THE FAITHFUL TRAIL

On the faithful trail, I’ll go,
where the ferns are thick and greening,
and the undergrowth goes up and down,
and the trees are sometimes leaning.
 
Yet on the trail, I’ll follow,
as I pass beneath the basswoods,
as I stroll along the touch-me-nots,
and a patch of tangled dogwoods.
 
I’ll trust when at the gully,
where the woods are dark and deepest,
and cross the scaly cherry tree,
where the bank is slick and steepest.
 
At trail’s end, I’ll have rest
in a special, hidden clearing—
on the grass, I’ll watch the passing clouds,
and the veeries I’ll be hearing.

 

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

 

THE FAITHFUL TRAIL

Veery Glade is lush and green now, and the deep-forested little brown thrush birds known as veeries sing their mystical, swirling tunes in the woodland realm. I especially enjoy their songs at dusk, when they are often one of the last birds to sing, other than the robin, believe it or not!

"They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God."

Luke 13:29

'They' are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets. People will take their places, sit down, and find rest in Heaven. The faithful will enter in from all directions. Today's post is about being seated in Heaven. I'm sure if one scooted over to Bible Gateway, one could do a search on 'seated in Heaven.'

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7

Our pastor mentioned the above verses during the Sunday evening service and it clicked for me to write about this topic of being seated. Here in Ephesians, we read that we are seated with Christ (or maybe will be seated?). In Christ Jesus (by His shed blood for the forgiveness of sins), we are brought near to Him.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

The above verse is my key verse for For the Joy: Christian Poems about Good Friday and Easter. As finisher, Jesus sat. He came to a rest. He gives time to task accomplished, to mission achieved, to His Father's will carried out. He does not need to do anything more. He is done. There is nothing more to be done in regard to reconciling mankind to His Father.

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life."

Matthew 19:27-29

In the regeneration. Did you catch that phrase Jesus used? What does it mean? It has much to do with being born again. In fact, that's what it means! Everyone understands natural, physical birth. We all started as infants, being born a baby. Regeneration, or new birth, is a spiritual, holy, heavenly birth that results in our being made alive spiritually. Natural man is dead in his sins until he is made alive by Christ. This is achieved when natural man places his trust in our only Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and believes. We entered the Earthly realm physically. We enter the Heavenly realm spiritually. We were born with a sinful nature but when a person becomes born again, she becomes a partaker of the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4)

They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

Mark 10:37-38

James and John had asked Jesus if they could sit on either side of Him when He was in glory. But Jesus goes on to say in verse 40 that those places of honor are not His to give, 'but for those for whom it is prepared.' I wonder if God, the Father gives those places. We who are born again will see it and know it. We who are made alive by Christ will learn who they are.

FOR THE JOY: Christian Poems 

about Good Friday and Easter (coming for Easter 2027)

Here is my revised back book blurb:

FOR THE JOY: Christian Poems about

Good Friday and Easter

Why do Christians call Good Friday Good?

Why is Easter Sunday filled with joy?

For The Joy: Christian Poems about Good Friday and Easter is a collection of reverent poems and colorful paintings about Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Lisa Belknap shares her testimony and reflections, offering answers to the above questions. Each of the thirty-two poems with accompanying Bible verses encourage the reader to trust in the love and grace of humanity’s only redeeming Savior, Jesus Christ, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Remember to pray for missionaries. 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 29:19

Christians have obeyed the command. Many have left homes and lands to witness to others and further the Gospel truth even under persecution. And even at home, persecution comes. To stand up for Jesus amidst anti-Christian trends brings reward.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:5-6

Live to dwell in the house of the LORD forever, well-cared for, and wonderfully shown a place to be seated in Heaven.

WOODLAND SONG

Joyfully, joyfully, the feathered friends call,
the chickadees and grosbeaks and orioles all,
to sing a lyric melody at opening of day,
and start the winging choir, a-chirping all the way!
 
Over high, over there, beside the babbling brook,
the cardinals and veeries resound in every nook;
the drumming of the ruffed grouse, the cooing of the dove,
the tapping of the woodpecker that echoes high above!
 
“Yahweh God! Yahweh God!”, into the evening night,
hummingbirds and nuthatches turn in from their flight.
And in the final light of day, the robin sings her song.
What joy to hear the woodland birds sing praises all day long!

