CONSIDER IT
We've talked about the focus of hope - that guaranteed time in the future when we will see God face to Face, when our bodies will be made like Jesus' glorified body, when we will worship Him with the angels, when we will feast with Him at His banquet. We can cultivate this hope by worshiping God here and now with one another, by spending time in His Presence, by paying attention to His Presence as we go through our days, and by choosing to persevere rather than give up when life is hard. Where do we get the strength to persevere? From God, of course. In today's devotion, we will look at His promise to renew our strength when we place our hope in Him.
EXPERIENCE IT
"Waiting on Me means directing your attention to Me in hopeful anticipation of what I will do. It entails trusting Me with every fiber of your being, instead of trying to figure things out for yourself. Waiting on Me is the way I designed you to live all day, every day. I created you to stay conscious of Me as you go about your daily duties. I have promised many blessings to those who wait on Me: renewed strength, living above one's circumstances, resurgence of hope, awareness of My continual Presence. Waiting on Me enables you to glorify Me by living in deep dependence on Me, ready to do My will. It also helps you to enjoy Me. For in My Presence is fullness of joy"
What does it mean to wait on the Lord? How do you go about doing this in practical terms?
"I am the culmination of all your hopes and desires. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last; who is and was and is to come. Before you knew Me, you expressed your longing for Me in hurtful ways. You were ever so vulnerable to the evil around you in the world. But now My Presence safely shields you, enfolding you in My loving arms. I have lifted you out of darkness into My marvelous Light. Though I have brought many pleasures into your life, not one of them is essential. Receive My blessings with open hands. Enjoy My good gifts, but do not cling to them. Turn your attention to the Giver of all good things, and rest in the knowledge that you are complete in Me. The one thing you absolutely need is the one thing you can never lose: My Presence with you"
Think of one of the major hopes you have. How is God the culmination of that hope?
(Consider It ... Experiencing It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 62:5-8; Psalm 147:11 and Psalm 130:5, 7
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Saturday, October 17, 2015
OUR HOPE GROWS IN PERSEVERANCE!
CONSIDER IT
Imagine a baseball game in which the team on the field had a slow-throwing pitcher and no players at first, second or third base. How interesting would it be to watch? Not very. The batters would bang out hits so easily that there would be little suspense. In fact, if the batters knew ahead of time they would be up against such a weak opponent, they probably wouldn't even bother to practice. No, we like to watch games where the athletes are up against some real challenge. We cheer when they persevere against real odds and overcome them. That's the kind of victory worth hoping for. Easy, lazy victories require little strength and little hope. Today we will consider the role that perseverance plays in building our hope muscles and creating victories worth celebrating.
When you were a child, did you tend to stick to activities you knew you were good at or did you try things that required hard work and the risk of failure?
EXPERIENCE IT
"Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life. Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. This is a false hope! As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life, but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. Instead of seeking perfection in the fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One. It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark. That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit. When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway. I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way"
How easy is it for you to pour your energy into seeking God rather than a problem-free life? What helps you do that? What gets in the way?
"Self-pity is a slimy, bottomless pit. Once you fall in, you tend to go deeper into the mire. As you slide down those slippery walls, you are well on your way to depression, and the darkness is profound. Your only hope is to look up and see the Light of My Presence shining down on you. Though the Light looks dim from your perspective, deep in the pit, those rays of hope can reach you at any depth. While you focus on Me in trust, you rise ever so slowly out of the abyss of despair. Finally, you can reach up and grasp My hand. I will pull you out into the Light again. I will gently cleanse you, washing off the clinging mire. I will cover you with My righteousness and walk with you down the path of Life"
Why is self-pity such a danger? What is the solution to self-pity?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Romans 5:1-5; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:1-3
Imagine a baseball game in which the team on the field had a slow-throwing pitcher and no players at first, second or third base. How interesting would it be to watch? Not very. The batters would bang out hits so easily that there would be little suspense. In fact, if the batters knew ahead of time they would be up against such a weak opponent, they probably wouldn't even bother to practice. No, we like to watch games where the athletes are up against some real challenge. We cheer when they persevere against real odds and overcome them. That's the kind of victory worth hoping for. Easy, lazy victories require little strength and little hope. Today we will consider the role that perseverance plays in building our hope muscles and creating victories worth celebrating.
When you were a child, did you tend to stick to activities you knew you were good at or did you try things that required hard work and the risk of failure?
EXPERIENCE IT
"Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life. Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. This is a false hope! As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life, but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. Instead of seeking perfection in the fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One. It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark. That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit. When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway. I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way"
How easy is it for you to pour your energy into seeking God rather than a problem-free life? What helps you do that? What gets in the way?
