Heaven is For Real Because the Bible is True

Recently, the book and movie Heaven Is For Real has captivated the attention of the Christian world and to some degree those outside the purview of Christianity.  Before that, Don Piper’s testimonial book 90 Minutes in Heaven made the rounds as it rose to prominence in Christian literature.

Both of these books are written by sincere, Christ-following believers whose desire is to encourage faith and foster belief in God and in His Son Jesus.  I do, however, find myself quite uncomfortable with some of the assertions made in both books.  Both contain descriptions that are inconsistent with the Biblical accounts of heaven.  I will not go into detail about them here, but I highly recommend an article written by Randy Alcorn, author of the book Heaven, which is a summary of Biblical teachings on heaven.  You can find his article by clicking on this link.

 A larger and much more vital issue, however, is the sufficiency of Scripture for faith and practice.  We love to hear the testimony of others that corroborates that which we believe to be so, but what if we hear evidence contrary to what we believe?  What if those who had near death experiences came back with a totally different picture than the Biblical account of the afterlife?  Which would we believe?

My personal experiences are subjective and vulnerable to circumstances, emotions, fleshly desires, and other such fickle factors.  The truths of the Word of God, however, stand true for all eternity and are unchanged by the times, circumstances, and whims of life.  I may “feel” one way today and another way tomorrow, but God’s Word remains true because it emanates from the Unchanging One.

I can always count on God’s Word to mean today what it meant back then, to ask of me today the same it asked of me yesterday, and to stand the tests and challenges of changing times, cultures, needs, and contexts.  God’s Word…learn it…love it…live by it.  He will never let you down.

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!” – Matthew 7:24-27

For further reading:

2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

Eliminating Drama from Your Life

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“…to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you…” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11

I am a parent, and there are two things every parent wants: peace and … yes, quiet.  I must admit, though, the sounds of family life comfort me.  When I hear them, I know I am surrounded by people who love me unconditionally and with whom I can be myself.

For most of us, Paul’s encouragement to the Christians in Thessalonia serves as a great challenge for us: aspire to lead a quiet life.  The quiet to which Paul refers, however, has nothing to do with the cacophony of sounds that flood our eardrums, but rather to a life lived as free as possible from strife and drama. 

The quiet life, as the rest of the verse describes, minds its own business and occupies itself with its own work rather than worrying about the affairs of others. The quiet life is quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath (James 1:19).  The quiet life seeks first to remove the beam from its own eye before trying to remove a splinter from someone else’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5). The quiet life seeks to glorify God in everything it does (1 Corinthians 10:31).  

Let me suggest some practices you can begin today that might just help you quiet your life.

  1. Establish a daily quiet time. Mark 1:35-39 records the first of many occasions throughout the Gospels where Jesus withdrew alone to a quiet place to spend time in prayer.  If the Son of God needed to do this, how can one as lowly as I expect to have a quiet life without it?
  2. Cultivate a quiet heart.  Psalm 46:10 encourages us to stop the striving of life long enough to recognize God and humbly submit to Him.
  3. Make a regular habit of cutting others some slack.  We tend to judge others much more harshly than ourselves.  The Bible challenges believers to be tender toward and forgiving of each other. (Ephesians 4:32)

You, and you ALONE, hold the key to a life with less drama.  Make it your ambition to chill out and be quiet.

How to Get What You Want from God…EVERY TIME

What if I told you there was a guaranteed way you could make sure God gave you everything you asked for?  What if you could know that when you prayed, God would surely answer in the way that you prayed He would answer?

You think I’m kidding?  I’m not.  There is a way.  Jesus said it Himself.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:4

There is a catch (you knew it, right), another one of those big little words “if.”  The desired result, getting what you ask for, is conditioned upon abiding in Jesus and His words abiding in us.  The last part of that verse is less a promise and more of an observation.

All to often, we view that verse as effort and reward.  If we do our duty of spending enough hours in Bible study, God will reward us by answering one of our prayers in the way we want Him to answer.  That view has two problems: first, it’s just dead wrong, and second, it totally leaves grace out of the equation.  Grace is God’s benefits extended to us without our need to earn  or deserve them.  God does not give us good things as a reward for our good behavior, He gives us good things because He is good.  Period.

