picturesfromheaven

Blazing Fire

We just finished our First Love Conference here at CLC. We traditionally want to set aside a time for fasting, prayer and special services right at the first of the year; to get us started off right. But there is no words to describe how awesome THIS year's conference was. Bishop Joseph Garlington ministered to us in Word, worship, song and anointing. The weight of the glory of God was indescribable. We were all touched and forever changed by these services, but none more than I. Now, more than ever, I want to slow my pace so that I can snuggle up close to my Lord, Savior and Friend.

Picture… a rustic cabin with a wonderful fire burning in a stone fireplace, the warm glow of the flames the only light in the room. Shadows flicker on the face of a person lounging in a comfortable oversized chair off to one side of the fireplace. There is enough light in the room to see the rapt expression on the person’s face watching the flames. One can tell with just a glance that the individual is totally captivated by the beauty of the flames.

Hear…the Lord say, “If you will focus your gaze upon me you will find aspects of my nature so utterly fascinating you will find yourself enthralled. You have been staring at the complexity of your problems, at the disappointments you have found in people, and at your own reflection. But if you will focus your gaze on me, I will reveal the beauty not only of my nature but also of the nature that I have placed in you. The fire that you see will burn bright within you and you will become like a consuming fire.”

Consider: I enjoy watching a fire in a fireplace. It is one of the few things in this life that totally relaxes me. Each flicker of flame is unique and beautiful, but no fire can compare to the beauty of the Lord. So much of the time you and I rush into our times of prayer, thankful that we are at least making time for prayer in our busy schedules. But it is not until you slow down in your place of prayer and truly seek His face that you are finally able to see Him in all of His glory and splendor. Scripture gives you word pictures to help you understand your God. Your God is almighty, and all-powerful. He is your rock, fortress, strength and shield. He is your safe retreat, the holy one, the mighty one and the one who is all-sufficient. He is the most High, the one who sees, the branch of righteousness and the Lord who is always there for you. He is the only true God, the Prince of peace, the God of peace and the Lord of peace. He is wisdom, your shepherd, the Word of God and the God of glory. He is longsuffering, the God of mercy and the God of grace. He is immutable, incomprehensible, and infinite. And please don’t forget, He is yours. He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. He is Lord of hosts, the commander of the armies of God here on this earth and in heaven, and He is fighting for you. He is “I am that I am,” and “I will be that I will be.” He is the Lord that will provide and He is sovereign, He is truth, He is your Savior and He is your friend. He is your bridegroom and your soon coming KING.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. Ps 27:4-8 NIV

When you slow down and seek His face and behold His beauty, the stuff of this life, even the most painful and difficult will grow just a little dim. Seek Him.

Pray: “Lord, I’m sorry that I spend my life so much on the run that I allow it into my times of daily devotion. That should have been my first clue, shouldn’t it…daily DEVOTION. I don’t want my times with you to be just a rushed grocery-shopping list of needs or a litany of all of my pains and problems. I want to slow down enough today to truly gaze upon your beauty and holiness. I’m not going to even ask you for anything today. I’m just going to sit here and behold your magnificence, mediate on your splendor. You are beyond description, but I’m going to take the time to try. I love you…”

posted by pastorc @ 11:50 AM