Pickle Heaven Press-James R. Johnson

something to help you laugh and think about life with Christ

Tag: Bible

skip church — November 13, 2024

skip church

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Jesus had every reason to skip church!  

OK technically Jesus did not go to church, but He was actively involved in His local synagogue (Luke 4:16).  That was how Jews in the first century kept the Sabbath day holy. 

Each Saturday He would join the congregation to sing Psalms, read Scripture, listen to a message and pray (and maybe go out to eat at the Golden Corral afterwards).  In fact, He was often invited to speak Himself. 

During His ministry years, Jesus made His home in Capernaum (Matt 4:13).  The Biblical record finds Him in the local synagogue very often. 

But here’s what puzzles me. Jesus had lots of reasons not to go.

For instance:  The building there had no heat or AC and it was crowded and full of smelly people that rarely bathed (Mark 2:1-2) and there was a gaping big hole in the roof (Mark 2:4).  And the seating was horrendous.  The pews in every synagogue back then were flat blocks of cold stone (Oh my hemorrhoids). 

As for the people, well, there was a crazy guy in the congregation who was demon possessed and when he spoke, it sent icy shivers down one’s spine (Luke 4:33-34).  But then that guy got serious with God and became what you might call a holy roller (Luke 4:35).

And then there were also two long-time members in the congregation who were serious hotheads.  They were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17).  You didn’t want to sit next to one of them.    

The culture of the congregation was toxic.  It was all about do’s and dont’s – what you could eat and when you could work.  And – if you were a woman, you were required to sit in the back while all the men sat up front. 

The folks in general, were shameless takers.  The congregation drained Jesus for everything they could get out of Him (Mark 1:32-37) and then deserted Him when He needed them (John 6:59-66). 

As for the leaders – they were the worst.  They were all about the money (Matthew 17:24-27).  Most were hypocritical, heartless nitpickers that focused on the rules and neglected compassion (Mark 2:5-7).

And sadly, Jesus didn’t have a best friend in the congregation and in fact was personally disliked by many there and sometimes even laughed at (Mark 5:40). 

Now these issues feel familiar to us, don’t they?  Because we have experienced one or more of them at our local churches – and some of us are maybe wrestling with them now. 

So why didn’t Jesus quit going?  If I were Him, I might have stayed at home and watched a tele-rabbi on TV.  Or maybe I would gather others who were disenchanted and do a home synagogue (with padded stone benches).

But not Jesus!  He was ever faithful to be there.  He loved the Father and He demonstrated that through His obedience.  He was there for His Father, not the congregation.   He kept holy the Lord’s Day even at the famously flawed synagogue of Capernaum!  I bet he even dropped some cash in the basket.

This doesn’t mean He approved of everything that happened in that place.  He did not in fact.  Yet He was faithful to attend there, or when traveling, at some other synagogue.  

God expects His people today to be in relationship with a local church.  He expects us to be regularly involved. His word to us is Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.” – NETBible®

We may have a thousand legitimate reasons to stay home, but we have one supreme reason to go – to honor the will of the one who saved us.

I’ll see you at church!

A PRAYER: Lord, help me keep my eyes on you and not on the congregation.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

horns… — October 9, 2024

horns…

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That’s one sure way to mess up a sacred hymn!

The congregation was singing, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”   I smugly congratulated myself because I knew the words by heart and didn’t need the hymnal. 

My soul welled up within me as we joined our voices for the powerful chorus.  “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.”  Only the words that escaped my mouth were, “All I have needed MY hand hath provided.”   

Now I know what you are thinking, “He didn’t really do that!”  Oh, but I did!  But hey at least my substitute word rhymed!  And you are right!  I should have used the hymnal. 

Now I didn’t do it deliberately, but I wonder if I did it subconsciously.  I mean, let’s face it, I am not the only person in this world who gives themselves more credit than they deserve.

Sure, God provides, but where would He be without me!   Such insolence.

It reminds of something I recently came across in my reading of Scripture.  The Lord was speaking when He said, “To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.  Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck'” Ps 75:4-5.  (New International Version)

God knows all things, so He certainly knows that people do not have horns – at least most of us. So, this is obviously a figure of speech.  He compared an arrogant person to a beast with a horn. 

