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Matthew 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Treasures in Heaven

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 17, 2025

Will we all receive the same blessings in heaven? Norm Geisler, in his systematic theology, makes an interesting distinction between being “fully blessed” and being “equally blessed.” He explains, “‎Every believer’s cup will be full and running over, but not everyone’s cup will be the same size. We determine in time what our capacity for appreciating God will be in eternity. Different persons can listen to the same musical performance and have varying degrees of appreciation because they have developed different capacities for enjoying it; similarly, different people can be in the same heaven and yet have different degrees of enjoyment due to developing different abilities for enjoying God here on earth.”

Although we are saved by grace through faith alone, our rewards in heaven will be determined by our works on earth. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians, chapter 3. The foundation of our salvation is Christ Jesus and his work alone, but our obedience in this life results in the nature of our rewards in the next life. He says in verses 11-15, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” For other verses that seem to teach about the various degrees of rewards in heaven, see the following verses: Luke 19:17–19; John 14:2; 1 Cor. 15:41; Rev. 22:12.

Some investments bring greater returns than others. Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (See Matthew 6:19-20). This point is that a man who has a layover at an airport does not go into the bathroom, frown at its decor, and start redecorating! Why? Because he doesn’t live there. He has a home in another place. While he is away he will get by with only what he absolutely needs, to have more money with which to furnish his permanent home. Why do we Christians work hard at trying to make our life in this world more comfortable? This is just the airport, and we are in transit. We should spend our energy on enhancing our eternal reward and not worry so much about the bare walls in the airport restrooms.

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Revelation 2:10, Titus 1:2

The Crown of Life

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 16, 2025

I’m trying to get back into my 34” waist pants! Since I’ve turned 70, I’ve not been able to get below 38. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it below that.  Even though I have some physical restrictions, I’m exercising, taking vitamins, and trying to watch my carbohydrates. I’m sure I’m not alone in my efforts to live a healthier, happier life. We’ve popped pills, pumped iron, and burned up (literally!) treadmills (back in 2007, my treadmill actually caught on fire & caused a lot of damage to my house). I said “no” to cake and pie, and numerous other efforts to be healthier. I even gave up my favorite, Toasted Almond fudge ice cream! Well, I’d like to live long enough to see my grandchildren marry! I’d like to see great-grandchildren! And, who knows, my great, great grandchildren! Wouldn’t you? Yes, I’m doing lots of things to help me live longer! Yet, I keep foremost in mind the fact that the mortality rate in the United States is still 100%! It’s the same in the rest of the world.

Martin Luther once said, “Even in the best of health, we should have death always before our eyes. We will not expect to remain on this earth forever but will have one foot in the air, so to speak.” The passing of our loved ones from this life serves as a constant reminder that we’re all temporary beings, just passing through the valley of the shadow of death. The loss of our loved ones is always a day of sadness, but while there are tears in our eyes, there is joy and hope in our hearts, for death has been swallowed up in victory. Those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ have been promised the “Crown of life.” In the Book of Revelation, John gives Christ’s message to the churches. He tells them that there will be suffering in this life and even severe persecution, but he exhorts the Church members to “…be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). In this short verse is the reality that death will take us all! Yet along with that reality comes the promise of life beyond. That is eternal life!

Some years ago, Miss Alabama was competing for the title of “Miss Universe.” She was asked the question, “If you could live forever, would you and why?” She replied, “I would not live forever because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever.” I have no idea what she said there, but I would argue that for those of us in Christ, we will live forever because we were created to live forever, and according to God’s promises we will live forever, that’s why I will live forever! As I travel through this valley of the shadow of death and I watch loved ones pass away and feel the decay and deterioration of my bodily and intellectual strength, I have a hope! It’s a hope based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and his promise to prepare a place for me even now as I run this earthly race. I’ll hold on to the truth of the Gospel message through the hurts and hardships of life, knowing that God has awaiting me the crown of “eternal” life set aside, with my name on it, reserved in heaven!

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1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Peter 1:4-5

Imperishable Crowns

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 15, 2025

The rewards we will receive in heaven are often referred to as crowns. The idea of crowns was taken by Paul and other writers from the athletic games of the first century. Those who won the various events were given wreathes as crowns on their heads. This is what Paul is referring to in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 9, when he writes, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (ESV Verse 25). Many translations call it a “crown.” The important image to understand is that it’s representative of the believer’s victory over the “trials” of life. The victories will be eternal. They are not the kinds of trophies we might win in our lives today that are eventually thrown out. They are victories from which we will reap the rewards forever.

