Tag: heaven

There is a River

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
Psalm 46:4

I whisper to my soul, “There is a river,” and my heart stills. With those simple words, I am assured, satisfied, quieted. As an earthly resident of a heavenly city, I treasure the assurances I find in the following verses of Psalm 46.

  • “God is within her, she will not fall.” The kingdoms of this world are in tumult—wars erupt and evil devastates the land and its people. But there is a city of peace where God dwells and prepares for our arrival. I see hints of it in the rivers that flow out of it and reveal God’s grace.
  • “God will help her at break of day.” Every morning God is present to support us, to show us His lovingkindness, and to give us guidance and strength. He keeps us safe until the day we go home and see Him.
  • “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts his voice, the earth melts.” Chaos seems to reign on earth—it is undeniably present, but it is not sovereign, God is. The warfare that rages is not against a nation’s armies or our “enlightened” political ideologies, but against evil forces that are not human. All these kingdoms will fall and then… God will lift His voice and, at His word, the world as we know it will melt.

There will be a new world. Our life will be one of peace, and joy, and remarkable revelations of truth. All will be made clear and beauty will abound. We will enter the city of God and drink from its streams because “There is a river,” and it will make us glad.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, 
since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

I am Thankful for my Future

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I am thankful for my faith, my family, and my friends—and I am abundantly thankful for my future.

At this point in life, I’m acutely aware of two things—the speed of time and the frailty of life. This can distress me when I speak my age, look in a magnifying mirror, forget a name, or schedule another doctor’s appointment. I become reflective and longingly remember days of high energy, full schedules, and arthritis-free living. But mostly, I am thankful.

I look beyond the unknown length of my days and put weaknesses of body and mind in perspective. I don’t know when my years will end but I know when my life will begin!

I have a future with no expiration date. I will live it in a body made new. I will have no physical or mental limitations. Every longing of my soul will be met. Every wonder of nature will be explored. Every gift and talent will be exercised. Every new experience will be enjoyed.

I will see Jesus and the fulness of His love! I will worship God in all His glory and be amazed! I will laugh with my daughter, walk with my parents, converse with the saints!

So as the days pass, I will not regard time as the waning of life, but as the nearing of perfect life. I will silence whispers of disappointment and align my perspective with truth. I will count on God’s faithfulness and savor His favor. And my heart will swell because of the future that awaits me.

I am thankful for my Future.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard…
the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9

Good News

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem was exciting, joyful, hopeful! But days later, nothing seemed triumphant when He was arrested and sentenced to death. His crucifixion had to stymie His once enthusiastic followers. Those who threw up their hands in worship days before, must have thrown up their hands in confusion. But then, the unimaginable happened. Incredibly, gloriously, victoriously—Jesus rose from the grave!

Forty days later He had His true triumphal entry. In the sight of angels and His disciples, Jesus triumphantly ascended into heaven—the New Jerusalem. He regained His place of glory and sat on His throne to forever reign.

His victory came through suffering we could never know—it came so we would never have to know. Jesus’ life purchased life for us and for all who accept Him.

I love Peter’s summary of Jesus’ ministry in Acts 10:34-43:

“I… realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him* and does what is right…

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and… He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him…

“All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

Let’s allow ourselves to be caught up in the emotion of Palm Sunday and worship the One who made a Triumphal Entry into our hearts. He gives us life now and for eternity.

Our Triumphal Entry awaits us!

*honors, respects, loves Him