Time With God

A devotional trip through the Bible with a caring community to support, love and care for each other... while spending Time With God. If you would like our daily email version of this podcast send me a note to info@pinegrovecommunitychurch.com

8-31 Do You Dream of Heaven?

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Kaylee wants to be baptized. “She thinks she knows what it’s about, but I need to talk to her some more first.” I was visiting with John and Jennifer. I love it when adults make life changing decisions… like trusting Christ, like wanting to dedicate their lives to Jesus and like wanting to be baptized. But have you ever noticed that it is the kids who have the softest hearts? It is when they are children that most people make the most important decisions of life. That’s why we need them to be in the places where they get touched by the message… like in children’s ministries at church; Sunday School, Camps, Church, youth group, Awana… etc. And the home needs to back those messages up. Start them in the right direction. Instill a desire for God in their hearts when they are young. I love it when they want to make commitments like being baptized. It means that God’s love is touching their hearts.

Today's Scripture reading is 2 Kings 2; Isaiah 14; John 6
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Today’s thought comes from Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Have you ever dreamed of heaven? I don’t think I’ve ever had a dream of heaven. Most of my dreams are about running, falling, being a hero, flying or some other nonsense. Have you ever daydreamed about heaven? Maybe you are on vacation, sitting by a creek, under an evergreen tree daydreaming. Do you ever spend time thinking of what heaven will be like? Maybe you should! Someone once said “It is largely because people today are not heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good!” I think you should spend some quality time thinking about heaven… Meditating on it. If we could only get one small glimpse of that glorious land of endless joy, we would desire to go there more than anything else in life. It would fill us with such spiritual excitement that everything else would dim in comparison. It would be more compelling than a date to the prom for a teen aged girl. It would be more anticipated than a wedding to lovers. It would be better than a vacation to the sunny sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water of the Caribbean. It’s better than winning the lottery, landing a dream job, finding a dream woman or man, being there at the birth of your baby… or anything else on the planet. There’s noting that you have ever done, or will do that could possibly compare with the sheer exhilaration of heaven. If there is a God, and there is… and if there is a heaven for those who trust Christ, and there is, then it ought to be one of the chief reflections of a believer. After all, we are going to spend a long time there! After all, this world is not really our home. This place is fleeting, transient, temporary. The joys we experience down here are but a dim reflection of our final destination! One daydream that should consume us until it becomes a gripping reality and a powerfully anticipated and precious hope is that of heaven. You have permission to dream! You have permission to get lost in the most savory dreams of being with Jesus and your loved ones in the most perfect place ever. Do you dream of heaven?

Dear Father in heaven. Fill us with a real live vision of the world beyond this one. Make it real Lord. I can’t wait to be in your presence without any of my sorrows, failings, imperfections or bad feelings. This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through! I want to dream of You!

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:26 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-27 The Other Books

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Phil was late for tennis… almost 15 minutes late! I gave him grief about it when he chortled up in his little yellow motorbike. He once got fired from his first radio job for being late… because he was in a car accident. His boss never even asked why, just fired him. So we got into a deep discussion about how we should treat others who fail us. One of the marks of a pastor’s life is that he is surrounded by people who fail. They slip into that same old sin again. They forget to follow through. Some say they don’t have time to fulfill their commitments. They come unprepared. Others do a shoddy job. Some just don’t care. There are those that tromp all over what you’ve just done and mess it up. What do you do? Write them off? Quit? Demand that they do it right or else? There are two responses that I can think of… #1 The church is a teaching institution. It’s our job to help each other grow. So we find a way to lovingly teach. I could say “Phil, you should have called.” And then present a consequence that will lovingly teach… such as not being there when he arrived… and then suggest a way that we play another time… to give him a way to learn that standards of excellence are important. #2 Forgive him. Even if he does it again? Yes. How many times can I put up with this? Jesus said that we are to put up with a failing brother or sister 70 X 7! If they ask forgiveness… give it to them.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 22:29-53; Isaiah 12; John 5:1-23
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Today’s thought comes from Revelation 20:11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

There are other books. Myriads of them are being written even now as we speak! Just Britain and the US alone currently publish a half million titles per year! The rest of the world combined only publishes about another 700 million! That means that 3288 authors publish a new book every day! Every hour 137 new books are published… and a little over 2 authors send their book to the press every minute. At this rate you will never be able to know everything there is to know in the world! You are getting way behind in your reading! But there are other books that are being written. These books are light years more important than the 1.2 million titles that publishing houses turn out. Every year 53 million of these books will be written. You are writing one and so am I. It is the story of your life. God calls them the “Books of Works.” Every year over 53 million people die and write the happy or unhappy ending to their life. Once your “Book of Works” is complete there is no changing it. At the Great White Throne Judgment the dead are judged according to the works in those books. How does this work? I thought that to get to heaven, you need to rest from your works and trust the finished work of Christ? True. If your name is not in the Book of Life, you are not going to heaven no matter how many good works are in your book! So what is the point of this judgment? Just as believers will receive varying degrees of reward in heaven, so unbelievers will receive varying degrees of punishment in the Lake of Fire! Some places are hotter than others! Some people will face severer torment than others! Jesus said, “it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah” in the day of judgment than for those who saw Christ face to face! (Luke 10:12-16) On that day, the dead will have to give an account for every foolish or vile word and deed. The Hitlers and evildoers of the world will be punished much more harshly and “shall be beaten with many stripes” (Luke 12:47). Eternity is not simply about going either to Heaven or Hell, it is also about what you take with you! Heaven will be filled with good, better and best (I don’t quite know how) and Hell will be filled with bad, terrible, worst and nastiest. God is a God of justice, and justice would have it no other way.

Dear Lord Jesus. Please help my friends. I see what is in store for them. Hell is a terrible place, to be avoided at all costs, yet so many of the people I know and care about rush to the day of judgment without thought! Please Lord, may you break into their lives and open their hearts to your Son.

