Time With God

Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009

9-29 Things Worth Running For

Download this episode (20 min)
Like ships passing in the dark. I woke up about 3:30 AM. Yawn! Susan had a dream, got up, went to the door and peered out. “What are you doing?” I asked. “Dreaming,” she said and went back to bed. But now I was awake. I sort of dreamed about winning millions of dollars, but that didn’t last long. After a half hour I gave up and got up. Shaphen was sitting on the couch catching the tail end of a cage fighting marathon. “Isn’t it a little past your bed time?” I asked. His eyes fluttered open. He had been asleep. I sat down on the couch as he got up to go to bed. Both of us looked a little like zombies… or perhaps like ships passing in the dark.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 10; Isaiah 31; John 21
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Mark 10:17-27 Now as Jesus was going out on the road, a man came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" 18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 "You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’" 20 And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

Things I run for. A few weeks ago Susan took off with the truck and trailer to pick up a load of gravel. Just as she drove off, I noticed that the trailer gate hadn’t been put back on. Knowing that she had to take a circuitous route, I took off running to catch her. I took a short cut up a gravel hill. I was only about ten yards away from the road when she drove by. I yelled, waived my hands and jumped up and down, but she never did see me. It wasn’t worth running for. With cotton mouth, I heaved heavily for several minutes. If I’m going to run that hard, it has to be for something really important! And besides, that’s what they make cell phones for. I guess running like that is reserved for something really important. Imagine you are in Jesus time… no cell phones. If you want to catch someone, you have to run. The pastor is walking by your house. “Hey Joe! Didn’t you want to talk to the pastor about an important spiritual question? Well he just walked up the block, if you go now, you might be able to catch him!” “Nah! No spiritual question could be that important!” But one young rich man had a question that was burning a hole in his pocket book. Maybe Jesus had the answer! So he took off running! How far and how fast was he willing to run? Was he just a block away? A half a mile? Or did he have to run a marathon to catch Jesus? What was so important that he had to run to catch the teacher? Huffing and puffing and heaving he stopped before Jesus, and fell to the ground… the Bible says he knelt, but I’m taking a few literary liberties. (gasp!) “Jesus!” (gasp, heave, gasp) “I need (gasp) to know (more gasping) how can I have eternal life?” What a question! It is THE question. There is no more important question in the universe. How come people don’t come running up to me with that question? How come the whole world isn’t running to church to find the answer? This is the one question that is worth the run. I hope you’ve got your Nike’s on. Just Do It!

Dear Jesus, I come to you with the important questions because You are THE answer. You are worth the run. I want you more than anything, please give me the gift of eternal life. Thanks for always being “catchable” by those of us who pursue you!

I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:52 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Friday, Sep 25, 2009

9-25 Does God Want You?

Download this episode (24 min)
Got Friends? Susie wrote me yesterday… “Wow! Excellent devotional thoughts this morning. When I count off my friends....I find godliness. Thank you, Jesus! These people have helped me grow soooo much over the last 10 years. I am amazed at the amount of faith they have instilled in my life. They spur me on to good works and to live righteously. I am truly blessed. … Yesterday you were fixing a sewer and I was living in one. Office politics caused things to become rather "stinky" here yesterday.....and it isn't going away as quickly as your mess. I am not directly involved...I just get to see the pollution of a large company.....I needed the reminder that my "friends" are not here at work....but at church. We will be together for eternity....and those lives are where I can make the most difference.” Thanks for the encouragement Susie!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 8; Isaiah 29; John 19:17-42
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Does God want you? I was reading this passage over again and noticed that “Jesus called those he wanted.” There are some heavy implications here! Does God want you? Does not God want everyone? “God does not want any to perish, but he wants all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus cried out many times for those who would not come to him, “Come unto me ALL you who are weary… and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:29). “For God so loved THE WORLD!” Does God want everyone? “Yes.” But that’s not exactly what this is talking about. This is talking about a deeper relationship with Him. This is talking about leadership. God calls all to salvation and some heed that call. God calls all Christians to follow him and some follow. God calls all his followers to be disciples and some take up their cross and count the cost. But apparently, when it comes to choosing his inner circle, he only invites a few. Does God want all of us in his inner circle? Probably. But we have to ask several hard questions about leadership that need answering. Is everyone EQUIPPED to be a leader? Perhaps not. Is everyone READY to lead? Some are not yet at that point, but may be in the future. Would anybody and everybody make a good leader? Probably not. Does God want every Christian in his inner circle? If we mean “does God wish the best for us,” then the answer is YES! He wants us all to reach the highest potential and become all we can possibly be. He desires all of us. But if we mean that God is looking at this from a practical viewpoint, realizing that some are better suited than others for the inner circle, than, no, God does not want all of us to be numbered with the 12. It isn’t a matter of love, because Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, Martha, the rich young ruler, and the world. It’s a matter of selecting those best suited for the job. And think of who they were! Some were not well educated, like Peter, James and John the fishermen. They were the “top three!” Matthew was a despised tax collector. Simon was a Zealot who on any other occasion would have slit Matthew’s throat given the chance. And then there was Judas Iscariot. Do you think Jesus knew he would betray him? Yes. But he chose him anyway. He was a pretty good treasurer for a while! We don’t always know who or why God chooses for his inner circle… perhaps it could be you! Does God want you?

