August 24 , 2007

Yes, I’m still here. Campmeeting and vacation took me away four weeks. I felt like signing the guest book at church.

I speak on the new earth tomorrow. Fundamental belief #28. A primary point that sticks with me is this. Not only am I eager for all things to be new, I am desperate for new. There is an ultimate re-creation that we wait for. However, God begins His miracle working power right now.

So the Bible’s teaching about Heaven and the New Earth is relevant for me now. Let me show you. I turned on the TV during lunch this week hoping for a cooking show to watch. All I found on public TV was a program on women’s health. Before I turned it off the women spoke about the need to care for our hearts. She referred to an organization who’s slogan is ‘love your heart.’

Love is what our spiritual hearts need. However, if you’re like me, when I’m honest about my heart, I don’t see much attractive there. And so the world’s population is faced with a dilemma. In order to love our heart, we must tell ourselves lies about who we really are.

A Christian though, has a God who loves this deformed heart. In fact He’s made provision for a new one. He loves my heart. I love that new heart. God’s re-creative power is working in our world in the present. This just isn’t some future by and by fantasy.

“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth--so wonderful that no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy.” Isaiah 65:17-18

Rejoicing in hope,
Pastor Steve