Our Father's House

In Bible times, when a man was betrothed, he built a new section of his father's house where he and his bride would live and raise their family. Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am," (John 14:2-3 NIV).

The bride of Christ is the church. Have you wondered what the Father's house looks like? Sometimes when I survey the mansions near my home, I wonder what kind of place Jesus is preparing. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV). 

The Bible is filled with hints of what our new home is like--the river of life that flows from the throne of God, the tree of life that bears twelve kinds of fruit, one for each month of the year, streets of gold, fortress walls made of precious jewels, and much more. The best part is that when it's finished, Jesus will come to take us there.


Will you be ready? Be sure that no sin, nothing you have done against God's laws, will be able to enter the place where Jesus is. He gave all He had so you could be with Him in that glorious place. Will you accept what He did on the cross and choose to live for Him? I hope your answer is 'yes.' He does too. He stands at the door of your heart waiting for you to ask Him in. I am praying for you.


Lord Jesus, if there is anything in the lives of the people reading this message that is outside of your will, please send your Holy Spirit on them and make them aware of their need for your amazing love. Thank you for all you have done and will do for those who love you. Amen.

At the Gate Called Beautiful

At 3:00 in the afternoon Peter and John went to the temple to pray. When they entered the gate called Beautiful, some men carried a man who had been crippled since birth. He never knew what it was like to walk or run or play ball. Now he was a man in his forties and the only way he could get money to buy food for himself was to beg at the temple. Seeing Peter and John, he asked them for money. His eyes met Peter's.

"Look at us," said Peter. Anyone could tell that they were not wealthy. "I don't have silver or gold, my friend, but what I have I give to you."

Something amazing happened! I wish I could have been there. Peter reached out his hand to the crippled man and lifted him to his feet. The man grabbed his cane.

"In the name of Jesus walk," Peter said. The crippled man felt tingling in his legs, things he never felt before. His eyes got really big, he dropped his cane and started laughing. Then he ran and jumped, and he jumped and ran and praised God. The people at the temple recognized him as the crippled man who begged day in and day out, year after year at the temple. They knew they were in the presence of God.

Have you wanted to feel God's presence? You can by saying Jesus' name as Peter did. Did you know God loves you? He loves you just the way you are, but He wants you to be like Jesus, His son, who had no sin. He never did anything bad. Each of us have done bad things, but Jesus loved us so much that He died for our sins AND He rose from death to give us a forever life with Him and the Father. Will you believe this today? If so, pray this simple prayer:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from my sin. Help me to live for you today and forever. Amen.