A Glimpse of Heaven

Title: Bride prepares for her Bridegroom

But as it is written:

"Eye has not seen,

nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.

(1 Corinthians 2:9/NKJV)

On one Sunday church service, my pastor was concluding his series on the Apostles’ Creed with a sermon about heaven.  He gave everyone a small glimpse of heaven from various passages in the New Testament. While listening to the pastor, I remembered some of the documentary films that I had watched before on television about people who had had a near death experience such as from a heart attack, drowning and the like. After being revived, some of these people could recall traveling through a tunnel towards a very bright white light that didn’t hurt their eyes and which was the source of the overwhelming love they felt. They had no words to truly describe their experience, except that it was beautiful and peaceful. In this white light, some say they saw a figure of a man who told them that it was not their time before their spirits were returned back to their body. Some said their out of body experience felt even more real than their physical body. These people say they no longer afraid of dying because they know where they will spend eternity. Could this man really be Jesus as some claim?

What the pastor pointed out was an interesting passage that I thought might help shed some light as to who the man was that people claimed to have seen in the white light. If you know the Bible, Jesus at one time took His disciples, Peter, James and John up on a high mountain where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2/NKJV).  Note that although Jesus’ transfiguration before His disciples was as bright as the sun, but the intense light didn’t blind or hurt their eyes. They saw Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah who were the Old Testament Prophets centuries before.  In a way, were the disciples given a glimpse into the heavenly realm or caught up in the third heaven in how the apostle Paul described it? The apostle Paul wrote: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows -- how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter (2 Corinthians 12:2-4/NKJV). It is believed that the apostle Paul was being humble and was really talking about himself as the person who at one time was caught up in Paradise or what was known as the third heaven.

The pastor also pointed to us this passage about why there is no need for sunlight in heaven. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:5/NKJV).  Is it possible that the man people had seen in the beautiful bright light was really the Lord Jesus in all His glory that we have read in Matthew 17:2?

Beloved,

now we are children of God;

and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,

but we know that when He is revealed,

we shall be like Him,

for we shall see Him as He is.

(1 John 3:2/NKJV)

I Believe in ...

What do you believe in as the ultimate truth in life?

I Believe in ...

We are traveling along this road called the journey of life without knowing how much further we will go. We seem to be caught in this brief moment in time like vapors in the midst of eternity.  Whatever this life means to you some would wonder why we MUST be born, what are we supposed to learn in this lifetime and what is waiting for us just beyond the grave. Being alive is not enough for some of us without knowing the WHYs of life. For some, if we know the mysteries behind the purpose of life, perhaps it might help us to live out our lives more productively with purpose and meaning, to prepare us for the eternity that is coming. We have so many questions with so little time; life is a never ending quest to find the truth. What do you want to believe in as the ultimate truth that you can live by? I don't know what you are looking for but I want to share with you what the Bible (as the only source of truth) says about where we can spend eternity.

According to the Bible, there are two sides of eternity as represented in this painting. The idea of this artwork came from a sketch a pastor quickly drew for me at one time. On the left side is a place of desolation (Hell) and on the right side is Paradise (Heaven). These two places exist even now in the spiritual realm (Luke 16:19-30). Think of it as a parallel universe. Whether we are ready or not, the Day of Judgment is coming for all of us. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28-29/NKJV).

Do you think you are a good enough person to enter Paradise? Even criminals in prisons think of themselves as good persons. But if you ever examined your life using the Ten Commandments, you would not like what you see about yourself. You will quickly see there is no way anyone can stand righteous before the Holy God. The Bible says that there is none who is righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10). Spiritually we all stand condemned already; we stand on the left side separated from God by a chasm. There is no amount of good works that we can ever do to earn ourself a ticket to Paradise (Ephesians 2:8-9) because to God, our righteousness is nothing but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23/NKJV).

But the good news is that God has provided us a way by sending His only Son, Jesus who was to be crucified on the cross as a punishment for our sins; our sins were nailed to the cross so we can be set free from the eternal condemnation that we deserve. It is like you were caught drinking and driving but Jesus stepped in to pay for your fines and bail you out of jail. Because Jesus, who was sinless, was 100 percent man and 100 percent God, He can represent us before God on the Day of Judgment. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5/NKJV).

