CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
I am walking through a lush green field, looking at the beauty of the mountains and streams in the distance. I am in a crowd in New York City waiting hungrily for my delicious looking slice of pizza to be served to me so I can sink my teeth into it. I am holding my beloved 12 string Ovation guitar playing and singing praises to the Lord. I am helping my mother and father get some food ready for the big family dinner. I am camping with my precious wife and children at our favorite camping spot in Vermont – our new camper all dressed up and made ‘homey’ by Doreen.
Then, I begin to slowly slide upward from the depths of some nether world and begin to ‘feel’ my body lying in bed. I suddenly realize that I have something ‘stuck’ in my throat. For some strange reason, my mouth is burning. I slowly open my eyes and – more burning – and I don’t see any of the things that I was just beholding. My mouth still waters for that slice of pizza or cheesesteak, but I soon realize that I cannot eat this. My breathing is clogged with mucous and I grab a rag and ‘blow it out’. I rub around my tummy – thinking of that tasty bite of the best Pizza in the world – New York City pizza, and I feel this plastic tube sticking out of my stomach. What is that for?
I rush to call my wife and ask her to put something in my eyes to stop the burning. I can’t see anything except blurry figures. The light hurts my eyes. I ask for some lidocaine mixture to stop the burning in my mouth.
Who is this? Where am I? What happened to my parents? Where is the camp ground?
I am Tony Marinelli. I play guitar and sing and preach the Word of God. I am an expert with computers. I love to travel and do adventurous things with my wife. This isn’t me!!! It can’t be me. This is someone else. I am dreaming now. This isn’t real.
Suddenly, overwhelmed, I burst into tears – and my wife asks me ‘Why am I crying?”. I say, “I don’t know.” I know she can’t understand – and I am unable to explain it to her.
As I slowly drift up through the fog, I realize that this is me. This is the ‘new’ Tony Marinelli! But why? How did this all happen? The answers begin to come, and gradually I start to come to grips with the fact that this is who I am now. I have changed. The Lord has allowed my body to become dysfunctional for some reason. I look up into His eyes and I hear His voice say, “Yes, my son? What is it that is troubling you?”
I answer, “Lord, this is not me – what have I become? How can I go on like this? I don’t even want to get up out of this bed. Please let me go back to my dreams – I was just about to bite into that pizza J.”
But the Lord answers me by saying, “No, my son, this is you – it is the same ‘you’ that I made from the beginning. Your heart has not changed. Your spirit is still in love with me. I still live in your heart.”
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” (NLT - Phil 3:20-21).
I ask the Lord, “But Lord, how can I do the things I love to do?” How can I play the guitar? How can I preach? How can I eat? (That is a BIG question!!)”
And the Lord says to me, “I have new things for you to do. This world is coming to an end rapidly, and I need you to labor in my fields in a different way – a way that will produce much more fruit than you have ever done before.”
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV - 2 Cor 5:20-21).
“But Lord,” I say, “how can I do anything for you in this condition? I am disabled. I am without strength. I don’t know what to do.” And the Holy Spirit responds, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NKJV - 2 Cor 12:9-11)
When I am fully awake, I try to be strong – sometimes on my own, and it is always abject failure. When I just give it up and let God take control of my life, He begins to work in me a spirit that isn’t so much concentrating on what I can’t do, but rather what I can do for the Kingdom of God.
I have had a good life – a full life. I’ve traveled all over the world, married a most Godly woman who has born me a quiver full of children – each of which have been a huge blessing to my life. I have made lots of money – and I have gone bankrupt. Like the apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV - Phil 4:11-13).
Brothers and sisters, let us know that we are but sojourners on this earth, which is passing away before our very eyes. I hope to someday soon write a message on Bible Prophecy, and I think that we will clearly see just how close to the ‘End of Time’ that we really are. The things that are going on in the world are not a coincidence. The President we have has been appointed by God, and what he is doing is all part of God’s plan for the ‘beginning of the end.’
Each of us must realize that we need to do as Jesus did, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (NKJV - Jn 9:4-5).
Jesus wasn’t only speaking about Himself. Since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we also are the light of God in this dark world.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NKJV - Matt 5:14-17).
