21

Jump Start # 2187

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2187

 

Mark 6:45 “And immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the multitude away.”

 

Our passage today begins an interesting story that leads to Peter being allowed to walk on water with the Lord. The Lord sent the disciples on ahead of Him. The winds were against them, or contrary, as some accounts state it. They were straining at the oars. Things weren’t going well. It was dark. And, Jesus appears, walking on the water. That sight frightened the disciples. When Jesus got into the boat, the wind immediately stopped. Multiple miracles are all tied into this one story.

 

It all began when the Lord commanded the disciples to go to the other side. Obeying Jesus put them into a storm. That very thought is opposite to how we think. We come to Jesus when we are in a storm and hope that he will calm things in our lives. We come when our marriages are falling apart. We come when our lives are messy. We hope and want Jesus to make things better. We don’t expect things to become stormy because we are following Jesus, but they can, and often they do.

 

Here is how this happens:

 

Obeying Jesus can create storms at work when unethical and dishonest businessmen want to fudge the numbers in the books and cut corners that are not lawful, right or good for the consumer. The bottom line is dollars and for them the more they can produce, the higher they’ll climb in their careers. They’ll sacrifice safety, walk on other people, take the credit that is no theirs, and blame others for their mistakes. The environment can be toxic, hostile and mean. And, for a Christian, it can be a storm. Doing what is right, when all around you is wrong, puts you in a corner and it can be costly to your career.

 

Obeying Jesus can create storms in the family. You are a Christian and others, particularly your parents and siblings are not. They don’t understand your commitment, the need to attend so often and why you cannot participate in some family activities and outings. You’ve tried to explain, but not only do they not want to hear you, they say things here and there that shows their dislike of your faith. They tease you. They misquote you. They point out failures of others that they know. In some families, this scene turns ugly. You are not welcome any more. In some settings, the parents remove the Christian from the will. And, what have you done? Nothing. You are kind, generous, helpful, but it’s the fact that you are different than they are, is seen as a strike against the family. Obeying Jesus put you in a storm.

 

Obeying Jesus can put you in a storm with your friends. No longer are they comfortable around you. You won’t talk about others as they do. You won’t drink as they like to do. You won’t stay out very late on Saturday nights as they do. You don’t like their choices of movies. You don’t like the music that they listen to. They declare that you have really changed, and you have. However, obeying Jesus, has put a distance between you and these friends. There isn’t much in common anymore. In some occasions, they may force your hand and make you make a decision, them or Jesus. Of course, you choose Jesus. They don’t get it.

 

Obeying Jesus can put you into contrary winds. It can cause you to strain at the oars for a while. Things may get harder rather than easier. Challenges, difficulties, and resistance from others can lead to you wondering if you have done the right thing. It’s enough for those who are not strong in the Lord to quit. The pressure from work, family and friends can be so intense and so strong that they will side with them over the Lord. They miss family and friends. They want to be with family and friends more than worshipping the Lord. And, that’s all it takes and some are back to where they started.

 

When the winds are contrary it can make a person question whether he is doing the right thing. He can believe that the winds ought to be at our back and it ought to be smooth sailing through life. Have I made a mistake? Did I do something wrong? Am I being punished for something? Is God upset with me? Common thoughts for contrary winds.

 

But as this story in the Gospels, ends, Jesus came, got into the boat and the winds died down. The contrary became favorable. Jesus helps. He always does. Now, does that mean those blood thirsty, money hungry bosses will change? Probably not. But Jesus will see you through it. Does that mean my family will accept me and my faith? Often, that does happen. Often the hostilities slow way down, as they see your goodness, helpfulness and kindness. Does that mean the friends will take me back? That may not happen, especially if it means embracing all the stuff that they are doing. What Jesus may do is find you a new set of friends that are moral, spiritual and will open your eyes to a wonderful world of love and friendship.

 

Jesus came. He didn’t leave the disciples out there straining. He didn’t leave them on their own. And, neither will Jesus leave you. Keep going the right direction. It may be hard. The winds can be strong. But hang in there.