Dear Lord Jesus. I know you desire me, and I also desire you. I want to be all you want me to be. I want to follow your plan for my life whatever that may be. Reveal it I pray. Draw me to the place you desire me to be. I want what you want. Let me see it clearly and take every step toward your will you reveal.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”-

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:37 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Thursday, Sep 24, 2009

9-24 The Unchanging Message of Preaching

Download this episode (21 min)
Frank peered back and forth through the front glass doors of the church. Apparently he couldn’t see Gerald and I standing a few feet away. I unlocked the doors and let him in. “I read your article in the paper, I’m an Episcopalian… I want to find out more about your church… I’m more of an agnostic than a Christian!” So why do you go to church? “Because it’s comfortable!” I asked Gerald to share how he came to faith in Christ! God has transformed him. Then I quickly summarized the Gospel – Heaven is a free gift. Trust Him! “That’s why I lean to agnosticism… I struggle with faith. I don’t know if I believe strong enough!” Pray for Frank! He says he’ll come visit us this Sunday.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 7:20-; Isaiah 28; John 19:1-16
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Some things never change… and they shouldn’t. Change is bad. Some things must change… and they should. Change is good! Take preaching for example. People have been preaching since, well, Noah. I think he’s really the first example of preaching we have in the Bible. While styles of preaching vary, preaching is, well, it’s preaching. Noah did it. So did Elijah. Ezra was a preacher, so was John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus sent the twelve out to preach and we’ve been preaching ever since. Paul noted that God is pleased to save people “through the foolishness of preaching.” Some people are “hell, fire and brimstone preachers” and others are more conversational. Regardless of style, preaching is meant to clearly communicate the message that Heaven is a free gift. Preaching should center on Jesus Christ and the Gospel and then encompass “the whole counsel of God!” Be careful NOT to change the message. Change is bad. But some things must change! In fact the unchanging message of preaching is that you’d better change or else! Change is our watchword. If you are not constantly changing for the good, you’re slipping backwards! The whole idea of repentance is about changing our mind. We have many fallacious beliefs and habits that need to be challenged. They must change! We must not attempt to change the truth of God’s message, but we must constantly challenge the traditions that man has established. Traditions must change that are contrary to God’s word. Jesus constantly threw manmade traditions out the window "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3). Paul warned in Col 2:8 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Change is good! Here’s the bottom line – Be a conservative as far as the truth is concerned, “Don’t Change! Change is bad!” Be a progressive as far as sin and manmade tradition is concerned, “You must change! Change is good!”

Dear Father. Please change me! I am seriously in need of reformation and regeneration! I want to change to become more and more like your unchangeable Son, Jesus! And Lord help me to stand for things that should not change… like your Word and your Truth! Help me to embrace change when needed and withstand change where truth is at stake. And give me the discernment to know the difference!

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”-

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:29 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009

9-23 Got Friends?

Download this episode (19 min)
“Ough! What is that?” Ken, Evie and I were peering into their septic porthole! It wasn’t a pretty sight. The pleasant aroma of septic swill hovered in the morning breeze, effecting a retching sensation that began deep in the gut. Their drain pipes were clogged and I was “supervising” the clean out process, having had many years of experience myself. Ken pointed to a spider underneath the deck. “Do you see how big that thing is! That’s a brown recluse!” Ken is deathly afraid of spiders, but he dutifully crawled under the deck to shove the hose with bladder attachment down the cleanout valve. A half hour later we finally broke through. Mission accomplished. The stuck is now unstuck and I got to go back to work.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 7:1-19; Isaiah 27; John 18:19-40
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Who do you like to hang out with? On one hand, name your closest friends. Think for a moment. Ok, got them? Show me your friends and I will show you your future. Birds of a feather will… you know the rest of the saying. Every so often we need to seriously examine our relationships and ask ourselves the difficult questions: “Are my friends good for me? Are my relationships drawing me closer to God or do they pull me away from Him? Am I hanging on to detrimental relationships because of the fear of being alone, because I am afraid of the pain of separation or some other faulty reason? Is there someone I admire that I can seek out to establish a new and better relationship with? Why haven’t I done that?” Do the hard things. They are sometimes very difficult and painful, but they yield the greatest benefits. The Apostles were attracted to Jesus. They followed him. When He called, they came. He chose them “that they might be with him…” Jesus knew the value of mentoring, he knew the power of positive relationships. He knew that you must make sure that your closest friends share your most cherished values. If not, you are in for a rocky ride. If so, you will develop into a person of robust faith. My suggestion? Name a few people that you admire for their walk with God, their values and their all around godly sensibility. Now, purposely set out to develop a friendship with those people. It may take some time, effort and some trial and error, but it will be worth it. Your choices determine what you will become. Make the best choices possible. One of the most significant paths to godliness is through your choice of friends. If you want to get on the fast track to good character, choose better people to hang around with. To become like Jesus, choose friends who want to be like Him.

Dear Father. Please help me to be wise in my choice of friends. I do want to become like you, yet I am carrying some baggage from poor decisions of the past. Help me to make a break from detrimental relationships when necessary. Help me to seek out godly friends. Help me to do the difficult things.

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal

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

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009

9-22 Are You an apostle?