"Self-pity is a slimy, bottomless pit. Once you fall in, you tend to go deeper into the mire. As you slide down those slippery walls, you are well on your way to depression, and the darkness is profound. Your only hope is to look up and see the Light of My Presence shining down on you. Though the Light looks dim from your perspective, deep in the pit, those rays of hope can reach you at any depth. While you focus on Me in trust, you rise ever so slowly out of the abyss of despair. Finally, you can reach up and grasp My hand. I will pull you out into the Light again. I will gently cleanse you, washing off the clinging mire. I will cover you with My righteousness and walk with you down the path of Life"
Why is self-pity such a danger? What is the solution to self-pity?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Romans 5:1-5; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:1-3
Friday, October 16, 2015
OUR HOPE IS IN THE RESURRECTION
CONSIDER IT
Many religions teach the immortality of the soul - the idea that humans continue to exist beyond death as disembodied souls. However, Christianity doesn't simply teach that souls are immortal. It affirms that, just as Jesus was raised bodily from the dead into a glorified body, someday our souls will in some fashion be re-clothed with bodies that are recognizably ours. This resurrection is not reincarnation - it will happen once, when heaven and earth are renewed at the end of this age. Further, we won't regain mortal bodies to live in this broken world but renewed bodies to live in a renewed world. Our hope therefore, has a bodily dimension. Let's think about the implication of this hope.
It's easy to think of things we don't like about our bodies. So instead, name three things about your body that you are grateful for.
EXPERIENCE IT
"Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth. Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never legs go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world"
Do you believe you and God together can handle whatever trouble comes into your life? By beginning each new day with asking God to equip you with His living Presence, do you think this would help you?
"I love you with an everlasting Love, which flows out from the depths of eternity. Before you were born, I knew you. Ponder the awesome mystery of a Love that encompasses you from before birth to beyond the grave. Modern man has lost the perspective of eternity. To distract himself from the gaping jaws of death, he engages in ceaseless activity and amusement. The practice of being still in My Presence is almost a lost art, yet it is this very situation that enables you to experience My eternal Love. You need the certainty of My loving Presence in order to weather the storms of life. During times of severe testing, even the best theology can fail you if it isn't accompanied by experiential knowledge of Me. The ultimate protection against sinking during life's storms is devoting time to develop your friendship with Me"
We need the certainty of God's loving Presence to have solid hope in the midst of life's storms. How do you cultivate that certainty? How are you doing at cultivating it? What help, if any, do you need?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:17-22, 33 and 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
Many religions teach the immortality of the soul - the idea that humans continue to exist beyond death as disembodied souls. However, Christianity doesn't simply teach that souls are immortal. It affirms that, just as Jesus was raised bodily from the dead into a glorified body, someday our souls will in some fashion be re-clothed with bodies that are recognizably ours. This resurrection is not reincarnation - it will happen once, when heaven and earth are renewed at the end of this age. Further, we won't regain mortal bodies to live in this broken world but renewed bodies to live in a renewed world. Our hope therefore, has a bodily dimension. Let's think about the implication of this hope.
It's easy to think of things we don't like about our bodies. So instead, name three things about your body that you are grateful for.
EXPERIENCE IT
"Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth. Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never legs go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world"
Do you believe you and God together can handle whatever trouble comes into your life? By beginning each new day with asking God to equip you with His living Presence, do you think this would help you?
"I love you with an everlasting Love, which flows out from the depths of eternity. Before you were born, I knew you. Ponder the awesome mystery of a Love that encompasses you from before birth to beyond the grave. Modern man has lost the perspective of eternity. To distract himself from the gaping jaws of death, he engages in ceaseless activity and amusement. The practice of being still in My Presence is almost a lost art, yet it is this very situation that enables you to experience My eternal Love. You need the certainty of My loving Presence in order to weather the storms of life. During times of severe testing, even the best theology can fail you if it isn't accompanied by experiential knowledge of Me. The ultimate protection against sinking during life's storms is devoting time to develop your friendship with Me"
We need the certainty of God's loving Presence to have solid hope in the midst of life's storms. How do you cultivate that certainty? How are you doing at cultivating it? What help, if any, do you need?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:17-22, 33 and 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
Thursday, October 15, 2015
OUR HOPE IS IN THE EARTH'S TRANSFORMATION!
