James 1: 17
...The Father of Light, with Whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.
God is Light, all light comes from Him, there is no other light to shine on Him. Our eyes see shadows. It is the shadows, the shading, that allows us to see the contours, the shape of everything. A drawing with no shading looks flat, and even the pencil or ink casts a shadow our eyes can see.
So we cannot "see" God with these eyes, there are no shadows to define His shape; and the Light that is Him is so purely bright that its power would destroy our human eyes, it would blind us.
He made the Sun a light-holder to hold a portion of His Light to give life to this Earth, and we cannot even look at it without going blind.
So He will give us new eyes in our resurrected bodies, and we will also be "beings of light," shining like the Sun.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Saturday, June 2, 2018
The End Of This Earth
Revelation 20: 9, 11
Fire came down from Heaven and devoured them.
Then I saw a Great White Throne and Him Who was seated on it. The Earth and the Heavens fled from His presence, and there was no place for them.
II Peter 3: 10-11
The Heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the Earth and everything done in it will be burned up. Everything will be destroyed in this way.
After Jesus' thousand-year reign on this Earth, when Satan is released from the bottomless pit and deceives the Nations to attack the Holy City (Jerusalem); that's when the whole Earth will explode, the whole Universe will implode, and Jesus will "make all things new."
This "old order of things will pass away." (Revelation 21:4.)
This whole order of existence will be done away with permanently, and all the knowledge we have of how this order runs and works--science--will be obsolete (I Corinthians 13:8, Knowledge will pass away.)
Then Jesus will build a whole new Earth-like planet, suitable for us to live there in our new Resurrection bodies, all based on a new order of existence.
While all this is being done, He will sit on the Great White Throne judging everyone who ever lived.
Then we will live with Him and reign with Him forever and ever!
Knowing that this is the future of the whole Universe, how are we to live our lives today? According to His rules for our World, of course. When the nobleman went on a journey, he left his servants to "occupy" until his return (Luke 19:12-13). That means that they were to be busy living their lives, conducting business, and loving one another--not just sit around and wait for his return.
So we must do what we can each day to love God, love one another, and follow His example. When we're walking in His footsteps, we will do what He has planned for each of us, as part of His great Plan of the Ages, to further His Kingdom; and as we "obey His commandments" we will experience the result, and be successful in our endeavors.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Fire came down from Heaven and devoured them.
Then I saw a Great White Throne and Him Who was seated on it. The Earth and the Heavens fled from His presence, and there was no place for them.
II Peter 3: 10-11
The Heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the Earth and everything done in it will be burned up. Everything will be destroyed in this way.
After Jesus' thousand-year reign on this Earth, when Satan is released from the bottomless pit and deceives the Nations to attack the Holy City (Jerusalem); that's when the whole Earth will explode, the whole Universe will implode, and Jesus will "make all things new."
This "old order of things will pass away." (Revelation 21:4.)
This whole order of existence will be done away with permanently, and all the knowledge we have of how this order runs and works--science--will be obsolete (I Corinthians 13:8, Knowledge will pass away.)
Then Jesus will build a whole new Earth-like planet, suitable for us to live there in our new Resurrection bodies, all based on a new order of existence.
While all this is being done, He will sit on the Great White Throne judging everyone who ever lived.
Then we will live with Him and reign with Him forever and ever!
Knowing that this is the future of the whole Universe, how are we to live our lives today? According to His rules for our World, of course. When the nobleman went on a journey, he left his servants to "occupy" until his return (Luke 19:12-13). That means that they were to be busy living their lives, conducting business, and loving one another--not just sit around and wait for his return.
So we must do what we can each day to love God, love one another, and follow His example. When we're walking in His footsteps, we will do what He has planned for each of us, as part of His great Plan of the Ages, to further His Kingdom; and as we "obey His commandments" we will experience the result, and be successful in our endeavors.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, June 1, 2018
Cheering His Victory
Isaiah 55: 12
For you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Wow! The mountains and hills and trees will cheer and applaud our victory, just like (or even more than) the fans cheer and applaud their sports team!
