Thursday, March 24, 2011

Then We Will Know

Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

The Apostle Paul was describing how difficult it is right now to fully see or understand who Yahshua is as Messiah.  It is like looking through dark glass.  The features may be there but the clear perception of Christ is not yet in focus.

However Paul speaks of the time when we will see and know him face to face.  Yahshua already knows us!  We are precious to him because he declared:

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--" John 10:14 

He is well acquainted with those of us who will stray, end up in trouble and need rescuing.  All the same he was willing to lay down his life for the sheep which is the most selfless act the world has ever known. So as much as we would like to say that we know Jesus, truth is, he knows us even better.  We will have to be patient until the day he returns for his bride.  We will be caught up to meet him in the air along with all of the other faithful saints being resurrected from times past.

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first," 1 Thessalonians 4:16  

Make no mistake.  Then we shall see and know him as he truly is.  What a joyful day!  

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Like a Tree

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3

Now that spring is coming around, I see the trees starting to bud and the earth coming back to life.  It makes me think of my Christian walk in that I can be encouraged by this short Psalm.  It mentions yielding it's fruit in season.  Well, the Bible says that we need to be ready in season and OUT of season to preach the Word of God.

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 2:4

Doing God's will might be likened to bearing fruit.  Now that can look like a lot of different things according to each person's ability but it always includes preaching the same Gospel that Yahshua taught.  If we do otherwise or preach another gospel or even another Christ, then that is like preaching no Gospel at all!

"another Jesus whom we have not preached… or a different gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:1–4).

So the Psalm mentions producing fruit in season but the leaves do not wither.  That makes me think of the life water within us, that would be likened to Yah's set apart spirit.  He gave this same spirit without measure to Yahshua who began pouring it out on fellow believers at Pentecost, (read the book of Acts).  This is what keeps us alive spiritually and empowered to continue doing what our Heavenly Father desires.  He wants no one to be lost so our bearing fruit and having leaves that do not wither means being very active in preaching the Gospel to all who will hear.