Well, It’s another Sunday morning. “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened–not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (ESV)
I really love the smells of fall, the bonfires, the cool crisp morning air, a pile of leaves burning, the smell of hot chocolate, or hotdogs roasting on a stick over an open fire. I love as the leaves change colors in fall and all the wooded areas become our LORD’s ever changing art work. Every tree becomes just a little different color and part of His masterpieces each year. Then they fall away and wait to become new in spring. It truly reminds me of Gods promise.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 the “Message” says it best for me it says, “We know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven, God-made, not handmade, and we’ll never have to relocate our ‘tents’ again.” It goes on to say, “We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.”
So, once we have received this “little piece of Heaven” in our hearts everything changes for us. If you truly receive this wonderful offering from God all of his creations become dear to you and at that point you are willing to stand for all of them as if they were your very own child, loving each as a parents would love their child. Psalm 127:3 (ESV) says this, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” God’s promise is what we trust in but haven’t yet seen that keeps us going. Showing our youth how to love as Christ has taught us to love. Through our examples of sharing our love with others they will see and learn the right walk they should follow. Then as our time comes we can rest assured that they get it and then we can exchange our exile for our homecoming knowing we have left behind our Lord and Savior’s heritage of love. See, like fall leaves we become anew. But what is most important above all other things is walking our path and cheerfully pleasing God.
Sooner or later we will all have to face God, we will appear before Christ and take what is coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. So I ask you, have you set the good example? Have you loved each of his creations equally? Being able to do this will keep us all on our toes, you can be sure of that. See, it’s no easy thing to know that one day we will all stand in that Judgment place. That place where we will finally be truly judged by the only one that can judge us. That’s why we should work so hard with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God.
God alone knows how well we do at this, and will judge us accordingly. Are you doing as God has commanded? I ask these questions because, I care and love each and every one of you. See, even if I don’t know you personally, I know all of us have the same choices we can make. I know the Lord we all serve expects no more or no less from any one of us, we are all the same in His eyes. I just want you to know that I’m on your side now and always. See, so many people are nice to your face but talk behind your back. We should grow past this. The Message also says this, “If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ’s love has moved me to these extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything I do and I pray it is that way with you also.” 2 Corinthians 5: 13-14 (The Message) So I Want to give you one more thought from 2 Corinthians 5: 6-9 (ESV), “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, For we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” So be faithful in everything you do and know this truth, our LORD and Savior truly loves each and every one of you and so do I.