Whatever great accomplishment we think we can do, God can always do better—He gave us the abilities we have to do whatever we’re good at. He is the Source.
He is the progenitor of all life, and He is the Designer and Planner of the Universe. He loves us and wants us to do well and succeed in our lives, just as every parent wants for his children. He has made this Earth for us and put in it everything we need for happiness and success. And He gave us all the rules and precepts that govern how the World operates.
That’s why He wants us to obey His commands. When we live our lives in agreement with His ways, then we are able to experience the bounty He put here for us.
But so many people just don’t understand how much God loves them and have chosen instead to believe the lies of the devil. The devil is our enemy and always tries to convince us that we’re smart, we can make our own decisions, no one can tell us what to do. We are our own god.
When Jesus returns, He will bring with Him “all His holy ones,” all the holy angels and all the saints He has called out of the World. Then He will win the final victory over evil, all the evil people that have opposed Him, and our victory with Christ will prompt the cheering and applause of the Earth that this verse speaks of. His victory will be our victory.
Then He will allow us to help Him set up His Kingdom and rule with Him. And He will fulfill all the rest of the prophesies that have been given to us, to let us know what will happen, and deepen our faith and trust in Him.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Wow! The mountains and hills and trees will cheer and applaud our victory, just like (or even more than) the fans cheer and applaud their sports team!
Whatever great accomplishment we think we can do, God can always do better—He gave us the abilities we have to do whatever we’re good at. He is the Source.
He is the progenitor of all life, and He is the Designer and Planner of the Universe. He loves us and wants us to do well and succeed in our lives, just as every parent wants for his children. He has made this Earth for us and put in it everything we need for happiness and success. And He gave us all the rules and precepts that govern how the World operates.
That’s why He wants us to obey His commands. When we live our lives in agreement with His ways, then we are able to experience the bounty He put here for us.
But so many people just don’t understand how much God loves them and have chosen instead to believe the lies of the devil. The devil is our enemy and always tries to convince us that we’re smart, we can make our own decisions, no one can tell us what to do. We are our own god.
When Jesus returns, He will bring with Him “all His holy ones,” all the holy angels and all the saints He has called out of the World. Then He will win the final victory over evil, all the evil people that have opposed Him, and our victory with Christ will prompt the cheering and applause of the Earth that this verse speaks of. His victory will be our victory.
Then He will allow us to help Him set up His Kingdom and rule with Him. And He will fulfill all the rest of the prophesies that have been given to us, to let us know what will happen, and deepen our faith and trust in Him.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Success And Happiness
Psalm 1: 1-3
How blessed -- Very happy.
is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly -- Does not believe worldly lies.
Nor stand in the path of sinners -- Act like or live our life like those of the World.
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers. -- We are not "at home" in this World, we don't belong here.
But his delight -- What we deeply enjoy.
is in the Law of the Lord -- The ways God designed this World to work, how we are to interact with and care for it and one another.
And in His Law he meditates day and night. -- We are to think about it all the time, figure it out, connect the dots.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water -- Constantly watered by the Word.
Which yields its fruit in its season -- Not out of season.
And its leaf does not wither -- Maintains good health.
And whatever he does, he prospers. -- We succeed.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
How blessed -- Very happy.
is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly -- Does not believe worldly lies.
And in His Law he meditates day and night. -- We are to think about it all the time, figure it out, connect the dots.
Which yields its fruit in its season -- Not out of season.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
The Lord's House
I Chronicles 17: 1
And it came about when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the Prophet, "Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord is under curtains."
V. 4 Go and tell David My servant, thus says the Lord, "You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in."
Vs. 11-12 "He (Solomon) shall build for me a house, and I will establish his throne forever."
V. 10 "The Lord will build a house for you."
V. 16 "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that Thou hast brought me thus far?"
I Kings 8: 18
But the Lord said to my father David, "Because it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart."
I Chronicles 22: 7-10
David has "shed much blood" and Solomon would have peace and quiet. And,
V. 14 David says that, with great pains I have prepared for the House of the Lord.
So when David had built himself a beautiful mansion to live in, he realized that the Ark of the Lord was still in a tent, and he considered the Lord much more deserving than himself of a beautiful dwelling place. And God commended him for this desire to house the Lord's Ark in a more permanent structure.
