Author: LB

Heaven or Hell?

Heaven or hell? Is the choice really hard?

If we could imagine the worst torture ever, we could not even come close to what hell will be  like and it continues for eternity with no let up and no way out. There is one way to not end up there.

If we could imagine the most beautiful paradise ever, we could not come close to what heaven will be like. It continues for eternity and will be unbelievably better than anything we ever imagined and we will not want out. Jesus is the only way to make it to heaven and the only way to not end up in hell.

There will be no tears in heaven. This I have a hard time understanding because if I have loved ones that have not made it because of their choice, I can’t imagine not shedding tears. It must be that God won’t allow us to remember them. If we make it to God’s gate and he says depart from me I know you not, is that the way it will be for us that we will just not know them. This thought brings tears to my eyes because we want to remember our loved ones and the memories that we share.

I don’t have an answer but God does. If we follow Him faithfully and live as He wants us to then we will take as many of our loved ones with us that we are able to reach but it will be ultimately their choice and their choice alone that will make the difference. Jesus want a personal relationship with all of us. It is not His desire that any should perish.

Is the choice really hard?

Real Treasures

God gives us treasures. We can know this because the “real” treasures we have could only come from God.

God gives you treasures that you don’t always recognize at the time and there are times that you don’t treat them as treasures.

Sometimes God will allow you to have something that you think is a treasure but it is more of a tool that He uses to teach us about the real treasures.

God may also take away what we thought was a treasure and replace it with something that is so much more valuable.

Relationships

Jesus was relational. We are called to be relational. Our relationship with Him should be at the top so that we look to Him to fulfill us and not expect that of others. The relationship we have with others can only thrive when we don’t put too much expectations on the person in that relationship.

Relationships are a real treasure. They can last through eternity. Whatever material possessions God has blessed you with can be used in your relationship with others but it is the relationship that is the “real” treasure.

Relationships cannot survive when one is selfish and they cannot survive without forgiveness.

Relationships can be intersecting in a good way or a bad way just as a tangled string of beads. If they are tangled in a bad way, God can untangle them. If they are tangled in a good way just enjoy the mess.

Forgiven but Not Forgotten

Forgiven But Not Forgotten

When we forgive, things are not always forgotten. Even in remembrance, we  can have a relationship. Things may not be the same and we may need to be on guard. We live in a fallen world with fallen people. It is not our place to hold anything against anyone for their mistakes even when they have done something to us. We have a God that is all knowing. If He has allowed something into our lives then He has a purpose. He will use it for His glory and our betterment. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” Sin causes consequences. Those that have sinned against us will have consequences but it is not for us to decide those consequences. God should decide. If we try to bring about consequences, we are trying to be a god and that is not our job. God is the Father of fathers and knows what discipline is right for his children and the right actions to use with those that choose to not serve Him. He offers forgiveness to anyone that will come to Him and confess their sins. If that sin is not confessed through Jesus and covered by His blood then there will be eternal consequences. I believe God allows things into our lives to draw us to Him and to help us become stronger that He may use us for His purpose. We do not always see why God has allowed certain things in our lives but if we are to live a victorious life, we must do our best to be obedient. God is God and knows all things and His plan is bigger than we can even imagine.

1 John 1

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Philippians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Sorrows Come With Joys of Having Children

Sorrows Come With Joys of Having Children

When we choose to have kids, we think of joys. They do bring us joy, but many times they bring sorrow with that joy. We watch them battle illness and injury. We watch them struggle through trials of this fallen world. I would hope that most parents would be trying to be the best parent they can be. Knowing the situations in this world leaves some doubt because so many live for themselves and the children are only along for the painful ride. That is a whole other topic but even the children of those parents look to them as if they are perfect.

We are not and will not be perfect parents no matter how much we try. God is the only perfect parent. He knows when to give and when to take away, when to discipline and when to say “good job”. He does all this out of complete and perfect love for us. As our children grow, they begin to see our faults. Some of those faults are not really faults at all, but they do embarrass our kids in front of their peers. Parents can laugh together at the moment and someday the child will mature enough to laugh at the moment also and look forward to having a similar moment with their own child. As our children continue to grow and they begin to see life beyond themselves, they will realize their parents have faults that are truly faults, sin that has come into their lives and caused consequences for all involved.

Many times relationships get broken by the things we do or don’t do. This world is fallen and broken. We can allow that brokenness to control us or we can choose to rise above it. God offers us Jesus so that we can overcome the sin in this world. The second part of John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Through Jesus Christ, we can also overcome this world and we can mend relationships and change our faults and our past sins into victories. Jesus was tormented, battered, experienced physical and mental anguish and still chose and continues to choose to be there to love us and wants a relationship with us no matter how we have treated Him in the past.

Whatever you experience in life, rest assured that it has been filtered through the hands of Jesus and he will bring you through to completion if you allow Him to work in your life. It does not matter if you are on the parent end or the child end, He can mend the broken heart and the relationship. The broken heart can be mended with the obedience of that individual. The relationship will need participation from both parties but God can still intervene to allow that to become reality. The key is to allow Him to work and that is only done by our asking and then being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.