You Can't Take it With You

This post is another from Kathi Macias,who does a weekly devotion for CAN
(Christian Authors Network) of which I'm a member. My dad's passing is still very fresh in my mind and perhaps that's why I wanted to share this with you.
Kathi always finds a concise and focused way to say the things we know to be true but don't think about often. Enjoy.
--Linore

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Not Kathi's title, by the way. But I thought it fit.)

Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give
you:

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6).

I spent the last few days going through what remained of my
mom's clothes and personal belongings, sorting and searching and bagging up
the vast majority of it to donate to the Salvation Army. (To be honest,
there wasn't much left, as she'd already given away most of it while she was
still here with us.) I set everything out on the front porch, called for a
pick-up, and as of yesterday morning, it was gone.

Strange feeling, isn't it? We know we're only here for a short
time and that eternal life lies beyond, far better than anything we can
experience in this temporal setting. But the old saying, "You can't take it
with you," takes on a new depth of reality when we look upon the material
goods a loved one has left behind after "graduating to heaven."

Knowing that nothing we amass here on earth-whether billions of
dollars or just enough to eke out a meager existence-will accompany us on
that final journey through the valley of the shadow of death should give us
pause, as we consider those things that have eternal value. Peter nailed it
when he said to the crippled man, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I
do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and
walk."

It is those things we do in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
that will follow us to heaven. The times we told others about the Father's
great love, so great that He would send His only Son to die for us; the
times we cried and prayed for lost loved ones and even nations lost in
darkness; the gifts we gave out of our own needs rather than our abundance.
The One whose name we do it in-Jesus Christ of Nazareth-sees it all, though
at times it may seem that no one sees or cares.

Silver and gold will be left behind when we breathe our last,
but our legacy of all we did in the name of Jesus will continue throughout
eternity. And it is the one thing that will remain when our deeds are judged
and we receive the crown of heaven-which we will promptly and joyously lay
at the Savior's feet.

May we daily give whatever we can in the matchless name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth!

copyright 2011 Kathi Macias

My father passed away last week. Thankfully, I was able to be present with him, along with my four sisters and my mother. I'm even more thankful that I know where Dad is, that I knew, during his suffering, where he was headed, and that one day I will see him again. When that day comes, we will both be perfectly human (perfected humans) in perfect bodies, in a glorious heaven--a new earth (also perfect, as it was before the Fall).

Many people seem to think that humans become angels or live forever as disembodied spirits in a pie-in-the-sky heaven that is ethereal. I beg to differ. The Bible, (apart from saying that we shall "meet the Lord in the air,") does not teach these common fallacies. Instead, we shall inhabit a new earth! Not a fallen earth, like the one we live in now, but a new and glorious earth without tears, or sorrow, or pain.

I look forward to this, and while I'm still here, I want to help other people know about God's beautiful plans for eternity,so that I may see and enjoy them there, but even more so that THEY may enjoy God and His fabulous new earth, also.

For these reasons, when I read Kathi Macias's devotion this week it resounded in my spirit. I copy it below for your edification:

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6).



My mom passed away a couple of months ago, and I heard many glowing tributes to her at her memorial service. It seemed Mom touched many lives and left quite a legacy behind, though that legacy included nothing material because, when Mom died at 90, she no longer had anything material or monetary left to pass on to others. Her legacy was strictly that of fond memories, blessed relationships, and spiritual encouragement.

And that’s the point. As believers, we have the greatest heritage imaginable—God Himself! The psalmist says that the Lord is his inheritance, and He is ours as well. The psalmist also declares that his inheritance is a good one. Though some may inherit mansions or yachts or huge bank accounts when loved ones die, believers inherit the God of the Universe, the Savior of mankind, an unending life of joy and peace and light.

This is an inheritance that should not only cause us to rejoice but to do everything possible to impart that same inheritance to others. As Christians who desire to glorify God, this should be our main focus, our primary goal, each and every day, every moment that we walk this earth. We know the old saying that we can’t “take it [material things] with us” is true, but it is also true that the only treasures we can take with us to heaven and lay at the feet of Jesus are the lives we influence for God’s Kingdom.

The lines truly have fallen to us in pleasant places, dear fellow believers, for we have a good heritage—too good to keep to ourselves. Let’s resolve, while we still have breath within us, to pass it on to as many others as we can!



***My newest releases, Deliver Me From Evil and A Christmas Journey Home, are now available at most online venues and in bookstores across the country. You can find/order them, along with previously published books, on my website (www.kathimacias.com). You can also get a free download of the first two chapters of Deliver Me From Evil at www.newhopedigital.com.


***Kathi Macias, PO Box 772, Homeland, CA 92548

www.kathimacias.com

www.thetitus2women.com

Until next time,

Linore

RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: HEAVEN, by Randy Alcorn
and, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, Todd Burpo

“But God raised Him from the dead” (Acts 13:30).

[Today's guest devotional is from Author and Speaker Kathi Macias. You can learn more about Kathi through the links at the end of this post. In case you're new here, I'll be using guest devotionals until I meet the deadline for my current book, which is the first week of June. ] Linore

We all know that nothing is impossible with God, but do we really believe it? How many of us are up against situations that overwhelm and dismay us, as we realize how impotent we are to overcome them? But do we also realize that’s exactly where God wants us to be—at the end of ourselves and totally dependent on the God of the impossible to get us through?

Acts 13:30 sums it up so well: But God raised Him from the dead. After Jesus was arrested and falsely accused, tortured and tormented, nailed to a Cross where He hung between heaven and earth—for us—and then sealed in a tomb, GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. Think about it: It doesn’t get much more hopeless than being murdered and sealed in a tomb. But even then, God can bring life from death.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that the Father didn’t spare the Son when it came to the agony of the Cross. He didn’t take Him over or under or around it—He took Him through it. And that’s what He offers to do for us. As difficult as our trials may seem at the time, we don’t have to walk through them alone. Not only will He walk beside us if we take His outstretched hand, but He will carry us if necessary.

I recently re-watched one of my favorite movies, “The Hiding Place,” where I was reminded of this great quote: “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” Whatever you’re facing today and however deep your pit may seem, God’s love is deeper still, and there is nothing impossible for Him. Rest in that powerful truth, beloved—and watch Him bring forth life from the dead.

***Please take a moment to visit my website at www.kathimacias.com to sign my guestbook or leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win one of my new books.

***Also, please visit www.setfreetoday.com, where I serve as Spiritual Director. Come as you are…leave with a new beginning! Drop us a note or prayer request while you’re there.

Communicating the vision… (Hab.2:2)
alandkathi@ca.rr.com
www.kathimacias.com