GOD CAN HEAL OUR DEPRESSION THROUGH A THANKFUL HEART

A devotion by husband Steve Long - Visit his blog at Reflecting the Light

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”

    Photo provided by Kassidy Mitchell

 Do you ever talk to yourself? Sometimes it helps. In the scripture above, David did just that, talking to his own soul or inner man.

Sometimes it is not enough, though. We may need the strength of another. Even the strongest among us are not capable of picking ourselves up by our own bootstraps, but I know someone who can pick us up when we’re down. His name is Jesus.

The thing about depression is that sometimes we don’t always really know exactly what causes it. Some of the listed causes include: abuse, medications, conflict, death, a loss, genetics, major events (even some of the good ones), personal problems, serious illnesses, and substance abuse.[i]

Though I am not trained in psychology, psychiatry, or medicine, I can attest to the verity of many of these causes for I have seen some of them up close and personal. I experienced some depression of my own for awhile while living where there was less sunshine.

So, I know there are various causes. Multiple things can sometimes work together to bring one down in the dumps. Sometimes there may be no known explanation.

As depression feeds on itself, we might become depressed over our own depression.

Though it may not be popular or accepted among professionals, I know that sin in our lives can cause us to be despondent. In some cases, this may be the main culprit. If we are not walking in obedience with God, something deep inside our spirits will nag at us, telling us that something is out of balance – just not right.[ii]

For the sake of this article, let us just talk about the depression that is just caused by, well, life – bills to pay, difficult people, disappointments and unfulfilled dreams. In other words; bad news got you down? How about we counter the bad news with some good news?

Through praise and thanksgiving, God can lift up our countenance. He will lift up the hands which hang down, strengthen our feeble knees, make straight paths for our feet and provide healing for our troubled souls.[iii]

No wonder David said; “At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you.” Most of us have had those midnights, those dark hours, those troubling thoughts in the evening. What a wonderful opportunity to rise up in thanksgiving to God. He can take our depression and turn it into victory!

---

[i]   https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/causes-depression#3

[ii]  Again, this is not to say that all depression is caused by sin. Guilt for wrong is strong enough to bring us 
  down without adding more guilt for feeling depressed.

[iii] See Hebrews 12.12-13.

THANKFULNESS CAN BRING YOU JOY

A devotion by husband Steve Long - Visit his blog at Reflecting the Light

Nitish Kadam on unsplashed.com 

Do you sometimes feel uneasy, discouraged, unsure, worrisome, conflicted or bothered? Peace is far away and if it is ever near, does it come only momentarily? Here is something you can do.

In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4.6-7)

I think it is important to recognize two different aspects of a peaceful life.

·       Peace with God

This is the first aspect. Peace with God comes to us when we are made right with God. The scriptures tell us that we can become righteous before God by faith. “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4.3) This doesn’t just include Abraham, but the Jews and all the peoples of the world who believe in Christ.

The result of being made righteous before God is – peace with God.

Therefore, having been justified (made righteous) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5.1)

This means we are no longer at enmity with God but, having believed God’s word, are now on his side. Like two nations who’ve been at war, when one surrenders to the other’s will, they become friends; we are now friends of and at peace with God.

·       The Peace of God.

It is possible, however, to have peace with God but not have the peace of God which is the second aspect. So, what does this mean and why is it important for you and me?

Now that God has eliminated the enmity between us and him, we are now reconciled to him and at peace with him, there is sometimes another sense of discord that most of us have to deal with. That is, a lack of peace within. We have conflicts going on inside of us that keep us from having inner peace. This is not something that we are able to attain on our own. It can only be given to us from God. This is what we mean by the peace of God.

This peace, which comes from God, is something that is available to the Christian but there are some things we must apply. This includes living peacefully, gently and reasonably with others, rejoicing in God’s goodness, setting aside worry, being prayerful, and especially being thankful.

How does thankfulness on our part lead to peace within – or peace from God? I think thanksgiving resolves the inner conflicts in our souls. There are plenty of things to complain about, and I do my share of it, but I have never experienced inner peace while complaining.