 

While the disciples were in the boat, Jesus was up on the mountain praying. I expect He could look down and see them. He may well have been praying for them. I like to think that. I like to think that Jesus prays for you and I, especially when He sees us trying to obey Him and the winds are contrary to us.

 

Keep obeying…keep rowing…don’t let the winds get the best of you. Obeying Jesus can put you in a storm.

 

Roger

 

20

Jump Start # 2186

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2186

Luke 15:13 “And not many days later, the younger son gather everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.”

Our verse today comes from the powerful parable we call the Prodigal Son. This parable isn’t about a bad boy who became good, it is about the compassion, forgiveness and grace of the father. Without the father, there is no story here. I love this parable. I have a bunch of sermons on this. I have collected dozens of books just on this one topic. It’s our story. Throughout our lives we have stood with the prodigal. There are occasions when we get to stand with the father. Hopefully, through this parable we’ve learned never to be in the shadows of the older brother, but often we are. The forgiven sometimes have a hard time forgiving others.

We must remember that this is a parable and the central thought is the forgiveness of God. This parable answers the accusation of why Jesus received sinners and eats with them. That’s what God does. It is the sick who need the physician. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. The Pharisees, like the older brother in this story, were lost, but they just never realized it. The sinners did.

Our verse today begins, “And not many days later.” The prodigal has received his share of the inheritance. The money was in his hands. He didn’t leave as soon as the coins hit his hands. Not many days later. He stuck around, got his things together and worked out his plans in his mind. Not many days later, he was thinking. His heart was already in the far country. He was spending his wealth in his mind. All the fun he was going to have. The more the days came and went, the more excited he became about leaving. This parable doesn’t have the feel of a young man going off to war. He looks around his room one last time, pets his dog one last time, and takes a long, long look into the eyes of his parents before he must leave. The soldier leaves knowing that he may not come back, even though thoughts of home will be kept dear in his heart. No, for the prodigal it was different. He couldn’t wait to shake home off of his feet. No looking back. No dreading leaving. No, for the prodigal it was get me out of this place as fast as I can and I hope I never see it again. His leaving was his choice. His leaving was rebellion. His leaving was shaking off the rules, lifestyle, faith of dear ole’ dad. He was done with that and he wasn’t coming back to that. Sadly, for far too many young college students, away from home, this is the same road that they take. Seeing things that they’ve never seen before, free to do as they please, God is left in a box, along with their Bible, and fun, sin and irresponsibility seems to be what many major in for a semester. They come home from college at Christmas break changed and too often, not for the better. A semester of reckless and loose living has changed them and a semester without worship, prayer and God, was all it took for them to turn their backs on God. Drinking alcohol, partying hard, sleeping in on Sunday morning becomes a regular routine. They soon meet someone that enjoys doing that as well. Friendship turns into love and soon the thoughts of marriage roll around. And, mom and dad, back home, are witnessing the death of all that they stood for and all that mattered to them.

In Jesus’ story of the prodigal, the father represents God. Using that image, the prodigal and his big brother, had the best parent. They had God. No one could say that God was dysfunctional. The rules were not too strict. God was not out of touch. God was not neglectful. God did not have a favorite among the boys. That’s our homes. Those are things we struggle with. But not God. He is the perfect parent. He is flawless, holy and righteous. When the prodigal returned, the father never apologized. He had done nothing wrong. He didn’t promise to change so the prodigal would never leave again. You can’t improve upon perfection. God is perfect.

So, in that setting, the prodigal still left. The perfect home had a prodigal. The perfect home had a judgmental, jealous older son who never counted his blessings. The perfect home was a sad home. Can you imagine dinner time with those two brothers? One couldn’t stand the other and the prodigal didn’t even want to be there. The perfect home didn’t look very perfect. The perfect home was troubled. Should God have done more? Did He fail these boys at an earlier age? Was He too busy for them?

Even with God as a father, there was a prodigal. No fingers in this parable are pointed to the father. The father did nothing wrong. The blame falls to the attitudes and choices that those boys made.