You are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:46 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-26 The Oldest Book Ever Written

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The vultures are circling… not really, it was just a pickup truck. From the looks of it they were packed for camping, and since they were circling, I guessed that they were lost, or looking. They passed slowly, turned around and landed in the parking lot. There were two of them. We approached and shook hands. “I’m Doug. I’m a pastor in Arizona. My daughter visited you Sunday.” “Stephanie?” (I remembered her name, amazing!) “Yes. She really enjoyed the service! This is my associate pastor Tom.” We shook hands. I showed them the place and we shared some good fellowship. They are here in Oregon for some R&R. It’s great to get away. They are headed up Wolf Creek Trail. Now I can add the Southern Baptist Church of Mojave to my prayer list.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 22; Isaiah 11; John 4:27-54
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Today’s thought comes from Revelation 20:11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

What is the greatest book ever written? The Bible is the most printed book of all time… over 6 billion sold! Who knows how many have been published and distributed!? Coming in a distant second are the Quotations from Chairman Mao and the Koran both at about 800 million. The first “non-religious” book is The Tale of Two Cities selling about 200 million. But there is one book out there which may be the most important book of all time! It would be a rare find if you ever got your hands on it, for as far as we know there is only one copy, just one, no more. It is “The Book of Life.” It could well be the most precious find ever! Is your name written there? In that book bright and fair? In the book of Christ’s kingdom, is your name written there? Believe me, you want your name written there! Let me postulate on the history of this book. This is possibly the first book ever written and the most ancient of all. It is also known as “The Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” There may be others in heaven, but this one may pre-date them all. Originally, we believe that every person who was ever to live was written in this book. Before Adam, all humanity had a place in the Book of Life and all humanity had hope for Eternal Life. If your name is not written there, you do not have Eternal Life, but you will be cast into the Lake of Fire. This book has a unique characteristic I will call the Predictive Present Principle. The Predictive Present Principle works like this: In the past, all names were written in the book, and in the present, as people pass away without Christ, their names are blotted out and removed from the book of life (Present Principle) – Revelation 3:5 & 22:19. However, the names of those who, in the present and future never trust Christ before they die, those names appear to have never even been written in the Book of Life! (Predictive Principle) - Revelation 13:8, & 17:8. They were there from the foundation of the world, and they were not there! They were blotted out as they failed to trust Christ, and yet they were not blotted out, as they were never there… Predictive Present. Now you see it, now you don’t! Once it was there, yet it was not. It was blotted out, but could not have been blotted out because it was not. It is like a blinking light or invisible ink. Written yet unwritten. Whatever the case… you WANT your name written there! You WANT to have Eternal Life. No other option is reasonable! Trust Him today!

Dear Lord. I want my name written there. I ask that you write it there in eternal ink, never to be erased. I want to have a place in your kingdom and I want to live my life daily in expectation of the day when I hear you read off my name… written in the Book of Life of the Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World! That will be a good day.

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:22 AM |  3 comments    

8-25 The Great White Throne

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“I’m a Baptist. I’ve been one since I was a kid.” Do you attend church here in town? “No. My husband isn’t a Baptist and he doesn’t want me to take the kids there.” What is he? “…I don’t know!” I was fixing Jamie’s plumbing. I got the call before noon, “Our house is flooded!” Merle helped me tear the wall out. An old galvanized pipe had corroded and burst. It took me until 8 PM to get it all put back together again. “you ought to bring your kids to our AWANA club,” I said, “It’s a blast and they learn some very important values!” Jamie said she’d like that. Pray that I get another opportunity to talk to both of them about the Lord!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 21; Isaiah 10; John 4:1-26
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Today’s thought comes from Revelation 20:11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

And I saw a Great White Throne, and heaven and earth fled away from the presence of the one sitting on it! Riveting. Powerful. Terrifying. Final. The Almighty God towers above the teeming masses of apprehensive humanity spread out on the plain below like a colony of little ants. Billions wait uneasily for their name to be called. They will all get a chance to plead their case. They will all get their day in court. For the first time ever, the verdict will just. There are no errors here. This is the final judgment. It happens at the end of the Millennium, the 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth. Let me reconstruct the details that have led up to this day of destiny. A little over 1000 years ago there was a time of terrible Tribulation. Seven years of it. The saints were raptured, the battle of Armageddon fought and Christ returned in glory and power! Then every believer who had been martyred during the tribulation was raised from the dead and they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (Rev 20:4-5) this is the first resurrection. We all will have received our reward by now at the Judgment seat of Christ. 1000 years pass in peace, prosperity and bliss. Billions of children are born who know nothing but one form of Government: a Theocracy. Our God reigns. The curse is removed (no more weeds! Oh boy!), the Devil and his demons are locked up away from humanity, no longer can they temp us… the only battle a human has during this time is the battle with his own sinful nature. At the end of the Millennium, the Devil is loosed and quickly finds a following among those who have, due to their rebellious nature, become discontent with God. A final, decisive battle is fought… and now… now it is Judgment Day! The resurrected righteous have already received their reward. So who are the subjects of the Great White Throne Judgment? There are only two groups of people left to judge: those left alive after the Millennium and the unrighteous dead. Now is the time of the second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous dead. You don’t want to be among them! There is only one destiny for them. “Depart from me you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” To avoid this unhappy ending, make your peace with God now! Trust Christ to save you!

Dear Almighty God. I do not wish to stand before you and be judged at the Great White Throne. Instead I plead for mercy and grace rather than justice! I will trust in Your Son Jesus to be my Savior from that terrible day. Thank you that He paid for my sins in full! I am trusting in You.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 8:12 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-24 The Work

