Psalm 15: Characteristics of the Believer in Jesus (Summer Playlist Series)

Characteristics of the Believer

Today, we continue our Summer Playlist Series in the Psalms as we read Psalm 15.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Have you ever had someone ask you a question and then immediately answer it before you do?  Have you ever done that yourself?  I'm guessing that we have all done that at some point in time.  This is what David did in Psalm 15. David asked a question in Psalm 15:1 and then answers it in Psalm 15:2-5.  

My pastor informs us that many Bible scholars believe that Psalm 15 was written to commemorate the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

David's first attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem failed because he failed to follow God's clear instructions.  Only the assigned Levites were to move the ark using poles carried on their shoulders.  Instead, the Ark was carried on a cart pulled by oxen.  When the oxen stumbled, a man named Uzzah reached to steady it.  Uzzah was immediately struck dead.  The fear of God caused David to postpone his trip to Jerusalem and he left the Ark in the home of Obed-Edom who was a Godly man.

While the Ark was in the home of Obed-Edom, God blessed him and his family.  When David made his second attempt to return the Ark to its rightful place in Jerusalem, he carefully followed Moses' instructions.

This is where David asks his critical question:

What sort of man qualifies for such a holy task to be admitted into the presence of Holy  God?

This prayer of David was a poem set to a song.  He and those with him may have sang this song as they moved the Ark back to Jerusalem.

Let's recap David's two questions.

1.  Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?

Today, we might consider the question this way.  Lord, who qualifies to even temporarily gather together with other worshipers to have fellowship with You? 

The word "abide," in this context, means to gather with others for a temporary time.  In this case, in the tabernacle which was constructed by Moses to the exact specifications given by God.  It represented the presence of the Holy God in the midst of His people.  As they moved from place to place in the wilderness, the Tabernacle went with them.  This symbolizes today's church, having no continuing city, sojourning on earth, preparing for our home in Heaven.

2.  Lord, who may dwell on Your holy hill?

In this question, David uses the word "dwelling."  In this context, the word "dwelling" means to reside or permanently stay in one place.  This could be literally or figuratively.  In this question, David is using the "holy hill" or Jerusalem where the Temple was built as a permanent place of worship.  

What do these questions mean for us?  Another way of asking these two questions might be:

Dear God, how can we qualify to even fellowship with You here on Earth temporarily, much less to enjoy eternal fellowship with you in Heaven?

That question is answered in Psalm 15 of God's Holy Word.  Let's read Psalm 15.

Lord, who may reside in Your tent?
Who may settle on Your holy hill?
² One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
³ He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor do evil to his neighbor,
Nor bring shame on his friend;
⁴ A despicable person is despised in his eyes,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change;
⁵ He does not lend his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things will never be shaken. - Psalm 15

Psalm 15:2 summarizes the answer to these questions.   Psalm 15:2-5 illustrates what this looks like in the daily lives of Christ followers.

Verse 2 tells us three characteristics of one who qualifies to fellowship with God on Earth and in Heaven.

1.  One who walks in God's ways.

2.  One who works in God's ways.

3.  One who speaks in God's ways.

Let's ask a few other questions based on the three qualifications above.  

1.  Is there anyone who perfectly walks in God's ways?

2.  Is there anyone who perfectly works in God's ways?

3.  Is there anyone who perfectly speaks in God's ways?

The answer to all of those question is "No."  None of us, not even one of us, can qualify to have fellowship with God on our on strength.

There is only one man who perfectly qualified for fellowship with God.  That was and is Jesus Christ.  BUT, when a person comes to Jesus in humility and brokenness, turning away from sin and trusting Him as his or her Savior, he or she can enjoy fellowship with God.

What are the characteristics of someone who has fellowship with God?

Characteristics of the Believer in Jesus

1.  The Walk of the Believer

The believer in Jesus demonstrates a consistent walk in integrity, truthfulness, and sincerity.  The believer has a backbone of integrity, walking upright consistently.

Think of a tightrope walker.  The tightrope walker must walk directly upright, never leaning to the right or to the left.  The tightrope walker must keep his or her focus directly ahead.  Likewise, we must be consistently looking ahead to Jesus.  When we walk upright in Jesus, we will regard vile behavior as nasty and despicable.  We will want to turn away from such behavior.  We will stick to the Word in Truth even when it hurts.

