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Do You Believe in Miracles?

June 15, 2013 in 2 Kings, 2013 Journey, Faith, Jesus with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Kings 2: 1-25; 2 Kings 4: 1-44

In any given month in cities, towns and villages across the world…

Millions of people are typing the word “miracles” into their Google ™ search box.

Why?

  • They wonder if miracles are real
  • They wonder if miracles happen in the 21st century
  • They need a miracle
  • They are in a hopeless situation

I typed the word “miracle” in my search box and found 71,100,000  sites.

Wow! There’s a lot of information about miracles.

Today’s reading is all about miracles.

It not the “theory” of miracles,

it’s jaw-dropping,

mind-blowing

miracles that make me wish I could have been there.

It makes me wish I could have traveled with Elijah and Elisha.

Let’s take a look:

  • Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water and the river divided and he and Elisha walked across on dry ground.  –2 Kings 2:8
  • A chariot of  fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire and carried Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven. –2 Kings 2:11
  • Elisha returned to the river after receiving a double share of Elijah’s spirit and struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and once again the river divided and Elisha went across.  –2 Kings 2:13
  • Elisha threw salt into the spring that supplied bad water to the town of Jericho and the water was purified. –2 Kings 2:20-21
  • Elisha cursed a group of boys who were teasing him about his baldness and two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them.  –2 Kings 2:23-24
  • One flask of oil filled so many jars that the widow and her sons were able to pay off their debts and live on what was left over.  –2 Kings 4:2-7
  • The Shumenite woman became pregnant when it seemed impossible.  –2 Kings 4:15-17
  • Elisha prayed for the Shumenite woman’s son who had been dead for at least a day and his life was restored.  –2 Kings 4: 32-36
  • Elisha threw flour in a pot of poisonous stew and everyone ate and it didn’t harm them.  –2 Kings 4:41
  • Elisha fed a hundred people with a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread.  –2 Kings 4:42-43

When I finished the last verse my first thought was, “Lord, I want to be like Elisha.  I want to stay so close to You that I inherit a double share of your Spirit.”

And then I wondered…

Were the miracles in today’s reading only for Elisha’s time and only for special prophets?

And then I began to think about the hundreds, probably thousands of miracles God has done in my life; with the biggest one being eternal life through Jesus Christ–

So for the millions of people who are wondering about miracles:

  • Yes, miracles are real
  • Yes, miracles happen in the 21st century
  • Jesus Christ is the one and only miracle-working God
  • In Jesus there is always hope

 

What miracles has God done in your life?

 

Holy Spirit, I pray for the people who are searching for miracles.  Let them know that You are the miracle-working God. Let their faith grow as they read the miracles You did through Elisha. If You did it for him, You will do it for us!

 

I pray that we begin to seek the miracle-giver more than the miracle.

 

Draw us to You!

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

Expecting Miracles!

 

© 2013 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Kings 5:1 through 2 Kings 8:15

Who Do You Know That’s Crying for Help? –Psalm 69

May 13, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Obedience, Prayer, The Hurting World, Tough Times with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 68 through 70; Psalm 86; Psalm 101

Many years ago I had a dear friend who made a one night mistake that wound up taking her life.

For years I didn’t know what was wrong; finally about ten months before she died she told me—she had A.I.D.S.  I knew she had been very sick, but the naïve person that I am would have never suspected that dreaded disease.

A few days following that life-changing conversation the Holy Spirit prompted me to write prayers from the scriptures everyday for my friend and mail them to her.

Not long after I began the daily prayers I came across Psalm 69.  The Lord used this Psalm to show me the pain, sadness, shame, loneliness and desperation my friend was going through.

Save me, O God,
for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
2 Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire;
I can’t find a foothold.
I am in deep water,
and the floods overwhelm me.
3 I am exhausted from crying for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes are swollen with weeping,
waiting for my God to help me.
4 Those who hate me without cause
outnumber the hairs on my head.
Many enemies try to destroy me with lies,
demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.

5 O God, you know how foolish I am;
my sins cannot be hidden from you.
6 Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me,
O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated,
O God of Israel.
7 For I endure insults for your sake;
humiliation is written all over my face.
8 Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me;
they treat me like a stranger.

9 Passion for your house has consumed me,
and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
10 When I weep and fast,
they scoff at me.
11 When I dress in burlap to show sorrow,
they make fun of me.
12 I am the favorite topic of town gossip,
and all the drunks sing about me.