Download this episode (21 min)
“So then you’re Cathity?” My neighbor had stopped by to chat about our concrete project. Another 8 foot section done. “We saw you in the paper. Great write up. We almost came to your anniversary celebration.” “Do you attend church?” I asked. “Well I grew up Catholic and John went to the Unity Church… so we really don’t go anywhere now.” (thus the Cathity comment). We talked for a long time about her background in the Catholic Church and about our Concrete and about our houses… Hey, we’re making progress in friendship. Pray that it will come around to the Gospel!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 6:49-81; Isaiah 26; John 18:1-18
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Are you an apostle? What? I thought that there were only 12 Apostles (or 13 if you figure for Paul and Matthias in place of Judas). True and False. TRUE: there are no more living Apostles. In order to be an Apostle, you had to have observed Jesus ministry, death and resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). Paul claimed that he was an Apostle, “born out of due time.” After the last living Apostle died, - the Apostle John - the office of Apostle died with him. …there are no more living apostles… FALSE: there are many “apostles” alive today. (note the emphasis on the little “a” in apostle). While the office of Apostle (big “A”) no longer exists, the function of the apostle (little “a”) most certainly does. So, are you an apostle? Let me explain how it works. In Jesus ministry there were thousands who followed him around. These we will call the crowd. They ranged from curiosity seekers to solid believers. Some of those in the crowd became devoted followers or disciples. Jesus had a core group of about 72 who followed him, learned from him, served him and were faithful to him. Out of the 72 Jesus chose 12 to be part of the core group of disciples. These 12 men were intended to go beyond discipleship. They were meant to take the next step. They would become apostles. The word “apostle” means “one who is sent.” This was part of the maturing process. They had grown in discipleship and were now meant to be official emissaries of Jesus. They went out on their own, temporarily at first …and did what Jesus did: they preached, performed miracles and sought to raise up other disciples. After they were fully trained, they would then become official apostles or “Rabbi’s” just like Jesus was. Then they would raise up other disciples who would be sent out and become apostles like them. So the question is, “are you an apostle?” Have you made the commitment to Christ to lay down your life for him and learn from him (disciple)? That’s great. We need more disciples. Not every Christian is a disciple, but every disciple is a Christian. Now the next step is that you would be sent out as an apostle to make disciples. When you have reached a mature state you were meant to become a disciple maker. Somehow, in Christianity, we’ve lost sight of this goal. Somehow we’ve got to get it back. Wherever you are in your commitment to Christ… curiosity seeker, believer or disciple, take the next step.

Dear Lord Jesus, I want to follow you. I want to take the next step of maturity in my life and become all you want me to be. I am not satisfied to just seek you, though seeking is good… I am not satisfied simply to follow and learn, I want to be a disciple maker. Mature me so that I can fulfill my calling in life.

The Lord bless you; we bless you in the Lord’s name.”

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:17 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Sep 21, 2009

9-21 Necessary Body Art

Download this episode (18 min)
For those who did not make it to our anniversary celebration, it was a day of joy! What great fun reminiscing about the 150 + years out here at the Pine Grove. Our history reaches back before the Civil War! We had a houseful of folks who came to wish us well. We took a tour of history in the new building, thanks to Susan, saw the Pine Grove video in the sanctuary, tied an historic quilt in the Sunday School wing, had a fabulous BBQ and enjoyed a great concert with the Knox Brothers in the Amphitheater. We had folks come to celebrate from miles around, people who had their roots in Pine Grove. We also had many who said, “I’ve never been to Pine Grove, but I read the article in the paper and I wanted to help you celebrate!” Thanks to all who came… I know many others wanted to be there but could not. Thanks to all.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 6:31-49; Isaiah 25; John 17
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Revelation 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 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.

I used to have an old curmudgeon for a teacher in one of my High School classes. I can’t remember his name, but he was tall, lanky, had no use for TV because “the plots were so simplistic and lame” and I remember one other complaint of his: he thought that people who wore “advertisements” on their shirts were ridiculous. But nowadays everyone has a brand name, saying or picture on their shirt! “Property of San Quinton Physical Ed Dept” or some other meaningless motto. But we have moved way beyond that. Forget the shirts, now we have body art! It’s common to see people tattooed from head to toe, and many more with a single tattoo or two on arm or leg. It’s the “new identity” movement. People want to advertise who they are on their body. Want to know how someone feels about himself or others? Get close enough to read. In heaven, we’ll have just one “tattoo.” It will be “The Name!” HIS Name. The Jews have a thing they call the "Nomen Tetragrammaton," otherwise known as the unpronounceable name of God. The Tetragrammaton was the four consonants in the Holy Name of God – the vowels had purposely been removed so that no one could pronounce God’s ineffable name. The four letters were YHWH. Today we pronounce it Yaweh or Jehovah, but both are just a guess. But in Heaven, we’ll have “His Name” on our foreheads. Will it be the Tetragrammaton? No way! It will be the full name, and I don’t think it will be Jehovah or Yahweh either. My thought? It will be the name JESUS! He is the Lamb. He came to reveal the Father. “He who has seen me has seen the Father!” When we get to heaven, the one piece of body art REQUIRED for entrance is the name of Jesus tattooed permanently and visibly on our forehead. “Property of Jesus Christ – forever!” Personally? I’m going to wait for that day before I do body art.

Dear Father, I am yours. Property of Jesus Christ. I will serve You. Send me where you wish. I will say whatever message you give me. I am proud to be your child. I can’t wait to enter into your presence in joy!

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:53 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Friday, Sep 18, 2009

9-18 The Most Beautiful Place in the World

Download this episode (21 min)
It was an extremely busy day and it didn’t seem like I did much at all. I did spend a little time in the office in the morning, but then it was off to the races. A photographer and reporter from the News Review spent a few hours with me talking about the history and anniversary of Pine Grove! It should be in the paper today from what I understand! Check it out. Then I set up the new building for Sunday’s service. I just finished setting up chairs and getting the sound system ready when it was time to run off to a rip-roaring soccer game! Wow that was a running game! Roseburg won handily. Finally I came back to church for music practice. When I got home that night it was pushing 8:30 PM! Busy!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 6:1-30; Isaiah 24; John 16
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Revelation 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 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.

