Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 4, 2012

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt”

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 4:5-6.
 
“5  Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
 
6  Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”  Colossians 4:5-6.
 
———————–
 
There are times when we should be careful and not discuss spiritual things with outsiders.  “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”  Matthew 7:6
 
But, that silence should be “the exception, not the rule”.  Verse 5, ending with “making the most of the opportunity” and verse 6 in its totality combine to urge us to say something appropriate, particularly in response, with grace and “as though seasoned with salt”. 
 
1 Peter 3:15
“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”
 
We can easily nod our head in approval to the foregoing verse.  We may think that the outsiders are seekers, and we may think that we just need to answer their sincere questions.
 
But, the context of above-stated 1 Peter 3:15 shows that the outsiders may not be so innocent and searching.  Here is the context of the two surrounding verses.  “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.  And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, … and keep a  good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”  1 Peter 3:14 and 16.  Outsiders may be slandering us and otherwise persecuting us.
 
Whether the outsiders are “innocent and searching” or “slandering and persecuting”, we need to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward them and we need our speech to “always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt”. 
 
What are some examples of that grace?
 
First of all, that grace would be honest.  We should not misquote nor exaggerate nor set up “straw men” in our debates with them nor make caricatures of them.  Oh, how I need to follow my own advice when dealing with Arminians!  
 
Second, that grace would be patient.  We tend to hold ourselves and our beliefs in too high esteem, thinking that outsiders should immediately change their long-held beliefs and engrained behaviors after a few words by us.  We may never see the change, but we may plant the seed.
 
Third, that grace would be gentle, kind, and good.  Regardless of whether we win the argument, we need to be gentle, kind, and good.  Even if we can’t get the outsider to change the root cause of the problem, we may be able to treat the symptoms.  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1
 
What are some examples of that salt?
 
First, our speech should be responsive, relevant, and specific.  We sometimes want to be too general and throw everything “and the kitchen sink” at the outsider.  But, if we are not responsive, relevant, and specific, it is likely that they will think that we do not have the answer and it will turn them off. 
 
Second, our speech should be distinctive.  We should not try to give advice outside of our knowledge and experience.  We should not try to account for the hope in others.  But, rather we should account for the hope in us as stated above in 1 Peter 3:15.  “You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”  Matthew 5:13  In this regard, Reformed believers should not obscure their Reformed distinctives and try to be just like every other “evangelical” believer.  (Too many Reformed believers try to hide their distinctive Reformed beliefs;  they avoid using distinctive and descriptive Reformed words like predestination, election, chosen, and other “TULIP” and “Five Solas” words.  This practice is not only bland and unhelpful;  it is deceptive.)  
 
Third, like salt, our speech should be penetrating and capable of “cleaning out wounds” and “curing” (like salt cures or preserves ham).  Our speech should be effective at helping others. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 3, 2012

Pray for Preachers and Teachers

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 4:1-4.
 
“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
 
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;  praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;  that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”  Colossians 4:1-4.
 
——————
                             

Pray on our behalf that “God will open up to us a door for the word” and that we may preach and teach boldly and clearly.  We need to pray for our preachers and teachers.

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains;  that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  Ephesians 6:18-20.

Isaiah 52:7
“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 1, 2012

The Lord is sovereign and just.

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:18-25. 
 
“18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
 
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
 
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
 
21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
                                          

22  Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”  Colossians 3:18-25.

—————————–

Everyone serves the Lord and is accountable to the Lord.  The Lord is not partial to any class of people, but rather the Lord demands that everyone do what is right.  If they do what is right, then they will receive a reward.  If they do what is wrong, then they will be punished.  The Lord is sovereign and just.

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
Bless the Lord, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the Lord, O my soul!”  Psalm 103:19-22.

Psalm 33:5
“He loves righteousness and justice;  The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

Psalm 89:14
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;  Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”

Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good;  And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”

“1 Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”
10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm Chapter 2.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 31, 2012

Good Ambassadors for Christ through the Good Word of Christ

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:17.
 
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:17.
 
———————–
 
Christians represent Christ.  Christians are ambassadors for Christ.  How can we best represent Christ and be such an ambassador for Christ? 
 
The context to today’s Scripture provides one answer.  The immediately preceding verse states:  “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16. 
 
