A Goldilocks Life

Thinking About Heaven

The greatest kingdom inheritance that we have is the presence of God himself. James Wychers

Pastor James has been preaching a compelling sermon series from the book of Ephesians. I am learning through it that God is the best of all fathers and in the end, everything will be summed up in Jesus Christ. The quote above from a recent sermon got me thinking about heaven.

Often, we talk of going to heaven, and it’s about seeing our friends and loved ones who’ve gone there. And those streets of gold we sing about—can’t wait to see those. But Pastor James reminded us of the best thing about heaven. Being in God’s very presence will fulfill every longing we’ve ever had.

Trust in Jesus Christ and you’ll enjoy being with Him forever. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

It’s a New Day

While I rode my bike early yesterday through the entrance to the forest preserve across the street, I spotted a large deer in the field standing stock-still, staring at me as I passed. Further on, a pair of cardinals flew from one tree to the next and the next. Rabbits nibbled at clover along the edges of the trail and hopped into hiding as I whizzed by. I couldn’t help but sing a worship song as I rounded the bend nearing the end of my ride as I watched a female deer and her large fawn darting off the trail just ahead of me into the brush and out of sight. By the time I finished, the sun shone in the bright blue sky. With such sights, it hardly felt like exercise.

The view out of our sixth-floor apartment this morning is cloudier than yesterday, but the thin streak of blue on the horizon brings hope for a sunnier afternoon. Leaves aren’t moving, and the lake surface shimmers like glass. The weather is more fall-like than summery, a welcome change from temps in the 80s.

The wonders of this world keep me uplifted—each new day brings a new way to praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Crowned

Psalm 103:2-5 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.

Psalm 103, verses 2-5 speak of some of God’s many blessings. Verse 3 talks of His forgiveness of all our sins, healing all our diseases, redeeming our life from the pit, satisfying our desires with good things, and renewing our youth like the eagles.

The word crowns in verse 4 means in part, “to bestow on as a mark of honor or recompense.” No one truly deserves honor compared with our holy God. What a wonder that God crowns us with love and compassion.

Those who’ve trusted in Jesus receive a special mark of honor, and that is redemption. We are released from our sins. A deep well of love and compassion is at our disposal. We sense God’s love through the gift of the Holy Spirit who comforts, guides, and helps. God’s word tells us He loves us!

God’s compassion is expressed in many ways, often by our church family as we gather together. When I’ve faced hard times, my brothers and sisters, including my pastors, have come alongside me. What greater compassion is there than to have friends to lean on and run to? That reveals another aspect of the crowning of love and compassion. Because of God’s power in us, our lives express love and compassion to people around us. Serving, praying for, and loving one another are natural outflows and reflect the crowned life He has bestowed upon us.

My crowned sisters and brothers, drink deep of God’s many benefits, and one day you will receive a crown of life as you enter eternity with Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:10).