What is Realm of God Like?

Verses: Luke 13 : 18 - 21

My thoughts about the verses:

Haven't we all thought about this at one time or another.  What is Heaven really like?  Can we truly imagine what we will see when we join our Savior in the land of Eternal life.  This is a very hard post for me to write today because I have recently lost someone that meant a lot to my life.  I have told people that she is praying for those that she left behind that they might find the peace and comfort that they need.

Yet, I would love to ask her the same question what it like is up there.   I know that she would have a way of saying it like none other.  If you are a MCCer you know I am talking about Judy Dale.  A person that was beloved by many.  I can almost hear her doing it in her Rindercellar voice.  Telling how the greets of sold are feutibul.  I can also imagine that she has been talking Jesus's ear off asking all kinds of questions.  I can almost see her finishing her lay leader work in Heaven.

So how does Jesus say the Realm of Heaven is like?  The Realm of Heaven is the perfect place for each individual.  Jesus first starts and says that the Realm of God is like the small mustard seed that fell to the ground and grew into a large tree.  Then when it grew all the birds of the field could come and build its nest and find safety.

Isn't the knowledge of being able to find safety and important part of all of our lives?  We need safety. We all need a place where we can lay our head and rest knowing that we are safe and secure.

In other parts of the scripture there is a reference to the bosom of Abraham.  Doesn’t know that you can come as a child to the Holy One and find your comfort and peace.  See Heaven is exactly what we need.  I read a book about a man's interpretation of Heaven.  That each person would find Heaven the way they needed it.  I am not sure if that is the way it really is but what I do know is that it will be bigger and better than anyplace I can imagine.

Secondly, I know that a lot of people  I love will be there when I get there.  I can’t wait to hug my little sister for the first time.  I can’t wait to laugh with and hug my family members.  I am also waiting to talk to my family of choice and see what they been doing since they went home.

See Heaven is the place where we are at our best.  Where we love and praise God all the time.  Heaven is a place where we can find safety.  Heaven is the place that we have dreamed about.  Heaven is just what we need when we have fought the good fight and are ready to go home and take our well-deserved rest.

Prayer:

Dear God we thank you for preparing a place for us that is better than we can imagine.  We thank you for loving us so much that you want us to join you when we leave our Earthly bodies.  Help us understand that we need you in our life.  We ask that you be with us as we deal with the loss of those that we truly love.  Last we just give you all the honor and glory because you are a safe place.  In the name of the Holy One we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Are you ready for the moment you leave you Earthly body?  Have you accepted Christ in your life?  

Today we must take action

Verses: Luke 13 : 10 - 17

My thoughts about the verses:

Now here is where people differ and say this had to do with old customs and not with current situations.  We don't have days of rest well at least most done.  We spend our free time working on the things that we couldn't do during our work week.  Many see Church as just one more obligation of time that they must fit into their busy schedule.  We forget that today is the day that we must live and act on.

We have come into a new time one in which we are placed on a running schedule.  Even those that are sick base their life on where they have to go, when is the next time to take medicine, when will a visitor come knocking at the door.  Those that work and have families are spending time between two different worlds.  We live in one world which requires their time so that they can make the money for the other to survive.  Often times the other has to suffer because of time conflicts and when we are at home we have to cramp as much into those hours as possible.

This woman came to Jesus with the faith that he could heal her.  She didn't care what day of the week it was.  All she knew is that if she came to Jesus she would find the healing that she needed.  Her faith had led her to the healing hands of her Savior.

Jesus does exactly what the woman needed he healed her.  He too did not care what day of the week.  If there were more pressing issues.  He took the time to give a healing touch to someone that had faith in him.

The Pharisees then attack him saying look he has healed on the Sabbath.  We are not to work on the Sabbath.  You can heal on any other day.  You can work on any other day but not this one.  Jesus was being accused of not following the rules that needed to be followed to serve God fully.

Jesus turns to them and causes them hypocrites.  I love this part of the story because it shows how much God loves us.  Jesus points out that we care enough to take care of our animals on the Sabbath.  Why would we ever turn a child of Father Abraham away that needed the same care.  We unloosen the binds that restrict our animals and lead them to the water that will maintain them.  Isn't it just important to loosen the binds that constrain our fellow brother and sisters so they may drink of the everlasting water of life.

Prayer:

Dear God we thank you for the love you show us each day.  We thank you for caring for us no matter the day or the hour.  Jesus we praise you for sacrificing for us.  We thank you for the everlasting water of life.  Help us be there for others.  Help us show the love that you have shown us.  Help us never to turn someone away because of it interfering with our plans.  In the name of the Risen Savior we pray. Amen

Questions:

Are you running around in circles not knowing what is important in life?  Are you worried that you are short changing those that are special in your life?  Are you willing to be there for those that need reassurance?  What do you need to do today to be there for the one that is always there for you Jesus?