10/23/19 – Pastor Brian’s Blog –
I looked up the word “excitement” today, to see the official definition. The dictionary describes it like this…
A feeling or situation full of activity, joy, exhilaration, or upheaval.
I have been watching Judy this week and this definition describes her! She is excited, joyful, exhilarated, feeling a bit of upheaval… this is anything but boring!!
Next time you are passing through Center Barnstead, NH we would love for you to stop in so that we can share with you how God has given us a house of our very own! Judy has been praying for her own home, since we left Schroon Lake, NY some 25 years ago. And God has now answered that prayer in His timing and in a way that no one could ever question that God is all over it!!
The reason for the excitement this week, is because our youngest son Jeremy and our 17 year old grandson Jesse arrived from South Carolina on Saturday night at 11 PM, to give us two weeks of their time to help us get our house ready to move into. On Monday, my brother Kevin arrived from Maine to help, today (Wednesday) my sister Susan and our niece Crysten arrive to help, and then another niece Erica and her husband Donnie will be arriving from Connecticut on Thursday to give us a hand as well.
There is a lot of work going on in our house and we are pretty excited about it. Nana is also making sure that everything is in place and all will be ready when our children and their children show up for Christmas!!
As I was thinking about Judy’s excitement about our home, I thought of another time that Jesus used a home to encourage and excite His disciples. Jesus just gave them some news that had devasted them. They are disappointed, discouraged and are starting to question Him, saying, “What is happening?” So to encourage them, Jesus said… “Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming.” John 14:1-2 (TLB)
Did you ever notice in that verse who is going to prepare your home? Not angels, not some high end contractor from earth, but Jesus Himself. Jesus is going to get your home ready for your coming. Now if that doesn’t excite you, then you need to check your heart to make sure that it is still pumping blood into your body!
What do we know about this heavenly “contractor?” The Bible describes Him like this… In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17
For by him (Jesus) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16
Even creation speaks of the magnificent creativity and amazing craftsmanship of Jesus. I am not a scientist; as a matter of fact I had to think awhile to remember if I even know a scientist! But I can read, and I read that in March of 1987 there was a supernova that according to scientists was as bright as 100 million suns and as brilliant as 1 billion stars. I don’t understand these numbers, but just imagine what Jesus can do with your home!!
Think about this for a moment. Think about that sunset you saw, that sunset your camera could not come close to replicating. Think about that rainbow, that God gives us to remind us that we are safe with Him. Ever see a peacock open it feathers, or a flower bloom, or a colorful cardinal fly, or the majestic snow covered mountain tops? Have you ever gone scuba diving in the ocean to watch colorful fish that are so mesmerizing and breathtaking? Have you ever seen things like this and thought to yourself, “God did this for me!?” Jesus could have created everything in black and white and we would never had known the difference.
I understand that it is impossible for you to get as excited about our home as Judy and I are. However, it is not impossible for you to get all excited about the house that Jesus Himself is getting ready for your arrival. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3
The “All things” includes your home in heaven. So don’t focus on the troubles and disappointments of this life, don’t worry about the chaos that is happening in our world. Instead follow Jesus’ instructions to His disciples and let’s get all excited about that home He is preparing for every one of us that know Him as our personal Savior. After all, He said, “There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming.”
