A Great Day, Indeed

 

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth’…”

—Revelation 21:1a

As believers in the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ, we “Christ’s-ones,” or Christians, too seldom think about our ultimate destiny. I wonder, if we thought more about heaven, would we live with more determined urgency here on earth—urgency to more and more become vessels of God’s mercy, grace, and unfailing love? The Apostle John recorded these powerful words in Revelation 21:1-7:

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”

Many, many gospel songs have been written to remind us of what our eternity will be like. Based on Scripture, these gospel songs intend to provide encouragement, comfort, hope, but also intend to motivate believers to diligently serve Christ and His Kingdom. In 1933, George S. Schuler wrote these words for just such a gospel song. In turn, Gertrude S. Dugan wrote an appropriate, yet haunting, melody:

When we reach the land of light
Where shadows are no more
O what a day!
When we meet our blessed Savior
On that peaceful shore
O what a day!

O what a day that will be
When my dear Savior I’ll see
In those mansions of love
Now awaiting above
O what a day, O glorious day.

When we see the Holy City
With its mansions fair
O what a day!
When we look upon the glories
That await us there
O what a day!

O what a day that will be
When my dear Savior I’ll see
In those mansions of love
Now awaiting above
O what a day, O glorious day.

To behold the faces of our
Loved ones gone before
O what a day!
From the Savior’s Presence
To be severed nevermore
O what a day!

O what a day that will be
When my dear Savior I’ll see
In those mansions of love
Now awaiting above
O what a day, O glorious day.

During my high school days in the early and middle 1960s, I had the privilege of singing the high tenor part in a gospel quintet. “O, What a Day” was one of our most requested songs. As I have already mentioned, it had a haunting melody that made George Schuler’s words fairly vibrate with emotion.

From time to time during the weeks and months ahead, let’s break away and occasionally think about heaven. As another gospel song writer has written: “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!”

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Simply Remain

 

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”

—John 15:4a

Here’s a warning that has become all too common today:

“Wherever you go, travel in a group: at least three people, but more is better.”

No, I was not in a foreign country when I received that admonition from the concierge at the hotel where I was staying. I was in a major American city. I won’t name that city because the event occurred many years ago and safety issues may have improved there in the intervening years—though recent reports on the television nightly news seems to indicate that crime has greatly increased there. Traveling with others seems like a good idea.

As believers in the life-changing power of the Lord Jesus Christ, we do well to understand the role of close fellowship with other believers. Even more importantly, as we walk the road of life, we need to maintain close fellowship with our Savior. Please take note of Jesus’ words as recorded in John 15:1-4:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

Here Jesus urges His disciples to remain in Him. We need to heed these words of our Lord, as well. We must remain in Him.

I have written in other blog posts about the New Testament Koine Greek word “meno,” which is translated “remain.” Other translations render this word “abide” or “stick with” or “stay close to.” The message is clear: to make our way safely through this life, we need to stay as close as possible to “the One who knows us the best and also loves us the most”—Jesus, our Savior, Lord, and King.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

God with Us

 

“If you love me, keep my commands.”

—John 14:15a

Have you ever been homesick? Maybe you went off to summer camp for the first time with great excitement. But, once you settled in and your parents drove away, you suddenly realized you were alone. You were outside that protective circle of your family. You tried to hide your feelings of dread. But eventually, that aching in your stomach grew to the place where your tears began to flow. Finally, a wise counselor let you make a phone call. As soon as you heard your father’s or mother’s voice, you poured out your heart and begged to come home.

After you talked with your parent, you felt better. Just hearing your parent’s voice brought comfort. You were able to steel yourself, settle down, and even begin to enjoy the summer camp experience.

In contrast, maybe you were someone for whom your parents had anticipated your panic and sense of aloneness and did their best to prepare you for those moments of clarity that would come when you realized your parents were gone and you were stuck in an alien environment. Their words of preparation helped you recognize and deal with your feelings of fear and dread. You took their words to heart and received comfort that allowed you to tolerate and even enjoy the experience of being away from home.

When the Lord Jesus knew He was about to die, He did His best to try to prepare His disciples. Notice what He said to them, as recorded in John 14:15-27:

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Then Judas not Judas Iscariot said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

We followers of Jesus live in a most hostile and alien environment. A spiritual warfare rages both within us and around us. We can take great comfort in the words of our Savior. The heartache and frustration of this world can melt away, as we rest in the truth of His words.

We are not alone! God has sent the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, to be our Comforter and Guide. Today, let us receive this great outpouring of God’s love with great joy and be thankful.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, April 27, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

You Bring Me Joy

 

“ I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers…”

—Philemon 1:4a:

“You bring me great joy!”