13 But I keep praying to you, Lord,
hoping this time you will show me favor.
In your unfailing love, O God,
answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mud;
don’t let me sink any deeper!
Save me from those who hate me,
and pull me from these deep waters.
15 Don’t let the floods overwhelm me,
or the deep waters swallow me,
or the pit of death devour me.

16 Answer my prayers, O Lord,
for your unfailing love is wonderful.
Take care of me,
for your mercy is so plentiful.
17 Don’t hide from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!
18 Come and redeem me;
free me from my enemies.

19 You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace.
You see all that my enemies are doing.
20 Their insults have broken my heart,
and I am in despair.
If only one person would show some pity;
if only one would turn and comfort me.
21 But instead, they give me poison[a] for food;
they offer me sour wine for my thirst.

I am suffering and in pain.
Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.

30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing,
and I will honor him with thanksgiving.
31 For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle,
more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.
 33 For the Lord hears the cries of the needy;
he does not despise his imprisoned people.

Friends, someone you know is crying for help today!

No, my friend wasn’t healed of her sickness.

She went through tremendous physical and emotional suffering but at God’s perfect time she was rescued from it all; like David she praised God’s name with singing and honored Him with thanksgiving.  She told me of multiple “God moments” during her last days and wrote many beautiful songs that are still blessing others today.

There are many, many people suffering today and crying out for help.  You and I may be God’s answer to their prayers.  Yes, we feel helpless, but if we step out to help them God will make a way for us to know how they feel.

Thank you David for being obedient to God and opening up your heart to give us a glimpse your pain so that we may comfort others.

Lord, I pray that you will use us to help the hurting!  No, we can’t help everyone, but we can help someone.  Show us the “one”  Holy Spirit.   Help them to “Hold Fast, Help is on the Way.”  Use us Jesus, to be your hands to the hurting.

In Jesus Name, Amen and Amen!

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 ”Hold Fast, Help is on the Way” by Mercy Me

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 103; Psalms 108 through 110; Psalms 122, 124

Who Am I? 2 Samuel 7:18

April 24, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, God's Merciful Ways, Jesus with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-17; 1 Chronicles 17:1-15; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 17:16-27; 2 Samuel 8:1-14; 1 Chronicles 18:1-13; Psalm 60

You’ve just been notified that you have been appointed to a position that few will ever attain. What is your first thought?

“It’s about time!”

“I deserve it!”

“I’ve worked my whole life for this!”

Here’s what David said when Nathan told him that God had said that his kingdom and throne would be secure forever (2 Samuel 7:16).

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord?

“What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord. 

Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.

“How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!  –2 Samuel 7:18-22

A few  weeks ago I sat in our Easter service remembering all that Jesus went through. The inhuman beating, agonizing walk to the cross, and undeserving death; it seemed more real to me than I can remember in past years.  Like David, I found myself asking the Lord, “Who Am I that You would suffer and die for?”  “Lord, that was just too much to go through.” “I wasn’t worth it.”

The words to the Casting Crowns’ song, Who Am I answered this question for me:
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And You told me who I am…

I am Yours

Thank You Lord for dying for me!

Yours…

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Devotion:  2 Samuel 8:15-18; 1 Chronicles 18:14-17; 1 Chronicles 6:16-30; 50-53; 31-48; 2 Samuel 9:1-10:19; 1 Chronicles 19:1-19

“God, Do You Care About My Misery? –Judges 10:11-16

April 3, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Encouragement, Jesus, Judges, Parenting, The Hurting World, Tough Times, Trials with 0 Comments



Today’s Scripture Reading: Judges 9:22-11:28

The Lord replied, “Did I not rescue you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites?

When they oppressed you, you cried out to me for help, and I rescued you. Yet you have abandoned me and served other gods. So I will not rescue you anymore.  Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!”

But the Israelites pleaded with the Lord and said, “We have sinned. Punish us as you see fit, only rescue us today from our enemies.”  Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the Lord. And he was grieved by their misery. –Judges 10:11-16

The love of God…

A-m-a-z-i-n-g!

How many times did the Israelites worship anything and everything

other

than

the

One

True

God?

I’ve lost count.

But He was still grieved by their misery.  He still heard their cries of repentance.  His heart was still touched by their pain.

How much more must God be grieved when we are in misery because of a seemingly senseless tragedy or when “bad things happen to good people?”

In John 11:35, Jesus, Son of God wept at the death of his friend Lazarus.

God cares about your misery.  He sees your sadness and pain.  You are not alone.

