Among The Candlesticks And By The Bedside

This picture blessed me this morning. Jesus walking among the candlesticks...

"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength... As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." - Revelation 1:12-16, 20 ESV

He sees the everything at once. Every assembly of believers at the same time. His policy is based on the big picture.

"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." - Matthew 18:19-20 ESV

He walks with all the large gatherings in view but he is present in the two or more gatherings also.

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." - Psalm 139:7-10 ESV

One person and every person.

Amazing.

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The Wisdom Of Eternal Perspective

I visited the neighborhood where I grew up recently. Don't go very often. I was struck this time by how old the buildings look. I'm not talking about the buildings that were there when I grew up. I expect those to be old. The newer building are old. The buildings that used to be open spaces when I was a boy are old now. How many people remember what I remember?

I read recently that there may only be one person left who was alive in the 1800s. It makes sense. It is 2016 after all. Does that person every remember what it was like they were just a baby then.

Can we fathom eternal life? Eternal perspective.

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!" - 1 Kings 8:27 ESV

"The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?" - Psalm 113:4-6 ESV

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,' even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb." - Psalm 139:7-13 ESV

"Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD. I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal?" - Jeremiah 23:23-27 ESV

Imagine us describing the world to God? Isn't it folly to disagree with Him? He sees it all. He was there when everything has happened.

"...declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' " - Isaiah 46:10 ESV

Our God is a God who inhabits the past, present and future all at the same time. A lie must be the most horrible thing for him. He can't lie and nothing is hidden.

If He speaks I want to hear what He says. If He has a recommendation or a commentary a want to hear it and make it more important then my own thought on the matter.

He Is God and His methods are gracious.

I just want to worship Him. I understand why someone would want to use a person with this much knowledge. How can I even have such an agenda? He sees my heart. I am naked before Him. Worship is the right thing to do considering the fact that a person so lofty would function so kindly in our individual lives.

Imagine if I spoke to a boy living in my old neighborhood and said, 'I remember when that building was just a field. I used to run and play ball there.' and he said, 'You crazy old man. That building has always been there.'

God's perspective is eternal. It has value. If He is talking then I am listening. I can only imagine what He has seen. His words matter. They will last forever.

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In the Moment with God

To say that God is 'present' everywhere is quite a thing to say and think about.

"That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being" Acts 17:27-28a KJV

"Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD." Jeremiah 23:24 KJV

Not only is He present in the sense of location... is also mentally present.

"For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit," - 1 Peter 3:17-18 ESV

This word translated 'suffer' is the Greek word Pascho (G3958) and really it means to strongly experience... to be present mentally and live in the moment fully. Jesus was fully present in every moment... even in His suffering.

"Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." 1 Peter 4:1-5 ESV

We can't 'check out' or live in denial. Grace can and must give us a capacity to live in the moment with God. The natural man lives in distractions to compensate for the life he or she does not have but a spiritual person has another provision.

"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:"  1 Peter 4:7-10 ESV

The 'end of all things' spoken about hear is not some apocalyptic end of the World scene. In context of the scriptures it is speaking about the finished work of Christ! The Finished Work is right there near us in our thinking and because of that we have sound judgement and a clear mind. Our prayers are potent because we live with God in the moment and observe and intercede based on reality with the big picture of redemption in mind.

We can love earnestly because we have the completion of all things in mind... love has covered all sin and we can experience life in the midst of contradictory people and even in ourselves saying, 'This is paid for and that is paid for...'. Grace becomes a stewardship... we manage it's distribution... holding nothing back we bring Heaven's  perspective and Heaven's provision to every situation.

"Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11 ESV

We speak authoritatively as if it is finished and forgiveness has been applied.

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11 ESV

Then we walk believing that quickening will come. A quickening that comes not just out of need to be stronger. We are made alive to be alive with God in the next moment as a steward of grace.

If God's kingdom comes and His will is done in our mortal bodies today every step we take is land taken by that kingdom.