ABBA...
This time
It was fatigue.
I wondered into your throne room.
I wore a linen tunic,
My fro all over the place.
And there you sat
On your throne
As radiant as ever.
I sat between your feet
And pulled the hem of your robe around me.
Without a word
You reached down and stroked my hair
And I wept
Because there is no touch as kind as yours.
I told you everything
That my tired soul could remember
And I drifted off to sleep.
-G.E. Johnson
Showing posts with label heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heaven. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Friday, May 6, 2016
Abstract Expression - A Worship Experience With The King Of Kings
YESHUA...
How many times
Have I come to these doors?
And angels greeted me
One on the right, one on the left
12 feet tall each one stands.
The right one takes my crown
The left one my robe.
In this room there is no royalty but Yours.
Not by your wish...
You have crowned me many times at this throne.
Yet it is as a peasant daughter
That I approach You
To lay my head on your feet
To wash them with my tears
The sorrow of worship through the distance of mortality.
And many times I knew
That one more tear would break your heart
And like a whisper my soul would
Evacuate this body to eternal peace in Your presence.
The choice was mine
And I have never abandoned yet
Your will on earth.
"More to do...," says the soul.
-G.E. Johnson
How many times
Have I come to these doors?
And angels greeted me
One on the right, one on the left
12 feet tall each one stands.
The right one takes my crown
The left one my robe.
In this room there is no royalty but Yours.
Not by your wish...
You have crowned me many times at this throne.
Yet it is as a peasant daughter
That I approach You
To lay my head on your feet
To wash them with my tears
The sorrow of worship through the distance of mortality.
And many times I knew
That one more tear would break your heart
And like a whisper my soul would
Evacuate this body to eternal peace in Your presence.
The choice was mine
And I have never abandoned yet
Your will on earth.
"More to do...," says the soul.
-G.E. Johnson
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Solomon Decoded: What Is The Benefit Of Earthly Work? Ecclesiastes 1:3
"Solomon's reputation for possessing extraordinary wisdom fits the Ecclesiastes profile. David recognized his son's wisdom (1 Kings 2:6 & 9) before God gave Solomon an additional measure. After he received a 'wise and understanding heart' from the Lord (1 Kings 3:7-12), Solomon gained renown for being exceedingly wise by rendering insightful decisions (1 Kings 3:16-28), a reputation that attracted 'all the kings of the earth' to his courts (1 Kings 4:34). In addition, he composed songs and proverbs (1 Kings 4:32), activity befitting only the ablest of sages. Solomon's wisdom, like Job's wealth, surpassed the wisdom 'of all the people of the east' (1 Kings 4:30)." -The MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV Version), The Book of Ecclesiastes: Background and Setting
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF EARTHLY WORK? - Ecclesiastes 1:3
"What advantage does man have from all his work which he does under the sun (while earthbound)?"
1) Work/Labor - amal - n. masculine/feminine trouble, toil
In verse three of Ecclesiastes 1, King Solomon ponders (perhaps rhetorically) the advantages gained by man from all of his work on the earth. The Hebrew word used here for labor is amal meaning heavy or wearisome work, particularly of the mind. The MacArthur Study Bible offers this footnote:
"Solomon looks at the fleeting moments of life and the seemingly small gain for man's activity under the sun. The only lasting efforts are those designed to accomplish God's purposes for eternity, not just for one's livelihood. These pictures from God's creation illustrate and underscore the futile repetition of human activity."
Perhaps we should question ourselves as King Solomon did. Is the work that we commit ourselves to daily truly accomplishing God's eternal purpose? Or do we endure wearisome toil simply for our own gain? One could argue that the benefits of the toil of Solomon certainly benefited many from the wealth of his material treasure to the wealth of his knowledge. However, the wise king knew that most important was the condition of his eternity, a time that would be infinitely longer than his few years on the earth. For this reason Jesus (Yeshua) gave His life - so that we would have eternal life in heaven. See John 3:16 and then Revelation 22:3-7.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF EARTHLY WORK? - Ecclesiastes 1:3
"What advantage does man have from all his work which he does under the sun (while earthbound)?"