If the word of Christ richly dwells within us, then thereby, we will know Christ better.  If our image of Christ is like the famous painting of a long-haired thin Christ with hands in contemplative prayer, then we may try to look like and be like the Christ in that painting.  If our image of Christ is “Christ the King” mounted on a white horse, then we may try to look like and be like that image.  Our deeds and words will be greatly affected by the extent of our knowledge of Christ.  “For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”  Ephesians 1:15-17. 
 
If the word of Christ richly dwells within us, then thereby, we will better know Christ’s Will.  “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”  Colossians 1:9-10. 
 
If the word of Christ richly dwells within us, then thereby, we will better be empowered to do in deed and in word Christ’s Will.  “A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power.”  Proverbs 24:5  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4.
 
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us;  we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 30, 2012

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you”

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:16.
 
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16.
 
————————-
 
Some wrongly think that if they only sit through a sermon on Sunday that they received the means of grace.  But, there is so much more!
 
The word of Christ richly dwells within us when we eagerly with delight both hear and read God’s word and carefully meditate on it AND correctly understand it AND believe it with a steadfast heart AND effectively do it AND wisely teach it and admonish others AND sing with thankfulness in our hearts to God.  In summary, when we do so, we are like the blessed man in Psalm 1. 
 
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.
 
This delight in the word of Christ and this singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God comes from a correct understanding of it.  There are those who hear and read God’s word and focus on themselves and what they should do.  That false understanding does not bring true delight nor thankfulness.  However, there are others who hear and read God’s word and focus on God and what He has done.  That correct understanding does bring true delight and thankfulness. 
 
Arminianism (and other false man-centered doctrine) focuses on alleged man’s free will and what man should do.  It’s hope and trust is in man to perfect himself by the Law and contribute something (whether it be works or faith) to his own salvation.  It falsely believes that God loves everybody and that God will gladly accept this man’s contribution as sufficient credit for salvation.  But, it also falsely believes that man can fall from grace, and thus it lives its life in fear.  
 
Calvinism a/k/a Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and what God has done.  It’s hope and trust is only in God, because it recognizes the “Total Depravity” of man (that man is dead in sin and can contribute nothing to his own salvation).  It truly believes that God only loves His elect, but that God will do everything necessary to bring His elect to salvation.  It truly believes in God’s work alone by grace alone from “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” through “Preservation of the Saints a/k/a Perseverance of the Saints”.  It rests secure and at peace with thanksgiving and joy in the work of Christ. 
 
Calvinism a/k/a Reformed Doctrine causes its believers to over-flow with gratitude.  “The LORD has done great things for us;  We are glad.”  Psalm 126:3  “For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”  Psalm 92:4
 
Calvinists are so eager and delighted to let this truly good news of the word of Christ richly dwell within them by doing as much as they can to both hear and read God’s word and carefully meditate on it AND correctly understand it AND believe it with a steadfast heart AND effectively do it AND wisely teach it and admonish others AND sing with thankfulness in their hearts to God.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 29, 2012

The Peace of Christ: Ruling and Overflowing

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:15.
 
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body;  and be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15. 
 
———————–
 
Consider the “relationship with others” context of this verse.  “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone;  just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”  Colossians 3:8-14.
 
So, this peace in today’s Scripture should not only make us feel good and be good, but it should also make others feel good and be good;  “indeed you were called in one body”.  
 
If we can somehow get this peace, then it will be more likely that we will not be angry, nor show wrath, nor slander, and nor engage in abusive speech. 
                             
If we can somehow get this peace, then it should also help us be more compassionate, more kind, more humble, more gentle, more patient, more bearing others’ burdens, more forgiving, and more loving.  
 
So, how can we get this peace?  
 
We already have this peace. 
 
Romans 5:1
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
 
We have this peace through Christ who said:  “Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27.
 
We have this peace through the Holy Spirit Whom bears the fruit of peace within us.  Galatians 5:22. 
 
So then, how can we let this peace rule in our hearts in a way that this peace overflows and affects others and blesses others?  
 
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.”  Psalm  122:6-9.
 
Proverbs 16:7
“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
 
Isaiah 26:12
“LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works.”
 
Isaiah 52:7
“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
 
Isaiah 55:12
“For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace;  The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
 
Isaiah 66:12
“For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;  And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.”
 
Jeremiah 33:6
“Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them;  and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.”
 
Ezekiel 37:26
“I will make a covenant of peace with them;  it will be an everlasting covenant with them.  And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.”
 
