The Hand of God

Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. Isaiah 48:13

As I was reading last night in Isaiah, this particular verse seemed to jump off the page at me. . it was as if the Holy Spirit wanted me to pause there and really get something extra special. But I had just read verse 12 which says: Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. The Lord used that verse to prepare me for verse 13.

Look at verse 12 again. He wants us to HEARKEN unto Him. Has He asked you (or "called you") to do something that seems to be a bit out of your comfort zone? He is The One that has been before the beginning of time. He knows the first from the last! He's already in each of our tomorrows.

A Watchful Night, A Hopeful Morning

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising...Psalm 139:2a

I woke up this morning. . .before I even got out of bed, the first thing I thought was, "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising." As I tried to muster the strength to SIT up on the side of the bed and search for the desire and strength to move on with another day, the Lord brought that verse to my mind. 

I imagined the Lord having watched me all night----as soon as I awoke and began to stir, there He was, perking up, smiling, and feeling such a deep love for me.   He was actually glad to see me awaken.  It was the strangest feeling or thought. . .but I realize it's true.  He really does love me.  He does that very same thing with ALL of His children. He watches us..and actually anticipates our waking... watching for us to stir, knowing He has something special planned for us in this new day. . and He longs for us to be happy and sense His love for us. . . and He longs for us to return the love and attention back to Him. 

Looking up....

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  Colossians 3:1-3

Thinking about some recent lessons, specifically how we are to let Christ rise in and through us before we speak to others (Mark 9:9  And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.) I couldn't help but notice a common theme in lessons the Lord is showing me.  When I read Colossians 3:1-3, it's almost as if He began "Part II" of  "Wait for the Son to Rise."  Well, we are of course to be "dead to sin."  That is:  our sinful nature is to be crucified with Christ on that cross.  We do this daily...by waking up, saying, "Father, I identify my sinful nature with Christ's atoning work on the cross...and today I nail this deadly sinful nature on the cross..please replace this sinful nature with Your Son's today..."  And bingo!   The Holy Spirit's power has been ignited again---just like a car:  Turn the key, crank that motor and ...BAM...you're out of the driveway.   We are now "Risen with Christ."  

SO...if that's the case...we are to "Seek those things which are above...."  What are we to seek?  Better jobs?  Fancy cars?   Don't know 'bout you, but if I look up, I surely don't want to find a big corporation or corvette dangling in mid-air above my head, about ready to DROP on me!  LOL   Seriously, though...we are to seek Christ.  For He is sitting at the right hand of the Father.   We are essentially engaged to Christ.  God the Father has given us HIS BEST when He gave us His Son, Jesus.  And we are soon to be married to Him.  Surely we should seek to know HIM better, while He is up there preparing our future home!  My heart, my affection, my love is set upon Him....and what's wonderful and yet mysterious is His heart, love, affection, His ALL, is set right back on me!

Oh, to know You more, dear Jesus.  And now...as I am looking UP, seeking Your face, I know exactly where to find it...in Your Word!  You've sent me a wonderful love letter. . .You are telling me how much You love me, what You're doing now in preparation for our "Big Day."  You encourage me to be faithful while I wait.....You've even given me Your Spirit...breathing new life in me each day!   I am so glad that I don't have to spend all my life "Finding Myself" as others tend to do...because I know where I am!  I am HIDDEN in YOU!   Thank You for wrapping Your strong, yet tender and loving arms around me this morning!  Please do the same for all of us!  In Your lovely name, Amen.

How to Fix a Fearful Heart

Okay....it's Saturday when I'm writing this...and to be awaken to the news of yet another powerful earthquake that struck, with a possible tsunami to follow just made my heart sink.  *sigh*   More Bad News.   

I know the Lord is reminding us that He is the One in control, and I really believe He's trying to get our attention.   He's coming soon.  No doubt.   The news of His arrival being announced by the blast of the trumpet SHOULD BE a welcome relief for God's children.   But honestly, how do you feel when you think of the rapture taking place?  Is this honestly something you are looking forward to?  
Does this give your heart a sense of peace and longing for His return ~OR~ do you feel a sense of impending D O O M???

I guess it all depends on the condition of our heart..and whether or not we are truly saved.   How's our relationship with Him been going lately??    Are we busy about the Master's Business, building His kingdom ~OR~ are we busy about our OWN business by building up a beautiful sand castle that is about to be washed away by an enormous tsunami!?!?  

He added a "P.S."

If you read the previous blog, you're aware that the Lord gave me an opportunity to speak today to my church family regarding the darkness of depression and discouragement in a Christian's life.   In yesterday's blog are the notes from what He gave me to share. 

Even though I knew this message was definitely from Him for someone else, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing.  I talked with the Lord about this... "Lord, yes, this may lift up the spirit of someone in church, but what about lifting YOU UP?  I want to lift YOU UP, Lord."    Well, as I was drying my hair last night, just before one in the morning, and going over the thoughts for today, the Lord gently "tapped me on the shoulder" and said, "I've got a little 'P.S.' I'd like to add."  And that's when He told me, "I too have had a veil of darkness pulled over Me...while on the cross at Calvary.  Our Father pulled the veil of darkness over Me too.  But this was even darker, and deeper than any one else will ever have to experience."  And that's when He began to really show me that whenever He deals with us, His motivation is ALWAYS IN LOVE. . .even His rebuke or discipline is always motivated by His love for us.   But, when Christ was on the cross, and our Heavenly Father pulled that veil of darkness over Him, Christ did not experience the Love of God... NO!  He experienced the WRATH of God....something that we will never have to experience.  THANK YOU, FATHER!!  THANK YOU, JESUS!  THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT, FOR REVEALING THIS TO ME!