The night is coming, my friends. Let us be sober and vigilant. “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are neither of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day being sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (NKJV - 1 Th 5:2-11). Yes, the King is coming soon. And we who love Him and follow Him, no matter what our ‘condition’ will be with Him, having been raptured with the church, the Bride of Christ, before that great and terrible Day of the Lord.
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called, The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (NKJV - Rev 19:11-16)
Oh, how I long for that day. Everything that is happening now is leading up to that wonderful hour, when our Righteous King will judge the nations. Let us not waste any more time on our own selfish needs and ambitions. “For we have wasted enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (NKJV - 1 Pet 4:3-5)
So, in a way, I am living in a dream right now. This life is not our ‘real’ life. No matter what condition my body is in, or what financial position I may find myself in, or what may be going on in my life in any area, I am merely traveling through this realm on my way home. But while I’m here, the Lord has asked us to love Him, abide in Him and spread the Good News of the Kingdom of God wherever and however we can. As the reality of our standing in Christ becomes more secure, it is easier to obey the command that Jesus gave His disciples just before He ascended into heaven. He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NKJV - Mt 28:18).
Each of us has been called to give witness to the King. We need to truly understand that we are not of this world and as Paul wrote, “If we live by the Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit. Let’s not let the ‘flesh’ rule our lives. The world is falling apart. The Presidential elections are coming up in one year – and it will really make no difference in God’s economy who gets elected. We each have our favorites, but God’s plan will be worked out no matter what.
The rest of the world is waiting to hear the Gospel message. That should be our priority, and let the Lord work out all the details of our lives as we give them over to Him. “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33).
Now, what are you worried about? As my friend, Pastor Lloyd Pulley says, “Foget about it.” Live life to the fullest in Christ and you will find true peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness and the other ‘Fruit of the Spirit.’ “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV - Prov 3:5-6). I’d much rather have the Lord direct my paths than to try to depend on my own ‘wisdom and knowledge’ to direct my life.
May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek Him and desire to walk in His ways.
God bless, Pastor Tony Marinelli
I am walking through a lush green field, looking at the beauty of the mountains and streams in the distance. I am in a crowd in New York City waiting hungrily for my delicious looking slice of pizza to be served to me so I can sink my teeth into it. I am holding my beloved 12 string Ovation guitar playing and singing praises to the Lord. I am helping my mother and father get some food ready for the big family dinner. I am camping with my precious wife and children at our favorite camping spot in Vermont – our new camper all dressed up and made ‘homey’ by Doreen.
Then, I begin to slowly slide upward from the depths of some nether world and begin to ‘feel’ my body lying in bed. I suddenly realize that I have something ‘stuck’ in my throat. For some strange reason, my mouth is burning. I slowly open my eyes and – more burning – and I don’t see any of the things that I was just beholding. My mouth still waters for that slice of pizza or cheesesteak, but I soon realize that I cannot eat this. My breathing is clogged with mucous and I grab a rag and ‘blow it out’. I rub around my tummy – thinking of that tasty bite of the best Pizza in the world – New York City pizza, and I feel this plastic tube sticking out of my stomach. What is that for?
I rush to call my wife and ask her to put something in my eyes to stop the burning. I can’t see anything except blurry figures. The light hurts my eyes. I ask for some lidocaine mixture to stop the burning in my mouth.
Who is this? Where am I? What happened to my parents? Where is the camp ground?
I am Tony Marinelli. I play guitar and sing and preach the Word of God. I am an expert with computers. I love to travel and do adventurous things with my wife. This isn’t me!!! It can’t be me. This is someone else. I am dreaming now. This isn’t real.
Suddenly, overwhelmed, I burst into tears – and my wife asks me ‘Why am I crying?”. I say, “I don’t know.” I know she can’t understand – and I am unable to explain it to her.
As I slowly drift up through the fog, I realize that this is me. This is the ‘new’ Tony Marinelli! But why? How did this all happen? The answers begin to come, and gradually I start to come to grips with the fact that this is who I am now. I have changed. The Lord has allowed my body to become dysfunctional for some reason. I look up into His eyes and I hear His voice say, “Yes, my son? What is it that is troubling you?”