He seems to have had in mind the ibex, wild mountain goats that have always inhabited the higher elevations of Israel.  The males happen to have enormously long horns that erupt from their skull and curve backward and down.  Their horns are clearly their most dominating and intimidating feature. 

These goats primarily use their horns to do battle.  They attack by lowering their heads and sweeping their horns upward in what is called a horn swipe.  This is done to strike and gore an opponent. They also frequently butt their heads together to establish a pecking order within the herd.  The best horn butter wins. 

I understand that a battle is typically preceded by each goat lifting his head on high as a taunt, as if to display the power and strength they bring to the battle. 

The ibex is admired in modern Israel.  It has become the logo of the National Nature and Parks Authority.  I have been to Israel and have seen the proud ibex standing erect on a distant cliff, with head lifted and horns on display. 

Of course, the horns of the ibex are it source of strength.  If the goat could boast, he would toot his horns.

So, the Lord spoke to His people as if they had something in common with the ibex.  He warned them against arrogance – to silence their boasting – to lower their horns and to cease using them as a threat.  He willed them to walk humbly with their God.

Our world today could use an infusion of that kind of humility.  In politics there is an awful lot of head butting going on.  The horns are polished and brazenly displayed on the campaign trail. 

Horns are often lifted in the church as well, as various folks battle for their personal agendas. 

Sometimes a married couple will lock horns – embroiled in a battle to have their own wills prevail. 

And there are times when children are gored by an egotistical dad that doesn’t have it in him to say, “I am sorry” when the occasion requires it. 

I am thinking that we ought to join Job the OT patriarch.  In his humility he declared, “I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and buried my horn in the dust.”  Job 16:15  NETBible ®

He was wrestling with the futility of butting heads with God.  He abandoned his pride – buried his horn in the dust.  

I wonder if there is still room in that hole for ours. 

A PRAYER: Lord, make us aware of the pride that hides within us. 

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Graphic from T. Voekler: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Capra_ibex_ibex.jpg

lip prints — September 25, 2024

lip prints

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There is an oft repeated story about some middle school girls in Oregon who discovered lipstick. They would sneak it out of the house each morning and apply it in the bathroom at school.  They finished by pressing their adorned lips to the mirror leaving behind dozens of glossy lip prints.

Eventually the principal summoned them to the bathroom for a lecture.  She introduced the janitor and told them how tough it was for him to remove the mess each day.

He was asked to demonstrate.  So, he took out a long-handled brush, dipped it in the toilet, and scrubbed the mirror clean. 

So clever!  The principal stole the shine from their prank with a stark dose of reality.  Fortunately, God has done the same thing for us with the story of King David.  

David is one of the greats of the Bible.  He was visionary, a phenomenal political leader, a celebrated musician, a military genius, and certainly a spiritual giant.  But he was not perfect. 

God gave instructions for men like him who would rule Israel as King.  He said, “Furthermore, he must not marry many wives lest his affections turn aside” – Deuteronomy 17:17.

David the King was clearly a man who valued God’s Word, and yet he avoided this verse.   He came to possess at least 7 different wives to produce sons and many female concubines to provide sex (2 Samuel 5:13).

It was this craving for the sensuous that caused him to lock his eyes on Bathsheba as she bathed on the rooftop of her home.   This led to an adulterous liaison with her, a pregnancy, and then the cover up, including the manipulated death of her husband. 

He had an appetite that was consuming him. So, Nathan the prophet confronted duplicitous David outlining 3 dreadful consequences to his sin. 

1. Bloodshed would become David’s legacy.  2 Samuel 12:10-12

         Nathan said, “So now the sword will never depart from your house. For you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own!”  (10)  David introduced bloodshed to eliminate Bathsheba’s husband.  His son Absalom would later come to slay his brother. 

2. David’s household would be violated  

Nathan said, “Right before your eyes I will take your wives and hand them over to your companion. He will go to bed with your wives in broad daylight!  (12:11) David brought his lusts into his home and those lusts would infect those in his home.  His son Amnon would rape his sister.  His son Absalom would lead a rebellion and take David’s throne and violate his concubines. 

3. The whole mess would be public. 

Nathan went on, “Although you have acted in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight” (12:12).  David conducted his sin in secret, but Absalom would violate David’s concubines in public on the same roof from where David ogled Bathsheba.