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
 
Romans 12:18
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
 
Romans 14:19
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
 
2 Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace;  and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
 
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.  And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;  for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”  Ephesians 2:14-18. 
 
Ephesians 4:3
“being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
 
Ephesians 6:15
“and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;”
 
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7.
 
2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.  The Lord be with you all!”
 
Titus 3:2
“to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”
 
Hebrews 12:14
“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
 
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:17-18.
 
2 John 1:3
“Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
 
In conclusion, God gives us such a powerful peace that this powerful peace rules in our hearts and overflows and affects others and blesses others.  God also gives us His Word and works within us to pray for this peace and to pursue this peace and to practice this peace. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 28, 2012

The Hope and Help of Predestination, “New Self”, and the Fruit of the Spirit

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:12-14.
 
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”  Colossians 3:12-14.
 
—————————
 
In accordance with the start of today’s Scripture, “as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved”, let us remember Ephesians 1:4:  “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  What an encouragement!  What an important reminder of our position out of which we put on these qualities!
 
And, we let us also remember our “new self” which was in the immediately preceding Scripture:  “… the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—”  Colossians 3:10.  This “new self” is “in the likeness of God” and “has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”  Ephesians 4:24
 
And, let us also remember the fruit of the Spirit within us:  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”  Galatians 5:22.  The fruit of the Spirit includes at least four of those qualities mentioned in today’s Scripture:  “love”, “patience”, “kindness”, and “gentleness”.  
 
With all this hope and help of predestination, “new self”, and fruit of the Spirit, let us be encouraged and intent on putting on “love, which is the perfect bond of unity” and “a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other”.  This is who we are!  

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 27, 2012

“The New Self” a/k/a “A New Creation” a/k/a “A New Creature”: “Christ is all, and in all.”

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:5-11.
 
“5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
 
6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
 
7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
 
8 But now you also, put them all aside:  anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
 
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
 
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
 
11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”  Colossians 3:5-11.
 
————————–
 
Today’s devotion centers around this “new self” and the Creator of this “new self” and the hope of a new life that it brings to us.  We will look at Scriptures which describe this “new self”.  
 
One of the most similar Scriptures is Ephesians 4:22-24:  “that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
 
Galatians 6:15
“For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”
 
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
 
Romans 6:4
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
 
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.  Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
                                  
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us;  we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
                                   
“Christ is all, and in all.”  Verse 11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 25, 2012

Heaven

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4. 
 
——————–
 
What is Heaven like? 
 
Scripture gives us some descriptions. Scripture encourages us to consider what Heaven is like. Let us improve our image of Heaven.
 
The purpose of this article is to give us twelve peeks at Heaven to inspire us and motivate us to think more on these beautiful and wonderful “things above”. Let us walk around the heavenly park, observe, and meditate.
 
“Walk about Zion and go around her;
Count her towers;
Consider her ramparts;
Go through her palaces,
That you may tell it to the next generation.” Psalm 48:12-13.
 
The first peek follows the Scripture above. Consider Heaven’s strong and beautiful architecture which is in strong contrast with the popular image of heaven being just wispy clouds. Let us follow the example of Abraham “for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10. “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, … And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” Revelation 21:10-12 and 21.
 
The second peek is of our heavenly bodies. We may imagine slender people walking around in Heaven in robes (to hide their body). But, a truer image would be of vibrant young and athletic bodies with great strength and great health. They are not ashamed nor shy of their bodies. “There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. … this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality …” 1 Corinthians 15:40 and 54.
 
The third peek is of Heaven’s peace. “… the kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17. “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4.
 
The fourth peek is of the dwelling of God in Heaven among His people. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,” Revelation 21:3. “they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.  And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:4-5.
 
The fifth peek is of Heaven’s river.  ”Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,” Revelations 22:1. Many people like Cozumel, Mexico because of the clarity and beauty of the water. How much more beautiful and wonderful is the river of flowing water in Heaven, ”clear as crystal”, which water is “life” itself!
 
The sixth peek is of Heaven’s colors. We may have an image of Heaven only containing colors of white and gold. But, Heaven contains a spectrum of vivid colors, and all from precious jewels! “The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.” Revelation 21:19.
 
