Precious

Psalm 116:15 - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. 

Excuse me! I have rewritten a draft from 2009! It's still as pertinent today, as anything that comes from God and His Word.

A woman in from a church I once attended had passed away. I was friends with her sister, also from our church. Her death notice stated she "went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." It was a beautiful service. How can I say that? Because most all the people in attendance knew that she was in the presence of the Lord. She wanted to people to celebrate. We could celebrate that she was precious in the sight of the Lord!

What came as a complete surprise was that her sister was not there. She lay in ICU after having suffered congestive heart failure. She came out of that well. Thanks to technology one of her family members was able to transmit the service and even some of the comments of friends and family to her sister in the hospital! She had a front row seat!

So often we read notices that say a loved one is with the Lord. Or they expound on all the person's accomplishments and good deeds. But how many can really say they are with Jesus when they die? Not all churches believe the same thing. Different denominations have different beliefs. Our pastor then even said there have been many who have told him they don't believe in hell because God is a good God and wouldn't send anyone there. He proceeded to explain that yes, He would. We all deserve it…until we receive Christ. Not one of us is righteous on our own. (Romans 3:10)

So, do you know exactly where you will go when you die? How many can say with absolute certainty they are going to heaven? These are the questions our pastor asked as he presided over the service.

What is it that makes a person believe they will go to heaven? Do they believe in God? Are they basically good people? Are they churchgoers? Do they read the Bible every day? Do they sing in the choir? Are they great philanthropists? Are they good employees or employers? These are only a few questions and not one of those things is good enough to get someone to heaven. And we all know someone who we believe is not as good as we are! But what does God think?

Here is what the Bible, not always the Church, tells us: 

Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [which includes going to heaven] except through Me. (John 14:6)

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Our pastor said the Bible tells us that God doesn't want anyone to go to hell--that none should perish (2Peter3:9).  It is not God who sends us there but it is our choice. He went on to say for many people it's taking that step of faith and believing in and trusting in Jesus that is so difficult. For some the mention of the name of Jesus brings conviction and He becomes what the Bible calls a stumbling block...and yet He becomes our chief cornerstone! He can become the Rock of our salvation. (2Samuel 22:47) It was prophesied in Isaiah 8:14 - He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense ... and as a trap and a snare ...  Psalm 118:22 also states The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. And again in 1Peter 2:16 - ...Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. A person may reject Jesus and His teachings but He won't change. He is still the only way to heaven and life. Rejection is not just outright not believing in Him, but also not believing all He has taught us in His Word. 

It's all about Jesus! Period. I can't ever say it enough. If we stumble in our lives and get to a point where we don't know who we can turn to, Jesus will be there, if we can get past our own pride and selves. That Chief Cornerstone can be our solid Foundation, the Rock of our salvation. But we should not let Jesus be our stumbling block. He's not our weakness, He's our strength. It doesn't mean we have it any easier in life but He alone provides that hope so many talk about. 

With what confidence can we say we are going to heaven? Acts 16:31 says Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. That means in your heart. That means being open to knowing that some of what you have believed may not always be what God has said is the truth. Those pesky, no deadly, lies only the enemy, satan, would want you to believe. Life after death is only attained through Jesus Christ. And…we can have life even before death, through Jesus. There are not many ways, as even some preachers suggest, but one way. Few find it, as Jesus Himself has stated. It's a narrow, offensive way. Not all churches will say this. 

If we can soften our hearts and believe, let go of stubbornness and pride, letting the Lord do as He needs, giving us His wisdom and understanding…and life...then when we die we can trust in this:

2Corinthians 5:8 - Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies [in death], for then we will be at home with the Lord. 

Stumbling Blocks

Zephaniah 1:2-3 - "I will utterly consume everything from the face of the land," says the LORD; I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, the fish of the sea, and the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land," says the LORD.

I was reading in Zephaniah. The words "stumbling blocks" stood out, as if they shouted at me although no one spoke them aloud. I know what stumbling blocks are biblically but I wondered why today these words stood out. I searched because I knew there was another reference to a stumbling block. I was surprised to find several passages. There is no doubt they are a problem and God wants us to know about them...and Him.

There are two forms of stumbling blocks. One kind are those that get in the way of knowing God personally, impediments or obstacles. We're so absorbed by these things. This goes for believers as well as non-believers. We are all at some time or another focused on something else. It can be a hobby, food, television, sport, friends, shopping...anything that comes in the way of God. I'm not saying we aren't to do these things but that they should come after seeking God. 

Ezekiel 7:19 - Silver and gold are stumbling blocks; they cannot save
Isaiah 57:13-14 - Trust in God and the stumbling blocks will be removed
Jude 24-25 - Trust in God and He will keep you from stumbling
1Peter 2:7-8 - Those who trust in God find Him precious; those who do not find Him a stumbling block

I'm suggesting that even that cup of coffee with the morning news before quiet time with the Lord...one can at least arise and have the first thought be of Him..."thank You for yet another day; guide me," instead of "coffee..." A song came to mind as I wandered out of sleep. It's by Sara Groves and it's called "First Song That I Sing." She describes this very thing: "before the dreams have left my head;" before our feet hit the floor; "before I fill my cup." What do we do? We are to praise God, ask for His guidance right off the bat. Acknowledge Him first thing.

Another type of stumbling block appears to be the ones that God lays out before us when we have chosen to reject His ways or have wandered from Him. I think these stumbling blocks are put there that we might turn back to Him, to begin to realize that the things we have found so appealing in our lives have very little meaning. They cannot take the place of God and it is His desire for us to find that out...the hard way, by stumbling.

Romans 9:33 - God brought about a stumbling stone; however, those who choose to believe in Him will not be put to shame

Jeremiah 6:21 - He has been made known and rejected; therefore, stumbling blocks will be laid to cause one to fall

Isaiah 8:14 - God is a safe haven for believers, a stumbling block for non-believers

Jesus was a stumbling block for many. The religious leaders of His day were worried about losing their followers because Jesus' way of teaching was so different. His teaching was not negotiable. It is said He was a rock of offense. Why? He got in the way of all they found so intriguing in their lives. He still is a stumbling block. People tend to like their things and their own way of living. And yet, the very Person so many consider a stumbling block is the One we need the most, the One who can keep us from stumbling, the One who provides all we need. How is it this can be overlooked?

What is important to us? What consumes our thoughts? Do we put God before all else? I know it's not all that easy. It takes practice. I can say Jesus is on my mind a lot, but constantly? No. Would I like Him to be? Definitely. I am reminded of a book called The Practice of God's Presence by Brother Lawrence. I might have to retrieve it again. It spoke of how He managed to do this (although he lived in a monastery!).

If there is something that's causing you to not take a good, hard look at the One who died for your sins, just one morning try thinking of Him before you get your day started. Thank Him for yet another day; ask Him to help you guide your day; ask Him to protect you as you go about your busyness. Keep Him close at hand and in the forefront of your mind and see what a difference a day makes. Let the things of this world not become the stumbling blocks from a God who loves you more than you can imagine.

Jude 1:24-25 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.