"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." ~Solomon
Eternity has been set in my heart. I have asked that my eyes be opened to eternity and have been shown by the Holy Spirit that I need look no further than my heart. God has given me a pure heart, clean hands and a right spirit. New eyes to see eternity with. Eyes not of flesh but of spirit. I know He has because I've asked Him to.
God encouraged me to reach out with spiritual fingers of mind and imagination. He gave me his Word as a foundation and framework in which to hang the colorful images of eternity. With them, I have touched the hands of my creator. When I hold hands with my husband, eternity is brought into the present. Jesus was a carpenter. His hands are strong and rough. When I see children, eternity is taken into the future. Eternity has been set in their hearts.
I sang in an old chapel last night. The air churned with eternity. As ancient songs of worship resounded off the walls, ghosts of the past appeared in my mind. I heard eternity in the music, laughter and applause. My spirit was melded with the century of worshippers that answered the sound of the bell. My voice entered the river of eternal praise that flows to the very throne room of God. Someday, I'll be in that room. I'll take that place that has been prepared for me. The eternity that is set in my heart will be home and I'll be hugging Jesus!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." ~Paul
Monday, November 25, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Perfect Fit
"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be."~Paul
It's comforting to me to know that God put me exactly where he wants me. He chose the sperm and egg and womb so that I would be born at the exact time and place that he created me for. In him, I live and move and have my very being. The all-encompassing reality causes my spirit to dance and songs cannot be contained!
Jesus called me to himself at the perfect time and washed this dirty vessel out with blood so that I could be absorbed into eternity like a raindrop in a river. He knew exactly what it would take to knock down the wall of self-sufficiency and cause me to come face-to-face with the living God. I remember the fear I had that day as the realization washed over me that this God was real and I was in big trouble with him. That he would forgive me if I asked seemed too easy but there it was in black and white in the writing in front of me as I read the Bible. How could I have missed this message?
The inexplicable joy that engulfed me at the revelation of God's love will never leave me either as I asked Jesus to forgive me for what I'd become. He started the beat of a new heart that day as I stepped into the light and became his. Not only do I live and move and have my being in him, he lives and moves through my body like blood and through my life like water. How can I keep from singing?
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." ~Paul
It's comforting to me to know that God put me exactly where he wants me. He chose the sperm and egg and womb so that I would be born at the exact time and place that he created me for. In him, I live and move and have my very being. The all-encompassing reality causes my spirit to dance and songs cannot be contained!
Jesus called me to himself at the perfect time and washed this dirty vessel out with blood so that I could be absorbed into eternity like a raindrop in a river. He knew exactly what it would take to knock down the wall of self-sufficiency and cause me to come face-to-face with the living God. I remember the fear I had that day as the realization washed over me that this God was real and I was in big trouble with him. That he would forgive me if I asked seemed too easy but there it was in black and white in the writing in front of me as I read the Bible. How could I have missed this message?
The inexplicable joy that engulfed me at the revelation of God's love will never leave me either as I asked Jesus to forgive me for what I'd become. He started the beat of a new heart that day as I stepped into the light and became his. Not only do I live and move and have my being in him, he lives and moves through my body like blood and through my life like water. How can I keep from singing?
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." ~Paul
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
What are These?
The angel who was talking with me answered, "I will show you what they are." ~Zechariah
If I were this angel, I think I might have become impatient with Zechariah except that I am so much like him. In the first six chapters of the book, he asks the question "What are these?" seven times. The angel answers him the first time with "I'll show you what they are."
In the first two chapter he asks these questions: "What are these?" (asked twice), "What are these coming to do?" and "Where are you going?" Each time a piece of the symbolism is explained. Zechariah never took it upon himself to interpret the vision but asked what it was right away.
In the fourth chapter, Zechariah is asked a question. "What do you see?" He relays what he sees and then asks his usual question, "What are these?" This time, I had to chuckle when the angel answered, "Do you not know what these are?" Zechariah's reply is, "Nope." Undaunted by seemingly being ignored, he asks again; "What are these?" This same conversation happens twice in the fourth chapter!
I've grown to appreciate Zechariah's questions the further I delve into eschatology. I appreciate the fact that he viewed the vision as inquisitively as he did. I approach the visions in scripture with the same curiosity and have asked the Lord several times, "What are these? What are they coming to do? Where are they going?" Sometimes the answer is put forth plainly; other times I've had to ask several times. There have been times when I'm told to go my own way because that mystery is sealed to me. It's always a magnificent romp through scripture though and it's made sweeter by even the tiniest discovery.
"Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." ~Jesus
If I were this angel, I think I might have become impatient with Zechariah except that I am so much like him. In the first six chapters of the book, he asks the question "What are these?" seven times. The angel answers him the first time with "I'll show you what they are."
In the first two chapter he asks these questions: "What are these?" (asked twice), "What are these coming to do?" and "Where are you going?" Each time a piece of the symbolism is explained. Zechariah never took it upon himself to interpret the vision but asked what it was right away.
In the fourth chapter, Zechariah is asked a question. "What do you see?" He relays what he sees and then asks his usual question, "What are these?" This time, I had to chuckle when the angel answered, "Do you not know what these are?" Zechariah's reply is, "Nope." Undaunted by seemingly being ignored, he asks again; "What are these?" This same conversation happens twice in the fourth chapter!
I've grown to appreciate Zechariah's questions the further I delve into eschatology. I appreciate the fact that he viewed the vision as inquisitively as he did. I approach the visions in scripture with the same curiosity and have asked the Lord several times, "What are these? What are they coming to do? Where are they going?" Sometimes the answer is put forth plainly; other times I've had to ask several times. There have been times when I'm told to go my own way because that mystery is sealed to me. It's always a magnificent romp through scripture though and it's made sweeter by even the tiniest discovery.
"Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." ~Jesus
Monday, November 11, 2013
Fine Wine
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?" ~Jesus
I've been asked if I've studied literature of various religions to make sure that I can vehemently battle the false doctrine that abound in them. The question usually comes with a barrage of books that I must read to make sure I'm equipped for this mission of judgment. I find it hard to believe that they weren't studying truth but were focused on error. Religious faultfinders, they never preach Jesus but instead parrot the beliefs of the celebrity du jour. Like thorn bushes and thistles, I want to avoid getting caught up in them.
I don't study anything other than the Bible when it comes to spiritual matters. I drink in what the Holy Spirit supplies through the word. Jesus said the Spirit would take what is his and make it known to me and he does. If I'm puzzled by something, it's a joy to dive into the Hebrew and Greek and try to unravel the profound yet simple mysteries. It's like fine wine.
If someone drinks nothing but fine wine and a substitute is set before them, it's recognized for what it is. It's the same with false doctrine. If I'm immersed in the word of God, when a substitute is set before me, I recognize it for what it is. I'm often surprised when the Spirit raises a red flag by marching a verse through my head but I always take heed and guard my heart. He loves me and love always protects.
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." ~Jesus
I've been asked if I've studied literature of various religions to make sure that I can vehemently battle the false doctrine that abound in them. The question usually comes with a barrage of books that I must read to make sure I'm equipped for this mission of judgment. I find it hard to believe that they weren't studying truth but were focused on error. Religious faultfinders, they never preach Jesus but instead parrot the beliefs of the celebrity du jour. Like thorn bushes and thistles, I want to avoid getting caught up in them.
I don't study anything other than the Bible when it comes to spiritual matters. I drink in what the Holy Spirit supplies through the word. Jesus said the Spirit would take what is his and make it known to me and he does. If I'm puzzled by something, it's a joy to dive into the Hebrew and Greek and try to unravel the profound yet simple mysteries. It's like fine wine.
If someone drinks nothing but fine wine and a substitute is set before them, it's recognized for what it is. It's the same with false doctrine. If I'm immersed in the word of God, when a substitute is set before me, I recognize it for what it is. I'm often surprised when the Spirit raises a red flag by marching a verse through my head but I always take heed and guard my heart. He loves me and love always protects.
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." ~Jesus
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Heads and Tail
"So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day; the elders and prominent men are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail." ~Isaiah
I've always been fascinated with the visions of beasts in the book of Revelation. I've joined the countless others throughout the ages that have tried to unravel the mystery behind the symbolism. For all my studying and begging the Spirit to give me one little hint; I've always been told the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. That is until now.
When I stumbled upon the above verse, I realized I had been given a key. I'm now diving into Revelation and Daniel with renewed joy and fresh eyes. I'm excited to see which of the seals has just been broken for me!
"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." ~Loud voice in heaven.
I've always been fascinated with the visions of beasts in the book of Revelation. I've joined the countless others throughout the ages that have tried to unravel the mystery behind the symbolism. For all my studying and begging the Spirit to give me one little hint; I've always been told the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. That is until now.
When I stumbled upon the above verse, I realized I had been given a key. I'm now diving into Revelation and Daniel with renewed joy and fresh eyes. I'm excited to see which of the seals has just been broken for me!
"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." ~Loud voice in heaven.
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