Love Remains

 

     The veil of separation was lifted when Jesus died for our sins. We have the glory of God available and our high priest awaits us in heaven. We can go straight to the throne room with no hesitation. His glory can grow in us day by day. But His full glory will not be seen until we get to heaven. Read Paul’s words on this:

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

     Until then, what matters? What is our purpose? How do we live? Everything around us is temporary, but we want answers. We want a place, a date, a reason, a goal, a plan, a time, a vision. We ask who, what, where when and why? Paul sums up this beautiful love chapter of the first book of Corinthians the 13^th chapter with these words:

And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

     Our hope of salvation stays with us, guarding us forever. We can stand firmly on our faith in Christ no matter the circumstances. We don’t know the number of our days on earth, but we do know the answer to forever. When we get there in full glory and we see fully face-to-face, we won’t need hope. Our hopes will be realized. We will not need faith. He will be standing right in front of us, holding out His hand to welcome us home. 

     Finally, what will remain? Love will arrive with us; the love we shared on earth for Him. When all is said and done it’s about love.

Dear Jesus,

You represent our hope and faith, but most of all You are love. You are the answer to all of our questions, the reason for it all, when all is said and done.

Amen

Ever-increasing Glory

 

     Man cannot look upon the full glory of God and live. Moses had to wear a veil over his face after his close encounter with God on Mount Sinai We talked about the mammoth veil covering the Holy of Holies where the presence of God was held in Israel’s temple. That veil was torn from top to bottom as Jesus died on the cross.

     Our separation from God was removed by the blood of Christ as He took our sin upon Himself on the cross. The Lamb of God, the King of Kings, the word of God  lived among us. (John 1) We picture Jesus as He was when he lived on earth for those 33 years. He now sits at the right hand of the Father in full glory. One day we will see Him face to face as Messiah, the Christ.

     In the meantime, the veil has been removed!  Jesus now resides in a new temple, in our hearts, the Holy Spirit within us! Imagine that. Here are more New Testament verses explaining the significance of the veil.

Even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory are being transformed into His image with every-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:15-18

     I simply love these verses. Our hearts are no longer veiled. We know the truth of Jesus and His Holy Spirit will continually change us into the image of Christ!.We will be filled with ever-increasing glory as He transforms us day by day. I believe that. As we continue to read the word of God, pray to the one now sitting in glory and listen to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.

     Look up with that unveiled face today and radiate with the glory of God!

Dear Jesus,

We thank you for removing the veil from our hearts. We won’t see Your full glory until we are in heaven, but each day fill us a little bit more with Your light.

Amen

Unveiled

 

     The Jewish temple was built in accordance to God’s very specific instructions. The Holy of Holies was the inner sanctum of the temple. This Holy Place contained the presence of God and only the high priest could enter it once a year on the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. (Exodus 30, Hebrews 9) A veil covered the entrance to the Holy of Holies.

     This particular veil (or curtain) was no ordinary veil. It measured around 60 feet high and was at least 4 inches thick! It was beautifully woven and embroidered in twisted fine linen, made with purple, blue and scarlet material. This veil signified the separation between God and man. It signified sin.

     Now picture this mammoth veil and try to imagine what happened as Jesus died on the cross:

And when Jesus had cried out again, in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom… Matthew 27:50-51a

     This was the final atonement for sin. There was now no need for the veil! The separation between God and man was paid for, once and for all, by God Himself.  Solomon’s temple and Herod’s temple have both been destroyed, both long gone.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  Acts 17;24

     I love seeing the promise of Christ throughout the Old Testament. He fulfilled so many Scriptures with His birth, His death and His resurrection. Many more are to come with His second coming and the new heaven and earth. The following beautiful Scriptures from the book of Hebrews will tie this all together. Now we can go boldly to the throne of God. Jesus opened that veil of separation for all time and turned the outward temple of God into the temple within our hearts.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-21

Dear Father,

How do we thank You, the God of creation, for removing the veil of separation once and for all? We can come boldly to the throne because of Jesus, our High Priest. Let us draw near to Him with cleansed hearts.

In Jesus Name

Amen

God's Radiance

 

     Our encounters with God can be life-changing. God sees our potential and our purpose long before we do. Let’s revisit Moses and talk more about his mountain-top experience with the living God. Remember, Moses has been in the desert for 40 years after running from Egypt.  God calls him when he is 80 years old!