CONSIDER IT
Have you ever been to the desert? If not, it is hard to imagine how baking hot and dry it is there. Your nose and mouth dry out. The wind stings your eyes. The sun is so strong that despite the heat you want to cover your skin to protect it. Without sunglasses and a hat, the glare is unbearable. There are various forms of deserts all over the Middle East, so it was a familiar landscape to the biblical writers. The desert had strong associations for them. When God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said He was going to transform the desert, Isaiah's hearers knew exactly how significant that was.
When you think of the desert, what images or memories come to mind?
EXPERIENCE IT
"Remember that you live in a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy. I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. Thus they create idols, before which they bow down. I will have no other gods before Me! Make Me the desire your heart. Let me fulfill your yearning for perfection"
How could making Jesus the deepest desire of your heart help you? What can you do to cultivate that desire?
"Hope is a golden cord connecting you to heaven. This cord helps you hold your head up high, even when multiple trials are buffeting you. I never leave your side, and I never let go of your hand. But without the cord of hope, your head may slump and your feet may shuffle so you journey uphill with Me. Hope lifts your perspective from your weary feet to the glorious view you can see from the high road. You are reminded that the road we're traveling together is ultimately a highway to heaven. When you consider this radiant destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes much less significant. I am training you to hold in your heart a dual focus: My continual Presence and the hope of heaven"
What do you think helps a person become gripped by the hope of heaven? How can a person who is struggling with a rough road grow in hope?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Isaiah 35:3-4 and Isaiah 11:2-5
Have you ever been to the desert? If not, it is hard to imagine how baking hot and dry it is there. Your nose and mouth dry out. The wind stings your eyes. The sun is so strong that despite the heat you want to cover your skin to protect it. Without sunglasses and a hat, the glare is unbearable. There are various forms of deserts all over the Middle East, so it was a familiar landscape to the biblical writers. The desert had strong associations for them. When God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said He was going to transform the desert, Isaiah's hearers knew exactly how significant that was.
When you think of the desert, what images or memories come to mind?
EXPERIENCE IT
"Remember that you live in a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy. I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. Thus they create idols, before which they bow down. I will have no other gods before Me! Make Me the desire your heart. Let me fulfill your yearning for perfection"
How could making Jesus the deepest desire of your heart help you? What can you do to cultivate that desire?
"Hope is a golden cord connecting you to heaven. This cord helps you hold your head up high, even when multiple trials are buffeting you. I never leave your side, and I never let go of your hand. But without the cord of hope, your head may slump and your feet may shuffle so you journey uphill with Me. Hope lifts your perspective from your weary feet to the glorious view you can see from the high road. You are reminded that the road we're traveling together is ultimately a highway to heaven. When you consider this radiant destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes much less significant. I am training you to hold in your heart a dual focus: My continual Presence and the hope of heaven"
What do you think helps a person become gripped by the hope of heaven? How can a person who is struggling with a rough road grow in hope?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Isaiah 35:3-4 and Isaiah 11:2-5
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
OUR HOPE IS IN GOD'S ETERNAL PROMISES
CONSIDER IT
Sometimes it seems as if our tears, mourning, and pain will never end. We feel hopeless because we see no light at the end of the tunnel. But God promises that those painful things are not forever. We earnestly desire and pray they will not overwhelm us in this life, but even if things are painful now, we can be confident of a day when all tears will be wiped from our eyes. This promise, along with God's promise to be present with us now and to give us foretastes of that future, will strengthen us with hope and joy.
Name three things about your current life that you are grateful for.
EXPERIENCE IT
"Be still in the Light of My Presence, while I communicate Love to you. There is no force in the universe as powerful as My Love. You are constantly aware of limitations: your own and others'. But there is no limit to My Love; it fills all of space, time and eternity. Now you see through a glass, darkly, but someday you will see Me face to Face. Then you will be able to experience fully how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you. If you were to experience that now, you would be overwhelmed to the point of feeling crushed. But you have an eternity ahead of you, absolutely guaranteed, during which you can enjoy My Presence in unrestricted ecstasy. For now, the knowledge of My loving Presence is sufficient to carry you through each day"
To what extent does the present experience give you hope? What can God's people be sure of about the eternity that lies ahead? How does knowing that affect you? Or does it?