You might notice that Paul was writing to the Corinthians. In the first century, the Isthmian Games, the forerunner of the Olympics, were held in Corinth. He was addressing his audience with an illustration that all could relate to and understand. Contestants from all over the world would come to Corinth to compete in these athletic events. The month immediately preceding the events, Corinth, was filled with athletes training for their particular competition. The streets were filled with those athletes running to prepare themselves. Paul used the image of the running athletes to illustrate the Christian life with one great difference. The rewards that they are struggling to win are all perishable. According to David Jeremiah, “In the Isthmian Games, the prize was a simple pine wreath wrapped around the head. Contestants wanted that wreath because honor went with the award. But that honor was just as perishable as the wreath itself. The cheers and recognition and fame and sense of accomplishment faded all too quickly.”

Peter gives us a different perspective on the race that we are running. He tells us in 1 Peter 1:4-5 that God has “…caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…” Our heavenly rewards will last forever. David Jeremiah concludes that when we get to heaven, “…earthly wreaths and trophies and newspaper clippings and Super Bowl rings will be long forgotten. They’ll be no more important than brushing your teeth or buying a newspaper at the corner store. But what we do for eternity—even the smallest of deeds—will count forever.” Henry C. Morrison, after serving for forty years on the African mission field, headed home by boat. On that same boat, Theodore Roosevelt also rode. Morrison was quite dejected when, on entering New York harbor, President Roosevelt received great fanfare as he arrived home. Morrison thought he should get some recognition for forty years in the Lord’s service. Then, a small voice came to Morrison and said, “Henry—you’re not home yet.”

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Deuteronomy 5:16, Ephesians 6:2-3

Live Long And Prosper!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 14, 2025

Only the good die young! We’ve heard that a thousand times. It’s a very popular saying, and Billy Joel made a million dollars off a song by the same name! Whenever we see someone die before his expected time, we often say that. Does that mean that those who live to be a ripe old age are not good? The Bible says differently. The patriarchs all lived to a “ripe old age.” Furthermore, one of the Ten Commandments promises that children will live long if they honor their parents. Some argue that the Commandment, as recorded in Exodus, doesn’t refer to a physical long life, but rather to a long occupancy of the land that God was personally giving to Israel. I wouldn’t deny the truth of that promise, yet the focus on this Commandment, along with the associated promise, was repeated in Deuteronomy 5:16 with a focus on individual lives. It reads, “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Paul further uses the Deuteronomy passage and implies the promise is one of a long physical life. Ephesians 6:2-3 says, “Honor your father and mother. That is the first commandment that has a promise. Then things will go well with you. You will live a long time on the earth.”

Whereas good men and women, boys and girls,  often do die young, the good more often live a long, healthy, productive, and happy life. Even Spock knows that one of the most profound blessings that can be pronounced on someone is to “live long and prosper.” It is a true honor and privilege to see your children’s children, and even more so to see your children’s children’s children. Through all the pain and suffering that Job endured, the final verses record God’s blessings on his life. It says, “And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, four generations. And Job died, an old man, and full of days” (Job 42:16-17)

It is not easy for some to honor their fathers because of their history. Some fathers have not been all that they should have been. Some have even maliciously harmed their children and have so alienated them that there is little if any, hope for reconciliation. Yet, the Bible tells us to honor our parents because they deserve it. The three biblical reasons for honoring Fathers have nothing to do with the worthiness of the parent. We should honor our fathers because it’s the right thing to do (Ephesians 6:1). Colossians adds another good reason: “for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). But the reason that God gives in the Commandment itself is that honoring our parents serves our own best interests in the long run. Even though God’s greater purposes sometimes bring about untimely deaths of good people, anyone who wants to live long and prosper should take advantage of this special weekend to honor their father regardless of their perceived worthiness.

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2 Samuel 23:20

Hoi Pragmatikoi – Men of Action!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 13, 2025

On her website, Gwen Shamblin, the author of the popular “Weigh Down” Diet plan makes some statements about the Trinity that are troubling.  She may have changed these comments subsequently, but when I read this some years ago, her statements were rather subtle and difficult to grasp, but they were serious enough to cause Thomas Nelson Publishers to cancel the publication of her next book. Shamblin doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. “People don’t care about this,” she says, primarily referring to her women followers, “They don’t care about the Trinity,” she said, “what the women want is weight loss.” The older, late, reliable Bible expositor, J. Vernon McGee, rightly observed, after looking around at our society, “Men want to be vigorous and virile; women want to be sexy.” As wrong or right as you might think McGee is, you can’t deny that our society, in all its forms of mass media, promotes these ideas and sells them prominently to each generation. In my opinion, they are getting better at it with each generation. One obvious truth here, though, is that there is indeed a difference between the motives, minds, and missions of men and women.