I think the most beautiful waters I have ever seen are in the Caribbean. Their crystal clear waters look a turquoise blue for miles around. They harbor a fascinating variety of multicolored fish and coral that makes your head spin! And the pure white sands of the beach are enough to get you doing an exotic dance, put up an umbrella and sip on a cool lemonade. Can heaven beat this? Hands down! In case you asked the question, “are there rivers, streams, trees etc in heaven,” the answer is a resounding “YES!” Somewhere in the New Jerusalem there is a throne room where Father and Son reside, and where the flame of the Spirit is present. From their majestic throne, flows a pure river of life, clear as crystal! Beat that for majesty and beauty! …a tranquil stream running down the banks of the New Jerusalem landscape. And trees! The most amazing and unique trees ever! The Water of Life flows past the Tree of Life, a tree that grows on both sides of the river! This tree bears a new fruit once a month! Every “year” it bears twelve kinds of fruit! Even its leaves are unique! They bring healing to the nations. Why the water and why the trees? Because God delights in pictures that tell stories. The Tabernacle of the Old Testament is a picture of how to approach God. The Lion of Judah is a picture of King Jesus. The Lamb of God is a picture of Christ’s sacrifice for us. The water of life is a picture of Eternal Life. We can go only a few days without water! Jesus told the Samaritan woman “whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never thirst. But the water that I give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." And the tree of life is also a picture of immortality. Trees provide shade and food. Fruit has amazing healthful benefits as do some leaves of some trees. If you don’t eat for about a month, you’ll starve to death. In the middle of the Garden of Eden was the Tree of Life. God banned Adam and Eve from eating it. Christ “died on the tree of life” to pay the price for our sins. In our new home we will have the source of immortality and eternal life abundantly available flowing and growing in profusion. But don’t miss the source! They flow from the throne of God. Eternal life comes from Jesus Christ!

Dear Lord Jesus, I want your living water, so that I may never thirst again! Thanks for the beautiful vision of a heaven of crystal clear waters and beautiful trees that enrich my forever home! I can’t wait to go exploring the vast expanses of nature you’ve planted there!

You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:18 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Thursday, Sep 17, 2009

9-17 I Want that Pearl!

Download this episode (22 min)
There was a loud rapping on the front door. It was the Sherriff! “Did he come to serve you papers?” asked Evie? No arrests here. I had invited Sherriff John Hanlin to be our guest at our 140th anniversary celebration. He stopped by personally to say he just could not make it! He grew up in Dixonville, down the street, so Pine Grove is part of his childhood memories even though he was Episcopalian back then. He has memories of many of the people here. He went to school with Kyle and Marcia. He remembered Roy Kellar, one of our previous pastors. Sure was nice of him to stop by!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 5; Isaiah 23; John 15
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

T Today’s thought comes from Revelation 21:12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel… 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb… 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 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. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 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.

“Something old and something new, something borrowed and something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” I don’t know if you followed this wedding tradition when you got married, I don’t think we did. I’ll have to ask Susan. It is an interesting idea of combining the past with the future, of getting the best out of life from others, from joy and the hope of prosperity. In the New Jerusalem, we are the Bride. The gates and the foundations illustrate the “something old and something new” concept. From the Old Testament, we have the names of twelve tribes of Israel. The Old Testament Believers will be welcome in the city. It will be their home. From the New Testament we have the names of the twelve Apostles. It will be our home too! In heaven, Israel and the church will finally live in harmony together! Everywhere we walk, we will walk in the light of the Lamb. We will have free reign to walk anywhere in or out of the city. There will be no “off limits” places to any of us. The city is ours to explore and enjoy. Notice there is no “need” for sun or moon… does that mean there will be none? We will bring the glory and honor of the nations into the city. Any of the kings of the earth who are saved will gladly serve the King of Kings. Jesus will have a court of officials like no other king of any age! Of the saved, there will be kings, presidents, dictators, Supreme Court members, generals, officers, mayors, governors and every other worldly official, all willingly bowing to Christ and giving him all the glory and honor due him. You will bow before him and give him glory and honor as will I. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! We will walk in it, we will bring the glory of the nations into it, and we will enter it. What is required for entry? “Only those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” That is contrasted with “anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie.” Once our name is written there, the Lamb slain washes our sins away with his blood and makes us white as snow. It’s the only way you could possibly enter into his gates. And get this: every gate is a single pearl carved into a gate or just created that way! Amazing. I can’t wait to walk through one of them pearls! Jesus is the pearl of great price. He is the only way into heaven. Get that pearl for yourself!

Dear Jesus. I believe you are the way, the truth and the life. I will enter into heaven’s gates through You! You are the pearl of great price. I would have the riches of a relationship with you for myself. All the glory and honor that has been given to me, I give back to you, to bow at your feet and to confess that you are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:01 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Wednesday, Sep 16, 2009

9-16 So You Want to be Rich?

