Glimpses of Heaven...here on Earth

Do you know why Satan loves to isolate us from other Christians?  Do you know why he attacks our thoughts; trying to convince us that we shouldn't "bother" others with our problems?  That we're a burden to others?  Do you know why God commands us to not forsake gathering together with other believers? (Hebrews 10:25), To share each others burdens? (Galatians 6:2) 

I think there are several reasons for why Satan attacks in specific ways but one thing to remember is that Satan was in Heaven...he knows the perfect communion we will have with God and each other and he knows that here on Earth one of the gifts God gives us...one of the glimpses of Heaven here on Earth is gathering together with other believers; building relationships with them...for encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11), for accountability (Luke 17:13 & James 5:16), to "sharpen" each other  (Proverbs 27:17) and so much more....  I remember several years ago, attending a small concert at Gordon College.  My sister joined me even though she wasn't very familiar with the group or their songs.  At one point she commented that even though she didn't know the songs she was enjoying the concert because she was hit with the fact that worshiping together is a hint of Heaven...people from all backgrounds who may know nothing about each other will raise voices together praising the God that we all love and serve.  Christ desires unity; Satan desires division...Christ desires community; Satan desires isolation.

The book of Revelation gives us other glimpses into Heaven; a glimpse of the majesty, glory and greatness of Christ's home; God in His true position of King.  There are two songs that have lyrics regarding this that I just love.  One is called "O Praise the Name"; there is one line that says "the angels roar for Christ our King" speaking of the resurrection; now there is no specific verse in the Bible that speaks to the angel's reaction to the resurrection but when Jesus was born there was a whole host of angels that proclaimed His birth, (Luke 2:8-10) and Jesus Himself also tells us that when one person accepts Christ as Savior there is rejoicing in Heaven (Luke 15:10).  Can you imagine what it's like to hear thousands upon thousands of angels rejoicing? Can you imagine the roar; the cheer that went up when death was defeated?  When Christ accomplished the task of redeeming us?  It's so cool to think about the perfect worship and joy we will have in Heaven.  Another line regarding Christ's return says "And I will rise among the saints, my face transfixed on Jesus' face"  What a thought!  To look into the very face of our Savior!

The second song is called "Is He Worthy" and the lyrics are taken from John's vision in Revelation chapter 5.  The song starts by asking the question posed in Revelation 5 "Who is worthy to open the scroll?" (vs 2)  in verse 4 John says he was weeping because no one in Earth was able to open it...but then in verse 5 John is told "weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has conquered, so that he can open the scroll"!  The victory belongs to Jesus...HE IS WORTHY!! Here on Earth we worship Christ but how much greater it will be to worship Him perfectly in His very presence!  

So as believers living here on Earth let us keep our focus on our home...and more importantly on the One who has conquered the grave; who has provided salvation!  "O Praise the Name of the Lord our God; O Praise His Name forevermore, for endless days we will sing Your praise, O Lord, O Lord our God"...

Tuesday Thoughts

 I love listening to podcasts; here are just a few quotes that caught my attention over the past week.  

"In the natural you see then believe; in the supernatural you believe then you see." ~ Tony Evans (in a message on the raising of Lazarus)

"If his (the devil's) lies become your "truth" you feel his feelings." ~ Tony Evans (in a message on breaking emotional strongholds)

"The primary purpose of prayer is not to get something but to know Someone." ~ David Platt (in a message on worship)

"Quit giving sin permission to do what it lacks the position to do." ~ Beth Moore (in a message on Romans 6 and how sin no longer reigns in us)

Do you enjoy listening to podcasts?

Which podcasts do you enjoy?

What messages have you heard recently that God has used to speak to specific areas of your life?

What Bible studies are you starting off 2021 with?

And of course I have to share another "new-to-me" song with you all.  The lyrics are based on Psalm 91. 

Quick lessons from Moses

As mentioned in my previous post I'm reading through the Bible again this year.  I always love how, no matter how many times I read the Bible, God reminds me of a truth or reveals something new to me.  Yesterday and today there were two passages that stood out to me.  The first was one that "hit" me last year and the second is a "new hit" this year.  :)  Yet they both speak to the same lesson God was trying to teach Moses.