The Lord appreciated David and knew that his heart was true. But David had waged the Lord's wars, so had shed a lot of blood before the Lord, and the Lord didn't want to be identified with bloody wars. So He told David that his son Solomon would be a man of peace and build the Lord's house.
So David made extensive preparations for building this imposing structure.
Instead of David building the Lord a house, the Lord said he'd build a house (lineage) for David! This astounded David.
David had a humble heart that was true to the Lord, and remained aware of his beginnings as the youngest son of his father when the oldest had the premier position, and was a simple shepherd. Nothing here at all would suggest a regal bearing.
God does not choose the qualified, He qualifies the chosen. David loved the Lord, so God qualified him to not only be king, but to be the progenitor to God's Messiah, Who would reign forever!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And it came about when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the Prophet, "Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord is under curtains."
V. 4 Go and tell David My servant, thus says the Lord, "You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in."
Vs. 11-12 "He (Solomon) shall build for me a house, and I will establish his throne forever."
V. 10 "The Lord will build a house for you."
V. 16 "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that Thou hast brought me thus far?"
I Kings 8: 18
But the Lord said to my father David, "Because it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart."
I Chronicles 22: 7-10
David has "shed much blood" and Solomon would have peace and quiet. And,
V. 14 David says that, with great pains I have prepared for the House of the Lord.
So when David had built himself a beautiful mansion to live in, he realized that the Ark of the Lord was still in a tent, and he considered the Lord much more deserving than himself of a beautiful dwelling place. And God commended him for this desire to house the Lord's Ark in a more permanent structure.
The Lord appreciated David and knew that his heart was true. But David had waged the Lord's wars, so had shed a lot of blood before the Lord, and the Lord didn't want to be identified with bloody wars. So He told David that his son Solomon would be a man of peace and build the Lord's house.
So David made extensive preparations for building this imposing structure.
Instead of David building the Lord a house, the Lord said he'd build a house (lineage) for David! This astounded David.
David had a humble heart that was true to the Lord, and remained aware of his beginnings as the youngest son of his father when the oldest had the premier position, and was a simple shepherd. Nothing here at all would suggest a regal bearing.
God does not choose the qualified, He qualifies the chosen. David loved the Lord, so God qualified him to not only be king, but to be the progenitor to God's Messiah, Who would reign forever!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
To Be At Peace With All
Romans 12: 17-21
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Deuteronomy 32:35)
The World says to always give back what you've been given, and to get even with whoever wrongs you. This is the world's way to even things up, but things never do get evened up, the revenge just gets scaled up more and more. And when we want to get our own revenge, it causes bitterness to grow in our spirits, instead of the love and peace God wants for us.
God is the only One Who can exact revenge for wrongdoing safely, and He will make sure that every wrong will be made right, every debt will be paid, every inequality will be made even.
But,
A much safer and better response on our part to being wronged, is:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
If you do this, you will heap burning coals on his head (make him feel guilty and ashamed)." (II Kings 6:22 and Proverbs 25:21-22)
If someone has wronged us, whether inadvertently or even overtly as an enemy, our reaction would be the World's response, which is natural. However, if we pause to consider, then our response can be more in line with the advice given here. To do something good for someone who has just been mean to you can make a huge impression and can honor the Lord.
Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.
Here is the conclusion of this whole matter. To conquer evil with good.
This is not easy. It takes strength of character, discernment, and opportunity. We must be deliberate and intentional. None of this can ever be automatic.
O my Father, please help me to be deliberate and intentional when anyone would do me wrong. Help me to have the strength of character to discern what good to do when the opportunity presents itself.
Show me Your ways, Father, and teach me to respond in a godly manner to everyone with whom I have dealings.
Give me Your gentle and winsome ways as I interact with other people, whether they are my own family, a neighbor or friend, or a stranger I would happen to come across.
