By Joe Widick
In 1998 the University of Colorado’s Fiske Planetarium needed to raise some money to continue operating at the successful level of years gone by. The director of the planetarium dreamed up a comical fund-raiser. He printed up brochures that offered 1000 acre lots on the planet of Mars for only twenty dollars.
The flier read: “This land steal features pink skies, unlimited rock gardens, and not one but two moons. So peaceful, quiet and romantic—even the natives are friendly.” The literature then went on to promise, “At one-sixth the gravity of Earth, your golf game will improve immensely—drives will be six times longer. Mars will provide a world of adventure for the entire family.” He was surprised at the success of the little gag. People across the country sent in 20 dollars for a deed, for space flight insurance, and for a simulated sample of red Martian soil.
I can imagine people reading this brochure and getting caught up in the hype of being able to go to another frontier and get prime real estate. I would guess that some of our real estate people here would love to sell some of that property. As I thought of that, I began to think about the “ultimate real estate”—heaven. As an expression of his love, God promised it to all who trust Jesus as their Savior and put him on in baptism. It’s a real place where the Lord Himself will live with His people. It is a place described in the Bible as having no tears, pain, or death. Those who live there will rejoice forever in God’s everlasting goodness (Revelation 21:4). Jesus told us that we need not worry, because He was going to prepare a place for us. A place where there would be many mansions. The Revelation writer stated; “The city had no need of the sun or the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.” I am not able to answer for you but as for me, that sounds very reassuring to know that God’s free offer of a home in heaven is not a promotional gimmick, like the director of the planetarium. It may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. In reality it is too good to pass up.
Contemplating the realms on high,
Afar beyond the vaulted sky
‘Tis joy to know that through His grace
We shall rejoice to see His face
Prayer Thought: Thank you Lord for getting ready for me a place as beautiful as Heaven.
By Joe Widick
hat would you do if you received the following letter from your daughter who happens to be away in college.
Dear Mom and Dad:
I have so much to tell you. Because of the fire in my dorm room set by rioting students, I suffered lung damage and had to go to the hospital for treatment. While there, I fell in love with an orderly. After that I was arrested for my part in the riots. Anyway, just wanted you to know that I am dropping out of school, getting married and moving to Alaska.
Your loving daughter
PS: None of this really happened, but I did flunk a chemistry class and I wanted you to keep it in perspective.
When I read that letter my first thought was, I wish that I had thought of that! (Yes Chemistry was hard for me). There are many times in life if would simply stop for a moment, look at our situation and put it in the proper perspective, we would find ourselves not being as anxious or concerned as we might have been. I have learned that lesson over and over again as I visit with various missionaries in Latin America. I fuss and fume over the high electric bill and then visit in a home where there is no electricity. I have complained about not liking this meal, only to see a family in Honduras live for a month on a small portion of rice and beans. Putting things into perspective is essential. Do you remember the Apostle Paul and how encouraged the church at Corinth? He makes mention of the various trials and tribulations that he endured including being beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked. I think of these things and realize I have had no real hardships in life. Then Paul shifted his focus to the eternal and drove his point home by saying “Our light affliction is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Corinthians 4:17). You mean the things you endured for the cause of Christ you can count as a “light affliction?”
In some ways, our perspective is more important than our experiences. Paul continued to drive his point home when he said; “/The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Paul reminds us and brings matters into clearer focus when he said our sufferings will diminish in importance when compared to the glory that awaits us. As we walk through life and experience trials and tribulations, lets try to keep things in perspective. After all, we have been taught this last quarter from the pulpit about the importance of “tasting the goodness of God”
Prayer Thought: Help me Lord to keep matters in perspective.
By Joe Widick
The first two days that we were in Cartagena, Colombia, there was a huge presence of military men. There were also helicopters that were flying over constantly. We were able to find out that there was a summit being held by 7 presidents of South American countries. They were discussing the ongoing war on drugs, trying to come up with a means to curtail this ongoing problem. I don’t know the results of their meeting, or whether or not they came to any consensus on what needs to be done. As I thought about their meeting and the major problems of dealing with the egos of 7 different presidents, I began to imagine a scenario that I would like to share with you. The characters in the story are made-up. The actual events may be truer than I realize.
Joseph was the model of a trusted military officer, rising in his nation’s army to the rank of colonel in the Special Forces. With this came great opportunity, both for good and bad. Deployed into a region racked with drug trafficking, Joseph was intent on bringing justice to that plagued area. He and his troops began dealing with the criminals to protect the people. Some of his superiors, who were corrupt and took bribes from the drug runners, ordered him to turn his head to let them move their drugs. He repeatedly refused until he was finally arrested and imprisoned for eight years—for doing good.
Isn’t it a sad state of affairs that that story is all too true in our lives? We find ourselves living in a world where at times doing good brings suffering. Do you recall the events in the life of Peter where he was jailed for simply doing good? He had healed a lame man, he had taught the truth with love and the end result was prison. Latter the apostle would pen the following by inspiration; “It is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (I Peter 3:17).
Think about Joseph who fled from the household of Potiphar because of the advancements of Potiphar’s wife. The end result was once again prison. We know the outcome of that story as well. What appeared to be something evil, turned into something that benefited the Israelites. The justice of God was not hampered by the evil of men. Doing good is still pleasing in God’s sight even when we’re mistreated by the world for it. Each of us needs to remember that the joy of doing good may be the only reward we receive-but it’s worth it! Let each of us be more determined than ever to be about doing that which is good, knowing that that is what pleases the Lord. For us at Maple Hill doing good this week would be inviting 5 people to come and worship with us on Celebration Sunday. I doubt any of us will be placed in jail for extending an invitation.
Prayer Thought: May I always be encouraged to do what is right, no matter what the cost is.
By Joe Widick
ou may or may not remember who Deborah Kiley is. Her story is intriguing, her faith and trust in God is moving. Let me catch you up on the events of the fall of 1982. Deborah Kiley set out with three other young people to deliver the 58 foot yacht Trashman from Maine to Florida. It was to be an uneventful few days at sea. Things went well until they were off the coast of North Carolina. It was at this point that they encountered gale winds and mountainous seas that sank their boat. The four young people wound up enduring four grueling days at sea without food or fresh water. They clung to life in a small rubber dinghy in shark-infested waters. I don’t know how you or I would have responded to a situation like that. Would panic fill our lives or would that deep abiding trust in God kick in. Would we begin blaming others for our plight or would we cling to God’s hand, knowing that He would take care of us.
Deborah recounts in her book Albatross how one of the crew members shouted curses at God for their frightening dilemma. She also recalls how in spite of her fatigue she recited the Lord’s Prayer and asked God to teach her through this crisis. It was a little latter in the day that the same young man, who had shouted curses at God, drank some seawater, became delirious, jumped overboard, and was eaten by sharks. At the end of four treacherous days the other three survivors were rescued by a Russian freighter.
How do we respond to crisis in our lives? I would imagine that we each respond in a different manner. Do you recall the story that is centuries old of a man named Job? Job was hit by one wave of bad news after another. At one point his wife, his help meet, told him that he needed to curse God and die! Job’s response was profound; “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” Job 2:10.
I don’t know what crisis is looming in the future. I do know that the next time a crisis hits, recognize God’s sovereignty and do as Deborah Kiley did—ask God to teach you something through it. You may learn how richly blessed you have been, or you may begin to realize just how powerful and mighty your God is. Make that crisis and crowning part of your life. With the Lord’s help, He will see you through. “For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13).
Prayer Thought: Help me daily to have confidence in You. Learning from each and every experience of life.
