Today’s Reading: Psalm 89, 92; Philippians 3
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21 NIV).
Do you ever get tired of this world? I know I do. There is so much hurt, so much pain, and so much imperfection. The devil tempts me on a daily basis, I look at pain in the eyes of my loved ones, and I wish for heaven above.
Not that I don’t love the life God has given me. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful home, and a baby on the way. I have ever so much to be thankful for.
Just the same, this world, and its imperfections drain on me. I truly don’t belong here. My soul longs for a better place.
John writes of this place in the book of Revelation:
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’" (vs. 3-4 NIV).
Can you imagine what that will be like someday? How wonderful will that be, to be rid of our earthly bodies with all their infirmities, and to take on our heavenly bodies? It’s hard for me to picture a world without sin and imperfection, because that’s all I’ve ever known. Just the same, that’s how it will be someday. We’ll live for eternity with Jesus, and be rid of all this earthly mess.
I can’t wait for that day. It will be so marvelous. It makes today, with all it’s imperfections, a little easier to handle.
Showing posts with label Revelation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revelation. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Numbers 20-24; Mark 15:26-47;Mark 16
Hello All. I know this is a bit off topic, but even after reading the sections of scripture for yesterday and today, I still had something else on my heart, so bear with me.
After seven months we said goodbye to our cat today. We admitted defeat and returned him to the Humane Society. As hard as we tried, we couldn’t teach an old cat new habits. As hard as we tried to train him, he wouldn’t stop biting.
It was hard to admit defeat. A part of me never wanted to give up, but I had too. It was hard for me to admit that enough was enough. My husband and I had tried everything we could think of, but the cat wouldn’t change. He was an old cat with set ways, ways that didn’t a line with our lifestyle.
I know there will be other pets. I know that we will be fine without him. But for right now, at this moment, I wish we didn’t have to let go. I wish that our cat was always the cuddly, affectionate cat he was 98% of the time. And I wish he wasn’t a demon cat for the other 2%. Why can’t there be a perfect cat? Why are cats imperfect, just like us humans?
The only answer I can come up with is that we live in an imperfect world. Sometimes we can’t change the habits of an animal, as hard as we try. That’s just the way it is. Sometimes we just have to let go of a pet, as much as it might pain us to do so.
This imperfect world is messy. We saw some of that messiness in yesterday and today’s reading. Sometimes this messy world really hurts. That’s why I’m thankful for a God that understands what I’m feeling. Defeated. Melancholy. Sad. I’m thankful for a God who sent his son to die on the cross and save me from my sins. I’m thankful that one day, all of the imperfection and pain of this world will pass away (Revelation 21:4). I’m thankful for a God that meets me where I am each and every day.
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD” (Psalm 139:1-4).
After seven months we said goodbye to our cat today. We admitted defeat and returned him to the Humane Society. As hard as we tried, we couldn’t teach an old cat new habits. As hard as we tried to train him, he wouldn’t stop biting.
It was hard to admit defeat. A part of me never wanted to give up, but I had too. It was hard for me to admit that enough was enough. My husband and I had tried everything we could think of, but the cat wouldn’t change. He was an old cat with set ways, ways that didn’t a line with our lifestyle.
I know there will be other pets. I know that we will be fine without him. But for right now, at this moment, I wish we didn’t have to let go. I wish that our cat was always the cuddly, affectionate cat he was 98% of the time. And I wish he wasn’t a demon cat for the other 2%. Why can’t there be a perfect cat? Why are cats imperfect, just like us humans?
The only answer I can come up with is that we live in an imperfect world. Sometimes we can’t change the habits of an animal, as hard as we try. That’s just the way it is. Sometimes we just have to let go of a pet, as much as it might pain us to do so.
This imperfect world is messy. We saw some of that messiness in yesterday and today’s reading. Sometimes this messy world really hurts. That’s why I’m thankful for a God that understands what I’m feeling. Defeated. Melancholy. Sad. I’m thankful for a God who sent his son to die on the cross and save me from my sins. I’m thankful that one day, all of the imperfection and pain of this world will pass away (Revelation 21:4). I’m thankful for a God that meets me where I am each and every day.