Help me to destroy my enemies by making them my friends. And deliver me from human wrath, as it does not promote Your righteousness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Deuteronomy 32:35)
The World says to always give back what you've been given, and to get even with whoever wrongs you. This is the world's way to even things up, but things never do get evened up, the revenge just gets scaled up more and more. And when we want to get our own revenge, it causes bitterness to grow in our spirits, instead of the love and peace God wants for us.
God is the only One Who can exact revenge for wrongdoing safely, and He will make sure that every wrong will be made right, every debt will be paid, every inequality will be made even.
But,
A much safer and better response on our part to being wronged, is:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
If you do this, you will heap burning coals on his head (make him feel guilty and ashamed)." (II Kings 6:22 and Proverbs 25:21-22)
If someone has wronged us, whether inadvertently or even overtly as an enemy, our reaction would be the World's response, which is natural. However, if we pause to consider, then our response can be more in line with the advice given here. To do something good for someone who has just been mean to you can make a huge impression and can honor the Lord.
Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.
Here is the conclusion of this whole matter. To conquer evil with good.
This is not easy. It takes strength of character, discernment, and opportunity. We must be deliberate and intentional. None of this can ever be automatic.
O my Father, please help me to be deliberate and intentional when anyone would do me wrong. Help me to have the strength of character to discern what good to do when the opportunity presents itself.
Show me Your ways, Father, and teach me to respond in a godly manner to everyone with whom I have dealings.
Give me Your gentle and winsome ways as I interact with other people, whether they are my own family, a neighbor or friend, or a stranger I would happen to come across.
Help me to destroy my enemies by making them my friends. And deliver me from human wrath, as it does not promote Your righteousness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, May 28, 2018
The Light Of Life
John 8: 12
Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the Light of the World; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the Light of life."
Light is understanding; darkness would be misunderstanding or deception. Since our own hearts deceive us, as well as the World, and especially our enemy the devil, we need His light to understand the Truth of everything we see, hear and experience.
Followng Him is conforming our lives to His transforming ways through His Holy Spirit. God sends us His Spirit to teach us His ways, which are not our ways. That's why we need to turn around (repent) away from the World's ways toward God's ways.
O my Father, please help me learn Your ways. Teach me how to think Your thoughts instead of mine; teach me to have Your attitudes toward the happenings in my world; strengthen me to do whatever You have planned for me to do.
Teach me how to love others with Your lovingkindness, and to monitor my tone of voice to be gentle and accepting. Keep me from mocking and foolish jesting. Help me to be a good example of Your ways to others in my life and world, and to always be encouraging.
Use me, Father, to draw others to Yourself, displaying Your love and wisdom and winsomness. My Lord Jesus drew the crowds to Himself with His warm acceptance; help me to be more like Him. Continue to mold me and shape me into His image, and shine Your Light through me into the darkness of others whose paths cross mine.
Keep me always aware of Your own presence with me each day, and to walk every step of my life in the center of the path You have placed my feet on.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the Light of the World; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the Light of life."
Light is understanding; darkness would be misunderstanding or deception. Since our own hearts deceive us, as well as the World, and especially our enemy the devil, we need His light to understand the Truth of everything we see, hear and experience.
Followng Him is conforming our lives to His transforming ways through His Holy Spirit. God sends us His Spirit to teach us His ways, which are not our ways. That's why we need to turn around (repent) away from the World's ways toward God's ways.
O my Father, please help me learn Your ways. Teach me how to think Your thoughts instead of mine; teach me to have Your attitudes toward the happenings in my world; strengthen me to do whatever You have planned for me to do.
Teach me how to love others with Your lovingkindness, and to monitor my tone of voice to be gentle and accepting. Keep me from mocking and foolish jesting. Help me to be a good example of Your ways to others in my life and world, and to always be encouraging.
Use me, Father, to draw others to Yourself, displaying Your love and wisdom and winsomness. My Lord Jesus drew the crowds to Himself with His warm acceptance; help me to be more like Him. Continue to mold me and shape me into His image, and shine Your Light through me into the darkness of others whose paths cross mine.
Keep me always aware of Your own presence with me each day, and to walk every step of my life in the center of the path You have placed my feet on.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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