Tag: Glory

Advent Day 7: Waiting, a Time for Trust

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The scripture chosen for today is from Mark 13:24-36 which records several prophetic statements Jesus gave about his return and the end times to come. The description given in Mark 13:24-27 matches the vision given to John in Revelation Chapter 6 of the turmoil on earth and in the heavens during the last days.  “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.“

How can we have hope looking at the destruction of the world and judgement for sin? I found encouragement and hope in verse 31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” God is eternal and will sustain us through those hard times and His Word will continue. Remember Christ is referred to in John 1 as the Word. Christ is eternal and will not leave us. Christ will physically return at the end of time and we will see his glory and power displayed.

How do we know these things will come to pass? Jesus came and fulfilled all the prophecies concerning his first coming. He was born in Bethlehem, his mother was a virgin, he faced a death on the cross and rose from the dead, he preached about his love and kingdom that are enduring and so much more. If we believe these things that we know have come to pass, we can also believe Jesus will return as he says he will. God is faithful and keeps all of his promises! Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,” 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” Numbers 23:19 “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

Take heart and renew your trust in God this holiday season. Jesus is the reason and He is faithful and trustworthy.

Linda

Jesus Teaches US to Pray for Others by Example

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Each Sunday during Lent we have been looking at prayers offered by the Apostles for the new believers in Christ. Each time we have seen their heartfelt love for their friends and deep conviction that their faith grow and develop. Today on this 4th Sunday of Lent I want to look at Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17. I have chosen verses 20-26 but the whole chapter is Jesus’ prayer.

John 17:20-26  “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

****Jesus prayed for you and me, future believers. He prayed for unity and that world who see and hears our testimonies will also come to believe.

22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

****Jesus has shared part of His glory with us so that we may be unified with Him. He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell us! He wants the world to see His love. He wants us to be able to ‘see’ Him and know He is real and has always and will always love us.

25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

*****Jesus promises to continually reveal Himself and the Father to us. His love will continue to be in us and with us.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we too can pray for others to deeply abide in Him and reflect His glory given to us. Who do you know today that needs the love of Christ? Who needs to see Jesus and have a spirit of unity with other believers? Pray for one another today.

Linda

Experiencing His Majesty, Magnified

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Psalm 8 fills me with wonder and reminds me that we can see the power of God, His beauty and majesty in His creation all around us.

Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
    Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
    to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
    and all who oppose you.

3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
    putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
    and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
    and everything that swims the ocean currents.

9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Caves above Qumran

When was the last time you took a walk and were focused on the beauty around you or took a stroll at night and gazed up at the stars.? God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit we all present at creation. Genesis 1:1-2 speak of God and the Holy Spirit “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” John 1:1-3 speak of Jesus’ presence at creation, “In the beginning the Word already existed.     The Word was with God,   and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him,  and nothing was created except through him.” John clarifies that Jesus is the Word in 1:14 “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” All that we see and hear we owe to the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

Wildflowers in Israel.

Jesus came to earth, the Word, to bring mankind back into relationship with the Father. He was here on earth and experienced the winds of the desert, the storms over the Sea of Galilee, the mountains, roadways and the beauty of Jerusalem. Because Jesus came to earth, died on the cross and rose again, we experience his majesty through our faith in Jesus which magnifies His glory and creation. Our faith gives us a greater appreciation of the majesty of God and the creation that surrounds us. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Shepherds take a Walk towards Jesus

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What would be your reaction to the appearance of the angels and the multitude of heavenly hosts praising God in the middle of your work day? Amazement, curiosity, hope, awe, or all of these? We can only imagine what these humble shepherds experienced and felt. The Bible records part of their reaction in Luke 2:14-15.

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

The shepherds knew this was a momentous occasion and that God was pleased. God desired to bring peace and goodwill to all mankind through this babe, His Son. Their interest was piqued about the child. So they decided to leave their flocks and go into Bethlehem and find this child. 

Having been to Bethlehem the distance from the fields at that time to the place where Christ was born was not very far. Shepherds grazed their flocks in the fields adjacent to the town. Their journey probably took less than an hour so they knew they would not be leaving their flocks for very long to go and see this child that the Lord had announced to them. Trusting God they took this journey of faith to see this long foretold Messiah sent from God to save them.

Where do you see God in this scene? The heavenly host of angels proclaim God’s glory and power. He alone could cause angels to appear and announce the arrival of His Son. We also see personal God who comes to individuals bring hope and purpose. God gave the shepherds a desire to visit and see for themselves this marvelous event. We see this in our own lives repeatedly. God has a hand in events in our lives and causes us to be surprised, filled with hope and wonder at His power. Likewise, He is personal to each of us and provides those nudges to do the right thing, be surprised at life, and filled with hope in Jesus.

May you be surprised anew this season and see Jesus as God draws you to himself.

Linda

Set your mind on Christ = Victorious Living

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Today’s scripture begins a section in Colossians titled “Putting on the New Self.” I know the titles are not in the original scriptures but they help us to center on the point the writer is making. Here are verses that follow that title. Colossians 3:1-4

Put On the New Self

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Paul was seeking to reassure the Colossians Christians that their lives were changed forever when the came to know Jesus. If they had accepted Jesus as their savior, then He is their master and His kingdom is most important. Their perspectives on earthly things are not the most important any more. He encourages them to ‘set their minds’ on things above. This means to make a conscience choice to follow Jesus, to walk in His light and obey His commandments. Their lives as believers in Jesus are protected and sealed by the Holy Spirit. They have new lives in Christ! As an added bonus, Paul reminds them that they will see Jesus again in heaven and will appear with Him in glory. That hope of eternity with Jesus was a blessed hope they could know and cling to.

