Light for Living began as a writing
ministry of Pastor Gary Click while pastoring the Calvary Baptist Church in
Clinton, IN. His articles were published in the local newspaper, The Daily
Clintonian. They were also distributed to email subscribers and several were
posted on this website.
Shortly after
assuming the pastorate of the Fremont Baptist Temple, Fremont, OH, he was
approached by Pastor James Lewis and chief operator, Brian Benedict about
providing a two thirty-minute Radio Programs for the weekend. (WHVT
90.5 fm) At this point, Pastor Click's writing ministry transformed into a
radio ministry.
Due to time constrains, the
weekly devotional gave way to the radio ministry. However, these devotionals are
still available online through the Light for Living Archives.
Pastor
Click is still active in writing bible studies, dramas and devotional articles
for other applications. We hope to make those resources available soon.
The Lord's Prayer, which began with "Our Father," continues with the grand news that He is in Heaven. This may seem like an overstatement of the obvious. Yet we should be careful not to pass over this familiar truth to swiftly. We ought to ask ourselves, "Why is it of any significance that our Father is in heaven?"
I call to your attention, three men who saw heaven and lived to write about it. Each of them was overwhelmed with what they saw. The Apostle Paul was one of these men. He writes about heaven with great fervor and hope in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
Although Paul could not describe what he saw, Isaiah did. "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." (Isaiah 6:1-6)
We learn from Isaiah that our Father is not just any Father. He is the King of Kings whose throne is in Heaven. We have an almighty and powerful father that sits upon his throne in heaven. Not only does He desire to care for our needs, but He has the power.
Space does not permit me to quote John's vision of heaven. However, if you will take the time to look up Revelations chapter four, you will see that John's vision of our Father's throne in heaven confirms and builds upon Isaiah's. John's vision of heaven is a vivid portrayal of the throne room of God. Both he and Isaiah quote the angels proclaiming, "Holy, holy, holy." Even the angels are in awe in God's presence. He is holy. He is sanctified. He is set apart. There is none like Him. No one compares. He alone is the all powerful God that reigns from heaven. All creation gives account to Him. The greatest part of all of this is that He is my Father! I am His child!
When we pray, "Our Father, which art in heaven," we ought to take great joy and pride in who our Father is. Our Father has no limitation on His authority or His wealth. This truth brings new meaning to the truth we find in Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