2,  The Works of the Believer

The word "works" refers to the habitual works you practice from day to day.  These works are to be done in righteousness. God requires of believers what is right and just. 

The believer will not do evil to our neighbor.

The believer will not take up a reproach against our friend (such as gossip).

The believer will honor those who fear the Lord.

The believer will not take advantage of others through unreasonable interest on loans or receive bribes under the table.

3.  The Words of the Believer

The speech of the believer is consistently stable, trustworthy, courageous, and sensitive.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. - Luke 6:45

 The believer doesn't slander others.  

The tongue is not steel, but it cuts, and its wounds are very hard to bear; its worst wounds are not with its edge to our face, but with its edge to our back when our head is turned . . . All slanderers are the devil's bellows to blow up contention, but those are the worst which blow at the back of the fire. - C.H. Spurgeon

In Psalm 15, David is stating that the person whose walk, works, and words consistently demonstrate this pattern will never be overthrown or drawn off course.  He or she will fellowship in Heaven with God eternally.

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. - Proverbs 10:25

The apostle John had a Heavenly vision as described in Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. ² And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, ⁴ 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 21:1-4

No one can achieve sinless perfection in his or her walk, works, and words but Jesus lived a perfect life and died on a cross as a substitute for us.  After He paid the ultimate price for our sins, He was buried and rose from the grave.  Jesus made it possible for any person who trusts in Him to experience fellowship with Him in this life and in eternal life to come.

Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior?  Learn more about how to do that here. 

PIN ME!

Characteristics of the Believer in Jesus, Psalm 15

You may also like:

Overcomer Movie Review

Overcomer Movie Review

Psalm 73: Comparison, Envy, and Jealousy (Summer Playlist Series)

Today, we are continuing our summer series my pastor is calling Summer Playlist.  Our summer playlist is from various Psalms (Songs) from the book of Psalms.  Today, my pastor is teaching from Psalm 73 which covers the topic of jealousy.  Comparison and envy will result in jealousy.

Comparing ourselves to others leads to envy and jealousy.

The following Bible study notes are based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Psalm 73:  Comparison and Envy

Psalm 73 is a Psalm of Asaph.  Asaph, according to Aubry Buster at Bible Odyssey, was a Levite singer in David's court.  

Let's read Psalm 73.

God certainly is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
² But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
³ For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
⁴ For there are no pains in their death,
And their belly is fat.
⁵ They are not in trouble like other people,
Nor are they tormented together with the rest of mankind.
⁶ Therefore arrogance is their necklace;
The garment of violence covers them.
⁷ Their eye bulges from fatness;
The imaginations of their heart overflow.
⁸ They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak from on high.
⁹ They have set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue parades through the earth.

¹⁰ Therefore his people return here,
And abundant waters are drunk by them.
¹¹ They say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge with the Most High?”
¹² Behold, these are the wicked;
And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
¹³ Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence;
¹⁴ For I have been stricken all day long,
And punished every morning.

¹⁵ If I had said, “I will speak this way,”
Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
¹⁶ When I thought of understanding this,
It was troublesome in my sight
¹⁷ Until I entered the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
¹⁸ You indeed put them on slippery ground;
You dropped them into ruin.
¹⁹ How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
²⁰ Like a dream when one awakes,
Lord, when stirred, You will despise their image.

²¹ When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
²² Then I was stupid and ignorant;
I was like an animal before You.
²³ Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
²⁴ You will guide me with Your plan,
And afterward receive me to glory.

²⁵ Whom do I have in heaven but You?
And with You, I desire nothing on earth.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
²⁷ For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
²⁸ But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
So that I may tell of all Your works. (Psalm 73)

This Psalm 73:26 wall decal is available here.

Have you ever made a comparison between your life and someone else's life?  We all do this.  Sometimes we compare ourselves with others and we don't even realize. it.  We notice other people's homes, cars, families, etc. and we compare those people to ourselves.  We must be careful about this because comparison leads to jealousy.

God is just and God is good.  We can sing of the goodness of God.

Verse 1:  God is good to those who are pure in heart (to those who truly trust and know Him).

Verses 2-3:  Asaph began to stumble.  He came close to stumbling but he didn't completely fall.  He began to fall because he began to envy the experiences of the wicked.  He was jealous of their prosperity.  

