Finally! An Answer

This may just be my problem or lack of understanding, but maybe there's someone else out there that has wondered about this.

We hear frequently that we will know each other when we get to heaven, and how good it will be to see our mother, father, sister, brother or any number of individuals we knew here during our earthly life.

And we hear frequently that there will be no tears in heaven (Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."). Maybe this indicates that we won't remember any bad things here on earth, but it was never enough for me.

Well, I finally heard a message that speaks to this! I was listening to Dr. Anthony George, at First Baptist in Atlanta, and in his message he said: "One of the greatest gifts in heaven is going to be glorified amnesia . . . where God is going to forever purge from your memory all of the things that you regret, or are embarrassed about, or ashamed of. They will be forever forgotten when you get to heaven. That's what I believe."

My ears perked up when I heard that. The next day I wrote their online contact and asked if Dr. George had a Scripture verse regarding what he taught. The next day I received an answer.

Isaiah 65:16-17, "So that he who blessed himself in the earth Shall bless himself in the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Shall swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My eyes. 'For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.'"

The person who replied to my email wrote: "It is important to note, however, this prophecy in Isaiah is referencing the eternal heaven (new heaven and new earth), which takes place after the tribulation, not the current heaven. We know, for example, John saw sorrow in heaven when he visited heaven in his vision (Revelation 6:9-10), and the rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus, the beggar, back to warm his brothers of the fate of the unrighteous (Luke 17:19-31). Both the Revelation and Luke passages indicate we will be aware of our lives on earth, including the bad things, in the current heaven."

I then checked out some commentaries on Isaiah 65:16-17. One online resource on Studylight.org said: "The former sorrows of the earth, under the fall, shall be so far from recurring, that their very remembrance shall be obliterated by the many mercies I [God] will bestow on the new earth."

On Blueletterbible.org, Matthew Henry wrote: "The former troubles were forgotten; but here it rises much higher; even the former world shall be forgotten and shall no more come into mind . . . The glorified saints will therefore have forgotten this world, because they will be entirely taken up with the other . . . The future glory of the saints will be so entirely different from what they ever knew before that it may well be called new heaven and a new earth."

And on Godsbless.ing: "The former troubles are forgotten and hidden from my eyes" resonates with God's pledge to wipe away past sufferings and sins, ushering in a fresh start devoid of the burdens that once weighed us down."

I now feel like I have an adequate answer to why we won't remember the sorrow experienced here on earth. I think Dr. George is right: "Where God is going to forever purge from your memory all of the things that you regret, or are embarrassed about, or ashamed of [or that you are heartbroken about]. They will be forever forgotten when you get to heaven."

Finally! An answer.

By His Grace . . . 

The Glory of God

  

What does the "Glory of God" mean to you? His splendor? His greatness? His power?

God's Glory means all of the above and so much more.  Scripture is full of verses that speak of God's Glory.

No dictionary definition can do justice in describing the word glory, when we refer to God's Glory. It's beyond our comprehension. It will take all eternity to fully understand and experience the wonder of God's Glory.

"We’re told Jesus is the radiance of God's Glory and the exact representation of His Being. Everything we've learned and know about Jesus is exactly who our God is." Hebrews 1:3

God's Glory has multiple meanings in Scripture. The display of His magnificence, the praise and honor showered upon His great Name, and awesome splendor barely touch how awesome our God is.

God's Glory is important because we see His power and majestic beauty. When we praise God, it reminds us of how good He is.

How do you take the One who is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Eternal, Holy, Glorious, and try to wrap all that glory into an answer? It is hard to do.

Why is His Glory so important? Seeing God's Glory in the heavens and the earth points to how amazing and wonderful He is. We see His power and majestic beauty.

Moses wanted to see His Glory, but God put him in the cleft of the rock and covered him until He passed by. Today God's presence dwells within us. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit, God's Glory within will radiate to those around us.

"And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His Glory." Isaiah 6:3

 By His Grace . . .

Those Who Help

1 Corinthians 12:28

"And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues."

Bobbi Rae Facebook Page

Helping. It's a big thing. It's one of the gifts God gives to His children. All His children should help when they can, but some of His children have been gifted specifically to help others. I'm sure a few names come to your mind of those who help.

In the days of the apostles, "the helpers may have been those who accompanied them, baptized those who were converted by them, and were sent by them to such places as they could not attend to, being otherwise employed." Studylight.org, Clarke's Commentary

 

Over the centuries Christians are encouraged to help those in need, and I've witnessed this during the crisis of snow and frigid temperatures we experienced last week and into this week. I've heard of a number of people who have been helped during this time of crisis. 

Hebrews 6:10

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to helop them."

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: "The works of love, done for the glory of Christ, or done to His saints for Christ's sake, from time to time, as God gives occasion, are evident marks of a man's salvation."

Godsbless.ing: This verse reminds us of the importance of our actions and how they are seen and remembered by God. When we serve others with love and compassion, we are not only making a difference in their lives but also leaving a lasting impact in the eyes of God. It's a powerful reminder that our deeds, no matter how small they may seem, are recognized and cherished by God."

Scripturesavvy.com: "Another valuable lesson is the call to serve others. We see that no role is insignificant; every contribution is vital to the overall purpose of the church. When we shift our focus from ourselves to the needs of others, we exemplify that love of Christ and fulfill our calling as His followers."

Helping others isn't always a physical thing. Sometimes people just need a listening ear or kind word or someone to sit with them for a few minutes. This kind of help restores connection with another person. If you are alone, this is a mighty big help.

"Help Somebody Today"

"Look all around you, find someone in need,

Help somebody today!

Tho' it be little--a neighborly deed--

Help somebody today!"

Chorus

"Help somebody today,

Somebody along life's way;

Let sorrow be ended the friendless befriended,

Oh, help somebody today!"

A GIANT thank you to all those who have helped others last week recovering from this storm. I am thankful for the help we were given by our neighbors.

Why not live these words from the above hymn: "Help somebody today."

By His Grace . . .