Eternal Riches 

True Wealth and Eternal Riches 

money can't buy eternal riches

According to an article on Investopedia.com, Jeff Bezos, former CEO of Amazon, has a net worth of 144 billion dollars.1

I can’t even tell you what a billion dollars looks like, much less 144 of them!

But seriously, I don’t even want to know.

Money can become the main priority in a person’s life – a serious distraction away from God.

Specifically, I’m talking about the self-indulgent pursuit of wealth which we can see, for example, on display in some celebrity lifestyles.

The pursuit of riches and fame are on display all around us, but these two worldly scorecards amount to a big “0” when it comes to our eternal salvation.

Does that mean that money itself is bad?

In general, no.

To emphasize, there’s a huge difference between being blessed by God with a nice bank account or choosing to let money pursuits consume your life.

In Matthew’s synopsis of the Sermon on the Mount, we find Jesus teaching the multitudes about, among other vices, the dangers of materialism and idol worship. 

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. – Matthew 6:24, (NASB).2

Consequently, Jesus’ words here are eternally significant for all of us.

The Blessing Of Eternal Riches 

Acclaimed poet, Louis Gander, recently published a poem that gets to the heart of the matter when it comes to the love of money.

To emphasize: true wealth and eternal riches aren’t in your bank account.


A Stubborn Lot      8-1-22

Can a penny buy a morsel of some dried unleavened bread?
Can a nickel have some meaning to apologies unsaid?

Can a dime hide a confession that we want to keep inside?
Can a quarter take the place of the regrets when we have lied?

Can a dollar buy a drop of love from someone we have pained?
Can a ten buy us full freedom, though it’s we ourselves we’ve chained?

Can a hundred cover up our sins so we can’t be enslaved?
Can a Million pay for all our sins so that we can then be saved?

Can a Billion buy a sliver from the cross where Jesus died?
Can a Trillion buy a seat in Heav’n so we can’t be denied?

ALL the money in the world can’t buy one SPECK of space
in Heaven where the God of Love bestows sufficient grace.

It’s loving dedication and full faithfulness we owe.
Our money is so worthless – yet we idolize it so.

We are a spoiled people in our air conditioned cars.
We’re over-entertained by our most favorite superstars.

We are a prideful people and we’re such a stubborn lot –
but owe to Jesus EVERYTHING and EVERYTHING we’ve got.

©2022 louis gander – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/ 3


We All Need Jesus

If you’ve experienced God’s grace, then you know that all of the riches in the world can never replace the treasure of knowing His love firsthand.

Looking back, there was a time in my own life where money and fame were important to me.

However, once I came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, those pursuits took a nosedive.

In short, 

We don’t “need” followers

We don’t “need” fame

But, we all need Jesus

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1 Quotation from Dan Moskowitz, financial writer for many investment online magazines. “The 10 Richest People in the World.” Courtesy of Investopedia.com. June 1, 2022. Web. Accessed 1 August, 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/012715/5-richest-people-world.asp

2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Poetry courtesy of Louis Gander,  ©2022 Louis Gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, “A Stubborn Lot  8-1-22.” [online post]. From Gander Story Poems, n.d. Web. Accessed August 2, 2022. https://www.ganderpoems.org/2022/07/a-stubborn-lot-10-1-22.html

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Designed By The Almighty – The Dumbo Octopus

The Dumbo Octopus – Designed By The Almighty

Now I’ve seen everything!

Who ever thought an octopus could be described as “cute”?

Meet the Dumbo Octopus.

With its flappy ears (flippers, actually) and big soulful eyes, this little creature has captured the fancy of those who are lucky enough to see one up close.

 

And how about that name, “Dumbo Octopus.”

It does kind of look like “Dumbo” the Elephant from the Walt Disney film of long ago.

I never cease to delight in what God has created!

To know that every animal is designed by the Almighty, not by random chance or an accident, is humbling indeed.

This little one has a long scientific name that seems almost bigger than he is.

 “Grimpoteuthis”

When you pronounce it, it sounds like this:  “Grimp oh tooth this.”

Designed by the Almighty

 The Dumbo Octopus – NOAA Ocean Exploration1

The Dumbo Octopus can reach lengths of about 12 inches long.

They like to eat worms and other wiggly things that swim in the deep along the ocean floor (Helminstine).2

In the Bible, Psalm 104 (attributed to David) conveys the many wonders of the world that God created, including under the sea.

All glory to God!Psalm 104

Deep Dive

According to the Institute For Creation Research, a Dumbo Octopus was spotted swimming at a depth of about 21 thousand feet.

Now that’s deep!

It should be appreciated that the Dumbo Octopus has no high-tech submersible to house and protect it in those depths. It only has what its Creator gave it—the innate ability to thrive at those great depths.James, J.S. Johnson, Institute For Creation Research.4

How humbling it is when we realize that the wonders and complexities of the creation around us lead us right to our Creator God.