Download this episode (22 min)
Carl & Sonja are two of the nicest folks I have ever met in my life. They’d do just about anything for you, and they often have. They have always been great friends and supporters. Life would be so much better if it was peopled by more of their clones. But there were a few tears yesterday. First from Sonja, then from Carl… just enough to see them well up in their eyes. Sonja’s mother is going the way of all the world… she’s ready to go home. She’s lived a long life and she knows Jesus. It’s still not easy to see her go. They took off yesterday evening to take the long drive to Portland to see her one last time. It’s hard for us to see the saints say goodbye. We just wish they’d always be here like in the good old days. The more that my friends go home, the more ready I am to follow. Hey, save a place for me up there!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 4:24-43; Isaiah 22; John 14
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb… 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Do you want to be rich? I wouldn’t mind winning the lottery, except, you know what they say: “You can’t win if you don’t play!” I’ve thought about making lots of money in the Stock Market, but Wall Street is smarter than I am. I guess I’ll never be a millionaire! …unless you compare me to the folks in third world countries. Did you know that the average man in India makes less than $500 per year! And half of that goes to food! I don’t know if that makes me feel richer or makes me amazed at how poor they are! What if there was another way to riches? What if you were to inherit more riches than you could possibly dream of! It could happen. It could happen to the poor Believer in India, Asia, South America or any Believer, and it will! The New Jerusalem is our inheritance. And if you haven’t already noticed, it is chocked full of precious metals! Jasper is pretty common, worth about $20 a pound, but what if you had a million miles of it! The walls of our new home are made of Jasper and gold! And how about the floor? There are twelve different types of precious stones that make up the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem… here are some of them: Sapphire: up to $5000 per karat. Chalcedony: about $80 for a ½ inch gem. Emerald: the Bahai Emerald weighing 850 pounds is worth $370 million dollars! Imagine what an entire foundation would be worth! Sardonyx: worth about $300 for a small cameo. Beryl: Red Beryl is estimated to be worth 1000 times more than gold! Topaz: a 24 Karat Topaz is worth about $1,200. And the streets are paved with translucent gold! Right now Gold is almost $1000 an ounce! What is rare in our world is common in the next. Even the riches of the richest man in the world (Bill Gates – worth 40 billion!) will seem paltry compared to the poorest of saints in the New Jerusalem. Don’t get too hung up on riches in this life. One day you will be a Trillionaire… and not just for life… forever!

Dear Father. I can’t imagine all the riches that await me. I will have so much that I will have need of nothing but you! Thanks for your promise of a life of joy that awaits me after this life that has poverty, sorrow and sadness. What a great promise. I need nothing but you!

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:44 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Tuesday, Sep 15, 2009

9-15 Travel Brochure for the New Jerusalem

Download this episode (21 min)
“May I call you Paaastor Dennis?” Siti is a fellow soccer referee. I met him a year ago, just once. I’d forgotten about him. He is a missionary from Fiji. He talks with a thick Fijian accent. At the moment he is raising three children, the youngest of them is 14 months. We rode together to the first game of the season. He began to tell me about his desire to return to the mission field, about his church and about his current witnessing. He has made up business cards for the church he goes to and put his name on them “so they don’t have to call the pastor if they have questions.” He hands them out like candy! He’s already gone through a box (500?). Wow! “I’m am just scattering seed. I hope that they lead to a conversation about Jesus!” He gave out a card to one of the Pastor’s co-workers, so that when the pastor invited him to church, the fellow said, “What, this church?” and showed him the card. Maybe it’s time you made up some business cards!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 4:1-23; Isaiah 21; John 13
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Revelation 21:9 and one of the seven angels… talked with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Do something you’ll never forget! Visit exotic places that are out of this world! Try to imagine what a travel brochure to the New Jerusalem would describe. To really get a good idea of the immensity of the place you would need to snap a picture of it from far, far away, on the highest mountain possible, say Mount Everest. Mount Everest is twenty nine thousand feet above sea level, or 5.5 miles high. The New Jerusalem is 1,500 miles high! It is 270 times taller than Mount Everest! It would stretch from Maine to Florida and from Portland Oregon to Chicago Illinois! It is about half the surface area of the United States! To drive from one side to the other doing 60 mph would take a 25 hour trip! In fact the New Jerusalem is almost as big as the moon! It is a mere 650 miles shorter! It could circle the earth, replacing the moon and we probably couldn’t tell the difference in size with the naked eye. With its multilevel construction it could easily house over 100 billion people! But it’s most prominent feature is its design. It is filled with the glory of God! It has no need for electricity, the sun, or artificial light because the glory of God illuminates it! Emanating from this amazing city is the soft glow that instead of being yellow like the sun, is a transparent crystal clear / white light. If it was circling the earth at night, it would glow bright enough to provide “daylight” to the world below! Yet, looking at it from our vantage point, we could still make out the 12 large gates which provide entrance to the city. And we could make out the 12 levels or foundations of the city. Each level is 125 miles in height, or 22 times taller than Mount Everest! This is a big place! You could terraform each level with mountains and trees, lakes and rivers and still have room for clouds and sky! There is enough room for all the saints of all the ages to stretch their legs and stake a spacious claim on one of the many levels and still have lots of space left over for immense golf courses, huge stadiums, and every other imaginable and wonderful type of scenery available. Make your reservations now!