Welcome to the restroom!   The janitor has just washed the mirror with toilet water.  By honestly revealing the details of David’s story, we can see that sin brings devastating and disgusting consequences.  God intended this for us as a warning to avoid sin and to respond in obedience to every portion of His Word.  

But what about the past?  Is there still hope?  There is! “Then David exclaimed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord!” Nathan replied to David, “Yes, and the Lord has forgiven your sin” (12:13).   God is incredibly gracious and merciful to the one who is honest enough to face their sin. 

According to the apostle John, we can do the same thing today.  He wrote, “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing” – 1 John 1:9.

The mirrors in that middle school were never smudged again with lip prints. The girls learned their lesson.  May we be as wise.

A Prayer:  Lord, sin looks so good but leaves us feeling so bad.  Help us please!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you always.

Scripture passages are from the NETBible®

the clueless coach — September 17, 2024

the clueless coach

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When I was a kid, soccer was something you did to your sister. 

I had never actually touched a soccer ball until the first day of practice, but I had a first grader who was an aspiring Pele.  The coach concluded that first session with a plea.  He needed parents to serve as assistant coaches.  I got volunteered! 

Three times a week I showed up and ran the kids through the drills that the coach assigned.  They learned to dribble, pass, juggle, trap and do something called headers.

And I did my best to coach them with insightful commands such as, “Run faster; quit picking your nose and pay attention” and, “you kicked the ball in the wrong goal!”

Well, we did not have a winning season.  But the parents and kids were all very appreciative.  They gave thoughtful gifts to each of the coaches. Mine was a book – “Soccer for Dummies” and I am not kidding either.

The end of the season was kind of late to discover that there was an instruction manual available to me.

Now most of us are busy with things that are far more complicated and consequential than soccer.  Some are working through the snags of marriage.  Others are piloting the waters of parenting.  Some are overwhelmed by the challenges of the workplace.  Many of us are trying to pay the bills with a paltry income and some are spiritually ambitious but stuck.

What we need to know, is that the God who individually crafted us, has given us a fantastic resource to help us succeed.   Psalm 119 is a song that magnifies the value of the Word of God for life. 

For instance, this is where we find written, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” – Psalm 119:105. 

But also written there is this very interesting thought, “And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts” – Ps 119:45.

How incredibly ironic!   The Psalmist tells us that he lived a liberated life- a life of success and freedom – because he fastidiously was focused on knowing and living the truths that are written in the Word of God. 

He understood that the training he got in his home was insufficient.  He knew that his schooling was sometimes skewed.  He listened to podcasts that were broadcast by people with their own set of problems.  He knew that. 

So, he wisely zeroed in on that one singular inspired resource that provides flawless wisdom.

So many today want freedom but they believe it comes by improvising on the truth or even ignoring it altogether.  The Psalmist tells us that an enjoyable and effective life comes from closely adhering to the Word of God.

And it’s all there.  Fulfilling Marriage?  We are told to love and respect one another and are given particulars on how to do it in Ephesians 4:25-32 and 5:25-33.  Pleasant Parenting?  There are answers in Ephesians 6:4.

What about work?  “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” – Colossians 3:23.

We even have a financial advisor in the Bible.  For instance it says, “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered” – Proverbs 11:25 (NASU).

Of course, it all is funneled through our spiritual frame of reference which is why Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” – Matthew 6:33.

The Scripture portions that I cited are not magic bullets but prime samples of the vast storehouse of wisdom in the Word of God.

Here’s the thing.  When your season ends, you don’t want to be given a Bible that is subtitled, “Life for Dummies.”   Pick it up now and experience liberty in your life.

A PRAYER:  Lord, I was almost twenty when I finally discovered, “Life for Dummies.” Thank you for your patience and the gift.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the New King James Bible unless otherwise noted.

to the test — July 25, 2024

to the test

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I was a highly motivated school-boy.  I often finished my tests before the teacher had distributed them to the rest of the class. 

I was in such a hurry that I seldom took the time to read the instructions – which is why I usually got a score of either 100% or 0%.   You see sometimes I circled the right answers when I should have Xed out the wrong ones.  Oh well!

Fortunately, when the Word of God is tested, it always passes with flying colors.

One promise is found in Matthew 6:33 which says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – KJV.