Heavenly Father, help my friends who feel like they can’t go on.  Make a way for them to make it through the day.  Comfort them as only You can comfort.  Weep for them and with them Lord.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Judges 11:29-15:20

My God has Ridden Across Heaven to Help Me–Deuteronomy 33:26

March 22, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Deuteronomy, God Speaks today, Jesus with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 33:1 through Deuteronomy 34:12; Joshua 1:1 through Joshua 2:24

I’m sad that Moses died in today’s reading.  He has been our leader for four books.

There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face (Deut. 34:10).

Did you notice that God, not man buried him? (Deut. 34:5)

My God has ridden across heaven to help me!  I love the beautiful picture this phrase brings to mind.  In Deuteronomy 33:26 (NLT), Moses is giving his final words to the Israelites just before his death.  Here’s what he says:  “There is no one like the God of Israel.  He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.”

Just think, when Moses wrote these words in Deuteronomy, Jesus had not come.  Moses knew a lot about God’s help and majestic splendor but  Moses had just a glimpse of the extent  God was willing to help.  God was so determined to help us that he sent his only son “across the heavens” and to the earth to die on a cross for our sins.  Moses is one of my top 5 heroes of the Bible and I’ve experienced “help” that he could only hope for.  Wow!  That’s amazing!

I had the privilege of watching two of Louie Giglio’s DVDs on the “majestic splendor” of  God and saw this amazing picture.   I encourage you to check out Louie’s “How Great is Our God” and “Indescribable” DVDs.

 

Yes, people, there is a God and He is so much bigger than we allow Him to be.

Where would I be without My God?  I can’t tell you how many times My God has ridden across heaven to help me in my day-to-day life but the most important time God came to my rescue was when He sent his son Jesus Christ  to this earth to pay the price for my sinful nature and make  a way for me to have eternal life (John 3:16)

Do you need to be rescued today?  Ask Jesus Christ, son of the one true God and our Savior to ride across heaven to help you.

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Joshua 3:1 through Joshua 6:27

Jesus, I Have a Question About The Law

March 18, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Deuteronomy, Jesus, Sin with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 21:10 through Deuteronomy 25:19

Man, today’s reading is tough!  I’m amazed at the “R” rated details!  Several times I wanted to shout T.M.I. (too much information)

In our age of grace it’s hard to imagine living with all of these laws.  As we read, let’s try to take the principle and not get bogged down in the rigid requirements.

I found two things that spoke loudly to me in today’s reading:

  • Take care of your neighbor and the less fortunate.  God certainly answers Cain’s question that he asked in Genesis 4:9, “am I my brother’s guardian (keeper)?”  Well…yeah.
    • If you see your neighbor’s animal wandering off, go get it.  It’s your Responsibility    (22:1)
    • When you build a new house, you must build a railing around the edge of its flat roof,  That way you will  not be considered guilty of murder if someone falls from the roof (22:8)
  •  This “nugget” really helps me to begin to understand the “why” around the drastic measures God required when there was sin in the camp.
    •  The camp must be holy, for the Lord your God moves around in your camp to protect you and to defeat your enemies.  He must not see any shameful thing among you, or He will turn away from you (23:14)

Yes, I know this scripture is talking about ‘relieving yourself’ but let’s forget that detail for a moment and apply the principle. 

“I” need to be holy so that the Lord my God will feel comfortable moving around in my spirit and soul… wait, let’s bring this into our physical space— my home, my car, my job, my church— so that He will protect me, defeat my enemies and not turn away from me.

Now that we’ve read most of the law it makes it easy understand the question the Pharisees asked Jesus, Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? (Matt. 22:36)  I know they were trying to trick Jesus, but if I had lived in those days I certainly would have wanted Jesus to give me his “Top 5″ so that I would know what to focus on.

In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus does just that; He boiled the Law down to two commandments:

Jesus replied:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Thank you Jesus for simplifying the Christian Life—but Lord simple still isn’t easy.  I can’t love you and love my neighbor without your help!

Thank you Holy Spirit for dwelling within me teaching me how to love!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 26:1 through Deuteronomy 29:1

Beware of Signs and Miracles–Deuteronomy 13:1-4

March 16, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Absolute Truth, Deuteronomy, Holy Spirit, Jesus, leadership, Word of God with 0 Comments

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Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 13:1 through Deuteronomy 16:17

Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles occur.  If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before—do not listen to them.  The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.  Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone.  Obey his commands, listen to his voice and cling to him.       ~Deuteronomy 13:1-4

I’ve been sitting here “a while” knowing there was something in this scripture passage for us, but not knowing what it was.  Thankfully, “I” decided (Thank you Holy Spirit!) to go to my Bible software and see what the Bible commentaries had to say about it.  Here is an excerpt that I copied from The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:286) that spoke to me.

