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Light for the Journey Online Bible Study
Lesson 9 12.08.08
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Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. |
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AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MARY
I hope you are preparing for a wonderful Christmas celebration! The holidays are always bitter-sweet for me and I suspect the same is true for many of you. The loss of loved ones always seems to be a little harder to handle this time of year. Many are struggling financially. I have heard from still others who are facing major health battles and difficult family issues. Loneliness is rampant and 2009 doesn't seem to hold much hope.
I have great news, friend! No matter where you have been, no matter where you are or even where you think 2009 will take you, God is with you ... Emmanuel. That truth alone is enough to face uncertainty, fear and anything else the New Year may bring. It is also the reason we can celebrate the days ahead, knowing that God has already been where we are going.
"A Glimpse of Heaven" has made me want to pack a bag and head "home." The more I learn about Heaven, the better it gets! I pray that you have been blessed and now know more about your eternal home.
BREAKING NEWS! Today's lesson is the last one in "A Glimpse of Heaven." We will take a break until January 12 when we begin a new series, "I Need a Friend."
Be sure to watch for an email coming soon announcing major changes concerning "Light for the Journey" in 2009!
Blessings!
Have a wonderful Christmas!
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Mindset for the Journey
Pray, thanking God for His written Word. Ask Him to reveal the unique message He has for you in the primary passage of Scripture for each study. Read the mindset passage 2 or 3 times. Make the deliberate choice to fix your thoughts on each word and each phrase as you read it. Don't let your mind wander. Focus only on God's truth and let everything else fall away. Your mind is set and you are ready to begin.
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| Philippians 3:20 But our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. |
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Day 1. Facts for the Journey
A Glimpse of Heaven
Bill Marriott of Marriott Hotels did not start his business from scratch. Marriott Corporation was founded by his father as a root beer stand in 1927 but Bill has made it grow 20% a year into a multi-billion dollar business. He was once asked, "Besides profit, how do you measure your service?" "We have a program called Phantom Shopper. An inspector poses as a customer, visits on of the hotels and rates the service. If the service is good, the shopper hands him his ID card with $10 clipped to the back. If the service is bad, the back of the card has "OOPS" printed on it. This system of evaluation and reward has proven to be very effective."
God has a system of evaluation and reward. We will all be judged. The prophet John was given a vision of a great judgment scene.
Revelation 20:11-13 (NIV) Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.
Many writers, poets, and painters have portrayed this judgment as one single judgment for all people before the throne of God, but the bible tells us in detail about seven separate judgments of God. Let's take a look at four of them.
1. The judgment of the believer's sin. Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we accept His payment for our sin. Jesus took our place in this judgment.
2. The judgment of the believer's walk. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (NLT) But if we examine ourselves, we will not be examined by God and judged in this way. But when we are judged and disciplined by the Lord, we will not be condemned with the world. This is the love of a Father who through discipline in our daily walk, directs and guides us, His children, in the highest plan for our life.
3. The judgment of the unbelieving dead. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Every unbeliever will stand before God alone, with no savior, no excuse and and no way to pay for their sin. The books will be opened and the works of their life will stand in judgment. The Book of Life contains only the names of those who have accepted the payment of Jesus Christ for their sin. Many will count on their good works and their religious activities to save them, but God looks at the heart. The only payment for sin is found in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT) "Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. On judgment day many will tell me, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.'
4. The Bema Judgment Seat of Christ. Romans 14:10-12 (NIV) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. This judgment will take place before Jesus Christ and will include every believer who has ever lived. This is not a judgment of salvation. It is the place where rewards for service are given. Every important Greek and Roman city had a "bema", a "judgement seat". At the end of the main city street is a large raised platform used for military review. An army returning from a successful battle would pass in front of the bema to receive special recognition for the battle. At the end of the athletic games - much like our Olympic games - the athletes would receive their awards at the bema.
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Only believers appear at the bema. In the Greek, the word "bad" literally means "worthless."
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (ICB) The foundation has already been built. No one can build any other foundation. The foundation that has already been laid is Jesus Christ. Anyone can build on that foundation, using gold, silver, jewels, wood, grass, or straw. But the work that each person does will be clearly seen, because the Day will make it plain. That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test every man's work. If the building that a man puts on the foundation still stands, he will get his reward. But if his building is burned up, he will suffer loss. The man will be saved, but it will be as if he escaped from a fire.
This is an architectural picture. We must understand that this judgment does not refer to our salvation. Our personal relationship with Jesus is the foundation. With Jesus as the foundation we spend our lives here building the rest of the structure for heaven, but the choice of materials that we choose determines the quality of the building. ""Gold, silver and jewels" are valuable and refer to things like love, joy patience, and faith while "wood, grass and straw" are common and of little value and include things like wealth and power. They will all be tested by fire. Gold, silver and jewels will withstand the fire and even become more beautiful while wood, grass and straw will be destroyed and will become a worthless pile of ashes. We will all be judged!
We will all be rewarded. Our trust in Jesus guarantees our presence in heaven. John 3:18 People who believe in God's Son are not judged guilty. Those who do not believe have already been judged guilty, because they have not believed in God's one and only Son. Our reward in heaven is determined by what we do on earth. I have often said that we can be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. We can also be so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good. Obedience to the commands of God here on earth will bring rewards in heaven!
Sigmund Freud's favorite story was about the sailor who shipwrecked on one of the South Sea islands who was seized by the natives, hoisted to their shoulders, carried to the village and set on a rude throne. Little by little, he learned that it was their custom once each year to make some man a king for a year. He liked it until he began to wonder what happened to all the former kings.