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“It was everything I had hoped it would be!” Doris is how old? It’s not nice to guess! Let’s just say she’s been retired for longer than your kids have been in grade school. Doris went sky-diving! That sweet, ole gramma jumped from an airplane for the first time in her life! “I can just imagine what Don sees when he looks down! It must be just like the view from up there!” Husband Don has graduated into the presence of the Lord. Would she do it again? You bet! In an instant. Even a pulled muscle in her back didn’t stop her. She was determined to spend her birthday floating like a saint who’s been raptured into the presence of the Lord!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 20:23-43; Isaiah 9; John 3
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Today’s thought comes from 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Work. 310 times in the Old Testament. 65 times in the New Testament. What kind of work is Paul talking about in 1 Cor 3? Manual labor? White collar work? My job? Work at church? Ministry? What qualifies as “work” that will be tried by fire resulting in reward or loss? Let’s throw some Scripture references in. Mark 13:34. Our work is …like a man (Jesus) going into a far country (heaven) who left his servants (us) “to each his work.” John 4:34 “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and finish His work.” Acts 13:2 “As they ministered… the Holy Spirit said ‘separate Paul and Barnabas for the work to which I have called them.’” 1 Cor 9:1 “are you not my work in the Lord?” 1 Cor 15:58 “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Cor 16:10 Timothy “does the work of the Lord, as I also do.” Eph 4:12 God gave some to be pastors and teachers to equip the saints “for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Col 1:10 be “fruitful in every good work.” 1 Thess 1:3 I remember “your work of faith.” 1 Tim 3:1 if anyone desires to do the ministry of an Elder he “desires a good work.” 1 Tim 5:10 “well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.” 2 Tim 4:5 “Do the work of an evangelist.” Heb 6:10 God will remember “your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” You have been given work to do for the kingdom of God. Each one has his work. Being obedient to God’s will and God’s plan for your life is the very crux of that work. That’s where it begins and ends. One of the main focuses of God’s work is people! When we minister to people, build them up and lead them to the knowledge of Christ and maturity, that’s ministry! That’s the work. That work starts in the family and reaches out to the body of Christ and extends to every person God brings across your path. It is balanced and expansive. It begins at home but never ends there. It takes an exercise of faith to do the work. It is a supernatural work. When we work hand in hand with God, He does the work! This is the work that God will evaluate… a life’s work centered on Christ. Everything you do will either be part of the work that will be rewarded or a part of the trash heap that will be burned up at the judgment seat. To the work!

Dear Father, I am your servant. I will work for You. Whatever you want for my life, that’s what I want. Wherever you send me, I’ll go. Whatever you tell me, I’ll listen. Speak clearly as I am dull of hearing at times. I want to hear your voice, follow your leading and do your work!

Because Your loving kindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:20 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-21 The Beatings Will Continue

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I am not a fan of salesmen. I’m pretty much sales resistant. I don’t like listening to sales pitches, and I don’t like people trying to sell me stuff. I like to browse for stuff by myself… until I have a question I can’t answer. Scott is a salesman. Oh boy. He called to say he was on HWY 138 headed my way. Oh boy. When he got here I told him I did not have any information on our insurance. I am not the go-to-guy. He said that I would do. Oh boy. Then he began to talk about ministry. He’s deeply involved in it. It was apparent that he loves the Lord. An hour or so later, we never did talk much about his product, but we did talk about Jesus, the church and our need to reach this generation. Oh boy!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 20:1-22; Isaiah 8; John 2
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
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Today’s thought comes from 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

The beatings will continue until morale has increased! Morale has not increased, so the beatings will continue! No wonder we don’t get much done around here! There’s not enough of us actually doing the work! The foundation has been laid – It’s Jesus. Wrap your life around Him and get lost in His love. Now it is up to us to build on that foundation. It takes work to build on that foundation. I know a lot of you are allergic to ministry and it shows. Try an experiment. Ask twenty people in your church to commit to ministry, say, evangelism or teaching or just serving in the nursery. Then watch them squirm and twist in the wind! “I don’t have time!” (That’s the biggest objection. I’m too busy to serve Jesus). “I don’t know how!” (You can learn. Old dogs learn new tricks). “It’s not my gift, passion, interest, love... I don’t like kids, adults, teaching, or serving Jesus.” (Did I just say that? What is your gift, passion, interest, love? When are you going to start building on the foundation?) Let me explain the real problem. The reason so many of us are not enthusiastically throwing ourselves into the work of the kingdom is because we haven’t got the foundation nailed down. You have to love Jesus before you can serve him. If you love Jesus, you WILL want to serve him. If you have a problem with number 2 (work) It’s because you have a problem with number 1 (Jesus)! Maybe Jesus isn’t # 1! Maybe you are! Maybe I am. This is really getting personal, isn’t it? Yup. The beatings will continue until morale has increased! Listen folks, you didn’t come to church to sit, you came to serve. I think it’s time we removed the pews from the church building and replaced the hymn books with towels so that we can wash each other’s feet. Instead we sit, soak and sour! Let me repeat the mantra. If you love Jesus you will serve him. If you aren’t serving you are sinning. If you build on the foundation you’ll receive a reward. If you don’t… do the math. And it all starts with genuine love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave up everything for us. The reason we give is because He gave Himself to serve us. We love him because He first loved us. We give because He gave. End of story. Now it’s time to evaluate your love life.

Dear Lord Jesus. I do love You. I know that life is all about You. Forgive me for making it all about me! I always get in the way. Father, please rekindle my love for you and help me to have the passion to serve that I had when I first believed. I love You. I will serve You.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:49 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-20 Finding Your Foundation in Life

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How many of you are in need of prayer? (Hands go up). It looks like pretty much all of you… (More hands). Ok, so all of you need prayer. Me too! I spoke with Mike yesterday. He needs prayer for a family situation involving his son. Pray that the Lord will open his eyes. I spoke with Donna. She has been praying for her daughter for 40 or 50 years! Oh how she would like to see her come to the Lord. Phil would like prayer for his children. Barbara is in need for her husband Roy. He’s got Alzheimer’s and is slowly deteriorating. They are standing in the need of prayer. Larry is thankful that he has a job, but he has a number of issues he has to resolve. And the list goes on and on and on and on and… I hope you are a praying person! We all need it! He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think !