1) Work/Labor - amal - n. masculine/feminine trouble, toil
In verse three of Ecclesiastes 1, King Solomon ponders (perhaps rhetorically) the advantages gained by man from all of his work on the earth. The Hebrew word used here for labor is amal meaning heavy or wearisome work, particularly of the mind. The MacArthur Study Bible offers this footnote:
"Solomon looks at the fleeting moments of life and the seemingly small gain for man's activity under the sun. The only lasting efforts are those designed to accomplish God's purposes for eternity, not just for one's livelihood. These pictures from God's creation illustrate and underscore the futile repetition of human activity."
Perhaps we should question ourselves as King Solomon did. Is the work that we commit ourselves to daily truly accomplishing God's eternal purpose? Or do we endure wearisome toil simply for our own gain? One could argue that the benefits of the toil of Solomon certainly benefited many from the wealth of his material treasure to the wealth of his knowledge. However, the wise king knew that most important was the condition of his eternity, a time that would be infinitely longer than his few years on the earth. For this reason Jesus (Yeshua) gave His life - so that we would have eternal life in heaven. See John 3:16 and then Revelation 22:3-7.
**Have questions or comments? E-mail me at gejohnsonmedia@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below. Discussion is welcome!**
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Teach Us How To Pray: "As It Is In Heaven" - Matthew 6:10
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus (Yeshua) can be found ministering and teaching His disciples various principles regarding giving, fasting, the Father's care for His children, and many other things. One of the most notable portions of this scripture is His instruction to His disciples on prayer. It is prayer that opens the line of communication to the ears of the heavenly Father, a time of sweet communion in which we cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and also open ourselves to receive whatever it is that we are seeking from God's Holy Spirit.
In verse 9-10 of chapter 6, Jesus gives His disciples specific instructions on prayer saying, "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in earth...'" In the previous posts (click here to read OUR FATHER - WHO IS IN HEAVEN - HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME - YOUR KINGDOM COME - YOUR WILL BE DONE - IN EARTH) we looked at the first complete phrase of verse 9 and the beginning of verse 10 to learn more about the heavenly Father, where He has established His throne, the sanctity of His name, and the nature of His Kingdom, His will, and the earth. Today we will examine the next and final phrase of this study: "As it is in heaven."
"It Is In" - en - (Greek transliteration) - preposition (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
1) In - Located in its proper place; in the interior of some whole; within the limits of some space; at the fountain; the contents of a writing or book; in the book of the prophets; in things not perceived by the senses
2) With - In the person, nature, soul, or thought of any one hidden in the bosom of God until it shall come forth to view; in the person of Christ said to dwell in men/women (the mind, power, life of Christ)
3) On - Of the person or thing on whom or on which some power is operative
Since we have already covered the meaning of heaven (see WHO IS IN HEAVEN above), it is important to focus on how the manifestation of the will of God transfers from heaven to earth. In the definitions above we find that heaven on earth can be found in the "writing or book; in the book of the prophets." This is the Bible, the living Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12) But the Lord didn't stop there in sharing His beautiful dwelling place with us. He puts the essence of heaven into our very nature and soul when we are joined with Christ through faith. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
Finally, the presence of heaven is found in the power granted to us as believers in Jesus Christ. All power in heaven and in earth was given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18) of which we are given a measure to do His will and to operate in spiritual gifts. Ephesians 1 beginning at verse 18 sums this concept up perfectly. It reads:
"And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength which He produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come. And He put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and appointed Him as [supreme and authoritative] head over all things in the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers]." Amen.
In verse 9-10 of chapter 6, Jesus gives His disciples specific instructions on prayer saying, "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in earth...'" In the previous posts (click here to read OUR FATHER - WHO IS IN HEAVEN - HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME - YOUR KINGDOM COME - YOUR WILL BE DONE - IN EARTH) we looked at the first complete phrase of verse 9 and the beginning of verse 10 to learn more about the heavenly Father, where He has established His throne, the sanctity of His name, and the nature of His Kingdom, His will, and the earth. Today we will examine the next and final phrase of this study: "As it is in heaven."
