Look Up!

Luke 21:25-28

This life on the earth, is coming to an end. Although I’ve been hearing that since the 1980s, it’s more apparent now, than back then. The Bible mentions many signs of the end-times, and we can see them vividly today. The issue with a lot of Christians is, they focus more on the pleasures and treasures of this present world, rather than the gifts God has prepared for them in glory. There’s no need to fear death in this life. We must only shift our focus from temporary, earthly desires, to eternal, spiritual wonders.

Natural Vs. Technological

Jeremiah 27:5

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm…”

Sitting by the water, trying to understand some verses of scripture I read, I looked into the sky, then saw a bird, and an airplane flying directly over my head simultaneously. Immediately, I considered God’s beautiful, and natural creation, in contrast to man’s inventions. God made all things very good, and has sustained His creation for thousands of years. Man, through God’s wisdom, has developed countless technological advancements that can only mimic what God originally set in motion. Man cannot fly like the birds of the air, so they made airplanes to soar through the skies, in order to travel from place to place without restriction. Fish can swim at various depths of the sea, but man can’t withstand the pressures at lower levels. For this reason, the submarine was invented, so that men could traverse the deep waters of God’s great oceans. Man can only imitate, what God spoke into existence, so all should honor and appreciate the mighty God of all creation, and His magnificent handiwork.

When’s The Last Time…?

Psalm 106-107

When was the last time, you told God you love Him? When was the last time, you expressed gratefulness, simply for being alive? When was the last time, you hugged yourself? When was the last time, you considered how short life is? When was the last time, you treated yourself to something nice? When was the last time, you ignored your haters, and prayed for them instead? When was the last time, you stood your ground, in the midst of persecution and shame? When was the last time, you spoke highly of someone, other than yourself? When was the last time, you sat with an elderly person, and gleaned from their years of wisdom? When was the last time, you shared your wisdom with a child? When was the last time, you thought about men and women who are incarcerated, and felt a sense of sorrow? When was the last time, you visited someone who was sick, and in pain? When was the last time, you didn’t hesitate to give food, clothes, or money to the poor? When was the last time, you took a walk at night, gazed into the starlit sky, breathed in slowly, exhaled, then told God “thank you”? When was the last time, you looked around, and appreciated God’s creation? When was the last time, you brought comfort, to an uncomfortable situation? When was the last time, you actually meditated on the Word of God? When was the last time, your smile made someone’s day? When was the last time, you held your peace, even when you knew you were right? When was the last time, you helped someone grow closer to God? When was the last time, you held on to your faith, even when it seemed God had forgotten about you? When was the last time, you went on a fast (not a diet)? When was the last time, you shunned pride, for humility? When was the last time, your soft answer turned away someone’s wrath? When was the last time, your grievous words stirred up someone’s anger? When was the last time, you considered eternity? When was the last time, you made preparations for your eternal destination?

On the mountain with Jesus

Matthew 17:1-7

Throughout our lives, we’ll build a collection of memories that will be accumulated from various experiences we encounter. While some of those memories we’ll prefer to forget, others will bring joy that will last a lifetime! My face lights up everytime I see a star shooting through the midnight sky, or when I witness dolphins swimming in the ocean, while basking on the beach at sunrise. I’ve yet to experience beautiful mountains, or snow, but those, along with other things, are penciled on my bucket list. I’ve lived long enough to see a few of God’s amazing creations, but I would love to have experienced what Peter, James, and John saw on the mountain of transfiguration.

In our text, Jesus allowed a select few of His disciples to accompany Him, as He made His way atop a mountain, to meet some “old” friends. When the men finally reached their destination, one of the most amazing things in Scripture began to take place. Verse two reads, “And (Jesus) was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light”. Can you honestly imagine seeing that with your own eyes? I know Hollywood produces movies with amazing special effects, but with Jesus, nothing was altered with cameras or effects, and was as real as life itself.

Throughout the Bible, light is synonymous with knowledge, and being God in the flesh, Jesus’ transfiguration revealed who He truly was. Not only was His formed changed before the eyes of the disciples, but Jesus was also blessed to grace the presence of two men who had left the earth over a thousand years prior to this visit: Moses, and Elijah were seen talking with Jesus on the mountain. When I first read this passage of Scripture, I had developed so many questions I wanted answers to, but I eventually realized that my frail human mind need not understand all of God’s doings, because His ways are not like the ways of man, so I resulted to standing in awe of the awesome things He does, without trying to question everything. I had wondered how could men who haven’t been seen on the earth since they were taken up by God many years before, appear as if they never left. I also couldn’t understand how the disciples recognized two men whom they had never seen, yet called them by name. In any case, this experience was indeed breathtaking, and moved Peter to offer to make tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. In the midst of him speaking, Peter looked up and saw a bright cloud began to overshadow the company of men. What happened next, literally struck fear in the disciples, and brought them to their knees. God’s voice began to speak from the cloud and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him”. Real talk, I would have already been bugged out from seeing Jesus light up like the sun, along with witnessing two men appear out of thin air, but after hearing God speak from a bright cloud, I probably would have ran and hid behind a rock, or something as well. Jesus came and touched the disciples, then told them not to be afraid, because this was a moment few would see, but all would remember forever.

Do you get bubbly inside, and excited when you think on the goodness of Jesus, and all He’s done for you? How often do you thank God, and reverence Him for simply being who He is? There average person spends hundreds of dollars a year to be entertained by movies that offer intense and vivid visuals, yet none are real, and were created using visual effects. God has done, and can do things that Hollywood can only copy, so take more pleasure in appreciating the great things He does daily, rather than glorifying man’s futile efforts.

Walk in love,

Ell