February 1, 2007
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Our thoughts…
Heb 11:13-16 – All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
I received a phone call the other day and my initial response was one of fear. The fear had to do with the ‘possibilities’ of what may happen as a result of this news. As I got in my car and drove around the corner to pick up my granddaughter I began to think about the Lord and heaven and the joy in knowing that we will never have another trial to face when we are finally there. As I was thinking about heaven, the most amazing thing happened in my heart and thoughts. I suddenly, for possibly the first time in my Christian walk, experienced (for lack of a better word) what a ‘pilgrim’ feels like. Suddenly, it felt as if HEAVEN WERE MY HOME and I was just visiting HERE. There arose such a strong, strong desire and anticipation to be THERE more than HERE. My whole heart was filled with peace and joy.
Now I don’t believe this was a ‘supernatural’ religious experience that ‘just happened’. I believe that what I experienced was exactly a result of practicing what Isa 26:3 teaches. That if I keep my mind stayed on the Lord then I will be kept in perfect peace.
Isa 26:3 – You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
God’s Word teaches that I am a pilgrim, a stranger, an exile, an ambassador but honestly I find that I do not really live as if I am. How much time do I spend thinking about things above, my real home, instead of the things on this earth? How much time do I spend thinking about the Lord and His attributes? How much do I even KNOW about God and His attributes? I hope, by Gods’ grace, to practice keeping my mind on heavenly things more in the days and months to come. I know it’s not impossible to live this way or God would not command it.
Col 3:1-2 – If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
* Oh, be sure to check out Kim and her family’s website. They had a GREAT post called ”A Word-Filled Home”. I LOVED it and hope to put some of their ideas into practice. (I especially liked the idea of putting a new Scripture daily on a white board.) Be sure to pay them a visit.
Comments (19)
Georgene, I have just finished my quiettime and written a post, then turned to my subscriptions. Our thots are on the same wave length and I’m blessed with your encouragement. It’s a powerful/ lifechanging tool/privilege to keep our eyes/heart on Him. (now to just recognize the distractions and the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy!)
Your so right…and how gracious is our God to grant you His perfect peace in a fearful moment! I’ve experienced that peace in fearful moments twice that I remember right off hand, it’s so powerful, no matter what’s swirling around us we can “come to Him and have rest!” May God continue to bless you as you walk through the days ahead…XO
I have to ask though, did the situation turn out okay? My life would be different if my thought life were different.
Blessings on you! The other week I had one of those moments too- for the first time I experienced a deep longing for my changed resurrected body to be– like Paul expresses — the longing to be clothed with our new body.
Thanks for sharing.
~Irene
Nice post. Thanks!
What a wonderful blog this is. I think it’s so hard being on this earth because of all the trials and troubles we go through, the sin we have to fight from ourselves as well as others, it would be so wonderful to be in heaven with the Lord! We will be perfect and be able to worship God perfectly! That is so exciting that I wish I could be there right now. Anyway, I enjoyed this blog from you!
That last one was from me. Sorry about that!
We had 2 funerals this week..one man was 57 and the other was 69. They both knew Jesus and I know at least one was longing for heaven. I am overwhelmed with the thought of seeing Jesus face to face and the emotion that will be there at that moment. This world feels heavy at times and I long for heaven.
I love that verse in Isa. 26:3. I have it as a plaque on my living room wall. Great testimony about God’s grace in your life!
Oh, thank you…your entry was right in line with my study tonight. The first verse in 1 Peter, he addresses the “strangers that dwell here and there throughout”. We are pilgrims, strangers, sojournors.
And yes, we feel very blessed with this pastor. The book was written in the mid 1600s…I believe it may be a Puritan writing (our book is on order, right now we just have the first two sections photocopied till it comes in, so am unable to look at the front pages).
ryc: The site I referred you to is not my daughters. It is my niece Bethany. Here’s where it might get a little confusing. Her sister, another niece of mine is the artist and has went to Jamacia for 3 weeks to do this painting. Her real name is Coleen Jr. but she likes to be called Claire Bleu. Sometimes I call her Coleen and sometimes she is Claire.
Now I’ve really confused you. That last comment was really me. I was signed in under my daugher Queenas site. Sorry!
I don’t always live as if I am an ambassador for His kingdom.
Heaher
Hey sweet Georgene…Is everythiong okay? Isaiah 26:3 is a verse that comes to my mind so often. Our Lord’s Word is truly our final authority…Thank you for reminding us of that great truth. You are a blessing to me! With much love and many prayers–Paula
Hello from snow covered and very cold though beautiful Southern Iowa. I was just browsing around and wanted to say “hi”.
Thank you for dropping by my site. I am thrilled to make new friends. I love it that we have the Lord in common and so many wonderful grandblessings! Come back anytime. I would love to subscribe to you and put you on my protected post so that I could read your posts and you could see the pictures of my babies which I always protect. vickie
Love Isaiah 26:3– Love your eye opening post. Many Blessings, Marlo
Were you able to do the potected thing? I enjoyed your post. I hope I get to come back often. With my Dad being so sick, keeping three of my grands and having my Mom in law living with me, I keep pretty busy. I have to post how my Dad is doing for my sisters who live in other states and other family members who are scattered all over. So while I am posting about Dad, I also take time to brag on my little ones. I say I am a Nana of Nine because one of my grand daughters is in heaven and running around here in AR.are 8 more grand children. I expect before too long to have ten because one of my daughter’s wants a couple more kiddo’s. I must say I have a full and interesting life. I am happy to have a new friend. vickie
RYC: I support and run Laine’s website and email list. I have learned a lot from her too.