Soon and very soon!

     Sometimes, when I think about Christ's return and eternity, it seems so distant and surreal...and yet, I long for it more every day. I get goosebumps thinking about laying my crowns at the feet of Jesus(!!!). The longer I'm in this world, the more I learn of hurts, tragedies, abuse, neglect, sorrow, injustices, the more I can't wait for it to all be over. Isaiah tells of the wonders of the new heavens and new earth (chapter 65, verses 17-25):

     “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people;  my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD."

     "The sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more" - oh, how wonderful that will be. I stumbled across a couple of really neat songs about this; one just tonight, the other a few months ago. The first is "Soon" by Hillsong United/Brooke Fraser, the second "Heaven Song" by Phil Wickham.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI8G5ToRXKU&feature=related

     ...Does my heart know him well?

     I will be with the One I love / there my soul will be satisfied....

     My sin erased, my shame forgotten...soon and very soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQVQaERVric&feature=related

     My soul is getting restless for the place where I belong...

     "Well done, My child, enter in and rest."

     In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul writes of our heavenly dwelling...."Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. ...We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (1-10, 20b, 21)

     "Oh what a day that will be, when we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!" "Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!" ... there are so many songs/hymns written about the return of Christ/heaven. I've noticed that the last verse of many hymns has to do with the topic, as well. ...It's because "we groan and are burdened...and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." Amen!! This world is so...shallow, empty, lacking, and heaven is the opposite! Deep, full, and far more than enough!! Brother, sister, be encouraged! Be confidant and "long for His appearing."

"pray and be patient"

The other night a dear friend and I were talking, discussing life and all of its ups and downs. She shared with me a nugget of wisdom that has been on repeat in my mind since: "pray and be patient." I'm so thankful, both for her as a kindred friend, and for the piece of wisdom she passed on - it's solid advice for any area of life, whatever stage of life you're in. I thought I'd check the Scriptures and see what they had to say about these two subjects - I was not disappointed (and I hope you won't be either)!


-Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:15-16)
-But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. (Another translation of v. 16)
-During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Hebrews 5:7)

And patience. Oh, patience. Most people who know me well would agree that I'm not a very patient person. I think of something that needs to be done, and I want to drop what I'm doing and complete that new task straight away. A bit of a problem, when life doesn't usually function well that way. But, as usual, Scripture has an answer (praises be!); actually, several of them!

-Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7)
-Of David. A psalm. I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1)
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. (Proverbs 14:29)
-A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18)
-Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Corinthians 13:4) (ouch; what does my love for others look like?)
-Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2) - ironically, when I went to bible gateway to type in "patient", this was the verse of the day. Funny how that works. ;)
-And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) - just studied this verse in class on Friday!
-And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (Hebrews 6:15) - Wow. It's true; he waited, unwavering in his faith, for a number of years - and God rewarded his eventual patience.
-The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9). This makes my heart ache with gratitude.
-Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:7-11)
[I found some more on prayer :) ]
-Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ...confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:13, 16)
-Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)


[The list goes on and on. I'm so thankful for Scripture and its relevancy to life. It's not just a stuffy old history book that only "church people" can read. It's real-life stuff that is pertinent and relevant to any person in any time in any circumstance. Words can't describe my gratitude!]

One of the cool things about "pray and be patient" is that it's directly related to trust - twofold! Prayer is trusting that God is faithful; that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). Patience is the same...relying on God, trusting that His timing is better than mine. O, how thankful I am for that!!

I hope and pray that this encourages you to "pray and be patient" in life...whatever the circumstance, whatever the pain and difficulty, whatever the joy and hope.

'Tis so sweet...

   This morning I read Psalm 16, since today is the sixteenth day of the month. And, it's quite possible that it is my new favorite Psalm. Maybe even chapter in the whole Bible. Lately, I've had an especially hard time trusting God with my future - both near and far, in the big things and in the minutia. It's easy to get into the mindset of, "It's my life, I'll act the way I want." But that's the way the world thinks. I mean, really; just watch a commercial break during your favorite tv show. It's nearly inescapable. The world doesn't have any concept of trusting someone else for your "destiny" or future. But we do!! And that's what I've been wrestling with lately. The spirit is so very willing, but the flesh is oh so weak. It's easy to pray for help to surrender and trust in our loving Father, only to find myself worrying about this, that or the next thing just a few minutes later, as though I had never prayed to the most trustworthy Friend I could ever have.

   As a friend recently posted on facebook, echoing my own thoughts: Scripture is so refreshing and uplifting. In reading in the Psalms this morning, I was so comforted. I was gently and unwaveringly assured that I can trust my God with the life He gave me. 

     "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy one see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

   When Christ was in the garden, he prayed, "Not my will, but thine be done." Oh, that this would be my constant prayer! 

   A couple of days ago the hymn "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" came to mind, and I haven't been able to get it out since (not that I want to :) ); the above passage and the old hymn are a good pair. I hope and pray they bless you as they've blessed me. :)

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

   [Casting Crowns' version of the hymn: 

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DdgkvnsHjM]

   Any discussion on this topic cannot go without mentioning Jeremiah 29; so, to close, verses 11-13. I pray these verses of Scripture and song encourage your heart.

    

   "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

New Beginnings, New Purposes

   Just a heads up to anyone who finds themselves reading this: it's my first time blogging, so please be patient with me. :) I've thought of starting one several times over the years, but never got around to it. Since it's the beginning of a new year, I figured now was as good of a time as any. The purpose of this blog is to share the journey of my pursuit to be more Christlike - in my thoughts, attitudes, actions, words, etc. Although I've been on this journey for a number of years (a decade and a half, now that I think of it...my goodness!), I decided that I'm going to be very intentional about my relationship with the Lord this year. I've come to realize, really and truly, that nothing matters more in this world. While many other things have real importance, this takes priority.
   Once I go back to school next week, I don't know how often I'll be able to post; for now, the goal is at least once a week. The plan is to share encouragements I've received from my devotional times with the Lord, any pertinent life lessons I've learned, and anything else that is relevant to the title of the blog (if I don't hold myself to that, who knows what you'll end up reading.) The hope is to, in turn, encourage and build up anyone who cares to read what the Lord lays on my heart to share.

   To close, a passage from Isaiah that I have cherished these last several months.

"Listen to me, ...you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ...Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness. I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel." (46:3-4, 8-13)