But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job23.10
Christ has told us that the pure in heart will see God. One disciple of Christ has commented, "It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to."
It is because God desires this, that we are put to the test. Like gold refined in the furnace, so trial exposes and if we cooperate with it, trial removes all that is impure. It does this because the heart trained by trial experiences the removal of the dross, the distractions of all that could never satisfy the longings of our heart. Uninterrupted fellowship with God is the only thing that will satisfy hearts made in His image. For that we must be pure as gold.
Though we will not experience complete purity here in this place, this is the end to which all who come to Christ are ultimately being led. It seems that we are in transit headed toward perfection and purity. We are encouraged to cooperate with the Spirit's work in us. "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
What is accomplished here in this place will certainly follow us there. The question in my mind, still unanswered, is to what degree will unlearned lessons here affect my transition, once I have arrived in the eternal state? I read with great interest the healing said to still be going on in Rev.22 and underlined below. And I am sure ultimately of this, that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ, and that in my flesh we will see God. 3/2/07 ts
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Just me trying to be honest with God.
Pure as Gold
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job23.10
Christ has told us that the pure in heart will see God. One disciple of Christ has commented, "It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to."
It is because God desires this, that we are put to the test. Like gold refined in the furnace, so trial exposes and if we cooperate with it, trial removes all that is impure. It does this because the heart trained by trial experiences the removal of the dross, the distractions of all that could never satisfy the longings of our heart. Uninterrupted fellowship with God is the only thing that will satisfy hearts made in His image. For that we must be pure as gold.
Though we will not experience complete purity here in this place, this is the end to which all who come to Christ are ultimately being led. It seems that we are in transit headed toward perfection and purity. We are encouraged to cooperate with the Spirit's work in us. "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
What is accomplished here in this place will certainly follow us there. The question in my mind, still unanswered, is to what degree will unlearned lessons here affect my transition, once I have arrived in the eternal state? I read with great interest the healing said to still be going on in Rev.22 and underlined below. And I am sure ultimately of this, that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ, and that in my flesh we will see God. 3/2/07 ts
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Christ has told us that the pure in heart will see God. One disciple of Christ has commented, "It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to."
It is because God desires this, that we are put to the test. Like gold refined in the furnace, so trial exposes and if we cooperate with it, trial removes all that is impure. It does this because the heart trained by trial experiences the removal of the dross, the distractions of all that could never satisfy the longings of our heart. Uninterrupted fellowship with God is the only thing that will satisfy hearts made in His image. For that we must be pure as gold.
Though we will not experience complete purity here in this place, this is the end to which all who come to Christ are ultimately being led. It seems that we are in transit headed toward perfection and purity. We are encouraged to cooperate with the Spirit's work in us. "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
What is accomplished here in this place will certainly follow us there. The question in my mind, still unanswered, is to what degree will unlearned lessons here affect my transition, once I have arrived in the eternal state? I read with great interest the healing said to still be going on in Rev.22 and underlined below. And I am sure ultimately of this, that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ, and that in my flesh we will see God. 3/2/07 ts
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
When God is all we desire.
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Ps73.25-26
One of those anonymous quotes popped into my head after reading these verses. "When God is all you’ve got, you realize that God is all you need." These words are usually spoken into a context of desperation or despair. That God is all you need, is actually as true for those surrounded by bounty (though they may not know it) as it is for those stripped of everything. I think that He sometimes must strip us before He can clothe us with this certitude. God, Himself is our very great reward. In the end, all that He can truly give us is the gift of Himself. This is one of the reasons I believe He is called the great "I Am." In truth He is telling us, I Am every good thing, every blessing, every comfort, I Am all you need. Everything else has no real meaning apart from Him.
