. Many have also suffered the loss of Christian parents, friends and co-laborers. However, there is a reunion awaiting them in heaven. There are multitudes of Holy Spirit-filled pastors, evangelists and missionaries, after having been used mightily of God to bring many sinners to Christ and then passing on to be with the Lord, that will be reunited in heaven with those who have responded with a heart of repentance to the Spirit’s call to come to Jesus. Others may only bring one or two souls with them, but every single person redeemed by Jesus’ shed blood is precious in God’s sight. Christians someday will see Elijah, John the Baptist, the twelve apostles and Paul and many other faithful servants of the Lord that were written about in the Bible and since who have given their lives to spread the Good News.
It will be The Grandest Reunion for those who have Christ as Savior and Lord. You’ve been invited! Don’t miss it!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
A Personal Place
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
Thus far we have Biblically observed that heaven is real and is a permanent place. Let us now consider that heaven is also a personal place. There is personal recognition and contact as well as intercession for Christians in heaven.
Contrary to some unbiblical opinions encouraged by wishful thinkers and TV shows, when Christians die they do not become angels. There is a clear distinction between the authority given to a Christian and the role of angels at the White Throne Judgment. (1 Corinthians 6:3)
A time is coming though when the dead in Christ will be resurrected and will be given glorified bodies. At the Lord’s transfiguration “…Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about His departure, which was fulfilled in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31) on the Cross of Calvary. The King James Bible says that Moses and Elijah “appeared in glory…” meaning literally they were glorified saints. This teaches Christians who have departed from this world are living in glory and will some day also receive a body to match. The “mortal will take on immortality.” (1 Cor. 15:53)
Not only is there a glorified body awaiting Christians some day, but personal intercession by Jesus now. In Acts 7 we see that personal intercession when Stephen was about to be stoned to death for his testimony of Christ. We read, “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of the throne of God. ‘Look,’ he said ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (v. 55, 56) “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ ” (Acts 7:59) After Christ was raised from the dead, He had personal communication with two men on the road to Emmaus. He said, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not Christ have to suffer these things and enter glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)
It is amazing even now to see how slow of heart people are to believe all that Christ and Scripture has to say about heaven and God’s only way for a person to get there. Jesus is the only way! If you have allowed family, friends, so-called experts in theology, the media, or your own unbelief to make you “slow of heart”, you must reject these ideas completely and turn whole-hardheartedly to Jesus Christ through confession and repentance.
When you allow the Holy Spirit to bring you into agreement with God’s Word which says, “…all have sinned” and through repentance receive Christ as personal Savior and Lord, you will enjoy the Biblical revelation that heaven is a personal place, and you will establish an intimate relationship with Christ now, thus experiencing the benefits of being on the narrow road to heaven. You can know that Christ intercedes personally for you just as he did for Stephen at the throne of God, and He will speak to you as He did the two on the road to Emmaus through God’s Word as quickened by the Holy Spirit. Choose Christ today!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
A Permanent Place
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
In this text we read that Jesus twice referred to Heaven as being a place. The Holy Spirit later moved the apostle Peter to give us additional revelation about the place where the born again Christian will spend eternity. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4) Peter gives us truth in this portion of Scripture that will take an eternity to fully grasp. One powerful truth is that we will be living face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father forever. There is no greater privilege given to man.
Peter reveals something else worth meditating on as we consider our inheritance of eternal life. It will “never perish, spoil or fade.” It will last forever. All that God gives us as we minister with Him throughout eternity will stay with us. There is no threat of losing anything or of losing the blessing of His presence. Once the child of God is received into heaven, their inheritance is sure and imperishable. It will not age, deteriorate or die; there will not be even a seed of corruption within it. This inheritance will never spoil or be defiled. Our resurrected bodies will never be polluted or corrupted with sin again. Residents of heaven will not need to pray for those who are sick or dying. Pharmacies and hospitals will be nonexistent. Accidents will not happen. No tears will ever be shed again over a lost loved one or over lost possessions.
Note that Peter tells Christians that this is a “living hope.” The word “hope” here is used differently than the way we normally think of hope. For example, many students have graduated high school and gone on to college “hoping” to graduate in four years or so. This is only an expression of a strong desire to attain a certain goal. These people have no absolute certainty that they will be able to do so, for they may be forced to sit out a semester or year because of financial hindrances, health needs, or family setbacks. The hope Peter speaks of (Greek elpis) is a sure thing, a confident expectation in the God of hope, the Author and Source of hope. This hope comes only to Christians who have an obedient walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Lip service without true faith will not open the door of your heart to the Holy Spirit’s enabling to enjoy this type of hope. Only a heart yielded to the Lordship of Christ can enjoy all the blessings of this assured outcome. This is a revelation that comes only from the Lord as you choose to believe the Word of God and as you surrender to the illuminating power of the Holy Ghost.