Imagine what a thrill it is to hear someone say that to us. We may not think we’re very important or that what we do has any great significance. But every once in a while, someone gets enough courage to tell us how much we mean to them. Normally, they may hesitate to tell us, lest we misunderstand what they’re saying. The Apostle Paul had no hesitation in declaring how much Philemon meant to him when he wrote these words in Philemon 1:4-7:

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Nothing is quite as encouraging as being on the receiving end of a great outpouring of love from God’s people. Let’s determine to live in such a way that we do not withhold God’s love from our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, April 24, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Promise of His Presence

 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”

—Matthew 28:19

In our current age, many people seem to lack direction in their lives. But, for followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, this is never the case. Note these words of our Lord recorded in Matthew 28:16-20:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Thus, we have our marching orders for this day and every day. And, just as importantly, we have the promise of Christ’s Presence. Today, tomorrow, and every next day, let us go out with joy to serve the Great King, knowing that He is always with us everywhere we may go.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, April 23, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Serving God Rightly

 

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

—2 Timothy 4:2

Here’s a question to consider:

“What does it really mean to be a called servant of the Most High God?”

As I attempt to answer that question, I must confess to you that, apart from a relatively small specific number of ministers, over the last sixty-five years I have become somewhat leery of most of the pastors who have crossed the pathway of my life. Across the course of my career, I have had the privilege of working with a very large number of different ministers—in fact, at last count I have had some interaction with over 350 pastors. Many of them were sincerely trying to serve God. In contrast, a very few other pastors had significant personality anomalies. And one, in particular, showed signs that suggested he was a vicious sociopath.

The sociopath was the most dangerous. He had a unique gift from the evil one that enabled him to endear himself to those he wanted to control. And, he also had an uncanny ability to detect those he could not fool. Thus, he surrounded himself with “buddies” who would help him damage or destroy those individuals he considered “targets.” He lavished his favor on the “buddies” in order to control them. And, he systematically harmed the “targets,” largely because they were individuals that he could not control.

Please take note of these words of admonition from the Apostle Paul to a fellow minister, his “son in the faith” Timothy, as recorded in 2 Timothy 4:1-5:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

So how do genuine servants of the risen Christ answer the question:

“What does it really mean to be a called servant of the Most High God?”

Here is one observation recently posted by one of my dear ministerial friends:

In the course of a 40-year ministry, I have preached thousands of sermons. I’ve preached very few in the last six years, however, and none at all in the last 16 months, so I’ve had ample opportunity to ponder the preacher’s role without being under pressure to prepare sermons.

One conclusion: I need to repent and to confess that most of the times I preached, my spirit was consumed with my skill as a public speaker, my authority as a ‘minister,’ and pride. The larger the crowd, the more those elements consumed me.

I am only beginning to see the degree to which I reflected attitudes and influences that are exactly the opposite of those appropriate for a preacher, i.e. humility, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of how great a privilege it is to stand before a group of God’s people as a channel for a word from God.

If someone were to ask me today how to evaluate a preacher and a sermon, I would say:

“Look for clear and obvious signs that the preacher is aware of his or her own humanity and recognizes how great a privilege it is to be a preacher among the people of God.

“Look for humility and a sense of almost debilitating awareness of the reality and presence of God.”

Those characteristics won’t build a megachurch, but they will more faithfully reflect the character of Jesus.

To this declaration, I add a hearty: “Amen!”

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, April 22, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Walking Together

 

“I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.”

—2 Timothy 1:3

We all need someone to mentor us in our walk with Christ. Yes, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. We also have God’s written Word to instruct us in right living. But, there is something very special and very useful to have someone be willing to share his or her faith experience with us to offer us guidance in our own Christian walk.

We can learn from the example of the Apostle Paul who mentored his son in the faith, Timothy. Two of Paul’s letters—his epistles—bear Timothy’s name. Paul wrote words of admonition and encouragement to Timothy, as Timothy went out to serve as a spiritual leader. Notice the inherent power and also the inherent humility and inherent openness we find in these words of Paul to Timothy from 2 Timothy 1:3-14:

I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.

Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

How fortunate we are that God has preserved Paul’s words of counsel. We are all “Timothys” in need of this instruction. Thus, Paul can mentor us. His words can give us a reality check against which we can measure the words of any other current mentor.

When God choses to give us a mentor, let’s gratefully and eagerly seek the instruction our mentor might choose to share with us. And, we should be quick to express our appreciation to anyone who obediently offers us godly counsel.

Let us go out into this day with the same surety of Paul and Timothy, knowing that God has chosen us to be objects of His unfailing love. And, let us boldly—but humbly and gently—share what God has done for us with those who cross our path this day.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, April 21, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}