So what are we supposed to do in order to be saved on Judgment Day? Because Jesus is the only way to connect us back to God (John 14:6), we need to place our faith and trust in what Jesus has done for us.  Jesus is like a life buoy to a drowning man at sea, like a parachute to a pilot in a plane on fire and like a bridge as a way that delivers us to safety.  Without Jesus, we would perish, like the drowning man at sea, like the pilot going down with his plane on fire, and we would be left standing on the side with the eternally condemned, without the bridge to safety. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18/NKJV).

When we accepted Christ as the Son of God and acknowledge in what He had done for us on the cross, we became part of God’s family. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us is a form of deposit that ensures that our salvation is eternally secured and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. It would be like hearing Jesus say to the theft on the cross who had never done anything good in his life, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43/NKJV)

Will you accept what Jesus had done for you on the cross on the day Christians remember as Good Friday?


For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16/NKJV).

~

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day, He rose again.
He ascended to Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

Pole Shift

There was a discovery made in 1999 in Siberia where under the icy, barren land a well preserved woolly mammoth was uncovered. But what was so puzzling is that it still has food in the mouth and with undigested food in the stomach. Evidently there was no time for this huge carcass to decompose. These enormous creatures needed to consume large amount of food every day much like our modern day elephants. It is not possible that these woolly mammoths ever roamed in icy, frozen environment where no vegetation could grow. The vegetation found in the mouth can only be grown in warm regions. So what theories would best support the sudden climate change?


You must have heard recently in the news that the magnetic north is shifting in a big way (40 miles per year towards Russia). Tampa International airport just recently had to adjust the taxiway signs relative to the magnetic north. This is nothing unusual because we have seen the sun’s magnetic north and south poles flip every 11 years cycle. The only concern for us is that as the earth magnetic north continues to shift our GPS will no longer be accurate just as assuredly our basic compass needle will no longer be pointing to the true north. But according to doomsday alarmists this isn’t all that is going change. They believe that as the earth’s geomagnetic field continues to weaken, not only can it expose earth to space radiation such as solar storms, but that there might even be more frequent greater magnitude earthquakes and eventually an earth crust displacement (pole shift) could occur. The affect of a pole shift will be sudden and exceedingly violent and there is no safe place anywhere on earth. Perhaps Siberia might have been once near the equator before there was a sudden, catastrophic pole shift. To many, this theory seems to better support how the Woolly mammoths that while eating in a warm climate could suddenly be flash-frozen in their place. Are we almost due for another major earth changing event as some believe? I am not an advocate of 2012 doomsday prediction because truly, no one knows the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36). But the Bible does have some interesting prophecies pointing to a cataclysmic event that is coming and that it will be on a planetary scale never before experienced in human history.

And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings;

and there was a great earthquake,

such a mighty and great earthquake

as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

(Revelation 16:18).

Notice that this “great earthquake” is mentioned twice which means that it will be very significant and catastrophic. This great earthquake as some believe it to be a crustal displacement will certainly devastate the entire world; it is said that the earth will be violently shaken and split open (Isaiah 24:19-20) as islands and mountains are removed or moved out of their place (Revelation 16:20). It sounds as if the earth will be going through a facelift. The seismic activity will be exceedingly great that it can potentially generate huge tidal waves never before seen as can also greatly affect the atmosphere above: thunders, lightings, great hailstones (Revelation 24:21), the appearance of stars falling as if shaken by a mighty wind and the sky roll up like a scroll (Revelation 6:13-14). And as the cities of all nations are reduced to rubbles (Revelation 16:19), every walk of life will not be able to hide from the day of God’s wrath (Revelation 6:15-17, 16:21).

So when will this take place? For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). But God has assured us that we should have nothing to fear because God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah (Psalm 46:1-2)

In those days, God will fulfill the promise of His second coming to take us with Him.

But in those days, after that tribulation,

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light;

the stars of heaven will fall,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

And then

He will send His angels, and gather together His elect

from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

(Mark 13:24-27)



Signs and Lying Wonders

Frank looked out his window on one frosty night and he saw a disk shaped metallic object hovering over his crop field and he took a picture of it before it quickly flew off into the night. Many have reported seeing UFOs or claim to have been abducted by aliens that left them only with recurring nightmares.  

What about crop circles that some believe to have been formed over night in the cover of darkness?  People have claimed to have seen dancing lights that emanated from the sky over their crop fields at night. With closer examination, there was conclusive evidence that many of those circles could not have been created by hoaxers.  

