Tag: Faith

  • Better Than Eden

    Johann Wenzel Peter's 18th-century depiction of the Garden of Eden

    This image is Johann Wenzel Peter’s 18th-century depiction of the Garden of Eden. He shows the beauty of the unspoiled garden and the closeness between animals and humanity.

    Often, when we read the Genesis account in the Bible, we long for the days of Eden. God created a paradise for people and deemed it very good. That’s got to be pure, unspoiled, and marvelous beyond belief.

    It’s natural to long for something so beautiful and perfect. Yet, I don’t believe that God was content for humanity to live in the Garden of Eden.

    How can I say that?

    Follow my logic. God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent(present everywhere). He is also infinitely merciful, loving, and just.

    That means that long before Eden was ever created, God knew that the serpent would tempt Adam and Eve and humanity would fall. Now we can speculate why He allowed it, but He hasn’t given us His reasons.

    He knew from before the first sin that He would send Jesus to pay the penalty and redeem us from sin, to make us heirs with Christ, and adopt us into the family of God.

    The Lord knew that what would follow for believers would be better than what they had and even better than the Garden of Eden.

    Revelation 21 and the first part of Revelation 22 describe in some detail what the New Heaven and Earth will be like. It’s hard to imagine.

    Then Revelation 22 goes on to say:

    No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5 ESV

    We will be in paradise forever, present with the Lord. Every other believer will also be there to worship and fellowship with. No sin, no sorrow, and no shame. Better yet, no possibility of those things ever again.

    It will be like Eden but better.

    I can hardly wait to see it in all its fullness. What about you?

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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  • Beautiful Feet – The responsibility and blessing of gospel proclamation

    Mount Baker

    One of the things I enjoy about living in Abbotsford is that  we have mountains on three sides of us. From almost anywhere in the community, I can see mountains.

    Some people find mountains boring because “they never change,” but I think they need to open their eyes. I find them fascinating. The view of the mountains constantly changes with the season and even moment by moment. Differing weather patterns highlight or hide vistas, and the changing light of day changes their color.

    The dominant mountain view is Mount Baker, which is to the southeast of us in Washington State. Sometimes, when the weather is right, you can even see the steam coming from a vent on this glacier-covered volcano.

    When I looked at it yesterday, a familiar bible passage came to mind.

    Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.” How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness , who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”  Isaiah 52:6-7 ESV

    The idea of beautiful feet might seem strange today, but it made a lot of sense in the days of watchmen in towers. The watchman could see a messenger running towards them from a great distance. I can imagine one racing towards the king’s palace, running full out, feet flying, eagerly looking forward to telling of victory on the battlefield or other good news. What an incredible sight indeed.

    Isaiah goes on to share the prophecy about the good news of the Messiah to come.

    The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. Isaiah 52:7-15 ESV

    There is no more powerful message, no greater news to those who would hear that Jesus has come to set us free. In Isaiah’s day, the Messiah had yet to appear but was promised by God, who cannot lie. Today we know that the Christ has been, died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. We are saved and waiting for His return.

    What wonderful news, indeed.

    May you be the one with beautiful feet to tell someone about the Lord who will redeem them if they trust in Him by faith.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word
    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

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