Today's Scripture reading is 11 Kings 19; Isaiah 7; John 1:19-51
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
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Today’s thought comes from 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

Are you a builder? Are you doing the work? What is this work we are supposed to be doing, for which we will receive reward or loss? If there’s to be a test and a reward, you might want to know exactly what you’ll be judged on. When I was in college, I realized that mastering all the material wasn’t always necessary… I figured out that the way to get good grades was to find out exactly what the teacher wanted and master that! That’s good for grades, and not always good for your personal educational growth. But in this case, we should be most interested in what our Savior Jesus Christ wants from us, and if we are wise, we’ll give it to Him! We could phrase it this way: are you a kingdom builder? Are you doing His work? Getting clearer? Let’s begin the process of discovery so we can get to work. What’s the foundation? Jesus Christ. There is no other foundation for life! If you have another foundational belief, it will be burned up! You will suffer loss! How does the foundation get laid? A few verses earlier, Paul mixes his metaphors. In 1 Cor 3:6 he’s a farmer scattering seed, and in verse 10, that seed grows into a foundation. The farmer turns carpenter! “I have planted, Apollos watered… and each one will receive a reward for his labor.” A few verses earlier, Paul again mixes metaphors. In verse 2 he’s a parent feeding a child, “I fed you with milk.” The milk is the seed that is laid in the foundation. It’s all about reorienting your life so that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Foundation for life. He is the food you need to grow on, he is the seed you need so that you can harvest a rewarding life, and he is the solid foundation that the winds and the waves cannot demolish. It’s all about Jesus. One of the problems with modern evangelism is that we ask people to trust Jesus as Savior and what they hear is that they should tack Jesus on to their lives as one of many priorities and one of many self help options that will enrich their lives. Jesus doesn’t want to be just another helpful option. The Old Testament puts it this way, “God is a jealous God!” He is The Thing. He is The One. Jesus wants us to wipe away all other philosophies, ideals and motivations and he wants to be The singular foundational Way to live life, Truth to believe in, and The thing Life is about! When we trust Christ to be our Savior, we ask him to not only save us from Hell, but to be saved for Himself now! From Hell to Jesus. There’s the foundation. Life is all about Jesus. First lesson learned.

Dear Lord Jesus. Help me to put you first and make you the foundational truth of my life. Help me to build my life around you! Only one life, will soon be past. Only what’s done for You will last. Help me to believe that and make the changes necessary to demonstrate that!

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 11:09 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-19 Sorrow in Heaven?

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“It is impossible for men in the future to fly like birds. Flying is reserved for the angels. Do not mention that again lest you be guilty of blasphemy.” Quote attributed to Milton Wright… father of the Wright brothers. Did he really say that? I don’t know. But yesterday I made a stunning discovery about the first Bishop of the United Brethren Church: He preached at Pine Grove Community Church at least three times! That’s wright… (oops) right! Back in 1859, along with 8 other ministers, Milton Wright preached an eleven day camp meeting here! A few of his message titles were 2 Tim. 4.1, "Who shall judge the quick and dead," and Exodus 32.6, "Sat down to eat & rose up to play." There were several conversions right under the Pine Grove at Deer Creek. Pretty cool huh? Read more about it on our history page http://www.pinegrovecommunitychurch.com/history.html

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 18:16-45; Isaiah 6; John 1:1-18
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
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Today’s thought comes from 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Will there be any sorrow in heaven? No! Re 21:4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Good News! Will there be any sorrow at the Judgment Seat of Christ? How about shame? “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28). When God reviews our works, if we limp into port, like a leaky ship with torn sails and no cargo because we did not do diligence to care for his craft nor did we trade his goods, when we stand before the Ships Owner, will it be in pride or with head hung? Paul was concerned about disapproval at the Judgment Seat in 1 Cor 9:24-27. He said ‘I run to obtain the prize…’ “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disapproved.” When we stand before Jesus, if our works are worthless, we will “suffer loss!” That means no reward. Eric Saur suggests the following: “In all, scripture speaks in a threefold respect of the judgment of believers. First of their judgment as sinners, second as children, third as servants. As sinners they were judged in the past on the cross. In our Substitute our sentence was fully executed… As children they are judged in the present, when they are chastened by the Lord (when we sin) (1 Cor 11:32)… Lastly as servants, in the future, before the judgment seat of Christ.” As a servant, some of us will receive a hearty “well done, you good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!” While others “will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved,” like a man barely escaping the fire! When I face my Lord, I don’t want it to be with head hung because I did not do what I should have done. I know that I have failed in service many times, how about you? The remedy? Make me a servant, humble and meek”

Dear Father. Make me a servant. One day when I stand before you, I want to present all that I have done as my humble service to my Lord. May you in your grace empower me to serve. Let me be diligent, energetic and faithful!

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:45 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-18 Rewards of Grace

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“Dennis is such a tightwad…” Have you ever been a fly on the wall when other people talk about you? What would they say if you weren’t around? Yesterday I went over to the rental to fix a toilet. The water was off due to water main construction. The neighbor is on a well… he has water, so I took two buckets over to his place to fill with water so I could test the toilet for leaks. “Can I borrow some water? I’m fixing the toilet for Angie.” “Sure. Dennis had to do that for Gary last week.” Did I mention that the neighbor is blind and somewhat deaf? “Oh really?” “Yeah, that Dennis sure is such a tightwad! He won’t fix anything around there!” (He’s talking about me! And he doesn’t know he’s talking to me!) :) “Like what?” “Oh, that septic system! It needs to be upgraded…” Ok, so I am a tightwad. He got that part right. I left smiling to myself. He never did know he was talking to Dennis about Dennis. Hey, it’s a little weird being a fly on the wall!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 18; Isaiah 5; Luke 24:36-53
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Today’s thought comes from 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Have you heard the story of the rich man who went to heaven? He asked Peter if he could bring a huge chest in with him. Peter, being a conscientious gate keeper, asked to see it. When the old guy opened the chest, it was full of Gold. Peter was surprised. “Pavement?” he asked! “You want to bring pavement into heaven?” Who needs gold in heaven? The streets are paved with it. Gold in heaven is as common as dirt on earth. Now I do “need” it here on earth, but in heaven? Don’t rush to judgment. Guess what, you do need it in heaven! In fact you need “gold, silver and precious stones.” And you don’t want to be carrying “wood, hay or straw” in with you! Obviously this is a metaphor. Gold, silver and precious stones represent the good things done while in this body, and wood, hay and straw represent the bad things we’ve done. They represent your work done or not done for Christ. Here’s how the Judgment Seat of Christ works. It is predicated on a simple question. “As a Christian, what foundation have you built upon?” If, since trusting Christ, you have built your life upon Christ and built his kingdom… that’s worth Gold, Silver and Precious Stones. If, however, you have followed other paths such as selfishly building your own kingdom, caring about worldly values and living a haphazard life without Christ at the center of it, that’s worth Wood, Hay and Stubble. At the Judgment seat there is a simple test administered to determine the fundamental nature of your motives, words and actions. Just as fire is used to burn away useless impurities and valueless dross, so each one’s work will become clear. It will be visible and verbalized – revealed on that day, shown for what it really is. So how do you do these works that endure? You can’t do them “in the flesh” or by yourself. They need to be accomplished “according to the grace of God.” They must be “works of grace!” That simply means I depend on His grace for the ability to accomplish them. Dependent. Submissive. Prayerful. Yielded. And that results in “rewards of grace!”

