Not The Last

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.’”  Revelation 21:1-3

Well, Thanksgiving is over.  Throughout this month I’ve heard and read so many declarations of thankfulness.  Although I read them with delight, I did not really feel led to join in their declarations.  I didn’t know why, but I didn’t, so I was content with reading and hearing those of others.  

As I reflect on why I did not join in on the listing of the blessings of others, I came to realize that, while the showers of God’s blessings to me during my time on earth are wonderful, the blessing that I seemed to be focusing on was not one that I would receive in the land of the living here on earth.  My greatest gift from the Lord is yet to come.... that of living with Him in Heaven forever and ever.  As His child I get to reside in His Holy Presence and I never have to leave it.  I will remain at the foot of His Throne always.  I will worship Him with all heart and praise Him always.  Oh, the joy of all these things! 

Although I know that “it’s not my turn” to enter the Presence for God forever yet, knowing that this gift will be mine one day gives me hope... hope that this world is not my ultimate destination.  I will one day take my last earthly breath and be ushered into the glorious Presence of my Lord.  Knowing that makes all the joys, trials, tribulations and temptations of this earth bearable.  Yes, the best is yet to come and I am thankful.  Praise the Lord from Whom all blessings flow.  

Who But God?

As I sit here feeling absolutely horrible physically and my sweet husband is in the other room feeling absolutely horrible physically as well, who but God could have brought me to the point of being thankful that we have not made our move to Arkansas yet?  Who but God could have delayed the selling of our home so that we would be better able to help care for my Daddy when we do get there?  Who but God could have given me such a grateful heart for His NOT doing what I so long for Him to do?  Yes, He will move us to Arkansas... He has promised me that in His Word... but it will not be done until it is HIS perfect timing and HIS perfect timing will come when He so desires.  At that point in time we will be able to fulfill those needs... for Daddy’s benefit and at a level that we can physically handle.  Who but God?????  Absolutely no one. 

As the song says... the longer I serve Him, the sweeter it is.  His love, mercy, goodness, kindness and faithfulness is showered upon me and mine and it humbles me again and again.  What a loving, personal, compassionate God I serve.  He knows just what is best for me and He knows when to bring it to pass.  Who else could do that?  Absolutely no one.  He amazes me... and I love Him more each day.  Thank You, Lord, for making me Your own.  Once again I’m speechless.

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways’, declares the Lord.  ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”  Isaiah 55:8-9 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Satisfied

“I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens.”  Philippians 4:11

Philippians 4:11 has been my prayer for a long time.  It is my desire to be content in all circumstances, but lately I’ve realized that I am not content in my health problems.  I want to feel better, but I feel considerably worse and my health seems to be getting worse all the time.  I find myself whining a lot to the Lord in my “misery”.  I just can’t stay this way and have cried out to the Lord for more of His grace so that I indeed can be satisfied in my health and all other circumstances in my life, especially the challenging ones.  I know He has a plan and I desperately want to follow that plan.  I simply cannot do it without His grace to carry me through it all.  I don’t want to do it all without His grace.  I CAN’T do any of it without Him and His all-sufficient grace.  Oh, Lord, help....

“I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13

He is the One Who will carry me through.  He is the One Who will give me the strength and stamina to persevere.  He alone.  I will trust in Him.  I can’t do it any other way.  I will be crushed if I try.  Lord, be glorified in it all.  

Praying...

“but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”  Hebrews 7:24-25

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.”  James 5:13

Lately I’ve been thinking about praying.  So many prayers needed recently.  So many cries to our Lord on behalf of others and very difficult situations.  So many pleas for the deliverance and redemption of things that He alone can bring to pass.  I find myself prostrate before His throne of mercy and grace so that He is mightily glorified in all these circumstances that I bring before Him.  Such a humbling place to be.  I once again realize how powerless I am and how powerful God is.  When I think of the impossibility of effecting change in any of these lives and situations myself, I again realize how much I am “dust” and how merciful and loving the Lord is.  Praise God for His faithfulness to hear my prayers and answer them in His perfect way and timing.  Comprehending Him and His ways in hearing our hearts and acting mightily on our behalf is overwhelming to me.  

Then I remember that Jesus is always interceding for His children.  ALWAYS.  Forever and ever.  He never tires of going to His Father for our benefit.  It is amazingly and overwhelmingly humbling to think of Him and such a great love that can never change.  We can do nothing to “make” Him love us more or less.  Out of His unconditional perfect love He always intercedes for us so that we may, in the end, be made more like Him.  It makes me speechless when I think about it all.  

I am so very thankful that the Lord loves us in spite of who we are and what we do.  I am so very grateful that He never leaves nor forsakes His children.  And He prays for us.  Oh, how He prays for us.  Just one more of His most amazing gifts to those who have put their trust in Him as their personal Savior.  Thank You, Lord, from the bottom of my heart that loves you more each day.  I love You too, Lord.