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luke 1:46-47

 

 

WOODLAND SONG

The veeries are very glad, here in Veery Glade. And so am I. These deep-forest thrushes have returned to the woods. Their mystical, swirling tones lift my spirit and remind me to call on God in prayer. The robins, also thrushes, are equally vocal here in the woodland realm.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Luke 1:48

We join with Mary in magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in spirit. Let the birds sing their full, lyrical song that Creator God is loving, rich in mercy, and compassionate.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10

Jesus' purpose is to bring life. He declares it Himself. Everyone must decide for themselves whether this statement of purpose is true or false. I believe it is true. The thief is the devil, Satan. His purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy any of God's creation including, mostly, humans who are made in God's image.

And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Philippians 4:3

Paul with Timothy is writing to the Christians in Philippi and he mentions the Book of Life. In this Book are recorded the names of those people who have eternal life. Who has authority to be the writer of the book? Only the One whose purpose is to bring life— Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lamb of God.

The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

John 1:29

The Book of Life that Paul wrote about is also known as the Lamb's Book of Life. And in Heaven, that book will be opened. In Heaven, that book will be read.

The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Revelation 21: 23, 27

John, by the power of the Holy Spirit (as was Paul as others), was given revelations about Heaven. He wrote down what he saw and we can read for ourselves. Trust God's infallible, inerrant Word.

"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."

Revelation 3:5

Only the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world has the power to open His Book of Life. Further, only the Lamb of God has power to clothe believers with righteousness. Only Jesus, who bore our sins on the cross, has power to blot out names from His Book. Only God's perfect Son has power to confess believer's names before His Father. If you are a believer, won't that be the most amazing thing ever to hear your name confessed before our Creator?

If you are not a believer, decide now to believe. It is very real to be condemned. We stand condemned already (John 3:18)! But Jesus' purpose is to bring life and more abundantly. God sent His Son to be our Savior, and that is very good news!

FOR THE JOY: Christian Poems about Good Friday and Easter

Here is my work-in-progress (WIP) back book blurb (which means it could still change!):

FOR THE JOY: Christian Poems about

Good Friday and Easter

Why do Christians call Good Friday Good?

Why is Easter Sunday filled with joy?

For The Joy: Christian Poems about Good Friday and Easter is a collection of reverent poems and vivid paintings leading up to Christ’s death on the cross, His crucifixion, and His resurrection from the dead. Lisa Belknap shares her testimony, offering answers to the above questions through a variety of poetic forms and colorful paintings. The reader is drawn to meditate on God’s infallible and inerrant Word. Each of the thirty-two poems with accompanying Bible verses encourage the reader to trust in the love and grace of humanity’s only redeeming Savior, Jesus Christ, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:1-6

How nice to be with believers in Jesus Christ! How encouraging to be with Christian brothers and sisters, studying the Word and partnering in the Gospel! What comfort to pray together with confidence in Christ's ability to carry out His good work in us to completion!

FINAL THOUGHTS

"O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Veeries are singing in Veery Glade as are the robins! The woodland birds are very glad. The names of people written in the Lamb's Book of Life will go on to hear woodland birds singing in Heaven.

TRUTH IS LIKE A TRILLIUM

Truth is like a trillium

that blossoms in the spring.

It dances with the waking trees

and stirs the birds to sing.

Through winter, it lay dormant,

beneath the snowy ground.

Then with the warmth of springtime,

it stretched roots around.

It grew within the sunshine,

first budding after years.

The plant designed by Trinity

took time to match its peers.

And there it stands a-shining,

a pure, revealing face!

The woodland floor, once bumpy bare,

now shimmers full of grace!

Truth is like a trillium.

O may my faith grow strong!

For with it, I am known and free

to bloom forever long.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32

TRUTH IS LIKE A TRILLIUM

The woods are coming alive, here in Veery Glade in the springtime! Good rain and sunshine have nourished the ground and the trilliums have bloomed once again. First, the dark red popped up their heads and then the larger white ones dance across the woodland floor in the breeze. Creation's reminder of the return of spring speaks clear our Creator's faithfulness.

And He is faithful in His promises, in His Word. 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

As I continue this year's blog posts about Heaven, everlasting life comes to mind. In a nutshell, belief equals everlasting life. EVERLASTING LIFE. Tough to get our minds around that but God's Word says so, so it must be true. And it is, as sure as spring follows winter every year.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:17-18

But the alternative to everlasting life is everlasting condemnation. EVERLASTING CONDEMNATION. That might be difficult to get your mind around, too.

