Heaven as the Goal

The bible, the infallible inspired word of God, pierces hearts with its truth as no other book can do. And yet, the Lord can use articles, magazines, newspapers, and even novels to help us understand His word and apply it to all areas of life.

I have enjoyed many novels for their plots, writing styles and diverse characters (Jane Austen, Bodie and Brock Theone, and C.S. Lewis can be tagged as some of my favorites). But every so often, I pick up a book that leaves a very strong lasting impression on my heart and mind.

Recently I picked up Randy Alcorn's first book in his trilogy, “Deadline” and was amazed with not only the theological clarity and insight in Alcorn's book, but also the excellent plot and can't-put-it-down drama. Below is an excerpt from the second book, “Dominion”, which I am enjoying just as much:

“She realized in an instant that her entire life on earth had been but a series of labor pains preparing her for this moment. As she was once born into a world of cold confusion and blaring artificial lights, she was now being born out of that cramped domain into a wide open realm of warmth and natural light, the place for which she was suited, the world for which she had been made.

“At last,” she shouted. “The real world!”

At the doorway into life stood a shining being of natural radiance, but with the brightness of a million klieg lights. The radiance threatened to blind her, but somehow her new eyes could endure it. This was more than a man, yet clearly a man. She knew at once who it was. He who had been from eternity past, he who had left his home in heaven to make one her for her. He who spun the galaxies into being with a single snap of his fingers, who was the light that illuminated darkness with a million colors, who turned midnight into sunrise.

It was he. Not his representative, but he himself. He put his hands upon her shoulders and she thrilled at his touch.

“Welcome, my little one!” He smiled broadly, the smile teeming with approval. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the kingdom prepared for you. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

His was the embrace she was made for. He was the Bridegroom, the object of all longing, the fulfillment of all dreams.

Have you ever thought about heaven? I mean, more than just puzzling over how long eternity is (and what can we possibly do for an eternity?). Have you ever really considered what it will look like, what we will do, who we will meet?

Randy Alcorn has challenged my limited and rather dull imaginations of what heaven will be like through his novels. When we consider eternity with Christ, we tend to separate it from anything we experience here on earth, when in reality earth is but the most vague, dull, and sin-riddled peek into our experiences after death. Not only will we eat, sing, dance, explore, laugh and hug, but we will take our knowledge of life and the Word gained on earth, and continue to add to it in heaven. The ability to gain wisdom and insight will not be wiped away, but even while perfected in Christ, we will continue to learn and be taught new truths.

Having these vivid pictures being displayed through Alcorn's engrossing books has opened my eyes in such a way that has excited and encouraged me beyond what I expected. When we realize how much our knowledge and joy of the Lord will be affected by our choices made on earth, it puts a completely different perspective on life experience.

Instead of being comfortable and apathetic in our security of salvation, we should be passionate about filling our minds and hearts with the eternal wisdom of the Lord. We should be excited to meet new people, memorize scripture, extend a helping hand, and delve into prayer daily; all the things that we know rest on His promise, and matter for eternity.

And really, what is life but the training grounds for eternity with Christ? Life on earth is merely the springboard into eternal worship at the feet of Christ. How high will you jump?

Hello.... Is God There?

I have never had a cell phone. Call me old fashioned; I'd rather talk to a human being than a piece of plastic, I am appalled at the service rates, and can't stand to have someone text on their phone while trying to have a conversation with me. However, in the past ten years the average American citizen has gone from carrying no cell phone to owning multiple, and now it is not uncommon to see children as young as ten with them.

However, despite my disgust at our culture's need to constantly be engaged or entertained, necessity has forced me to look for a good service to use. And the hunt has been frustrating. Knowing that I will not spend hours every day on the phone, I was on the lookout for a good prepaid plan. What kind of phone would allow multiple services? What kind of service would cover my area? What prepaid plan could I find that wouldn't charge a day fee?

To make a long (and aggravating) story short, this ignorant girl bought 3 phones and ended up sending them all back. The last straw was when, after several hours on the phone with customer service, I ended up with a Kentucky number on a phone that didn't even work the weekend I most needed it. All I wanted was something not too outrageously pricey that would work. What does it take to make a few emergency phone calls???

