No More Death, Grief, Crying or Pain

No More Death, Grief, Crying or Pain

Revelation 21: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth disappeared, and the sea vanished. ² And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband. ³ I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God's home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. ⁴ He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.”

 

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My shirt was missing, so I cried. This was a shirt that I stuffed with other shirts and I carried it around while sucking my thumb. That was the beginning. Over many years, there were circumstances that really made me cry.

 

• I have felt grief.
• I have cried over situations and with people.
• I have seen death and watched how pain  overtook joy.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw an incredible sight. He saw a new heaven and a new earth. He also saw the first heaven, earth and sea disappear. Just as GOD spoke everything into existence, it was all gone in a moment. He saw the Holy City descend from the new heaven. Then he heard a declaration that would never be broken.

 

My Observations:

• GOD will wipe away my tears.
• GOD will give me life forever.
• GOD will protect me from grief, crying or pain.

 

Imagine a world where there is no more scheming, greed, loss, hurt, malice, lying or disturbing thoughts. I cannot imagine, because that is what is in the world today. Each and every day, more pain is shown on the news and devastation abounds all around us. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

JESUS rose and ascended to heaven. HE said HE had to go to make a place for all who believe in HIM. This new heaven and new earth contains everything that is needed, so there will be no more disappointment because of lack. GOD will be our GOD and we will be HIS people.

 

Challenge

• What exciting thing does the writer point out?
• Have you ever experienced a death of a loved one or grief or crying or pain?
• Can you set your mind on GOD wiping away all your tears because there will be no more death, grief, crying or pain?

Light and Feeling Good

Light and Feeling Good

Revelation 16: ¹⁰ Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast. Darkness fell over the beast's kingdom, and people bit their tongues because of their pain, ¹¹ and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not turn from their evil ways.

 

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After saying the words “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day” I looked outside to see if it worked. It seemed to rain harder. There would be no outside activity that day.

 

• I placed my hope in a song.
• I thought I could control the weather by saying some words.
• I really wanted “my” way so I placed my hope in something that I thought would get “my” way.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw the fifth angel pour out the fifth bowl filled with GOD’s anger. The beast, who got his power from Satan, had established a throne and had claimed to take over the world. This bowl caused darkness, more pain and sores. The people knew this plague was from GOD, yet they refused to turn from their evil ways.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS is light and wants me to take HIS light into a dark world.
• JESUS is life and wants me to be salt to spread HIS life.
• JESUS is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and wants me to bring people to HIS one and only path.

 

To avoid darkness, pain and sores, there is only one road, JESUS. I mean, I may have problems, pain and persecution right now, but they will not match what will come when GOD’s full anger is poured out. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

For those who believe in JESUS as the Savior from GOD’s anger, HE will provide light, no more pain and no more suffering. HE will keep every word HE has spoken and HE promises believers will live in light with HIM forever. This calls for endurance. I gladly endure!

 

Challenge

• What message was the writer conveying that was similar to the verses before this one?
• Have you ever been stubborn and refused to change your ways, knowing GOD would heal you?
• If you find yourself unable, or unwilling to change for GOD, will you ask HIM to help you in the areas of your life you refuse to surrender to HIM, so HE will guide you to light and no pain today?

Underserved Suffering

Underserved Suffering

1 Peter 2: ¹⁸ You servants must submit yourselves to your masters and show them complete respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ God will bless you for this, if you endure the pain of undeserved suffering because you are conscious of his will. ²⁰ For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it.

 

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After working hard for years, I ran into that boss. He said and did all the wrong things and was slippery enough to make his employees scapegoats. I was warned about working for him, but I thought I could win him over by being “nice.” I was wrong.

 

• I ended up suffering while working under him.
• I questioned GOD for having me go through suffering.
• I wondered if there would be any relief from suffering.

 

Peter turns to some more difficult words to hear. He suggests that believers understand that they would suffer, just like CHRIST, who had to endure  shame, blame and being murdered. Peter suggests that believers endure so GOD will see the endurance and bless the believer.

 

My Observations:

• Abuse is not acceptable, BUT GOD sees your suffering and will bless you and I for it.
• Harsh environments are never welcome, BUT GOD sees the environment you and I have endured and will reward our endurance.
• Difficult situation are never wanted, BUT GOD allows you and I to go through them to understand a tiny glimpse of what JESUS went through.

 

I don’t know why we have to suffer. I mean, can’t GOD just snap HIS fingers and make everything easy? Yes, but HIS decrees allowed Satan to try to oppose HIM. The enemy wants to cause pain and suffering to steal people away from GOD. He uses temptation to make people want power, riches and fame. They will stop at nothing to gain it. They will even make people suffer.

 

GOD wants me to value HIS way and turn away from the world’s way. When I do, I will be labeled as weird. I may be mocked, lied upon and suffer undeserved hardships. GOD sees the pain and keeps track of how much I showed respect to those who are harsh. I am glad GOD sees the heart and has  a better plan for my suffering.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention suffering?
• Have you ever come out of suffering and become stronger?
• Will you rethink the suffering you are going through at work and know GOD sees your suffering and has great rewards for your endurance?

