Promise for Today - A Never-ending Story

We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again . . . we know that God raised the Lord Jesus to life. And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life. Then he will bring us into his presence together.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 14 (CEV)

When the future is uncertain and there is a lot of fear, it might seem like your story is coming to an end. When life seems uncertain, remember this truth: You can’t lose! You’ll win in the end, no matter what happens. Even when you lose your life, you’re going straight into the presence of God if you believe in Jesus Christ as Savior. 

And when you arrive in heaven, your story is only just beginning.

Have you ever watched a TV show where every single episode ended in a cliffhanger and left you thinking the hero might not survive? Even though it’s just a story, the tension can feel enormous. But when all the episodes from the entire series are available to stream, you don’t feel as much tension because you know the hero survives for another six seasons. When you know the series will continue, then you know each episode is not the end of the story. The hero will make it out of a tight spot and on to the next season.

That’s how your life is. Even when you’re in a difficult circumstance, you know that the tough spot isn’t the end of your story. You can live with hope in the middle of a crisis because you have an eternal perspective.

One day, when you meet Jesus in heaven, all your pain, sickness, sorrow, sadness, stress, and grief will end. Here's what you can look forward to in heaven: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4 NIV).

This life is not the end of the story. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future.

Talk It Over

In what specific areas of your life do you need to change your focus from fear to hope?

What tools do you have to remind you of the hope of Jesus when you feel discouraged or fearful?

Why is it important for the world to see that Christians have hope and confidence, even in the midst of a crisis?

*******************************  
Are you certain of where you will go when you die?
One day your life on earth will end—but your story won’t end. If Jesus is your Savior, you’ll spend eternity with him in heaven. How can you have confidence that your story will continue after you die?

The Bible says that every one of us sins and that the penalty of sin is death. But God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty of your sins, to bring you into the family of God, and to save you from the fear of death.

PRAYER:

If you’re ready to enter God’s family, here’s a prayer you can pray: “Dear God, I know that when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I ask you to save me. Please save me from my sins and from my fear of death. I believe in you, Jesus, and your promise to save me instantly and bring me to heaven one day to continue my story with you in eternity. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I’d like to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.

Promise for Today - Compared to Eternity

If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you. 

Romans 8:11 (GNT)

God never promised that life would be fair. Heaven is where everything is done God’s way; life on Earth just doesn’t work like that. We live on a broken planet. But what happens on earth isn’t all there is to life.

You’ll spend 60, 80, or maybe 100 years on Earth. You’ll spend trillions of years in eternity. If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, the Bible says you’ll spend eternity with God in heaven.

That’s one of the most important reasons Christians should be joyful—God has given us eternal life!

And eternity will be amazing!

What will heaven be like? You’ll be reunited with people you love. You’ll get rewards. You’ll rest. You’ll get responsibilities you love.

And, as Romans 8:11 says, you’ll get a new body. That’s one of the things I’m most excited about in heaven—no more decaying old body.

You were created because God wants a family. He wants to spend eternity with his family. He wants to spend eternity with you and me! And that truth can - and should - bring you great joy.

Talk It Over

How does knowing that life is short compared to all of eternity change the way you live?

If God wants you in heaven with him, why do you think you are here on earth now? What is your purpose for the time you are here?

How are you working to fulfill your purpose?

- by Pastor Rick

*******************************************

Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to remember that life here is fleeting - over before we know it. But for those who have accepted Christ as our Saviour, we look forward to eternity in Heaven with You and with those we hold dear... and miss so much for the time being - but in Heaven, never again to be missed... As the writer of Hebrews encouraged us - "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."  Father, in our weakness, be our Strength. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Certainty of Forever

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 

1 John 5:13 (NLT)

You probably have a picture that comes to mind when you think about what hell must be like. Your image likely has some red and black tones in it, a lot of fire, and maybe the devil looming over everything.

Hell is described in the Bible as a place of torment. Matthew 13:42 says it is a “blazing furnace, where the people will cry and grind their teeth with pain” (NCV). That description sounds terrible, but do you know what the worst part of hell is? Hell is total separation from God, which means hell is the exact opposite of everything God is.

The Bible says in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (NIV). The opposite of love is fear. Living without love means you’re scared to death all the time. God is love, so there is no love in hell. God is light, so hell is complete darkness. God is good, so there is absolutely nothing good in hell. God is life, so that means hell is eternal death. God is gracious, so that means there’s no grace in hell.

