Look! I am creating a new heavens and a new earth.

How often do you think about heaven? More specifically, how often do you think about the reality of heaven? It's a question that's been on my mind this week, especially after I read Isaiah 65:17. God said through the prophet Isaiah, "Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore."

Personally, I get so caught up in the things of this world, specifically in two ways. First, the troubles and trials of this life bring frustration that can consume my thoughts and attention, and anyone who is reading this blog can relate. Jesus said "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Jesus didn't say "if" we have many trials and sorrows, he said that they "will" come. One of my favorite authors, Andy Andrews, once said correctly that all of us are either in a crisis, coming out of a crisis, or heading toward a crisis. So, it shouldn't surprise us when troubles come, but we can take heart as a Christian because He who is in us is greater than this world, and anything in it. But, how does this relate to heaven? How do our current problems size up in comparison with what we will experience in the new earth that God will establish? 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" Or, to put it like the prophet Isaiah did above, we won't even think about the problems we had on this earth once we experience the new heavens and new earth that God has in store for His children.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the "good things" that this world offers can also consume my thoughts and attention, to the point where I think things like, "This is as good as it gets! How can anything be better than this?" What a foolish way to think! First of all, our lives here on earth "are like a breath of air; like a passing shadow" (Psalm 144:4) in comparison to the length and scope of eternity. Take some time and try to wrap your mind around the thought of living forever, around how long eternity lasts. We talk about eternity at church, but how much serious thought do we give to the notion of truly living forever? I can't comprehend it, I can't fully wrap my finite mind around that truth, but I think that's how God wants it. It makes me realize how short this life on earth truly is. I have quoted 1 John 2:16-17 before, but it bears repeating. "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything people crave" (emphasis mine). Or, to put it like the prophet Isaiah above, we won't even think about the things we loved that the world offered us once we experience the new heavens and new earth that God has in store for His children.

God commands us to live out Colossians 3:1-3. "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God" (emphasis mine). Let us stop thinking that heaven is some distant world, and since we can't see it right now with our own eyes, why should we set our hearts and minds on it? Heaven is a reality (and so is Hell for the unbeliever, by the way), and the new heavens and new earth will be what we experience much, much, much, much, much longer than what we experience, good or bad, here on this earth.

Don't Think Like Everyone Else Does

A prayer I find myself praying often is "Transform me into a new person by changing the way I think." This is based on Romans 12:2, which says "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Everyday I am "prone to wander" as the old hymn says. As Romans 12 warns, there are behaviors and customs in this world that entice me and too often win my affection. So, what are these behaviors and customs that the world has to offer us? "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave" (1 John 2:16,17).

It is so easy to get caught up in the things of this world, and to think about things like everyone else thinks about them. The command that God gives to not copy the behavior, customs, and mentality of the world is not just a New Testament command. In Isaiah 8, the people of Judah were fearful of a potential attack from King Rezin of Aram, and King Pekah of Israel. Instead of trusting in the Lord for protection, they trusted in their alliance with Assyria (Assyria would soon turn on Judah and all but destroy them). But, God's message to Judah through the prophet Isaiah is the same message He has for us today. "The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does (emphasis mine). He said, 'Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don't live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven's Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe" (Isaiah 8:11-14).

So, if you find yourself copying the behavior and customs of this world, ask God to transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (basically, repent). Do the same if you crave the physical pleasures of this world, crave things that you see and covet, or take pride in your possessions and achievements, believing you are a self-made person. And, don't think like everyone else does and live in fear and dread. Make God holy in your life. Let Him be your Hiding Place.

Finally, as I am sitting here typing this blog post, there was a commercial that came on television that promoted a show called "Long Island Medium" on TLC. It showed the "medium" in the grocery store, beauty shop, and other places telling people about their past and giving them messages from loved ones who had passed away. I think it's interesting that in the same chapter I wrote about above, Isaiah 8, it says, "Someone may say to you, 'Let's ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.' But shouldn't people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from dead? Look to God's instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark" (Isaiah 8:19,20). I am thankful that I don't have to consult a god or person who is dead, but I have a living God who hears me when I pray. God's Word is as relevant today as it ever has been.

Encourage Others

Pop quiz: Name a relative or a friend who has encouraged you lately. Got somebody in mind? Yes? No? Maybe? It's a question that I thought about this past Sunday at church. My Sunday school class at MeadowBrook Baptist began going through the Gospel of Luke. The lesson focused on chapter one of Luke, in which the angel Gabriel foretold the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. John would be the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who "were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations" (Luke 1:6). Before God blessed them with the birth of John, "they had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old" (Luke 1:7). On the other hand, Mary, who happened to be Elizabeth's cousin, was very young, probably a teenager when she received the news that she would give birth to the Son of God.

A few days after Mary is told this Good News, she travels approximately 100 miles (at least a 4 day journey at that time) to see Elizabeth. "At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said'" (Luke 1:41). Did you hear how encouraging, uplifting, and honoring Elizabeth was toward Mary? Her words encourage Mary to give praise to God, which she does through a song of praise called the Magnificat in verses 46 - 55.

Elizabeth basically put into practice what Hebrews 10:24 tells us to do for each other. "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds." The encouraging is not so that we all can think highly of ourselves and get a big head, but its end goal is to glorify God and magnify what He has done. Through Elizabeth's encouraging words toward Mary, God received glory and praise.

A song called "More Than You'll Ever Know" by the group Watermark really paints a good picture of Hebrews 10:24. As you read the lyrics, who are the first couple of people that come to mind?

Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...

CHORUS:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know,
More than you'll ever know,

You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...

You have carried me
You have taken upon a burden that wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundredfold

Now that you have thought about those people who are the "Elizabeth's" in your life, make the choice to be that in other people's lives. And it is a choice we have to make daily, because it will not come naturally in our sinful flesh. We like to be honored, but we don't like to shower honor and blessings on others all the time. But, I want to strive to be that kind of person. Let's all be creative and "think of ways" to bless and encourage others, so that they would glorify our God in heaven.