Now, our homes will never be perfect. They can’t be as long as we are a part of them. We are not perfect. But there are many good, godly homes that suffer with prodigals and judgmental and jealous grown children. Parents have taken their children to worship. They have been amazing examples of faithfulness, service and devotion to God. They have prayed together as a family. They have talked often about the Lord and His word. God has been an active part of these homes, yet still, there is a prodigal. Parents feel guilty. What should we have done differently? They are ashamed. They beat themselves up with guilt. They look at other families and wonder why their home has the prodigal and others do not. Where did we fail, is a constant burden that these parents carry in their hearts.

Sometimes, the blame does fall upon parents who expected the church to raise their child morally. They did very little and that’s the exact results that they received, very little. Sometimes the congregation is the problem. The children grow up see dysfunctional Pharisees shoot their own wounded and that has left an ugly impression upon them. They want no part of that. But, then, sometimes the blame rests upon no one but the child. As in our parable, the prodigal chose to leave. His heart wasn’t right. The father couldn’t have done any more. And, for some of our children, that’s their path. There is no blame at home. There is no blame with the congregation. A child is pulled by the far country. He yearns for the taste of sin. First chance he gets, and it is often in college, he breaks free. He’s done. He’s gone. Life in the far country is what he wants. Broken hearted godly parents cry at home. They pray for their child. They seem to care more for his soul than he does. They talk, but he won’t listen. They plead, but he ignores them and changes the subject.

They must now stand in the shadow of the father. They long for the spiritual return of their prodigal. They look. They pray. They must be ready to celebrate. No time for sermons, lectures, or details of wrong doings. The return is a time for rejoicing. Patience and love are the key here.

Others in the congregation often stand with the older brother. They feel the parents of the prodigal didn’t do enough. They talk. They whisper. They judge. They assume. They don’t know. They only further hurt the broken hearts of these godly parents. What they need is not more guilt, but compassion. What they need is not more fingers pointing to them, but hugs and tears. What they need is not lessons about where they failed, but hope, grace and prayers for the prodigal to return.

The perfect home, had two very imperfect sons. Maybe we can learn something from that.

Roger

19

Jump Start # 2185

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2185

John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned up.”

 

A neighbor cut down a persimmon tree the other day. He started by cutting off many of the branches and then he cut the tree down. The branches were left in the yard and the trunk of the tree was cut up and hauled away. Very quickly, just a couple of days after all of this was done, the branches dried up, the leaves turned brown and it looked as if those branches had been on the ground for a year. It didn’t take long for all life to leave those branches, once they were cut off from the tree.

 

This is what Jesus is illustrating in our verse. Rather than persimmon branches, he probably meant olive tree branches or the branches from a grape vine. Cut off from the source of life, they lose all life and they wither and die, quickly and immediately.

 

The same happens spiritually to a person who walks away from Jesus. It doesn’t take long for the sins to start multiplying, and all spiritual life withers and they die spiritually. Things that they once opposed, they now embrace without any shame, guilt or regret. They don’t fight temptation. They welcome it. And, a life of carefulness turns into carelessness. The attitude sours. The language becomes offensive. The dress more risqué and immodest. And, worse of all, to soothe any remaining guilt, the heart turns against Christ and His people. Everything that brethren ever did that was wrong is highlighted and brought to the front. The good is forgotten. And, the dying branch makes statements that were never said before, such as, “I always thought worship was boring.” Or, “I never did agree with some of the things that they said.”

 

And, the branch dies. My neighbor will be gathering up his dead branches and toss them away. For Jesus, the dead branches, are souls and lives that no longer care about the Lord. They are dead, even though they continue to live. Their future is bleak. While they laugh through this life, having the time of their lives, they are heading down a dead end street. The future for them includes the fire of punishment. So tragic, it didn’t have to be this way.

 

Why, we ask. Why would anyone leave Jesus? Why would they walk away from forgiveness, grace, hope, and Heaven for the trinklets that Satan offers today? It’s hard to understand. It doesn’t make sense. And, it’s harder still to get some to see what they have done and to come back. In the natural world, a cut off branch dies and that’s it. It’s a one way street. Biblically, a person can become reattached to Jesus. They can be forgiven and life can again spread throughout their soul. It’s not fatal, until a person no longer has life in their body.