Just think what eternity would be like without the joy of knowing God and being loved by him—an eternity without any joy at all.

It would be terrible—unthinkable, really. But that is the reality for anyone who does not choose to love and follow Jesus in this life. The Bible says, “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be separated from God—lost forever!” (1 Corinthians 16:22 NCV).

If you go through your entire life saying, “I don’t want God in my life,” then that means you will also spend eternity without God. Whatever you choose on earth is your forever choice.

But there is good news! There is a way for you to be absolutely certain you’re going to heaven and not hell. The Bible tells you how to settle your destiny: “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NLT).

You don’t have to guess or wonder about something that is inevitable and could happen at any moment. You can know for certain today that when you die, you will spend eternity in God’s presence. Don’t put it off any longer.  Settle your future today.

Talk It Over

Why do you think so many people put off deciding something so important when they know death could come at any moment?

What would you say to someone who thinks they have been good enough to get into heaven?

How do you live differently because you are certain about where you will spend eternity?

- by Pastor Rick

******************************************

Prayer:

Father,

           Open our eyes to see Your Truth. Open our hearts to receive it. Open our minds to understand the importance of how we live to be certain of spending eternity with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Heaven via G.P.S.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NIV)

Over the years, I’ve encountered people who want to deny the existence of evil. They think that people are basically good and by nature unselfish, and that they naturally put the needs of others before their own.

I always wonder if those people have ever read the news! You don’t have to look far to see that the world is filled with broken relationships, broken promises, and sin. Evil is all around you—from world politics to local conflicts, you can see hatred, bitterness, and corruption. And because sin and evil exist, hell also exists.

What was true in Noah’s day is still true today: “The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness . . . and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart” (Genesis 6:5-6 NLT).

When God looks at all the wrong, evil things that are done in the world, it breaks his heart—because he loves everyone and wants us to learn to love each other.

But God is also holy and just. He is perfect and cannot sin. So one day he will settle the score and right the wrongs: “He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth” (Psalm 96:13 NLT).

Until then, God has given you free will so that you can choose to love him—and love involves a choice. That’s why this world is still broken by sin. But in heaven, there is no sin. It’s a completely perfect place.

If heaven is a perfect place, then that means only perfect people get to go there. Of course, that’s a problem—because you’re not perfect, and neither am I. No one is perfect! If you’re made to last forever and you’re not perfect, you can't go to a perfect place like heaven. So, where will you go? The Bible says hell.

But thank God! He has made a way—through Jesus Christ, his Son—for you to join him in heaven. [You need GPS - God's Perfect Son]

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18 NIV).

Hell is real. So is heaven. Choose Christ, and there is no condemnation. The choice is yours!

Talk It Over

Why is it important to be straightforward about the existence of hell when you talk to people about the gospel?

How would you respond to someone who asks, “Why do you believe hell exists?”

Do you think God can have love without exacting justice? Why or why not?

- by Pastor Rick

***************************************

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for making a way for us to stand before You holy and without sin, through Christ our Lord, according to Your Word. It is only in our choosing to follow Jesus and accept His atonement for us that we can make Heaven.  Give us Your strength to walk in righteous choices so that we have eternity with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

****************************************

SPECIAL NOTE from Pastor Rick

Will you choose to spend eternity with God?
The Bible says, “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22 NLT). If you’re ready to turn away from your sins and surrender your life to Jesus Christ, start by praying this simple prayer:

“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

Promise for Today - No Putting It Off

We are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV)

We’ve been talking about eternal realities so that you can clearly see why you need to choose heaven.  Yes, you get to choose where you’re going to spend eternity. But you have to choose now while you’re alive, not after you’re dead. There’s no going back! God gives you an entire lifetime to make the right decision. If you keep putting it off, then there will be no second chance to get it right once you’ve died.

The Bible talks about what happens when we’re away from our earthly bodies—“for then we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT). There is no halfway house between heaven and hell. There’s no intermediate state. There’s no limbo. You may have heard the term “purgatory.” Although the idea developed over time in church history, it is not taught in Scripture.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, there was a man next to him who had been a criminal his entire life. In his last seconds, the man surrendered his life to Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42 NKJV). All he knew about salvation was that Jesus could save him. He didn’t know all the doctrines or theology. He didn’t know all the “right” words. He just said “yes” to Jesus. Because of the man’s faith, Jesus said to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV).

