The Lord knows how to reach us, in a place that NO ONE else can. Why? Because HE is the greatest GIFT. He is the ONLY one who can separate the TRUTH from the lies. He is the ONLY one who will never ever despise us. That is a fact, if you can believe nothing else, BELIEVE that you are LOVED.
The enemy cannot love. Because he never received the love. It was because he rejected the love, that he was ejected out of Heaven. God did not fail to love him, but satan failed to receive it. Was this a shock to God? No. Because, He knows everything.
He wasn’t sitting around wondering, “How did that happen?” So, we have to keep THAT in mind when walking through this earth journey. That WE do have a choice. When Adam and Eve fell for the trap the enemy set? Was this a shock? NO, not to God it wasn’t.
Why did JESUS come? It is very simple. One word, REDEMPTION. It really says it all. He came in the form of a baby. Why? Because He is God’s son. WE come in the from of a baby, because WE are His children. But, like the enemy, we have a choice to receive the lineage of heaven.
His heart is being poured out before the world, like NEVER before. So, do you want to continue playing russian roulette, by being half way in? I, for one, do NOT. I want to be ALL in, or nothing. Because, choosing HIS path leads me home to heaven. Choosing anything else, leads only to destruction.
People argue about hell, they argue about the trinity. But, what NO ONE can argue about is the LOVE of God. I have seen it first hand, how much GOD LOVES us. I receive it more every day. I have a renewed JOY and HOPE, the more I receive it. Why settle for less?
God is not a respector of person’s. He LOVES everyone. But, despite the fact, that HE LOVES without question, so many reject HIM and HIS unending and undying and unfailing LOVE. Jesus is the way to the heavenly Father. The gift given to us, after Jesus ascended was the Holy Spirit. Does that mean Jesus’s spirit left? No. Because He is GOD His spirit can be here and in heaven. Because we are His chosen people, WE can LIVE from Heaven.
How awesome is that??? Are you willing to give UP what you consider your greatest gifts? Because then you can GO UP and you will receive even MORE. HIS LOVE is the gift that keeps on giving. Like the energizer bunny, it never EVER runs out of power. NOT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 Corinthians 13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [a]as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers ([b]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or[c]in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchyor fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when rightand truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy ([d]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].
9 For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
10 But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete andimperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.
12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as [e]in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand [f]fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been [g]fully and clearly known and understood [[h]by God].
13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
LOOK at HOW much GOD CARES about YOU. He sent HIS son not ONLY to DIE for you, but BE BORN for YOU, and RESURRECTED FOR YOU. What is the greatest gift? LOVE. How did it arrive? IN the form of a baby.
Side note : ) A few pictures were posted here. WE encourage you to comment on the pictures, or if you have questions or encouragement. God bless you greatly. Praying He brings you ALL Heaven.
In our lives this happened too. Where God uses a child, or children. It keeps happening, over and OVER because GOD has won, and VICTORY is certain. Receive HIS LOVE and drink from HIS Heavenly CUP today.
After days of crying out to God silently, today I was just listening. I am NOT a huge fan of quiet. But, today ALL the things that make noise became silent. I heard, “I LOVE you.” I was really frustrated. It is NOT like I was thrilled to hear this. Even though, I should have been. But, the TRUTH is, I wanted to scream. I wanted to shake my fist at God at yell. I wanted to say, “HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME?” But, I just said, “Thank you.”
God’s LOVE is NOT always like a beautiful spring shower. Sometimes HIS Love is painful to receive. This is why many people deny HIS LOVE. To receive LOVE the way GOD intends, it takes getting struck by HIS Golden rod. When God is talking about not sparring the rod, this is part of what He is referring to. Jesus is our lighting rod.
A lightening rod is a grounded metallic structure set up to protect an object from being damaged by lightening.
Jesus is our lightening rod, a GOLDEN ROD to protect us from the WAYS of the world. God never tells us that we will not have struggles. He said, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.” He is our place of refuge. Our help in times of trials. The word of God says, “Our present help in time of need” is the LORD.
