(written July 30, 2003 at Mcferrin’s Revival)
My heart is swelling
Because Jesus saved
The Holy Spirit indwelling
One moment, I feel as if I could float
By your sacrifice, precious blood, I gloat
Another moment my soul feels like a hungry rock
It’s heavy
My hand
Barely has strength to pen
My thoughts
If you would do as you ought
We could both feel a greater peace
For me, rejoice
Just to hear a new babe’s voice
For you—
The world’s greatest gift
Salvation
Peace deep within
Victory wins
Nailed is your sin
To the Cross
You shall never be lost
Again
Please listen my friend
Pay attention
The preacher is preaching…
The Holy Spirit beckoning…
A trembling heart
You can’t just believe in part
Surrender it all
On your knees please fall
Call out to my Savior
He’s waiting
Why stand debating?
You know something’s wrong
On Him, you long
Don’t stand in pride?!
You never can hide
You’re naked
Your heart is exposed—
Through your flesh
Sin and God
Does not mesh
You must choose
Jesus
Why do you want to loose?
You’re lost
What does this cost?
A broken and a contrite heart
Repentance
Faith
Trusting only in His grace
Works will not suffice
Money, precious stones, are not enough for this price
You have to realize
I have no hope, turn thy eyes
To Jesus
Come unto Him
Just are you are
Vulnerable
A sinner
Alone
No home
I
Guilty
So filthy
Shaking hands and quivering heart, black
Don’t fight back
Listen
His love beckons
Mercy and Hope
A new life in moments, seconds
They all want you
What will you do?
Trample his blood
This gets you unquenchable fire
Never more a flood
God has promised
He wants to save
Before the foundation of the world
He made a way
Why do you stand and sway?
The thief on the left
Or on the right
Choose Paradise tonight
On Him call
Fall
Give up your mind, emotion, and will
From Satan, your own soul, steal
I want you to go with me
I’m heaven bound
A sinner, I am, God’s Son found
Please heed
You have the deepest need
A born again experience
It only makes sense.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Aromatherapy
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16b)
Do certain smells catch your attention? Have you ever waked up in your home to the aroma of fresh ground coffee brewing? What about the smells you encounter when visiting a friends home for dinner? If your home is like mine, my wife wants everything clean and candles burning as visitors come over. The first impression is always hard to overcome. Do you ever like going to Starbucks to smell the coffee, the mall to be invigorated by the German roasted nut stand, or Bath and Body Works to find something refreshing? The beauty captured in sweet aromas is something we often take but can’t be overlooked.
While visiting a local prison, I was caught off guard as was going through checkpoint. A group of women were signing in, and I had just left a room of men. As I turned the corner, I was immediately taken into a flower garden until I realized it was just lotion on one of the ladies’ hands. The smell caught my attention and left my mind wondering who it was that smelled so good. Whenever you get a sniff, you want to take a closer look. The power of smell also has an amazing ability to cross time. Have you ever been to a restaurant and it seemed like you were in your grandmother’s kitchen? Aromas infiltrate the mind and leave lasting impressions.
In the scriptures above, the imagery that Paul made was to a Roman general who had just come back from battle. As he was welcomed home, Rome gave him a public parade filled with pomp, glory and a great deal of incense to honor the hero. While he entered the town in triumph his soldiers and officers would also enjoy the praise; however, the slaves and captives knew their lives would end in death with each step closer to an arena filled with wild beasts. The smell captured the attention of everyone and could not be overlooked. For the victorious, the aromas brought joy and delight, but the captives could smell the sentence of death.
The Apostle Paul was saying that Christ had “also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14b-15). In Christ, we are able to triumph because He has conquered sin, death and the devil. Although we are two thousand years away from His death, Christ offering in the fire of God’s vengeance and wrath against sin is still producing a sweet smelling savor unto God the Father. Our lives should bear this aroma of victory and draw attention to the Victor, who after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12b).
As Christians, we should be a source of aromatherapy to those around us. According to Wikipedia, “Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicines that uses volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils and other scented compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health.” The way we live, act and talk should speak of the goodness and graciousness of our God to those who are taking each step closer to death. Christ’s life in us should alter and overcome the stench of sin and death. There is a big difference between an open grave or dead man walking and someone who is overflowing with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let’s remember our Victor, Jesus Christ, and continue offering our prayers that ascend to heaven as sweet aromas unto God. The smell of your earthly tabernacle of clay will leave a great impression that will last for years. Be careful what your life is emitting!