He soon discovered that every year, when his kingship was ended, the king was banished to an island where he starved to death. The sailor did not like that but he was smart and he was king for a year. He put his carpenters to work making boats. His farmers went to work transplanting fruit trees to the island where farmers grew crops and masons built houses, so that when his kingship was over, he was banished - not to a barren island - but to an island of abundance.
Eternal life and the presence of Jesus in Heaven will be enough reward, but there is more. The bible promises that when we get to heaven, God will honor Christians with reward for their service to Him on earth. If we are faithful to do what God gives us to do here, we will have more authority in heaven. At least five different crowns are mentioned as rewards. They are medals like those given to a runner who has finished the race. I believe that these crowns are actual crowns that we will wear as a badge of honor in heaven.
1. The Crown of Life
Revelation 2:10 (NIV) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Gustavo was a successful business man in Colombia who went bankrupt because of the high tax imposed by the guerrillas. When he gave his life to Christ and became a pastor, the guerrillas would taunt him. One Sunday, he looked up to see a guerrilla seated on the second row of his church - holding a hymnal. Underneath the hymnal was a gun pointed at Gustavo who continued to preach the entire message at gunpoint. Those who suffer for Christ and are persecuted for Him will receive the crown of life.
2. The Crown of Glory
1 Peter 5:1-4 (NIV) To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
This crown is for those who give their lives to leading others to become fully devoted followers of Christ - teachers, pastors and ministers. They are compared to a Shepherd and are called overseers who are entrusted with the care of the flock. Jesus referred to himself as the Great Shepherd. I you want to find real joy in this life and build up your reward in heaven, take care of the sheep that He has given you.
3. The Crown of Rejoicing
1 Thessalonians 2:19 (NLT) After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again. For you are our pride and joy.
If you have won someone to Christ, you will receive a crown of rejoicing. Every time we see someone in heaven who is there partly because of us, we will rejoice. Our main job here is to take as many as we can with us there. I heard of a wealthy man who was a dynamic witness for Christ, constantly leading someone to surrender their life to Jesus. When people asked him what his occupation was, he replied, "I am a witness for Jesus Christ but I pack pork to pay expenses." The greatest thing we can take to heaven with us is not a "thing", it is other people.
4. The Crown of Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.
This crown is given to every Christian that longs for the return of Christ! Other translations say it this way: For all those who have waited with love for him to come again. It is the idea of waiting for the return of the one you love the most. When my husband, Dan, and I began dating we lived three hours apart. We wrote letters and phone each other constantly, but nothing compared to actually seeing him and being with him. When I knew Dan was coming for the weekend, I was useless for the whole week. My boss was understanding and warned the ladies I worked with, "Watch her. Dan is coming in Friday." It was hard to concentrate because I was so excited about seeing Dan.
That is the idea here - that we should live every day longing to see God. And while we wait, we need to be taking care of His business here on earth - serving, worshipping and telling others about God. If we do, we will receive a crown of righteousness.
5. The Incorruptible Crown
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (NCV) You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something--not just the air.
Spiritual discipline will be rewarded in heaven. The incorruptible crown is like a wreath placed on the head of a runner who wins the race. We should run our race with everything that is within us. |
 Day 2. Prayer for the Journey
The most important prayer you can ever pray is the prayer of repentance, the confession of sin and surrendering your life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, and that he died on the cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my sins and will worship you all the days of my Life. Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am yours, cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. Thank you for coming in to my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer and truly believe the words you prayed, you are now a child of God. I would love to hear about your decision. E-mail me at: www.marysoutherland.com |
 Day 3. Steps for the Journey
Read the following verses that give a step-by-step plan for surrendering your life to God.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8 But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 10:9-10 If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I invite you to make one of the two following decisions:
1. I want to give my life to Jesus Christ.
I recognize the fact that I am a sinner.
I turn away from that sin.
I turn to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who loves me and died for me.
I now invite Him in to be the "boss" of my life!
Name __________________________Date _________________
2. I am a believer.
I have already turned my life over to Jesus but I have not been living the reality of Heaven.
I have not been sharing my faith.
I want to recommit my life to Jesus and to sharing the truths that I have learned in this study.
I want to take everyone that I can with me!
Name __________________Date __________________________
Today, choose Christ. Choose Heaven. Choose to share Christ and Heaven with those you love!
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 Day 4. Truth for the journey
Read the following poem and answer the question, "Am I ready to stand before God?" Record your response and thoughts in your journal.
When I stand at the judgment seat of Christ
And He shows me His plan for me.
The plan of my life
As it might have been
If he'd had his way --- And I see
How I blocked Him here
And I refused Him there
And I would not yield my will -
Will there be grief in my Savior's eyes,
Grief though He loves me still?
He would have me rich
And I stand there poor,
Stripped of all but His grace!
While memory runs like a hunted thing
Down the paths I cannot retrace.
Then my desolate heart will nearly break
With the tears
That I cannot shed;
I will cover my face
With my empty hands,
I will bow my uncrowned head.
Lord of the years
That are left to me,
I give them into your hands;
Take me and break me
Mold me to the pattern
That you have planned. (author unknown) |
 Day 5. Power for the Journey
God's Word is our greatest source of power and strength for living. Listed below are five verses. Memorize one verse each day. Create a section in your journal to record those verses that impacted your life most.
John 14:6 (NCV) Jesus answered, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.
Hebrews 12:11 (NCV) We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful, but later, after we have learned from it, we have peace, because we start living in the right way.
Matthew 6:19-20 (NCV) Don't store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will be where your treasure is.
James 1:12 (NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Romans 6:13 (NLT) Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.
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Joy for the Journey