I don’t doubt in what people have witnessed and what they have experienced. Let’s just say I have seen things you probably wouldn’t believe.  What I don’t believe is that we are being visited by aliens from another world and neither do I believe that the dead could come back to visit the living.  Rather, what we have been seeing are the works of Satan and it is his fallen nature to lie and to deceive us (John 8:44), for who is truly our adversary but the devil (1 Peter 5:8). The works of Satan in the world is now preparing for the lawless one who is coming, and who will declare himself as god (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders…(2 Thessalonians 2:9).

You might also like to read YOUR CHOICE YOUR DESTINY and see what might be behind some of the paranormal activities.

Calm before the Storm

Right now, solar activities on the sun have been the lowest (Solar Minimum) which means it is near the end of an 11 year solar cycle and a new solar cycle (Solar Maximum) is about to begin. It is expected to climax in or around the year 2012 – like the calm before the storm. During a Solar Maximum, sun storms can project radioactive plasma into space. It is also known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). If earth happens to be in the line of fire, it can be devastating. Back in 1859, the only technology affected by the solar storm was the telegraph. Today we are more vulnerable. A perfect storm like that of 1859 can potentially destroy our satellites, GPS and electric power grids. High tech countries such as the United States have become so dependent on electricity in order to provide many important services: water, sewer, financial, healthcare, transportation, communication and more. Electricity is our life blood. It is estimated to take months or years to rebuild the electric power grids alone. We can live in the dark and without modern conveniency for maybe a week, but beyond that, expect mass riots and chaos. A solar storm can set us back technologically 100 years. It is expected that the next solar storm might be the biggest in modern time. Many didn’t think that hurricane Katrina would happen in our lifetime. Many couldn’t have imagined an undersea quake (7.6 magnitudes) in 2004 near Sumatra could generate a tsunami that left widespread destruction and deaths in biblical proportions. Some believe that such events like earthquakes, floods, pestilence and famine we are hearing more about will happen in greater frequency and intensity like birth pains. And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. (Luke 21:25-26) While we can’t place our hopes on man’s wisdom to secure our future, we can place our hope in Jesus while there is still time. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

Your Talent Counts

A wife received from her husband a watercolor set for her birthday. She had never drawn anything in her life let alone tried painting anything. What good this gift would be to her, she wondered. As a woman of faith, she put it to use believing that God may be revealing something to her. She soon realized her one hidden talent and it was that she could actually paint beautiful artwork. Today, she is using her talent professionally and glorifying God (this is a true story). 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matthew 25:21) In the Parables of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), it says that God has given to some with more talents than others. We learned that some used their talents wisely and creatively to enrich God’s kingdom, but there was this one servant who was afraid and lazy and hid the one talent he was given. Are you using your God’s given talents? Talents are not just about money, it is also our God given abilities or gifts as a resource for us to help further His kingdom. For example, some people are gifted to be singers, dancers, composers, writers, poets, photographers, pianist, and the list goes on. Still there are those gifted with leadership abilities we find in positions such as church elders, pastors and teachers. These and many more gifts enable us for the purpose of ministries for edifying the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12); each one of us are an important member like an eye or ear to the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Many Christians have even taken to various websites through blogging, twitting and facebooking so that the gospel can reach many parts of the world. It is said that faith without works is dead (James 2:20).

The Reason for Christmas

The Old Testament has many prophecies about the coming Messiah, Jesus who will save us from our sins. After the fall of man, God said to the serpent, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel (Genesis 3:15). This was the first prophecy ever recorded that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection will defeat Satan’s stronghold of sin and death. Moses spoke about Jesus saying, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear.” (Deuteronomy 18:15) Moses was the law giver. Jesus came to fulfill all the laws (Matthew 5:17). When Abraham was about to offer his only son to God, the Angel of the Lord said to Abraham, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Genesis 22:12) But who is “Me” speaking as the “Angel of the Lord”? (No created angles can be capitalized) And why is “your only son” mentioned three times (Genesis 22:2,12,16)? It was to resonate the fact that God would also not spare His only Son (Romans 8:32, John 3:16); Christ would be the sacrificial Lamb of God who will bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53:1-12). It is believed that the Angel of the Lord is the Son of God who spoke to Abraham. It was foretold that Jesus will be born from a virgin: Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14), For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). And the Child will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The picture we get from the writings in the Old Testament is the foreshadowing of the long awaited birth of Jesus, In fact, Jesus even said that He came in the volume of book written of Him (Hebrews 10:7). And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name, Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). So the reason for Christmas is the birth of Jesus. MERRY CHRISTMAS