In his “Foundations for the Family” series, Dennis Rainey explains the difference. He says that even in conversation, they are different. “Men tend to report facts. Women are far more interested in sharing feelings. Men feel compelled to offer solutions. Women want affirmation and assurance.” Men’s minds wake up, men’s passions are aroused, and men’s hearts will beat faster only when they are challenged. The Greek language has a substantival participle (don’t go to sleep!) that captures what should be the nature of man. It is (an English transliteration) “hoi pragmatikoi.” The Greek Lexicon translates this phrase as “Men of Action.” In 2 Samuel, we read about David’s “mighty men.” They were all men of action. Their deeds are sometimes listed in the Bible. One of them was Benaiah. 2 Samuel 23:20 describes him as “…a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds.” In general men aren’t motivated or challenged by dialogue, they want to “DO” something. Even the marketing industry has discovered this. Nike logo “just do it” is an example. Don’t get me started on professional and college team names and mascots. We’ve got wolf packs, wolverines, broncos, Spartans, bulls, rams, and, of course, the formerly all-boys school “fighting Irish.” It’s all about action, challenge, and overcoming opposition in a man’s world.

This is why the church, populated mostly by women, ends up exhorting the men on Father’s Day rather than speaking gently to them, telling them comforting and affirmative words. We probably give them too much of that in the Church in the first place. We need to be challenged! We need to be moved to action. We want to do something! Being one of them, I know a good challenge always moves me to action. Gary Ezzo, in his book “Men of Action,” writes, “I once asked my daughter Jennifer what she thought were the biggest problems fathers have with kids. She said, ‘Dads have too many tomorrows.’ You know, ‘I’ll play with you tomorrow; I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’ She was right. Dad, be there now for your children, building quality and quantity benchmarks of trust. Don’t wait until tomorrow—or you’ll end up wasting too many todays.”

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Luke 15:20, Luke 19:10

A Father’s Love

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 12, 2025

I’ve often thought that the story of the prodigal son should be called the story of the “Loving Father.” In this story, we see not only the wayward son, but we also see the self-righteous older brother. The Father affirms his love for both of his sons. The story of the wayward son is just one of three parables that talk about God’s passion for the lost. It’s nestled amongst the stories of the lost coin and the lost sheep. Some commentators even argue that the three parables are really one extended story about God’s heart for the lost. The father is the central theme of the story and is mentioned 12 times in the story.

God has a passion for the lost. He wants to save all that are lost. It is the father’s response to his wayward son that gives us a picture of the Father’s amazing grace. John Newton experienced this grace himself. We’ve all sung about this grace in his unforgettable hymn “Amazing Grace.” One of the best-known lines of that hymn says, “I once was lost, but now am found…” Newton explained that he took this line from the story of the prodigal son. Upon the prodigal son’s return, the father said he “was lost and is now found.” We get the idea that the father regularly looked down that long, lonely road that led away from home for any sign of his child’s return. The Greek text emphasizes the fact that the father saw the son coming “from a long way off” (Luke 15:20). David Jeremiah suggests, “From a distance, the father recognizes the walk of his son. He was no doubt dressed in rags, unwashed, bearded, hair a mess. Yet the father saw something that told him his son had come home. I can imagine that Jesus’ intent is to suggest that the father went to a vantage point outside the city and looked far down the road every day for any sign of his lost son.”

When the father saw his son, he ran to meet him. I imagine this as an incredibly emotional scene; the father, full of grace, embraces his prodigal son even before the son has a chance to repent and ask for forgiveness. We think that the son is the protagonist in the story because he makes the first step to come home, but when you study the story, we see that he did so not because of his love for the father but because of his need for food and shelter. The central theme of the story is the love of the father, who watches every day for the return of his son. In all three parables, The Lost Son, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Sheep, the attention is placed on the searcher, who would not give up until he found that which was his. Jesus said, “I have come to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

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Genesis 3:9, Romans 12:5

Adam, Where Are You?

