HEAVENLY PETS

Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God; Thy judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast. Psalms 36:6 (NAS)

I have a confession. I’ve been troubled by the apparent silence of the Bible on the subject of what happens to our pets after they die. After another devastating loss of a dear furry friend, I searched the scriptures in need of His comfort and peace, praying for the Lord’s guidance to find solid Biblical assurance. As always God was faithful and I was amazed.

Although the verse, “And your beloved pets shall reside with you in Paradise” did not appear, I found consolation. The opening scripture reminds us that God is righteous; His judgment is deeper than we can comprehend, and He saves the flesh of His creation. Of course He would! Didn’t He create each one and tell Adam to look after them?! During the great flood He used Noah to gather His animals to replenish the earth. Jesus was surrounded at birth by animals. Revelation speaks of animals in Heaven.

Luke 12:6 states, Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

This verse tells of God’s love and care for all His creation, even tiny birds that were sold in ancient market places for a widow’s mite. His heart is turned toward the life and well-being of each one. He also loves and cares for the pet’s owner. He knows our human need of their companionship and our concern for their afterlife. The love in our hearts first originated with Him.

My best assurances came in Psalm 145:2 which states all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

I offer praise and thanksgiving Father, for your loving care of all Your creation.

© 2018 Bonnie Mae Evans

THE THIN BLUE LINE

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (NASB)

Once again officers responding to a call in the line of duty have laid down their lives protecting others. Our hearts are broken. A community is mourning and families are hurting . . . aching, trying to comprehend the unbelievable void. Many questions are left unanswered.

We look to God and beg to make sense of it all. Human understanding only takes us so far. In these times we must stand on what we know to be true. God is good—all of the time and He absolutely, unreservedly, deeply loves us. He is weeping with us, but it does not end there.

Long ago, he knew this day would come, so He prepared a way for us to be one with Him and experience His comfort and peace. He wanted us to know complete assurance of His unfathomable love.

Thus, He did the unimaginable. He allowed His precious son, Jesus to be nailed to the cross for our redemption. He knows crushing grief. He was there as the thin blue line of Jesus' vein was pierced by nails driven through His flesh to the wood of the cross. The blue line poured forth red as His blood ran down to cover us and wash away all our sins.

Police officers stand as the thin blue line that protects society from evil and chaos while on this earth.

Jesus erased the line that separated us from God eternally. Forever we can rejoice in His presence—no more fear, pain or death.

Thank you Father, for all of the brave ones who stand to protect us while on this earth. Thank you, that Jesus crossed that line and opened Heaven. Amen.

©2016 Bonnie Mae Evans

Weapon or Refuge

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, Psalm 18:2 (NAS) 

In the midst of the recent rioting, I watched young people throwing rocks at policeman. Their pain was deep for many reasons. The rocks being hurled offered little hope of relieving pain or solving their problems.

I thought of The Rock of my salvation who offers hope, life and justice for all, the Lord God who sent His one and only Son to be a sacrifice for our sins. He is my rock and my hope.

If only they knew, they would drop their rocks of destruction and exchange them for The Rock of refuge. They would stand on The Rock and claim His ultimate victory over the battle of all evil and injustice that has ever befallen anyone. With feet planted on solid ground, they would look with hope to the future. By His Spirit, they would find peaceful solutions to the biases that have plagued our great nation and the world as well. With praise, they would offer up all the glory to the Lord who gives them strength and endurance for the battle. With eyes on eternity they would value all people as precious brother and sister heirs to the kingdom.

Yes, God alone is our fortress to run to in times of distress. He is our deliverer from all of the world's injustices. He knows all and sees the absolute truth without prejudice. His eyes are filled with love equally for us all. He is the rock that offers healing to our broken world.

Father, I pray the hurting people of this world will know the security and peace of having their feet set on You, the solid rock. Amen.

 ©2015 Bonnie Mae Evans