God Not Hidden

S - "The one [Jesus] who comes from heaven is above all others. He speaks about what he has seen and heard, and yet no one believes him. But everyone who does believe him has shown that God is truthful.” John 3 TS

O - There is nothing Jesus speaks about that he is not a material, firsthand, expert witness to.He’s the one human being who has literally seen it all. Heaven, hell, God, the devil, lCreation, the first man and woman, humanity’s greatest and worst moments, etc. he’s above all and has seen it all. He himself is God’s good news to the world (7.6 billion and counting). By his living and his speaking, he offers himself and that which is completely accurate regardless of topic. By embracing him anyone and everyone can know God and know how beautifully truthful (literally not hidden) he is.

A - It is more than interesting to note that the predominance of Jesus’ words are about earth and not heaven. Over 90% of his recorded words focus on the here and now not heaven and the age to come. Yet, he is the completely credible witness about everything. Religion claims to believe him but primarily limits its belief to things about heaven. Jesus wasn’t sent to convince earth just about heaven but about earth as well. His words to the well-respected expert on the Scriptures underscore this in amazing clarity. "I tell you for certain we know what we are talking about because we have seen it ourselves. But none of you will accept what we say. If you don't believe when I talk to you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I talk to you about heavenly things? [John 3:11-12 TS] Will I believe, embrace, accept, engage God’s message about earth? If I will, then believing Jesus about heaven is the beautiful consequence which includes experiencing just how not hidden God actually is.

P - God who is not hiding,

Thank you for loving us so much you give Jesus to us all so that your person and purposes would be known in crystal clear clarity. Yes to you and yes to Jesus! I will live/believe/have complete confidence in him and in all he has seen and heard. With the help of the Helper I will believe him about earth and not just heaven. I do love you back.

Steve

Greater than Sustainability

S -"I tell you for certain that everyone who has confidence in me has eternal life. I am the bread that gives life! … I am that bread from heaven! Everyone who eats it will live forever. My flesh is the life-giving bread I give to the people of this world.  … The living Father sent me, and I have life because of him. … Once again Jesus spoke to the people saying, “I am the light of the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.”" John 6 & 8 TS

O -Jesus is the point of everything. He's the only point heaven is offering or making. For all humans he is the bread that gives life; the light that gives life; life which is more than mere existence. He is resurrection life. This life does more than sustain … it transforms.  The life he gives is vibrant, irrepressible, refreshing, eternal … forever life giving. 

A - There is a huge difference between something that is life sustaining and that which is life giving. Physical bread sustains our bodies but does not give us life. At some point, our bodies are no longer able to be sustained by bread.  Confidence in Jesus, i.e. the ongoing exchange with (bread) and reliance on (light) him results in life that is ever-growing and never-ending. It is irrepressible -- it cannot be contained or controlled.  It is, however, received and experienced here and hereafter. I will confidently follow him unto the life that is really life (John 5).  

P -Lord who is life,

Thank you for wanting us in your forever and ever. Thank you for loving us where we are and as we are -- and for not leaving us (merely sustaining us) there.  I am so glad to depend on you as bread and light day by day … unto the life that is really life. You lead and I'll follow.

Confident in you,

Steve

No Mystery in How Heaven Works

S -"Jesus said: Don’t judge others, and God won’t judge you. Don’t be hard on others, and God won’t be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you. If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.” Luke 6 TS

O -Heaven sends and gives Jesus to the world to do more than make a sacrifice which would forever lift the trajectory of the human race. He comes to clarify the person and purposes of God. He will do only what the Father does (John 5:19) and say only what he says (John 12:49-50). The section above begins with who is saying the words which follow; words dealing with judgment, forgiveness, generosity and how people can be certain about how heaven will treat them. Earth and heaven do not agree on these topics. Earth says that the way to avoid judgment is to never do anything which brings one into judgment. Heaven says judgment will be avoided only if one refuses to judge others. The world thinks that forgiveness is about expressing or accepting an apology. Jesus says forgiveness for ones’ own failings comes by forgiving others theirs — even if they haven’t asked yet. Provision won’t be wonderfully abundant unless it is preceded by generosity to others. By life, word and deed Jesus leaves no doubt: God wants us to respond to others on earth the way we want him to respond to us here and hereafter.

A -The above direct and often repeated dynamic Jesus gives to the world (currently 7.6 billion) doesn’t require any religious affiliation or practice. He’ll say it and demonstrate it time and time again. The anticipation of how Heaven responds to all people is uncomplicated, practical and lacking any need for deep theological understanding. Jesus makes my day by day, circumstance by circumstance, living crystal clear. Do not judge. Don’t be hard on others. Forgive. Be generous. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated … because in truth that’s exactly how heaven will treat you. 

P -Lord God Almighty,

Thank you for eliminating the guesswork of how heaven will actually work for all earth’s inhabitants. Thank you for sending and giving Jesus to me and to all. He is your message and good news to the entire world. It is amazing that this clear dynamic is not only your assignment to us but also the crossroads where heaven touches earth; and you stand ready to empower us to do this. Yes, amazing! I welcome and choose to engage. Your will be done on earth just as it is done in heaven. 

Living, thinking and loving in Jesus,

Steve