Our challenge is to immerse our lives in His word, to have His word in our heart and mind all day long, to allow His word to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.  God’s Word transforms our hearts and conforms us to the image of Christ, and as a result, we pray for the same things that God desires to give us – for our good and His glory.

It’s never too late to begin to dive into the Bible.

  • Read it every day. 
  • Believe its teachings. 
  • Meditate on its meaning.   
  • Apply its truth. 

What are you waiting on?  Change is on the way.  Change from who you are into who God wants you to be.  Let’s get serious about God’s word.

The Parable of the Pencil

I am not sure where this originates. I found it when looking for something else on an old back-up disk. The message spoke to me, and I share it with you in hopes that it will to you as well. I have added some Bible verses in the last part (in italics) and I pray this parable challenges you to let God use you today and always.

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are five things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.

Five: On every surface you are used, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the pencil with you, always remember them, never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand.

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. – James 1:2-3

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. – Proverbs 23:7

Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

— Author Unknown

God’s Infallible Radar

The search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 has captured the attention, and imagination of the world.  During the early morning hours of March 8, the flight experienced a normal take off, then about an hour later the plane turned to head in the opposite direction and vanished from radar and all other electronic contact. MH 370 has been neither seen nor heard from since.  Theories abound as to its whereabouts and the causes for its disappearance.

Thankfully, our God has charted a course for our lives and we are still on course with His plan. He is a God of purpose.  Our direction may seem a mystery to us, but God knows exactly where we are and precisely where we are going. 

Yet He knows the way I have taken;
when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.
My feet have followed in His tracks;
I have kept to His way and not turned aside.
I have not departed from the commands of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth
more than my daily food.

But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him?
He does what He desires.
He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me,
and He has many more things like these in mind. – Job 23:10-14

Read those last two lines again and BELIEVE them.  God WILL accomplish what He has determined for you, certainly, and He has many things in His mind for you.  

But what about our part?  Job reminds us of our responsibility: FOLLOW in His tracks, KEEP His way, TREASURE His Word.  When we live in obedience we can leave circumstances in control of the Sovereign of this creation knowing that He is working His plan for us and for all of His creation.

Read, study, and obey God’s Word and leave the rest up to Him. He never has navigation malfunctions.

The Perfect Storm

At least four of Jesus’ disciples were professional fishermen who had spent innumerable hours on the sea of Galilee and had weathered the worst of storms.  Until THAT storm, that is.  You can read about it in Matthew 14:22-33.

Had those disciples embarked on such a trip in our day, they probably would have asked others to pray for them to have “traveling mercies” and for God to keep them “safe.”  The Scripture, however, tells us that Jesus made the disciples get in the boat and go out on the lake ahead of Him.  Jesus sent them onto a lake on which He knew a storm would brew.  He was not giving them traveling mercies and keeping them safe.  

Imagine what they would have missed had Jesus kept them from the storm.  Think about Peter – Peter would have missed the rush of defying the laws of physics and taking a few steps ON TOP of the water.

We tend to ridicule Peter for taking his eyes off of Jesus and sinking.  We deem him rash and irresponsible for thinking for a moment he could walk on water.  But who has taken more steps on top of the water, you or Peter?  He would have missed that experience had Jesus allowed the disciples to avoid storms and stay safe.

Sometimes the purposes of God are better served by rescuing us THROUGH the storms of life rather than FROM those storms.  I have recently experienced some stormy circumstances in my life and I can attest to the fact that I learned things about God and about myself that I would never have learned during safe, happy circumstances.

Don’t be so quick to loathe a storm in your life.  That storm may be God’s tool for leading you to a risky faith that moves you out of the boat of your comfort zone and compels you to come to Him even through the wind, lightening, and dangerously deep circumstances of your storm.  Do what the disciples learned to do.  In your storm, look for Jesus to come to you and to bid you to come to Him.

The Dangerous Word of God

The Bible is a dangerous book.  It touches places in our lives no other medium can reach. It cuts through our public veneer and with pinpoint accuracy addresses deeply rooted heart issues. The Bible’s very words are the breath of God himself and its truths have the power to transform the messiest of lives.  Taken seriously and studied with an open heart and mind, the Bible will not leave the student the same as he or she came to it.