There is real power in the knowledge that God is all you need. It energizes weakness with strength, despair with hope and directs our hearts to imitate His matchless love. I think it is true to say that we will know that God is all we need, when God is all we desire. Father, be our one desire. 3/1/07 ts
One of those anonymous quotes popped into my head after reading these verses. "When God is all you’ve got, you realize that God is all you need." These words are usually spoken into a context of desperation or despair. That God is all you need, is actually as true for those surrounded by bounty (though they may not know it) as it is for those stripped of everything. I think that He sometimes must strip us before He can clothe us with this certitude. God, Himself is our very great reward. In the end, all that He can truly give us is the gift of Himself. This is one of the reasons I believe He is called the great "I Am." In truth He is telling us, I Am every good thing, every blessing, every comfort, I Am all you need. Everything else has no real meaning apart from Him.
There is real power in the knowledge that God is all you need. It energizes weakness with strength, despair with hope and directs our hearts to imitate His matchless love. I think it is true to say that we will know that God is all we need, when God is all we desire. Father, be our one desire. 3/1/07 ts
When God is all we desire.
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Ps73.25-26
One of those anonymous quotes popped into my head after reading these verses. "When God is all you’ve got, you realize that God is all you need." These words are usually spoken into a context of desperation or despair. That God is all you need, is actually as true for those surrounded by bounty (though they may not know it) as it is for those stripped of everything. I think that He sometimes must strip us before He can clothe us with this certitude. God, Himself is our very great reward. In the end, all that He can truly give us is the gift of Himself. This is one of the reasons I believe He is called the great "I Am." In truth He is telling us, I Am every good thing, every blessing, every comfort, I Am all you need. Everything else has no real meaning apart from Him.
There is real power in the knowledge that God is all you need. It energizes weakness with strength, despair with hope and directs our hearts to imitate His matchless love. I think it is true to say that we will know that God is all we need, when God is all we desire. Father, be our one desire. 3/1/07 ts
One of those anonymous quotes popped into my head after reading these verses. "When God is all you’ve got, you realize that God is all you need." These words are usually spoken into a context of desperation or despair. That God is all you need, is actually as true for those surrounded by bounty (though they may not know it) as it is for those stripped of everything. I think that He sometimes must strip us before He can clothe us with this certitude. God, Himself is our very great reward. In the end, all that He can truly give us is the gift of Himself. This is one of the reasons I believe He is called the great "I Am." In truth He is telling us, I Am every good thing, every blessing, every comfort, I Am all you need. Everything else has no real meaning apart from Him.
There is real power in the knowledge that God is all you need. It energizes weakness with strength, despair with hope and directs our hearts to imitate His matchless love. I think it is true to say that we will know that God is all we need, when God is all we desire. Father, be our one desire. 3/1/07 ts
Confident not Overconfident
“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2Ti1.7
These words address the spirit and manner of our Christian witness. The word translated “fear,” means to be timid. We are not to be timid about our faith. The Holy Spirit does not lead people cowardly but confidently forward. He after all, knows where He is going. I do not think it wise to make any decision out of fear or doubt, much less speaking up about ones faith in Christ. I once had a pastor friend who told me that if he is given the privilege of choosing the topic of conversation, he will always turn it toward Jesus Christ. God has used this man to bring scores of people to Christian faith.
Now I do not believe that this verse is encouraging, a God in your face, kind of witness. Some Christians bear witness in such an arrogant manner, that people who often turn from Christian faith are really turning from a cocky representation of it. I think in some instances, the weaker ones belief in something the louder they become when speaking about it. It is almost as though they are trying to persuade themselves that what they are saying is true. Have you ever heard someone shouting that two plus two equals four? Confidence is quietly expressed.
Notice that the Spirit of our witness is energized by love and restraint. A confident witness is not excessively forceful but calculates what is needed to clarify, assist or serve others. Our witness expresses the meekness of Christ. His meekness is power under control, an active passivity, turning the other cheek, giving when robbed, returning good for evil, encouragement for insult. We are encouraged to be a confident not overconfident witness. 2/28/07 ts
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