And they shall see HIS FACE...

" Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like HIS glorious body, according to the working whereby HE IS ABLE even to subdue all things unto Himself." Philippians 3:21

Recently, while reading through the book of Revelation, I was extremely blessed to find HOPE, FAITH and LOVE in a book that oftentimes can be a bit hard to understand. 

While I've read through the book of Revelation many a time, I must admit I often missed seeing the glory of GOD revealed in such depth. 

" THOU art worthy, O Lord, 

to receive glory and honour and power: 

for THOU hast created all things, 

and for THY pleasure they are and were created." 

Revelation 4:1

While God is HOLY... and His JUDGMENTS are always just and true... His GLORY is graciously revealed in His LOVE for His people. 

"For the LAMB which is in the midst of the throne 

shall feed them, 

and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: 

and GOD

shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." 

Revelation 7:17

You know, sometimes my mind is SO encumbered with these earthly things, the running to and fro, the busyness of life... that my eyes are not completely fixed on the things above.

Do you find yourself, as I often find myself,  trying to "work"  and "accomplish" a whole list of things... and then find yourself so tired and weary and worn... that you are without strength to even think upon the day when we shall see the face of Him who bought and redeemed us from our sins?

While "things" do need to be accomplished... our focus for the eternal can oftentimes be clouded... and we can miss the joy of anticipation found only in the presence of our God.

Can we truly say, as the Psalmist,

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, 

that will I seek after; 

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, 

to behold the beauty of the LORD, 

and to inquire in His temple." 

Psalm 27:4

Oh, the joy to behold His face one day... that makes the trials of today... quickly fade away. 

Behold, 

the tabernacle of God is with men, 

and He will dwell with them, 

and they shall be His people, 

and God himself shall be with them, 

and be their God."

 Revelation 21:3

Worthy is our God... to be worshiped and adored!

Father, how precious are your thoughts towards us. Oh, the joy to have you as our God and that you would dwell with us! Help us today to focus our thoughts on the things above, where Christ sits at your right hand. 

May you find joy and peace in the presence of our King... and be filled with hope awaiting Christ's return.
~Ellie

...That your FAITH and HOPE might be in God.

 " For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the JUST for the UNJUST, that HE might bring us to GOD..."1 Peter 3:18

As I have been going through a busy time in my life these past couple of months, I have been blessed to have a loving Savior and heavenly Father watching over me. 

I have been dwelling much on the book of 1 Peter... where I've started memorizing a section of chapter 1. It's been so wonderful  for me ... to be able to see past the trials and afflictions that we undergo here on earth...  and be reminded to place my hope... in that which is eternal. 

Yes, "...gird up the loins of your mind... " or prepare your mind for action, and " HOPE TO THE END for the GRACE that is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (v.13).

 HOPE.... 

1. a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

2. archaic a feeling of trust. synonyms~ expect, anticipate, look for, want...

I thought about what it means to have hope. Surely hope gives us the reason to wait patiently for a fulfillment of  things to come... with glad anticipation. 

-knowing that God keeps His promises, 

-knowing He keeps His covenant towards us, 

-knowing He is faithful to perfect that which concerns us.

Surely God's love poured forth in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is what holds us and gives us a steadfast hope... 

Only through Christ's merit can we ever have hope.

HOPE... 

-not be weary in well doing,

-to consider afflictions as pure joy,

-that we not lose heart,

-that we might endure patiently. 

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast..." 

Hebrews 6:19 

Isn't it marvelous to know the love of God? How Christ suffered for us... so that we might be brought before the presence of the Father... clean, forgiven, holy and blameless!

Yes, so that our FAITH and HOPE might be in God.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, 

nor have entered into the heart of man 

the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

1 Corinthians 2:9

Father, how thankful we are for the hope we've been given through the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your word that is life and truth, giving us hope for the eternal glory that we shall behold as we await the coming Jesus Christ in our lives. Marvelous are your ways and promises for us.  

May you set your affections on things above... and wait patiently for His appearance. 

~Ellie

Take therefore NO thought for tomorrow...

" But seek ye first the KINGDOM of GOD, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and ALL these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

Do you ever worry for tomorrow? Do you ever take the heavy load of tomorrow upon your shoulders today? 

How often I am burdened today... for the things of tomorrow.  

I fail to seek first and foremost the kingdom of God and His righteousness... forgetting that all the other things that concern and burden me... the Lord promises that HE shall take care of.

A well known hymn says it so well... a great reminder to seek the LORD first.

Take time to be holy, 

speak oft with thy Lord; 

Abide in Him always, 

And feed on His word. 

Take time to be holy, 

Let Him be thy guide, 

And run not before Him, 

Whatever betide.

Isn't it wonderful to simply rest in the Father's love for us... and be still as He works in us? 

" Behold the fowls of the air, 

For they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; 

Yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. 

ARE YOU NOT BETTER THAN THEY? " 

Matthew 6: 26

Yes, sometimes we get discouraged, sometimes we think of the tomorrows, sometimes we may lack faith, sometimes we may fear and get anxious.... but, oh the wonder of God's care for us. 

His love abides with us forever... and... His thoughts towards us are precious... 

" How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! 

How great is the sum of them! 

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand..." 

Psalm 139: 17, 18

Don't we have a most gracious and loving Father? How can we not trust in His ways as being good for us? He knows our every need!

Father, thank you for your kindness towards us. Thank you for your constant care and love each and every day. Help us to take no thought for tomorrow, but rather seek to walk  righteously before you knowing you shall take care of all our needs. 

May you be encouraged to seek the Lord's presence and trust the Heavenly Father's care for you.

~Ellie