 

Some leave because the pull of sin is so strong. The call of the far country is constantly calling them. Some have never fully left the world of sin. They have kept one foot in there. Their friends, their choices have been a constant pull back to the world. And, so, they go, returning to the life that they left.

 

For others, they get discouraged. Someone in the church hurt them or disappointed them. I know a senior citizen who has been a Christian for close to seventy years. She is now in assisted living but comes out to worship when she can. She must carry oxygen with her. One Sunday she came, carrying her oxygen. A off-handed comment was made about how loud the oxygen tank was. That hurt her. Rather than praising her for coming and pointing out what an example she was, someone had to say something stupid and wrong. It was inappropriate. This older Christian must have her oxygen. She feels now as if she ought to stay home. Discouraged because of what others say, is why some quit. We love to tell others what they ought to do, while we give ourselves a pass and sit back and point the judgmental radar gun at folks.

 

Some never started right. This is what the parable of the sower tells us. Some seed started, but was chocked out by the worries, riches and pleasures of this life. Some started and the sun scorched the tiny plant and it died. No roots. Little growth. Young faith. Some as quickly as they come to Christ, they leave Christ. They were disillusioned. They thought coming to Christ would solve every problem, find them a job, get them a mate, and end all of their worries. But troubles remained. Problems at home. Problems with health. Problems at work. Becoming a Christian didn’t magically evaporate all of those problems. Their expectations weren’t met and so, they left, sad and disappointed.

 

There are many reasons why some leave, but the results are the same. A branch is cut off. That branch withers and dies. It doesn’t do well without Christ. And, it doesn’t take very long at all, until a person would never recognize that they were once a Christian. All signs of Christ are gone. Bitter. Sinful. Selfish. Proud. Angry. But under the surface, lost, filled with worry, uncertain and fearful of death. Life without Christ is really no life. Paul told the Romans that the wages of sin is death. It’s turning the lights out on the soul. It’s welcoming back misery, unhappiness and a life without purpose, direction or benefit to others.

 

I understand why my neighbor cut off the branches. The tree was coming down. I do not understand why a person leaves the Lord. Jesus has never mistreated us. Jesus has always been kind to us. In Christ, we walk with hope, assurance and answers. Worry and fear flee when we stand close to Christ. Hope soars and our character, our attitude and our outlook all become brighter and better.

 

Getting cut off of Christ is our choice. God won’t do it. Others can’t do it. We can saw our own limb off of Christ or we can continue to receive life, nourishments, and purpose through Christ.

 

Without Christ, there is no life, there is no future and there is no purpose. Work through your questions. Get beyond those things that bother you. Put the saw away. You don’t want to be cut off of the Lord.

 

It’s great being a Christian. There is no other life.

 

Roger

 

18

Jump Start # 2184

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2184

Galatians 1:24 “And they were glorifying God because of me.”

In this first chapter of Galatians, Paul tells us his story. Word came that “he who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith that he once tried to destroy.” That thought leads to our verse today. The brethren rejoiced that Paul stopped his persecution. They were rejoicing that he was a Christian. They glorified God because of Paul. In his words, “because of me,” they were glorying God.

That ending expression, “because of me,” is worth thinking about.

Because of me, could be spoken of arrogantly and proudly and in that way, it would be misused and wrong. Many of us have to fight the “me” in each of us. We want our way. We want our opinion heard. We think we are always right. And, we think that if we dropped out of the picture, the church, even, the world would stop. How could they survive without me, we think. It doesn’t take too much of that to sicken everyone around you. The only person that really wants to hear our accomplishments are ourselves. So, we must be careful with the “Because of me,” thinking.

Because of me, could also become very negative. Because of me, the shepherds in the church must have special meetings. Because of me, everyone is upset. Because of me, a big stink was caused in the congregation. “Because of me,” can turn into something that is not so pleasant.

As Paul used this, not in a negative fashion, and certainly not to boast, but to illustrate how he changed. He once was a threat, and now he was an apostle. He once tried to kill Christians, and now he was willing to be killed to support the faith. That change, brought much joy and happiness to the brethren.