Dear Father. Heaven amazes me! It’s not at all what I expected it to be, it’s more! It is an amazing architectural genius. I can’t wait to go exploring in the New Jerusalem. You spent just six days creating the world and 2000 getting my place in heaven ready! It must be awesome! I can’t’ wait to come home!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and warning one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

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

Monday, Sep 14, 2009

9-14 A Tour of Heaven

Download this episode (8 min)
“Does that really happen in real life?” I had seen a video which attempted to explain the whole natural selection process on a micro level. It used clock parts instead of cells to illustrate how evolution might have occurred. Billions of clock parts –second hands, clock faces and springs – all were milling around in the universe like the components of cells. They bumped into each other again and again, and over time began to connect and make clocks. And that’s the question… do cell parts really wander around the universe, randomly bumping into stuff to eventually connect to make cells? Do cells blindly, randomly, accidently, purposelessly bump into other cells to eventually combine making ameba or DNA? Help me out here! But what I remember of science is that cell parts, cells, DNA and all of life at a micro level has no random qualities about it at all. It is programmed to combine in a specific way and almost always does. Sometimes it fails to get it right and thus produces an aberrant mutation which is bad… but at all other times nature is purposeful, deliberate, and exacting in the way it combines. Evolution doesn’t happen because that’s not the way life works!

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 3; Isaiah 20; John 12
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

Today’s thought comes from Revelation 21:9 and one of the seven angels… talked with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Where would you go to get a good view of heaven? …or even a glimpse of it? Has anyone ever seen Heaven that you know of? Some people claim they have. Did they? I don’t know, I’m a bit skeptical... but I do know John did. How? Can I see what he saw? Let’s see if we can replicate the conditions for seeing our eternal home. #1 You must have a special invite from God. No one gets to drop in unannounced. If you are a believer, your invitation is already in the mail. You must have it in hand when you to say goodbye to this old world or you won’t get in. But John got an unusual invitation to visit. He was like a travel agent, able to give a glowing testimony to a trip he’d already taken. You’ve got to take this trip! You don’t want to miss Heaven? Don’t be caught dead without Jesus. #2 you must be taken there. John was taken by an angel. One of these days all of us will be taken home permanently, but to visit, you need supernatural transportation. We humans don’t have the ability or capacity to create a car, a ship, teleportation device, or machine that is able to travel from our world into the heavenlies. There will be no tour companies established… ever! No booking agents will call… you can’t get there unless God takes you! If you want to go, ask the next angel you see to take you for a spin. #3 You must be “in spirit” to make a special visit. Heaven is in a different dimension. Flesh and blood can’t pass from the material world into the dimension of the spirit. We were created to live in the material world, heaven is in the world of the spirit. That’s why we need to be transformed at death and receive a “glorified body” to spend eternity with God! That’s why we can’t just up and visit. It isn’t about being “good enough” or “sanctified enough,” it’s about being transformed into the image of Jesus, His dear Son. John was privileged to have a short tour of heaven to tell us about it. I can’t wait to take up permanent residence there!

Dear Father. Please transform me. I am looking forward to my new home in heaven! I can’t wait to be “in spirit” and with you! Thanks for your invitation to make heaven my home. I accept it. I want it, and I want to be with You!

Above all things put on love and let the peace of God rule in your hearts and be thankful.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 11:03 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Thursday, Sep 10, 2009

9-10 The Veil

Download this episode (9 min)
Our camping adventure: We were the only ones who camped at the family reunion. The rest of the family stayed in hotels. We left home about 11 AM. “I forgot my wallet!” So we turned around just past the Roseburg Fairgrounds exit. And just as we got on I-5 again there was a strange vibration! I pulled over. “It’s a flat tire!” It cost us $70 for a new spare and we took off again. Zac and Laurel were with us. He had a Garmin GPS and I a Tom-Tom GPS. So we did a GPS challenge to see which was more accurate. I’m sure I won. When we got to our camping spot in “Oak Bottom,” we learned that our trailer spot had to be a mile away from Zac’s tent spot. We drove around the dusty park just to look. All the tent sites were park and hike in. Everything was covered with red dusty dirt. There were people stacked everywhere. We passed one group and the fragrant smell of pot rolled in the window. Disappointed we left. We drove to mom’s and she had a few empty spaces across the street from her home. There was grass and a water hook up! Hey that wasn’t so bad! And it was convenient. We camped in a mobile home park! The things that make for memories.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 2; Isaiah 19; John 11
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

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 wanted to start over? Have you ever wished you could erase your life and take on a new identity? Have a new personality? Become a different person? Let me tell you some really good news about heaven: you will become a new man or woman! Guaranteed. After the judgment seat of Christ where we receive our rewards and responsibilities in our new life we will go though “The Veil.” The Veil is a fundamental change in our outlook. When you look through a veil everything on the other side is dim and indistinct. That’s how we’ll look at the past. It will be faded, seeming more like a dream than real life. I don’t think we will forget our life here on earth, but there is no question we will have a completely different perspective of it. Our feelings about past sins and mistakes will be transformed. No longer will we experience regret, distress, depression or sadness. The past will seem so far away and so insignificant. All the tears we shed now over our failures and misfortunes will be wiped away. God will reach out, lift our heads high, and supernaturally cleanse our emotions from the scars of the past. With one pass of his hand we will grieve no more! All the things that make us unhappy down here will be gone; death – gone, trouble – nonexistent, grief – vanished, pain – none… On the one hand, you will be transformed so that you are made whole, happy and absolutely perfect and on the other, all the environmental factors that dragged you down will no longer be in play! They won’t be there to harm you. “Behold, I make ALL things new!” Our former fallen life will have passed away beyond the veil. What a comforting truth. Trust Him. He is faithful and true.

Dear Father. Please transform me. My flaws nag me. I work to overcome them. Thank you for the power to change my life, and thank you for the promise of heaven. My memory haunts me. Cure it I pray. Cleanse my conscience and help me live right. I await the day when everything is new – on the other side of the veil!

