Believers on a Balance Beam: Between Here and Heaven

By Frank Annese

It is a life that is second-to-none, with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Yet, there are also trials, difficulties, decisions and obstacles which believers face on an almost daily basis.
Believers on a Balance Beam between Here and Heaven, is an honest, Biblically based comprehensive look at the Christian life and experiences.
Believers in Christ know that this life on earth is just a dress rehearsal for the wedding which will take place when they see Jesus Christ, the One they’ve waited their whole Christian life to see.
In the author’s own style, he takes a sincere look at God’s word, and writes about the eternal importance of believers living for their final exam and evaluation at the judgment seat of Christ.
It is the author’s prayer that believers’ who read this book would realize in a powerful way the significance of who they are in-Christ, and would want others to have that same experience of the assurance of life forever in heaven.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664175846

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Copyright © 2021 by Frank Annese.

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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Rev. date: 05/22/2021

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CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1 A New Breed Of Man

Chapter 2 Can We Really Know For Sure?

Chapter 3 Let The Battle Begin

Chapter 4 Beware of the Lair of Legalism

Chapter 5 We Are Family: We’re All Connected

Chapter 6 Have Jesus: Will Share

Chapter 7 Christian Persecution And The Price To Pay

Chapter 8 Preparing For That Final Accounting

Epilogue

Believers And The Coronavirus

Postscript: My Final Words

Bibliography

Faithbook Invitation

PREFACE

A S A YOUNG boy, I remember watching the Summer Olympics every year. The one event which I paid close attention to was the Balance Beam. It was the skill needed by the person walking across a narrow area, having little space to maneuver, which really gripped and stirred my heart.

The key to having success in this difficult task, was to focus on the end of the beam, and walk straight without losing balance by veering off to the left or right.

When using a level to check whether a piece of wood is even or not, the bubble on the level must float in the center. Likewise, a captain must steer the ship in the direction it needs to go to ensure a safe voyage. During the journey, he may encounter rocks or other obstacles including strong winds and storms. During these times the crew needs to know that the captain has things under control and will bring the ship safely to its final destination.

When referring to believers in Jesus Christ, there is an analogy which can be made. Guided by the resurrected captain, believers know that their ship is being steered by a mighty invisible hand. They believe that in spite of all the storms of life and the temptation to veer to the left or right, or turn back and retreat, that they will arrive safely in that heavenly harbor. You see, their ticket has already been punched and they have their NEW PASSPORT which will never expire or need renewal. So, BON’ VOYAGE and let’s enjoy this Christian journey.

INTRODUCTION

A NOTHER HOUR HAS passed. The pain and discomfort has taken a back seat to the incredible degree of impatience which has reached historic heights. The doctors, nurses and the pregnant woman, all seem to be in synchronized harmony as they wait for that climactic moment.

The truth is it is not up to them at all. It is the Creator who decides when this miracle of birth will occur. The time between the onset of labor pains, until now, seems like an eternity to the soon-to-be mother. She is wishing and hoping that at some future time (hopefully sooner than later), she will experience the wonderful moment when she will hold her baby.

Just as the birth of a baby takes time, and is accompanied by contractions and pain, the spiritual birth of a human being follows the same pattern. By a divine act of a sovereign God, the seed of new life has been placed inside an old nature. This will result in new birth and new spiritual fruit and growth. God is not an absentee landlord who is taken by surprise at this change and miracle which has occurred. That is because it is he who has brought it to pass. He is the owner of this new building now under construction, with Jesus Christ as the foundation.

Let’s consider the life’s journey of this new believer as a cruise ship. There are many others on board. Some of them