All Things Made New
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Isaiah 65:17-25
17 "Behold, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
20 "Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
he who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere youth;
he who fails to reach [a] a hundred
will be considered accursed.
21 They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the works of their hands.
23 They will not toil in vain
or bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the LORD,
they and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
but dust will be the serpent's food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,"
says the LORD.
My grandmother’s house is old; almost to the point of dilapidation. Years ago, the house sheltered six children, two cats, neighborhood friends and visitors. Within its walls there were parties, afternoon naps, family gatherings, scraped knees, laughter and tears. After five decades, however, the house began growing old and weary. Wood started to rot, the bathroom molded, and the ceiling became cracked.
My grandmother still lives in this house but her memory is fading and her walk is slowing. She remembers when the light that streams through the window onto the green shag rug used to illuminate happier times. But my grandfather, her late husband, is in his new home in heaven. He is in a place that doesn’t grow old, that doesn’t feel pain or aging or wear.
God promises a time when he creates new heavens and a new earth (v.17). This heaven will be without decay, without signs of pollution or age. It is promised that there will no longer be an infant who dies after a few days or a man who does not live out his years (v.20). What a heartening promise!
The love I felt in my grandparent’s house through the years is real. The Scripture passages they read during Christmas are real. The blessings that they passed on to their children are real. These are the things that are eternal; that don’t stay behind when the old earth passes away. This is why it is so important to focus on the things in life that have eternal value.
If ever someone close to you is going through a rough time watching the people or place is their lives grow weary, remember the words found in Isaiah. Offer solace and comfort in the fact that one day the there will be a new earth; one full of delight and joy (v.18).
(Courtesy of C. Himes)
Posted By: Eric at 2:35 PM : Link : 0 Comments
A Lesson in Faith
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Hebrews 11:8-10
8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
It is striking how, to a great extent, people of the world operate on faith, though they are unaware of it. For instance, a person has faith that when he sits in a chair, the chair will hold him. When he walks into an elevator and pushes a button for the 42nd floor, he has faith the elevator will take him there. People have faith in taxi drivers. Airplane pilots. Cooks, teachers, hair dressers and those on the other end of the customer service line. The world has faith.
Interesting, though, that all of these examples are fallible: they are imperfect. The chair could break, the teacher could present false information, and the car could malfunction. Yet each day we continue to sit, learn, and drive. Why? Because the results and benefits from said things are good. They offer help, support, knowledge and comfort. Se we continue to use and trust them.
How much more, then, should our faith be directed to the Lord? The one who is infallible: perfect. Abraham is a prime example of a man who put his faith out on a limb and trusted the Lord with his life. He did not know where he was going (v.8) and he lived in a land foreign to him. Yet he knew the promise the Lord had made to Him, and that was enough for him to obey and look forward to what God had in store. What reassurance to know that God is the builder and architect of his city (v.10)!
As Abraham trusted the Lord with everything he had, so we must put our faith in God’s plan. Knowing that our lives are in the hands of a perfect teacher, we can live with assurance that He will take care of us, and we can be examples of faith to those who have yet to meet Him.
(Courtesy of C. Himes)
Posted By: Eric at 3:41 PM : Link : 0 Comments
Templo Laramie P&PN Photodoc and Report
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Last Friday’s Prayer & Praise Night at Templo Laramie was incredible! Over 170 youth packed into Laramie’s chapel (and parking lot!) and took part in a worship service with many unique components.
We heard a Justice Minute about the AIDS pandemic and a testimony from Jaclyn Davisson about her time in Chile. We had a time of praise and worship and introduced a new melody to “Behold the Lamb” (SASB #107). We had a testimony time where each group who participated in I’ll Fight Day gave a great report about their Corps group. We looked into the story of Jesus “healing the deaf and mute man” from Mark 7:31-37 (which included a scripture reading from Johnny Cash, a story about my speech impediment, a video from American Idol, great acting by Dave Shay and Steve Rivero, and a challenge to “BE OPENED” to hearing God’s voice and speaking clearly in His name). It was a really great night!
Don’t miss the next Prayer & Praise Night and Youth Encounter, February 9-10 at Camp Wonderland. P&PN begins at 8pm!
Check out these photos from Friday. To view as a slideshow click here.
(Photos courtesy of C. Himes and K. Witthoff)
Posted By: Eric at 11:15 AM : Link : 0 Comments