"It Is In" - en - (Greek transliteration) - preposition (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
1) In - Located in its proper place; in the interior of some whole; within the limits of some space; at the fountain; the contents of a writing or book; in the book of the prophets; in things not perceived by the senses
2) With - In the person, nature, soul, or thought of any one hidden in the bosom of God until it shall come forth to view; in the person of Christ said to dwell in men/women (the mind, power, life of Christ)
3) On - Of the person or thing on whom or on which some power is operative
Since we have already covered the meaning of heaven (see WHO IS IN HEAVEN above), it is important to focus on how the manifestation of the will of God transfers from heaven to earth. In the definitions above we find that heaven on earth can be found in the "writing or book; in the book of the prophets." This is the Bible, the living Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12) But the Lord didn't stop there in sharing His beautiful dwelling place with us. He puts the essence of heaven into our very nature and soul when we are joined with Christ through faith. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
Finally, the presence of heaven is found in the power granted to us as believers in Jesus Christ. All power in heaven and in earth was given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18) of which we are given a measure to do His will and to operate in spiritual gifts. Ephesians 1 beginning at verse 18 sums this concept up perfectly. It reads:
"And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength which He produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come. And He put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and appointed Him as [supreme and authoritative] head over all things in the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers]." Amen.
**Have questions or comments? E-mail me at gejohnsonmedia@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below. Discussion is welcome!**
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Teach Us How To Pray: "Your Kingdom Come" - Matthew 6:10
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus (Yeshua) can be found ministering and teaching His disciples various principles regarding giving, fasting, the Father's care for His children, and many other things. One of the most notable portions of this scripture is His instruction to His disciples on prayer. It is prayer that opens the line of communication to the ears of the heavenly Father, a time of sweet communion in which we cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and also open ourselves to receive whatever it is that we are seeking from God's Holy Spirit.
In verse 9 of chapter 6, Jesus gives His disciples specific instructions on prayer saying, "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name...'" In the previous posts (click here to read OUR FATHER - WHO IS IN HEAVEN - HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME) we looked at the first complete phrase of verse 9 to learn more about the heavenly Father, where He has established His throne, and the sanctity of His name. Today we will examine the next phrase: "Your Kingdom come..." and discover more about God's holy Kingdom.
"Kingdom" - basileia - (Greek transliteration) - n. feminine (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
1) Royal power; kingship; dominion; rule - Specifically, the royal power and dominion spoken of here is the power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah. (Matthew 28:18)
2) The territory subject to the rule of a king - In this definition kingdom takes on a more physical manifestation in that it refers to the land on earth where earthly kings reign. An example of this use of basileia can be found in Luke 11:17.
3) The Reign of the Messiah - This refers to the Kingdom founded by God through the Messiah over which the Messiah will preside, a Kingdom of heavenly or divine origin and nature. Thayer's Lexicon discusses this definition extensively (click here to read the discussion in its entirety), but I will quote what seemed to me to be the clearest explanation:
"The Jews were expecting a kingdom of the greatest felicity, which God through the Messiah would set up, raising the dead to life again and renovating earth and heaven; and in this kingdom they would bear sway for ever over all the nations of the world. This kingdom was called the kingdom of God or the kingdom of the Messiah; and in this sense must these terms be understood in the utterances of the Jews and of the disciples of Jesus when conversing with Him.
But Jesus employed the phrase kingdom of God or of heaven to indicate that perfect order of things which He was about to establish, in which all those of every nation who should believe in Him were to be gathered together into one society, dedicated and intimately united to God, and made eternal partakers of salvation. This kingdom is spoken of as now begun and actually present, inasmuch as its foundations have already been laid by Christ and its benefits realized among men/women that believe in him." (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
So then when we pray, "Your Kingdom come," we are asking for the manifestation of the dominion of Jesus Christ on our behalf, we are asking for His dominion to impact our physical surroundings, and we are decreeing His return according to the foundation of our faith - His death, burial and resurrection as atonement for our sin. Please read Revelation 19:11-16. Amen.
**Have questions or comments? E-mail me at gejohnsonmedia@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below. Discussion is welcome!**
In verse 9 of chapter 6, Jesus gives His disciples specific instructions on prayer saying, "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name...'" In the previous posts (click here to read OUR FATHER - WHO IS IN HEAVEN - HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME) we looked at the first complete phrase of verse 9 to learn more about the heavenly Father, where He has established His throne, and the sanctity of His name. Today we will examine the next phrase: "Your Kingdom come..." and discover more about God's holy Kingdom.
"Kingdom" - basileia - (Greek transliteration) - n. feminine (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
1) Royal power; kingship; dominion; rule - Specifically, the royal power and dominion spoken of here is the power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah. (Matthew 28:18)
2) The territory subject to the rule of a king - In this definition kingdom takes on a more physical manifestation in that it refers to the land on earth where earthly kings reign. An example of this use of basileia can be found in Luke 11:17.
