²⁷Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

 ²⁸Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

 ²⁹There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

 ³⁰And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

 ³¹And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

 ³²Last of all the woman died also.

 ³³Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

 ³⁴And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

 ³⁵But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

 ³⁶Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 

THIS WORLD

In this world, we will have trials and tribulations.

In this world, our faith will often be tested.

In this world, we will often suffer pain and disappointment. 

But, glory to God for that world which awaits His children in Christ. Joy is available to us now as we sojourn to that other world.

THAT WORLD

Jesus gives us an indication of that most wondrous world when he responded to the repentant thief on Calvary (Luke 23:43).  Jesus told him, "Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise." 

That world of paradise that Jesus referred to is just as real as this fallen world that we currently inhabit. In this new year 2010, my prayer is that God's children will be more mindful of the reality of that other world that awaits us.  Whatever you may be going through, you would do well to remember Paul's words to the Romans:  "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18 

In 2010, let's not get caught up in the frustrations of this world.  Rather, let's rejoice in the glorious truth that this part of the journey is only a brief precursor that leads to that world. 

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR FILLED WITH HOPE FOR THE WORLD TO COME!

His story is one of perfect holiness. 

His story is one of triumph and glory.

His story is one of peace.

"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 11:15.  The apostle John records Jesus as saying, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" - (John 10:27).  Are you listening? He's telling a story.  Can you hear his voice? He's telling a story. It's His story.    

Every life that is lived tells a story. My life tells a story. Your life tells a story. My wife's life tells a story. My neighbors lives tell stories. Your neighbors lives tell stories.  Each and every individual that God breathes the breath of life into results in a story being told. Our individual stories as created beings are lesser stories compared to the grand, ultimate story that is being told by the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), the Creator, Jesus Christ. 

In every age, and to every generation, God is telling a story. History records His story. The present records His story. The future records His story.  "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure'" - (Isaiah 46:10).

He declares the end from the beginning! Meditate on that and be blessed.

It is undeniable that God is a master storyteller.  "And he [Jesus] spake many things unto them in parables" - (Matthew 13:3). Merriam Webster's dictionary defines parable as "a simple story told to illustrate a moral truth."  You see that? God even breaks His story down for us simpletons, thus we are without excuse (Romans 1:20) if we reject His story in favor of touting our own stories for our own glory. It's not about us. It's about Him.  Every child of God should rejoice and proclaim, like the psalmist, "For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations" - (Psalm 100:5).

For those who refuse to herald the truth now, be forewarned that your story will not end with "and they lived happily ever after".  Oh, no!  We will all be in perfect agreement with God's story in the end, believers and unbelievers alike (note: But only believers will be saved from His wrath). God's word tells us that every knee is going to bow to Him, and every tongue is going to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Romans 14:11, Phillipians 2:11). 

As creatures made in the image of God (Genesis1:26), we love telling stories too, our own stories, hence humankind's affinity for twitter, facebook, myspace, youtube, blogging, etc., all of which are avenues for us to share our own stories with the world.  But there's a greater story than ours being told. Can't you hear it? Can't you see it? Isn't it grand? It's His story.

His story is one of perfect love.

His story is one of perfect holiness. 

His story is one of triumph and glory.

His story is one of peace.

The day is coming, it's nearer than it's every been before, when all God's children will hear Him shout, "Behold, I make all things new!" - (Revelation 21:5).  And that still won't be the end of the story.