In communication it's easy to get frustrated. Our internet connection is slow, our phone is dead, the reception is bad... we're always being charged for it and the perfection is never guaranteed. Sometimes all it takes is a lazy squirrel playing on the lines to cut us off! However, it tends to be in those times that we feel most cut off and isolated that the most important communication happens; prayer with an omnipresent God.

With the Lord there is no call waiting, no delays, no fees, no foreign customer service, and no static. It's the one form of communication guaranteed immediate delivery, reception, and response.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:12-13

There is no if or maybe for the elect; the Lord hears our prayers! Having to deal with waiting and delays so often in life, why do we refrain from speaking with our Creator in the simplest, and yet most blessed way possible? Why do we not daily, hourly indulge in this privilege... indeed, this honor and precious gift? We are commanded to pray;

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. - Psalms 55:17

And

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thess 5:16-18

We need to pray always, everywhere (1 Tim. 2:8), and in all circumstances. So don't delay; take advantage of this flawless offer, paid for in full by your heavenly Father.

The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. - Prov 15:29

What you see is what you get

Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel… Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria. So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!

Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.

-2^nd Samuel 6:8,14-23

Oh, that dealing with Muslim extremists were that easy! But alas for this nation; there are very few Elishas in leadership today, and even fewer who are willing to put their faith to action in times of war. Our nation is blind to the great and powerful Army surrounding us, ready to aid us in the battle the minute we call for help. Will we open our eyes and admit our finiteness in the midst of such a mighty host, or will we place our confidence in the power of men, and condemn ourselves to death? We need to pray that our nation would continue to be hated and targeted by Islam; for the day that we find peace with Islam is the day that we no longer identify with Christ. Victory can only be obtained by the blood of the lamb, and the faith of those who are washed in it.

Pray;

That America’s leaders would not be touched by fear, but would be confident and courageous in walking with the Lord; “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

That those in leadership would be drawn to their knees, and fall on their faces in a realization of God’s mighty army; “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”

That The Lord would blind our enemies, and give us victory over them; “And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.”

That God would not only give us physical, but spiritual victory over our enemies in winning them over to Christ; “But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow?”

That our land would be set at peace and untouched by foreigners who would seek our harm; “So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.”

As I pray for this nation

A prayer of thanksgiving

Dear Jesus, as we delight in the freshness and beauty of Spring, we also delight in Your hand over every thing that happens in this nation. I pray that as the flowers grow and bloom, and everything comes to life again, that we Christians of America would grow to be a beautiful image of You in our nation. May we not become dry or dull, but allow the storms and rain that pass through to help us to grow and change as we should. Help us even in the dry times to remain strong and bright, and not to abandon those around us in hard times.

Lord I thank you for awesome grace that you show toward our nation. To render us our due would mean to wipe us out, and yet you have blessed us with many comforts and luxuries. I thank you for the safety of our homes, the abundance of our food, and the provision from our jobs. I thank You also for the things that we lack; for the strength we have not exercised, the resolve that has weakened, the conviction that has not gripped us. I pray that in our weaknesses and imperfection, we would struggle, learn, and grow as a nation.

I thank you Lord for President Bush. Despite our criticism of his religious or conservative weaknesses, I know that America could have easily met a worse fate with another Presidential candidate, and we praise You for what strengths he does have in You. Thank you for the conservative leaders in our country today; those who are in office and those who are running; for their endeavors to take a strong stand against the lies and evils in congress today. I pray that You would grant them success and strength in the years ahead.

I thank you for our hard working troops and the excellent performance they show in the field. We confess that our military is not perfect, and yet we thank You for keeping them strong and pray that You would guide our deployed troops; comfort them, strengthen them, and draw them close to You.

Dear God, you have blessed this nation abundantly and yet we find so much fault at every bend and turn. May we yet recognize You for the blessings we do have, and continue to pray for the strengths that we lack.