Do certain smells catch your attention? Have you ever waked up in your home to the aroma of fresh ground coffee brewing? What about the smells you encounter when visiting a friends home for dinner? If your home is like mine, my wife wants everything clean and candles burning as visitors come over. The first impression is always hard to overcome. Do you ever like going to Starbucks to smell the coffee, the mall to be invigorated by the German roasted nut stand, or Bath and Body Works to find something refreshing? The beauty captured in sweet aromas is something we often take but can’t be overlooked.
While visiting a local prison, I was caught off guard as was going through checkpoint. A group of women were signing in, and I had just left a room of men. As I turned the corner, I was immediately taken into a flower garden until I realized it was just lotion on one of the ladies’ hands. The smell caught my attention and left my mind wondering who it was that smelled so good. Whenever you get a sniff, you want to take a closer look. The power of smell also has an amazing ability to cross time. Have you ever been to a restaurant and it seemed like you were in your grandmother’s kitchen? Aromas infiltrate the mind and leave lasting impressions.
In the scriptures above, the imagery that Paul made was to a Roman general who had just come back from battle. As he was welcomed home, Rome gave him a public parade filled with pomp, glory and a great deal of incense to honor the hero. While he entered the town in triumph his soldiers and officers would also enjoy the praise; however, the slaves and captives knew their lives would end in death with each step closer to an arena filled with wild beasts. The smell captured the attention of everyone and could not be overlooked. For the victorious, the aromas brought joy and delight, but the captives could smell the sentence of death.
The Apostle Paul was saying that Christ had “also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14b-15). In Christ, we are able to triumph because He has conquered sin, death and the devil. Although we are two thousand years away from His death, Christ offering in the fire of God’s vengeance and wrath against sin is still producing a sweet smelling savor unto God the Father. Our lives should bear this aroma of victory and draw attention to the Victor, who after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12b).
As Christians, we should be a source of aromatherapy to those around us. According to Wikipedia, “Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicines that uses volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils and other scented compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health.” The way we live, act and talk should speak of the goodness and graciousness of our God to those who are taking each step closer to death. Christ’s life in us should alter and overcome the stench of sin and death. There is a big difference between an open grave or dead man walking and someone who is overflowing with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let’s remember our Victor, Jesus Christ, and continue offering our prayers that ascend to heaven as sweet aromas unto God. The smell of your earthly tabernacle of clay will leave a great impression that will last for years. Be careful what your life is emitting!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Masters or Servants?
“But which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? “But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done” (NASB).
Have you ever been to a restaurant and had a horrible experience with the person waiting on you? Did it leave a bad taste in your mouth even though the food was delicious? Whether we want to say it or not, we are actually paying for the service and the food when we go out and eat. Often, we have high expectations on the waiters and waitresses, because we want to have an enjoyable experience with our friends and family. The best waiters always seem to be the one’s who have everything out on time, keep your drinks filled up, and are at your beckon call when it’s time to get the bill. They are the one’s who stay in the shadows, get very little recognition, and do a job well done. This is what they are supposed to do, which is their reasonable service…
Recently, I visited a local fast food restaurant and was observant as I approached the counter to order my lunch. The young lady behind the counter was yawning, and it seemed that she was about to fall asleep as she typed in our order. I felt sorry for her because she seemed to have been up all night or under the influence of some substance whether it was drugs or alcohol. As she yawned continuously and moved around slowly for a 16-17 year old, I noticed what impact she was having on the rest of the crew. The lady at the window was being patient and kind but needed help. She was calling out to the other employees and asking when the other co-workers were coming off of break. Everything seemed to be hindered by this young ladies choice the night before. Eventually, we got our meal and sat down with family to enjoy it. We were happy to have our food and it eased the experience, until we were ready to leave. As we walked out, the young lady was laying on the front sidewalk waiting for someone to pick her up.
Have you ever considered the service that you are giving to the Lord Jesus Christ? It is easy to consider Him Savior because He has delivered us from the penalty on sin, but it can be difficult calling Him Lord when we want to be the Master. We are trained in our society to be in control of everything in our lives. We are the master when we go to the restaurant, department store, grocery store and many other places, because we have the money which gives us the power. We also have many people who are climbing up the education ladder and obtaining Associates, Bachelors, Masters and doctorate degrees which also give people the power to use knowledge and obtain influence. Money and Education are valuable assets that we all need in order to survive, but that is not what brings greatness in the eyes of the Lord.
