The Encourager Newsletter - Volume 3 Issue 48 - More on Daily... - This Isn't Home - 2009.11.05

More on Daily….

James, the half brother of Jesus became known as Camel Knee James. He prayed so much that his knees developed calluses like a camel. He became highly respected as the leader of the Jerusalem church and this respect flowed out to the dispersed Saints who were scattered in many places.

While there are four men in the New Testament known as James, the Jews regarded him as the James. I just typed into Google: "Camel knee James" and got about 7,650,000 locations for finding out more about "Camel knee James." We Christians should not forget the James. He's a tough act to follow.

He grew up in the carpenter's home with his older half-brother, Jesus. Like his brothers, he did not believe that his half brother, Jesus, was the promised Jewish messiah until the end of Christ's earthly ministry and particularly after his resurrection from the dead. Josephus the first-century Jewish historian, records that James was martyred about A.D. 62.

Without the Bible saying so, we may conclude that James' knees became callused from daily kneeling on his knees. It is also reasonable to conclude that James knew deep in his heart that yesterday's prayers would not suffice for today and that he could not pray enough today so that he would not need to pray again tomorrow. James prayed daily. When I get to Heaven I want to see James…at a distance. I'm not going to run up to him and blurt out: "Hi James…ol' buddy!" Not me. He might say "Show me your knees!"

James had this to say about time and what we should expect to become upon this earth: Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that (James 4:13-15). James may have read the next verses before he wrote his book.

Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1), and

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Perhaps we do not think about every day having to be made. But, today has never been here before and when it is over it will never be back again. Our circumstances are certainly different each day. Everything changes so much each day that no two days can possibly be alike. Babies are born and breathing today that did not do so yesterday. Thousands of people are not alive today that were alive yesterday.

Jesus taught us to pray: Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). If the famous grandfather clock had to do all of its 90 years of ticking and striking in one day, it would have burned out the first day and the heat might have burned down the house. As the popular song says: "One day at a time, dear Jesus…"

How gracious of the Lord to write for us: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34).

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep (Psalm 127.2).

Is it possible that you are losing sleep over some things that you shouldn't be losing sleep over? This may seem like a radical, far-fetched idea, but are you losing sleep over some things that you should be turning over to the Lord so you can turn over in bed and think about tomorrow after the sun comes up?

Do at least one thing every day that you have been putting off forever because you just dread thinking about it. The only problem with that is that after a while you will run out of things you had been dreading to do and that will be quite a mess to be in. Well, do that dreaded thing anyway. Run the risk and you will lighten your load. And do at least one thing that you really enjoy doing but only after you have done the "dreaded thing". And have a good day! Ω

This Isn't Home — Barbara Carr

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (John 14:2-4)

As all of you have read, we call the distance from our home in Flat Rock to our home in Southern Pines our 475 mile driveway. Home? What is home? The place where we live; where we are comfortable; where we feel like we belong. Home is a happy place filled with love. Let's not get too comfortable because life is short even if we live a long life.

In the verses above Jesus was talking to His disciples. He is going to leave them. He is going to live with His Father where there are many mansions. He tells them He is going to prepare a place for them. Where He is going they can come also. Do you realize that means you and me? Jesus is preparing a place for us!

If you have read my stories, you know I have never had anything close to a mansion. I love our little house here in Flat Rock and I love our little apartment in Southern Pines. BUT, I do so look forward to my home in Heaven. When we arrive in Heaven something wonderful will happen to us. We will be transformed to be like Jesus. That's what I'm longing for— not the mansion. Just to be in His presence and be like Him will be wonderful! We will be able to recognize, yes, to know and be with our loved ones.

Our earthly father's home is always a welcoming beacon. We love to go there, enjoy the food and fellowship. When our parents go to Heaven we children try to fill that gap by organizing get-togethers, reunions and homecomings. Yet, there is always a little sadness there because some of our loved ones are missing. Our joy comes from knowing the verses above. Look at verse 3b. 'That where I am, there ye may be also."

We have all stayed in houses/rooms where we didn't feel at home—dorms, motels, barracks, etc. It is just not like being at home. There are people that just don't feel at home anywhere here on earth. Usually, it's because they don't know Christ as their Lord and Savior. They are looking for something to fill the void in their lives. The indwelling Spirit of God is the answer. Long term, down the road, Heaven is the answer.

The Bible doesn't give us a clear picture of Heaven and I'm sure it's for God's own good reasons.

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1Co 13:12). Revelation 21:18-23 describes Heaven, but I don't believe our finite minds can comprehend how Heaven will really look.

My son, Doug died November 30, 1981. My only help came from the Lord. My family was a comfort, but they were grieving too. You cannot go through those months of grieving without the Heavenly Father sustaining you. During this time a dear friend of mine sent me the book "Within the Gates" written by Rebecca Springer published about 100 years ago. At the beginning of the book Mrs. Springer states that during a dreadful illness she dreamed of the story in the book. She then tells of her visit to Heaven and describes the scenes she saw while there. It was probably a dream. Certainly nothing that would add to the Bible or contradict it.

As she describes Heaven, it will surely make you want to be there with all your heart. It was such a comfort to me. It's just a dream but it has stimulated many people to think about Heaven. Some say it is too simple to be Heaven. I am a simple person. It filled my needs at that time.

In the book: If you had a talent on earth, in Heaven it would be magnificent. For example my earthly father was a carpenter. In Heaven, he would still be able to use his craft to build homes for those who are coming, but his skills would be way beyond what he could do on earth. If you were a musician or had a beautiful singing voice on earth, in Heaven you would be a master of music, etc. We can only imagine what it's going to be like. We cannot go beyond what the Lord has told us.

The book said the saints know when a loved is about to come home and they got ready for their coming. Daddy died May 11, 1981. Doug loved Daddy so much and Daddy loved him like a son. I have always believed our Heavenly Father called Daddy home, so he would be there when Doug arrived in November. Doug was saved when he was twelve and rededicated his life when he was sixteen. I believe he was saved. But during college days he strayed. I believe Jesus made intercession for him with the Father saying: "He has lost his way; I'll go get him."

"What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost." (Luk 15:4-6) Hallelujah! This isn't our home. Our real home is in Heaven—a new home and a new body. I don't look forward to a long sickness/disease before death, but I do look forward to Heaven. Ω