Verse 4:  The wicked had it easy.  They faced little or no trouble and they were wealthy.  Their bellies were fat, meaning they needed nothing.

Verse 5:  The wicked had no disadvantages.

Verse 6:  BUT it wasn't the material wealth that was the problem.  The problem was the hearts behind the wealth.  They were prideful and arrogant.

Verse 7:  What they had was never enough.  They always wanted more.

Verse 8:  They put themselves on par with God.

Verse 9:  No one could shut them up.

Verse 10:  Even though they speak with malice, they still have a following.

Verse 11:  They question God's authority and knowledge.  They have no accountability.

Verse 12:  They are always at ease.

The Personal Experience

Verse 13-15:  Asaph wonders if all he has done is in vain.  He has kept his heart pure and yet, he has been stricken and chastened.  He has served God his whole life and yet this is God's treatment of him?  

When your world has been turned upside down, is God still good?

Verses 16-18:  Is God good?  Is He just?

Experiencing the Presence of God

God is both good and just.  Just because God doesn't judge in the temporal doesn't mean He won't judge and punish in the eternal.

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.
In the gale and the storm is His way,
And clouds are the dust beneath His feet. - Nahum 1:3

But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. - Revelation 21:8

There is coming a day when this world will be judged.

Verse 23:  God is good and will hold your hand just like you hold a child's hand so he won't fall.  He will give counsel and receive us into glory.

If you experience something terrible, rest in His presence.  Grab your Father's hand and allow Him to use your pain to lead others to Him.

PIN ME! 

Comparison leads to envy and jealousy.

You may also like:

Women of the Word by Jen Wilken

Women of the Word by Jen Wilken

Psalm 13 (Summer Playlist Series)

Today we are looking at Psalm 13.  My pastor is leading us through what he is calling our summer playlist series.  The book of Psalms is a collection of poetry and music, thus the summer playlist title.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's message.

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

We are all fellow strugglers.  We all need God and we need each other for encouragement.  Psalm 13 was written by King David during one of his lowest points in life.  David had been on the run from King Saul for 12 years.  David loved God but hated his circumstances.  Four times within the first few verses, David cried to to God, asking God how long he would have to endure his circumstances.

In 6 short verses, David transitioned from deep despair into a spirit of worship.  Let's take a look at the full chapter.

A Prayer for Help in Trouble

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
 

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,

And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

In the first 2 verses, David is complaining..

In verses 3 and 4, David is praying.

In verses 5 and 6, David is praising.

What is your posture before God right now?  Are you complaining, praying, or praising?

This wall art featuring Psalm 13:5 is available here.

Let's look back at verses 1 and 2.  David feels abandoned, as if God has forgotten him.  Do you sometimes feel like David does in these first two verses?  I think there are times in our lives when we all feel like this, but the Bible tells us that God numbers every hair on our heads and that we are more valuable to Him than sparrows.  He keeps track of all our sorrows, collects our tears in a bottle, and records each one in His book.  He writes our names on the palms of His hands.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. - Luke 12:7

You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book. - Psalm 56:8 

Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;  Your walls are continually before Me. - Isaiah 49:16

This wall art featuring Psalm 49:16 is available here.

Do you suppose David felt resentful because of his harsh circumstances?  Do you sometimes feel resentful.  I know I sometimes do, but let's take courage as we move on to verse 3.

In verse 3, David stopped complaining and really began to pray to God.  This is when the mood of this chapter changes.  David prays for God to take notice of his circumstances.  David acknowledges his personal connection with God when he calls him, "MY God."

David was alone.  Isolation robs us of our right perspective.

In verses 5 and 5, David is trusting, rejoicing, and singing.  His circumstances have not changed, but His heart has changed.  David is still alone and he is still hiding from King Saul, but instead of complaining and crying out in despair, David has chosen to trust, rejoice, and sing in praise to God.  David decides to glorify God in his circumstances.

We are not victims in this life.  We are victorious in Christ Jesus.

How do we apply Psalm 13 to our lives?

1.  Recognize that pain in life is unavoidable, but don't miss the purpose.  Pain will drive you to something.  Does your pain drive you to Netflix binges, pills, alcohol, pornography, isolation?

Pain should drive you straight to God.  God can use pain to grow us spiritually and to prepare us for future assignments.  God can turn our pain into a platform for service.

