Just A Glimpse

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”
Revelation 21:5

Despite the recent rains I believe that spring has indeed arrived in my part of the world. The hills surrounding the valley are lush and green, the orchards are blooming, trees are getting leaves, birds that had left for winter are returning. The air smells fresh, the greens are vibrant and the sky seems extra blue now that the clouds have parted. Spring is newness it is just a glimpse of what will one day be. We live on an amazing world – yes, filled with struggles we would rather not have – but amazing just the same. While spring is arriving where I am - autumn is approaching where some of you are. You too are getting just a glimpse of what is happening to our world.

In today’s passage Jesus is telling us that one day everything will be new, He is not only going to restore our world and us to our original state – He is going to make us and the world even better.

Paul writing to the church at Corinth tells the followers of Christ that “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). What Paul is saying is that we don’t have a clear picture of what our world can be or who we are in Christ but one day, one day we will. Until that day – God gives us glimpses of what it will be like. He gives us glimpses of who he has created us to be.
We see glimpses of our better selves in scenes from our world – a soldier sharing a candy bar with a child in a war torn country, a stranger giving a kidney so someone else can live, a hug when someone is hurting, a party when someone has been blessed. All of these things are glimpses of us become like Jesus.

Yes He will make all things new and until then find strength and hope in the glimpses He gives.

A prayer
Father – Thank you for the changing of the seasons that show us just a glimpse of your. Thank you for the times we catch a glimpse of the way we can really be as Your master creation. Help us to find strength and hope in these moments. Bless each one reading this today with just a glimpse of You. In the name of Jesus Amen.

Is It Time To Update Your GPS System?

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther 4:16

Detours, detours and still more detours. Life it would seem in full of detours and that can upset the performance of your navigation system. I don’t really care much for detours although it appears my life will once again be taking an unexpected turn. To be honest I am feeling a bit lost – what about you? Are the detours in your life leaving your head spinning? If you have a GPS in your car or smart phone when you need to update all it takes is a push of a button and you are good to go - but how do you update the GPS of your life. God’s Word provides us with the key.

Esther’s life was certainly on a detour – from Jewish peasant to Queen of Persia and now she is faced with having to ask the king to do something to save her people. How did she get her course of action right? She called for prayer and fasting. She told her cousin Mordecai to call the people to fast and pray for her and that she and her staff would do the same.  Daniel - in another time and place also used prayer and fasting to maintain his GPS system. In fact throughout the Bible people who wanted to get back on track or stay on track used prayer and fasting because it gave them a better connection with the One who can see the entire journey.

Leading up to Easter a number of churches around the country are answering this call to fast and pray. I personally will be joining in on this call. I need my GPS updated and reset – I need clarity for the detours of life. I will be following the Daniel fast – fruits, vegetables and water. If you would like to gain clarity for you journey I encourage you to consider taking some time to pray and fast. It doesn’t have to be the same fast I’m doing but remember the purpose of whatever kind of fast you choose should be to grow closer to God.

If you are interested in the Daniel Fast you can find out more at this website www.daniel-fast.com.

A prayer

Father – Thank you for being our guide for this journey called life. We are sorry for the times we get off track. Give us the strength we need to seek Your face in a new way through Your update program of prayer and fasting. In the name of Jesus Amen.