For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16 & 17) I cannot think of anything that could happen in our lives to equal this event. Jesus himself will come with a myriad of Angels and receive us to himself. Whether we are alive or have gone on to glory; this event will culminate the very purpose of life's existence. Sometimes it's hard to imagine this event, with all the toils and troubles we face on a daily basis. How can this be? Our Heavenly Father who loves us so much and gives us knowledge of how he will take all his children into heaven, could ever allow certain things to happen in our life. I can remember growing up in an atmosphere that was challenging at times to say the least. Sometimes the necessities of life were non-existent. I would see other children my age not in the same predicament. I would think to myself, why? Through all of this, Father God was with me. He delivered me and here I am today. It's not that my faith was so great or I was praying all the time; it was because God's everlasting love permeated my life with his endless mercies and compassion! Like an anchor to our soul, the reality that Jesus will personally come and receive us into his kingdom, will ignite faith as few things can. So shall we ever be with the Lord! Praise the Lord!
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For a day in the thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10) So great a value is placed on one's attendance in the house of God that the psalmist compares one day to a thousand days else where. He goes on further to say that he would rather be a doorkeeper in God's house then to dwell with wickedness. In the Hebrew language, the word doorkeeper means to wait at the threshold. A threshold is a place of entering in or leaving out. To wait upon the Lord is to renew one's strength. to gather together, as we are today. This will produce all the elements needful to receive the hidden manner Incorporated in the above Scripture. The results: you shall run, and not be weary; you shall walk, and not faint. Praise the Lord! I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) As I read this Scripture, I am persuaded that our Heavenly Father means business. When I think of the love shown to us through our Lord and Savior Jesus, I am moved with great conviction and commitment. His love then permeates and marinades my very soul. I then see a new man living inside of me, the Son of God, Jesus himself. Has this not happen to all of us? Has the King of kings and Lord of lords truly taken up residence in your heart? How can we tell if this has taken place and truly the resident authority in our life is God's will? Upon returning from India, Pastor Linda and myself experienced the love, unselfish caring and laborers while we were away and when we returned; speaking volumes of His kindness and mercies. Praise the Lord! Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. (Isaiah 43:10) What a comfort to our soul to know that Father God always was and is. Not created, neither can be created;sovereign, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient. This means that Father God is all-powerful, in every place, all possible and his mercies endureth forever. These are just some of the characteristics of his person. Just think for a moment GOD! His holy word tells us that in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) Yes, he has even chosen you to be his witness! Can you imagine that? Along with the witness of the Holy Ghost, all things are possible (Hebrews 10:15) Emmanuel, "God with us." If that's not enough, Father God calls us his children; (Acts 17:29) then makes known that he will make us ruler over many things in the next world; if we obey! (Matthew 25:21) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1) Praise God for his spirit of liberty and the freedom from all the baggarly elements of this world. This Tuesday our nation will be celebrating Independence Day or better known as, "the fourth of July." Celebrations will be had. Fireworks will be the sound heard throughout the day's activities. Many will have a day off and indulge in what they feel will best suit their lifestyle. This is one form of celebrating liberty. However, the liberty that Jesus gives us is a spiritual freedom and is accompanied by an eternal celebration. Each and every day we awake, this world is bringing us closer to our eternal purpose and nation. The sounds that are continuously heard, on a daily basis,, fill the air with faith, hope and love. They are, "praise the Lord!" "Praise you Jesus" "to God be the glory" "God is able" and the like. This bringing liberty to the ears of the hearer. The natural celebration of the 4th of July comes but once a year. The Lord's liberty is celebrated every day. Now that's what I call "freedom indeed!" Praise the Lord! |
Dr. Thomas SnyderArchives
January 2019
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