Vacation in Paradise

Revelation: 21:1-4

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A1-4&version=NIV;NLT;MSG

 

Vacations are a great time to get away; to relax; to decompress. Recently my wife and I returned from a week in Paradise. The Riviera Maya is the stretch of white sand beaches south of Cancun, Mexico filled with all-inclusive resorts.

 

Staying at one of these resorts is a life of luxurious living where you are pampered by staff whose only goal is to serve you. The food is gourmet; the architecture is elegant; and the setting is ideal with palm trees, a pristine beach, never-ending sunshine and crystal clear blue water.

 

But the problem with going on a vacation like this is that eventually you have to return to reality; and reality can you hit like a sledge hammer.

 

Upon our return, instead of laying in the sun with 85 degree temperatures, we bundled up with winter coats in 35 degrees. Instead of enjoying the warm summery breeze of the Caribbean, we were buffeted by North wind gusts of 60 miles per hour. Instead of taking a leisurely walk down the beach with waves gently washing over our feet, we battled the commuter traffic for 45 minutes each way. Welcome home!

 

The New Jerusalem that John writes about in these few verses sounds like Paradise. And actually… it is.

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. ² And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.            NLT

 

The new order means living in the presence of God.

 

“Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They are his people, he is their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.”            MSG

 

What sounds better to you, a temporary vacation only to return to the daily struggles of life? Or a permanent vacation in Paradise, living in the presence of our loving God? Immanuel: God with us.

 

 

The End is Near

1 Peter 4:7-11

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204%3A7-11&version=NIV;NLT

  

⁷ The end of the world is coming soon

 

What do you think of when you see someone carrying a sign with these words on it? Christians have been saying this for two thousand years. Ever since Jesus ascended into the Heavens, the apostles and all the first century believers thought he would be returning in the near future.

 

⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8         NIV

 

So much for our sense of time. But for the believers in the first century, the idea that Jesus would be returning soon provided them with a sense of urgency. It gave them hope in the face of desperate circumstances; of terrible persecution. After all, what are Peter’s next words following, “The end is coming soon…

 

…therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. ⁸ Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.  NLT

 

In the week leading up to the posting of this blog, I was on vacation. The week before vacation was crazy. I had to get everything done for work that I would’ve done during the week of vacation. And this blog had to be done before leaving. Vacation brings a sense of urgency to us; a sense of what’s really and truly important.

 

In a similar, but much more eternal way, Jesus returning brings us a sense of urgency; of priority; of perspective. Chances are most of us won’t see that day, but it’s not a bad idea to live our lives as if Jesus’ return is eminent.

 

The end of the world is coming soon. It just depends on how you define soon right? Just think of it as getting ready for a vacation.

 

 

 

 

Prepare Yourself

Romans 13:8-14

 

 

Prep work is always the most important part of a job. Take painting for instance.

 

For an indoor job, first you have to remove everything hanging on the wall including all the outlet and light switch covers. Then you repair any drywall damage and fill holes. It’s always a good idea to sand down the wall too. Next, you may need to put a coat of primer on depending on the existing wall color and the new color.

 

Before you start to roll the final coat, you must cut in around all the trim. And before

cutting in, most people will apply blue tape to protect the trim. Finally, you get to roll the beautiful paint that you have selected. Then, when it’s all done, your spouse comes along, looks at it and points to a spot that you missed… Good preparation is essential.

 

Paul understood the importance of preparation. He wrote, ^11 “Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed.”           TLB

 

In other words, we need to be ready; to be prepared for when the Lord returns. We can’t be lazy. We always have to be on high alert, as if a terrorist attack was eminent. We always have to be motivated to do our best. However, doing that “day in and day out” is difficult.

 

I went to a motivational workshop once where one of the speakers said that he took the attitude every day that

today was the last day before he went on vacation. You know how it is before going on vacation. You’re trying to get everything done that you would normally do during vacation, only get it done before vacation.

 

Peter also understood the importance of preparation. ^13 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear

head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.”  ISV

 

This verse begs the question: Why do you prepare your mind for action? James gives us the answer. ^14 “Temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes. ¹⁵ These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to the death penalty from God.”           TLB

 

From these verses, and our own experience, we know that sin begins with a fleeting

thought or desire. Therefore, preparing our mind and heart for action is critical in our relationship with Christ.

 

If we know why we should “prepare our mind for action”, then how do we do it? For me it includes daily time in the Scriptures and meditation on God’s word, talking to and listening for God to speak, participation in worship, in singing, in fellowship and in accountability with other believers.

 

 

Prepare yourself. How do you do it?