Tag Archives: promise

Promise – 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

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When Grandma passed away a few months ago, it reminded me of the exciting promise of eternal life. Reading through 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 is a wonderful insight into passing from life on earth to life in heaven.  Here is how I broke the passage down in brief to help me understand certain sections and to encourage myself.

The Promise:

1Now 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.

When you accept Jesus into your heart, you become a child of God and are automatically eligible for the inheritance of eternal life.

Longing for Rest:

2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Just like a long hard day, we long for rest and relaxation where we can unwind and leave the problems of that day behind us.  Its the same with life on earth!  It is tiring and we long to rest and be with our heavenly Father.

The Guarantee:

5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given

us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

God sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ to the sacrifice for our Sins. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we are given the gift of Gods Holy Spirit as a guide, a strength and a comfort. And as this verse reminds us, as a guarantee of how serious God is about his promise to us.

Faith:

7We live by faith, not

by sight.

Unlike doubting Thomas, we believe in Jesus without needed to see Him.  We do not demand proof!  In my own life things have changed so much since I met Him that I can not deny His existence!  Looking at the beauty of creation, its impossible to imagine there was no creator!

Preparation:

10For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Matthew 6:19-24 – Treasures in Heaven.  We will be judged on that final day!  The things that we do for His glory will earn us spiritual rewards in heaven.  We don’t know what they are to be, but they must be awesome to be described as treasures!

Faith in the Promise – Hebrews 11:8-16

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My Grandma died yesterday. It’s a sad time, and it made me think about what happens after death. I read through 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 and was greatly comforted by the description of how our Christian lives unfold, and how we yearn for our eternal spiritual rest in Jesus for eternity.

Today’s reading picks up on the tough times of life. When things are difficult, we often forget that we have such a wonderful promise in Christ Jesus who came to this earth, to die for our sins, that we may have eternal life! Yes, eternal life in heaven.

So when the going get tough, we need to stand strong in faith, knowing that one day,

we will receive our rewards in heaven.

These verses certainly aren’t saying “wish your life away”, as we are responsible as Christian, to make disciples of all nations. Lets not waste our lives waiting for the end, but by the grace of God, lets go forth and spread the good news. We are going to die one day, and we know we are going to a place of unimaginable happiness, so we literally want to take as many people as we can with us!

Picking up further on Faith, we are reminded of the promise we inherit from Abraham, and Abraham and Sarah’s faith in that promise.  Even though the were both too old to have children, they had faith in Gods promise, and because of that it came to pass.

God is God of the impossible, have faith in Him and have faith in His Promises.

A lesson in patience? – Exodus 6:1-9

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There are many situations that I have prayed about, and not received an “instant answer” or “instant fix” to.  This passage is a reminder that although it doesnt always look like the Lord is doing something about our situaton, I think you will find he already has a plan.

The Israelites, despite calling on the Lord for freedom, were experiencing worsening conditions because Moses was demanding for them to be let go.  The people began to grumble and complain, they “were better off” before all this began!  We on the other hand can see if we read further on that the Lord does indeed deliver them from Egypt.  He kept his promise.

You see I think this is a big lesson in patience.  He has plans for every situation and has the knowledge and wisdom to let situations take their course.  We always become stronger a wiser from any situation that is thrown upon us.  The Israelites waiting and complaining did not finish after they were delivered from Egypt!  Read on and you will see them wandering the wilderness for 40 years waiting to find the promised land…. 40 years!!!!  Think about that!!!!!  And yes they complained, the rebelled, however at the end of 40 years, there will still Israelites with Moses!

Do I have that much faith and patience in God?  Could I wait 40 years for an answer to prayer?  After all:

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

40 years?