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD” (Psalm 139:1-4).
Friday, November 13, 2009
Numbers 17-19; Mark 15:1-25
I’m in need of some cleansing today. In fact, I’m in need of cleansing everyday. Everyday I do things I wish I wouldn’t do. I say things I don’t want to say, I act a way I shouldn’t act, I am once again tempted by the same old sin. Everyday I need to be washed anew.
I love the picture of the cleansing water in Numbers 19. When the Israelites sinned, a sacrifice had to be made. The ashes from that sacrifice, mixed with water, were something the Israelites could visually pour over themselves in an act of cleansing. This was a physical act of a spiritual change in their hearts. Through the sacrificial cleansing they were forgiven. For them this was a process they had to go through time after time. It wasn’t until Christ’s death on the cross that all of the sins of the world were forgiven. Christ became the ultimate living water for each of us. Jesus revealed this living water to the Samaritan woman in John 4:13-14: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Through his death on the cross Christ gave us everlasting living water. This water cleanses us more completely than any act of sacrifice we could ever do. This water is complete. It covers every sin we’ve ever committed and ever will. Daily I’m in need of this reminder that his living water covers me and purifies me day by day. Daily I’m in need of the reminder that this earth and all of its woes will one day pass away.: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17). Until then, I pray for cleansing as I face each day.
I love the picture of the cleansing water in Numbers 19. When the Israelites sinned, a sacrifice had to be made. The ashes from that sacrifice, mixed with water, were something the Israelites could visually pour over themselves in an act of cleansing. This was a physical act of a spiritual change in their hearts. Through the sacrificial cleansing they were forgiven. For them this was a process they had to go through time after time. It wasn’t until Christ’s death on the cross that all of the sins of the world were forgiven. Christ became the ultimate living water for each of us. Jesus revealed this living water to the Samaritan woman in John 4:13-14: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Through his death on the cross Christ gave us everlasting living water. This water cleanses us more completely than any act of sacrifice we could ever do. This water is complete. It covers every sin we’ve ever committed and ever will. Daily I’m in need of this reminder that his living water covers me and purifies me day by day. Daily I’m in need of the reminder that this earth and all of its woes will one day pass away.: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17). Until then, I pray for cleansing as I face each day.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Day 47: Genesis 49-50; Matthew 23:23-29
I found something interesting in today’s reading. As Jacob is laying on his bed, about to die, he says some very prophetic things to his sons. In particular, take note of what he says to his son Judah:
“Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor. He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk” (Genesis 49: 9-12).
Now consider this verse: “But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals’”(Revelation 5:5).
I don’t think the connection between these two passages is an accident. The prophetic words Jacob speaks at the end of Genesis are a wonderful promise about what was to come. Already God had a plan of redemption in mind. These words in Genesis are a prophetic picture of the true Lion of Judah, who would one day come and ride a donkey through Jerusalem, being hailed as the Messiah. His robes would then be soaked with blood, much like wine, as he died on the cross for all of our sins.
What a beautiful, prophetic picture of a redeemer.
Are you in need of the Lion of Judah today? What part of your life do you need him to redeem? He is ready and waiting. Let him redeem you today. As the lyrics to the song “Hail, Hail, Lion of Judah” by Donnie McClurkin say,
"Hail, hail Lion of Judah!
How wonderful You are!
Hail, hail Lion of Judah!
How powerful You are!
The Lion of Judah shall break every chain
and give to us, oh my,
the victory again and again"
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the Lion of Judah. Please help me to trust in you, and let you fight the battles in my life, for I am nothing on my own.
“Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor. He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk” (Genesis 49: 9-12).
Now consider this verse: “But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals’”(Revelation 5:5).