The first passage is in Exodus 3:11-12 "But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be a sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."  Moses asks God "who am I?"  God reminds Moses that it's not about Moses it's about who God is; God is the One who will do the work.  What is most important is that God will be with Moses.  God then gives Moses a promise...a sign...Moses will worship God again, with the freed Israelites on that very same mountain.  

In Exodus 4:10-13 Moses again questions his ability to succeed at the task God is asking him to do.  "But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue." Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind?  Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.  But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else." God again reminds Moses that it is God who does the work, not Moses.  God equips for the tasks He sets.

Looking at the verses in Exodus 4 I noticed something interesting.  God refers to Himself as LORD, this is the English translation for the name Yahweh; while Moses refers to God as Lord, which is the English translation for Adonai.  The difference in these names is very telling about God's perspective vs. Moses perspective.  Moses uses the name/title Adonai which is a general term for lord meaning "master, one who has rule over you"  Moses recognizes that he is under God's rule but God reminds Moses of just WHO that Ruler is; Yahweh means "the one who brings into existence", I've also seen it referred to as God's covenant name because when God makes a promise in Scripture He uses the name Yahweh as the name He swears by (see Hebrews 6:13, Genesis 15:7).  God was telling Moses that He, as the promise-keeping God with all authority, would bring this freedom for the Israelites into existence.  Yahweh is the One Who equips, Yahweh gives purposes for each person.  How much greater is our God than what Moses was thinking...how often we are just like Moses; making our God small, relying on our own abilities...but that's not how God works.  He uses the weak, foolish things of this world to show how Great He is! (1 Corinthians 1) 

Psalm 139:16 Tells us that God has a purpose and plan for each of us "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them."  Just like Moses we can fall into thinking that our purpose depends on us being strong enough, good enough, "fill in the blank" enough...that God gives us a task but then is hands off.  But God says no, that's not how He works.  God will be with us every step of the way, He will equip us for whatever He has for us to do.  The most important thing is the stay in His presence and seek His guidance every step of the way.  

A bit of this and that

Just a few things on this Saturday:

1) Do you ever choose a word of the year?  I've done this the past few years and post Bible verses related to that word on a letter board I have in our entryway.  I change out the verse each month; it's a great way to keep focus on Scripture.  My "word" for 2019 was joy and for 2020 it was peace.  I've always found it interesting to see how God uses these words & verses to keep my focus on Him in circumstances throughout the year.  This past year it was especially helpful to have a verse about peace - finding peace in God - to read several times a day as I walked past the letter board.  This year the words "thankful/gratitude" are what I'm focusing on.  2020 was challenging but God also blessed in many ways and I want to remember to focus on gratitude even when things aren't the way I'd choose.

2) I've missed the past couple weeks of the Thankful Thursday posts; which is a bit ironic seeing as that's my "word".  I'm definitely thankful for much but my focus these past weeks has been on a few other offline things so I've chosen to not stress about posting.  

3) I use the Goodreads app/website to keep track of books I want to read, those I'm reading and those I have read.  It's a great resource as I can also see what friends are reading or what they thought of a particular book.  Here is my summary of what books I read in 2020: Books of 2020 .  Another feature that I love about Goodreads is that if there is a book my kids want to read we can check reviews on Goodreads to see if it's any good or if there is anything inappropriate in the book. 

4) Last year I shared that I was reading through the Bible using a Historical Sequence plan.  I truly enjoyed reading it that way and am planning to repeat that plan sometime in the future.  This year a friend mentioned she was using a plan that has you read through the Bible in the Tanakh order.  The Tanakh is the traditional Jewish order for the Old Testament organizing the books into three sections: the Law, Prophets and Writings.  So I'm trying that plan this year.  No matter how you read the Bible, whether cover to cover, studying a particular book or topic the important this is to be in the Bible each day!  

5) Your turn:  What books are you reading or hoping to read in 2021?  What are your plans for Bible reading?  Do you choose a "word" for each year?  

6) Another "new-to-me" song I wanted to share: I'm so thankful that there is Never a Time when God is not God and is not with us...