Echoes From the Campfire

When the sovereign hand allows troubles to come into the lives of His children, it should never be forgotten that the Lord carries His children through them. None of His children are left to face the darkness alone.”
                –Kenneth S. Pratt  (Sweethome)

     “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
                –Ephesians 5:1 (NASB)
——————————————–
How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

Key Verse:  “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”  –1 John 5:19 (NASB)

We are destined for glory!  That’s what I said, and it will be, well, words cannot describe what the experience will be like.  All I can say is “WOW!”  or maybe Miles would put it this way, “Yeehaw!”  Just take a look at these verses.

          “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.  We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.  And everyone who has this hope on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
                    –1 John 3:3-4 (NASB)

     Ponder the above verses.  Can you say them from your heart?  They implore and instruct us to look at life in the light of eternity!  We spend too much time here on earth fretting about whether or not we can be heard.  In fact, most of the unhappiness we experience in this life is due to our failure to realize this truth–we are bound for Heaven and that we have an eternal soul.  I recall the words of Richard Baxter, that Puritan preacher of old:  “For if Thy work on earth be sweet, What will Thy glory be?”
     We cannot comprehend what it will be like to see Christ in all of His majesty, splendor, and glory.  John attempted in the first chapter of Revelation, but even then he could only express in human words.  Moses wanted a glimpse of Him, and was denied for he would die if he saw the Lord in His glory.  Peter, James, and John got but a mere glance when Jesus was transfigured, but only a glimpse of His shining face.  

           “It is because we do not see ourselves as the children of God and going through this life and world in the way that this text indicates; that is why our unhappiness tends to get us down.  We do not relate it to the whole; we do not put it in its context; we live too much with the things that are immediately in front of us instead of putting everything into the context of our standing and of our destiny.”
                    –D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

     Yes, we live in a real world, but this is not just a new form of idealism nor is it a facade of romanticism; no, it is the truth of God’s Word!  Don’t sweat the small stuff is the message.  God is in control. . . of the world and of our lives.  I know people will use the old quip, “He is so heavenly-minded that he is no earthly good,” but that is not truth.  The person who is truly heavenly-minded will do wondrous works on earth for he will realize that not only is he a servant of the King, but a child of the King as well.
     So when one of those nasty little problems comes along, remember that you are one day going to be with the Lord Jesus in all of His glory.  Pandemics?  What of them, there is no sickness or suffering in His presence.  Pain and sorrow do not exist in His glorious presence.  Fear is put away, tears are no longer seen.  Yes, it will not happen until we are in His presence, but one day. . . oh, my, one day we will stand there.  Get in the habit now of singing that old song, “Oh yes, oh yes, I’m a child of the King…” (Cindy Walker).