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1Photo courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. November 19, 2019. Online Image. NOAA Photo Gallery. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/oceanexplorergov/49203817176/in/photolist-2hXYqBs-2jsp69y-vcXdBp-nxFUAS-HaDW8D-GKstCA-M6NLAN-LHdtjs-LuNYZ-zfR4-8daU8S-zfR3-2jp5RY1-5HWhs1-atvdh1-5vWZVP-BgJv-2eDnx8-2eDnzk-9brE82-4xkYfi-4momfm-2eDnyK-2WdjX2-2jsRGjG-2jq7LFb-2jqvgwC-2joUX8d-4xkYwZ-aFTer8-2eDnwi-9vVvpb-eShSAu-ndWySt-6jrqSG-BByY-4Lrt8W-75wewg-4LnfFi-KfebxD-ajdhaL-2joHca9-4LnfEg-2jpw7nX-s2sNUH-4d4ANn-7MgSUu-6obpVp-4jLdhE-2jqbSpy

2 Quotation from Anne Marie Helmenstine (Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences) – science writer, educator, and consultant. “All About Grimpoteuthis, the Dumbo Octopus.” Courtesy of ThoughtCo. July 13, 2019. Web. Accessed 31, July, 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.thoughtco.com/grimpoteuthis-dumbo-octopus-4160927

3 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

4 Quotation courtesy of The Institute For Creation Research. By James. J.S. Johnson, J.D., TH.D. From “Like Father, Like Son, in the Deepest Deep”, June 23, 2020. para. 10. Web. Accessed 29 July, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.icr.org/article/like-father-like-son-in-the-deepest-deep

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Your Truth My Truth

Your Truth My Truth – Playing With Fire 

Aren’t you glad that Almighty God is eternally on His throne?

The effect of the fall of man (SIN) is everywhere, at a blatant level I bet you thought you’d never see before.

It’s getting to be where I don’t even want to look at the headlines anymore.

Do you see what’s happening around us?

your truth my truth

Here’s a case in point: the other day I saw an attention-grabbing headline on a popular website.

“Shout Your Truth!” it said in big bold letters on the landing page.

Did you catch that?

Your truth.”

Does it break your heart to see that as it does mine?

Your truth, my truth? 

No thanks.

Friends, this is insane.

We are so undeserving of God’s mercy, and yet despite a world gone mad that’s also full of hatred towards Him, He freely offers us His grace.

Out of concerns for our country, I continue to pray for a spiritual revival, but what trumps everything is to pray that God’s will be done.

I want to tell these misguided people – take off your blinders!

God will always be Sovereign and on His throne!

Not that they would listen.

If you’re getting sick of the madness as much I am, then my suggestion is to turn off the mainstream news media when you can, and tune out the obscenity-laden sitcoms and reality shows.

Focus your concentration on what God has done, and what He will do.

God is our refuge

It’s A New Day

Tomorrow morning when you wake up and you’re on your way to work, take a moment to check out the sunrise.

Thank You God, for beautiful sunrises!

It’s the first thing I see when I lift up the shades in the morning.created by God

Providing encouragement to all, King David wrote in Psalm 105:

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Tell of all His wonders. – Psalm 105:2, (NASB).1

No doubt, in the challenging times ahead, we will have good days and bad days.

But we can’t lose our perspective.

Remember these words in 1 Peter that also apply to us today . . . 

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. – 1 Peter 5:10: (NASB).2

The world is watching Christians. We are, in essence, under a microscope.  

As Christians, we have the answer that a hurting world needs. Next time you’re approached by a person who’s hurting due to illness, death, circumstances, or a natural disaster, point them to God’s Word. Show them how death and suffering are the punishment for sin but how Jesus Christ provided the solution to that problem when He died on the Cross and rose again. Because of Christ, we have hope for now and eternity. – Avery Foley, Answers in Genesis.3 

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

3 Quotation from Avery Foley (MA, Theological Studies) – writer, speaker, cohost of Answers News for Answers in Genesis. “Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen.” Courtesy of Answersingenesis.org. Web. Accessed 21, July, 2022. Retrieved from: https://answersingenesis.org/suffering/why-does-god-allow-bad-things-to-happen/

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Facing Your Giants

Facing Your Giants

Why do Cicada killers have to be so darn big?

Research has it that these wasps can grow up to two inches long!

The stuff of nightmares.

giant cicada killers

Because it’s the cicada killers’ favorite time of year, I think I’ll stay out of the backyard for a while.

And speaking of giants . . .

See what I did there.  😉

It’s time to get serious because it seems like everyone is facing some pretty big challenges right now.

Dealing with a trial can feel pretty lonely at times, but God’s Word reveals that the Lord is always with us

I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel better.

To think that the Creator of the entire universe is just a prayer away.

Facing Your Giants Together With God

God is sovereign and all powerful.

He is bigger than any trouble you might be facing.

There is no problem that is so big that God is not bigger. There is no difficulty that is so hard that God isn’t capable of helping us through it, or fixing it for us. – Senior Pastor James Kaddis, Calvary Chapel, Signal Hill. 1

Look, I get it.

