2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The problems of life that seem so heavy right now---the troubles that seem as if they will never end---the burdens we think will break us under their weight; these are really just weighty for the moment. Compared with the eternal weight of glory that we will experience when we arrive in Heaven, everything we face here is light and easy.
Everything in this world is temporal. It’s merely here for a short time, and it will pass away. But, what we can’t see, those things that are ours in Heaven, are eternal in nature. We will groan for a few days here, but we will rejoice for endless ages there. We will feel pain here for a short time, but we will experience His glory there forever.
The Psalmist said it this way: “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5b KJV)
Don’t lose heart. Ask the Lord to help you get your eyes off what you can see and to look beyond this world to the glory that awaits in His presence.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Friday, November 13, 2015
God First
In His great “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus tells the multitude to seek Him first and He’ll take care of their food, their clothes and whatever they need. “Consider the lilies,” He said, and how beautiful He clothes them.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
God isn’t someone you passively accept. He’s someone you actively seek. To seek Him first means setting priorities in your life. You set aside a permanent time and place to pray and to read God’s Word.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. . . . Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me , when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
The Lord Jesus wants to be the King on the throne of your heart, not a co-partner. To seek the kingdom of God is to seek the rule and the reign of God over your entire life---every circumstance and every decision, and every valley.
When you put God first every day, He takes care of the rest. Lord, help me to put your first.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
God isn’t someone you passively accept. He’s someone you actively seek. To seek Him first means setting priorities in your life. You set aside a permanent time and place to pray and to read God’s Word.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. . . . Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me , when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
The Lord Jesus wants to be the King on the throne of your heart, not a co-partner. To seek the kingdom of God is to seek the rule and the reign of God over your entire life---every circumstance and every decision, and every valley.
When you put God first every day, He takes care of the rest. Lord, help me to put your first.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Sitting At The Feet Of Jesus
When Jesus came to their village, Martha invited Him to be their guest. While she was busy preparing food, her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and worshipped.
Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
When we come to sit at the feet of Jesus we’ll get to the place where we don’t care what others think of us. We’ll only have Him and His glory as the focus of our lives. He’ll fill our thoughts and motives as we lose sight of self. We’ll know peace and God’s power and purpose.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim---
in the light of His glory and grace.---Helen H. Lemmel
Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
When we come to sit at the feet of Jesus we’ll get to the place where we don’t care what others think of us. We’ll only have Him and His glory as the focus of our lives. He’ll fill our thoughts and motives as we lose sight of self. We’ll know peace and God’s power and purpose.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim---
in the light of His glory and grace.---Helen H. Lemmel
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Touched By Our Infirimities
Jesus came to earth in the flesh to die on the cross for our sins. I’m glad. He arose from the grave so that believers can live forever with Him. I’m glad.
But He also came so He could be touched with the feeling of our infirmities---our diseases, our hopeless situations. When He returned to His Father in Heaven He became our intercessor—our High Priest.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Though our faith may seem small and we may not understand the deep things of God, we can boldly bring our needs to the throne of grace. That’s where Jesus is. When our tiny faith---like a little mustard seed--- reaches out to Him, He responds.
The Bible tells of a storm, a man filled with demons, and a dead little girl. Jesus steps into each unimaginable situation. He calms the storm, sets the man free of demons, and brings back the little girl to life again.
Your storm is not hopeless! Your sin is not hopeless! Your sickness is not hopeless! Your lost loved ones are not hopeless! Nothing is impossible with the Lord! Lay your problem at the throne of grace. Stand back and see the glory of God.
But He also came so He could be touched with the feeling of our infirmities---our diseases, our hopeless situations. When He returned to His Father in Heaven He became our intercessor—our High Priest.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Though our faith may seem small and we may not understand the deep things of God, we can boldly bring our needs to the throne of grace. That’s where Jesus is. When our tiny faith---like a little mustard seed--- reaches out to Him, He responds.
The Bible tells of a storm, a man filled with demons, and a dead little girl. Jesus steps into each unimaginable situation. He calms the storm, sets the man free of demons, and brings back the little girl to life again.