Patient Endurance

Patient Endurance

James 5: ⁹ Do not complain against one another, my friends, so that God will not judge you. The Judge is near, ready to appear. ¹⁰ My friends, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Take them as examples of patient endurance under suffering. ¹¹ We call them happy because they endured. You have heard of Job's patience, and you know how the Lord provided for him in the end. For the Lord is full of mercy and compassion.

 

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Going through difficult times, I just wanted some relief. I went out with people and it felt good for a couple of hours, but then I had to face my problems. After a while, going out was no longer effective.

 

• I thought I could “fun” my way out of my problems.
• I thought I could “enjoy” my way out of my circumstances.
• I thought I could “entertain” my way out of my situation.

 

James starts off by providing a solution before giving the problem. He warns everyone about complaining against one another. This was a great solution, but what was the problem? Perhaps the people were going through difficulties and the advice other people were giving was to “complain.” Job’s friends gave this same kind of advice, but Job did not complain, rather he endured with patience.

 

My Observations:

• I do not like suffering, BUT GOD helps me endure so HE can grow my faith.
• I do not like life’s pain, BUT GOD has a plan that includes whatever I will go through.
• I do not like to be hurt, BUT GOD comforts me when life brings on tremendous amounts of it.

 

Hurt, pain and suffering are things I want to avoid. I mean who wants to suffer? No one! BUT GOD knows the suffering I must endure because HE gave mankind free will. This gift may cause me to make decisions that can harm me or others. It also allows others to do the same. What can help this difficult set up? GOD.

 

HE provides the COMFORTER to go through the situations with us. HE feels the pain and knows what anguish I may face. HE then does something better. HE increases my faith in GOD as HE takes me through each circumstance, not around them. I am glad GOD grows me to patiently endure.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer start of by warning people about complaining about one another?
• Have you ever suffered and got tired?
• Will you ask GOD to help you through this period of suffering, knowing HIS plan for you is not complete, rather HE has some wonderful things in store for you?

Promised Life

Promised Life

2 Timothy 1: From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, sent to proclaim the promised life which we have in union with Christ Jesus—

 

² To Timothy, my dear son:

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

 

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After telling GOD that I would return to HIM and serve HIM, I figured everything would be easy from that point on. I was tired of creditors calling me and low paying jobs that the public saw as degrading. I figured, that maybe GOD could help me get a better life. Things did go better for a while, but people around me got sick, hurt or even died. “I thought things would be better!” I cried out.

 

• I expected GOD to keep me from any and all harm.
• I expected that GOD would turn me into a sinless robot millionaire, who smiled every day.
• I expected that GOD would make everyone around me nicer than the nicest person we all knew and everyone would be healthy and without problems until JESUS came back.

 

Paul wrote another letter to Timothy. He begins the letter by explaining his calling to the LORD. Timothy knew this calling, so this letter was expected to be read by many others and to establish Timothy’s authority. Paul had been beaten, thrown out of synagogues and almost killed, yet he mentions “the promised life we have in union with CHRIST JESUS.’

 

My Observations

• Difficulties make me choose if I will proclaim JESUS or get mad at HIM for not meeting “my” expectations.
• Trials in life make me think that GOD isn’t listening to me or does not care.
• The HOLY SPIRIT in me, removes all doubt and shows me that GOD cares for me deeply in spite of what seems to be going on.

 

False expectations of GOD makes me set HIM up for failure in my mind. I mean, expecting everything to be easy because I have a relationship with HIM was never said by HIM. In fact, JESUS said I would be persecuted because of my relationship with HIM.

 

Things would not be easy. Satan, the enemy, wants to rob, steal and kill anyone who professes JESUS as the Savior. This is a fight versus a vacation. GOD knows I will face hard and difficult times, but provides comfort. HE does promise that after this difficult life, there will be no more difficulties. No bait and switch, there will be no more tears or pain. I am gladly continue following GOD, even when it is tough.

 

Challenge

• What promised life is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever been disappointed in this life?
• What false expectations do you have of GOD?
• Will you continue to seek GOD’s kingdom in spite of life’s difficulties today?

Purpose for Pain

Purpose for Pain

Colossians 1: ²⁴ And now I am happy about my sufferings for you, for by means of my physical sufferings I am helping to complete what still remains of Christ's sufferings on behalf of his body, the church.

 

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Stepping down off the porch, my foot landed in a peculiar way. I immediately looked at it and nothing seemed wrong. I walked around as normal the rest of that day. When I wanted to go to bed, I noticed pain. I looked at my foot again, this time it was swollen. I writhed in pain.

 

• I wanted the pain to be over!
• I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.
• I questioned the purpose of pain.