When do WE need God? Always.
How do WE LOVE GOD? Many ways.
How does GOD LOVE us? EVERY way.
Let me explain…. WE always need God’s help. Do WE always ASK for HIS help? Sometimes, WE don’t have words to speak, and thankfully HE reads and SEES our heart. God loves us in so many ways. There is NOT just one way to be LOVED. But, there is ONLY one way to get to the Heavenly Father, and that way is JESUS.
Most of us were raised in homes where there was one way to do something. If we tried to suggest another way, it was almost always shut down. Because, everyone believed that the way that they were taught was correct. So, naturally when we say something, and get shut down, then WE shut up. But, God never shoots us down. No matter what happens, God elevates us and encourages us.
He is the ONLY one who can constantly build us up. God can fulfill every single need. He CAN do it instantly. But, rarely does this happen. The reason why is, because if God was a vending machine God, WE would never appreciate what we receive when it came. Each gift is precious and special. WE are a gift to God.
If HE is our lightening ROD perhaps in some sense WE are HIS. God really does need us. The relationship is suppose to be united. WE are supposed to realize at some point how special WE are to HIM. Now, this may seem a bit repetitive, but HERE is the point WE fulfill a DEEP need for God. Why did He create us? Well, WE were created to LOVE and BE LOVED. God actually SEES us an individual masterpieces, that are put together to create a WHOLE.
Don’t you see? HE makes us WHOLE It is HIS LOVE alone that breaks us down and FEEDS us to the multitudes. What was it that cause food to multiply with the feeding of the 5,000? It is and WAS His LOVE that was the ingredient then and NOW. It is NOT a secret in and of it self. But, it is a VERY special ingredient. If WE do not choose to let GOD add it, then the recipe is simply incomplete.
WE are not garbage, yet the world makes us feel like it. The god of this world has a task. That task is to destroy us. The GOD of heaven has a job as well. It is to HEAL us. To deliver us from evil, and to teach US to walk in the freedom of our HOME. I was thinking about what HOME means. I have heard, it is where the heart is. So, to ME home is JESUS. It is everywhere I go that HE is. Because when HE is present, so is the HEAVenLY Father, and the HOLY spirit. It is a safe place, where even thought the GOLDEN Rod does NOT always feel like sunshine and roses, it produces them. Along with rainbows, new breeds of flowers, and precious jewels that no one has seen, are Heaven’s treasures.
Will be coming back tomorrow to add more photos and scriptures. 🙂 Love to you ALL.
So, here is the question? Who do you let beat you? What do you let tame you? Is it the LOVE of God? Because God has a requirement for HIS babies. It is very simple. He wants us to be REAL. If we get too religious, WE will be a turn off. He wants us NOT to compromise with the world, but to be a LIGHT and a JOY through HIM and the LOVE that shines through. So will YOU allow the LORD JESUS this day to use HIS Golden ROD to make you a new?
After a week of being unplugged with Jesus, I learned a few things. I realized that I am VERY thankful for HIS Grace. I am grateful to GOD for our family. Tough LOVE is hard to give and at times hard to take. I was thinking about a song that represented what took place. The one that first played on the radio is called “Here.”
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/karijobe/here.html
“Here”
Come and rest here
Come and lay your burdens down
Come and rest here
There is refuge for you now
[Pre-Chorus:]
You’ll find His peace
And know you’re not alone anymore
He is near
You’ll find His healing
You’re heart isn’t shattered anymore
He is here
[Chorus:]
Breathe in
Breathe out
You will
You will find Him here
[Bridge:]
I will rest in You
[Outro:]
You will find Him
You will find Him here
You will find Him
You will find Him here
As I walked through this time with God. It was NOT easy. You would think that just sitting before God would be a piece of cake. But, this time ALL HELL seemed to break loose around me. I remembered when my mom was alive. I recalled her shutting herself in her room. I never considered back then, that she was having time with God. But, I bet she was trying to. I have a great deal of respect for my mom. In fact, more each day as I am blessed to mother. Mom loved being a mom, but often had trouble connecting to us. When I first became a mom, I struggled with the same thing.
