I use to think I had no impact on heaven but then I read:
I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . (Matthew 6:20)
I’m glad I repented of the thought that I have no impact on heaven.
I wonder what else can I do this week to impact heaven?
We talk with our lips. We talk to people, the people in front of us, the people behind us, the people on the phone, the people in our family, to friends, to strangers, we even talk to our enemies.
We project our feelings with our lips; we even reveal our minds and what we think of ourselves.
And with our lips we also lie to ourselves, to the rest of the world, and create conflict.
But it is our daily lives that scream out our character, our goals, and our God – or our gods. Therefore remember:
make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, (1 Thessalonians 4:1)
I (the Lord) deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done. (Jeremiah 17:10 NET)
Things Above Thoughts (TAT)
Pitiful Me
Linda Ronstadt sings a sang “Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me” it always reminds me of American Christianity. Yes, the Lord has shed many blessings on us but most American Christians still seem to fall into the “Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me” category. If we are only seeking a blessing from Him this week we probably fall into the “Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me” category. Why is that?
Consider these two points:
“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”
(1 Corinthians 15:19 NIV)
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV)
So are you looking for a blessing – this week – or for those that will last – for all eternity?
Whether any person sees us or not each thought we think and each action we take is observed! Our words and our lives are always a present witness. This is what the Lord revealed in Ephesians 3:8–10:
To me (Paul)– less than the least of all the saints– this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan– a secret that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church (God’s spiritual family) the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. (NET Emphasis added)
Our smallest thoughts and actions are always observed in heaven and have huge affects on certain heavenly rulers and authorities for all eternity!
Therefore it can be said that the results of what we say and do today will precede us into heaven and accompany us throughout all eternity. So I say: “Let us watch the small pieces of our lips and lives, they are more important than we know.”
Monday, for most, the first day in the work week; why are you going to work?
Are you working to earn a living? Are you Living?
Are you working to support your family? Are you Supportive?
Are you working for your retirement? How does His Retirement look?
Are you working because it’s expected of you? Are you meeting His Expectations?
Are you working for worldly reasons or for His Heavenly Reasons?
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
(Matthew 6:33)
“Trust no one, not even the finest saint who ever walked this earth, ignore him, if he hinders your sight of Jesus Christ.” (Oswald Chambers, March 29)
How does the finest saint who ever walked this earth hinder my sight of Jesus Christ? Why would such a godly person even think about hindering my sight of Jesus? They don’t and they wouldn’t! It is not the godly saint who hinders my sight of Jesus it is my focus on the godly saint that hinders my vision. We all have the tendency to look at others, to depend on others, and even to expect, require, and at times even demand that others act godly toward me.
I think Mr Chambers had it right: “If your are looking off unto Jesus, . . . setting your heart on what He wants, . . . when He appears . . . you will be the only one who is ready.”
We are not going to be eternal beings; we already are eternal beings.
As this week crushes in on you with the pressures of this world, work, family, or inescapable boredom do something healthy for your heart:
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20–21)
Is today the first day of the rest of your life? Do you know how long you will live? Do you know what you are going to do with the rest of your life? Is your retirement already secured? If you know God’s big picture plan and have the eternal answers to these questions on the tip of your tongue then you are ready to live in God’s abundant life.
Everywhere in our New Covenant with God, He tells us of His plan and our place in that plan. His plan covers all creation, all time, and all eternity. He has revealed His plan for you and provided everything you need to carry out His plan. What a God! No guessing, no missed opportunity, no lack of intelligence, all we have to do is to go to the Bible and get it – get it all.
If you don’t know God’s plan and all He has provided for you as a Christian a good place to start is the book “from a DARKNESS to the LIGHT”. (Simply go to Amazon and type in “scverlin barton” and the book will come up.)