To get into heaven, all it takes on your part is saying “yes” to Jesus Christ. That’s it! The promise is that you are then guaranteed to be with God when you die and to spend eternity in the joy of his presence.

But you have only one life to make the choice to follow Jesus. And God has done everything to make sure you can get into heaven. Now you just need to receive his promise.

Today, you have the opportunity to choose where you’ll spend eternity. Don’t put it off!

Talk It Over

Why do you think so many people believe they can put off making the decision of whether or not to become a Christian?

How does the story of the criminal on the cross next to Jesus give you hope?

This week, who will you share with about the urgency of making a choice to follow Jesus?

- by Pastor Rick

*************************************

Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for sending Your Son to redeem us from our sins and make the way for us to be in right relationship with You. Give us divine opportunities and the boldness to lift Him up so that His love story will draw all hearers to salvation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

An Inkling of a Twinkling

But I am telling you this strange and wonderful secret: we shall not all die, but we shall all be given new bodies! It will all happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For there will be a trumpet blast from the sky, and all the Christians who have died will suddenly become alive, with new bodies that will never, never die; and then we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies too. For our earthly bodies, the ones we have now that can die, must be transformed into heavenly bodies that cannot perish but will live forever.

1 Corinthians 14:51-53 The Living Bible

Within my sphere of influence, we've lost quite a few people in the last 9½ months - and I'm not counting people who I know OF but didn't know personally. Frankly, I'm tired of death. Lately, my mindset has been that I'm tired of losing people. But today, I reminded myself of this Truth - the good news is that of the 11, I know without a doubt that I will see 10 of them again, and I'm hoping for the 11th...  

Life can change in an instant - without warning. We all know of incidents where that has happened. How many times have we heard something to the effect of, "I just talked to him yesterday..."? Look around. The signs of the times are more evidence of God's love for us. He told us what would happen, what we would see, what we would hear... There's a strong inkling that things could change in a twinkling.

Death is not permanent. Eternity is. Where will you spend yours? 

Prayer:

Father, 

          While we remain, we pray for divine appointments; opportunities that allow us to lead others to You, helping others to grow in wisdom and faith, to become stronger in relationship with You and with their fellow followers of Christ. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Before the World Began

It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days He has been revealed for your sake.
1st Peter 1:19-20 NLT

There are those who think that when the world was going to hell in a handbasket that it was then God decided He needed to provide a sinless Savior as the sacrificial redemption for our sins. However, that would imply that God threw the world into existence without fully thinking about it. It would also imply that God messed up and had to fix His mistake... In our Promise for Today, we can see very clearly that God did NOT make a mistake. Have you ever stopped to think about just how well God planned for our eternity?

He chose our Saviour before the world began... 

BEFORE the world began...

LONG before the world began... 

God knew WE would mess up and would need a Savior. Not only did He lay the plan for your life before you were born, but He made provision for your eternity with Him before the earth was formed. Can we even fathom that kind of love?

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for loving us forever. Thank You for all the ways You have provided for us. Open our eyes to see all of them. Open our hearts to receive Your love and help us to love You in return with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Realities

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.
Colossians 3:1-2 NLT

Today, I attended the funeral of a teenaged girl who changed the lives of those around her with her incredible smile. She was a special needs child and non-verbal, but her smile spoke volumes. Tuesday evening, I will attend another funeral for one of my friends. I will miss the comfortable camaraderie and repartee of our relationship. The good news is I know where both of them will spend eternity.

Pastor Alan used our Promise for Today as the Scripture basis for today's service and I was struck by the phrase realities of heaven. Have you ever given Heaven any real thought? Have you ever stopped to ponder what it will be like? Oh sure, we talk about streets of gold and gates of pearl, the 24 elders on their thrones, and meeting Jesus face-to-face, and talking with our favorite persons from the Bible, but have we thought beyond those things? 

It's not going to be all white lights and no color. There's going to be plenty of color! Ezekiel talks about a sapphire throne and the glory of the Lord - that the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. Revelation tells us that the foundations of the city walls are adorned with every kind of precious stone and John also said, At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. The One seated there looked like jasper and ruby, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne. We're not going to riding around on clouds and playing harps all day... We're not going to be angels. Angels are separate beings. We have a song of praise that the angels cannot sing because we have been redeemed. And I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but we're not going to have wings, either.