As Jesus’ disciples were walking on the road one day, they began discussing who was the greatest among themselves. Jesus knew what they were saying, and told them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35b). We must realize that the Kingdom Life is totally different from what the world says. God desires His children to be servants who are ready at His Spirit’s call, awake to His Presence, actively serving where He plants you, and understanding that it’s your duty and privilege to serve the Lord with the life, talents, and energy that His grace supplies. You can’t work to be saved, because it is all by God’s grace, but you must work out your salvation with fear and trembling. The Hebrew writer reminds us, For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints” (Hebrews 6:10). With this in mind, how well are you waiting on Jesus Christ?
Have you ever been to a restaurant and had a horrible experience with the person waiting on you? Did it leave a bad taste in your mouth even though the food was delicious? Whether we want to say it or not, we are actually paying for the service and the food when we go out and eat. Often, we have high expectations on the waiters and waitresses, because we want to have an enjoyable experience with our friends and family. The best waiters always seem to be the one’s who have everything out on time, keep your drinks filled up, and are at your beckon call when it’s time to get the bill. They are the one’s who stay in the shadows, get very little recognition, and do a job well done. This is what they are supposed to do, which is their reasonable service…
Recently, I visited a local fast food restaurant and was observant as I approached the counter to order my lunch. The young lady behind the counter was yawning, and it seemed that she was about to fall asleep as she typed in our order. I felt sorry for her because she seemed to have been up all night or under the influence of some substance whether it was drugs or alcohol. As she yawned continuously and moved around slowly for a 16-17 year old, I noticed what impact she was having on the rest of the crew. The lady at the window was being patient and kind but needed help. She was calling out to the other employees and asking when the other co-workers were coming off of break. Everything seemed to be hindered by this young ladies choice the night before. Eventually, we got our meal and sat down with family to enjoy it. We were happy to have our food and it eased the experience, until we were ready to leave. As we walked out, the young lady was laying on the front sidewalk waiting for someone to pick her up.
Have you ever considered the service that you are giving to the Lord Jesus Christ? It is easy to consider Him Savior because He has delivered us from the penalty on sin, but it can be difficult calling Him Lord when we want to be the Master. We are trained in our society to be in control of everything in our lives. We are the master when we go to the restaurant, department store, grocery store and many other places, because we have the money which gives us the power. We also have many people who are climbing up the education ladder and obtaining Associates, Bachelors, Masters and doctorate degrees which also give people the power to use knowledge and obtain influence. Money and Education are valuable assets that we all need in order to survive, but that is not what brings greatness in the eyes of the Lord.
As Jesus’ disciples were walking on the road one day, they began discussing who was the greatest among themselves. Jesus knew what they were saying, and told them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35b). We must realize that the Kingdom Life is totally different from what the world says. God desires His children to be servants who are ready at His Spirit’s call, awake to His Presence, actively serving where He plants you, and understanding that it’s your duty and privilege to serve the Lord with the life, talents, and energy that His grace supplies. You can’t work to be saved, because it is all by God’s grace, but you must work out your salvation with fear and trembling. The Hebrew writer reminds us, For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints” (Hebrews 6:10). With this in mind, how well are you waiting on Jesus Christ?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
An Unrecognizable Face
Matthew 7:21-22 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Have you ever been at a social gathering and saw someone that you knew their face, but for some reason, you could not recall their name? It can make for an awkward situation when you come into contact with that person. During the whole conversation, your brain is being scrolled to find the name so that you can find comfort and put the other person at ease. Sometimes, it never comes until you humble yourself and ask for their name. It would be nice to have a memory that could recall every face and every name that you have ever come into contact with, but vitamins and memory games only work for a very few.
Throughout life, there will be many unrecognizable faces that we come into contact with. Some of the people you see you may actually know while others may only be a look alike. With the masses of people around today, it is easy to get lost in the crowd and overlooked especially in the city. However, have you ever visited your family, neighborhood or maybe your hometown and didn’t receive the attention that you thought you would? I can remember how sad my heart was when I went to the grocery store that I worked in for five years through high school and college and was barely recognized. I walked in expecting everyone to know who I was and wanted them to remember my name. This was not the case, because so much had changed…
Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt when He came to this earth? John 1:11 says, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” The One who created all, sustains all and gives life to all was rejected and despised. Our Creator had an unrecognizable face, because people had grown so distant and cold toward His heart and honestly didn’t want to see Him. The face and name that everyone should have known and been able to relate to was mistreated and abused though innocent of any sin and guilty of pure love. Isaiah 52:14 says, “Just as many were astonished at you, My people, so His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men (NASB).”
Even though, many did not and still do not recognize Jesus as the Son of God, He promised, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12). ” Although you may have forgotten the name of your Creator, please save yourself the shame and embarrassment by being humble and asking for His name on this side of eternity.