Dear Lord, I need your grace to serve you. I cannot do it on my own. Please fill me with yourself so that I will overflow with kindness, mercy, love, hope and joy. And may that be apparent to all that I am a child of God. May I want others to know what I know, and have what I have. I want to serve you.

He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 8:28 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-17 The Bema Seat

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“But why would God love me?” “Because he chose, from eternity past to bestow his love upon you.” Don slumped forward on the couch to lean on three pillows for stability. He was dressed in a t-shirt, had a full neck brace holding his head up, a black pirates patch graced one eye, and a folded white wash cloth lay across his forehead. If his condition wasn’t so serious it would have been comical! (Sorry Don!). Not to mention the fact that the couch seemed to swallow up his lean body making him look even skinnier than normal, perhaps even a little gaunt. Little stubs of white hair stuck out on his chin. He was a bit unshaven. Don had broken his neck in a racing accident. Pastor Joe Matia was eloquently sharing the Scriptures with him when I arrived. I’ve never been able to figure out why God would love me either! A sinner like me? Because He chose to. Because He wants to let his generous, gracious love overwhelm me! Because He made me and would rather die than live without me! Very cool!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 17; Isaiah 4; Luke 24:1-35
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
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Today’s thought comes from 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Judgment Day! Everyone wants to avoid it. At least they should. It’s not going to be pretty. I really don’t think anyone in their right mind wants to hear the words thundering from the Almighty, “Depart from me, you evildoers! Into the Lake of Fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!” Just the thought of it ought to send chills of fear up and down your spine! But… did you know that there is a “Judgment Day” for Christians? 2 Corinthians 5:10 states that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10 says the same. What is this Judgment Seat? It is the Greek word Bema which most often, in the Bible, refers to an elevated platform where a governor, judge or king sat to hold court. Sometimes it refers to a king’s throne, also elevated, sometimes up an entire flight of steps, from which he makes proclamations. In the Greek games, the athletes would appear at an elevated Bema Seat to receive awards for their winnings. The Bible indicates that in the future, Christians go to the “Bema Seat,” while unbelievers are judged at the “Great White Throne.” The Bema Seat is good! The Great White Throne is bad! The first means you made it, the second means you didn’t! Let’s get one thing straight! The Judgment Seat of Christ is not there to determine whether we are going to go to heaven or hell! That’s already been determined. In fact 1 Cor 3:15 plainly states that even the poorest of us Christians will suffer loss and still be saved… even if we do smell like smoke! So what is this Judgment Seat of Christ all about? 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that its point is that it is so we receive reward or loss for the things we’ve done on this earth. We are going to give an accounting to God for our service to him and our misdeeds! Think about that! And there is going to be accountability and reward given out on that day.

Dear Father. Thanks for the promise of eternal life. As I contemplate standing before you and entering into your presence, I want to live my life in a way that is pleasing to you! Please transform me into your image. I am so incapable of pleasing you. I need your empowerment to give me the grace I need to serve you.

The LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 11:01 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-13 The New Body

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We live in tumultuous times. Everywhere you look people are in heated debate about the Stimulus Money, the Health Care Bill and other things. Is hot debate going on around you? Let’s throw in another one? Should Marijuana be legalized? I just talked with someone who argued that it should be! He said that instead of spending money to arrest people for smoking it, the government could earn taxes off of it. It, like alcohol, could be produced legally and add to our economy. Marijuana is not dangerous like alcohol is, he said, it is innocuous as an aspirin. Now, I must tell you, I disagree strongly with every statement he made. How about you? Tell me what your opinion is and why you believe the way you do about it.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 16; Isaiah 3; Luke 23:26-71
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Today’s thought comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Beam me up Jesus! One of the most comforting and amazing events in history future is the coming of the Lord for His children. If you are alive on this earth at that time you will be part of the harpazo… the catching away of the saints. (Harpazo is the Greek word for “caught up.”). Another amazing and comforting truth has to do with the “sleeping” saints. Believers who have died are referred to as “asleep.” That’s because they get to rest from all their labors, while there is no rest for the unbelieving dead! They will never rest again! No wonder they sorrow and have no hope! But when you die, you will be with Jesus! That’s comforting. You will get to rest from all your toil, trouble and turmoil. It’s all over! Wahoo! And then consider 1 Thessalonians 4:15 & 17. In verse 15 Jesus is going to bring the sleeping saints “with him” when he comes. And in verse 17 those “sleeping saints” will rise before the living to “meet the Lord in the air.” The sleeping saints have been with Jesus since the time of their death, and they come down to meet us and to meet up with their resurrected bodies. Since the sleeping saints are NOW with Christ, it only makes sense that they are coming back to meet their bodies! Which brings up the question, what are they like now without their physical body? Are they disembodied souls or something? Not really. 1 Corinthians 5:1-3 calls our present body “a tabernacle.” The tabernacle was a temporary tent that could be taken down and folded up at any time so that you could move on to a new location. But it calls our eternal body “a building.” A building is a structure which is much more substantial, durable and permanent! The real we – the person inside the body – looks out though our weather beaten, patched up tent flap and longs for the day when we can crawl inside our freshly painted, brand new, weather proof, eternal mansion called our “new body!” One of these days our mortality will be swallowed up in life! That’ll be the day!

Dear Lord Jesus, come quickly. I can’t wait to get my new body… the mansion instead of the tabernacle that I now live in. Thanks for the promise of the resurrection! I can’t wait to see you. Please help me to prepare for my heavenly home by living right before you!