This calls us to make God’s Kingdom business our highest priority.  Jesus promised that God will provide all the necessities of life previously mentioned in chapter 6 such as food, clothing, shelter – as we prioritize His Kingdom each day.

We might paraphrase it in this way, “When we take care of God’s business – He takes care of ours.”   OK, but how does this fare when tested?  May I offer an example? 

There was a time when a financial tornado swept into my house. 

My pre-teen daughter was told by the orthodontist that she needed braces.    The cost was $3,000 and he wanted half of it up front to get started.  That same day my accountant called and said, “You owe the IRS $3,000 dollars in taxes!” 

And then I went to start my car and it didn’t work.  I would have to hire a mechanic to fix it.  And then my wife threw a load in the clothes dryer, but it didn’t spin.  Alas more money for an appliance repair man.  

We were shocked, astonished and stunned.  All of this happened in one day.  Of course, financial problems occur.  It’s a given in life.   But they don’t usually come in a 4-pack.   Was our sovereign God trying to communicate with us?

We had always been responsible with our money.  We tithed and on top of that we provided financial support to three different missionary families.  

But the $600 in our checking account was not enough to cover the $6,000 we owed.  Where would we get all that money?

THEN to top it all off we came to realize that we were three months behind in the financial support that we had pledged to the missionaries. 

Well, I guess we weren’t doing such a great job of taking care of God’s business. 

My wife and I spent time in prayer.  We decided that the first priority was to take care of God’s business.  We had to send the money to the missionaries that we had promised.  They might be hungry!

We could file an extension on the taxes, postpone the braces, let the dead car sit, and use the laundromat for our clothes – but we had to take care of God’s business.  We must get the money to our missionaries.  So, we did that, and it zeroed out our checking account.

BUT – the very next day the Orthodontist called and said, “Hey I understand you are a pastor.   Well, we like to take care of our pastors so the braces will cost $1,500 instead of $3,000 and no downpayment is necessary.

Soon after the accountant called and said, “I worked through your taxes again, and found a way to reduce them.  Instead of $3,000 you owe $300 dollars this year.

And then I popped the hood on my car.  I found the problem and it was a cheap fix that even I could do.  I was on a roll, so I tackled the dryer.  Once again, I fixed it at very little cost.  By the end of the week, we had a surplus in the bank. 

When we take care of God’s business, He takes care of ours.  It’s true.  Even when tested, it stands.  It gives me the confidence I need to rely on His Word in all things.

A PRAYER: Lord, help us to trust every detail of Your Word.

This had been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Caitlin and the cut list — June 19, 2024

Caitlin and the cut list

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It was reported that WNBA sensation, Caitlin Clark was not invited to join the 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team.  A firestorm of opinion erupted over the decision.

But this is what got my attention.  A representative from the Olympic Committee privately met with Caitlin beforehand, to let her know of their decision. 

Gee I wish I would have enjoyed such consideration. 

There was that time I tried out for the Varity football team.  I was a scrawny sophomore competing against seasoned seniors for a spot on the team.  I was determined to wow coach Montgomery.  I worked harder and sweat wetter than the rest.  I even pushed my 1960 Ford Fairlane around the block to build up my leg strength.

In those days you learned whether you made the cut or not by checking “the list” posted in the locker room.  The names of only those who made it were on the list.

The day came and I scanned the list.  My name was not on it – not even an honorable mention.  I wasn’t good enough to make the cut.   

The other guys slyly scanned the list for my name as well.  The omission became another reason to tease the guy with red hair and acne.

I felt such shame.  There was nothing left for me to do but to join the chess club!

I sometimes ponder the day when I again will need to scan a list for my name.  The Bible calls it, “The Book of Life.”  It’s a thing, mentioned 7 times in Scripture. 

It’s a list that most would like to be on.  Jesus told His disciples, “rejoice that your names stand written in heaven” – Luke 10:20.

Paul mentioned at least one person who made it.  The name Clement is recorded in the book of life (Philippians 4:3).

This is a book where the names of those who have been redeemed are written.  These folks have believed the message of Christ, repented of their sins, placed their faith in Jesus by trusting what He did at the cross to save them.   These are those who have chosen to do life with the Lord Jesus. 