You could say:

Because of me, the work in this congregation and in the kingdom continues, because I support it financially. It takes money. It takes money to buy the seed so the sower can plant. It takes money to print. It takes money to support the preacher. It takes money to make CD’s. It takes money to send the message out. Because of your part, because of me, this is accomplished. You may not be the voice on the CD, but because of you, it was possible to make those and someone may just have been helped because of that.

Because of me, a child has learned some basic Bible principles, because you taught a Bible class. You took this task very seriously, and you spend time at home cutting out things to decorate your classroom. You studied your lesson. You came to class with joy and enthusiasm. The kids love you. And, they learned. Years from now, some will remember you. Some may even teach a class when they are older because of what you have done. Because of you, others are learning and growing. Every quarter, the call goes out for teachers. Often, too often, an auditorium is full of adults and no one moves. No one volunteers. No one wants to teach. You have and you will. Because of you, a difference is being made.

Because of me, what you have done, a heart was encouraged, because you took the time to send a card to someone. There has been someone missing because he has been ill. There has been a new family that has been visiting. There is a young family with a new baby. There is a new Christian. So many opportunities. You took the time while at a store to purchase a card. You wrote a couple of sentences and mailed that card. It happened to be just the thing to brighten up a heart. It reminded someone that they are loved, noticed and cared for. The card isn’t much. It’s basically a cup of cold water, as Jesus spoke about in Matthew 10. But because of you, and your thoughtfulness, someone’s spirits were lifted and they were encouraged.

Because of me, what you did, a young preacher feels more determined to devote his life to preaching God’s word. You found around the house some old books that you don’t use much any more. Rather than tossing them, you boxed them up and gave them to a young preacher. He doesn’t have much. He doesn’t know much about these books. You explain what they are and talk about the authors. You share with him how those books helped you long ago and now you want to help him. There is a connection and his heart is happy to receive such kindness.

Because of me, what you did, the church building looks nice. You noticed some weeds growing here and there and you stopped by one day and pulled all the weeds. You planted a few flowers out front. You donated all of this on your own. You did not want a shout out. You came quietly when no one was around because you simply wanted to do what you could. You can’t lead singing, preach or a lot of things that goes on in the congregation, but you can certainly pull weeds. And, if you can pull weeds as your gift, you will do that. No one ever said anything to you, mostly because no one knew it was you who did it. But because of you, the place looks nicer. It’s attractive to people driving by, and it makes a statement that we care about the appearance and we certainly care about what we do. Because of you, the place looks nicer.

Because of me, what you did, worship was so exceptional on Sunday. You led singing. You poured a lot of time into picking out the right songs. You practiced and practiced, so everything would be just right. Or, was it you who led the prayer on Sunday. You too, put a lot of thought into what you were going to say. It was heartfelt and touching. Or, was it you who led the table talk before the Lord’s Supper. Your thoughts were so good. Or, was it you who preached. Your topic was just what was needed. It was powerful, passionate and practical. Because of you, we worshipped. Because of you, we saw Jesus. Because of you, our hearts were stirred, encouraged and strengthened.

Because of me, we worshipped. Maybe you cannot lead singing, but you sang from the pew. Maybe you can’t lead prayer, but you were praying along with others. Maybe you can’t preach, but your Bible was open, as well as your heart. Your presence, your smile, your spirit, helps make our fellowship meaningful. Because of you, we are a family of God.

Because of me. Three little words that makes us reflect upon what we are adding to the whole. We are a team. It takes all of us. It takes a lot of “because of me,” to be who we are. Am I doing my part. Can it be said, because of me, someone is made better?

Because of me…sure is something to think about, isn’t it.

Roger

17

Jump Start # 2183

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2183

Revelation 21:4 ”and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes and there shall be no longer any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

 

I have been teaching Revelation on Sunday mornings for many weeks. We are going at a pace of one chapter a week. It’s been a great study and for many in the class, it has been the first time that everything seems to being falling in place and making sense. We are down to one chapter left. Revelation is such an encouraging book. It’s one of my favorites.

 

The final two chapters are about the Heavenly city. Gone and dealt with are the beasts, the harlot and even Satan. Just God and His people and the glorious hope that binds them together. Our verse today, is one of many from that picture that John was shown about the relationship we will have with God. Several things to notice here.