"Heaven is both present and future. As you walk along your life path holding My hand, you are already in touch with the essence of heaven: nearness to Me. You can also find many hints of heaven along your pathway, because the earth is radiantly alive with My Presence. Shimmering sunshine awakens your heart, gently reminding you of My brilliant Light. Birds and flowers, trees and skies evoke praises to My holy Name. Keep your eyes and ears fully open as you journey with Me. At the end of your life path is an entrance to heaven. Only I know when you will reach that destination, but I am preparing you for it each step of the way. The absolute certainty of your heavenly home gives you Peace and Joy, to help you along your journey. You know that you will reach your home in My perfect timing: not one moment too soon or too late. Let the hope of heaven encourage you, as you walk along the path of Life with Me"
What hints of heaven have you seen in the past few days?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Ephesians 1:15-18 and Hebrews 10:22-25
Sometimes it seems as if our tears, mourning, and pain will never end. We feel hopeless because we see no light at the end of the tunnel. But God promises that those painful things are not forever. We earnestly desire and pray they will not overwhelm us in this life, but even if things are painful now, we can be confident of a day when all tears will be wiped from our eyes. This promise, along with God's promise to be present with us now and to give us foretastes of that future, will strengthen us with hope and joy.
Name three things about your current life that you are grateful for.
EXPERIENCE IT
"Be still in the Light of My Presence, while I communicate Love to you. There is no force in the universe as powerful as My Love. You are constantly aware of limitations: your own and others'. But there is no limit to My Love; it fills all of space, time and eternity. Now you see through a glass, darkly, but someday you will see Me face to Face. Then you will be able to experience fully how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you. If you were to experience that now, you would be overwhelmed to the point of feeling crushed. But you have an eternity ahead of you, absolutely guaranteed, during which you can enjoy My Presence in unrestricted ecstasy. For now, the knowledge of My loving Presence is sufficient to carry you through each day"
To what extent does the present experience give you hope? What can God's people be sure of about the eternity that lies ahead? How does knowing that affect you? Or does it?
"Heaven is both present and future. As you walk along your life path holding My hand, you are already in touch with the essence of heaven: nearness to Me. You can also find many hints of heaven along your pathway, because the earth is radiantly alive with My Presence. Shimmering sunshine awakens your heart, gently reminding you of My brilliant Light. Birds and flowers, trees and skies evoke praises to My holy Name. Keep your eyes and ears fully open as you journey with Me. At the end of your life path is an entrance to heaven. Only I know when you will reach that destination, but I am preparing you for it each step of the way. The absolute certainty of your heavenly home gives you Peace and Joy, to help you along your journey. You know that you will reach your home in My perfect timing: not one moment too soon or too late. Let the hope of heaven encourage you, as you walk along the path of Life with Me"
What hints of heaven have you seen in the past few days?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Ephesians 1:15-18 and Hebrews 10:22-25
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
OUR HOPE IS IN GOD'S ABUNDANCE!
CONSIDER IT
Worship is at the heart of heaven's business. We can enter into our hope of heaven now by entering deeply into worship. Even if our circumstances don't change, our experience of life now can be richer if we choose to praise and glorify God as a foretaste of heaven.
EXPERIENCE IT
"You are My beloved child. I chose you before the foundation of the world to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment. Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being. Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on. But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purposes."
What encourages you to trust God's plans or to prosper you and not to harm you? What, if anything, gets in the way?
"As you sit quietly in My Presence, remember that I am a God of abundance. I will never run out of resources; My capacity to bless you is unlimited. You live in a world of supply and demand, where necessary things are often scarce. Even if you personally have enough, you see poverty in the world around you. It is impossible for you to comprehend the lavishness of My provisions: the fullness of My glorious riches. through spending time in My Presence, you gain glimpses of My overflowing vastness. These glimpses are tiny foretastes of what you will experience eternally in heaven. Even now you have access to as much of Me as you have faith to receive. Rejoice in My abundance - living by faith, not by sight"
What does it mean to say that God is a God of abundance? How does He display His abundance?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 36:5-8 and John 6:27-29
Worship is at the heart of heaven's business. We can enter into our hope of heaven now by entering deeply into worship. Even if our circumstances don't change, our experience of life now can be richer if we choose to praise and glorify God as a foretaste of heaven.
EXPERIENCE IT
"You are My beloved child. I chose you before the foundation of the world to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment. Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being. Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on. But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purposes."
What encourages you to trust God's plans or to prosper you and not to harm you? What, if anything, gets in the way?
"As you sit quietly in My Presence, remember that I am a God of abundance. I will never run out of resources; My capacity to bless you is unlimited. You live in a world of supply and demand, where necessary things are often scarce. Even if you personally have enough, you see poverty in the world around you. It is impossible for you to comprehend the lavishness of My provisions: the fullness of My glorious riches. through spending time in My Presence, you gain glimpses of My overflowing vastness. These glimpses are tiny foretastes of what you will experience eternally in heaven. Even now you have access to as much of Me as you have faith to receive. Rejoice in My abundance - living by faith, not by sight"
What does it mean to say that God is a God of abundance? How does He display His abundance?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 36:5-8 and John 6:27-29
Monday, October 12, 2015
OUR HOPE IS IN GOD'S PRESENCE!