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:31 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-12 The Difference between the Rapture and The Second Coming

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“Some of the kids were calling me Paul!” Larry is playing the part of the Apostle Paul, chained to a Roman Guard (Alberta), for our Vacation Bible School. “It is so awesome! I don’t want to let them down! If I’m playing the part of Paul at Church, I sure wouldn’t want to disappoint any of them by setting a bad example with my life!” Now that is how it should be for all of us! We are all playing the part of a Christian on Sunday, we wouldn’t want to let anyone down by setting a bad example on Monday, would we? Larry is having a great time in this Drama. One of the kids named Silas asked him if he knew the story of Paul and Silas! Larry said that playing this part has made him want to open his Bible and read more about the character he is portraying! And I thought Bible School was for kids! This is great!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 15; Isaiah 2; Luke 23:1-25
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
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Today’s thought comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

What is the difference, if any, between the Rapture and the Second Coming? There are many Christians who say they are one and the same event. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a scripture verse is referring to the rapture or the second coming. However, in studying end-times Bible prophecy, it is very important to differentiate between the two. The first difference we should be aware of is that the Rapture (Latin Word) or Harpazo (Greek Word) relates to “those who sleep in Jesus,” “the dead in Christ” or our “brethren.” Read the 1 Thessalonians 4 passage over slowly and it is impossible to miss the emphasis on “the church!” The Harpazo is for New Testament believers. Now read the Second Coming passages like Matthew 24 and the emphasis shifts to Jerusalem, Israel and the nations of the world. At the Harpazo believers meet the Lord in the air… at the Second Coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14). The Harpazo is the removal of Christians from the earth to be with the Lord in heaven, while after the Second Advent believers from the Tribulation remain on the earth to go into the Kingdom (Matthew 25:32-34). The Harpazo is meant to deliver believers from the Wrath to come (1 Thess 5:9) while the Second Coming occurs after the time of Wrath poured out on the whole world (Matthew 24:29). If you blink, you will miss the Harpazo because it occurs “in the twinkling of an eye,” (1 Corinthians 15:52) but no one will miss the Return of Christ because “every eye will see” (Revelation 1:7). The Church is present on the earth in Revelation 1-3 but it is absent from the earth in Revelation 4-18! The Harpazo could happen at any time “The Lord is at hand!” (Phil 4:5). The Second Coming comes only after 7 years of Tribulation and many powerful signs and prophesies are fulfilled. Look up! Your Redemption is drawing near!

Dear Lord Jesus, come quickly. We are waiting for you to take us home to be with you forever! We long to be transformed into your image! We can’t wait until this life with its failings and flaws is replaced with an eternity of hope, joy, flawlessness and of course, your very presence with us!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:40 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-11 Jesus is Coming

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I now pronounce you husband and wife…” I had just finished a joyful celebration, the joining of a happy couple celebrating their love for one another when I got the text message… “Don was in an accident. His car hit the wall (Don races). They had to cut the top off. He is on his way to Mercy Hospital. I grabbed four sticks of cotton candy, freshly spun from the machine for my grandkids (they had a cotton candy machine at this wedding!), and took off for the hospital. I got there just when Jayn did, I think. She was trembling and teary eyed and so glad to see someone she knew. I sat with her in the waiting room. Then we went in to see Don where we got the news, “Don broke his neck. We’ll have to operate.” Fortunately he has no paralysis! I was there until 10 PM. Pray for the family. They need your prayers.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 14; Isaiah 1; Luke 22:37-
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
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Today’s thought comes from Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

What do we know about the second coming of Christ? From the book of Revelation we can say with certainty that the return of Christ to this earth happens after the Tribulation and before the Millennium. The end times passages (Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:25) say the same. When Jesus returns he will come as Warrior, Judge and Lord. The military might of the nations of the earth will be poised at Armageddon to destroy the nation of Israel once and for all. Zechariah 14 paints a sober picture of that battle. The city of Jerusalem shall be taken, the houses rifled and the women ravished. Half of the people will already be captured. It seems that all is lost. Jesus the mighty Warrior will suddenly emerge from heaven at the 11th hour and will strike the nations and destroy their armed forces with the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Many of us wish God would do something about the mess the world is in right now! Just wait! It will happen! God will intervene in history in the future as he has in the past. The second coming will be powerful, visible and unmistakable. Every eye will see him (Rev 1:7). The nations, who have become stubbornly defiant against God will realize a simple reality, “there is a God, and He is all powerful, and they have made a colossal mistake!” The nations of the earth will shake with anger and sorrow because of Him. They will all mourn the reality of God. Many wish to deny his existence. Many say, “show me a sign!” This is not exactly what they have been hoping for. After the battle of Armageddon, Jesus will sit as Judge over the nations and peoples of the earth. The “sheep” – those who believe in Him, hear his voice and follow (John 10:27), will enter the kingdom, the “goats” will not. Following the Judgment of the sheep and goats Jesus will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords over all the earth. All wrongs will be set right as Jesus reigns from shore to shore.

Dear Lord Jesus, come quickly. Set the wrongs to right, bring justice, hope and joy to this world. We are waiting. We know that you have intervened in the past and you have promised to come in the future, so now we look to you for our eternal hope. We are filled with love and hope at your promises.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:34 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-7 The Last 1335 Days

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“Let me move those guns so you can sit down!” It was Keith, and he wasn’t scared a bit. Two were nerf guns and one was a water gun. The grandkids left them. Keith came in to drop off the wedding license for his son. We talked soccer briefly. Two years ago we officiated a playoff game together. Don’t remember the game at all. What I do remember is the monogrammed “referee hat” that Keith got for each member of the team! What a thoughtful gesture! “It’s often the little things that we remember the most!” He said. That is so true. But for those little gestures to happen, you have to think ahead and plan for them! Sometimes those little gestures take extra thought, care and planning. But they can pay big dividends in good feelings. Just before he left the ladies in the kitchen loaded him up with freshly canned pie fillings and frozen cherries and such! Now that looked good!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 13; Luke 22:1-36
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Today’s thought comes from Daniel 12:6 "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?" 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. 8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?" 9 And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end… 11 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 "Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.