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

John 3:19-21

In my last post, I wrote about the Light in Heaven and that Jesus is the Light of the world. Light has come into the world! Jesus has come into the world because His Father sent Him. He alone has power to save sinners because He alone is the spotless Lamb of God who bore our sins on the cross. He alone has power to raise our bodies from the dead, either unto everlasting life or everlasting death. So, belief equals everlasting life!

"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

John 5:21-24

I'm sure you know, dear forest dweller, that it is Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, who has power to separate the sheep from the goats, the grain from the chaff, the faithful from the unfaithful. There is either everlasting life or everlasting death when we die. In everlasting death, scripture tells us the torment will never end as the occupants of the place of Hell maintain their consciousness. Forever.

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:10

The faithful are the ransomed. The ransomed are the people who believe in Jesus, God's Son, God's Way. They have accepted His gift of salvation. They are the people who hold the Word of God close in their hearts. The trilliums blooming right now in Veery Glade remind me of this wonderful promise in Isaiah of everlasting joy. Singing, gladness, and joy go with everlasting life. None of that goes with everlasting death.

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, 'Destroy!'.

Deuteronomy 33:27

The above verse is from when Moses blessed the children of Israel, specifically of Asher, before he died. The whole chapter is beautiful to read, as is everything in the Bible! Make the eternal God your refuge.

"A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also."

John 14:19

Jumping back to the New Testament, Jesus assures His disciples that they will live again as surely as He lives today. We who love and honor Christ will live again with Him. The Bible is full of promises FROM GOD, and every single one will come to pass, as sure as trilliums return to bloom every spring.

For The Joy: Christian Poems about Good Friday and Easter

Since my last post, I repainted the background scene on a particular painting that I needed to do. I've started brainstorming words for another poem. And, I've been reading. Right now, I'm reading Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:16b

We are grateful to the Lord for answered prayer. After years of prayer, a loved one of ours has changed his mind. He has done a 180. What he once loved he now hates, which was exactly what we persistently prayed for. (It was not a good thing that he was loving.) Rosaria Butterfield, the author mentioned above, did a 180 when she, a former lesbian who did not know the Lord, renounced her way of life and became a believing Christian. Her change from death to life is noted in her book all the way through it. I wonder if someone had been praying for her. Like we did with our loved one. Thank you, Lord, for 180's!

…yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

Luke 18:5 (from the parable of the persistent widow)

FINAL THOUGHTS

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15

May you be known by your faith to bloom forever long, to be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, to receive everlasting life in Heaven.

THE DAFFODIL’S TRUMPET

The daffodil stands by the edge of the wood,
near a slumbering red maple tree,
and He picks up his trumpet of finest, pure gold
to announce the beginning of spring.
 
He’s early to wake from the long, bitter cold,
and his yellow suit coat is a joy,
which can heal the long, worn-out expressions of old,
and soothe the dark ages of yore.
 
He stands on a knoll which will carry the tune,
where sun shines a-warm on the dew,
and he plays out a “Toot, Ala Toot-ti-ly Toot!
Wake up, trees and critters, all living things, you!”
 
His song wakens others and soon there are many
to proclaim the renewal of life.
Their horns call out brightly; the woods, they are waking—
away with worries and strife!
 
The daffodil smiles in the light of our Lord,
and declares our dependence on Him,
and reminds us of joy only Christ can give,
and life coming only from Him.

 

Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Psalm 24:7                                                       

 

THE DAFFODIL’S TRUMPET

Forgiveness is sweet! Grace is splendid! In Veery Glade, the blooming daffodils, dark red trilliums, and the innocent white trilliums remind me of the reason for Jesus Christ's death on the cross—forgiveness and grace, which is all-sufficient. Payment was made for our sins. In the hearts of believers, the King of glory reigns.

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22:5

As I continue writing this year about Heaven, I would like to write about Heaven's light. We read in the last chapter of the Bible a verse giving us a glimpse of the kind of light and lack of night that citizens of Heaven will experience. We know every word in God's Word will come to pass, and having light provided for us without the sun, even though we may certainly struggle with how this might possibly happen, we know God is able, most able, to execute this given glimpse. He is THE Giver. He is the gracious One. When He says He will give us light, He will give us light.

Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

Genesis 1:3

How cool is this! Way back in the first chapter of the Bible, the very first words recorded that God spoke were 'Let there be light'. Wouldn't this make a great title for a poetry book? But another time, Lord willing. God spoke and it was. Just like that! BAM!

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 8:12

Jesus, who is God incarnate, declared that He is the light of the world. John wrote that down for us through the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus makes a statement about Himself, the listeners or readers must decide whether the statement is true or false. It can't be both. Unless you're Satan. He masquerades as an angel of light but he is the father of all lies and doomed. His divided house won't stand. This statement Jesus made echoes back to God's first words of 'Let there be light.' Our Creator chose to provide a way to Himself, and that Way is Jesus Christ.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."

Matthew 5:14-15

We are called to be shining lights to the world so that others might see good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. We are called to be in the world but not of it. When my father was alive, he did not like the idea of students being taken out of the public school to be homeschooled. He had said that if all the Christians leave, then there wouldn't be any in the public school anymore. It's a good point. Our public schools should work hard for all tax payers, including the Christian tax payer. But persecution and Christianity go hand-in-hand. I have been a public school teacher, like my father was. When a student asked me, "Mrs. Belknap, are you a Christian?" I replied, happily, "Yes!" The student then said, "I could tell." (This warmed my heart, not because I'm any good but because of Christ's light in me. And I'd be happy to talk with that student any time.) Can homeschooling be a good option, and sometimes, a necessary one? I think yes. Can homeschooled students be lights in the world as well as public-schooled students? I think yes.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2

Do we dwell in the land of the shadow of death? Without Jesus, yes. Without Light, yes. But thanks be to God who gives us light, His Light—Jesus! As prophesied, Christ, the Child, was born. Immanuel, or God with us.

We also read in the verses in Exodus chapters 25 and 27 about the lampstands in the tabernacle and special anointing oil. All was to be fulfilled and constructed according to the plans God gave Moses. We know in Hebrews that the earthly tabernacle in Exodus, which God filled with His glory, is a copy of the Heavenly one. Then, in Revelation, again, we read about golden lampstands, of which Jesus stood in the midst.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Psalm 97:11

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130

Jesus is THE Light. Light is included in the inheritance of the faithful heart whereas darkness is for the non-believer. Receive Light and see! And Light resides with God in Heaven.

FOR THE JOY

Since my last posting, I was able to write a poem about Mary anointing Jesus in Simon the Leper's house in Bethany. It's still sitting on the back burner in my mind. Then, I discovered I painted a scene to a different poem wrong so I'll need to repaint that. I've thought about when to publish and next January or February for this Easter collection sounds best.

HUMPERSTEIN HUBERT FISH

I found this picture book story I wrote eons ago and I'm dusting it off. It's a children's story under 1000 words about a starfish. I'll have to see if and where the Lord wants me to go with this.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:12

Please pray for Christian teachers and students in public school systems. Pray they would be encouraged and stay strong, especially if they are being persecuted. Pray for students, either in public school or homeschooled, to be lights reflecting the true Light of Jesus.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Veery Glade is shaping up, here in the spring season. God's marvelous works are seen when He allows the return of springtime daffodils and all the other woodland life awakening. Smile like the daffodil who declares our dependence on Christ, His Word and joy, and every word spoken and written about Heaven.

VICTORY HILL

I shout “Victory!” on the highest hill.
I call “Joy!” where the valleys fill.
Jesus is no longer dead!
 
Will you cry “Savior!” to the meadow’s end?
Will you sing “Friend!” where the willows bend?
Jesus fulfilled what was said!
 
Come, yell “Freedom!” to the birch trees far.
Holler “Sure hope!” to the furthest star.
Jesus was raised from the dead!
 
I proclaim “Mercy!” to the babbling brook.
I whistle “Life!” to the woodland nook.
Jesus has done all He said!
 
Then, I will kneel where the grass is deep,
and give to the Lord my soul to keep.
Jesus is no longer dead!

 

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:8-11

 

VICTORY HILL

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10

The Bible outlines the gift of salvation in Romans 10:9-10. The entrance into Heaven is found for the person with a believing heart and a confessing mouth. Do you have a believing heart and spoken words to confess that Jesus is Lord? I hope you do. And, as we also read in the Bible, Jesus hopes you do, too.