As dangerous as God’s word is, it is even more essential.  The Bible cleanses us, transforms us, educates us, and equips us.  The word of God is food for our soul and without it we suffer spiritual malnourishment and find ourselves weak and useless to the King and His Kingdom.  We can read books about the Bible and we can watch movies based on the Bible, but there is no substitute for opening those powerful pages and in the quietness of our soul hearing a word directly to us from God himself.

So, my question is what are you doing with God’s word?  You may tote a copy around, talk about what you think is in it, dabble with it, pretend to know it, but are you systematically and humbly reading, studying, meditating on, and applying it?

God’s word will change your life.  Or is THAT what YOU are afraid of?  There is no substitute and no shortcut for immersing your life in God’s Word on a regular basis.  What are you waiting for?


All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk,so that you may grow by it for your salvation… – 1 Peter 2:2

The Simplicity of God at Work in Us

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And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6

One of the reasons followers of Jesus lose hope is that we forget that God is at work in and around us.  Specifically God is doing a GOOD work.  What happens to us may not seem good, feel good, or appear good, but because God IS good and because God IS sovereign, what is happening to us IS good.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

Another reason we lose hope is that we fail to recognize WHERE God is at work.  He has begun a good work IN you, not to you, around you, for you, or about you… IN you.  God is much more interested in our holiness than our happiness, more interested in our character than our comfort.  God is in the process of conforming is to the image of Jesus.

For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. – Romans 8:29

Since God is working IN us, what then becomes our role?

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. – John 15:4

Each day, spend time in God’s Word allowing Him to use that word to interpret our circumstances (not vice-versa) and to transform us into who He wants us to be.  

Yes.  It really is THAT SIMPLE.  Dig into God’s Word, observe our lives, learn how to apply God’s Word to the circumstances of our day, and over time God transforms us into the image of Christ. No shortcuts.  No gimmicks.  God’s Word applied to everyday life.  We do our part, God does His part.  We bear fruit and God receives glory.  I encourage you to start today.  Let the good work begin.

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. – John 15:8

God’s Eye Surgery

Last week, my sister had eye surgery to repair a detached retina.  She had lost the ability to see certain parts of her vision field in the one eye and often saw “floaters” – small moving spots that appear in your vision field. Thankfully, she had a great surgery and is on the road to recovery.

As I sat in the waiting room during her surgery, God began to stir in my heart my spiritual vision.  Over the last several days, I have read and meditated on some wonderful passages of Scripture that deal with vision.

Then came Tuesday…

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.  – Matthew 7:3-5

That verse made a spiritual incision that cut straight to my heart.  God challenged me in a most uncomfortable but absolutely necessary way. Just in case I was slow to get the message, God brought a confirming Word Tuesday evening at a conference I was blessed to attend.  

One of the dangers of ministry is that we spend so much time helping others with their issues and problems, their “specks,” that we fail to deal with our own “logs.”  Pointing to others, addressing others’ shortcomings, dealing with the imperfections of those around me can distract me from allowing God to deal with my own issues.

I can’t see clearly enough to blame others and their faults or to help them until first I have dealt with my own.  I invite you to join me.  Then together we can see clearly and enjoy the view of the glory of God.

Why We Can Be Thankful for Painful Circumstances

There are only 84 documented cases in our country of a rare condition called Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA).

CIPA occurs because a genetic mutation prevents the formation of nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals of pain, heat, and cold to the brain. Those who suffer with CIPA are prone to self-injury, hypothermia, and other conditions which those of us with the ability to sense pain can often avoid. Another complication of CIPA, the inability to sweat, also creates the danger of heat trauma and fever. Others often break bones or chew their tongues since they are not able to feel the warning signs of pain.

Who would have ever thought to be thankful for pain? A good portion of our life and learning is spent pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain, but, the path to godliness doesn’t always pass through pleasurable places.  Our greatest teachers and trainers are often trials and pain.

If we want to be fully developed followers of Christ, some pain is inevitable. Some lessons can only be learned in the classroom of tribulation, and some wisdom can only be gained through the experiences of hardship. Just as Jesus could not experience Resurrection without the Cross, so also we do not fully identify with Him without some pain in our lives.

None of us ask for pain, but for all of us pain is inevitable. We can thank God for it, knowing that through our trials He is completing and growing us.

 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

See also a previous blog, “Thankful for My Limp.”