It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply. - A.W. Tozer

2.  In our worst of times, believe that God is always good.  God will never separate us from his love.  We can't avoid pain, but we also can't run out of God's grace.

Jesus experienced hardship and endured separation from God so that we don't have to.  There is a day coming when Jesus will redeem everything.

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 21:4

God changed David's heart.  Is God changing your heart today?  

How long until you trust God?

How long will you live in rebellion?

How long until you surrender to Him?

Learn more about how to fully surrender to God through Jesus Christ here.

Read all posts in this series here. 

PIN ME!

Psalm 13 (Summer Playlist Series)

You may also like:

Reconciling Relationships

Reconciling Relationships

What Will the Future Be Like? (Asking for a Friend Series)

We all have an eternity.  We need to think about where we will spend it.

What Will the Future Be Like? (Asking for a Friend Series)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, 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.”
 
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.  He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.  But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. - Revelation 21:1-8

Two things are forever sure:  Future and Forever

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

What Will the Future Be Like?

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Heaven is in the future and it is forever.  

Heaven will be perfect.  All that Adam and Eve enjoyed before the fall, we will one day enjoy (if we know Jesus).

Heaven will have no sea.  There will be no sin in Heaven.  Nothing bad will be carried with us into Heaven.

Heaven will be an incredible home.  Here, men walk on God and worship gold.  One day, we will walk on gold and worship God.

Heaven is where God will be.  We will live in His presence.  Heaven is a place of comfort.

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 21:4

This beautiful stone plaque representing Revelation 21:4 is available here.

 

There will be no crying in Heaven, no sadness, so sorrow, and no COVID19.  There will no longer be any struggle with temptation.

There will be no racism and no injustices in Heaven.

In Heaven, we will have new bodies.

In Heaven, we will enjoy absolute satisfaction . . . FOREVER.

We won't go to Heaven by accident.  Heaven is a place prepared for us (those of us who know Jesus).  Heaven is prepared for a prepared people.

The unprepared will go into what the Bible describes as a fiery furnace or Hell.

Hell is also in the future and it is also forever.

Hell wasn't made for you.  Hell was made for the devil and demons.

Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. - Matthew 25:41

We send ourselves to Hell when we decide we do not want Jesus in our lives.

Hell is a place of agony.  Hell is not a party.  It is not a fun place.

Hell is a place of awareness. 

Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.  Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.  In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’  But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’  And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’  But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ - Luke 16:19-30

Both the rich man and the poor man died, but only their locations were changed.  

Hell is a place of absence.  There is no God, no love, no joy, no peace, no mercy, no second chances, and no hope.  You do not want to go there.

How does your now impact your future?  In the Old Testament, Esau gave up his blessing for a bowl of soup.  Don't be Esau.

Both Heaven and Hell are in the future and both are forever.  We need to bring our future into our now.

Do you know Jesus?  Do your children know Jesus?  Peer pressure won't matter in forever.  We need to be aware of how we spend our money and how we treat others.

We need to receive Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Even Satan knows there is a Jesus, but are you willing to put your faith in Jesus and trust Him with your whole life?

Friends, the hour glass is pouring sand and it is pouring fast so let me ask you again . . . do you KNOW Jesus?

You can learn more about genuinely knowing Jesus and trusting Him as your Savior HERE and you can pray to receive him NOW.

Read all posts in this series here.

What Will the Future Be Like? (Asking for a Friend Series)

The Future in View: What will Heaven be like?

The Future in View:  What will Heaven be like?

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "The Future in View."  The Scripture text is from Revelation 21:1-2.

A new world is coming so don't get attached to this one.  Look forward to Heaven.

Joy is the serious business of Heaven. - C.S. Lewis

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

The Future In View. | September 29, 2019 | Pastor Jeff Crook from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

The Future in View

1.  An incredible future place awaits us.

God is going to recreate everything.  New Jerusalem is a real city.

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements. The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed. - Revelation 21:9-25

But just as it is written,“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Think of the most beautiful place you know.  That place is still under a curse.  However, New Jerusalem will be perfect.  There, we will see God face-to-face for the first time.

Jerusalem: A Biblical and Historical Case for the Jewish Capital

2.  An incredible restored relationship awaits us.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. - 1 Corinthians 13:12

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 21:4

Our pastor recommends the book titles Heaven by Randy Alcorn.  