This I pray in the name of the one true God, our King and Savior Jesus Christ

As I pray for this nation

A prayer of repentance

Dear Lord Jesus, God of the Universe, King over all that live, to You I offer this prayer for my nation. Nation can seem such a big word, and yet in light of Your rule, which extends to the ends of the earth and beyond, we are nothing. Our country is one of great leadership, influence and power in this world, and yet we are nothing in the midst of your glory and light. To many men we are rich, powerful, and prosperous. Truly, when standing in Your sight, we are nothing but weak sinners… corrupted, evil, dirty and humbled, we have no grounds upon which to stand in proclaiming ourselves worthy of life.

I confess for my nation, Lord, that we have failed time and time again. Every second of every hour we are sinning; without shame we are dishonoring Your name and felling those around us. We are sinners; readily following those around us who curse Your name. We are weak, shamed by our practices of faith which others scorn, and we give up the walk to be popular among men. We are proud, unable to smell the stench of our own filth or see the grime of our sinfulness, and we refuse to be of aid to our brothers in need. We are scoffers, rebukers, blasphemers and evil doers in this land You have given us.

Forgive us for our blindness, our arrogance, and our susceptibility to the lies and prejudices of those around us who daily cause us to fall. We confess to You the weakness of our leaders and fellow citizens in standing strong in the faith, and pray for Your forgiveness as we seek to glorify you in our homes. We repent of our inability to boldly preach Your word and reach those who are lost around us.

Lord, our mistakes are so many. Our falls are so great. And yet we thank You for the magnificent grace you have shown this fallen nation in granting us our lives, our prosperity, peace and comfort. We deserve less than we can bring ourselves to say, and we are awed in Your great pardon of our many sins. We thank You for raining Your blessings upon this Your undeserving people and pray with all our hearts that we would have the strength, the resolution, and the conviction to stand up to the evils in this world and give you all the praise and glory for all that is good and right.

This we pray in the name of the one true God, our King and Savior Jesus Christ

First Prayer In Congress

"Lord our Heavenly Father, High and Mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech thee, on these our American States, who have fled to thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent on Thee, to Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give; take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle! Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst Thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. all this we ask In the Name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior. Amen."

The First Prayer offered in Congress

September 7th, 1774 by Jacob Duche in Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia

What a prayer to have offered in a Congress in which the majority now scorns the idea of dedicating our nation's work to a higher power! What powerful words to tear down the false opinion that our nation was not founded on Christian morals, by Christian men. Oh, to have such Godly men in Congress today! May we seek to set the men who went before us as examples in our governing today.

My life is but a breath...

So often my eyes are on the ground as I stumble through life. I trip, I fall, and as I eagerly look to those around me my heart falls at the piercing gazes I receive. My heart is heavy and my mind is troubled; I am anxious every step of the way. I try and fail at every turn and bend… so much lower, so much less than those around me who seem all perfection in their accomplishments. Why Lord? Why am I plagued so by failed attempts? My mind is troubled by the thought of what others must think of me. I watch eagerly for signs of acceptance, of admiration from the onlookers, and my spirit is fallen at what I see.

My life is but a breath. As the grass withers and fades so does my life; as the wind whispers, and is gone, my life is short and barely recognized. As I stare up into the magnificent wonder of the stars in the heavens I am in awe of how little I am, and how infinitely great Your universe is. Who am I that You should take notice of me? What is my life that You should ponder upon it’s passing second? I am here, and yet in a moment I shall be gone…

Lord, do not let my eyes fall to the earth! Keep my gaze lifted up, past the men who taunt and intimidate me, past the fleeting moments of this earth, straight ahead to You in all Your glory and majesty. For what am I living for, if this earth shall pass away? In what am I investing, if everything will fade, whither, die? Why am I so deeply concerned with what man thinks if my one and lasting goal is to see you face to face? Never Lord, never may I turn my face away from your throne to look upon the flawed faces of men. Far be it from me that I should give up Your glory for the little here on earth.

I am strengthened in Your wonder as I look past those around me. I find a courage begin to grow within me as I shut my ears to the dark and discouraging things around me; You are my goal, and to You will I run. No longer hindered or burdened by the cares of this world I press on until one day I will fall into Your arms, forever free, and able to perfectly bless Your holy name.

Never look down