To be on the list, is to be entitled to enjoy the everlasting bliss of eternal life in heaven.  The apostle John described some sensational aspects of heaven in Revelation 21:22-27.  He concluded by saying that those privileges are only for, “those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (vs 27).

Like any list, not every name is on it.  Again, John wrote, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire – Revelation 20:15.   Wow – that sounds a whole lot worse than the chess club.

However, God is more considerate than the coach.  He gives us a personal heads up on whether we made the cut or not.   John wrote, “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” – 1 John 5:13.

He tells us that we can “know” today if our names are on the list based on whether we have believed in the name of the Son of God.

Nice!  Usually by the time the list is posted it’s too late.  But God tells us beforehand that we are guaranteed to make the list if we were to place our faith in Christ today. 

The coach had some hard decisions to make.  You can only pack so many football players on the bus.  But God has no such constraint.  Heaven is vast and accommodating and the Scripture says, “He does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” – 2 Peter 3:9.

So, if your name isn’t on that list yet, you might want to do something about that.

A PRAYER: Lord, I pray that Your list will include the names of all those I love.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture passages are from the NETBible.com ®

zapped by a zipper! — June 5, 2024

zapped by a zipper!

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What would the Lord need to do to get our attention? 

I can think of one method that He would not use!

It was a beautiful Sunday morning at church and the worshipful singing had just concluded.   With an air of dignity, I stepped up to the pulpit in the hope of delivering a powerful Spirit-filled sermon.

I reached down to open my message outline, which had been laying there. I saw a yellow post-it note attached which said, “Your zipper is down!” 

Instant brain freeze!  What? Where? How? Who wrote that note?

I wanted to look down and check my fly but that would be too obvious.  Maybe I could get Pentecostal and spin around and fix it on the way.  Or maybe I could use the open fly as an object lesson and bring a message on Zipporah the wife of Moses or maybe we could just sing, “I’ll fly away.”

In exasperation, I just flat stopped, and I told the congregation about the note.  Then I turned around and checked – and – my zipper was exactly where it should have been. 

What a terrible prank!  The guilty one confessed after church.  I hope there isn’t a special judgment for such a sin.

But back to the question – What would the Lord need to do to get our attention?   Well, what if He were to raise a nation from the dead?

The nation of Israel died in 70 A.D. when the Romans leveled it.  Yet, the Bible clearly predicted that Israel would be regathered as a nation in the last days.

For instance, Isaiah 11:11-12 says, “In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people… He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.” (NIV)

The prophet was one of many who predicted that the nation of Israel would once again exist.  This regathering was to take place during the time that Isaiah called, “The Day of the Lord” (Isaiah 13:6).    

The odds were against it.  To fulfill this prophecy, the dispersed Jewish people would need to retain their identity throughout the ages, come together again, and then reestablish their nation in their original homeland.”   

Despite insurmountable opposition to the Jews, God brought them together again.  After nearly 20 centuries they officially became a nation on May 14, 1948. 

The rebirth of this nation is a specific fulfillment to prophecy.  Its significance cannot be underestimated. 

The apostle John predicted that the last and final battle on earth will be waged against the nation of Israel.  They will defend their homeland in the valley of Megiddo (better known as Armageddon) which is central to the land of Israel – Revelation 16:16.    

The angels who attended the ascension of Christ foretold of His return.  They watched Him rise from the Mount of Olives which is just to the east of Jerusalem.  They predicted that Jesus would return just as He had left (Acts 1:11).  The prophet Zechariah concurred (14:3-4).

It would seem, that God is trying to get our attention!  The regathering of the nation of Israel is the canary in the coal mine – an indication that God’s plan for this world is accelerating towards its conclusion.   We can’t say whether it will happen today, next month or even next year, but the timer is clearly ticking down. 

Isn’t it ironic, that a nation the size of New Jersey so often dominates the world news?  Isn’t it puzzling how a multitude of nations are so focused on that tiny middle eastern region.  Isn’t it surprising how most anyone you meet in the U.S. has a strong opinion about Israel?

The resurrection of the state of Israel is God’s way of letting us know the end is coming.  We need to pay attention and get ready for it.

A PRAYER: Lord, we hear You and we fear You.  Come quickly, Lord, Jesus.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

no skin off his feet — May 22, 2024

no skin off his feet

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I have a friend who has three passions: basketball, the guitar and frugality.  One day they all came together.  It was in his college days when he played a lot of hoops.  So much in fact, that he often developed large blisters on the soles of his feet.