More clues. Add them up. “A time, times, and a half a time… one thousand two hundred and ninety days… one thousand three hundred and thirty five days.” All these numbers are in lunar months of 30 days. The first figure (A time, times, and a half a time) is 42 months, or 1260 days. The second figure is 43 months or 1290 days. The third figure is 44 & ½ months or 1335 days. What does it all mean? Daniel wanted to know the same thing. ‘How long is this astonishing story to go on?' Even Daniel, the great prophet didn’t understand his own prophecy! The angel said to him, “sorry, the words are sealed until the time of the end!” I have read scores of information about these numbers and no one seems to agree! I can tell you this as a matter of fact; when we get there, we will know! In the meantime, let me tell you some stuff about prophetic chronology that may not scratch where you itch. Oh well. So it hurts your head. Mine too. The last half of Daniel’s 70th week is known as “The Great Tribulation.” It is 1260 days long. According to verse 11 “from the time the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up there shall be 1290 days. My opinion? Here it is. The Abomination of desolation takes place mid-point in the 70th week. 30 DAYS BEFORE THAT the Antichrist stops the daily sacrifices of the Jews! It takes 30 days for him to get set for this great deception. He’s got to get the lights, camera, set and all ready for his Hollywood style debut as god! That’s how I deal with the 1290 days. Make sense? Now for the 1335 days. “Blessed is he who… comes to the 1335 days.” I’m guessing, and I repeat, I’m guessing that the extra 45 days here is AFTER the Great Tribulation is over. What happens after the Trib? #1 The Sheep and Goat Judgment of the Nations (Matthew 25:32). #2 The Resurrection of Righteous (Revelation 20:4-5). #3 The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7). Does all this take 45 days? I don’t know for sure… but it makes sense to me. So, now let’s get past the numbers. The point is, if you are there… I mean at the end… at the Resurrection of the Righteous, you will be blessed beyond the numbers!

Dear Father. I know that you deal in details. But I can’t always wrap my mind around everything you’ve got going. Thanks for the simple promise that you are coming back and that we will be with you in the resurrection and in eternity! Thank God for that hope.

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 11:01 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-6 The Unveiling of the Future

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He was making crosses. Over one hundred of them! They are for a Vacation Bible School craft. But what about taking up his cross to follow Jesus? Mike began telling me about how God is changing him, speaking to his heart and leading him day by day. How the things he used to treasure no longer glitter, and the things of God are becoming more precious day by day. It began several years ago when God laid Matthew 6:33 on him; “Seek first the kingdom of God…” He began reading the Bible every day. God is now challenging him to a place of service. As a picture of what’s going on he told me about a trip he recently took to an old camping spot. For over 30 years he, his dad & grandpa made camp there. It was a place of love and memories. But this trip was different. As he walked into camp he didn’t recognize anything. It had been ravaged by a wild fire! How sad. But the application for him? He’s burning the bridges of the past to blaze a trail into the great unknown future God has for him!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 12; Malachi 4; Luke 21
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Today’s thought comes from Daniel 12:1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. 4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

“Shut up!” is one statement we don’t allow in our house. It’s unkind and hurtful. It tells a person that they don’t deserve to be heard. It cuts them off at the neck. “Shut up the words.” That’s what God told Daniel. “seal the book until the time of the end.” In this case “shut up” means “to hide,” or conceal from plain view. “to seal” means to “put a seal on,” like a wax seal or metaphorically “to lock up” the prophecy so that its meaning is not understood to the casual viewer. Daniel was told that this shutting and sealing was to obscure the meaning of his prophecies “until the time of the end” when knowledge would then increase. How was he to accomplish this? The book of Daniel has been available for centuries for any student of Scripture to read. How did he hide his words and seal his prophetic meanings? He did it by visions of a great image of a man with a head of Gold, chest of silver, thighs of bronze and legs of Iron. He did it with visions of beasts like a lion with eagles wings, a bear with two ribs in its mouth, a winged leopard, and a terrible beast with iron teeth and ten horns. He did it with the angel’s message of the 70 weeks. The amazing thing is that in his book Daniel left an accurately detailed account of the next 500 years of the major movements in history and politics. Yet, the people of that day, for the most part, didn’t get it! They couldn’t see it! It was shut up and sealed! He has also left an amazingly detailed account of the last days of the nation Israel, yet to come, and most don’t see it! It’s there! The keys and clues are in the book! The closer we get to the end, the more they make sense! As people run to and fro from one place in the world to the other, sparing no pains to understand these details, and as knowledge increases, we are beginning to understand the shape of things to come. Some of it is still obscure! But if you are a student of Daniel, and if you are prayerfully seeking to compare spiritual things with human events, as time marches on, you will see the virtual “unsealing” of the book of Daniel. Much has become clear already. There is much yet to understand. Look for it!

Dear Spirit. Open my eyes so that I may compare spiritual things with spiritual. Teach me from your Word that I may understand even the things that have been sealed up until the time of the end. Help me to understand the mysteries of life so that I can live wisely and successfully in these days.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 8:01 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-5 Timeline Future

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Blueberries were everywhere! …a quarter ton of them. Christen had just gotten back with the group that picked them. She looked at me from under her hat and smiled as she finished off her McDonald’s french fries! She didn’t know that the ladies were going to serve fresh corn on the cob later! French fries or corn on the cob? Difficult choice. That was some good corn. Christen joined the gleaners in the church kitchen who were processing those blueberries into pie filling and who knows what else! And because they were gleaners… the blueberries were free for the taking. Pretty amazing. Want to glean? Call us.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 11:1-25; Malachi 3; Luke 20:27-47
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
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Today’s thought comes from Daniel 12:1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. 4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

Exact chronology is sometimes difficult to ascertain from prophecy. Take these verses as an example: “At that time Michael shall stand up.” When is “at that time?” Does it point back to the battle between Antichrist and the Kings of the South & North… or is it when he hears the rumors from the East? Or perhaps it’s when he meets his doom at the end of the Tribulation? We can rule out the last thought because verse one gives more details, “and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation…” Hey, I’ll bet we can link that to Jesus statement in Matthew 24:15-21, "Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place… then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” If we understand this correctly, that would mean Michael plays a significant role in prophecy future at the midpoint of the tribulation. What happens at the midpoint? Antichrist breaks the covenant he made with Israel and sets himself up as god in the temple. Many in Israel flee to the wilderness mountains for 3 & ½ years where they are supernaturally protected. We ascertain that from Revelation 12:13-16 where the woman (Israel) is protected from the dragon (Satan and his cohort the Antichrist). The archangel Michael apparently is the one who does the supernatural protecting. Then we get to the second “at that time” of verse one. “At that time your people will be delivered.” If we only take these verses by themselves, they sound compressed into one snapshot. That’s what makes chronology difficult. But if we let Scripture interpret Scripture, we realize that it is more like a summary statement. When we unroll the snapshot it turns out it is more like a panoramic picture that stretches from one side of the tribulation to the other… and beyond. …because it also includes the resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous which Revelation 20 indicates is separated by 1000 years! And it includes eternity where the righteous will shine “like the stars forever and ever!” Whatever the time scale happens to be, one thing is certain: Right now, there is still time for you and I to prepare to meet our maker! Whatever happens in the future, live your life in such a way that you hear the “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Dear Lord Jesus. I will worship You. No matter what the future holds, no matter how it all shakes out, one thing is certain, prophecy points to my need to depend on You. Thank you for the promise that you will take care of me. I’m depending on You.