Note: Taking legitimate problems to a legitimate source in order to fix it is problem solving. Thinking and talking obsessively to anyone and everyone about our problems is complaining. God’s word says, 

“Do everything without complaining or arguing.” (Philippians 2.14)

So, one of the answers as to how we can have peace from God in our inner being is this: be thankful. Thankfulness dispels complaining and negativity in our souls. Once again, through gratefulness, we become singular in purpose and not divided inside. The thankful heart concedes itself to the will of God alone, coming into agreement with him so that there is no conflict going on inside.

           When, upon life’s billows, you are tempest tossed,

           When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

           Count your many blessings, name them one by one

           And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done [i]

The peace of God will “guard your heart.” This means, “… to protect by a military guard … to prevent hostile invasion”[ii] Our hearts are easily invaded by troubling thoughts but that peace which comes from God will protect it like a well trained group of military guards. If we walk in this “peace of God” our hearts will be impenetrable.    

The peace of God will also “rule in your hearts.”

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3.15)

This can be described as “to be an umpire; to decide, determine; to direct or control.”[iii] This means that God’s peace will become the “decider” in your life. You will let it call the shots. You will only move where God gives you peace to move and only do what he gives you peace to do.

Be grateful, giving thanks to God for all of his blessings. This, along with the other things mentioned, will bring you his peace.

[i] Johnson Oatman (1897)

[ii] Online Bible Greek Lexicon

[iii] Op. Cit.

HOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR JOYS CHASED AWAY

THIRTY DAYS OF THANKSGIVING

A devotion by Steve Long - visit his page at REFLECTING THE LIGHT

 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

                                                                                   (Philippians 4.6)

Photo by Matthew Kane on unsplash.com

I often define worry as borrowed trouble. No one worries about what is right now, we worry about things to come. “How will I pay my bills?” “What’s going to happen with my children?” “Will I ever be able to afford to retire?” “Will I ever find love?” “What if I get cancer?” These are some of the things we worry about. None of them are of any consequence for now. They are all borrowed troubles, many of which will never happen. Yet, we put ourselves through the misery.

Jesus said; “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6.31-34)

If we may live on borrowed troubles, why can’t we also live on borrowed blessings? Things may not look so good for any of us right now but as a believer in Christ, I know he will work all things together for the good of us all. We know he will never leave or forsake us and we know he has prepared a place for us in heaven. Those are happy thoughts that we can live in right now. We don’t have to go to heaven to enjoy the prospect of going there.

But what about the “here and now?” With all of the problems we face, how can I find any comfort for this day? The answer: By giving thanks!

I have found that I always have much more to be thankful for than I do to complain about. I have more to be grateful for than I do to be discouraged about.

Just today, God gave me his presence while I was driving to work and allowed me to give thanks for thirty minutes until I got to my job. After that, it was all downhill – no, just kidding! Honestly, it sat the tone for my whole day. Every day is not like that for me but I love the ones that are.

Giving of thanks plays a vital role in helping us not to worry. Thanksgiving cancels worry away just like light does the darkness.

Try it, you’ll like it.

THE JOY OF THANKSGIVING

A devotion by Steve Long - visit his page at REFLECTING THE LIGHT

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ... Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

This may not be true of everyone, but for me, I think my happiest times have been the times that thankfulness welled up inside my heart. Sometimes I think about just how good God has been to me and I cannot help but be glad.

Paul writes to the Philippians, we think, while imprisoned in Rome. He is perhaps awaiting his fate that would decree his death (Philippians 2.20) for he would one day die for his faith in Christ. 

Therefore, one might expect this letter to be full of doom and gloom, self pity and sadness, but no, it’s tone and tenor is happier, more excited and more upbeat than any other letter he wrote and probably moreso than any other book of the bible. Instead of anxiety we find peace. Instead of aimlessness we find purpose. Instead of sadness we find joy!

He writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4.6) This small letter is so joyful that he uses the words “joy” or “rejoice” eighteen times.

Do you find yourself without joy? Ever wonder what happened to your happiness? One of the keys to finding joy is seen a couple of verses down where he writes: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

God will bring joy to us when we pray but praying anxiously will not do. We must pray with thanksgiving. Doing so focuses our attention onto the blessings that are ours from God rather than the troubles we face. Paul could have easily given in to grief but did not. He chooses instead to be happy about the good things that God has granted.

We can choose to concentrate on God’s blessings too and then simply tell him, “Thanks.” There is something about having a thankful heart and thankful lips that changes the direction of our thinking. This will bring joy and happiness into our lives when we practice it.

The greater the degree of difficulty you’re going through may require more thanksgiving on your part. Maybe this is why Paul is so concentrated on giving thanks here.

There becomes a progression. First we start giving thanks. Then we begin to praise. This becomes rejoicing. After that we find our hearts full of joy.

Just recently I was feeling kind of down and remembered some of the things God had said about giving thanks. So, I started singing a song of praise to God. Suddenly, the blues became bright yellow sunshine in my soul. He really does take our thanks and turn it into joy!

How good God is! Give him thanks!

THANKFULNESS AND THE WILL OF GOD – 30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING

A devotion by Steve Long - visit his page at REFLECTING THE LIGHT

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Ephesians 5.18

There are many things about the will of God I can’t explain. Some aspects are mysterious. Questions abound such as the presence of evil. How could God allow such terrible things to happen – things like the death of a child, murders, and natural disasters? Is this God’s will?



Some aspects of God’s will are absolutely marvelous. For example: The bible says “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11.25) God allowed Israel to stumble in unbelief so the Gentile nations would believe in order to provoke Israel to jealousy so that they will one day return to faith in Christ. No wonder the Apostle Paul continues with “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ‘For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?’ ‘Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?’"

But…. There are aspects of the will of God that are plain and simple such as: It is the will of God for us to give thanks in everything.

Maybe we should not concern ourselves so much with the mysterious and focus more on the clearly revealed truths of God’s will. Do you want to be in God’s will? Give thanks. Do you want to be there happily? Give thanks in everything.

The word doesn’t tell us to be thankful for everything but to be thankful in everything. Regardless the circumstance you can find something to be thankful for. I think it was Matthew Henry who after being robbed, said (I paraphrase) “I thank you Lord that that it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed.”

Romans 8.28, in the bible says, “And we know that that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” He doesn’t say all things are good but that all things work together for the good of his called out ones.

May we find ourselves clearly inside the revealed will of God today by being thankful.

WHAT IS THE HOLIEST HOLIDAY? 30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING

A Devotion by Steve Long WHAT IS TH HOLIEST HOLIDAY? 30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING

   This is the beginning of a series on Thanksgiving. We will be looking at Thanksgiving for the next thirty days which will end the day after Thanksgiving. May the Lord bless you as you read.

______________________________

   Which Holiday is the most holy of all Holidays? I turn to the scriptures. There we see the feast days of the Lord. Each of them has great significance. The day of the Passover has been observed for thousands of years now and has great meaning not only to Jews but also to Christians because it is the day that required the shedding of the blood of a lamb. Paul said, “Christ, our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1Corinthians 5.7). Jesus was crucified at the same time that this feast took place.

   Then there was the Feast of Unleavened Bread that went with it. Jesus told his disciples to take the bread and eat it for it represented his body which was broken for us.

   Another feast, the Feast of Firstfruits, is important as well and represents the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the grave. The scriptures says “Christ the firstfruits” which speaks of his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15.23). Jesus’ resurrection occurred at the time of this celebration as well, three days after his death.

   The Feast of Tabernacles is a powerful reminder to us of the coming of the Holy Spirit. This day is also called Pentecost because it was fifty days after the firstfruits (starting on the first day of the week and ending on the first day of the week after seven weeks) The Holy Spirit came upon His church on this very same day. (Acts chapter 2)

   Besides these, scripture records a day, given by God to Israel, called the Feast of Trumpets. This holy day is meaningful to Christians because it points us to the returning of Jesus Christ to this earth for his saints. (1 Corinthians 15.52)

   In the United States we celebrate some different Holidays. (Groundhog day doesn’t count – not a holy day).

   There are two very significant days that are considered holy to Christians. The one is Christmas. This means much to us because we remember the birth of Christ on this day (even though we really don’t know what day Jesus was born)

   Easter is considered holy because it is a time when Christians remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. The timing of Easter is a strange formula that probably has no scriptural connection. This holiday usually occurs about the same time as Passover which has the true scriptural timing.

   Another Holiday we celebrate in the United States of America is called Thanksgiving and is almost uniquely American. It was begun first by the Pilgrims in 1621 as they rejoiced in a Bountiful Harvest of Food. For this they gave God thanks and invited their native American friends to join them.

   Thanksgiving may not be the holiest of all days but I cannot think of anything more holy that a holy man or woman could do than to give thanks to the Great God of Heaven who has blessed us more than any of us deserves.

     

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.  (Psalm 107.1)

ARE YOU A WOMAN OF PERSONALITY?

Photo provided by Becky Whiteman-Sparks

It's not often that I put my nose into others 

peoples business when they are having

a disagreement.  But recently was one

of those times.  

A man was having a discussion with a

lady about where to have lunch.  They

were not married, just friends.  He was

telling her where they were going to 

eat and she was in disagreement.  He

became a little more persistent and 

again she disagreed.  He pressed 

a little harder to get his way and 

she spun around and said, "Who's 

car are you riding in, 

mine or yours?"  He answered, 

"Yours."

Then he made the comment, "You 

sure are bossy!"  

Enough said, it was my time now. 

I said something to him about 

the way he was responding and 

he said, "Well she's just so bossy 

and will not listen to me."  

My response, "She is not bossy young 

man, she is a LADY with personality

and you need to learn the difference. 

It's not always easy being a woman 

in such an aggressive culture that we 

live in.  Some men have learned that

if you can think for yourself then

you are bossy.  

I don't believe the Lord intended for 

ladies to be stupid and follow along 

with everything that they are told to do. 

I also do not believe in Women's Lib, 

as I feel it has forced many women 

into being a slave to their jobs instead

of being able to care for their family. 

I work a full time job since my 

children left home and I can tell you, 

it's not always easy meeting the 

deadlines, keeping up with all the 

things we must.  

What I do believe a woman 

should be is:

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to 

your own husbands; that, if any obey 

not the word, they also may without 

the word be won by the conversation 

of the wives;

I Peter 3:1 

Seek the LORD and his strength, 

seek his face continually.

I Chronicles 16:11

The aged women likewise, that they 

be in behaviour as becometh holiness, 

not false accusers, not given to 

much wine, teachers of good 

things; That they may teach the 

young women to be sober, to 

love their husbands, to love 

their children,  To be discreet, chaste, 

keepers at home, good, obedient to 

their own husbands, that the word of 

God be not blasphemed.

Titus 2:3-5

We find women all throughout the 

scripture who worked in the fields, 

minded garments, sold fields, 

tended to matters outside the 

home.

So being a woman of personality 

isn't a bad thing but it may make 

a man who is wanting to 

have his way angry. 

We all need to know the 

difference in being bossy

and a woman of personality.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for 

her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely 

trust in her, so that he shall have 

no need of spoil.  She will do him 

good and not evil all the days 

of her life.  She seeketh wool, and 

flax, and worketh willingly with 

her hands.  She is like the merchants’ 

ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, 

and giveth meat to her household, 

and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth 

it: with the fruit of her hands 

she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth 

her loins with strength, and 

strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth 

that her merchandise is good: 

her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the 

spindle, and her hands hold the 

distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to 

the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her 

hands to the needy.  She is not afraid  

of the snow for her household: for 

all her household are clothed with 

scarlet.  She maketh herself coverings 

of tapestry; her clothing is silk and 

purple. Her husband is known in 

the gates, when he sitteth among the 

elders of the land. She maketh fine 

linen, and selleth it; and delivereth 

girdles unto the merchant.  Strength and 

honour are her clothing; and she shall 

rejoice in time to come.  She openeth her 

mouth with wisdom; and in her 

tongue is the law of kindness.  She 

looketh well to the ways of her 

household, and eateth not the bread of 

idleness. Her children arise up, and 

call her blessed; her husband also, 

and he praiseth her.  Many daughters 

have done virtuously, but thou 

excellest them all.  Favour is 

deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a 

woman that feareth the LORD, she 

shall be praised.  Give her of the 

fruit of her hands; and let her own 

works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:20-30

CHILDREN OF GOD

Created by Steve Long 

Photo provided by Sam Schooler - Unsplashed 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, 

and it doth not yet appear what 

we shall be: but we know that, when 

he shall appear, we shall be like him; 

for we shall see him as he is.

I John 3:2

ABOVE ALL, PUT ON CHARITY

Photo provided by Pennie Beth Saum 

Steve, being a pastor opened many 

opportunities for me to practice faith, 

and love.  Many times my faith

in the Lord or my love for the Lord

didn't manifest itself as it should.

When we moved to the tiny town of

Ira Tx, this gave me great opportunity 

to love deeply.  On one occasion, 

we had an elderly gentleman in our

church who I loved dearly.  

Jimmy Lane was a very quite man 

but I just adored him and his wife. 

Jimmy had some sort of issue that 

seemed related to Parkinson disease.

One day he was at the church doing

something and we were talking.  He

said, "Man I bought some chickens 

and I've got to get them cut up and 

put into the freezer."

So, I am a country girl, but it had

been awhile since I was in the 

country and forgetting how some 

country folks do it.   I asked him,

"How many chickens do you have 

to cut up and put into the freezer?" 

He said, "twelve of them."   

I am standing there looking as this 

man that his hands shook so much

that he barely could hold a cup and 

drink out of it.  Instantly I asked, 

"So when are you going to cut the 

chickens up?"  He said, "tomorrow 

morning."  Instantly I said, "You 

tell me what time to be there and I 

am going to come over and help 

you cut those chickens up."

The time was set and I went home

and pulled out my country girl 

coveralls.  Now my country girl 

coveralls are not those working kind

of coveralls because I like lace, 

buttons, and  bling bling added to 

the pockets and front pouch. 

I convinced my husband to go 

with me and he agreed he would 

come along and assist.  

Arriving, Jimmy greeted us and we 

talked a spell and then he leads us

out into the backyard. He starts toward 

the barn and I ask, "Jimmy, 

do you have the chickens in a 

refrigerator out in the barn?  

To my surprise his answer was, "no!"

Oh my, we kept walking around the 

corner only to lay eyes on twelve 

live chickens walking around in 

the chicken coop.  

My heart sank!  My stomach turned 

summer salts and my lips had to start 

praying really fast.  I wanted to stop and 

say, "Jimmy, this is not what I meant

when I said I would come help you 

cut up chickens."  

I thought Jimmy had gone 

shopping and got a sale on twelve 

good chickens and we were going to 

cut them and freeze them.  

No, not so!  What Jimmy took me to 

say was, "I am one tough country girl 

and I can handle wringing those 

chickens necks. running my finger

under their warm skin and pulling

their skin completely off of them."

No, that was not what this girl had said

at all.  Suddenly I wanted to run but my

eyes looked at his hands and how they 

shook.  

I suddenly found myself praying for 

strength to somehow endure this 

process. 

I did!  I can officially say that I rang

the necks of at least four chickens 

that day, ran my finger under their 

skin and pulled it off.   Still to this day

I have no idea how I endured it.

As we were leaving, Jimmy said, 

"Well now that you and Steve helped 

me, I am going to send five or six of 

these chickens home with you."  

OH NO!  What am I going to do!  

We graciously took the chickens.

I froze them and every time I 

would enter the freezer and see 

them I would get sick at my

stomach thinking about cooking

them.  

I think I finally had to let 

Steve grill them or something and 

let everyone else eat them, but 

I couldn't join in on the process.

This is the kind of love we should 

have for people but I must say, 

"It's not the kind of love I have often."

As the years passed I found myself

getting hardened to having this kind 

of love because it doesn't make me 

feel good, sometimes I get hurt, 

sometimes it makes me sick, but

this is the kind of love we need to 

show for others and through 

much prayer I am learning to 

be more compassionate again.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, 

holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, 

kindness, humbleness of mind, 

meekness, longsuffering;  Forbearing 

one another, and forgiving one another, 

if any man have a quarrel against any: 

even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

And above all these things put on charity, 

which is the bond of perfectness.  And let 

the peace of God rule in your hearts, to 

the which also ye are called in one body; 

and be ye thankful.  Let the word of Christ 

dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching 

and admonishing one another in psalms and 

hymns and spiritual songs, singing with 

grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And 

whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in 

the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks 

to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:12-17

OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER

Photo provided by Pennie Saum

That which we have seen and heard 

declare we unto you, that ye also may 

have fellowship with us: and truly our 

fellowship is with the Father, and with 

his Son Jesus Christ. And these things 

write we unto you, that your joy may 

be full.

I John 1:3-4

LOOK TO ME

Photo provided by Nick Flanagan

Assemble yourselves and come; draw 

near together, ye that are escaped of 

the nations: they have no knowledge 

that set up the wood of their graven 

image, and pray unto a god that cannot 

save.  Tell ye, and bring them near; 

yea, let them take counsel together: 

who hath declared this from ancient 

time? who hath told it from that time? 

have not I the LORD? and there is no 

God else beside me; a just God and a 

Saviour; there is none beside me. Look 

unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends 

of the earth: for I am God, and there is 

none else.  I have sworn by myself, the 

word is gone out of my mouth in 

righteousness, and shall not return, 

That unto me every knee shall bow, 

every tongue shall swear.  Surely, 

shall one say, in the LORD have I 

righteousness and strength: even to 

him shall men come; and all that are 

incensed against him shall be ashamed. 

In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel 

be justified, and shall glory.

Isaiah 45: 20-25

MY HEAVENLY BUCKET LIST

A devotion from my husband Steve Long.  You can visit his blog at REFLECTING THE LIGHT

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Maybe I’m not that ambitious but I’ve never had a list of things I wanted to do before I die. I’ve seen a lot of territory, some very beautiful, so I really don’t need just a whole lot more of that. I’ve been blessed with plenty of “things.” I’m no longer really interested in jumping out of a plane (though I would love to ride in a helicopter some time). I wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to go scuba diving (then you could call me Scuba Steve) but it’s not a goal of mine. I am not really interested in any new “toys” either.

There are a few things I’d like to do and then have the privilege of saying, “I did it.” I’d love to take my grandchildren to Six Flags when they get a little bigger. I’m easily humored. I’d also like to stay as healthy and mentally sound for as long as possible.

Probably the one thing I want to accomplish most would be to have more opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and with as many people as possible. And I want to learn more about how I can get as close and stay as close to him as possible for the rest of my days here.

What I really want to tell you about is my heavenly bucket list – or, things I’d like to do after I die and go to heaven:

I really just want to camp out at the throne of Jesus and worship for awhile. He  has loved me like no one else. I love the verse in the book of the Revelation, the last book of the bible, where it tells us “and they shall see his face.” That’s the first thing I want to do when I get to heaven. I want to see his face. I want to see the scars in his hands and be reminded of the price he paid for our sins. I want to see him in the glory that surrounds his throne and I, like John, want to fall down at his feet and if I receive any rewards in heaven, I want to cast those at his feet.

I want to see those in heaven that I love. This would include my Mom and Dad, my brother who was the closest friend I ever had, my brother-in law, dear pastor friends and sweet saints of God that I have known – all of whom have gone on ahead before me into glory.

I also want to see friends and family members who have not yet been saved. I want to see them all there with me. Many have not yet placed their faith in the Lord Jesus, but I am praying that they will. I think maybe heaven might be even more heavenly if they are there.

I want to find out what angels really look like. The bible seems to present most angels as looking a lot like humans. I am not sure I’ve ever met one but I know some day that I will. Then there are the Cherubs and Seraphs which all seem to have wings. There will be many up in God’s presence night and day, saying “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is, and is to come.” I don’t think they will ever hold a light to God’s glory there. Rather, I think they will be a reflection of his glory and I hope to think that we will too.

I want to see the people of God from all of the ages. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to talk to Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Ruth and Jeremiah? I’d love to meet John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul and others from their time such as Phillip the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene. But I would also like to get to know John Huss, William Tyndale, George Muller, Watchman Nee and Jim Elliot. I want to see godly women such as Susanna Wesley, (mother of John and Charles Wesley) and stand face to face with some of my heroes such as Charles Spurgeon.

I want to experience what it will like to be truly like Jesus. The bible says that when he appears at the rapture (the catching up of the saints) and the resurrection (the raising of the dead who are in Christ) “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Heaven is a place where sin or anything that defiles will never enter but also a place where we, God’s born again children, will be changed. We will be changed from corruption to incorruption. We’ll be changed from mortal to immortal (never dying). We will be changed from sinful flesh to sinless Spiritual beings who will fully bear God’s image in our new bodies.

I want to see the changes God is going to make in our bodies. The bible tells us that he will “change our vile bodies to be fashioned like unto his glorious body” so that we will have perfectly whole, healthy bodies. I want to see those who were crippled here, walking on the golden street there without even a limp. I want to see those who were blind, who’ll be there with perfect vision (better than 20/20 I’m sure). I want to see those whose minds had become dysfunctional, thinking with brilliant clarity and speaking cohesively.

I want to see the place that Jesus has prepared for me. The bible says that he created all things. They called him “carpenter” when he lived on the earth, so I’m quite sure he must have something extraordinary ready for each believer when that time comes for us to inherit the Kingdom.

I want to ask God some questions. Who knows? Once we enter our glorified state, all questions may be automatically answered for us. I’m very sure things will look much clearer from the other side, but I still wonder if there might be still many things to learn, for we will never know all that God knows (which is everything).

       Some of the questions I’d like to have answered are: "How can you be one who lived in eternity past with no beginning and will never have an end?" "How did you plan everything out to perfection and still work around the sinfulness of mankind?"  "How can you be one God and yet exist in three persons?" I fully expect the one who knows all things to be able to answer all these things and so much more.

I want to see God’s new heaven and earth. I want to see the Holy city, the New Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God. The city will be roughly 1,400 miles long and 1,400 miles wide. But get this – 1,400 miles high! That’s about two and a half billion (2,500,000,000) cubic miles. Wow! I’ve never seen Jerusalem, God’s holy city in the land of Israel, though I’d love to. But I expect one day …… to see that New Jerusalem God has told us about in his word.

       No, I don’t have much of an earthly bucket list, but I have a bucket full of things I want to see in paradise. I pray that I’ll see you there.

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Scripture References:

Acts 1.8; James 1-8; Revelation 22.4; John 20.27; Matthew 25.31; Revelation 1.17; Revelation 4.10; 1 Thessalonians 4.16-17; 2 Timothy 2.19; Hebrews 13.2; Revelation 4.8; 1 John 3.2; Revelation 21.27; 1 Corinthians 15.53-54; Philippians 3.21; Revelation 21.21; John 14.1; Colossians 1.16; Mark 6.3; 1 John 3.20; Isaiah 57.15; Ephesians 1.11; Isaiah 58.15; 1 John 5.7; Revelation 21.2; Revelation 21.16

WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD?

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Let the words of my mouth, and the 

meditation of my heart, be acceptable 

in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and 

my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE

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For I know the thoughts that I

think  toward you, saith the

LORD, thoughts of peace, 

and not of evil, to give you 

an expected end. Then shall 

ye call upon me, and ye shall 

go and pray unto me, and I 

will hearken unto you. And 

ye shall seek me, and find 

me, when ye shall search for 

me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON

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To every thing there is a season, 

and a time to every purpose under 

the heaven:  A time to be born, 

and a time to die; a time to plant, 

and a time to pluck up that which 

is planted;  A time to kill, and a time 

to heal; a time to break down, 

and a time to build up;  A time to 

weep, and a time to laugh; a 

time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and 

a time to gather stones together; 

a time to embrace, and a time 

to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to 

lose; a time to keep, and a time 

to cast away;  A time to rend, and a 

time to sew; a time to keep silence, 

and a time to speak; A time to love, 

and a time to hate; a time of 

war, and a time of peace. What profit 

hath he that worketh in that wherein 

he laboureth?   I have seen the travail, 

which God hath given to the sons of 

men to be exercised in it.  He hath made 

every thing beautiful in his time: also he 

hath set the world in their heart, so that 

no man can find out the work that God 

maketh from the beginning to the end.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

:

THE MOUNTAINS SHALL BRING PEACE TO THE PEOPLE

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Give the king thy judgments, O God, 

and thy righteousness unto the king’s 

son.  He shall judge thy people with 

righteousness, and thy poor with 

judgment.  The mountains shall 

bring peace to the people, and the 

little hills, by righteousness.

He shall judge the poor of the 

people, he shall save the children 

of the needy, and shall break in 

pieces the oppressor.  They shall 

fear thee as long as the sun and 

moon endure, throughout all 

generations.  He shall come down 

like rain upon the mown grass: as 

showers that water the earth.  In 

his days shall the righteous flourish; 

and abundance of peace so long as 

the moon endureth.  He shall have 

dominion also from sea to sea, and 

from the river unto the ends of the 

earth.  They that dwell in the 

wilderness shall bow before him; 

and his enemies shall lick the dust.

The kings of Tarshish and of the 

isles shall bring presents: the kings 

of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Yea, all kings shall fall down 

before him: all nations shall serve 

him.  For he shall deliver the needy 

when he crieth; the poor also, and 

him that hath no helper.  He shall 

spare the poor and needy, and shall 

save the souls of the needy.  He 

shall redeem their soul from 

deceit and violence: and precious 

shall their blood be in his sight.

And he shall live, and to him 

shall be given of the gold of 

Sheba: prayer also shall be made 

for him continually; and daily 

shall he be praised.  There shall be 

an handful of corn in the earth upon 

the top of the mountains; the fruit 

thereof shall shake like Lebanon: 

and they of the city shall flourish 

like grass of the earth.  His name 

shall endure for ever: his name 

shall be continued as long as the 

sun: and men shall be blessed in 

him: all nations shall call him 

blessed.  Blessed be the LORD 

God, the God of Israel, who only 

doeth wondrous things.  And 

blessed be his glorious name for 

ever: and let the whole earth be 

filled with his glory; Amen, and 

Amen. The prayers of David the 

son of Jesse are ended.

PSALM 

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD

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And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God, to 

them who are the called according 

to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

THE GREAT GOD

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit 

of wood, which they had made for the 

purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, 

and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and 

Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; 

and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, 

and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, 

Zechariah, and Meshullam.  And Ezra opened 

the book in the sight of all the people; (for 

he was above all the people;) and when he 

opened it, all the people stood up:  And 

Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. 

And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, 

with lifting up their hands: and they bowed 

their heads, and worshipped the LORD 

with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, 

and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, 

Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, 

Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and 

the Levites, caused the people to 

understand the law: and the people 

stood in their place. So they read in 

the book in the law of God distinctly, 

and gave the sense, and caused them 

to understand the reading.  And 

Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, 

and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the 

Levites that taught the people, said 

unto all the people, This day is holy 

unto the LORD your God; mourn not, 

nor weep. For all the people wept, 

when they heard the words of the law.

NEHEMIAH 8:4-8

WHEN WE WERE WITHOUT STRENGTH

Therefore being justified by faith, 

we have peace with God through 

our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by 

faith into this grace wherein we stand, 

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in 

tribulations also: knowing that 

tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and 

experience, hope: And hope maketh 

not ashamed; because the love of God 

is shed abroad in our hearts by the 

Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

For when we were yet without strength, 

in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

ROMANS 5:`1-5