Citizens of Heaven 

   “For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the Savior we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body.” (Phil 3: 21) 

   Christianity knows no nationality; we are of every nation and every country of the world.  Imagine how the world might become if all Christians believed and acted on this truth.  If we all stopped squabbling among ourselves and fought instead the evils of this world.

   Far too often we allow the “accident” of where we were born or where we live to override our Christianity.  We want to fit in with the society in which we live.  But societies are very different, not only in various areas of the world, but even within the same country.  Society responds to the wants and desires of the majority of those within it; Christianity is supposed to stand for the truths given to us by our God.

   It's easy to see this disparity in faith in the United States.  Those who live in very liberal areas of the country are likely to have a more liberal interpretation of Christ’s words.  In more conservative areas, the same words are interpreted more conservatively.  But the words of our Savior are not subject to interpretation and change based on our political opinions or those of society, they are the word of God.

   Christians all over the world need to proclaim their citizenship as heaven and work to bring the ways of God into the many lands of in which we live.  Society changes with the whim of the majority, Christianity cannot.  The truths of God are constant for all eternity.

   Jesus didn’t come to save one nation or people, but the entire world.  As He was about to depart this world He commissioned His apostles saying, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matt 28: 19 – 20).

 Count Your Blessings

 

   It can be easy to become discouraged in the world.  Society seems to be speeding down the road to perdition with little hope of turning around.  Sometimes it seems that nothing can change the path of destruction we seem to be on.

   Scripture teaches us that this world is not the final stop; all the evil and craziness of our world will one day pass away.  All will be made new when our Lord comes in glory.  Looking forward to that day helps put things in perspective.

   But there is a method that can bring peace and comfort in this crazy world.  It just requires a willing heart and a trip down memory lane.  Find a comfortable seat, close your eyes, and count your blessings.

   For me, the most joyous blessings I recall are virtually all family centered.  The night I proposed to my wife.  The day we made it official, becoming husband and wife, two who would become one in love.  The many years we had together and our reunion in the life to come that gives me such hope and peace.

   The birth and adoption of our four children and the love, happiness and joy we shared in raising them.  Watching them grow and mature, hoping always for the best for them and praying for their eternal soul every day of my life.  Loving them, now and forever.

   We all have such blessings if we will simply shut out the world for a few minutes and remember.  Our hearts can be filled again with the joys and happiness recalled in those memories.  For those moments the world, with all its problems, simply disappears for a while; one more blessing to be thankful for.

 Finding Peace 

   “Set your mind on the Spirit and on the things of God, and soon your heart finds peace and life itself.” (Allen Hunt, “Nine Words”) 

   We all desire peace but we often look for it in all the wrong places.  The only source of real peace is God.

   Not only do we far too often look for peace where peace cannot be found, we often don’t even understand what peace means.   We attach the concept of peace with worldly and material items, but peace isn’t found in the world; it is found in the Spirit of God and following His will.

   Because we live in a material world there are certain things we must attend to.  We must provide for our needs as well as those of our family, so a job is needed.  Shelter, food, medical care, long term planning for the future are all things that we should concern ourselves with.  But these things should not take priority over our spiritual needs.

   Even if we live a life of poverty and privation, our eternal life can be one of joy and plenty.  We will find love, happiness, and peace beyond imagination if we have properly prepared for that coming.  Only then will we know what peace really means and how foolish we were to think it could be found in this world.

   “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give it to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14: 27).  These words of Jesus remind us that the peace we seek isn’t found in worldly things, but in God.

He Is God 

   “Be still and know that I am God!  I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46: 10) 

   People can’t seem to get this simple concept through their head.  He is God, we are not.  We don’t know the whole story, but He does, and the story will play out according to His desires not ours.

   Since Adam and Eve, mankind has been trying to second guess God and His plan.  You would think that after all this time and all the problems we have created, people would finally realize that we were created to follow Him, not lead, or question Him.  Yet some still say, “If I were in charge, I’d do things differently”.  Human arrogance seems to have no limit.