It is funny to me how God heals us. He often takes us back to the toughest times in our lives. At that point, He reveals what could have been done differently. Then, He gives us a chance to do so. It isn’t funny in a hahaha kind of way. It is more interesting and a fascination to me. I thought about my mother a lot. Many times, I felt her watching over me. Both of my parents have gone home to Heaven, and many of our children. I say this, to share that the MOTHER has a specific responsibility. She is the matriarch of the family.
Full Definition of MATRIARCH
: a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state; specifically: a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants
The Father has a specific responsibility as well. He is the Patriarch.
Full Definition of PATRIARCH
1
a: one of the scriptural fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people
b: a man who is father or founder
c (1): the oldest member or representative of a group (2): a venerable old man
a: any of the bishops of the ancient or Eastern Orthodox sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem or the ancient and Western see of Rome with authority over other bishops
b: the head of any of various Eastern churches
c: a Roman Catholic bishop next in rank to the pope with purely titular or with metropolitan jurisdiction
3
: a Mormon of the Melchizedek priesthood empowered to perform the ordinances of the church and pronounce blessings within a stake or prescribed jurisdiction
See patriarch defined for English-language learners
The first word matriarch, I heard A LOT. The second word, I practically NEVER heard. I was led to seek God for the word for the man, or Father. In my family growing up, my mother ran the house. Dad battled being passive aggressive. Well, they both did to some degree. Mom had a lot of fear about things getting done. She tried to bring order. But, my dad always felt like she was trying to undercut him. He would look to other things to fulfill his desire to lead. The choices were NOT always wise ones. He spoke death a lot, and really did not realize just how many curses were affecting us as a family.
Mom tried very hard at EVERYTHING she did. In fact, I believe she went home early, in part, because she threw herself into every thing she attempted. I’m not saying giving your ALL is bad, but not letting JESUS do through us, is always destructive long term. Sometimes as a wife and mom, we are called to have tough conversations. It is NOT always a fun thing to do, and WE do NOT desire to be holy spirit to anyone. Having said that, my parents battled talking AT each other, and not TO each other.
I was reflecting on this scripture today.
Ecclesiastes 3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,
3 A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
7 A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,
8 A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What profit remains for the worker from his toil?
10 I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to get anddo good as long as they live;
13 And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
14 I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is].
15 That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself].
16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice there was wickedness, and that in the place of righteousness wickedness was there also.
17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time [appointed] for every matter and purpose and for every work.
18 I said in my heart regarding the subject of the sons of men, God is trying (separating and sifting) them, that they may see that by themselves [under the sun, without God] they are but like beasts.
19 For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even [in the end] one thing befalls them both. As the one dies, so dies the other. Yes, they all have one breath and spirit, so that a [a]man has no preeminence over a beast; for all is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!
20 All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21 Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?
22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his portion. For who shall bring him back to see what will happen after he is gone?
Particularly a time to plant, and a time to reap. Because, there are seasons where we must let God’s seed bring Harvest. It is NOT always going to look as WE expect it to. A great example is when we pray. IF, we are praying God’s will, then WE must let HIM move as He sees fit. So, when we have the hard conversations, WE must do so in LOVE and not be offended, no matter the responses.
The title of this entry is Restored, Replaced, and Resurrected. I was given this title weeks ago. I had no idea the direction God had planned to take this. He wanted to focus on partnership, and how HIS desire is for the man to be the head of the house, but for the house to be run in unity. My husband wanted to know why, when He tried to instill order in the house, only chaos seemed to be present. I mentioned to him, that it is because WE re used to chaos. Order seems like unfamiliar territory at first. But, it won’t forever.
In order to be RESTORED, complete and total surrender is needed. In order for GOD to replace He has to have been given the OLD. In order for Resurrection to occur, death must have shown it’s face. Do you notice each sentence begins with IN ORDER? God’s order does not look like ours. When we REST in HIM and with HIM, we will slowly begin to unravel the chaos. It happens with JESUS. If it happens without HIM, disorder inevitably will ensue.