CONSIDER IT
All too often our hopes are attached to things that are good, but not intimately good. We hope for good health, or for successful and obedient children, or for a happy marriage, or for an interesting job, or for enough money to retire. While God may grant these things, none of them are guaranteed. Rather, God invites us to hope for what is ultimately good Himself. He invites us to know Him intimately and become like Him. If we attach our hopes to God, we will never be disappointed.
We get a taste of God's Presence in this life as we spend more and more time with Him, knowing the ultimate fulfillment of our hope will come in heaven. While this hope of heaven can feel far away and vague, we can be gripped by it here and now and through the glimpses of it we find in God's Word. We are meant to start entering into the ways of heaven now, and when our heavenly hope becomes substantial and real to us, it is easier to hold our earthly hopes with a more relaxed hand.
Think about what you believe heaven may look like. How attractive does it seem to you?
EXPERIENCE IT
"Seek My Face, and you will find all that you have longed for. The deepest yearnings of your heart are for intimacy with Me. I know because I designed you to desire Me. Do not feel guilty about taking time to be still in My Presence. You are simply responding to the tugs of divinity inside you. I made you in My image, and I hid heaven in your heart.
Your yearning for Me is a form of homesickness: longing for your true home in heaven. Do not be afraid to be different from other people. The path I have called you to travel is exquisitely right for you. The more closely you follow My leading the more fully I can develop your gifts. To follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your desire to please other people. However, your closeness to Me will bless others by enabling you to shine brightly in this dark world"
Are you aware of homesickness or yearning for Jesus and your true home in heaven? if so, what is that like for you? Are your yearnings more about other things?
"I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My Presence. That is a fact, totally independent of your feelings. You are on your way to heaven; nothing can prevent you from reaching that destination. There you will see Me face to Face, and your Joy will be off the charts by any earthly standards. Even now, you are never separated from Me, though you must see Me through eyes of faith. I will walk with you till the end of time, and onward into eternity. Although My Presence is a guaranteed promise, that does not necessarily change your feelings. When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings. Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day"
How does walking consciously with Jesus throughout the day strengthen your hope?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Today's passages show us how our future in heaven is relevant to us now.
1 Peter 1:3-7 and Hebrews 6:10-12
All too often our hopes are attached to things that are good, but not intimately good. We hope for good health, or for successful and obedient children, or for a happy marriage, or for an interesting job, or for enough money to retire. While God may grant these things, none of them are guaranteed. Rather, God invites us to hope for what is ultimately good Himself. He invites us to know Him intimately and become like Him. If we attach our hopes to God, we will never be disappointed.
We get a taste of God's Presence in this life as we spend more and more time with Him, knowing the ultimate fulfillment of our hope will come in heaven. While this hope of heaven can feel far away and vague, we can be gripped by it here and now and through the glimpses of it we find in God's Word. We are meant to start entering into the ways of heaven now, and when our heavenly hope becomes substantial and real to us, it is easier to hold our earthly hopes with a more relaxed hand.
Think about what you believe heaven may look like. How attractive does it seem to you?
EXPERIENCE IT
"Seek My Face, and you will find all that you have longed for. The deepest yearnings of your heart are for intimacy with Me. I know because I designed you to desire Me. Do not feel guilty about taking time to be still in My Presence. You are simply responding to the tugs of divinity inside you. I made you in My image, and I hid heaven in your heart.
Your yearning for Me is a form of homesickness: longing for your true home in heaven. Do not be afraid to be different from other people. The path I have called you to travel is exquisitely right for you. The more closely you follow My leading the more fully I can develop your gifts. To follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your desire to please other people. However, your closeness to Me will bless others by enabling you to shine brightly in this dark world"
Are you aware of homesickness or yearning for Jesus and your true home in heaven? if so, what is that like for you? Are your yearnings more about other things?
"I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My Presence. That is a fact, totally independent of your feelings. You are on your way to heaven; nothing can prevent you from reaching that destination. There you will see Me face to Face, and your Joy will be off the charts by any earthly standards. Even now, you are never separated from Me, though you must see Me through eyes of faith. I will walk with you till the end of time, and onward into eternity. Although My Presence is a guaranteed promise, that does not necessarily change your feelings. When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings. Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day"
How does walking consciously with Jesus throughout the day strengthen your hope?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Today's passages show us how our future in heaven is relevant to us now.
1 Peter 1:3-7 and Hebrews 6:10-12
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