There Is No Place Like Home

Sometimes we are too busy and worried about what tomorrow will bring and forget that we are only passing through in life (Matthew 6:19-20). It doesn’t matter how young or old, how rich or poor or how famous or healthy we are. Our lives are merely a vapor (Psalm 39:5). What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? (Psalm 89:48) Before we close our eyes one last time, what can we bring with us? It is said that naked we came into this world and naked we will leave this world (Job 1:21) But there’s just one thing certain that we can bring with us and that is the love of Christ. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2). It is a place where we are as citizen among saints (Ephesians 2:19). It is an eternal dwelling place where no moth and rust destroy and where there are no thieves who break in and steal from us (Matthew 6:19-20). It is where there is no more pain, death nor sorrow (Revelation 21:4). When we get there, surely then we can finally say that there is no place like home. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25-26)

The Rock

Who is perfect, true and righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4), who can set you high upon His rock (Psalms 27:5), from which stream of living water flows (Psalms 76:16, 105:41), a place for your refuge (Psalm 31:2), for your salvation, your defense (Psalm 62:2), the fortress who guides you (Psalms 31:3) and establishes your steps (Psalm 40:2) and on which no wind or flood can take you away (Matthew 7:25)? Hint: And the Lord said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock (Exodus 33:21). For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? (2 Samuel 22:32) It is on which Jesus said, He will build His church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted (Psalm 18:46). The Rock is Jesus.

Ghost of Twilight Beach

In 1901, local fishermen found the body of a woman washed ashore on this part of the island known as Twilight Beach. It was believed that she must have fallen overboard from a passing ship in the night. Many locals and vacationers still say they see an apparition of a woman on this beach at twilight when the morning fog rolls in. Many vacationers who stayed in this cabin reported to have been awakened by loud knockings on their door at twilight. Are there really earthbound spirits who have not crossed over into the light? What does the Bible say about spirits? 1) In Jesus’ story about a rich man and a beggar, we learn that the spirits of the dead are immediately sent to a place of torment or in heaven (Luke 16:19-26). Scripture is consistently clear about the afterlife. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The apostle Paul said the same thing but about Christians. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). 2) According to Jesus, the spirits of the dead can’t go back home to visit the living (Luke 16:27-31). So who else can possibly be manifesting themselves to the living in what is commonly known as haunting? 3) In the case of real paranormal activities, they are the proofs of demonic activities from the spirit realm. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world (Ephesians 6:12/CEV). 4) Demons are a lot smarter than people. Demons knew that Jesus is the Son of God while many people didn’t (Luke 4:41). Perhaps even, demons can more easily deceive those who do not know Jesus. But Christians have God on their side indwelled with the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4) and equipped with the word of God for spiritual warfare.

You might also like to read YOUR CHOICE YOUR DESTINY and see what might be behind some of the paranormal activities.

Caught Up in the Clouds

When I was at a market place three years ago, I saw a lady walking up to people like she was trying to sell them something. People were not interested and walked away from her. Then she approached me and introduced herself. It turned out she was trying to share the gospel with anyone who would listen. I listened on but she didn’t know that I was a Christian at first. She later was curious why I didn’t walk away like everyone else. Then I told her that I am also a Christian. We had a long interesting conversation about Jesus. In the end we exchanged our farewells with a smile and saying that the next time we see each other will be in heaven. I didn’t know anything else about her but I felt like I have always known her. It didn’t matter which church or denomination she was from (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). What was important to the both of us was that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Jesus answered, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" Then He pointed to His disciples and said, "These are my mother and my brothers! Anyone who obeys my Father in heaven is my brother or sister or mother."(Matthew 12:48-50/CEV) Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace. All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God's people. We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but He works by using all of us, and He lives in all of us. (Ephesians 4:2-6/CEV). The day is coming when Christians will all be caught up in the clouds together when I will see this lady again. Life on earth will continue as normal as possible for those who are left behind.

