As I understand Scripture, humans do not graduate, and become angels when we pass into glory. Angels are different beings, also created, and also assigned a place in the service of God. All service, even our own, is voluntary, and as such, highlights the wonder, beauty and value of God’s love.
“Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/22/
Most days I petition God, as Jesus instructed, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” It dawns on me that every time we match our attitudes and actions to these words, we become His instruments to usher in His Kingdom, at least where we happen to be at that moment.
“The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/21/
A proper fear of God has nothing to do with being afraid or terrified of Him. To fear God is a state of mindfulness--to wake to His presence with reverence and the truest experience of awe.
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children--with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/20/
I was watching a movie the other day and realized that many of the actors are no longer with us. I soberly remarked, They’re gone. I feel it when someone I know dies, especially when I think they went too soon. Of course this expresses a point of view under our Sun. But above the Sun, there is a different way of seeing things. What is time to any soul, infused with eternal life?
“The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” Conversations Within” ts 8/19/
The other day I saw a post about someone showing a spider compassion by catching and releasing it outside, rather than squashing and killing it. We may be made of dust, but we are never more like our God than when we show compassion.
“The Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/18/
Compassion does not concern itself with how a person got themselves into a fix, but only how they may help them get out of it. To be compassionate is to understand that another’s weakness is just that, a weakness, and without judgment lends its strength to come alongside and lift them up.
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him…” Conversations Within” ts 8/17/
The James Webb telescope is bringing into focus the staggering size of the heavens above us. It is humbling to realize that one reason our Creator made the night sky was to provide us a way to measure His great love for us. To see with spiritual eyes is to wake to the depths of that love.
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him…” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/14/2022
Even on my worst day, I know that I have it good. I am better off than many people for certain, but more certain is I am doing better than I deserve to be doing. How exactly? God apparently is treating me by a standard of grace I cannot comprehend, and better than I ever could have hoped for.
“…he does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/13/
Make no mistake about it. The only thing greater than God’s utter hatred of sin, is His staggering love for the sinner. At the cross of Christ, God the Father released the full measure of His wrath in a most calculated way. Christ paid the debt of our transgressions in full, so that justice could be given a new direction. God is now faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
“He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/12/2022
How do I know that God is slow to anger and abounding in love? I am still breathing. The Lord is indeed slow to anger and so should we be. Move me to respond always with compassion, Lord, not with my puny criticisms of others. Who am I to judge anyone?
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Conversations Within” ts 8/11/
Believing in Jesus compels me to adopt His view about things. This fundamentally means that I see the Bible as an inspired record of God’s interactions with His people. God spoke, He still speaks. The question is, “Do I listen?”
“He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/10/2022
One of the first things Jesus does in the heart of people who invite Him in, is to wake us to injustice in the world. His love moves us to work for what is right, and just and true, not only for ourselves but for everyone.
“The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/9/
Our daughter recently came to help us after a surgery, and we were amazed that what takes us an hour, only takes a few minutes for her. And, she did not need to rest afterward.
One of the many benefits of knowing God is an inner renewal of the spirit, like the fresh plumage of an eagle after molted feathers are shed. This spiritual renewal means that even in the face of physical aging, our soul can be made fresh with the strength of eternal youthfulness.
“so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/8/
When God created the world He made it so much more than functional. He added extras. He garnished fields and forests with color, even though black and white would have worked. He installed surround sound on ocean shores and mountain brooks. He put icing on the cake of nutrition making foods not only good for us, but rich with flavor. He dressed the world in the finery of flowers and our night sky with the magic of moonlight. It will not surprise me that when we finally meet Him, He will have chocolate waiting for us in His pocket.
“who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Ps.103 Conversations Within”
It is beautiful to witness redemption, to see an addict transformed into someone who leads others to sobriety. No matter how far we have fallen, we are never beyond the reach of God’s power to redeem us. Past tragedies become the contrasting lyrics of our songs of triumph.
“…who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion…” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/7/
It is wonderful that healing is woven into the fabric of life. Cuts heal. For the most part, we get better after a cold, or flu. Our bodies are designed for self-repair. Father, I will not forget that You are behind it all. Thank You for healing both body and soul.
“...who heals all your diseases…” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/3/
Thank you for your precious reminders that I am forgiven. I echo the words of John Newton, “Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." Forgiveness is the benefit of knowing You.
“...who forgives all your sins…” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/3/
I can be quick to keep track of my disappointments where God is concerned. I can be very vocal about them. What I really want is to keep the benefits of His love at the fingertips of my thoughts. They surround me, and gratitude itself is more beneficial than grumbling.
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/3/
My favorite places are when--when I wake to Your presence, wherever I am becomes a favorite place. You enrich my experiences of everything. Thank You for sharing life with
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Ps.103 Conversations Within” ts 8/2/2022
Beauty is often something we wake to. We may not notice it at first, but suddenly we see it. Old wrinkled and worn hands become as beautiful as the tender hands of a baby. Wisdom wakes us to such and the even waking is a thing of beauty.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecc.3.11 Conversations Within” ts 8/1/
I am grateful for laughter, as I am for tears. Both express the soul. Both give rise to beauty and healing. There is enough going on in our world to create tears and laughter each and every precious day.
“A time to weep, and a time to laugh…” Ecc.3.4 Conversations Within” ts 7/30/
We lose a great deal of truth when we see the universe only in terms of Science. There is so much more than mere physical properties, e.g. love, joy, peace and beauty, Science itself is a pure skill and a beautiful art form. I want to experience creation's soul, not just define it.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment…Rather, it should be that of your inner
Be mindful of what you mind. Take charge of your thoughts. Be deliberate about your thought life because it will determine your whole life. Flush out everything that is not life indeed. Ask yourself, "Is it worth thinking about?"
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Col.3 Conversations Within” ts 7/27/
Every time I hear the words of this song I hear the comforting words of my Father in Heaven, “I’ve got this. I’ve got you.” I am convinced that one of God’s concerns is that we trust all our concerns with Him.
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go." Gen.28.15 Conversations Within” ts 7/26/
I believe this is true even knowing that Jesus died a horrible death doing God’s will. It is the ultimate that ultimately matters. My faith demands that I live in the light of eternity not in the fading shadows of this world. The final words of Jesus, “It is finished,” moves me to declare to my heart, "God's will is more than enough.”
“You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Ps.139 Conversations
Trust is fundamental to any relationship, and especially where God is concerned. God and I have history. I have watched Him time and time again open a way for me, or provide some need that springs up. I know I can count on Him.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” Prov.3.5 Conversations Within” ts 7/21/