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 9:53 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009

9-9 The Most Powerful Presence in the Universe!

Download this episode (9 min)
Conrad came to our family reunion volleyball game! He just suddenly showed up! “I LOVE volleyball! I just buried a friend yesterday. Can I play? Hey did you read the ‘Bread’ this morning? UP! Hit the ball UP!” Conrad was all over the place! He couldn’t stay focused for more than about 10 seconds. He said he was a disabled vet. When I asked about his service to his country, he looked sad and changed the subject. Erica nodded Conrad’s way and asked me, “Do you have any homeless people you minister to at your church? What do you say to them? How do you relate to them?” Debbie M was nervous “I don’t like him around! I don’t think the kids are safe! Someone ought to ask him to leave!” Conrad gave me “the Bread” and asked me to read the days devotional. I pray the Lord transforms his life.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Chronicles 1; Isaiah 18; John 10
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

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.

Can you imagine what it would have been like to take a tour of Solomon’s Temple during the morning or evening sacrifices? If you get squeamish at blood and guts, you’d better not come! The smell of burning flesh and incense must have permeated the air, and I bet there were temple flies buzzing and landing everywhere! This was no sanitary religious practice! Bulls screamed as their throats were cut. There was fearful bawling from some of the devoted animals as others thrashed on the ground just before they were cut in pieces and arranged on the altar for burning. The temple looked more like a slaughter house than a house of prayer! But what if you could see the Holy of Holies where the Shekinah glory blazed as in Moses day! “Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle!” God’s glory is the most powerful presence in the universe. In the Old Testament God expressed his glorious presence in the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day to guide the Israelites through the desert. God spoke, or should I say, God thundered from the cloud! When God spoke to the Hebrews from Mount Sinai, they were so fearful they hid! “Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." In the New Jerusalem “the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them!” What a ride that will be! There is nothing that can compare to the great and awful presence of Almighty God! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! He is a consuming fire! But things are going to change for us. We will one day find the greatest joy and thrill in the universe reveling in His presence. Our glorified bodies will be made for Him! We will see Him, talk to Him face to face, walk with Him and bask in the sheer joy of it all! That’s the best part of heaven – “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!”

Dear Father. I can only imagine how powerful and glorious your presence is. It is beyond my imagining! I hunger for it! I thirst for you. It is what I was made for. I was made to worship you like a fish was made for water, a bird for the air, and I for you. Come now Holy Spirit and fill my life with the flame of desire to serve you forever. Amen.

Brethren, I do not think I have made it yet; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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

Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009

9-8 Take a Cruise through Space

Download this episode (9 min)
Five brothers, two sisters, seven children and spouses, five grand-children, five uncles and aunts… equals about 24 in all at our family reunion. It was a blast and an adventure from beginning to end. We had a flat before even leaving Roseburg, had to change campgrounds because the one we reserved was horrible, and had many other adventures. I got to see Doug’s fishing pictures… pet Doris’ dogs – we had a long walk and talk… discuss Donald’s rentals, eat Dale’s delicious Tri-tip, drool over Daniel’s condo in Hawaii and make fun of Debbie’s football team. I learned that I walked Dale’s wife down the aisle at our graduation (funny I don’t remember that!) and just had a wonderful time with the kids and grandkids. We made a lot of memories at the family reunion. It was a great weekend.

Today's Scripture reading is 2 Kings 25; Isaiah 17; John 9
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

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.

Every woman enjoys a wedding, but only one guy does… the groom! The rest just suffer through it… I don’t know if that’s true, but there is one wedding I’m really looking forward to; the day when the New Jerusalem descends out of heaven with the million-millions of us saints inside waving from the windows, decked out like a bride for her husband Jesus! That’ll be the ride of a lifetime! Have you ever wanted to do some space travel? If you are a Believer you will get your opportunity! The 1000 year reign of Christ, otherwise known as the Millennium is going to be a great time! The Curse will be removed, the Devil will be imprisoned and Christ will be ruling the world! But it will still be the same old earth, the same old universe that we have always known. People will still be prone to sin! At the end of the 1000 years there will be a final rebellion led by the Devil himself. He will be defeated. The final judgment will come with inevitability. And 2 Peter 3:10-13 tells us “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… because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Where are we going to be when there is no universe? In the New Jerusalem! All the saints of all the ages will enter the Holy City like Noah did the Ark. It was the flood the first time, it’ll be the fire the next time! Perhaps we’ll stand on tiptoe looking through the windows in astonishment as the universe as we know it melts with explosive fervent heat! And to our wondering eyes, we’ll suddenly behold the stunning creation of a new universe! We’ll see creation occur! How long this will take I don’t know! God created our current environment in six short days, but he could do it next time in six hours, six minutes, six seconds or instantaneously. He is All Powerful! All this with a million-million eyes at the windows of the New J! When He’s completed His new creation, the New Jerusalem will descend from God out of heaven to the new earth. Some people believe that it stays in orbit – ever descending! Others believe it lands and becomes the capitol city of the New Earth! Either way it will be a spectacular cruise through space, time and creation! What a ride!

Dear Jesus. Thanks for making me your “bride!” I look forward to that wonderful wedding gift you give of a new heaven and a new earth! I can hardly imagine what a wonderful time that will be! All the trials and troubles of this life will be a distant memory and I will enjoy you forever! Come Lord Jesus!