   As an example of the troubles such thinking brings, in the 1960’s, the demand for “free love” began, insisting that sex with anyone we choose, in any way we choose is fine.  From that has come promiscuity beyond imagining, single parent families, and abortion on demand.  Sex is now viewed merely as recreational, rather than the complete giving of one’s self, one man and one woman, the two becoming one body as God intended.

   Society has largely rejected God, choosing instead to be a god unto themselves.  History teaches that any society that persists in denying God, becoming immoral and self-aggrandizing will not long stand.  Sadly, few have any real knowledge of history and so will continue to repeat the same errors again and again.

   God is God, we are not.  Ultimately, His will shall be done.  As Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, “In the end, God wins.”

 A Life in Review 

   Sometimes it seems my life passes before me like a movie.  It can be disconcerting but also a blessing.

   I recall the many blessings the Lord has bestowed on me in this lifetime.  The blessing He still gives me though I am undeserving.  It reminds me of how great His love for me is; that even though I have failed Him many times He still loves me and watches over me.  I offer my praise and thanksgiving to the all-merciful, all-loving God.

   Other times I recall the many times I turned my back on the Lord, seeking pleasure and joy in the world rather than in His will.  I believe God allows me to remember my sins to remind me of His mercy.  I know they are forgiven, and I also know that “…as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103: 12).  Still the thought of them brings sorrow and regret.

   Life will always be a mixture of joy and happiness, good times and bad.  I believe this is very important to growing in the spirit.  If I never knew sorrow I could never understand joy.  If I never knew pain I could never understand happiness. 

   God gives me what I need to become the man He created me to be.  Sometimes I don’t understand and sometimes what He gives me is difficult to bear.  But crosses are a part of the Christian life; without the cross of Jesus there would be no salvation.

   In good times and in bad, I pray for the strength and perseverance to submit to His will in all things and to give Him thanks always.

 Knowing God 

   “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways -- says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55: 8 – 9) 

   I don’t believe it is possible to fully know God in this lifetime.  I can’t comprehend His thoughts and ways just as a kindergartener can’t understand Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.  I will have to settle for striving to know Him more and more though knowing Him completely will have to wait for the next life.

   I recently re-read a book that I had read several years ago, “The Cloud of Unknowing”.  When I read it the first time I was at a loss; I couldn’t grasp what the author was proposing and how to apply it to my life.  Spiritually, I wasn’t ready for waters that deep.

   As I read it this time I began to understand what was puzzling to me before.  Not because I’ve become smarter or holier but because God has brought me to a place of understanding that I didn’t have before.  Through the grace of God, this book has made a tremendous difference in my life.

   As much as I would like to know all there is to know about God and spiritual matters my humanity will not allow it.  There is a cloud between me and that level of knowledge, the cloud of unknowing.  A cloud that I can never fully penetrate through my own desires and efforts.  I can’t force it, I can’t demand it, but I can and must seek it.  It is God, through His grace, who will enlighten me as He deems appropriate.

   I can never fully know and understand God in this life.  But by pursuing such understanding through prayer, and contemplation, always seeking God’s will, He will lead me where He wants me to be.

Open the Door 

   “Someone’s knocking at the door, somebody’s ringing the bell.  Do me a favor, open the door and let ‘em in.” (“Let ‘em In”, lyrics by Paul McCartney) 

   It’s Jesus who is knocking at our door.  Our soul longs to open the door and be filled with His Holy Spirit.  We are meant to know that indwelling of our Lord; to have Him in our lives both now and for all eternity.

   Some people go through life and never hear the knocking or the doorbell ringing.  Or perhaps they do hear but choose to ignore.  Maybe they realize that if they open the door to God it will mean a complete change in their life, and they are afraid.  Change doesn’t come easy for some.  But change is needed if we are to spend eternity in God’s kingdom.

   Many aren’t willing to accept a Savior who would have us love our enemies and pray for them.  One who favors love and redemption of the sinner rather than condemnation and punishment.  We tend to hold onto our grudges and hatred; we seek vengeance, He seeks conversion.  “I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” (Luke 15: 7)

   “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3: 10).  He is there and He will continue to be there knocking.  He wants to forgive our sins, to make us holy, and to give us eternal life.  Just open the door and let Him in.