     Feeling old, or weak or just plain ordinary? Join the club of Biblical heroes. God chose David, the youngest and weakest in the family to be king. He called Gideon to battle when he was in hiding. God called him a “valiant warrior.” He calls us, the weak and the ordinary to do extraordinary things with His strength and glory.

     After Moses asked God to see His glory and God explained he would not live through it, God placed Moses in a crevasse in the rocks, placed His hand over him and allowed His glorious presence to pass alongside. Listen to what happened:

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant and they were afraid to come near him.  Exodus 34:29-30

     Moses had to wear a veil over his face. His countenance was just too bright for the people. We will talk more about the significance of the veil and the glory of God this week.  What will we look like, what will we act like, after spending time in the presence of God? The word “radiant” means “emitting rays of light.”

     When we allow His presence to pass by, when we hear His voice calling us to action, He can and will do miraculous works through and in us. Don’t be surprised if He calls you at a time when you least expect it, at an age where you think it’s too early or too late, at a time when you want to hide from the world, at a time when you have almost given up. Is He calling you right now? Come into God’s presence and let your countenance be lit with the radiance of His glory.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for sharing the stories of your children. You often call us at our weakest moments. You fill us with light. Let us radiate with the Son.

Amen

God's Glory

 

Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  Isaiah 60:1

     The glory of the Lord is available to each one of us as we experience the presence of Christ. This week we will travel together back to Israel’s journey through the wilderness as they made their way to the Promised Land. Moses was called to meet with God, in the presence of His glory.

     That presence of God traveled with this large group of Israelites as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When Moses asked to see the glory of God, God told him, “You cannot see my face; for no man shall see Me and live.” (see Exoduss 33)

     The presence of the Lord had to be hidden. Today, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the glory of the Lord has been delivered right into our hearts.  We are blessed to be living in this time of grace and light. The Hebrew word, “Shekinah” means the “dwelling or presence of God.”

     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.  John 1:14

Dear Jesus,

Your light and glory lives and dwells among us now in grace and truth. You are the glory of God living within us. Someday we will see You in full glory as we finally meet you face to face and live forever. May Your glory rise up in our hearts.

Amen

Along for the Journey

 

     While watching a funny movie, our smiles were interrupted by a commercial for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the heartbreaking images of children with cancer and disabilities. Sitting and chatting with good friends, reminiscing with laughter led to somber expressions and teary eyes when the conversation took a turn at the death of the young daughter of a friend.

     The moments and memories of life can switch from joy-filled to traumatic in the blink of an eye. And without Jesus, how do we get through? His love, His compassion, His understanding, His strength, and His willingness to share our burdens makes the toughest moments bearable.

So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

     Let your life be filled with images of our Lord. Praise him from the mountaintop and praise Him from the deepest valley. Fill up in His presence when life gets too tough. During the moments you don’t understand, He will be with you and He smiles in the moments of pure joy. Take in every moment. This life can change in an instant. But He is ready and able to see you through.

Lord,

Life without you is unmanageable and at times, terrifying. The answers will not all be given until one day in eternity we see all the pieces of the puzzle. For now, we take each step trusting You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Gratitude in the Unknown

 

     Today we take our upside down, last is first, less is more, honor in humility, sacrifice in praise, worth in weakness, believer’s world into the topic of gratitude. Have you read, Footprints in the Sand? Looking back I recognize those times when Jesus carried me even without me recognizing His presence.  I am still learning, but even during troubled times, I thank Him. When there are no answers, I thank Him for working. When things look hopeless, I know He will bring hope.

     My emotions and my need for control try to take over. I want to make it better, fix the problem, lash out at someone or something. The learning will never end until we arrive in heaven. Thank Him when the world is closing in. Believe in His timing when your patience is wearing thin. Thank Him when the circumstances seem impossible to meet. Practice gratitude. God’s grace is enough to get through the day, the hour, minute-by-minute.

     Can we learn to stop in the midst of the day to thank God for our ordinary tasks and duties as we perform them one more time? Can we take a moment away from the seemingly endless urgent details to savor our most valuable God? Can we thank Him for working when we don’t see His hand?

     I thank God for each one of you today, no matter where you are in your journey with Jesus. He hears you. He will carry you. Give Him all of your cares with deep thanksgiving.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and yur minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Chrisst Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear Jesus,

We find gratitude in our hearts today for Your love, for Your mighty hand at work, for Your grace and mercy, for our loved ones and our homes, for our food and for our very lives. Thank you for the breath of life today, and we thank You for what You will do tomorrow. We wait in expectation and hope.

Amen