One thing interesting about my parents. My mother went first. My dad stuck around 14 more years. For a long time, he felt guilty that mom went home before him. But, little by little, despite the chaos, God’s order took root. He was a great dad. He faithfully prayed for us. But, he got few accolades on this side of Heaven. He struggled with being a husband. I believe his battle with disease came from often feeling inadequate. When I was younger, I remember pornography being strewn about openly. No one knew how much of an open door that was. But GOD. In His time, HE would reveal it.
The amazing thing about GOD is He does not care how many times we fall, doubt, or skin our knees. He just cares that WE let HIM LOVE us. My dad was a Godly man. Especially in the end, I can say the example of Jesus in him shined. The day dad went home was the 24th. Biblically that represents the ROYAL priesthood. My dad got his Glorious crown, and ORDER was restored by God. Did it look as I expected? Well, no. In a perfect world, I wanted my mom and dad to see our children and grandchildren. They will, but, NOT as I expected. But, it can’t be wrong, because HIS plans never are.
Recently, I had something earth shattering happen. I’m not going to be too specific. But, suffice it to say, it was like a nuclear bomb, and it was the closets I have ever had to a breakdown. I found myself looking to God and asking “HUH??? After ALL of this? Seriously???” It ROCKED by FAITH to the VERY core, and to be honest it broke me. Most are going to think I am referring to the death of our daughter Sarah. But, I am not. In fact, I had begun to make great strides in healing from that. Then, something else came at me.
I realized my mother had a similar battle. She kept quiet a lot, and internalized too. Me, I have never been fond of quiet for various reasons. But, suddenly I found myself just unable to speak again. I felt that way when our daughter died, and actually when my mother Sarah died too. Maybe even when dad died, I struggled with voicing my words. But, this was related to something else. It was about someone I LOVE dearly, and a betrayal to God. It was NOT against me, but it definitely did and does affect me. So, I had a choice to make. If I internalized it, then it could kill me. THAT was NOT an option.
When I did speak, it was often from pain. Most that don’t know the difference, either don’t know me well, understand, or haven’t yet been taught that discernment. Pain, can be demonic and evil. But, it can also be a gift. For the first time, David and I were given the gift of expressing our pain. We ended up just sitting at the feet of Jesus together ultimately. Sometimes in a marriage, we fight each other. Other times we fight God, or ourselves. We have been married almost 9 years. But, what we have encountered in that short time, some NEVER ever do.
That is a blessing in some ways, yet an obstacle in others. But, the point is that GOD is not just the center. He is the whole kit and caboodle in our marriage. He is EVERYTHING. Which means when we can’t speak, He alone connects us and our family together. Even when almost EVERYONE, if NOT EVERYONE has a desire to RUN AWAY. For us, we have realized that, as long as WE are united still, that leaving is NOT an option.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, …
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
So, who and what unites you? In fact, what TIES you together? Because if it is NOT His LOVE, than the ties will eventually break. ONLY His LOVE heals. In HIM we do NOT have to FEAR the storms of LIFE. We can ride upon the waves. Even when WE are hidden inside the wave. It is SAFE there. Because REST in present no matter how WE feel. His LOVE is REAL.
I charge you to seek God for Restoration, Replacement and Resurrection in your homes, families, and lives. Because, one thing I will say is, God NEVER fails. When our faith in HIM is tested, and HIS faith in US is tested WE will pass, with a rainbow of promise as the flying colors. His GLORY is awaiting your surrender. The JOY is just on the other side. One step at a time, choose to heal. It takes courage, but the GLORY of God will multiply.
I am so thankful for the faithful to HIM. I am grateful to God for the prayers, the love, the mothering, the fathering, and the HEAVEN that so many are being used to pray into our lives. Bless them LORD with abundant Heaven. IJN
For days I have just been sitting with God and reflecting. The rain has been falling, and it has been Heavenly. Not, that it has always felt that way, but GOD. I was wondering about understanding HIS Glory more. He says He will take us from Glory, to Glory, to Glory. What does this mean?
Glory is a celebration. It is formed in the deepest darkest places, and through surrender of the most difficult circumstances and suffering. The birth of GLORY often takes much surrender, time,energy, and release.
Looking at HIS word, WE see that the GLORY embodies, entails and encompasses a lot of ground.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood …
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. …
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; …
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
Ascribe to the Lord, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship theLord in the splendor of holiness;
Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them,
Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, …
And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. …
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken theLord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. …
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. …
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” …
Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. …
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
I was reminded that GLORY is not about our perfection. It IS about the perfection of GOD, and HIS perfect LOVE that heals us. It is the LOVE of GOd that drives away the enemy. ONLY the LOVE of GOd can reach in and pull someone out of a pit.
Recently, I was asked to speak at a dear brother’s event. I really was not sure about it. But, as I prayed, I kept getting more peace. So, the time approached, and I was under heavy fire. I was not feeling my best, but I pushed through. By His Grace alone, God moved.
While we were there, I was in worship, in the audience. I was waiting to be called up to participate. All of the sudden, the Lord interrupted my worship. I sensed, I needed to ask the woman behind me for something. I could tell she wanted to cling to JEsus. Her children were having trouble sitting still. I never thought I could miss that. But, dear friends, I absolutely do miss it.
I did not know this woman, and I really like to respect people’s time to worship God. However, the holy spirit kept prompting me to ask her something. I asked her if one of her children could sit with me. She graciously agreed. Her precious daughter came and sat with me. she received with JOY the tender hugs and kisses on the forehead. I received the gift of the presence of HEAVEN.
I had explained gently to the mother, that our daughter had passed into Heaven completely in 2013. It is still so hard to wrap my head around that fact. Not to mention, how much of a challenge it is to my heart. But God. He saw my heart, and encouraged me to be courageous to ask for my need to be met.
I am so grateful I did. God used that time with this precious JOY child. He prepared me for going up to speak. Heaven fell, and the GLORY showered us all. It was so incredibly beautiful. 🙂
No one will tell you that the GLORY of God is easy. If they do, then walk away, and fast. The life God has given us is meant to be challenging at times. Because, it is in those times, that WE fully rely and depend on GOD alone. No one else can give us what HE does.
To look at the definition of Glory is interesting.
Full Definition of GLORY
1
a: praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent :renown
b: worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving <giving glory to God>
2
a: something that secures praise or renown <the glory of a brilliant career>
b: a distinguished quality or asset
3
a (1): great beauty and splendor :magnificence<the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome — E. A. Poe>(2): something marked by beauty or resplendence <a perfect glory of a day>
b: the splendor and beatific happiness of heaven; broadly:eternity
4
a: a state of great gratification or exaltation <when she’s acting she’s in her glory>
As a young soldier he dreamed of winning military glory.
He now has only a few trophies to remind him of the glory of his athletic career.
Let us give glory to God.
The glory of the town is its fountain.
an art exhibit showing off the glories of ancient civilizations
The new owners are trying to restore the company to its former glory.
The beautiful art reminds us of the glory of the empire.
Origin of GLORY
Middle English glorie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latingloria
First Known Use: 14th century
God wants us to choose HIS ways in full, not part. He will NOT settle for half way. Are you willing to go with HIM? To the darkest places and most desolate and to HELL when necessary. Will you be used to rescue and save? Can JESUS move through you? He is requesting full access.
I would NOT want to be someone not knowing HIM in this hour. He loves even the unbelievers, but the LOVE is going to show up in ways that look strange to others indeed. Because, GOD disciplines those He loves.
I receive HIS Glory shower. No matter the pain and suffering. It is worth it to LOVE, and be LOVED by my incredible, awe inspriring, and unrelentless GLORIOUS KING.
The Lord knows how to reach us, in a place that NO ONE else can. Why? Because HE is the greatest GIFT. He is the ONLY one who can separate the TRUTH from the lies. He is the ONLY one who will never ever despise us. That is a fact, if you can believe nothing else, BELIEVE that you are LOVED.
