An exclusive listing in New York City offers an octagon shaped penthouse in midtown Manhattan that boasts three floors of living space, panoramic views of the city, six bedrooms, and nine bathrooms. The asking price: 100 million dollars. Without a doubt, some rich person will consider it a good bargain and purchase it. But I know of a much better deal. Just before He returned to His father, Jesus said, “In my father’s house are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.” Then, when asked how to get to that fabulous place, Jesus responded, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through Me. That mansion in heaven is better than any penthouse on earth. And there is no charge, because it is received freely by grace, by all who sincerely ask for it.
Tag Archives: Jesus
Sept 5 – No Passport or Ticket
An 11 year old boy who did not have a passport, ticket, or boarding pass, got all the way from England to Italy on his own. He passed through security checks before boarding a plane. But his trick was discovered and he was sent back home on the return flight. Some folks think that they too, can circumvent the rules regarding the journey from earth to heaven. They think, there are many ways to heaven, and that all religions lead to that ultimate goal. But unlike that boy who succeeded, perhaps because he was young, you and i will not get to heaven without the proper passport. The bible also says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.” And Jesus, the son of God plainly said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father, except through me.”
Sept 3 – Bad seaweed
There is a bad seaweed on PEI, a nasty alien known as elodea, not native to PEI. It is killing fish and choking out a fresh water pond. It is believed that years ago, someone dumped the contents of an aquarium into the pond, which has created a scummy mess. A provincial environment official said “it really takes over a freshwater pond.” In a similar manner, sometimes noxious weeds can clog up our lives too. Although many don’t like to admit it, the bible says there is a noxious weed in every one of us from birth, and it produces very serious results. It takes over our lives, and blocks our way to heaven. But Jesus Christ is the answer. He said, “Ye must be born again” referring to spiritual re-birth. That happens when we invite Christ into our lives for forgiveness and cleansing.
August 29 – Valuable baseball card found in attic
Karl Kissner of Defiance, Ohio picked up a cardboard box which had been in his grandfather’s attic for years. In the box he found hundreds of baseball cards bundled with twine. Some of the names were familiar: hall of famer’s Ty Cobb, Cy Young and Honus Wagner. The cards are from an extremely rare series, issued around 1910. There are about 700 cards. In all experts believe they will sell for two or three million dollars. This family had a regular treasure trove in the attic of their home and did not know it. But an even greater treasure, often not evident to people, is the truth that God offers us a home in heaven. Jesus warned of laying up earthly treasures that don’t last. And he urged that we lay up a treasure worth more than money. He said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” That treasure is ours when we receive Jesus by faith.
August 22 – Conquered by Mt. Everest
Shrya Shah Klorfine, a 33 year old woman from Toronto, reached the summit of Mt. Everest, but sadly she died while descending. Great mountains are pitiless. A British naturalist made the comment, “We may be visitors on these mountains, but not conquerors.” In our lives, we too face mountains that seem unconquerable, sometimes feeling there is nowhere to turn and no way to solve our huge problems. Perhaps David the psalmist felt like that when he was inspired to write, “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” Then later, having been delivered by God, he issued the invitation, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” Are you facing your own mountains today? If so, then I urge you to turn to the Lord Jesus for help. He said, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
August 20 – Nothing to Live For
Robert Webster and Martin Chisholm have been awarded the chief’s award – the city of Calgary’s highest level of recognition – for assisting a young man who was trying to commit suicide. He said that no one cared for him and he had nothing to live for. But Webster and Chisholm convinced him that his life was worth living, and led him to safety. This is a sad story which, except for these two caring men, would have ended tragically. The young man had lost all hope. In our troubled world, more and more people are finding themselves in a similar situation. If that is where you are today, please listen to the words of David in the 61st Psalm. Describing his circumstances he wrote, “Hear my cry, O God… when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” That higher power, that rock, is Jesus. You can reach out to him today. He cares.
August 17 – Elvis’ Tomb
For the right price, you can rest in peace in the tomb of the king. That’s correct. The original resting place of Elvis Presley is to be sold at auction. Elvis was interred in this tomb, but later moved and re-buried at his Graceland home. Who would want this I can’t imagine – sounds a bit ghoulish to me. But there is another empty tomb. For three days it held the body of Jesus. But he arose from that tomb, victorious over death, and today offers eternal life to all who accept his gift of forgiveness. Paul wrote, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And best of all, it is all free. No auction, no bidding, no charge.
August 15 – Freebie for Proctor and Gamble
Advertisers spend millions to get their products advertised on television during major sporting events. But Proctor and Gamble got a freebie recently during the Daytona 500, when officials used boxes of Tide to clean up after a fiery crash. Proctor and Gamble took advantage of this with a commercial that said, “You keep inventing stains, we’ll keep inventing ways to get them out.” Tide is considered a good product by many, but there is one stain it can never remove. I refer to the stain of sin. No amount of self-effort can remove this stain, only the love of Jesus, expressed on the cross. A much loved old hymn says it well, “Calvary covers it all, my past with its sin and stain. My guilt and despair, Jesus took on him there, and Calvary covers it all.” Christ died for our sins. When we ask Him for forgiveness, He removes the stain forever.
August 10 – Hope Based on a Falsehood
A fable is told of a man sentenced to death, but who was granted a reprieve of one year by the king. Learning that the king was fond of horses, he had promised he would teach the king’s horse how to fly within a year. His friends laughed but he said,” within the year, the king may die, the horse may die, I may die, or who knows, the king’s horse may learn to fly. This bizarre anecdote teaches us that hope based on unreality is no hope at all – just silly optimism. How much better it is to base one’s hope for time and eternity on the one who can fulfill that hope. One hymn writer put it well, “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.” On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Also, Paul the apostle wrote, “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing …” In what are you putting your hope for the future?
August 8 – Attacked by Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees at a sanctuary for animals in South Africa pulled an American researcher into their enclosure, bit him severely and dragged him nearly half a mile, leaving him in critical condition. The event underscored the unpredictable nature of wild animals. But it can also remind us of dangers that beset us daily – such as temptations to have unscrupulous business deals, to indulge in immorality, to dabble in harmful addictions, or more seriously, to reject and revile the God who made us. These may appear attractive at the beginning, but in the end their bite is more vicious than that of the chimps that day, and can carry us into dangerous territory. Jesus said “the truth shall set you free” – so that when we are properly related to God, through faith in Christ, we have the strength to resist and be victorious over such powerful enticements.
Tools for HOPE 