No Patents Pending

Generally speaking, patents are issued for original inventions, such as the personal computer or automobile. One need not look around very long to see something that resulted from a patent.

 But no patent has ever been or will be issued for the making of this universe. That includes every star, planet, moon-all objects found throughout the vast expanse of what is called outer space. 

There are estimated to be as many as two trillion galaxies in the universe. Galaxies, not stars. Two trillion galaxies, as in 2,000,000,000,000. Each galaxy contains hundreds of billions of stars within its “borders”. Anyway you slice it, the number of stars is beyond human comprehension-at least mine. 

Regardless of how many stars God made, no patents have ever been issued for any of them. Nor are any pending. Why is this? 

Because God owns this universe. Every galaxy, star, planet, moon, and all objects in between. They’re all His. No one person or group has even come close to creating one celestial object, much less trillions of them. So, no patents issued.

Here’s a thought: the same God Who created this universe cares about every detail of your life. He’s not only big enough to keep this universe going, but He’s big enough for you to trust Him with your life. This includes your present and your future.

Even though there are no patents pending on anything God has ever made He’s keeping the universe running, while giving you His undivided attention. No one else does that, so no patents have been issued on God’s care for you. None pending either.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2018-2024

We Were There

Among the the books I read growing up were ones entitled We Were There. This series portrayed characters as being part of the actual events being told about. Whether it was the explorers Lewis and Clark, the Boston Tea Party, or the Battle of Gettysburg, the author made it seem like the reader was actually there, as part of the story. In these scenarios, however, the reader wasn't there. No real exploring with Lewis and Clark, taking cover at Gettysburg, or watching tea being dumped in the Boston harbor. God's Word, the Bible, tells us that we were somewhere with Jesus. I know that this seems impossible, silly, or too good to be true, but please continue reading.

In the Book of Galatians, one of Paul's letters written to fellow Christians, we read that, in the eyes of God, we were crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). Both the book of Romans and Colossians tell us that water baptism is symbolic of us being buried with Christ (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). This isn't a pretty picture, but it gets better-much better.

Ephesians 2:5,6 reveal to us that, when God quickened-made alive-Jesus Christ from the dead, we were quickened with Him. When God raised Christ from the dead, we were raised with Him. Best of all, when Jesus sat down at God's right hand, God made us sit there too.

We were there, with Christ, when He was made alive, raised up, and seated at God's right hand. Jesus did all the suffering, giving us the credit. Everything Jesus did, He did for us.

I don't claim to understand this in full, but have come to believe it; now I'm walking in this eternal truth. God says that we're seated together with Christ, at God's right hand, in heaven. From that exalted position, we're to enforce the devil's defeat here on the earth, as part of the growing number of triumphant believers called the Church. God's Church.

I've begun to walk in these Bible truths. Not like I'm going to, but my walk has begun. As enjoyable as those "virtual" books were as a boy, this is so much better. This is real; this is truth. WE WERE THERE, crucified, buried, made alive, raised, and seated together WITH Christ, in heavenly places, at God's right hand. Better than any fiction; this is real life.

If this is new to you or, even if you're already walking in these truths, feel free to share your questions and/or comments. We can learn from others, including you.

Heavenly Tours

Many famous places offer tours to the public. Some are free; others are for a fee. The White House tour is free, as is one in the Capitol Building. Although free, both do have conditions which have to be met prior to their respective tour. What about Heavenly tours? What if you could take a guided tour of Heaven, to see what and who's really there? Is there a heavenly street of gold? A rainbow around God's throne? Are there burritos in Heaven?  Can I see what my mansion is going to look like?

Despite being an intriguing thought there are no heavenly tours; no guided strolls around Heaven in all of its splendor-at least not for those on the earth. Here are three reasons:

1. Heaven, though more real than Earth, is home to just those who have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, out of a believing heart. Like earthly tours, Heaven has conditions.
2. Taking a tour of Heaven won't guarantee one's faith in Christ. Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, refused to believe His appearance without some physical confirmation. God wants each of us to accept Christ on the basis of His written Word, the Bible, rather than something we can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. It's called walking by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Taking God at His Word matters more heavenly tours.
3. As wonderful as Heaven is my mission is to make as many  disciples as I can. Rather than being portrayed as an end, I choose to pray and work to bring Heaven down into as many lives as I can. Why wait to get to Heaven to experience some of it on Earth?

Heaven's a huge place. According to the Bible (Revelation 21:16) Heaven is 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide, and 1500 miles high. The focal point, however, isn't mansions, rivers, gold, or angels. No, the focal point is the Presence of God throughout Heaven, coming from the throne of God Himself, with Jesus at His right hand.

I don't need a tour of Heaven to describe to me how wonderful it is. Jesus' return for those looking for His appearing is coming soon. When that happens, a lot more of us are going to see Heaven-a lot more. Until then God's Word is sufficient information to describe Heaven. I'm sure there'll be time, later on, to take in the sights, so to speak.

I hope you're excited about Heaven. I hope that you're more excited about bringing Heaven to those here on earth.