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.

"If only there were a mediator..."

Most of us are familiar with the story of Job. As a man, "he was blameless - a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person [in the land of Uz]" (Job 1:1-3). Satan, the Accuser as he is called in Job 1, asks God for permission to test him by taking away his family, his possessions, and his health. Even after all of this is taken away from Job, he never blames God, but instead says "'should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?' So in all this, Job said nothing wrong" (Job 2:10).

The thing that sticks out to me about Job, though, is his realization of a need for a Redeemer. Job lived around 2000 BC, well before Israel was even a nation. As the insert in my bible states, "With Job, we return to the beginning of history, when mortals first struggled to know God and understand the world." So with this in mind, listen to the foreshadowing of Christ in these statements made by Job...

"If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength" (Job 9:33-35).

"Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God. I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends" (Job 16:19-21).

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!" (Job 19:25-27)

Again, it is amazing to think that Jesus' coming was still 2000 years away, yet Job knew in his heart that there was someone who would fulfill this role of being the mediator between he and God. Here we are today, 2000 years after Christ came to earth, and the words of Job still hold true. As Paul told Timothy...

"For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time" (1 Timothy 2:5,6).

Who Will Show Us Better Times?

As Emily and I are getting ready for work in the mornings, we usually have Good Morning America on the t.v. playing in the background. In recent weeks, politics have dominated the discussion on that show. Who will get the Republican nomination? Can our next President, Obama or someone else, finally fix the economy? Who will create jobs? Will our relations with other nations improve? In short, who will show us better times?

Funny you should ask. The bible has something to say on that subject in Psalm 4:6-8. "Many people say, 'Who will show us better times?' Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe." I smirked a little as I read verse 6, because the question that many people were asking during David's day thousands of years ago is the exact same question that so many are still asking today, is it not?

I love David's response to the question of the people. The answer isn't in a political figure or an economic plan. No, David simply says "let your face smile on us, Lord." The Lord smiling on his people connotes that His favor is being shown to his people. All David needed was God's favor, and that was enough. It is enough for us today, too. If we have put our faith in Christ, we have God's favor on us.

Does this mean health, wealth, and prosperity is ours for the rest of our lives? No. David said, "You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine." I'm no biblical scholar, but I'm thinking that the equivalent to "abundant harvests of grain and new wine" for us today would be things like a surplus of money in our bank account, a healthy retirement plan, and the newest material items that the world has to offer. These things are fleeting, and those who God is smiling upon will have "greater joy" than those whose hope and faith are in the things of this world.

Not only will God's people have joy, they will have peace. It seems the worries of this world tend to bear down the strongest at bed time, when everything is quiet and it is just us and our thoughts. But, for the Christian, it can be different. "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you, O Lord, will keep me safe." Since our faith isn't in worldly things that change from day-to-day, or even minute-by-minute, we can have peace because God never changes. His favor always rests on his children because he sees Christ in us, and Christ fully pleases God. Spiritually, we are safe in His arms; nothing can take us out of His hands.

So, as you hear the political debates and commercials over the coming months, let it remind you of God's Word in Psalm 6. Who will show us better times? We can experience it every day as we trust in Christ who gives us greater joy and peace.

What are you delighting in?

I delight in numerous things in my life. I delight in my wife, who makes me smile everyday (and, who I've been married to for almost seven months now!). I delight in my family, who makes me laugh and has surrounded me with love for 28 years. I delight in music, particularly drums and rhythms. Emily laughs when I try to beat box or play a rhythm on the steering wheel, but I am constantly thinking of different rhythms and songs throughout the day! I delight in Alabama football, which hopefully will bring me, and all Crimson Tide fans, much delight this coming Monday night...RTR! I delight in helping high school students with their college and career choices. It's gratifying to help them overcome hurdles to get them where they want to go in life.

Psalm 1:1, 2 says, "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night." (emphasis mine)

As I read these two verses that begin the entire book of Psalms, I felt the Holy Spirit ask me, "You delight in many things. How much do you 'delight in the law of the Lord' throughout your day and night?

Delighting in the law of the Lord has wonderful benefits. People who do "are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do." (Psalm 1:3) That's what I want my life to look like. I want to be like a tree with "roots [that] grow down into God's love and keep you strong." (Eph. 3:17) I want to bear fruit each season, whether that season brings sunny days and good times, or stormy days and bad times. I want my life to be prosperous for the kingdom of God. I want these things, but how much do I delight in God and His Word in comparison with the things of this world that are fading away?

I hope you will take a moment to stop and think about the things you delight in. They can be good things...very good things. I enjoy delighting in the things I listed at the top of this post. But, also think about how much you delight in God's Word. Day and night, let us meditate on it, talk about it, share it, ponder it, pray it back to God (see my previous post), and delight in it.

Prayer and Action

A few days ago, I wrote about the obedience of the Israelites after their exile from and return to Jerusalem. The man who led them during this time as their governor, Nehemiah, was an incredible leader. While it's easy to focus on his actions of leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and gates in just a matter of 52 days, it's his prayer life that really stands out to me.

In Nehemiah 1:4, he says that "for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven," after he heard about the Jews return to Jerusalem, and the city walls and gates being destroyed. God puts a plan in Nehemiah's heart to go to Jerusalem and lead his fellow Jews in rebuilding the city walls and gates (Neh. 2:12), but he must get King Artaxerxes' permission first since he was the king's cup-bearer. Nehemiah then prays a prayer that stands as a model for our prayer life as well. I've broken it down into four sections: Adoration, Confession, Praying God's Word, and Supplication.

Adoration

"O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer. Look down and see me praying for your people Israel." (Neh. 1:5, 6)

Confession

"I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses." (Neh. 1:6, 7)

Praying God's Word

"Please remember what you told your servant Moses: 'If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.'" (Neh. 1:8, 9)

Supplication

"The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me." (Neh. 1:10, 11)

We tend to be good at the Supplication part of praying, but when we realize who we are praying to and tell Him who He is (Adoration), readily admit our sins (Confession), and remind God of His very own promises (Praying God's Word), our desires will begin to line up with God's desires for us.

Nehemiah prayed in all situations, when facing kings (Neh. 2:4), in the midst of mockery (Neh. 4:4, 5), and while taking action (Neh. 4:9). Let us follow his example and let prayer cover our decisions, our actions, and our lives.