This Tent of Ours

Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked. These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don't do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that He will do it. So always be cheerful! As long as we are in these bodies, we are away from the Lord. But we live by faith, not by what we see. We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord. But whether we are at home with the Lord or away from Him, we still try our best to please Him. After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies. We know what it means to respect the Lord, and we encourage everyone to turn to Him. God Himself knows what we are like, and I hope you also know what kind of people we are. (2 Corinthians 5:1-11/CEV)

From Caterpillar to Butterfly

How will the dead be raised to life and with what kind of bodies will they have? (1 Cor.15:35/NLT) We can learn from nature God has created for us. The apostle Paul points us to the fact that the heavenly bodies and earthly bodies all have their own brightness, beauty and glory from his observation of the sun, the moon and the stars (1 Cor.15:40-41). Paul said that a seed must die first and is buried before God gives it a new body (1 Cor.15:36-38). It is just as surely how a caterpillar can change into a beautiful butterfly. So it will be like this in the afterlife. But our bodies are not the same like any other living creatures (1 Cor. 15:39). Although our natural bodies are weak which will die and decay, but in the resurrection, our spiritual bodies will be full of glory and full of power that God will give us. (1 Cor.15:42-44) The Scriptures tell us, "The first man, Adam, became a living person." But the last Adam – that is, Christ – is a life-giving Spirit. What came first was the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. Every human being has an earthly body just like Adam's, but our heavenly bodies will be just like Christ's. Just as we are now like Adam, the man of the earth, so we will someday be like Christ, the man from heaven. (1 Cor. 15:45-49/NLT) Jesus’ glorified body after His resurrections He was able to appear before His disciples in a room even though the door was locked. (John 20:26) And Jesus could just as easily vanish from their midst (Luke 24:31). Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. (1 Cor.15:50)

Star Dust

One of my college professors once said that everything came from the Big Bang when the universe began. The books, the desks, and all that we see around us and even ourselves came from star dust. Sometimes science actually confirms the Bible truth. It is said that the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into His nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7). God is also known as the Potter who can shape us into who we are from a lump of clay for His use; Doesn't a potter have the right to make a fancy bowl and a plain bowl out of the same lump of clay?" (Romans 9:21/CEV) And what did Jesus do to heal a blind man so he could see? Jesus….spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay (John 9:6). Miraculously, the man’s sight was restored, for from dust man was formed. At the same time, God is opening everyone’s eyes to the gospel of light in revealing who Jesus is.

A Vision of the Night

God speaks in different ways, and we don't always recognize His voice. Sometimes in the night, He uses terrifying dreams to give us warnings (Job 33:14-16). By His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7/NASB) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13). What are the chances that it will be by asteroids or volcanoes? It is possible but how many nations already or will possess nuclear weapons in our lifetime? Do not despise prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:20). And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). If you have time, you might want to read a related story, Joseph's Dream http://certaintyofgodslove.blogspot.com/2011/02/josephs-dream.html

Bad Tree Good Tree

A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. (Matthew 7:17-18/NLT). Another way to look at this picture is that the left side represents unforgiven sins while the right side represents forgiven sins through our Lord Jesus Christ. The hands are lifted to represent the freedom of choice in who we want to worship.

God of Wonders

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalms 139:13-16/NLT). I will keep thinking about your marvelous glory and your mighty miracles. (Psalms 145:5/CEV). Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I go down to the place of death, you are there. Lord, if I go east where the sun rises, you are there. If I go west to the sea, you are there. Even there your right hand holds me, and you lead me by the hand. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you. (Psalms 139:7-12). I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. (Psalms 9:1/NASB)

A Future and a Hope

Much of the idea in this painting comes from my daughter. As you can see, only in the cross there is life but outside there is no life. It is symbolically a parallel universe where our spiritual destiny is determined by our choice to believe in Jesus or not today (John 3:16). The cross represents Jesus as the open door and if anyone enters through Him, he will be saved (John 10:9). And the water that He gives us becomes in us a fountain of water springing up to eternal life (John 4:14). And this verse is my Sister-in-law’s favorite: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Our future and hope is in Jesus.

We Are Never Alone

God is omniscient (Hebrew 4:13), omnipotent (Matthew 19:26) and omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10). He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). He knows how many hair are on our head (Matthew 10:30) just as He had counted the stars and knows each of them by name. (Psalm 147:4) He knows when we sit down and when we get up. He can read our thoughts from afar. He knows where we are going and when we are lying down. He knows everything we are doing. He knows what we want to say before we utter a word. He is everywhere even as He gently laid His hand on us (Psalm 139 2-6). If He cares for even one bird that falls to the ground, how much more does God care for each of us? (Matthew 10:29-31) Just as surely, Jesus knew from afar when His friend Lazarus had fallen asleep. (John 11:11) Indeed He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). Wherever we are and in whatever situation we are in, do not be afraid. We are never alone.