The seventh peek is of the eagerness and joy of the citizens of Heaven. Do we think of the citizens of Heaven almost as zombies: slow, emotionless, and quiet? A cheering football stadium crowd is more like the citizens of Heaven! “… we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us …” Hebrews 12:1. As we on earth are eager in anticipation: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20-21. So, they are eager in heaven: “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:19.
 
The eighth peek is of Heaven’s joyful feast. Do we just play a harp all the time in Heaven? No! Heaven is not boring; rather, it is a joyful place. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” Matthew 22:2. “The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine.” Isaiah 25:6.
 
The ninth peek is of Heaven’s righteousness. We may think that Heaven is open for everyone. But, “… do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13.
 
The tenth peek is of the trees in Heaven. We tend to not think of trees in Heaven, but there are trees in Heaven and they bear “… twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelations 22:2.
 
The eleventh peek is of God in Heaven and His emotions. Is God in Heaven like an impotent man just watching and waiting and wringing his hands and worrying as to who will use their alleged free-will to accept Jesus and get into heaven or who may use their alleged free-will and reject Jesus and go to hell? No! God is like a victorious warrior! “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17.
 
In conclusion, the twelfth peek is of the sovereign rule of God in Heaven. God accomplishes all of His good pleasure! Only God can save, and God saves everyone of His elect. Not one of His elect is lost. “And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.” Isaiah 59:16. ”My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29.
 
“Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure‘;
Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 24, 2012

“Set your mind on the things above”

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:1-4.
 
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4.
 
——————–
 
This morning, I skipped reading the newspaper.  Today, I want to think about and identify at least some things that are “above”, and I request your help.  What are one or more of your favorite things above? 
 
I plan to devote at least one more day (maybe more) to today’s Scripture.  Ideally, I would like to compile the answers (without identifying the provider, of course) in a subsequent daily devotion to, so to speak, paint by words a water-color painting of heaven.  
 
To help us think about these “things above”, we can consider categories of “things above”.  
 
First, there are persons.  “According to this truth and this Word of God, we believe in one only God, who is the one single essence, in which are three persons, really, truly, and eternally distinct, according to their incommunicable properties; namely, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. …”  Article 8 of the Belgic Confession.  There are also more persons in heaven.       
 
There are spiritual qualities like righteousness and holiness.
 
There are physical things like precious stones.
 
We also know that there are some things that are not there such as tears.  So, I think an answer which stated the absence of some things would also be helpful. 
 
If you want to include the citation of book and verse, such as “precious stones – Revelation 21:19”, then it would be helpful, but it is not necessary. 
 
If you want to make reasonable assumptions, such as I think dogs are in heaven, because Scripture gives some indication that at least some animals are in heaven, I want to hear about it.  I am not going to try to refute nor debate.  I am only going to compile.  If someone suggests something that I strongly don’t think is a “thing above” (such as tears), then I just won’t include it in my compilation.      
 
If you want to name a deceased relative of yours, and perhaps mention something inspiring about that relative, I want to hear about it, but please be general if you do not want me to mention his or her name.  As a general example, “I look forward to seeing my grandfather in heaven, because he read Bible stories to me when I was a young child”.     
 
Today’s Scripture does not limit “things above” to persons, spiritual qualities, or physical qualities, so let us really be expansive and think of as many “things above” as we can.  Here is another “thing above” that does not fit within those three categories:  “eternity”.  So, think deeply.
 
You don’t have to state the best thing above or a long list of “things above”.  Please just contribute something.    
 
Ideally, I would like to get as great a variety of “things above” as possible to, so to speak, add as many colors as possible to my “water-color painting” of heaven.  We all know that Heaven is not going to be just gold and white with only halos and harps!  But, what is heaven going to be like? 
 
I will get us started.  One of my favorite “things above” is clear water.  Revelation 22:1.
 
I want to remind you that I will not state your name.  Your anonymous contribution will help all of us to set our minds on things above.  
 
If you do submit a comment to this daily devotion on the web site, I will try to preserve your privacy.  I will not “approve” your comment so as to post it.  It should not show up, particularly if you have never submitted a comment to this web site before.  If you have submitted a comment before to my web site and I posted it, it is possible that it will show up automatically as soon as you submit it, but in any event, I will closely monitor the comments, and if it surprisingly does show up, I will delete it as soon as possible (but there may be some delay, because I am not sitting at the computer all day).          
 
So, what are one or more of your favorite things above?  Thank you.

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