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain

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

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009

9-2 The Capitol City of Heaven

Download this episode (8 min)
“You have GOT to go to Israel!” It was Ray! I hadn’t seen Ray for a number of years. He hasn’t aged much at all. Years ago he used to attend Pine Grove. We chatted for quite a while. Ray is ever effervescent and positive. He’s always up when I see him. I would love to go to Israel! To see firsthand the places where Jesus walked! The Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives… Ray visited Mount Carmel where Elijah called down fire on the altar to defeat the prophets of Baal! He visited Caesarea Philippi and stood right where Paul stood when he was on trial. He ate at a restaurant on the Golan Heights overlooking Syria. And he visited the imposing rock city Petra! All those years of history which tell His Story!

Today's Scripture reading is 2 Kings 24; Isaiah 16; John 8
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

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.

Things are going to change someday! There will be a new universe. We call it heaven. One of the first new features about our new residence is that “there is no more sea.” That will be a major change of immense proportions! Imagine a world without oceans! But wait! When this word “Sea” is used alone, sometimes it refers specifically to the Mediterranean Sea. Does it mean no oceans at all? Or does it mean that the real estate of the Holy Land is going to be expanded? Right now about 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water. The ocean helps keep the earth at a stable temperate climate range. Surface water is constantly in motion and the circulation patterns of these waters greatly affect climate and weather. Much of the weather experienced on land has its origins over the oceans. Ever heard of El Nino? In a perfect world there will be no hurricanes, tornados or storms. But there will be a lot more real estate for a lot more people! The second major feature of the new world is the capitol city of heaven. If you are looking for the answer to the “where is heaven” question we posed yesterday, the New Jerusalem is it! Abraham was looking for this city (Hebrews 11:10). When the saints of today die we go to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:22-23). This city is so big it can hold all the saints of all the ages! Yet if our new paradise is not big enough we get to roam the entire world. We will live in the presence of God in the New Jerusalem, yet we will be able to go in and out of it at leisure to explore the stunning beauty of a perfect creation. Who knows what secrets we will delight to uncover in our new home? Stunning waterfalls, vast and beautiful forests, majestic animals and captivating scenery. Everything will be pristine and breath-taking. And it is ours to enjoy forever in complete and unspoiled fellowship with God. That will be the greatest breakthrough of heaven; Time With God!

Dear Father in heaven. Your first creation is beautiful, even though scarred by time and trauma. I can’t wait to feel the full exhilaration of your presence! To walk and talk with you wherever I go. To know the pure joy of the Lord. I’m looking forward to my new home!

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

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 11:18 AM | 2 comments

Tuesday, Sep 01, 2009

9-1 Where is Heaven?

Download this episode (8 min)
Yesterday was my first day of vacation… but it sure didn’t feel like it! I ran to breakfast with John. We had a great time. Carl & Sonja showed up just as we were leaving. Then I ran to church to get some official papers so I could reactivate my domain name www.pinegrovecommunitychurch.com which is back up, by the way! Yahoo! Then it was to the accountant’s office. I had to deliver some papers to her. The sprinkler had gone off in the middle of the night soaking my passenger seat and getting the papers wet. So she got wet papers. Then it was back home sometime around eleven. I finally got to begin my “vacation project.” I am getting forms ready to pour concrete. Still not done! Then at 4 pm we took off to Whistlers Bend for Shaphen’s birthday party. We played Frisbee golf and had a good time. Whew! What a busy day!

Today's Scripture reading is 2 Kings 23; Isaiah 15; John 7
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
to subscribe go to http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

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.

Where is heaven? Some people really struggle with things they cannot see. I’ve never seen heaven. I’ve never seen God. I’ve never seen electricity, thoughts, the wind, the future, the distant past… even love and hate, as all emotions are only known by what they produce. I’d like two pounds of love please! Johnny, wipe your hate off the wall this instant and flush it down the toilet! Right. I’ve never ever seen the words you speak… only heard them. If you speak to a deaf man, and he can’t hear you, did your voice really make a sound? Life is built on faith. We wake up every morning believing that the sun will rise… just checked… no sun. It’s cloudy in Roseburg today. We take scores of things for granted, or should I say by faith. We believe our employer will pay us. We believe that our money is worth something! Paper? What value is there in that? We believe in heaven. Why? Have you ever been there? Do you know anyone who has been there and come back to tell about it? Yes! Jesus came from the Father to reveal the glory of heaven to us! Paul claimed to visit heaven and see “unspeakable things.” John took an extensive tour of heaven. He wrote the book of Revelation about it. So where is heaven? Remember the Russian cosmonaut in outer space who looked out the capsule window and certified that there was no heaven? He couldn’t see it! Heaven is in another dimension. It is in a dimension we are not currently capable of perceiving. Our receptors aren’t able to pick up those signals. Our ears can’t hear certain sounds, but they are there none the less. We can’t receive radio transmissions, yet our cell phones can. We currently aren’t tuned or created to enter certain “spiritual” dimensions. But heaven exists none the less. We take that on faith. Right now heaven is in God’s presence. We say it is “up there” somewhere. But here is a surprise. One of these days God will create an entirely new universe, with new planets, stars and a new earth… and we’ll call that heaven! The new earth will be the new heaven! Heaven is heaven because God is there! I hope you are there as well. Take it on faith.

Dear Father in heaven. Give us faith to trust you for what we cannot see because we have evidence of so many other things that we can see. You made us for yourself. Lord help me to live for the future hope that one day you will not only live in me, but that I will one day be in your very presence.

God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.