The Old Order Has Passed Away

"They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” — Revelation 21:3-4 

God will wipe every tear from our eyes.

There will be no more death at the resurrection.

No more crying or pain.

Our friend Tim is going in for an ablation on Tuesday.

But in God's plan, the old order of things will pass away.

He Himself will be with us as He is now.

We will be His people.

He Was Despised

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. — Isaiah 53:3-4

This passage is talking about how Jesus was treated.

The Son of God, who gave His life for us.

And yet he was despised.

And rejected by mankind.

Suffering and familiar with pain and grief.

Even though He took on our pain, we hid our faces from Him.

We held Jesus in low esteem.

He bore our suffering.

And we despised Him.

There Will Be No More Death

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” — Revelation 21:2-4 

What a beautiful picture of heaven.

No more death or mourning.

No more crying or pain.

The old order of things will have passed away.

And God's Holy city will be the new Jerusalem.

God's dwelling place will be among the people.

God will be with us and will be our God.

He will wipe every tear from our. eyes.

What a wonderful, loving Father!

Jesus Was Despised

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. — Isaiah 53:3

Yesterday my team moved down to the 4th floor of our building.

For the past two years we have been on the 7th floor with beautiful views.

Now the views are not quite as spectacular, but we do have two patios with balconies.

We're talking about putting a conference table and chairs on at least one of them so we can have outdoor meetings.

During this season of Lent, we remember what Jesus sacrificed for us.

He was despised and rejected by humankind.

Christ was familiar with pain.

Jesus was despised.

And we held him in low esteem.

Crucified on a cross with criminals by His side.

All for love.

Amazing!

God Himself Will Be Among Us

God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. — Revelation 21:3-4

It's the first day of June!

Almost summer.

God is among us.

He will dwell among us.

We are His people, and God Himself will be among us.

He will wipe every tear from our eyes.

There will no longer be any death.

There will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain.

Last week my friend's nephew died of an overdose.

He was just 17.

One day we will no longer have to mourn for those who are dying.

The old things will pass away.

All things will become new.

God Reigns

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” — Isaiah 52:7

Today as I walked around our neighborhood, I was joy-filled to see the birds flying by, the roses and daffodils and Birds of Paradise blooming, and the sun peeking through the snow-white clouds above me.

This Bird of Paradise plant at the foot of our driveway hasn’t bloomed in years. But after all of the rain we’ve been having, it finally blossomed. 

Now its brilliant colors are finally shining through.

Sometimes the rain in my life helps me to be able to bloom as well. I become dull and move away from God until pain and problems come my way. Then I start to turn to God and He in turn helps me shine the light of Jesus in my actions and words.

Thank you, Lord, for your omnipotence. You reign in power and glory.

Our God reigns!