The Word of God contains truths about Heaven, or, the kingdom of God. We read about how the Heavenly Father lives in Heaven, how angels are sent from Heaven, how Jesus came from Heaven, and how, after His resurrection, He ascended into Heaven, His Father's kingdom. The disciples watched him go up into the sky until He was out of sight.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Acts 1:9

When we read the Bible, which is God-breathed, we learn that Jesus spoke about Heaven often. And He spoke about Hell. As Heaven is a real place, so is Hell— an evil place far away from God's eternal love and grace. Our Creator God does not want anyone to end up there, but people go, nonetheless, due to their lack of faith.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

2 Peter 3:9-10

The day of the Lord will come quickly, when it does.

As recorded in Luke, Jesus told a parable (or story) to paint a horrible picture of how awful Hell is. He would not want anyone to spiritually perish but, because He is full of love and grace, He won't force anyone to believe in Him. He desires that people come to Him of their own free will, like Lazarus, the beggar.

"So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'"

Luke 16:22-26

Heed the parable of warning told by Jesus. This whole account in the Bible starts in verse 19 and ends in verse 31 of the 16th chapter of Luke. We learn of the tormented soul of the rich man who chose not to believe in Christ and that he sees Lazarus comforted and not in torment on the other side of the great gulf. He knows his mistake but it's too late. He asks if Lazarus could go back and warn his brothers. He was sure they would believe and repent if they saw a risen-from-the-dead person. But Abraham assured the rich man they would not. The take-away is: A hardened heart will cost too much for the owner of it.

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Matthew 16:26

The book of Ecclesiastes teaches that life is meaningless without the proper reverence for God. Without Jesus, everything is meaningless. The rich man in the parable found out too late and couldn't do anything about his predicament.

After you die (which we are all appointed once to do), I hope you will be celebrating on Victory Hill in Heaven.

FOR THE JOY: Christian Poems about Good Friday and Easter

While cleaning, I found a ditto of a poem one of my kids had in their notebook from when they were in school. It was a poem about the horror of war, written by Wilfred Owen, and it impressed on me a format to follow about the horror of Hell. I am considering adding it to my For the Joy collection.

אנא את ידתחיא נהו ון ל והן ודמם

דית ינר הא ו לוהן

(I Have Come That They May Have Life

and That They May Have It More Abundantly)

Bewildered, reeling, as if just hit by a car,

He stretched his hand for never-to-have relief,

And cried, “Abraham! I see your rest afar!”

His mind spun wild the folly of sure belief

In ‘Never. A. Savior’, a state too mad to bear. “End,”

He screamed, “these embers somewhere stoked!

Fire! Fire! Unquenchable flames ascend!

Do you see? Are those dense shadows or surging smoke?

Water! A drop on the tip of Lazarus’ finger!”

He fell, prostrated. “O now, my doom!

Quick warn my brothers this death-place where I linger!

A risen person could free them of this gloom …

But would repentance follow?” The answer he knows,

As horrid wraiths emerged from pits of Hell.

If, by the Spirit, you see what the rich man knows,

And sense the chasm span, too wide to tell,

And feel the searing, tormenting, rising flames,

And hear the shrieking cries, wailing and weeping,

And gnashing teeth, as demons hiss their claims,

My friend, you would profess sweet grace for keeping,

Inheritance from a mountain, and eternal life—

The words Jesus declared lovingly:

אנא את ידתחיא נהו ון ל והן ודמם דית ינר הא ו לוהן

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Please pray for Biblical understanding. We may know God better if we spend time in His Word. Believe in prayer. Pray that the non-praying loved one would pray.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

Jeremiah 33:3

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10

IN CLOSING

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Acts 1:10-11

We learn from reading the Bible that Jesus' ascension was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He rose from the ground gradually and was observed by many onlookers who watched Him until they could see Him no more. Then, two men in white, angels, appeared and spoke to them about how Jesus will return. Jesus is alive today, making intercession for believers as High Priest and Mediator of the New Covenant. The work of forgiveness was completed in the words He spoke before dying on the cross: 'It is finished'. Now, He is preparing a beautiful place for the forgiven (the ones who are saved, as in Romans 10:9-10), far from the flames of Hell, on the other side of the great gulf fixed, in the Kingdom that shall not fall, and has no end— Heaven.