The Proverb writer asked, “Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know” (30:4)! There are many today who are familiar with the name of Jesus Christ and use it to make a profit, but they have never been formally introduced and born again. He is the only way to Heaven and wants to give you peace before you wake up in eternity and realize you had forgotten His name on earth. Acts 4:12 explains, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heav en given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Let’s be like the Apostle Paul who became friends with Christ and told young Timothy, “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12b).
Have you ever been at a social gathering and saw someone that you knew their face, but for some reason, you could not recall their name? It can make for an awkward situation when you come into contact with that person. During the whole conversation, your brain is being scrolled to find the name so that you can find comfort and put the other person at ease. Sometimes, it never comes until you humble yourself and ask for their name. It would be nice to have a memory that could recall every face and every name that you have ever come into contact with, but vitamins and memory games only work for a very few.
Throughout life, there will be many unrecognizable faces that we come into contact with. Some of the people you see you may actually know while others may only be a look alike. With the masses of people around today, it is easy to get lost in the crowd and overlooked especially in the city. However, have you ever visited your family, neighborhood or maybe your hometown and didn’t receive the attention that you thought you would? I can remember how sad my heart was when I went to the grocery store that I worked in for five years through high school and college and was barely recognized. I walked in expecting everyone to know who I was and wanted them to remember my name. This was not the case, because so much had changed…
Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt when He came to this earth? John 1:11 says, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” The One who created all, sustains all and gives life to all was rejected and despised. Our Creator had an unrecognizable face, because people had grown so distant and cold toward His heart and honestly didn’t want to see Him. The face and name that everyone should have known and been able to relate to was mistreated and abused though innocent of any sin and guilty of pure love. Isaiah 52:14 says, “Just as many were astonished at you, My people, so His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men (NASB).”
Even though, many did not and still do not recognize Jesus as the Son of God, He promised, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12). ” Although you may have forgotten the name of your Creator, please save yourself the shame and embarrassment by being humble and asking for His name on this side of eternity.
The Proverb writer asked, “Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know” (30:4)! There are many today who are familiar with the name of Jesus Christ and use it to make a profit, but they have never been formally introduced and born again. He is the only way to Heaven and wants to give you peace before you wake up in eternity and realize you had forgotten His name on earth. Acts 4:12 explains, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heav en given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Let’s be like the Apostle Paul who became friends with Christ and told young Timothy, “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12b).
Thursday, October 4, 2007
A Day in Autumn
(10-15-03 Dallas, TX 1:32PM)
A passionate sweet seduction
Like the autumn air
Caressing me with instruction
To live in God’s dear care
He’ll hold you up
When no one is around
Letting you drink from his cup
Poured in to fill, then spilt to the ground
His skies are clear
With never a cloud
That I may walk as a mir’
Amongst any crowd
His love is like the sun
Beaming into my face
It’s not another pun
But a symbol of hanging grace
His mercy is like the rain
Falling when skies are gray
Reminding that He’s taken my pain
Just talk to Him in prayer by day
His peace feels like the coolest gentle breeze
Filling me throughout
As the wind blows through the trees
Lifting them up from pout
His joy is like the littlest child
Playing with a brand new toy
Laughing and untamed from wild
Peculiar, set apart, kingdom employed
He is exalted with kindness
Helping every man
Forever my Highness
Helping me to stand
As the cloud in sky does float
Standing still or blown
In Jesus’ redemptive power I’ll gloat
While bowing in love at His throne
Encompassed and ravished by rarest beauty
Enjoying everyday He brings
Will be my duty
As this living sacrifice as chime does sing
A passionate sweet seduction
Like the autumn air
Caressing me with instruction
To live in God’s dear care
He’ll hold you up
When no one is around
Letting you drink from his cup
Poured in to fill, then spilt to the ground
His skies are clear
With never a cloud
That I may walk as a mir’
Amongst any crowd
His love is like the sun
Beaming into my face
It’s not another pun
But a symbol of hanging grace
His mercy is like the rain
Falling when skies are gray
Reminding that He’s taken my pain
Just talk to Him in prayer by day
His peace feels like the coolest gentle breeze
Filling me throughout
As the wind blows through the trees
Lifting them up from pout
His joy is like the littlest child
Playing with a brand new toy
Laughing and untamed from wild
Peculiar, set apart, kingdom employed
He is exalted with kindness
Helping every man
Forever my Highness
Helping me to stand
As the cloud in sky does float
Standing still or blown
In Jesus’ redemptive power I’ll gloat
While bowing in love at His throne
Encompassed and ravished by rarest beauty
Enjoying everyday He brings
Will be my duty
As this living sacrifice as chime does sing
Some things never change…
For I am the LORD, I change not; Malachi 3:6a
As a little child, I can remember going to school vividly. My younger sister would wait outside the door for the bus in cold or hot weather while I sat inside on the couch watching Gilligan’s Island re-runs on TBS. She would usually tap on the screen door, and it was time to make a run for it. The big yellow bus was there every day at the same time to take me to the same school to see the same teachers. Life was easy with a schedule of school, dinner with the family at 5, and the rest of the evening spent playing kick-ball, tag, hide-n-go-seek, or riding bicycles. It seemed that life never changed that much. Mom and Dad were always there. My teachers always cared and my grandparents were always waiting on the weekend to pick me and my sister up to share their love by spoiling us.