He would meticulously cut away the dead skin and apply ointment to his wounds.  But one day he looked at an excised patch of skin and wondered. 

He placed it between some books for a few days, where it dried out and became perfectly hard and flat.  He then trimmed it into the shape of a guitar pick. 

Pleased with his new economical creation, he began to strum his guitar.  Unfortunately, his organic guitar pick, quickly disintegrated into a puff.  The skin of his foot turned to dust in his hands. 

What a great reminder of the truth in Genesis 3:19. Adam and Eve had forfeited everlasting life in the garden when they chose to snub the will of God.   God detailed their consequences in this way, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat food, until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you will return.”    

Dust from whence we came, and dust to where we’ll all go.   From Adam to the present day, the number crunchers believe that about 109 billion people have lived and died.  That’s a pretty big dust heap, isn’t it? 

The fine folks of the funeral industry tell us that “dust to dust” is not just a poetic expression.  It takes considerable time, but the final remains of a person are eventually reduced to a handful of dust. 

This stark reality prompted Job, the Old Testament Patriarch to ask the question, “If a man dies, will he live again?” – Job 14:14

Good question!  Will he?  Will a person who dies ever live again? 

Jesus must have thinking of Job when He spoke these words in John 11:25. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies…”

Yes, a person can overcome death and live again IF they have believed in Jesus. 

This life comes to us in at least two installments. In John 10:10 the Savior said, “I have come so that they may have life and may have it abundantly.”

He assumes what many of us experience.  We wander through life like zombies.  There is a deadness that grips our emotions and strangles our hopes and dreams.  It is a shallowness that cheats our relationships with others and with God.  We often feel like a soda that’s lost its fizz! 

But Jesus promised to resurrect us from this soul death with new life – abundant life.  A life worth living and wonderfully rewarding. 

The second installment comes later.  In 1 Cor 15:51-52 Paul wrote, “Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” 

A time will come when the dust of those 109 billion will be stirred and the saved will be raised to everlasting life. 

But how can we be sure?  There are other isms that hold to some form of resurrection.  They may believe it, but only one faith leader has died and has been raised to life again – and that would be Jesus.

On the third day He arose again according to the Scripture and there were over 500 skeptics who saw Him, spoke with Him and were convinced.  (1 Corinthians 15:6)  We shall be raised by that same almighty power.

It’s good to know that no dust cloth will be needed in heaven.

A Prayer: Lord what a wonderful hope you have given us.   Help us be generous enough to share the news of it with others.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord be with you always.

Scripture passages are from the NET Bible ®

the way we drive — May 15, 2024

the way we drive

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It occurred to me the other day that the way we drive a car tends to reflect the way we do life in general.  The reckless teenage boy screams around the corner assuming he is all but immortal.  The cautious elderly lady motors along a good ten miles below the speed limit.   We really do tend to express our personalities by the way we drive.

So, what if they traveled by car in the first century?  What if Jesus had entered Jerusalem in a Mustang convertible instead of on the foal of a donkey? 

Let’s start with Paul. I picture him in an ambulance, screaming along at 120 miles per hour, passing through town after town with the life-saving message of the Gospel.  He actually was quite a driven individual.

Peter, we might find pulled over by a car with red flashing lights.  The patrol officer says, “You were going 70 in a 50 mile an hour zone.  Peter says, “I did not!” “Yes, you did!” says the officer.”  “It wasn’t me!”  “Yes it was,” says the officer.  To which Peter replies, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”  Then suddenly a song from Sheryl Crow begins to play on the car radio.

Clueless Philip, he would be the guy driving the wrong way on a one-way street. 

You might find doubting Thomas arguing with his wife in the car.  “Thomas the GPS says turn here!”  “I don’t believe it,” he says.

Diabolical Judas, he would be the guy who bypasses the traffic jam by driving on the shoulder of the road.  Ooh I detest that guy.

We might find the sons of thunder, James and John, duking it out over a parking spot.  

And Jesus, well He might just pick up every hitchhiker He saw.  And when they left His car He might say, “Go and hike no more.”

Goofy thoughts for sure, but it illustrates the fact that we express our personalities by the way we drive.

