We will all speak Spanish in heaven

Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Have you ever felt like a stranger? Perhaps you were in a room with people you didn't know and felt totally out of place. If you've ever been to a foreign country you know what it feels like to be an outsider. Though you may learn the culture and language of the people around you, a part of you always knows where home is.

I was on a bus once in Central America when a young man heard my accent and said, "where are you from?" Then he asked, "what are you doing here?"  He probably didn't mean it to sound as harshly as it came out; he was just trying to be friendly and helpful.  I admit I was  a little startled. I was still learning the language and the culture and didn't quite know what to expect. After he learned that I was doing mission work we had a nice conversation and he shared several things about the history of his country as we traveled.

One guy in Honduras used to tell me that everyone would speak Spanish in heaven so they'll be no communication issues. Of course it was a joke but his message is somewhat true. One day there will be no more division between race, class, language. those with money and those without, etc. That heavenly Jerusalem will be a wonderful place where all of God's children are finally united in true peace.

How I long for that day when we hear Jesus say, "well done, enter into the joy of your Lord." There is no treasure on this earth that compare to the beauty that awaits us in that heavenly paradise. I am determined that nothing shall keep me from that place. I long to see Jesus and what he has prepared for me, don't you?

Earnestly Awaiting,
Rev. Sullivan Jones

 

A Carton of Milk and a Soda

Not sure why but I woke up doing some reminiscing about Honduras. It has been 12 years since I lived in that beautiful country and yet the events God brought to mind this morning seemed as close as yesterday.

I was standing outside the Bible school with several of the young men who were studying. We had a taken a break in between classes and were enjoying a soda and a snack from a nearby concession stand. There was one older gentleman there who had come to the city to study from somewhere in the mountains. I can't recall his name but I do remember that he always had a pleasant smile and sought to please. It was obvious that he had not had much education and he could barely read. What he did have was a desire to study God's word and he spent long hours doing his best.

On this morning he walked out smiling and began to talk with the rest of us. I must admit that I was too consumed with our conversation to notice that he was the only one without a snack. Suddenly one of the other young men reached into his pocket, pulled out two Honduran dollars, and gave them to the man telling him to go and buy himself a snack and a pint of milk. I felt ashamed because I had not been paying attention to the fact that he did not have a snack. Two Honduras dollars was only about 12 cents for me but for these guys it was real money.

Another time I came out of my office and saw of couple of guys drinking a soda. Another student asked them where they had gotten the drinks. One of them smiled and said, "two guys came by from out of town and, as they were leaving, they invited us to a soda." Again, I was a little taken aback. In America almost every house has a refrigerator full of sodas, sweet tea, bottled water, etc. To these guys a soda was a treat that they didn't have every day.

As I contemplate these things this morning I am reminded of all the things I take for granted. Today I arose from a comfortable bed with an electric blanket into a home that was well heated with gas heat. I will enjoy a breakfast as large as I care to cook or buy. I will ride to work in a vehicle with a heater instead of walking or running to catch a bus. I will sit in an office with heat. At lunchtime I will not have to wonder if there will be enough to eat. The biggest problem will be deciding what I want to eat.

The list could go on. I do not feel bad for having these comforts. I wish everyone had them. I believe them to be a blessing from God and I know I can't feed the whole world. Yet I must admit that I so often complain about things that are trivial when I have so much. On my worst days I have enjoyed a life far better than many will do on their best days.

Lord, help me to remember that you have blessed me far more than I am worthy. If I am tempted to complain, forgive me. Help me to love others unconditionally as you have loved me. Amen

Thankfully,

Rev. Sullivan Jones 

The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

The fear of God is not something we hear preached about much these days. We hear more about the love of God. The love of God is truly an inexhaustible message. We can never preach to much about it. Just one glimpse at the cross of Calvary will tell us that. Yet equally important is the fear or earnest respect for God's authority.

Philippians 2: 12 tells us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Many would quote only the first part of this verse and tell us that our salvation is solely a private affair. You've heard the story. "I do what is best for me and you do what is best for you." Yet this doesn't actually fit with the theme of the book of Philippians. The major theme found in Philippians chapter two is obedience. Paul is not saying that I can work out my own salvation by doing as I please. Rather he is saying that I must make obedience to Christ a personal matter.

The phrase fear and trembling can be taken to mean "self-distrust." This simply means that I must understand that I am capable of doing wrong even when I have the motivation and desire to do right. I must be careful not to allow myself to get to comfortable and let down my guard against temptation. I must be always on guard against iniquity. Remember that our enemy the devil is going around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (I Peter 5:8).

Sometimes believers are so concerned about being "happy in Jesus" that the trust and obey element is not taken very seriously. How does a careless, over-relaxed attitude affect a true life of obedience? Christians should be the most joyful people in the world. Salvation is something to be joyful about. Yet we must also remember that God's word warns us many times to be sober and practice self control. We must all one day answer to God for the deeds done in the body (II Corinthians 5: 10.) On that day I want to hear my Lord say, "Well Done." Don't you?

Yours in Christ,

Sullivan Jones