Something to Celebrate
Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • November 17, 2022
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev 21:4).
If one were to dwell on the world’s problems continually, and the vicious political happenings going on all around us, they would more than likely possess a very negative attitude on a daily basis. Life would be miserable oft times, as it is for many. As followers of Christ, we excercise our duty and pray every chance we get for our families, neighbors, communities and our nation by praying as often as we can. The Bible tells us to “Pray without ceasing” (1Thess 5:17). That is our duty. Our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us, and not just periodically. While there is much sadness in the world, even down to each one of our life’s disappointments, there is something to celebrate. I am reminded of this short but powerful hymn that is rarely sung any longer in most churches. Never Grow Old, written by James C. Moore (1914).
I have heard of a land on the far away strand,
’Tis a beautiful home of the soul;
Built by Jesus on high, where we never shall die,
’Tis a land where we never grow old.
Perhaps we should focus on that land that awaits us someday. A land where we will see the saints who have went on before - our loved ones. The ‘land where we never grow old’. Let’s visit the verse before and the verse after Thess 5:17. “Rejoice evermore” (1 Thess 5:16). “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess 5:18). What a wonderful reminder of how we are to live. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Jesus has prepared it for us. Our heavenly home. Now that’s something to celebrate.
If you are reading this devotional, and do not understand the idea of a heavenly home, please know this: Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice for all humanity and has built a mansion for all of us IF we repent (turn from our sins) and receive Him as our Savior and Lord in our lives. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons (men, women, children) of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12).
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Heb 9:28). Jesus did this once. He will not do it again. It has already been done. Please ask the Lord to help you (Rom 10:13) and receive that gift today by calling upon His holy name. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom 10:9-10). Now, let us celebrate!
I Hope to See You There.
Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
www.iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless GOD
