Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 30, 2016
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. Revelation 21:1-3
Millions of dollars can design and build a luxury resort fully adorned with exotic spas, private pools, the finest of foods and a service experience full of adult pampering. Human attempts to create environments that exclude any angst or effort are temporary at best. Like Cinderella who experienced a magical night with the Prince at his palace, she eventually went back to her real world. Fortunately for followers of Jesus there is eternal extravagance to anticipate- created by the Creator. Heaven is more than absence of sin, it is the presence of God—His dwelling place.
John’s description of heaven depicts the Old Testament tabernacle—God’s dwelling place—a place of worship. But instead of giving just the priest limited access—all who worship Jesus the great High Priest have unlimited access to God’s dwelling place. In heaven the purified bride of Christ—His church—is qualified to experience the pure presence of the Lord at all times. He dwells with heaven’s inhabitants and they dwell with Him. Christ dwells with His children on earth, but one day His children will dwell with Him in heaven: perpetual, perfect and pure!
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love” (Ephesians 3:16-17).
Is Jesus at home in your heart? Does He have access to all aspects of your life? Genuine faith permeates your relationships, finances, free time and work. The heart is the Holy Spirit’s haven. Sin is not comfortable or welcome in a heart where the Spirit takes sanctuary. Fear flees in the face of a faith filled heart, established in love. You may wonder, what are my priorities? How do I balance all that needs to get done? Start by inviting the Holy Spirit’s fullness into your heart. A heart where the Lord richly dwells, enjoys the Spirit’s inner strength. Dwell with God in peace!
Faith is able to see ahead and anticipate the unseen glory of being with God for eternity. When we fully experience Christ dwelling in our hearts, we are able to get a glimpse of what it will be like to dwell with God in heaven. Our imperfect love will be perfected by the perfect love of the Lamb—Jesus. Our hurried worship will be transformed into unhurried worship with the angels in the Holy City. God’s dwelling place is the destination of broken people on their way to heaven’s wholeness. A heart where Christ dwells is our engagement with an eye toward dwelling together forever.
“But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for Christ to dwell richly in my heart, so I can richly give.Application
What suffering soul can I encourage with anticipation of their eternal dwelling?Related Reading
Exodus 29:45; John 14:20; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Colossians 1:27, 3:16Post/Tweet today
Sin is not comfortable or welcomed in a heart where the Spirit takes up sanctuary. #WisdomHunters #dwellinChristWorship Resource
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