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:05 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-4 Intelligence Briefing

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“Do you want to play some tennis tonight?” It was Shaphen. We haven’t played tennis together in… a year? Last time we played, he was lugging around a bit of excess baggage. Now he’s lost quite a bit of weight. He’s a leaner, meaner tennis player… but he’s rusty. It took him about 5 games before he could get his serve down. Finally, after I’d whipped him 6 to 2, finally he started hitting the ball well. That’s when the lights went out. Those timers really do their job! So at 10 PM we were hitting the ball in the dark. Funny how you hit the ball better when you can’t see it! It has to do with “no pressure.” I love playing tennis with Shaphen. Even if I did get to bed at 10:30!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 10; Malachi 2; Luke 20:1-26
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Today’s thought comes from Daniel 11:40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 "He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 "He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 "He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 "But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 "And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.

Remember the story of 1 Kings 6? The king of Syria made plans to attack the king of Israel, but every time he mapped out a strategy or concocted an ambush the Israelites seemed to know about it. This enraged the king! So he summoned his officers and demanded, "Which of you is on the side of the king of Israel?" There was a mole in his tent, and he was going to flush him out. But one of his officers said, “It’s none of us! But Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel tells the king of Israel the very words you speak!" Can you imagine the advantage you would have if you had a prophet telling you the moves your enemy was going to make before he made them! What general wouldn’t love to have intelligence briefings with Elisha! Today we have a briefing on a coming battle! I can tell you the basic moments of the players! What I can’t tell you is exactly when this is going to happen. Here is how the battle plays out in the end times. On his rise to power, the Antichrist makes several enemies who crave to be world rulers themselves. “The king of the South” is one of them. Linked with history past, this would be a nation or coalition linked with the Ptolemies, or Egypt. Phase one: Look for Egypt to attack the Antichrist. I wonder if the Antichrist reads Daniel? He should. But that’s not all! Phase two: In conjunction with or perhaps shortly after the southern attack, the northern king, linked with the Seleucids, (Turkey, Iran, Syria, Iraq… Russia???) will attack the Antichrist with a great force! Could this be the one and the same attack mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39? The Antichrist handily defeats Egypt, Lybia and Ethiopia and many other countries – probably the Northern coalition. His base of operations will be “the glorious land” of Israel, whom he has obligated himself to protect with a 7 year covenant. But his intelligence report picks up chatter from the East, perhaps the Kings of the East of Revelation 6:12 and from the North that another attack is on its way, so the Antichrist makes a pre-emptive strike. And that brings us to the end of the tribulation when he meets his maker! What a surprise! God is in control after all.

Dear Father. There will be wars and rumors of wars, yet I will not be afraid, nor will I be dismayed because you are in control. I know I can count on you to lead me through the ups and downs of life. No matter what life throws at me, help me to trust in you for your supply.

It is God who works in you both to will and to do his good pleasure

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 8:10 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

8-3 The Model Secular Political Leader

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“I do church every Sunday by myself in my own way.” Don is one of the fun-loving-est guys I know of. I always get a kick out of talking to him. I was on my way to work when I saw his butcher panel truck parked by the side of the road. I stopped to see if he was broken down. His truck looks like it is straight out of the cartoons when he’s driving it. The metal sides flap back and forth. It’s a surprise it runs at all. The rusty frame is held together with duct tape and baling wire! The only thing missing is the black cloud and lightning bolt above. Love it! But did you know that you can’t do church by yourself? Inherent in the meaning of the word Church is a “gathering of believers.” To do church, you have to come together with others. That’s why the TV won’t work, nor the radio. It’s kind of like dating your girl friend over the phone! You can blow kisses all day, but there’s nothing like the real thing.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Kings 9; Malachi 1; Luke 19
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Today’s thought comes from Daniel 11:36 "Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the time of wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. 37 "He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 "But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 "Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.

Ever heard of the 400 silent years? That is the period of time between the book of Malachi and Matthew. Prophets and prophecy came to a screeching halt for four long centuries… or did it? The 400 silent years were not so silent. In his book, in chapter 11 the prophet Daniel outlined the events of those “silent years” in advance, detailing the battles of the Kings of the North and the Kings of the South. When Alexander the Great died, his kingdom was divided into four smaller kingdoms. Two of them were dominant in prophecy. The Kings of the South were known as the Ptolemies and The Kings of the North were known as the Seleucids. Verse 1-35 detail their many battles and intrigues. But verse 35 flashes forward to “the time of the end” and introduces “The Willful King.” You know him better as the Antichrist. What is this guy going to be like? According to these verses #1. He will do whatever he wants. He will be a powerful dictator who is accountable to no one but himself. #2 He will have a massive ego. He will claim that he is a god above all other gods. #3 He will demean belief in the one true God, claiming that He does not exist. That’s bad news for believers during those days! #4 He will be extremely successful and popular. #5 The only god that the Antichrist cares about is “power,” (translated forces or fortresses in some Bibles). #6 Follow the money trail. The Antichrist will use wealth as a means to gain power, and he will have lots of it. #7 His strategy is to attack and decisively defeat his strongest enemies and make an example of them. #8 He rewards those who support him with land, power and wealth. The Antichrist will be the embodiment of the modern secular atheist politician. As you can see that is the direction our culture is taking. Life in our world his headed his direction. He’ll be riding the waves of popularity into power one day in the not too distant future.

Dear Lord. I pray for all those in authority that they might have wisdom in carrying out their many responsibilities with godliness. I pray for peace that we may share our faith freely. I thank you that you superintend over all the events of the future.

I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:52 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT    

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