I don’t think the connection between these two passages is an accident. The prophetic words Jacob speaks at the end of Genesis are a wonderful promise about what was to come. Already God had a plan of redemption in mind. These words in Genesis are a prophetic picture of the true Lion of Judah, who would one day come and ride a donkey through Jerusalem, being hailed as the Messiah. His robes would then be soaked with blood, much like wine, as he died on the cross for all of our sins.
What a beautiful, prophetic picture of a redeemer.
Are you in need of the Lion of Judah today? What part of your life do you need him to redeem? He is ready and waiting. Let him redeem you today. As the lyrics to the song “Hail, Hail, Lion of Judah” by Donnie McClurkin say,
"Hail, hail Lion of Judah!
How wonderful You are!
Hail, hail Lion of Judah!
How powerful You are!
The Lion of Judah shall break every chain
and give to us, oh my,
the victory again and again"
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the Lion of Judah. Please help me to trust in you, and let you fight the battles in my life, for I am nothing on my own.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Day 17: Job 22-24; Matthew 12:1-23
Hello everyone! How has your reading been going? I have to admit that the book of Job is starting to sound a bit repetitive. Just the same, I was able to glean some wonderful insight from today’s passage. It really got me thinking, and forced me to do some deeper searching.
Here’s the portion of scripture I picked out from today’s reading:
“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned a side. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food” (Job 23: 10-12).
As I read these verses, I was convicted. I found myself asking, what would happen if God judged me today? Could I say that I would come out of that judgment as “pure as gold?” Or would I be slightly tarnished? How would God judge the way I live my daily life? I am assured that I will go to heaven someday, but just the same, all of us will still have a day of judgment. For more on this Final Day of Judgment I encourage you to read Revelation 20:11-15 & Matthew 25:31-36. It’s quite fascinating. On this final Day of Judgment God will look at our lives, everything we did and said, and then separate us into those who are saved and those who are not. The saved will spend eternity in heaven with him; the unsaved will go to a place of unending torment called hell. I know, you’re all squirming in your seats now. Judgment day is one of those topics often avoided in polite conversation, but it’s oh so real just the same.
After reading about the Final Judgment Day, I was encouraged all a new to live my life for the Lord. I was saved by grace, which I’m oh so thankful for. On my own I could never measure up. Now that I have accepted that salvation, I need to live out my daily life for the Lord: “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faiths without works is dead” (James 2:26, HCSV). (For more reading on faith and works, see James 2: 14-26).
Questions: How have you been living for the Lord? Can you say that you have truly “treasured his words more than daily food?”
Prayer: Lord, please help me to always put you first in my life. Show me ways to serve you throughout the day. For I do treasure you more than anything.
Here’s the portion of scripture I picked out from today’s reading:
“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned a side. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food” (Job 23: 10-12).
As I read these verses, I was convicted. I found myself asking, what would happen if God judged me today? Could I say that I would come out of that judgment as “pure as gold?” Or would I be slightly tarnished? How would God judge the way I live my daily life? I am assured that I will go to heaven someday, but just the same, all of us will still have a day of judgment. For more on this Final Day of Judgment I encourage you to read Revelation 20:11-15 & Matthew 25:31-36. It’s quite fascinating. On this final Day of Judgment God will look at our lives, everything we did and said, and then separate us into those who are saved and those who are not. The saved will spend eternity in heaven with him; the unsaved will go to a place of unending torment called hell. I know, you’re all squirming in your seats now. Judgment day is one of those topics often avoided in polite conversation, but it’s oh so real just the same.
After reading about the Final Judgment Day, I was encouraged all a new to live my life for the Lord. I was saved by grace, which I’m oh so thankful for. On my own I could never measure up. Now that I have accepted that salvation, I need to live out my daily life for the Lord: “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faiths without works is dead” (James 2:26, HCSV). (For more reading on faith and works, see James 2: 14-26).
Questions: How have you been living for the Lord? Can you say that you have truly “treasured his words more than daily food?”
Prayer: Lord, please help me to always put you first in my life. Show me ways to serve you throughout the day. For I do treasure you more than anything.
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