What does this mean to you and me? We too need to put off the worldly goals and attitudes that surround us and focus on living for Jesus. Keeping His commandment to love those around us with His love and walk in faith with Him each day. The idea of ‘setting our minds’ on things above is essential for us as believers too. Otherwise, we will get bogged down in the worries, turmoil and selfishness of our world. Cling to the hope of Jesus’ return and being with Him in glory. That is an image worth holding on to and waiting for.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have hope for living each day with His mindset which is heavenly and eternal, not worldly. Cling to hope and let Jesus clear your mind. Lean into Him and He will lead you. He will give you victory!

Linda

Hope, now and for eternity. Thank you Jesus.

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Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have hope.  Lent it a time of reflection and I was thinking what life would be like if Jesus had not come.  I would be dead in my sins without hope.  I would face eternal punishment because there would be no way to approach holy God.  Jesus’ death on the cross changed all that. Praise God! Thank you Jesus!  Here are some verses to offer up in praise for the work of our Savior.hope jesus blood

Psalm 62:5 “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”

Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we  rejoice  in hope of the glory of God.”

1 Peter 1:21 “who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

Jesus_Christ_Our_Reason_For_Hope_637_637Because Jesus came, died and rose again, I can have hope for a life lived by faith today and a hope of future glory.   That is a blessed hope!  Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Suggestion:  Today as you consider the hope you have in Jesus, express to someone something you are hopeful about and why.  It could be as simple as “I hope you have a good day” to “I am hopeful because of Jesus.”   Show someone you possess hope. If they ask you why you have hope then you can explain,  as today you have the answer! Jesus.

Who is your King of Glory?

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Psalm 24:7-10 comes alive through the hands of Handel in the Messiah.  As I read the words I can hear melody as he accentuates them.    They are words that have been sung many times over the ages from David to today- if you have time,  listen to Chris Tomlin’s version of these ancient words too.                                                                                              Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,King of glory
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?                                                                                   The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.

 David first penned these words to celebrate the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.  David realized the ark represented the dwelling place of God among them and wanted God to be in their midst.  This song shows the emotional return of the Lord to Zion.  It points to the Lord’s triumphant return.  This occurred in David’s time with the return of the ark, in Jesus’ time with His arrival in Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and points to Jesus’ return at the end of time.  Matthew 21:9 records the crowd’s praise as Jesus entered Jerusalem. “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”  “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna  in the highest heaven!”  In John’s vision we see Christ returning to the city,  Revelation 19:11-13 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” 

The psalmist questions, Who is this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory.  His conclusion points to the sovereignty, power, and magnificence of God.  How would you answer this question?  Is God your Lord God's gloryAlmighty? Do you see and recognize Him as the King of all heaven and earth and see a world filled with glory? The Glory of God is by definition the sum total of all God’s attributes. Throughout history God has revealed His power, mercy, grace, judgement, holiness, love, kindness and every other attribute.  In the Old Testament God was symbolically present with the people in the glory cloud known as the Shekinah glory.  God indwelt the tabernacle and later the temple. Today God dwells with us through His Holy Spirit that indwells every believer.  The Lord Jesus Christ reveals God’s glory completely!

Ponder anew today the glory of God revealed in Jesus His Son.  Celebrate His coming this Advent Season with joy and praises!  The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory.   Open the doors of your heart and let Him in for He is strong, mighty and filled with glory!

Linda

Here is another more modern rendition of the ancient words by Chris Tomlin- enjoy!

Glory to God in the Highest on this 2nd Sunday of Advent

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Luke 2:10-14  10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly glory to Godhost praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!” NKJV

This glorious portion of scripture is very poetic and eloquent in the New King James version.  The angel proclaimed that good news for all mankind had come in the form of a babe sent from God.  He would save us from our sins and it will mean good will towards all men.  His coming would bring peace.  Does Jesus bring those things to you today?  Are you assured of His love and salvation?  Remember Ephesians 1:13-14 “ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”   The Holy Spirit living inside us is the guarantee that we belong to Jesus.  We are sealed eternally and are His.  Be assured today of the hope that is within you and praise Him for coming to save us.  

Listen to this glorious chorus and revel in the majesty of that night and the wonder of the shepherds.

Linda

1st Sunday of Advent

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Isaiah 40-5 The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revelaed redOn this first Sunday of Advent, our scripture is Isaiah 40:5.

“And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

What is the glory of the Lord?  God’s glory is the sum total of His attributes.  We see His glory displayed in the beauty of the earth and His creatures.  We have seen God reveal His power , mercy, grace, judgment, holiness, love and every other attribute in the Bible.  However, the complete revelation of God’s glory is in His Son Jesus Christ.  When Jesus came to earth, He revealed God’s great glory for all of mankind to see, touch, reason with, and behold in the flesh.  God’s plan of redemption for man was to show His glory to us in His Son Jesus.  John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”   Jesus, the complete revelation of God’s glory, came to redeem us.

Let us praise and thank God for His glorious plan that sent Jesus to redeem and save us.

Blessings as you worship Him today.

Linda