13:1-5. After the general prohibition against involvement in pagan worship (12:29-31) Moses discussed three ways in which the temptation to idolatry was likely to come: through a false prophet (13:1-5), a loved one (vv. 6-11), or “revolutionaries” who had been successful in leading an entire town into apostasy (vv. 12-18).

Miraculous signs alone were never meant to be a test of truth. Miracles happen in many religions because Satan uses false religions and false prophets to deceive the world (cf. 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 6:11; Rev. 12:9). So Moses warned the people that the standard for truth must never be a miraculous sign or wonder (or other areas of human experience). The standard of truth is the Word of God.

A prophet’s or a dreamer’s prediction may come true. But if his message contradicted God’s commands, the people were to trust God and His Word rather than their experience of a miracle. If human experience seemed to contradict God’s clear teachings the Israelites were to bow in submission to God’s commands, for His Word is truth (cf. John 17:17).

The Israelites were to view each solicitation to idolatry as a test of their love for the Lord. Though there was always the danger that they might succumb to a temptation, with each successful resistance to sin their faith in and love for Him would grow stronger (cf. James 1:2-4). They were to love . . . follow . . . revere . . . obey . . . serve, and hold fast to Him (cf. Deut. 10:20; 11:22; 30:20).

My Take aways:

  • Temptations can come through our loved ones or people we respect
  • Miraculous signs were never meant to be a test for truth
  • Satan uses false religions and false prophets to deceive the world
  • The standard of truth is the Word of God
  • Trust God’s Word over an experience or miracle
  • Each time we resist the temptation to worship false gods our faith in and love for the One True God grows stronger

Just like the Israelites we can be easily deceived if we aren’t using the Word of God as our standard.  It’s easy to see why Satan fights so hard to keep us  from reading the Bible.

John, the disciple of Jesus, warns us about false prophets in the New Testament:  Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.  ~1 John 4:1

Holy Spirit, draw us to Your Word like a magnet.  Give us supernatural discernment that can only come from You!  Jesus, teach us to run to You when something doesn’t seem right!  Father, thank You for making a way for us to know the truth!

In Jesus Name,   Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 16:18 through Deuteronomy 21:9

Do You Have an Israelite Attitude? Numbers 14:1-4

March 3, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Failure, Finances, Jesus, My story, Numbers, Obedience, Tough Times with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 14:1 through Numbers 15:41

After the Israelites heard the report from the twelve spies the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night…Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt.” (14:1-4)

When I read today’s passage I thought, “How stupid can you get?”  My hindsight vision was a perfect 20/20 as I critiqued the Israelites’ many mistakes.  But what if I change the name, situation, and outcome and insert my story…

How many times have I heard a report and immediately began to cry, bawl, kick, and scream and THEN take matters into my own hands and craft a plan with my limited information?

…Too, too many times I’m sad to say.

The first mistake that comes to my mind is about 18 years ago, I felt the Lord speak to me to resign from my position as a Mary Kay Sales Director and wait on Him for the next step.  At first I was obedient but when a major life change came along I thought, “surely God doesn’t want me to resign NOW”, so I changed my mind and retained my status as a Senior Sales Director.  After two years of struggling in areas that had always been so easy, having no passion for my job, and getting myself into serious debt; I finally realized I had to resign.  Things would have worked a lot better if I had just listened to the God who parted the Red Sea!

Thanks to Moses’ intervention the Lord forgave the Israelites.  This is huge!  God was ready to disown and destroy them (14:12).  This is a picture of God’s forgiveness of our sins today…

Jesus is in heaven interceding to God on our behalf!  I love that!

Let’s face it, we mess up and need God’s forgiveness just like the Israelites.  And just like the Israelites there are consequences (not one of those people entered the Promised Land) to our disobedience.

Thankfully God forgave my disobedience just like He did the Israelites.

But just like the Israelites I had to deal with the consequences.

It took years for me to recover from that time both emotionally and financially, but I did recover.  I think too many times we ask and expect God to get us out of places we got ourselves into.  Sometimes He does but many times, especially in the area of finances we have to grow our way out of it!

Thank you Lord for your forgiveness!

 

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©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 16:1 through Numbers 18:32

Do You Need a Scapegoat? Leviticus 16:20-22

February 21, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Failure, Guilt, Jesus, Leviticus, Sin with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 14:33-16:34

Dictionary.com’s definition of scapegoat: A person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place.