Choose this day to repent of sin and turn fully to Christ. You will then have that sure hope that many have in Him. You can know that heaven is not only a real place but also a permanent place prepared for you. Invite Christ into your heart and life today!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
A Holy Place
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
The Holy Scriptures teach clearly that heaven is a real place, a permanent place and a personal place. It is also a holy place. The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us this powerful truth about the character of those who will be in heaven, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) The Holy Spirit moved the apostle Peter to write, “…just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
Holiness embraces purity and moral integrity. Those called to be God’s children are to be like Christ. Peter used the word “called” (Greek kaleo) meaning a divine calling to partake of the blessings of redemption. Theologians tell us that the word “called” as used by the apostle Peter is a Divine Grace that is sure to produce. The blood of Christ is not a cover of sin but a purifying source that will cleanse all sin from those who come to Jesus in repentance and receive Him as Savior and Lord.
In the New Testament the apostle Peter wrote powerfully and boldly about holiness because it is the attribute of God. The Old Testament also contains many Scriptures that speak directly about what God says about Himself, “Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)
Holiness means total separation from that which is profane or wicked in God’s sight. God–Father, Son and Spirit–is the depiction of righteousness, purity and sinlessness. He is also the embodiment of absolute perfection, completeness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the perfect picture of total separation, unaffected by this world’s philosophies. He lived a victorious life over the flesh and defeated Satan’s temptations with the Word of God. Jesus is in heaven and the blessing of being in heaven means to be where He is. There is no sin in heaven, thus, there are no consequences of sin. The blessing of being in heaven is enjoying perfection and absolute separation unto God and Christ Jesus.
On earth we are often exposed to the lures of sin and must live with consequences of it. Down here the apostle Paul says we see but a poor reflection and we know only in part. In heaven we will know perfection and completeness. Here we are always looking for fulfillment in some way. In heaven we will know true and everlasting fulfillment.
The simplest understanding of holiness is that of loving conformity to God’s commands and to His Son. Heaven is where God is who is holy; and the people who are there with Him are those who long in their hearts and lives for the holiness of God. The ones who are in heaven know the truths of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” They have offered their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. (Romans 12:1-2)
Will you join the multitude who have chosen Christ and the holiness of God? Heaven awaits all who have.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
True Confessions
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and will purify us from all unrighteousness.” Over the years, many revivals have happened when God poured out His Holy Spirit so mankind may have the opportunity to be restored back into fellowship with Him. At these revivals, this wonderful passage of Scripture has been quoted, so mankind may confess their sins to the Lord — not publicly so to be mocked. Some have been enlightened to God’s forgiveness. They are enabled by the Holy Spirit to overcome the sins that held them captive, thus walking in the freedom to live for the Lord. Sadly, many more have walked away from the foot of the cross, only to be overtaken by the sin they just confessed, thus becoming enslaved to do harm to their own soul, hurt others and break the Heart of God.
What is true confession which allows the repentant sinner to fully enjoy God’s forgiveness and purification from sin?
The key passage above was written by the apostle John, he instructs Christians on what to do when sin overcomes them as well as sharing the benefits of confession to the Lord. It begins with true confession: “confess” (homologeō – ὁμολογεω) means to agree with another or rather to agree with God in regards to the implication of the sin committed by a child of God. This includes the hatred of that sin, the Christian’s sense of guilt because of it and his heart’s desire to purge that sin out of his life. (Wuest’s Word Study in the Greek New Testament; Word Studies in the New Testament) There is a big difference between being sorry and being repentant because of the circumstances one finds himself in because of sin and being broken by the fact your sin had hurt someone else and the Lord.
The Bible tells of the lives of two men: King Saul and King David. King Saul was the king asked for by the people, however, he lacked the spiritual quality to be a successful leader. He was a man who can see the hand of God moving. (1 Samuel 24:20) He confessed his sin; (1 Samuel 26:21) however, his character reflected the heart of a man who would repeatedly disobey the Word of God. (Who’s Who in the Bible; 1 Samuel 13;15) There are people who can see God working in their lives, they even confess their sin, but their love of sin causes them to regularly disobey God’s word and miss His will for them. These people can never enjoy God’s purifying work and they end up living a defeated life.
After removing Saul from his kingship, God made David king, saying, “I found David [to be] a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22) David was a man who had committed many sins. After one of David’s embarrassing flesh-pleasuring sins, God told David through the prophet Nathan, “…you have shown utter contempt for the Lord.” These words pushed David to become truly broken before the Lord. We read of David’s true repentance in Psalm 51, “…Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:2)
True confessions receive true forgiveness. These confessions open the door to the purifying work of the Lord. These Christians have the same heart as King David, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart…” One sure way to be set free from sin, is to come to the cross after you have asked the Lord to reveal to you how that sin looks to Him. Once you grasped how He sees the sin, literally you will be sick of it, you will let Him do His purifying work.
It is like knowing that poor dental hygiene leads to tooth decay. Very few people practice true dental hygiene, eventually ending up with tooth decay. When tooth decay does major damage, inflicting excruciating pain, you will gladly let the dentist jerk it out. When you let God show you His view of your sin and the pain it causes Him, yourself and others, you will let Him clean out the decay. .
Are you like King Saul, sorry for the circumstances you are in, or are you a King David, broken before the Lord? Will you go to God with true confessions? Truly confess and find freedom in Christ to walk in step with the Holy Spirit of Christ!
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