3) The Reign of the Messiah - This refers to the Kingdom founded by God through the Messiah over which the Messiah will preside, a Kingdom of heavenly or divine origin and nature. Thayer's Lexicon discusses this definition extensively (click here to read the discussion in its entirety), but I will quote what seemed to me to be the clearest explanation:
"The Jews were expecting a kingdom of the greatest felicity, which God through the Messiah would set up, raising the dead to life again and renovating earth and heaven; and in this kingdom they would bear sway for ever over all the nations of the world. This kingdom was called the kingdom of God or the kingdom of the Messiah; and in this sense must these terms be understood in the utterances of the Jews and of the disciples of Jesus when conversing with Him.
But Jesus employed the phrase kingdom of God or of heaven to indicate that perfect order of things which He was about to establish, in which all those of every nation who should believe in Him were to be gathered together into one society, dedicated and intimately united to God, and made eternal partakers of salvation. This kingdom is spoken of as now begun and actually present, inasmuch as its foundations have already been laid by Christ and its benefits realized among men/women that believe in him." (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
So then when we pray, "Your Kingdom come," we are asking for the manifestation of the dominion of Jesus Christ on our behalf, we are asking for His dominion to impact our physical surroundings, and we are decreeing His return according to the foundation of our faith - His death, burial and resurrection as atonement for our sin. Please read Revelation 19:11-16. Amen.
**Have questions or comments? E-mail me at gejohnsonmedia@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below. Discussion is welcome!**
Friday, April 15, 2016
Teach Us How To Pray: "Who Is In Heaven" - Matthew 6:9
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus (Yeshua) can be found ministering and teaching His disciples various principles regarding giving, fasting, the Father's care for His children, and many other things. One of the most notable portions of this scripture is His instruction to His disciples on prayer. It is prayer that opens the line of communication to the ears of the heavenly Father, a time of sweet communion in which we cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and also open ourselves to receive whatever it is that we are seeking from God's Holy Spirit.
In verse 9 of chapter 6, Jesus gives His disciples specific instructions on prayer saying, "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven....'" In the previous post we looked at "Our Father" and the numerous characteristics of the heavenly Father to whom we pray. Today we will examine the next phrase: "...who is in heaven" and discover more about this often mystical place where the Father resides.
"Heaven" - ouranos - (Greek transliteration) - n. masculine (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
**It is important to note that in the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for "heaven" found in Genesis 1:1 is shamayim. Read more about the meaning HERE.**
WHERE IS HEAVEN?
1) The vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it - See Hebrews 4:13
2) The aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced - See Jeremiah 10:13
3)The region above the sidereal (distant stars & constellations) heavens; the seat of an order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and the other heavenly beings - Psalm 103:19
It is important to understand that though the Father has His throne in heaven, He is still ever present with us through His Holy Spirit that dwells on the earth and in believers through Jesus Christ (Yeshua). (1 Corinthians 6:17) Ask the Father today to reveal His Holy Spirit to you and may you know the Father in greater ways after today than you ever have. Amen.
**Have questions or comments? E-mail me at gejohnsonmedia@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below. Discussion is welcome!**
In verse 9 of chapter 6, Jesus gives His disciples specific instructions on prayer saying, "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven....'" In the previous post we looked at "Our Father" and the numerous characteristics of the heavenly Father to whom we pray. Today we will examine the next phrase: "...who is in heaven" and discover more about this often mystical place where the Father resides.
"Heaven" - ouranos - (Greek transliteration) - n. masculine (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
**It is important to note that in the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for "heaven" found in Genesis 1:1 is shamayim. Read more about the meaning HERE.**
WHERE IS HEAVEN?
1) The vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it - See Hebrews 4:13
2) The aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced - See Jeremiah 10:13
3)The region above the sidereal (distant stars & constellations) heavens; the seat of an order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and the other heavenly beings - Psalm 103:19
It is important to understand that though the Father has His throne in heaven, He is still ever present with us through His Holy Spirit that dwells on the earth and in believers through Jesus Christ (Yeshua). (1 Corinthians 6:17) Ask the Father today to reveal His Holy Spirit to you and may you know the Father in greater ways after today than you ever have. Amen.
**Have questions or comments? E-mail me at gejohnsonmedia@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below. Discussion is welcome!**
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