What has happened since those days? Just as the nights are beginning to get cooler and leaves are starting to turn various colors, our lives are constantly changing through the seasons. We grow older, hopefully wiser, and slow down to appreciate each passing day. I can still go back to my hometown and visit the school. Many of the same teachers still fill the hall; however, there are many that have already come and gone. The place that I thought was so secure and structured as a child has evolved and been replaced with unfamiliar faces. In light of all these changes, there must be some way to find comfort and stability as time swiftly passes us by.
While growing up, I learned the song, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” Therefore, I would like to direct your attention today to God’s eternal truths. In the Bible, I have found five men who over the course of 2,000 years have given an accurate picture of the throne of God and the One who sits on it. The first was Moses who saw the Lord in His glory on Mount Sinai as the people of Israel had just agreed to do all that God had commanded. God wanted a people that He could lavish His love on. Just like you and me, it didn’t take long for them to rebel as Moses’ stayed up in the mountain for 40 days and nights. Secondly, Isaiah wrote, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. (6:1)” When He saw the glory of God, he saw his sinfulness and was ready to serve God by proclaiming, “Here am I, send me.” Third, Ezekiel caught a glimpse of God’s throne saying, “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it” (1:26). Daniel was also privileged as he explained, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire (7:9). Finally, John the Revelator wrote, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (4:10-11).
These are five men who explained the same thing over a two thousand year time frame. God is still on the throne and in control. What a glorious truth we have before us! Though everything continues to change day to day, we have One who never changes. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8). Though fall is here, some things never change.
As a little child, I can remember going to school vividly. My younger sister would wait outside the door for the bus in cold or hot weather while I sat inside on the couch watching Gilligan’s Island re-runs on TBS. She would usually tap on the screen door, and it was time to make a run for it. The big yellow bus was there every day at the same time to take me to the same school to see the same teachers. Life was easy with a schedule of school, dinner with the family at 5, and the rest of the evening spent playing kick-ball, tag, hide-n-go-seek, or riding bicycles. It seemed that life never changed that much. Mom and Dad were always there. My teachers always cared and my grandparents were always waiting on the weekend to pick me and my sister up to share their love by spoiling us.
What has happened since those days? Just as the nights are beginning to get cooler and leaves are starting to turn various colors, our lives are constantly changing through the seasons. We grow older, hopefully wiser, and slow down to appreciate each passing day. I can still go back to my hometown and visit the school. Many of the same teachers still fill the hall; however, there are many that have already come and gone. The place that I thought was so secure and structured as a child has evolved and been replaced with unfamiliar faces. In light of all these changes, there must be some way to find comfort and stability as time swiftly passes us by.
While growing up, I learned the song, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” Therefore, I would like to direct your attention today to God’s eternal truths. In the Bible, I have found five men who over the course of 2,000 years have given an accurate picture of the throne of God and the One who sits on it. The first was Moses who saw the Lord in His glory on Mount Sinai as the people of Israel had just agreed to do all that God had commanded. God wanted a people that He could lavish His love on. Just like you and me, it didn’t take long for them to rebel as Moses’ stayed up in the mountain for 40 days and nights. Secondly, Isaiah wrote, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. (6:1)” When He saw the glory of God, he saw his sinfulness and was ready to serve God by proclaiming, “Here am I, send me.” Third, Ezekiel caught a glimpse of God’s throne saying, “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it” (1:26). Daniel was also privileged as he explained, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire (7:9). Finally, John the Revelator wrote, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (4:10-11).
These are five men who explained the same thing over a two thousand year time frame. God is still on the throne and in control. What a glorious truth we have before us! Though everything continues to change day to day, we have One who never changes. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8). Though fall is here, some things never change.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)