Imagine what Heaven will be like.  There will no longer be any sicknesses.  No cancer, no diabetes, no arthritis, Crohn's Disease, or other autoimmune diseases.  There will be no broken relationships.  No divorce or feuding families.  There will no longer be any death. 

There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. - Revelation 22:3-4

After Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to people who recognized Him.  Therefore, we believe we will recognize people we know here on Earth.

Animals will not eat each other in Heaven.

The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord. - Isaiah 65:25

Jesus is coming quickly.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. - Revelation 22:20

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:5-8

PIN ME!

The Future in View:  What will Heaven be like?

You may also like:

From Heaven by A.W. Tozier (Book Review)

From Heaven by A.W. Tozier (Book Review)

Spiritual Pillars of a Biblical Worldview

Image Credit:  Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

 The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

Raising families in today’s world is a calling. We need to be sure that we raise our children with a Biblical worldview. We need to make sure we, as adults, have a Biblical worldview.

Worthy are you our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. – Revelation 4:11

Foundations for Developing a Biblical Worldview

Four Spiritual Pillars of a Biblical Worldview

1.  The Creation – Genesis Chapters 1 and 2

As His Image-Bearers:

*We are like God in that we are spiritual.

*We are like God in that we are moral.

*We are like God in that we are rational.

*We are like God in that we are creative.

*We are like God in that we are relational.

2.  The Fall – Genesis Chapter 3 (Old Testament)

Sin led to our brokenness . . .

*Spiritually, our relationship with God is broken.

*Morally, we can no longer do what is natural.

*Rationally, we have difficulty discerning the truth, and in particular, it is impossible for us to discern spiritual truth.

*Creatively, we use our imagination and creative capacities to make idols and worship them instead of worshiping God.

*Relationally, we tend to love ourselves, and all other relationships are broken.

 3.  Redemption (New Testament)

*He is redeeming us spiritually. He has declared us righteous because of the work of His Son.

*He is redeeming us morally. We can now do good.

*Rationally, we can now discern the truth.

*Creatively, we can now use our imaginative capacities to worship Him.

*Relationally, we can know how to love others based on the love Christ has for us.

 4.  New Creation – Revelation

*Jesus will come again.

*He will bring a New Heaven and a New Earth.

There will be worshipers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation

Image Credit:  Naassom Azevedo - Public Domain Image - via Pixabay

This week in A Woman’s Heart:  God’s Dwelling Place, our topic of study was titled The Heart of a Servant.  Beth wants us to realize the meaning of a holy calling in today’s world.  Each one of us has a purpose.

The Heart of a Servant

Day 1:  The Altar of Incense

As we learned in previous lessons, the altar of incense was a square altar, over-layed with pure gold.  This golden altar was specifically for burning incense.  We learn in Psalm 141:2 that our prayers are line incense to God.

May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering. – Psalm 141:2

The burning incense represents the prayers of the saints.

When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. – Revelation 5:8 

Beth teaches in this lesson that prayer to God is like sweet fragrance and prayerlessness is actually sin.

Day 2:  A Hard Lesson in Holiness

We learn in this lesson that two of Aaron’s sons entered the holy place and burned a strange fire.  This was a fire or incense that God had not commanded.  We are not offered a lot of detail about what Aaron’s sons were trying to do, but whatever their intentions were, they were not holy intentions.  As a result, they died.  We serve a righteous and holy God.  He demands holy worship.

“To worship inappropriately will not likely cause our physical deaths because we enjoy the grace of Calvary, but it can indeed cause the momentary death of communication with the Almighty.” – Beth Moore

Day 3:  The Inheritance of a Servant

The priesthood came from the tribe of Levi.  Moses and Aaron were brothers from the tribe of Levi.  God commanded that Aaron and his sons serve as priests.  The rest of the Levites were servants to God.  The Levites did as God commanded so God bestowed a blessing on them.

Day 4:  The Gift of Support

In this lesson, Beth teaches us about the gift of support in ministry.  God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt.  God called Aaron to serve as a helper to Moses and to serve as priest.  God called the Levites to minister as servants to Aaron and his sons who were also priests.  God called the Israelites to support the priests and the Levites.