 

First, for the righteous, things are only going to get better. Death, crying, mourning and pain are part of our world now. Those things will pass. They will not transcend the eternal city of God. All of the things John mentions in this verse, death, mourning, crying, pain are all connected and caused by sin. They are also all connected to innocent suffering, such as what these first readers were experiencing. Those things will end. Things will be different. They are only gong to get better. We cannot imagine even a day without those things. Turn on the news and there is crying, pain and death. Check Facebook and there is someone sharing the heartache of crying, pain and death. It’s everywhere and it’s everyday. However, it won’t be forever. The first things will pass away. In the next verse God declares that He is making all things new.

 

 

Second, the element of freewill will be gone. Freedom and choice are built into our thinking and our DNA. We go out to eat and there is a menu with all kinds of choices. Everyday we have choices. We can pick the good, the bad or the ugly. We can stand with Martha or we can sit with Mary, who made the one necessary choice. Our words are a matter of choice. Our attitudes are chosen. And, with freewill is the opportunity to make the wrong choice. To eat the forbidden fruit. To ignore the preaching of Noah. To serve the gods in the land, unlike Joshua. To walk away from Jesus, as some of the multitudes did. I chose to go to worship yesterday. No one made me. Following the flow of Revelation, our verse is found after Satan is sent to torment forever, and after the dead have gathered to be judged. Our verse defines what the eternal city will be like. Freewill, choice, will not be part of it. We will not be tempted. All the wicked will be outside this holy city. There will be no bad influences. There will not be Satan putting things in our hearts. There will not be any wrong. There will be but one choice and that is to praise and serve God. Those that don’t like that, won’t be there. Those that are not interested in that, won’t have to worry, they won’t be there. Heaven is for those who are God focused and God centered.

 

Since, temptation, Satan and freewill will not be part of that world, the first things have passed, as our verse states, there won’t be any fear of messing up and being kicked out. You won’t have a bad day and say something that you shouldn’t and then be escorted to the pearly gates and told to leave and never come back. That’s not going to happen. Don’t let your mind go there. He is making all things new.

 

Third, God, Himself, shall wipe all tears from our eyes. Why tears? Life can be hard. Death could be painful. But once we reach God, the tears will be gone. There will be no more crying. The cause of tears will be gone. And, God will wipe our tears. Not an angel. Not one of the apostles, but God. The loving hand that created this universe, will take care of us. That expression brings memories of our childhood. Out playing, we banged our knees, and came running inside to the love and kisses of our moms who took care of us. God is there. He is there for us. He always has been.

 

Heaven will be different than life here, and the righteous will be glad it’s that way. Things can be tough here. Life can become weary for us. The days seem long and the nights even longer. We tire of seeing wrong choices. We get weary of bad news. We become discouraged when God’s people don’t act like God’s people. We don’t like to see brethren fussing at each other. Indifference, lukewarmness, and neglect dominate far too many congregations and too many hearts these days. Brighter days are ahead of us. Those things will not be part of that Heavenly picture. There won’t be any discouragement in Heaven. There won’t be bad news. There won’t be any disappointment. It’s hard to imagine even a day without those things.

 

For us, these words remind us to hang on, hang in there and continue on. Overcome is the word used in Revelation. Overcome all the things that pull you down. Overcome all the things standing between you and Jesus. Don’t miss this. Don’t let anything or anyone keep you from Heaven. It’s time to stop playing with our faith and be serious. It’s time to drop the excuses and do what we should and what God expects. It’s time to stop blaming others for our lack of involvement in the kingdom. Things are only going to get better.

 

And when those words roll our in your mouth and in your mind a few times, things are only going to get better, a person starts longing to be there. Come, Lord Jesus, as Revelation ends, becomes something meaningful to us. We start seeing things from God’s perspective. We start living as if one foot is already there.

 

It’s only going to get better. There are not many things we can say that about. As one ages, we know that’s not the case health wise. We start falling apart. We can’t say that about school. The more advanced you go, the harder it becomes. But the days coming, when what really matters and what is really important, will only get better.

 

Together with God, that’s the picture Revelation gives us. That’s our future. That’s our hope. It’ll only get better.

 

Roger