Tag Archives: Eternal Life

Forgiveness, Grace, Healing, Jesus, Visions

Redeemer

As I knelt in prayer, my spirit was caught up into the heavenly realms, and a vision unfolded before my eyes, vivid and awe-inspiring. The air was filled with the fragrance of myrrh and frankincense, and the warmth of divine light enveloped me. I found myself standing on the edge of a great precipice, overlooking a vast expanse that seemed to stretch into eternity.

In the midst of this ethereal scene stood two figures. One was clothed in regal splendor, His garments shimmering with the light of a thousand suns. The other was robed in simple, humble attire, yet his face bore the marks of sorrow and yearning. As I gazed upon them, I recognized the majestic figure as our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, and the other as a representation of humanity, frail and burdened.

The Lord’s voice resounded like a mighty waterfall, cascading with power and tenderness. “Behold,” He declared, “I have borne the burden of your sin, and through My sacrifice, the chasm between God and man has been bridged. The price has been paid, and the way to eternal life is open to all who believe” (John 19:30).

As He spoke, the ground beneath them trembled, and a brilliant light pierced the heavens, illuminating the path that lay before them. The aroma of fresh rain and blooming flowers filled the air, and I could almost taste the sweetness of His grace. The humble man, representing each of us, fell to his knees, tears flowing like rivers down his cheeks. The sound of his weeping was like a lament, echoing the sorrow of a world in need of redemption.

“My Lord and my God,” he cried, his voice trembling with emotion (John 20:28). “How can I ever repay such love?”

With infinite gentleness, Jesus lifted him up, and with a touch as tender as a mother’s embrace, He wiped away his tears (Revelation 21:4). “You cannot repay, but you can receive,” He said, His words like honey to the soul. “Take up your cross and follow Me, for in My strength, you will find the grace to walk this path. Fear not, for I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

In that moment, the air seemed to shimmer with the sound of angelic choirs, their harmonies a symphony of hope and joy (Revelation 5:11-12). I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, like a refreshing breeze, filling me with peace and assurance. The vision imparted a profound understanding: the journey of faith is one of surrender and trust. The price paid by our Lord is sufficient for all our needs, and His love is the guiding light that leads us through every trial and triumph (John 8:12).

The vision began to fade, yet the message remained etched upon my heart. We are called to walk in the light of His sacrifice, bearing witness to the hope and redemption found in Christ alone (1 Peter 2:9). As the Apostle John wrote, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Let us hold fast to this truth, and live in the assurance of His unfailing love, our senses attuned to His presence in every moment.

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Devotion to God

Freedom from earthly attachments

Beloved, gather close, for I share with you a teaching from the heart, as our Lord Jesus taught us about the freedom from earthly attachments. In His infinite love and wisdom, He spoke of the challenges that wealth and attachments pose to our spiritual journey. Let us open our hearts to His message, embracing the freedom that He encourages, to walk more closely with Him.

Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24, AMP). These words, dear children, are not merely about wealth but about the burdens we carry and the attachments we hold. Our Lord sees beyond the surface; He knows the chains that bind our hearts and the weights that slow our steps.

Imagine a camel, laden with goods, attempting to pass through the narrowest of gates. It cannot enter unless it sheds its burdens. So it is with us, beloved. To follow Jesus fully, we must be willing to lay down our earthly treasures, our pride, and our fears. We must come before God as we are, stripped of all that we think defines us, and rely solely on His grace.

John, whom Jesus loved, reminds us in his letters that God’s love is perfect and His commandments are not burdensome. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3, AMP). The call to leave behind our earthly attachments is not a call to poverty, but to freedom. It is an invitation to trust in God’s provision and to find our true treasure in Him.

When Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler, He saw not just a man of wealth, but a soul yearning for eternal life yet hindered by his possessions. Jesus invited him to sell all he had, give to the poor, and follow Him (Mark 10:21). The young man’s sorrow reveals the hold his possessions had over him. Yet, Jesus’ love for him was evident, as it is for each of us. He calls us to a higher way, a path where our hearts are free to love Him wholly.

Paul also speaks to this when he writes, “But whatever former things were gains to me, these things I have come to consider as loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7, AMP). Paul understood that the true gain is found in knowing Christ and being found in Him, not in the temporal things of this world.

Beloved, let us heed this call. Let us examine our lives and identify the burdens we carry, the things we cling to more tightly than we cling to our Savior. Let us lay them down at His feet, trusting that His love is strong and His grace is deep. For in Him, we find all that we need. He is our sufficiency, our joy, and our eternal treasure.

Jesus assures us, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:32-34, AMP).

May we, like John, abide in the love of Christ, and may His words dwell richly in us. Let us follow Him with undivided hearts, knowing that what we relinquish in this life, we gain a hundredfold in the life to come. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Amen.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, grant us the strength to release our earthly attachments and embrace the freedom found in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Teach us to trust in Your provision and care, to seek first Your kingdom, and to store up treasures in heaven. May our hearts be anchored in Your love, free from the chains of material wealth and worldly desires. Help us to live lives that reflect Your grace and generosity, following Jesus with all that we are. In His holy name, we pray. Amen.

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Unity

Commanded Blessing

Psalm 133, composed by King David, is a profound reflection on the beauty and value of unity among believers, famously beginning with, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Amplified Bible). This Psalm, though brief, encapsulates the essence of communal harmony and its divine reward. Within its lines, we can discern three prerequisites for experiencing what the scripture refers to as the “commanded blessing” – life forevermore. In a New Testament context, these prerequisites gain even deeper significance as they align with Christ’s teachings on unity and community.

A Heart of Unity:

The primary prerequisite highlighted in Psalm 133 is a heartfelt unity among believers. This unity goes beyond mere agreement; it is a profound oneness of spirit and purpose. Jesus Christ emphasized this same unity in His prayer in John 17:21, “That they all may be one, just as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.” The unity among believers is not only a source of blessing but also a testimony to the world of God’s love and the truth of the Gospel.

Anointing of the Holy Spirit:

Psalm 133:2 draws a beautiful analogy between this unity and the precious oil poured on Aaron’s head, signifying anointing. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit’s anointing is crucial for maintaining unity in the Body of Christ. As the oil ran down Aaron’s beard and onto his robes, so does the Spirit flow through the Church, sanctifying, empowering, and maintaining harmony among its members. This anointing is essential for the Church to operate in its full capacity, demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

Continuous Fellowship and Prayer:

The dew of Hermon mentioned in Psalm 133:3 symbolizes the refreshing and life-giving aspect of unity. Hermon was a mountain known for its heavy dews that helped sustain the surrounding arid regions. Similarly, regular fellowship and prayer among believers keep the community spiritually vibrant and cohesive. Acts 2:42 highlights the early church continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer, underpinning the importance of sustained communal interactions for spiritual growth and unity.

In a New Testament context, the “commanded blessing” of life forevermore promised in Psalm 133 transcends temporal and material blessings, pointing towards eternal life—a life that begins here through a relationship with Jesus Christ and continues forever in God’s presence. This eternal perspective reshapes how believers view unity, not just as a means to an end, but as the essence of Christian living that mirrors the eternal harmony of the Trinity.

In conclusion, Psalm 133 remains profoundly relevant for today’s Church, reminding us that unity is both a divine command and a conduit of immense blessing. As believers, embracing these prerequisites—heartfelt unity, anointing of the Holy Spirit, and continuous fellowship and prayer—ensures a vibrant community that not only thrives but also bears witness to the eternal truth of the Gospel. Thus, the commanded blessing of life forevermore is not merely hoped for; it is experienced daily as we live out the unity God desires.

#Essay #Unity

#commandedblessing

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