Edwin Christiaan

Friday, May 31, 2013

Scriptural Facts About Heaven | Institute of Love

By Sophia Christiaan, May 31, 2013

Jesus said to go and preach “the Kingdom” and make disciples of Jesus Christ. The reality of heaven waiting after this life provides hope and consolation for mankind to know that this is not all there is. This is just a temporary place, and eternity is what happens after death.

Jesus wanted to give us the heavenly realities to focus on (Colossians 3) to make it through life on earth. God the Father also wanted us to know how much he loves us, by sending his Son to die for us, and by preparing something unspeakably awesome for us in heaven.

Here are some things we know about heaven from Scripture:

No more death, grief, tears, sorrow, or pain:

Revelation 21:4 NLT “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."

God has prepared something unimaginable for us:

1. Corinthians 2:9 NLT “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

A new glorious body:

Philippians 3:20-21 NLT “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”

2. Corinthians 5:3 NLT “For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.”

2. Corinthians 5:1 NLT “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”

No more seeing and understanding partially:

1. Corinthians 13:12 NLT “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”

Streets of gold, gates of pearls:

Revelation 21:21 NLT “The twelve gates were made of pearls - each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.”

Harps being played:

Revelation 14:2 NLT “And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of mighty ocean waves or the rolling of loud thunder. It was like the sound of many harpists playing together.”

Mansions:

John 14:2 NIV “My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

Being with Jesus forever:

1. Thessalonians 4:17 NLT “Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”

Animals in the new heaven and new earth:

Isaiah 11:6-9 NLT “In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the babygoat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.”

Wedding feast:

Revelation 19:7-9 NLT “Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear. For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

We will receive crowns:

The Crown of Incorruption. This crown is given to those who live a disciplined life. 1. Corinthians 9:25

The Crown of Rejoicing. This crown is given to those who joyously express their faith. 1. Thessalonians 2:19

The Crown of Life. The Crown of Life is given to those who are patient, who endure the trials and tribulations in life. James 1:12

The Crown of Glory. This Crown is given to those who are faithful in ministering to the world. 1. Peter 5:2-4

The Crown of Righteousness. This crown is for all those who long for the return of Jesus. 2. Timothy 4:8

Crystal clear rivers:

Revelation 22:1 NLT “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

See the face of Jesus:

Revelation 22:4 “And they will see his face…”

It will never be dark:

Revelation 22:5 NLT “And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.”

A healing Tree of Life:

Revelation 22:2 NLT “It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.”

Revelation 22:14 NLT “They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.”

No more curse:

Revelation 22:3 NLT “No longer will there be a curse upon anything.”

Philippians 3:20-21 NLT “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”

Thursday, May 30, 2013

God Can Do It | Institute of Love

What you as a Christian need to know is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He always does what He says! (See 2. Corinthians 1:19) God gives you the Holy Spirit and works miracles among you because you believe the message you heard about Christ. (See Galatians 3:5) I always say this; that God can do anything, anytime, anywhere with anybody! Why? “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NLT “and what is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NLT Just have faith in God, because that pleases Him greatly! (See Hebrews 11:6) Remember that “faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT That is why whenever God promises you something, you can count on it through faith that He will do it, no matter how impossible it might look! God demonstrates that throughout history, as we can read in the scriptures. He miraculously led the people of Israel out of Egypt, just as He promised, right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned. (See Hebrews 11:29) Or for instance Sarah, Abraham's wife, who was able to have a child even though she was barren and way too old to conceive. She believed that God would keep His promise to give her a child. (See Hebrews 11:11) It would take too long, as the Bible says, to recount the stories of the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. (See Hebrews 11:32-33) God's promises are indeed YES and Amen! Trust Him!

A True Christian | Institute of Love

A True Christian | Institute of Love

Being a true follower of Christ is all about actions that speaks louder than words! A true Christian knows what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. That's why a true Christian also gives up his or her life for his or her brothers and sisters. A true Christian doesn't understand how it is possible for someone who has enough money to live well, to show no compassion when he sees a brother or sister in need. How can God’s love be in that person, the true Christian would ask? (See 1. John 3:16-17)

When God’s people are in need, the true Christian is ready to help them. He or she is always eager to practice hospitality. (See Romans 12:13) The true Christian cheerfully shares his or her home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. (See 1. Peter 4:9) Because, “what good is it, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” James 2:14-16 NLT

It is essential that Christians who are rich in this world are taught not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. They need to be told to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this, they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (See 1. Timothy 6:17-19) They “should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 NLT

Bad Leaders | Institute of Love

Bad Leaders | Institute of Love

There are lots of Christians who have been wounded by self-centered, narcissistic church leaders. Here is a typical example from the Bible about Diotrephes, who “loved to be the leader.” He refused to have anything to do with teachers who were traveling for the Lord. He made evil accusations against them and refused to welcome them. He also told others not to help them and when they did help, he put them out of the church. (See 3. John 1:5-10) Diotrephes, and others like him, are manipulating and controlling people in the church for their own personal interests instead of loving and caring for them. They never learned what it means “not to lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” 1. Peter 5:3 NLT

This is what the Bible says about what you should do when dealing with the selfish controlling attitude of bad pastors and leaders like Diotrephes; “don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.” 3. John 1:11 NLT This basically means; “Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests.” Romans 16:17-18 NLT

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Understand Your Calling | Institute of Love

By Sophia Christiaan

We have to understand our callings. When you are called as an evangelist, all you want to do, and what you are good at, is helping people find salvation in Christ. Your spirit is always busy figuring out how to reach out to the world with the Gospel.

When you are a teacher, you don’t mind digging deep into complicated scripture to dig out hidden treasures, and you relish in the idea of helping people get more knowledge and understanding of the Word.

When you are an apostle, you have a gift of pioneering new works for the Kingdom and a gift to put the right people in the right positions in ministry.

When you are a pastor, you can never get enough of encouraging people and always have an embracing attitude toward everyone. You love people and love to be a source of strength and encouragement to them. You have infinite patience with struggling or disobedient Christians.

When you are a helper, you are good at, and delight in helping other servants of God. You always have an eye for what needs to be done and supports wherever you are needed. You are usually a humble and meek person without the need for much attention on yourself.

When you have a prophetic calling, you are slightly different than the rest. Although you have a great measure of love, it is usually directed at seeing to it that God’s Truth is being properly revered by the people. Your love is a love for God’s truth, and you are offended on behalf of God when people don’t respect the Lord. You will go through much persecution and hatred because of your outspoken love and zeal for God. People either hate or love you because wherever you go, you bring out the truth of that person’s character.

When you are a giver, you take your responsibility of giving very seriously and carefully listen to God’s voice, always obeying His commands.

When you have a gift of faith, believing for impossible things come easy to you. You lead others and encourage them by being who you are to also strive to have more faith. Miracles tend to follow your walk.

When you have a gift to perform miracles, you live in a state of always being ready to minister and pray for people, as your service may be required of you at any moment. You may have other strong gifts as well, such as a prophetic gift. Your life is a life of total dedication to the Lord.

When you have the gift of wisdom, wise and helpful words flow from your lips at just the right time. You may also be a good counselor or a gifted writer.

When you have the gift of special knowledge, it may be either to explain certain spiritual matters well so others may be enlightened, or it may be words of knowledge about another person that no one knows, so to heal, deliver, or encourage that individual.