I answer, “Lord, this is not me – what have I become? How can I go on like this? I don’t even want to get up out of this bed. Please let me go back to my dreams – I was just about to bite into that pizza J.”
But the Lord answers me by saying, “No, my son, this is you – it is the same ‘you’ that I made from the beginning. Your heart has not changed. Your spirit is still in love with me. I still live in your heart.”
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” (NLT - Phil 3:20-21).
I ask the Lord, “But Lord, how can I do the things I love to do?” How can I play the guitar? How can I preach? How can I eat? (That is a BIG question!!)”
And the Lord says to me, “I have new things for you to do. This world is coming to an end rapidly, and I need you to labor in my fields in a different way – a way that will produce much more fruit than you have ever done before.”
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV - 2 Cor 5:20-21).
“But Lord,” I say, “how can I do anything for you in this condition? I am disabled. I am without strength. I don’t know what to do.” And the Holy Spirit responds, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NKJV - 2 Cor 12:9-11)
When I am fully awake, I try to be strong – sometimes on my own, and it is always abject failure. When I just give it up and let God take control of my life, He begins to work in me a spirit that isn’t so much concentrating on what I can’t do, but rather what I can do for the Kingdom of God.
I have had a good life – a full life. I’ve traveled all over the world, married a most Godly woman who has born me a quiver full of children – each of which have been a huge blessing to my life. I have made lots of money – and I have gone bankrupt. Like the apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV - Phil 4:11-13).
Brothers and sisters, let us know that we are but sojourners on this earth, which is passing away before our very eyes. I hope to someday soon write a message on Bible Prophecy, and I think that we will clearly see just how close to the ‘End of Time’ that we really are. The things that are going on in the world are not a coincidence. The President we have has been appointed by God, and what he is doing is all part of God’s plan for the ‘beginning of the end.’
Each of us must realize that we need to do as Jesus did, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (NKJV - Jn 9:4-5).
Jesus wasn’t only speaking about Himself. Since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we also are the light of God in this dark world.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NKJV - Matt 5:14-17).
The night is coming, my friends. Let us be sober and vigilant. “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are neither of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day being sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (NKJV - 1 Th 5:2-11). Yes, the King is coming soon. And we who love Him and follow Him, no matter what our ‘condition’ will be with Him, having been raptured with the church, the Bride of Christ, before that great and terrible Day of the Lord.
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called, The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (NKJV - Rev 19:11-16)
Oh, how I long for that day. Everything that is happening now is leading up to that wonderful hour, when our Righteous King will judge the nations. Let us not waste any more time on our own selfish needs and ambitions. “For we have wasted enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (NKJV - 1 Pet 4:3-5)
So, in a way, I am living in a dream right now. This life is not our ‘real’ life. No matter what condition my body is in, or what financial position I may find myself in, or what may be going on in my life in any area, I am merely traveling through this realm on my way home. But while I’m here, the Lord has asked us to love Him, abide in Him and spread the Good News of the Kingdom of God wherever and however we can. As the reality of our standing in Christ becomes more secure, it is easier to obey the command that Jesus gave His disciples just before He ascended into heaven. He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NKJV - Mt 28:18).
Each of us has been called to give witness to the King. We need to truly understand that we are not of this world and as Paul wrote, “If we live by the Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit. Let’s not let the ‘flesh’ rule our lives. The world is falling apart. The Presidential elections are coming up in one year – and it will really make no difference in God’s economy who gets elected. We each have our favorites, but God’s plan will be worked out no matter what.
The rest of the world is waiting to hear the Gospel message. That should be our priority, and let the Lord work out all the details of our lives as we give them over to Him. “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33).
Now, what are you worried about? As my friend, Pastor Lloyd Pulley says, “Foget about it.” Live life to the fullest in Christ and you will find true peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness and the other ‘Fruit of the Spirit.’ “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV - Prov 3:5-6). I’d much rather have the Lord direct my paths than to try to depend on my own ‘wisdom and knowledge’ to direct my life.
May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek Him and desire to walk in His ways.
God bless, Pastor Tony Marinelli