Middle of Nowhere

Have you been unemployed? Are you struggling financially and in the middle of a foreclosure? Sometimes we may feel like we are stuck in the middle of nowhere and where there is no rest, no shade to hide us from the scourging sun. And we are also faced with an uncertain future with unmovable mountains in the horizon. We can’t go back to where we came from much like the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years. A pastor once said that this can be our fertile ground for God’s discipline and for our faith to grow. Remember also that Jesus was tested in the desert by Satan (Matthew 4:1). God understands our need. Jesus said: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Heavens Declare His Glory

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured (Jeremiah 33:22). The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what He has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. They don't speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world. In the heavens a tent is set up for the sun. It rises like a bridegroom and gets ready like a hero eager to run a race. It travels all the way across the sky. Nothing hides from its heat (Psalm 19: 1-6/CEV). From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God (Romans 1:20/NLT).

My Fortress

I have always liked various designs of fortresses. I would love to one day visit these places to feel the histories. But as a Christian, I believe that we do have an ever present fortress: The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2). This painting also symbolically represents another message. Note that God is on one side and we are on the other. It is our sins that separate us from God. So to cross over to where God is, we need to cross the bridge marked with the cross. It symbolically means that we must first accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior; it is the only way for us to be right with God.

Peace of Christ

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). May the peace of Christ be with you.

Shore of Eternity

My wife asked if I will remember her in heaven. God knows how much I love her. I want to believe that when we get to heaven, we will remember the love we had for each other while on earth because we know that GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:8) who joined us together to love and to hold in this lifetime (Ephesians 5:33). Just as surely, we will also remember how God had demonstrated the richness of His love toward us while we were sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) so that we may eternally be with Him.

God the Builder

For this picture to exist there must first be a painter. For your house to exist there must first be a builder. Nothing was created by random chance or accident. Likewise, the life and beauty we see in this world must have a Creator. As it is written, For every house has a builder, but God is the one who made everything (Hebrews 3:4/NLT). If earth is even a little closer or further away from the sun, it would be either too hot or too cold to sustain life. Only God can make life possible on earth.

A Spiritual Journey

Which source of light would you put your faith, trust and hope in to guide your every step of the way?

Forbidden Fruit

Is there a forbidden fruit that is the center of your attention at school or workplace – a fruit that is alluring and tempting that can distract you from your everyday work? Perhaps your conscience is already telling you to avoid it; maybe God is talking to you. Think about God’s warning to Adam and Eve. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.” (Genesis 3:3). Even touching this forbidden fruit can bring regrettable consequences that can follow you the rest of your life.

Crossing Over

Our life can be pictured as living in an hourglass until the sands of time run out. Then we will no longer be confined to time and space as we cross over into the light (eternity), when truly, “death is not the end but the beginning.” Christians believe that “we should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).”

End of The Age Harvest

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' " (Matthew 13:24-30)

Noah's Ark

"When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. "Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:37-42/NLT)

The Rapture

For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died. I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18/NLT)

I Worship You

But it is just as the Scriptures say, "What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!" (1 Corinthians 2:9/CEV)

Fishers of Men

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come. (Matthew 24:14/NLT)

A Vision of Job

It came in a vision at night as others slept. Fear gripped me; I trembled and shook with terror. A spirit swept past my face. Its wind sent shivers up my spine. It stopped, but I couldn't see its shape. There was a form before my eyes, and a hushed voice said, 'Can a mortal be just and upright before God? Can a person be pure before the Creator?' (Job 4:13-17/NLT)

You might also like to read YOUR CHOICE YOUR DESTINY and see what might be behind some of the paranormal activities.

God's Lighthouse

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalms 119:105/NLT)

The Sermon

For somewhere in the Scriptures it says, "What is man that you should think of him, and the son of man that you should care for him? For a little while you made him lower than the angels, and you crowned him with glory and honor. You gave him authority over all things." Now when it says "all things," it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all of this happen. What we do see is Jesus, who "for a little while was made lower than the angels" and now is "crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered death for us. Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world. (Hebrews 2:6-9/NLT)

Fear No Evil

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Psalm 23:4/NLT)





You might also like to read YOUR CHOICE YOUR DESTINY and see what might be behind some of the paranormal activities.

Draw Near to God

So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help. (Hebrews 4:16/CEV)

Tears of Mary

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21/NLT)

At the Cross

For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. (Romans 3:25/NLT)