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 11, 2025

We’ll celebrate Father’s Day this month. It comes after Mother’s Day. That’s so the bills for Mother’s Day will arrive just in time for Father’s Day. A small boy’s definition: “Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the present.” In my collection of illustrations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, I find that there are way more jokes about fathers than about mothers. Mothers are honored more, while fathers are exhorted more. Everywhere I look, I find fathers being exhorted and challenged to be better fathers in all the details that entail. I’ve been troubled about it more than once. I think I’ve found the answer! It’s simple: men ARE responsible.

In Romans Chapter 5, Paul contrasts Adam, the first man and the father of all humanity, with Jesus Christ, the second Adam, the founder and father of a new humanity. In verse 12, he says, “Therefore just as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin …” If we would just consider the implications of this verse with reference to Fathers in General, I think we’d see a certain responsibility for the act of rebellion that condemned all his ancestors to death. Further, even though Eve was the one Satan picked to tempt with the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and even though she was the first one to eat of the tree, that didn’t make any difference to God in Genesis 3, nor to Paul in Romans 5. God and Paul both hold the man responsible for the rebellion.

In Genesis 3:9, we read, “The LORD God called the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?” He didn’t call the couple; he called Adam. The responsibility was his. And when Paul talks about how sin entered the world and how we are all now sinners because of that first sin, he looks straight to Adam and not to Eve as the responsible one. Men have a spiritual obligation that cannot be passed on to others. This has been demonstrated over and over again in studies on families and spirituality. According to a reliable and popular study, we find that if both your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there’s an 80 percent likelihood that you’ll worship God regularly as an adult. If only your mother worshipped regularly with you, there’s only a 30 percent probability that you’ll worship regularly as an adult. If only your father worshipped regularly with you, the likelihood that you’ll worship regularly as an adult increases to 70 percent! Fathers have an enormous impact on their children’s faith and values. One of Father’s most important ministries is worshipping with their kids! Yet, in the modern church, there are more women in attendance, more serving, and more in most ministries. I think God is still asking, “Adam, where are you?”

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Philippians 2:7-9, Hebrews 12:2, John 14:2-3

A Heavenly State of Mind

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 10, 2025

During the 2-hour 20/20 special on heaven, hosted by Barbara Walters some time ago, the question regarding the nature of heaven played a significant role. Richard Gere was interviewed (what qualified him as an expert on heaven, I’ll never know!). He suggested that heaven and hell were both here and now and were pretty much a “state of mind.” Many liberal theologians agree with Richard Gere. It’s not a place but just a state of mind. It can be experienced now. If you are in the heavenly state of mind, you are at peace with all, content, joy-filled, and at perfect rest with the world. Many Eastern religions recommend chanting as the means by which one might enter into the heavenly state of mind. It’s to escape from the hellish state of mind of confusion, regret, dismay, and anguish. These religions exhort us to escape the realities of our lives here and now while focusing all our energies on personal peace and happiness.

Christianity, on the other hand, teaches us to use our daily lives to deliver others from their sufferings and hardships in this life. It is true that heaven might be described as a state of mind. It’s the state of mind and heart that believes in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, unless one enters into a state of mind of faith, one will not see heaven in the world to come. For those of faith, the knowledge of heaven in the next life motivates us to live active lives of service to others in this world. We are not to focus on achieving heavenly peace in this world for our own pleasure and edification but to focus on the needs of others around us by which we are investing in the heavenly world to come. Jesus said that he did not come to be served “but to serve” and to give His life for us all. His ultimate joy now is the result of His sacrificial life on earth. Paul explains this in his letter to the Philippians. He writes in Chapter 2, verses 7-9, that Jesus “…emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. …and he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…” The writer of the book of Hebrews confirms this truth when he writes, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (See Hebrews 12:2).

Heaven is not a state of mind. It is a real place. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may also be.” (John 14:2-3). It is the place where all our service in the lives of others on earth will be rewarded in a real and everlasting way. It won’t be something we make up in our heads or contrive to create through meditation. It will be real, and it will be glorious. Max Lucado explained it this way, “For all we don’t know about the next life, this much is certain. The day Christ comes will be a day of reward. Those who went unknown on earth will be known in heaven. Those who never heard the cheers of men will hear the cheers of angels. Those who missed the blessing of a father will hear the blessing of their heavenly Father. The small ones will be great. The forgotten will be remembered. The unnoticed will be crowned, and the faithful will be honored.”

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