Day 5:  The Garments of the Priests

The purpose of this lesson was to teach us what the priests garments were made of and what they looked like.  We learned the meanings of the garment pieces.  We learned that God is in the details.  Just like he had a purpose of the details of those garments, he has a purpose for the details of our lives today.

If you would like to complete the entire Bible study, A Woman’s Heart:  God’s Dwelling Place, you can get your copy here.  Beth goes into so much more detail.  I highly recommend this study.

Read all posts in this series here.

The entire leadership kit which includes the videos is available here.

This item is available here.

Image Credit:  sipa - CCO Public Domain Image - via Pixabay

Whew!  This week has been busy!  I failed to summarize each Bible study for this week day-by-day, so I’m going to summarize the entire week.  This past week in A Woman’s Heart:  God’s Dwelling Place by Beth Moore, we studied the topic of Hearts in Fellowship. Each day’s topic reflected the different ways God encouraged hearts in fellowship with Him.

Hearts in Fellowship

Day One:  The Holy Place

We studied the tabernacle proper, the holy place, and the holy of holies.  Only priests were allowed to enter the holy place.  To apply this scripture passage to our lives today, we are reminded that if we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we have the privilege of entering the holy place in prayer.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9

And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood  ^_ and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – Revelation 1:5-6

On this day of the study of the tabernacle holy place, Beth led us through the study of the fine linen ceiling, with cherubim woven in.

Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. -Psalm 61:4

Let me quote a powerful passage from this day’s study:

How perfectly Christ portrays the nurturing wings of El Shaddai, the Caregiver.  God’s wings covered His children with safety, security, joy, and affection.  In His perfect parenting, God is both paternal and maternal, both the loving disciplinarian and the nurturing protector who covers His children with His life.” – Beth Moore

He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. – Psalm 91:4  

 Day Two:  The Golden Lampstand

The lampstand was the only source of light in the tabernacle.  It was made of pure gold and its design emulated almond blossoms.  It had one middle shaft and three branches on each side.  The branches symbolized fear, knowledge, might, the Spirit of the Lord, counsel, understanding, and wisdom.

Day Three:  Filling the Lamps

You are the light of the world. – Matthew 5:14

The lamps were fueled with olive oil.  God commanded that the lampstand burn continuously.

If we have Jesus in our hearts and if He is our Lord and Savior, then we are a light to the world, much like the lampstand illuminated the holy place of the tabernacle.  Our light is to burn continuously.

We are the heavenly lampstands of this age to show Jesus to a dark world. – Beth Moore

How often we wear ourselves out by praying for more patience, faith, joy, or peace.  All of these are the supernatural response of a Spirit-filled believer!  A more appropriate prayer is “Lord, purify me and make me a fit vessel for Your presence.  Then, fill me to overflowing with Your precious Holy Spirit.”  The fruit will supernaturally and automatically be produced. – Beth Moore

One of the things that stood out to me most on this day as far as applying this study to my life was at the bottom of page 104 of this study:

Hear Him whisper those same words to you every morning when you open your eyes:  “Today, My precious child, let there be light.”  And at the end of the day, when He tucks you tenderly into your bed, may He delight to say, “There was light.” – Beth Moore

Day 4:  A Table Set Before Him

In the tabernacle, opposite the lampstand, was a table.  The table was made of acacia wood.  On the table was placed dishes, pans, jars, and bowls.  Also on the table was placed the Bread of the Presence.  The Bread of the Presence was to be on the table all the time.  The table was a place of communion and fellowship.

Day 5:  The Bread of the Presence

The Bread of God is He who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world. – John 6:33

The Bread of the Presence that was to be placed on the table inside the tabernacle holy place was made with 2 tenths of an ephah of flour.  When God provided manna for the Israelites, they were to take an omer daily.  An omer was one tenth of an ephah.  On the sabbath, they were to take twice as much which was 2 tenths of an ephah.  According to God’s command, the Bread of the Presence was to be replaced with fresh loaves every Sabbath day.  God is consistent.

If you would like to complete this entire study in depth, you can get your copy here.  I highly recommend that you go through it.  In order to protect Beth Moore’s copyright and protect her ministry, I only summarize and highlight key points.  Her studies are much more in-depth.

Read all posts in this series here.

The entire leader kit which includes the videos is available here.

This item is available here.