Life Journal, September 3, 2008
Today's readings: Ezekiel 20, 21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

True Wisdom

Scripture

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom

All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise Him forever!

Psalm 111.10

Observation

Reverence of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

How quickly we try to make God in our image--rather than recognize who He is--Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Healer, Provider, Savior, . . . the list goes on and on. Instead of giving Him godly traits and be in awe of Him--we try to make Him like us. I guess a God we can imagine is "safer" than the One who is in control.

Recognizing God for who He really is--that truly is the foundation of wisdom. We can build our lives from there, being who He calls us to be. Knowing that He can do it, we just have to let Him. Instead we fight for control of our lives.

Our obedience comes from our recognition of who God is. Obviously, looking at the world and the Church and the lives of many Christians--God isn't feared and obedience is not important. How this must break God's heart.

So today, I will remember who God is and I will strive to be obedient to all that He calls me to, recognizing that He gives me the strength and power and wisdom to do whatever He calls me to do!

Prayer

God of all, I stand in awe of You and all that You are. Forgive me for trying to make You in my image. Forgive me for not being obedient to You and all that You ask. I get scared--but it is because I lean into my own "strengths" rather than Yours. Today, I will walk in Your strength, Your power, and Your wisdom.

Life Journal September 2, 2008
Today's readings: Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

A Glimpse of Heaven

Scripture

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout,

"Salvation comes from our God

who sits on the throne

and from the Lamb!"

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honor and power

and strength belong to our

God forever and ever! Amen."

Then one of the tewnty-four elders asked me, "Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?"

And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows."

Then he said to me, "These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

"That is why they stand in front of God's throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty, they will bever be scorched by the heat of the son.

For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7.9-17

Observation

Worshiping Jesus will be the center of all we do and are in heaven--and should be while we are here on earth!

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

I love this picture of worshiping Jesus. I can close my eyes and catch a tiny glimpse of what it will look like--because I know that I can not wrap my mind around how amazing it will be.

Today, I can begin and have a taste of heaven--worshiping God today in all that I do! Sing His praises throughout the day! Keep my eyes on Him!

Heaven will be an amazing thing--beyond anything I can imagine . . . but I can have a taste of it today if I turn everything I do into worship!

Prayer

Today, Lord God, I offer all that I do and say to You as worship. May I stay focused on You, may my lips give You praise, may my heart sing to You.