 

Paul definitely suffered for JESUS. When he gave up his luxurious, status filled position as a Pharisee of Pharisees, followers of JESUS did not believe him, and he was outcast from the leaders. The Pharisees imparted great suffering on Paul, but life did not add any comfort as he was bit by a venomous snake and shipwrecked. One thing kept him going, namely JESUS.

 

My Observations

• CHRIST suffered in anguish over my sins.
• CHRIST suffered for me and HE is GOD.
• CHRIST was slandered, blamed, chased, beaten and murdered for me.

 

Pain has purpose. I mean, when I feel pain in my body it could be alerting me that something is wrong or something is on its way to healing. Many people who question GOD ask “Why does GOD allow pain?” That’s a question I have hit HIM with. But as I see what JESUS did I ask a new question. “Why did YOU love me so much that YOU took my punishment?”

 

Avoiding pain is impossible in this life. Suffering seems to surface daily. BUT GOD is fighting battles we can’t imagine. The enemy places painful traps we fall in. I am glad GOD’s purpose of spreading JESUS to all supersedes the pain I go through.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer “happy” about?
• Have you ever sacrificed your time, talent or treasure for someone who was really in need so him or her could hear the message of JESUS clearly?
• It may not be easy, but will you look beyond your pain for a moment and know you are important to GOD and your suffering is there to help others see HIM today?

Spiritual Beauty

Spiritual Beauty

1 Corinthians 15: ⁴⁰ And there are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies; the beauty that belongs to heavenly bodies is different from the beauty that belongs to earthly bodies. ⁴¹ The sun has its own beauty, the moon another beauty, and the stars a different beauty; and even among stars there are different kinds of beauty.

 

⁴² This is how it will be when the dead are raised to life. When the body is buried, it is mortal; when raised, it will be immortal. ⁴³ When buried, it is ugly and weak; when raised, it will be beautiful and strong. ⁴⁴ When buried, it is a physical body; when raised, it will be a spiritual body. There is, of course, a physical body, so there has to be a spiritual body.

 

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Driving vacations have been special to me when the destination was unknown. One memorable vacation was spent driving up the coast of one particular state. We left a familiar beautiful place and ran into unfamiliar beaches with sea lions sunbathing. Another place had tall cliffs with the ocean cascading a wonderous backdrop. Yet another place had tall wide trees and ferns adorning their feet. Each had its own beauty.

 

• I appreciate nature more and more.
• I like to look up and see the beauty way up in the sky.
• I enjoy experiencing beauty even if it is a creepy spiderweb spun with precision.

 

Paul speaks about beauty in nature, He talks about the unique beauty each area brings. Right outside, there is beauty in everything. He then spoke of how beautiful and strong each person will be when raised from the dead. No more weakness or decay, rather an everlasting beauty.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see the beauty in HIS creation each day.
• GOD wants me to know that one day HE will transform my body into something beautiful and eternal.
• GOD wants me to know HIS definition of beauty is far above that of a human.

 

”Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” as the saying goes. But the true beholder is GOD. HE seems to delight in unique things. He made every drop of water in the ocean and every grain of sand on a beach.

 

I can marvel at what HE made and know this pales in comparison to what HE has in store for those who believe in HIM. I am glad HE sees the beauty in me and other believers in JESUS.

 

Challenge

• When you look at nature and life, do you see GOD as the creator?
• What does seeing GOD in creation have to do with your resurrection?
• Do you know GOD is far more concerned about you than HE is about a planet?
• Can you see the inner beauty in you and others more and more today by being reminded by nature?

Strife Overcome

Strife Overcome

John 16: ²⁹ His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! ³⁰ Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? ³² Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

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When I went to a certain neighborhood, I was chased out because of my race. When I got back into my neighborhood, I was chased home by a few thugs in an otherwise nice place. “Where can I go?” I wondered.

• There have been times when I searched for an accepting group and could not find it.
• There have been times when I felt unloved by enemies AND those who were supposed to love me.
• There have been times when I felt like no one cared.

The disciples said to JESUS “Now YOU speak plainly to us and we believe.” JESUS replied, “Now you believe?”, as if to say “What about all of the miracles?” JESUS did not scold them, rather HE warned them of things to come. “You will leave ME alone.” HE said.

• JESUS knows I have and will leave HIM when I seek “my” own way.
• JESUS still wants me to have peace so I can return to following HIS way.
• JESUS desires that I place my faith in HIM so I can “be of good cheer.”

Overcoming the world meant JESUS did not commit a single sin while HE was alive. HE fulfilled every prophecy and was now eligible to become the perfect sacrifice to pay off the tremendous debt to mankind. I cannot fathom how much pressure it was to know the sins of every human. I can’t even remember my own.

JESUS loved me so much that HE died for me. The FATHER loved me so much that HE allowed HIS only SON to die for me. The HOLY SPIRIT loved me so much that HE lives in me and watches me sin and begs for forgiveness for me. My strife is overcome.

• Are you feeling alone?
• Do you think on one cares about you?
• Will you turn your life over to JESUS so you will never be alone again?