Our impatient human minds want God to fix things “now”, right?

It doesn’t, and never has worked that way.

God is not at our beck and call.

It’s frustrating, even devastating at times while we wait.

But . . . keep . . .  praying.

What we do have is the assurance that He will be with us through our circumstances.  

Facing Your Giants With Comforting Words From Psalm 121

facing your giants

Remember these comforting words from the Psalmist regarding God as the Keeper of Israel?

Now we, as redeemed Christians through Christ’s blood, are all His people.

Psalm 121

I will raise my eyes to the mountains;
From where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who watches over you will not slumber.
Behold, He who watches over Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your protector;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not beat down on you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time and forever.  – Psalm 121, (NASB).2

Don’t let the evil one distract you from prayer in the midst of a trial. He is the master of delusion and distraction.

Often we become apathetic in our lives until we face a severe storm. Whether loss of a job, health crisis, loss of a loved one, or financial struggle; God often brings storms into our lives to change our perspective, to shift the focus from ourselves and our lives to Him. Paul Chappell, Senior Pastor and author.3

Regarding humility, Pastor Chappell goes on to say . . . 

Storms can bring fear, cloud judgment, and create confusion. Yet God promises that as you seek Him through prayer, He will give you wisdom to know how to proceed. The only way you will survive the storm will be on your knees.Paul Chappell, Senior Pastor and author.4

My prayer is that this blog, Delight-in-God.com, filled with articles and collected bible verses and other inspirations, will encourage you in the challenging days ahead. 

Scoffers will mock us for emphasizing prayer, but let ’em.

God is still in control.

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1 From Kaddis, Pastor James, “Big Problems??? God is Bigger!!!” Courtesy of Calvary Chapel Signal Hill. YouTube Podcast, [6:22-6:25]. July 12, 2022. Web. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBRkqaMS_QA

2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

3-4 Quotations from Senior Pastor Paul Chappell, courtesy of Christian quotes.info.

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Favorite Heaven Quotes

Some of My Favorite Heaven Quotes

Have you ever thought about what Heaven will be like?

God’s Word gives us glimpses.

Our heavenly home will be MORE.

Our heavenly home will be MORE

More radiant than we could ever imagine, and more joyful (all the time) than the best moment we’ve ever had in our whole lives here on earth.

But, more importantly, it will be MORE because we will be in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

Do you remember those promising words, the wonder and majesty in Heaven written about in the Book of Revelation?

John gives a firsthand account of seeing the new Jerusalem, words like:

Her brilliance was like a very valuable stone, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper. – Revelation 21:11, (NASB).

And the city has no need of a sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. – Revelation 21:23, (NASB).

God tells us in His Word what He wants us to know about Heaven.

We have His mission here on earth to do before we even reach eternity.

However, out of sheer anticipation of our future home, I curated just a few of my favorite heaven quotes from theologians to stir your imaginations.

With discernment always and to be clear, these are not people who claim they visited Heaven (thank goodness), but Christian authors who anticipated Heaven as well.

I agree with D.L. Moody. I see no compelling reason to not think about Heaven. There is insight to be had from these Christian authors.

The Reason for our Anticipation 

Any happiness found here in this world will not even compare to what we will experience in Heaven, says Martin Luther.favorite Heaven quotes

The following gives a whole new meaning to worshipping together!

Oh, Father, we long for the day when we can be there, the incredible world to come, and see your blazing, flashing majesty and reign on the thrones alongside of you and serve in your presence. We long for that day when we meet and fellowship with the saints of ages past and gather with all the redeemed. We desire so much to spend eternity visiting the New Jerusalem, the capital city of the new heaven and the new earth.John MacArthur, Pastor and Bible teacher from Grace To You.

Delight in God and be with Him forever!

Nothing will compare to the smiles and joy we’ll experience as we worship our King.

How divinely full of glory and pleasure shall that hour be when all the millions of mankind that have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God shall meet together and stand around Him, with every tongue and every heart full of joy and praise! How astonishing will be the glory and the joy of that day when all the saints shall join together in one common song of gratitude and love, and of everlasting thankfulness to this Redeemer! With that unknown delight, and inexpressible satisfaction, shall all that are saved from the ruins of sin and hell address the Lamb that was slain, and rejoice in His presence! – Isaac Watts, theologian and hymn writer.

Where is Heaven?

Heaven is not here, it’s There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for. – Elisabeth Elliot, Christian author and wife of missionary Jim Elliot.

This perverted world we now live in will someday fade away – but we won’t be grieving.

Everything will make perfect sense and we’ll be eternally joyful.

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All Scripture verses are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Martin Luther quotation, courtesy of Christian quotes.info.

John MacArthur quotation, courtesy of GTY.org/library/sermons-library. 1 November, 1987. para. 83. Web. Accessed 8 July, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-13/where-heaven-is-and-what-it-is-like

Isaac Watts quotation, courtesy of Christian quotes.info.

Elisabeth Elliot quotation, courtesy of Christian quotes.info.

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