Your storm is not hopeless! Your sin is not hopeless! Your sickness is not hopeless! Your lost loved ones are not hopeless! Nothing is impossible with the Lord! Lay your problem at the throne of grace. Stand back and see the glory of God.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Worship
I’m always looking for a blessing when I go to church and I get one. I enjoy fellowship with church family, the preaching, and the music. But is that the only reason we go to church?---to get the blessing.
First and foremost, our purpose should be to worship God. We will be blessed, but it's not about us. Worship happens when our heart overflows with love and adoration for God as we humble ourselves for His Glory. Remembering His goodness and grace and awesome love, we revere Who He is and what He has done.
Here’s a glimpses at worship in Heaven.
Revelation 4:11 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.
Revelation 5:11-12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Notice, not a single request is made. All that we find is pure, unadulterated worship of the Person and glory of Jesus. Of course, Jesus always praised God the Father.
Worship is “the upspring of a heart that has known the Father as a Giver, the Son as Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as the Indwelling Guest.”
First and foremost, our purpose should be to worship God. We will be blessed, but it's not about us. Worship happens when our heart overflows with love and adoration for God as we humble ourselves for His Glory. Remembering His goodness and grace and awesome love, we revere Who He is and what He has done.
Here’s a glimpses at worship in Heaven.
Revelation 4:11 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.
Revelation 5:11-12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Notice, not a single request is made. All that we find is pure, unadulterated worship of the Person and glory of Jesus. Of course, Jesus always praised God the Father.
Worship is “the upspring of a heart that has known the Father as a Giver, the Son as Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as the Indwelling Guest.”
Monday, November 9, 2015
Perfect Love
The deeper we go into the meaning of the Cross, the greater will be our love for Christ and the greater our active concern for one another.
God wants His children to live in an atmosphere of love and confidence, not fear and torment. We need not fear life or death, for we are being perfected in the love of God.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The perfecting of God's love in our lives is usually a matter of several stages. When we were lost, we lived in fear and knew nothing of God's love. After we trusted Christ, we found a perplexing mixture of both fear and love in our hearts. But as we grew in fellowship with the Father, gradually the fear vanished and our hearts were controlled by His love alone.
1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.
God wants His children to live in an atmosphere of love and confidence, not fear and torment. We need not fear life or death, for we are being perfected in the love of God.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The perfecting of God's love in our lives is usually a matter of several stages. When we were lost, we lived in fear and knew nothing of God's love. After we trusted Christ, we found a perplexing mixture of both fear and love in our hearts. But as we grew in fellowship with the Father, gradually the fear vanished and our hearts were controlled by His love alone.
1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
The Creator And Man
Last week a TV host asked one of the presidential contenders this question: “So you really believe the Creation story recorded in Genesis?” It was the “how weird” tone of his voice, and he claims to be a Christian. On another show, I heard, “Why, he believes in Creation.”
Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
I’m amazed at the wondrous power God possesses. The vastness of the universe, the beauty of the earth, the wonder of the human body and life itself---all created and sustained by the God of heaven. This same God is my Lord, my Savior, my God and King---my best friend.
Why would such an awesome God care for you and me? Why would He care for the unlovely, the substance abuser, the alcoholic, and those who hate him? It was love. Such love that sent He sent his only beloved son to earth to be crucified on a cross for the sin of mankind. Believe on Him and have eternal life.
We are blessed beyond measure to be offered an intimate relationship with the Almighty God of the universe.
Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
I’m amazed at the wondrous power God possesses. The vastness of the universe, the beauty of the earth, the wonder of the human body and life itself---all created and sustained by the God of heaven. This same God is my Lord, my Savior, my God and King---my best friend.
Why would such an awesome God care for you and me? Why would He care for the unlovely, the substance abuser, the alcoholic, and those who hate him? It was love. Such love that sent He sent his only beloved son to earth to be crucified on a cross for the sin of mankind. Believe on Him and have eternal life.
We are blessed beyond measure to be offered an intimate relationship with the Almighty God of the universe.
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