What Goes With Me?

“Since you can’t take it with you, you may as well grab for all the gusto of this life while you can.” That is a statement I overheard at lunch from a nearby table. It’s not the first time I’ve heard those ideas expressed. And there is some truth in it. “Naked I came from […]

“Since you can’t take it with you, you may as well grab for all the gusto of this life while you can.”

That is a statement I overheard at lunch from a nearby table. It’s not the first time I’ve heard those ideas expressed.

And there is some truth in it. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. (Job 1:21 NIV) When we leave this life, we will most certainly leave behind all of this world’s things.

But it is not entirely true to say that we will take nothing with us. Consider these verses.

And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” (Rev. 14:13 NAU)

“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.” (Matt. 16:27 NAU)

28 “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” (Jn. 5:28-29 NAU)

When we leave this life we will take our deeds with us. We will be judged by those deeds we have done while in this earthly body.

That being true, we need to walk carefully and faithfully during the days of our life in this world.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matt. 23:37 ESV)   Are you familiar with...

These Qualities

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly...

Welcome To Spring

I know, you’re ready for the pollen to go away. But isn’t it a beautiful time of year. Did you catch the equinox? It occurred on Monday, March 20. You can even check out the exact time. Four times every year we know the dates for the precise movement of the sun, or to...

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV) “For God” - The only God, all-powerful, all knowing, without beginning or end, Creator of all things. “So loved” - More than...

Wisteria

I find myself captivated by Wisteria every year at this time. Partly because it was Cathy’s favorite spring time flower. She really like the purple blooms. But we never planted any and neither does Jane have any interest in planting Wisteria. The opening words of an...

Got A Question?

Do you have a question you would love to ask Jesus? What would it be? He was certainly asked a lot of questions. Like the one Peter asked about the future of his fellow apostle, John. Jesus’ answer? “What is that to you? Be faithful to me.” He didn’t always give an...

After God’s Own Heart

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Groundhog Day

14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was...

Provided

And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21 ESV) Those words spoken by Job need to be pondered by all of us. We came into this world with nothing...

Some Wisdom for the Day

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Prov. 29:2 ESV) One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (Prov. 29:23 ESV) Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath....