as in Heaven....

As each day passes I am finding myself seeking HIM more and more.  Every morning I wake up ready to talk to HIM, and to take in HIS Daily Teachings.  Though some mornings, even though I want to hear from HIM, I am much too lazy to actually do the work in seeking HIM and what it is that HE is wanting me to know for that day.  Those are the days where I struggle the most.  Those are the days where I lose perspective about WHOSE I am, and why I am here, and what HIS plan and purpose are for my life.

HIS Daily Teachings today is to let me know that by seeking HIM every single day, HE is creating me a mindset that parallels HIS and it is when I allow that to happen, I will truly live as if though I am already in Heaven.

This morning HE is wanting me to know that HIS Daily Teachings is HIS plan to create in me unwavering convictions about WHO HE is, and what HE has done. I know this because I have chosen to BELIEVE that HE is my creator!  HE is my SAVIOR!  HE is my everything!

HE is wanting me to know that my current theme of JOY is to create in me a JOYFUL mindset, so that I will be able to face my problems and NOT loose the JOY that has been given to me.  I am learning that this means I must choose to let go of ALL of my negative thoughts, my rebellious spirit, and my fearful, which is foolish, outlook on my life.  I must stop waiting for the other shoe to drop.  I must choose to trust HIM completely with ALL of my life, so that I will be able to live out my faith full of HIS JOY!

This morning I read Kay Warren's words and they really spoke to me: "GOD I trust YOU no matter what, GOD I will be YOURS until the day YOU come for me, I will NOT walk away from YOU. I BELIEVE that YOUR worth is incomparable.  I BELIEVE that YOUR WORD is reliable. I BELIEVE that YOUR works are beautiful.  I BELIEVE that YOUR ways are loving.  I BELIEVE that YOUR will is good.  I BELIEVE all these things about YOU, despite what I see."

When I read that last line, it really hit me, "Do I really believe ALL of these things despite what I see?"  HE is wanting me to know that this is the very reason why I am the writer of HIS Daily Teachings.  I have been chosen to write HIS teachings out, because I know that HE is creating in my a renewed mindset, heart, and soul so that I will be able to share HIS good news, and bring hope to the hopeless.  

HE is wanting me to know that in order for me to be able to BELIEVE and live out my faith that way, I must choose to seek HIM Daily.  I must choose to ask HIM to be LORD of my life.  I must choose to allow HIM to teach, lead, and guide me throughout every single step of my journey towards wholeness with HIM.

HE is telling me that all of that very statement is obtainable for me.  All I have to do is live out my faith as if though I am already in Heaven.  I am learning that this means I must seek HIM and ask HIM to renew my mind, to align all of my thoughts to HIS thoughts. HE is wanting me to know and understand that in order to live "as in Heaven," means I must ask myself in every situation I find myself in, "What does GOD value?"

In looking back on HIS Daily Teachings for the past nine months, I am able say that this is what I know about GOD:

      GOD values character over comfort ~ 

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

     GOD values faith over fear ~

" He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:40

     GOD values mercy over judgement ~ 

" because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:13

     GOD values justice over injustice ~

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17

     GOD values people over possessions ~

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

     GOD values truth over falsehood ~

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

     GOD values humility over pride ~ 

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:10

"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

     GOD values hope over despair ~ 

" May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

     GOD values love over apathy ~ 

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 
1 John 4:7-12

HE is wanting me to know and understand that HIS perspective is Eternal, just as in HEAVEN.  I am learning that HE is wanting me to live out my faith, my life here on Earth just "as in HEAVEN."  HE is wanting me to know that in choosing to seek HIM Daily, and declaring HIM LORD of my life, HE is creating in me a perspective that is parallel to HIS.

It saddens me that in my humanness I fail and have failed to see that this has been, is, and will continue to be HIS plan, and HIS purpose for my life.  Therefore, I must choose to seek HIM daily, and ask HIM to teach, lead, and guide me throughout every single step of my journey towards wholeness with HIM.

This morning HE is reminding me of what Paul wrote in the book of Philippians.  HE reminded me that Paul was in prison at the time because HE had chosen to follow GOD's will for HIS life, and that meant preaching the gospel.  HE had me read the book of Philippians once again, and is wanting me to meditate on these very thoughts:  "Rejoice in the LORD always!"  "In EVERYTHING give thanks!" "I can do ALL things through CHRIST WHO strengthens me"  "Whether I have little or have much I'm content"  "We rejoice in our suffering"

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

As I was reading, I came across HIS words that I have read many times before, but they really spoke to me today about what it means to truly live "as in HEAVEN."
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9


So today, I pray that YOU will come to know the GOD in HEAVEN WHO has BIG plans for you.  I pray that you will have the courage to repent, and seek HIM and HIS will for your life.  I pray for HIS favor and blessings to be poured over you when you choose to live your life "as in HEAVEN."

Blessings,
Heather