The other goat, the scapegoat chosen by lot to be sent away, will be kept alive, standing before the Lord. –Leviticus 16:10a

When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place and the Tabernacle and the altar, he must present the live goat. He will lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people’s sins to the head of the goat. Then a man specially chosen for the task will drive the goat into the wilderness. As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land. –Leviticus 16:20-22

…laying the sins of the people on the head of the goat and then driving the goat and the sins into the wilderness.

That sounds like a great idea… Right?

When all was said and done–

The Israelites were still sinful people.

Still dealing with the guilt of their sin.

Until one day, our Heavenly Father decided the Israelites had experienced enough failure to realize…

  • They could not keep the law
  • They could not be good enough to be free from sin and guilt
  • They were hopelessly sinful

That’s the day God sent His son Jesus to this earth to live as a man, suffer, and die for our sins–To be our scapegoat.

It must have been easy for the Jews to understand Jesus’ message of redemption.  They had been using scapegoats for hundreds of years.

They knew something (or someone) had to bear their sins.

They knew a goat wasn’t working.

Let’s fast-forward to today’s world…

What or who have you been using as your scapegoat?

Who have you been blaming for your sins?

  • Parents
  • Teachers
  • Siblings
  • Spouses, significant others
  • Peers
  • Society
  • Our corrupt world

Friends, there’s only one scapegoat that will take your sins so far away they can never show their ugly head again–Jesus Christ.

If you’ve never asked Jesus Christ to be your scapegoat repeat this prayer with me:

Jesus, I know that I was born with a sinful nature and I’m hopelessly lost without You.  I believe You came to this earth, suffered and died for my sins, and rose from the grave to defeat the enemy of my soul who has eternal damnation planned for me.  I believe that if I was the only sinner You would have come just for me.

I ask you to forgive me of my sins, take them from me, and be my scapegoat.  I ask You to come into my heart and live forever.  I believe I’m a different person because of You and Your love for me.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen!

If you prayed this prayer I’d love to hear from you.  Click on the [contact Dianne] tab at the top of this page and send me a short note.  I want to pray for you!

Blessings in Jesus!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 17:1-19:37

Do You Want Jesus to Come in 2013? –Rev. 22:20-21

December 31, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Biblical Principles, Heaven, Jesus, Living a Life that reflects the Son, Revelation with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading:  Revelation 19:1-22:21

Today we arrive at the end of the Book.

The last words.

It’s amazing how these two verses of scripture sum up the New Testament and the book of Revelation…

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”Amen!  Come, Lord Jesus!  May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.    –Revelation 22:20-21

The last thing Jesus said was He is coming soon!

John encouraged Him to come.

Can we say with John that we want Jesus to come soon?

Or would we rather He wait until we have had our fill of the wilder side of life, get married, have children, see our children become adults, enjoy our grandchildren, or maybe when we’re a 100 years old; yeah, that would be a great time for Jesus to come again.

I don’t know about you, but I hold on to this world too tightly.  My daily life seems like more of a reality than heaven.

What can we do to make Jesus and heaven more of a reality in our lives?

  • Make our time with Him our highest priority
  • Read the scriptures that talk about heaven
  • Meditate on being with Jesus in heaven
  • Put this world in its place–it’s a very small piece in our timeline compared to the eternity we’ll spend with God
  • Realize there are people who will be eternally separated from God if we don’t share Jesus with them
  • Choose the things of God over the world’s trappings

When I was a kid my parents would watch gospel music on T.V. every Sunday morning before church.  I can still remember this song that the “Happy Goodmans” sang…

What A Beautiful Day

As I wake up with the morning, of each day that passes by,

and I listen to the sounds upon my ear,

I can’t help but keep a watch toward the eastern sky,

and I wonder if the trumpet will be the next sound that I hear.

What a beautiful day for the Lord to come again,

what a beautiful day for him to take his children home,

how I long to see his face and to touch his nail scared hand,

what a beautiful day for the Lord to come again.

All my earthly disappointments and my trials here below,

fade away when I remember his last words,

he said he’d return and receive his children unto him

and I’m longing to look upon the face of my dear Lord.

This song never fails to come to mind when I’m taking an early morning drive along the bay or across one of the bridges near where I live. As I look toward the beautiful eastern sky I sing “What a beautiful day for the Lord to come again!”

Lord, help us to look to Your second coming with excitement!

Oh that we could be like little children.  My fiveyear-old grandson Nolen said to his Dad after open one of his presents, “Dad, can I take this toy that Santa brought me to heaven and show it to Jesus?”

Jesus, help me to be like Nolen.  When I have a great day or a bad day, let my first thought be,  ”I want to take it to Jesus!”

I say with John, “Come Lord Jesus!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

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