And I am ashamed to admit this – because my driving has often sent the wrong message.  When I was a young Christian, there was a bumper sticker that was popular with believers.  It said, “Honk if you love Jesus.”   People assumed I was a passionate Christian because I honked all the time – but it was out of frustration rather than a love for my Lord. 

I have been challenged by words like these in Titus 2:7-8.  There Paul encouraged Titus to… “be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss because he has nothing evil to say about us.”  

Titus was to be a good example in, “every way.”  This surely would have included his driving habits!  For him it possibly meant, “make sure you maintain a safe distance from the donkey ahead of you.” 

For us it means to be polite on the road.  If you are cut off don’t go racing after the perpetrator in rage.    Yield that parking spot to the elderly man in the station wagon.   Respect the laws including the speed limit. 

Paul told him that a good example should especially permeate the way that Titus delivered the Gospel message.   To do anything less would open the door to criticism and provide fodder for the Gospel foes. 

Oh my!  I know there were times when I had just taught a Bible study and then drove home in a way that tarnished the message I had just delivered.  Sometimes I would honk at someone and then hope that they were not from my church.

Well, I am glad to say that as the Word of God has taken root in my life, I am far more patient and attentive to the rules of the road than I once was.  I hope the same can be said of you. 

A Prayer: Lord I know I’ll be tested again in this area.  Help me to respond well!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you always!

Scripture quotations are from the NETBible ®

an encouraging word — May 1, 2024

an encouraging word

/pickleheavenpress

My wife has taken up the palette and easel to become a painter.   She is doing pretty well!  In fact, I encouraged her to send her finished art to our adult children to hang on their refrigerators.

I’m funnin’ ya’ of course, but that is certainly one way they could encourage her artistic endeavors.

Encouragement can come in the form of pictures on the ice box and other helpful activities, but let’s focus on verbal encouragement for now. 

Hebrews 3:13 tells us we all need a daily dose of it.  It says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

This is a command directed to us and it is something that we should offer to those around us on a daily basis.

Most encouragement is kind of like milk.  It has a short shelf life.  It expires and then we have to run to the store to get more.  So, we need to encourage each other regularly.

The author tells us why.  He says, “so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”   There is a sin principle which is at work in this world.  Think of it as the sun at work on your skin.  The UV rays penetrate and damage your skin.  Get enough of it over time and you’ll end up with a leathery look.

Likewise, we are bombarded by the destructive lies and the lusts of this world.  It erodes our ego.  Over time it harms our souls and causes us to become insensitive and indifferent to spiritual things.

Encouragement is like sun block.  It keeps the UV rays of sin from penetrating and protects us from damage.

To experience encouragement, we need to be together.  Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…”

The author spoke of people who gave up the habit of church.  He pleads – don’t do that because being with other Christians is where encouragement is found.   

Sunday worship lifts us up, the message challenges us, the classes provide personal interaction and the casual conversation at the coffee table is sweet (especially if your church serves donuts as mine does). 

But Sunday worship is not enough. We need to be in relationship with people whom we know, love and trust. I have a friend who was chronically depressed.  He told me that he would often go to small group discouraged but leave feeling great.

So how do we speak encouragement to one another?

– Make it positive.  Sarcasm and encouragement do not get along.  A compliment bathed in sarcasm, is like a chocolate covered olive.

– Make sure what you say is true.  Flattery falls flat.  Don’t tell her she looks like a model when she doesn’t.  When we lie, we imply that the truth may be painful for them to handle – and they sense it.

– Our words should have substance.  To say you look nice – is nice, but insufficient.   Focus on issues of character and virtue and service.   Tell her that you are proud of the way she handled her surly boss.  Tell him that he did well when he shared his faith with his uncle.

It would be nice if we all lived home on the range where seldom is heard a discouraging word.  Ah, but we do not.

But we can change that.  We can start by being the first and most frequent to encourage others.  It’s crazy how the encouraged, will reciprocate.

My grandson was in the midst of potty training.  He would occassionally fail to succeed, but he always ended those sessions by saying out loud, “Good try.” 

I suppose that we could encourage ourselves, as he did – but it is so much more meaningful and powerful when it comes from someone else.

A PRAYER: Lord my own soul feels a little leathery, help me to create an encouraging community.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you!

Scripture references are from the New International Version.