Are we guilty of letting Hollywood define our idea of Heaven? That cannot be good. Paul tells us to set our sights on the realities of Heaven. What are those realities? We need to search those out because we are now one day closer to our eternity than we were yesterday.

Prayer:

Father, 

           Thank You for all the incredible sights we have here on Earth. Thank You for the people You put in our lives to love us, to teach us, to be examples. Help us to learn all we can from them. Teach us to love them as You have loved us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Got Half a Minute?

...Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-6 NLT

Thirty seconds is not very long, but that's about how long it takes to make a lasting impression. 

What can you do in 30 seconds? Brush your teeth? Not enough time. Fix some toast? Iron a shirt? Nope. Polish your shoes? Fix your hair? No, not enough time. It's quick, isn't it? Well, I'd dare to say that quick depends on what you're trying to do in those 30 seconds. 

Can you hold your breath for 30 seconds? Can you stand on one leg for 30 seconds (without holding on to something)? Maybe...  Can you hold the last note of a song for 30 seconds? No, probably not. 

You can't even change a light bulb in 30 seconds... However, you CAN change someone's eternity. Paul did it, many times over. 

Can you imagine YOU meeting Paul for the first time? 
You might say, "Hi, I'm so-and-so, son of so-and-so."
Paul clasps your hand in his and says, "Hi, I'm Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life, he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ."

He just delivered the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 30 seconds. If someone accepts it and embraces Christ, their eternity is changed from eternal damnation to living forever with Christ. All because of 30 seconds. 

Half-a-minute to change a life for all eternity.

What kind of time do we have?

Prayer:

Father,

         Make us ever mindful of Your Word and the time You have given us. Help us to use it to fully glorify You and redeem the time allotted. Help us to change someone's eternity for You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Eternity: Smoking or Non-smoking?

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
Psalm 139:1-3 NLT

There are times in all our lives - at every stage of our lives - when we face decisions about whether we should or should not do something. It doesn't matter how young or old we are.

When my kids were younger, I used to give them this rule of thumb. "If Jesus was standing right next to you and could see what you're doing, would you do it?" You know the Truth is that Jesus IS with us all the time. Numerous Scriptures tell us so. He DOES see what we're facing, and the course of action we choose.

That thing when no one's looking? Where you let your mind wander and stay when no one's around? When you're in the big city and no one knows who you are or what you normally do? And there's no one to tell... He knows it all... Think carefully.

Sometimes we make decisions without thinking at all. Sometimes, we're distracted and don't fully engage to use the sense God gave us. Choose wisely. It could very well be the deciding factor between where you will spend eternity - smoking or non-smoking - or for someone else's eternity who is looking to you as their example to follow Christ. Yes, we are our brother's keeper. What will be your deciding factor?

Prayer:

Father,
          Guide us by Your righteousness, O Lord our God. We want our deciding factor to be You. Let all of our choices be to follow Your will with clean hands and pure hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Yesterday's Gone

So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34 The Amplified Bible

Well, let's see. The good news is I got some serious yard work done today. The not-so-good news for me is heavy trash day was yesterday for the zone I live in and yesterday's gone.  

Realizing that today, I started thinking again about just one day. When tomorrow comes, today will be forever gone. What do we have to show for today? Have we done anything with eternity in mind and Heaven as our goal? 

How many of us give a second thought to the time we may have squandered yesterday with regard to eternity - ours or those we profess to love? We have no guarantee that we'll all be back tomorrow. At the time of this writing, it's now a few minutes past midnight. What opportunities did I miss to speak to someone's eternity? Too late, it's yesterday now and yesterday's gone... 

Prayer:

Father,
        Please make us ever more mindful of the days of our lives. Let us fill them with You and what is important to You and to someone's eternity. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Warning - The Day is Coming

Mark 13: 14 [Jesus Speaking]   “The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing where he should not be.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 15 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. 16 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 17 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 18 And pray that your flight will not be in winter. 19 For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. 20 In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.

21 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it.22 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 23 Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!

24 “At that time, after the anguish of those days,

the sun will be darkened,
    the moon will give no light,
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
    and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

28 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place.31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

Prayer:

Father,

           Keep our hearts and minds open to You. Let us know Your Truth and walk in Your wisdom. Not only do we want to be ready, but we want to have those in our sphere of influence to be ready also. Give us the words to say that will pierce their hardened hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen