The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
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"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" (2 Corinthians 5:1).
Some time ago my friend's father passed away and several days later I attended his funeral where he introduced me to several of his brothers. Later one of his brother's emailed me the following message that clearly illustrates the
wonderful assurance we can have when we "lose" a loved one who is a believer:
"You know, at first I would say, "I lost my Father..." But, in reality, when you lose something, you don't know where it is. Well, I KNOW where my father is. So, now I don't say "I lost my father..." Now I say, "My Dad recently moved into his mansion..." It not only helps me keeps things in perspective, but it has really helped open
up dialogue to individuals who don't yet know Christ!"
In 2 Corinthians chapters 4 and 5 the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, shares some incredible insights regarding the perspective we should have as we live out our life on this earth. Apart from a few select people throughout history (Enoch and Elijah) all have experienced the destruction of the earthly tent we live in. We call that death. According to
Scripture there will also be a group of believers still alive at the return of Christ who will experience a transition without death (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed." Paul uses the phrase "earthly tent" to describe the temporary nature of our present dwelling. A commentary makes this observation: "The figure of a tent picturing the human body suggests impermanence and insecurity and is a common picture of earthly life and
its setting in the body."* Our death is that transitional event that takes place when our earthly tent is destroyed.
"We have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." What a wonderful description of our future home! Note the contrast between "earthly tent" and "eternal house". This eternal house is a building from God, located in heaven, and not built by human hands. It can't be reckoned with in our minds or fully envisioned on this side of
eternity, for we are still clothed with perishable bodies that are nearsighted in our scope of understanding.
Today may this message encourage those who have "lost a loved one". In Biblical reality they are not really lost but rather promoted to a place prepared by Jesus Himself and untainted by sin, but beyond our human viewing.
May it also encourage those dealing with ongoing physical affliction or situations that seem so hopelessly broken. May we all remember this as we
see the continuing groaning of the whole creation right up to the present time (see Romans 8:22).
A.W. Tozer wrote about "Living with Eternity's Values in View" emphasizing the importance of living with an eternal perspective, where the spiritual man prioritizes eternity over temporal concerns. He describes how such individuals rise above earthly distractions and align their thoughts and actions with heavenly values,
seeking usefulness and service rather than fame and recognition.
This concept is transformational. When we think and live with eternity's values in view we seek to make our life count for what God is concerned about. Seeing with eyes, not fixed on the temporary, but fixed on the eternal, as Scripture puts it, enables us to endure suffering, fulfill our calling and leave an eternal legacy. (Matt
Brown)
Perhaps some of our readers know this old but timeless hymn:
"With eternity's values in view, Lord With eternity's values in view May I do each day's work for Jesus? With eternity's values in view."
Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, our view of heaven is most distant when we live only for here and now; especially when all is going well and prosperity is at our doorstep. But when our bodies give way to perishable atrophy and troubles overtake us, help us to look upward, to set our affections on that distant city with a firm foundation whose Maker and Builder is the Lord of Creation. It is in this place of focus that we best commune with You and
find strength and renewed hope to deal with present challenges. Keep our hearts attuned to our future goal of hearing You say, "Well done good and faithful servant! Enter into the joys of heaven."
* "Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament" (Rienecker/Rogers)
More from Tozer on this matter: "The spiritual man habitually makes eternity-judgments instead of time-judgments. By faith he rises above the tug of earth and the flow of time and learns to think
and feel as one who has already left the world and gone to join the innumerable company of angels and the general assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in heaven. Such a man would rather be useful than famous and would rather serve than be served. And all this must be by the operation of the Holy Spirit within him. No man can become spiritual by himself. Only the free Spirit can make a man
spiritual."
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Yesterday we enjoyed a splendid summer like day. After church we spend time outside, me checking out the flowers growing on our front porch (yellow ranunculus above) and doing a bit of clean-up in our yard while Stephen took a long bike ride along the Susquehanna River.
Jesse sent me this photo from the Old Windmill Farm. On Saturday a tour bus got stuck in the mud but the Lapp mule team pulled it out!
That surely saved a lot of time and money! Historically, mules were used for intense labor, such as hauling 26 cwt (2900 lbs) or over in trench tramways during war. Their hybrid nature blends the intelligence and endurance of a donkey with the strength and size of a horse.
Yesterday we saw this license plate in our church parking lot. The witness is pretty clear! I think if I was sitting at a red light with this license plate in front of me it would get
my mind off of impatiently waiting for the light to turn green and on to considering that we serve a mighty and awesome God!
On Friday evening three friends of mine attended the Charity Gayle Concert with me at Petra Church which was sold out. Though we arrived 40 minutes before the concert you can see that we were seated at the back of the church. It wasn't really a concert, it was a tremendously inspiring time of worship. Some of our readers hear or sing Charity's songs such as "Thank You Jesus for the Blood", "I Speak Jesus" or "I Believe". If she
comes to your area you would thoroughly enjoy and be ministered to if you attend her event.
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Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God
through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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