[MARCH 25] Far Better

Read: Revelation 21:1-4

"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying."

--Revelation 21:4

Having suffered greatly--first from cancer, and then from the grueling medical regimen--pastor Dan Cummings was tired. After 2 weeks of treatment in Texas, he was looking forward to going back home to Michigan. In a post on his blog, he wrote: "Today is far better...amazing what some hydration will do...Will fly home on the weekend to continue treatment at home."

Dan did return to Michigan, nut several days later, his journey on earth ended. He went home yo be with God--whom he loved with every bit of his weakened body but mighty spirit.

When I view his blog a few days later, his words "Today is far better" jumped out at me. I smiled through my tears in the knowledge that Dan was now experiencing a life that is truly "far better" (Phil.1:23).

Someday we who claim the name of Jesus will also go to that place where there is "no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying." It is a place where there is no more pain and where a loving Father promises to "wipe away every tear from [our] eyes" (Rev.21:4).

The life we have here isn't all there is. There is a far far better place that Jesus is preparing for those who love Him (John 14:2-3). --Cindy Hess Kasper

When our life on earth has ended

We will feel God's warm embrace;

There will be no pain and sorrow

In that far, far better place. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Heaven--no pain, no night, no death, no tears.

[MARCH 1] The Fairest

Read: Revelation 5:8-14

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!" 

--Revelation 5:12

When I first became a Christian and started attending church at age 19, I immediately fell in love with singing the great hymns of the faith. My heart overflowed with joy and thanksgiving as we sang of God’s love for us in Christ. Soon one of my favorite hymns (from the late 1600s) became “Fairest Lord Jesus!” I love the simplicity of the melody and the awesomeness of the One exalted in these words:

Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host: Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior!
Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration
now and forevermore be Thine!

God’s Son, whom we sing about in this song, came to this earth, lived a perfect life, and gave Himself for us on the cross (Luke 23:33). He arose from the grave (Luke 24:6) and is now seated at God’s right hand (Heb. 1:3). One day we’ll join in worship with thousands upon thousands and say: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13). Maybe we’ll sing “Fairest Lord Jesus!” too.

Until then, let’s allow Jesus to be “the fairest” above all in our personal lives by seeking wisdom from His Word and following in His ways. --Anne Cetas

REFLECT ON THIS:

We can never praise Jesus too much.

[FEBRUARY 2] Reunion Dinner

Read: Revelation 19:1-9

"Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!"

--Revelation 19:9

Many Chinese go to great lengths to attend a traditional annual reunion dinner with their families. Held on the eve of the Lunar New Year, the reunion dinner usually takes place at the home of their parents or eldest sibling.

Chinese working overseas have to arrange their travel bookings early to ensure they have tickets for the heavily booked airline flights and bus journeys. To fail to book early is to risk missing out on the family reunion.

The Bible tells of an even more important reunion dinner in heaven. Revelation 19:9 calls "the marriage supper of the Lamb." Unlike the Lunar New Year reunion dinner, however, no one knows the date for this event except God (Matt. 24:36). Nor do we have to worry about making travel arrangements.

Who is invited to this heavenly reunion dinner? All those who belong to God's family will be there, "those who believe in [Jesus] name: who were born,not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13). 

Will you be at the reunion dinner in heaven? You can secure your place at the heavenly banquet by trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today. --C.P. Hia

How Can You Have The Assurance of Heaven?

Recognize your sinfulness (Rom.3:23); 

believe Jesus died for you (Acts 16:31); 

receive Him as Savior (John 1:12); 

trust His promise (John 20:31)

REFLECT ON THIS:

Christ believed is salvation received and heaven assured

[JANUARY 8] The Final Opening Ceremony

Read: Revelation 15

"All nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested" 

--Revelation 15:4

Some words used to describe the opening ceremony of the 2008 summer Olympics were awesome, breathtaking, and extravagant. One commentator observed, “This shows what happens when you give an artist an unlimited budget.”

When I heard this, I thought, That’s what God did at creation! He held nothing back. The resulting universe is stunning in beauty, staggering in complexity, extravagant in all regards.

The Olympic ceremony was perfect in its precision; but if just one drummer or dancer had decided to alter the artist’s vision, the whole ceremony would have been flawed.

That’s what happened shortly after creation. Unlike the Olympic producer, God allowed free choice, and His work of art was marred by Adam and Eve’s idea of a better way. In Isaiah’s words, “We have turned, every one, to his own way” (53:6).

God’s solution to our waywardness was unimaginable: The Artist paid the price to recreate what we ruined. One day, there will be another opening ceremony, and everyone in heaven and on earth will bow at the name of Jesus (Phil. 2:10). And those from every nation who have accepted God’s plan in Christ will worship together in the flawless New Jerusalem (Rev. 15:4). --Julie Ackerman Link

Yes, God was so great in creation,

But greater much greater in grace!

For when man had sinned and had grieved Him,

He sent Christ in his place! --Bennard

REFLECT ON THIS:

We have all eternity to praise God—begin today.