Facebook Waiting, Awake, Alert, Longing to be in the Presence of our Treasure!!:
"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...Matthew 6:20
Heaven is a place in the future of every Christian, and I want to know, are you prepared? Are you really ready to go?
I don’t just mean, do you have the hope of heaven? Are you awake, alert and longing for it? That’s part of it.
Trusting in Christ also means recognizing that your life on earth and your witness to others for Christ should count for something and you should lay up for yourself treasures in heaven.
Every thing you have on earth will be left behind. But Jesus told us if we were wise, we would “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20–21). This means as Christians we will one day receive rewards for our faithful service to the Lord.
What are you doing for Christ? Are you using the gifts He has given you? Are you serving Him?
I have found the best way to live the greatest life in this world is to be more concerned with the next one. C. S. Lewis said, “Aim for heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.”
So as I aim at heaven, as I am thinking about being in the presence of the Lord, earth will be thrown in. I can have the greatest life on this earth, not because I am trying to obtain happiness or fulfillment, but because I am trying to walk with God and please Him.
The fringe benefit of living life for the next one is I can have a happy, fulfilled life doing it. Won’t you please join me!!
Sandy Perry
11/28/10"
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
With the season of Advent beginning are we patiently waiting?
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.
In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself.
We are patiently waiting,
Longing for the day
Helplessly anticipating,
Too hear our Lord Jesus say
Well done My son,
My good and faithful child
And when we hear His voice
Will we stand or will we fall
When we sense His beckoning call
Will we be filled with joyful apprehension
and awesome wonder to see Him smile?
Yet still we go on contemplating,
Yes patiently we are waiting
Humbly, anticipating,
Seeing Jesus face to face
Held ever so gently
In His sweet loving embrace
No more pain and suffering,
No more sorrow will we know
When we see Jesus on His throne
We will be seen as He is seen
Known as He is known
Oh how we long to be
In the presence of our King
Caught up in His glory so bright
Never to see another night
Will we stand or will we fall
When the roll up yonder is called?
Sandy Perry
In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself.
We are patiently waiting,
Longing for the day
Helplessly anticipating,
Too hear our Lord Jesus say
Well done My son,
My good and faithful child
And when we hear His voice
Will we stand or will we fall
When we sense His beckoning call
Will we be filled with joyful apprehension
and awesome wonder to see Him smile?
Yet still we go on contemplating,
Yes patiently we are waiting
Humbly, anticipating,
Seeing Jesus face to face
Held ever so gently
In His sweet loving embrace
No more pain and suffering,
No more sorrow will we know
When we see Jesus on His throne
We will be seen as He is seen
Known as He is known
Oh how we long to be
In the presence of our King
Caught up in His glory so bright
Never to see another night
Will we stand or will we fall
When the roll up yonder is called?
Sandy Perry
Monday, November 22, 2010
A new Heart You Say???
This new heart we have been given
Is not like the old one of sinful livin
This new mind that is being transformed
Into His image our soul is being conformed
This journey last for a lifetime here on earth
And comes full circle in our eternal rebirth
Yet, sometimes we can stray away from the fold
And some of us do not find the Way back
Until we’re broken and old
Yet in my life I can look back and see
I was never too far from Thee
And in all these times I thought I was lost
Jesus was there leading me to the cross
Where the cost of our sins were paid
On His shoulders our burdens were laid
Set free from the sins of our past
Freed up to hear God say,
welcome home My good and faithful child at last
My friends if this does not bring you peace
And fill you with a joy that does not cease
It should make us long for Jesus so much
To be near to Him in our hearts
Feel Him in the depths of our soul
With a yearning to feel His loving touch
As His loving arms pick us up
Bringing us into the heavenly fold
Sandy Perry
Is not like the old one of sinful livin
This new mind that is being transformed
Into His image our soul is being conformed
This journey last for a lifetime here on earth
And comes full circle in our eternal rebirth
Yet, sometimes we can stray away from the fold
And some of us do not find the Way back
Until we’re broken and old
Yet in my life I can look back and see
I was never too far from Thee
And in all these times I thought I was lost
Jesus was there leading me to the cross
Where the cost of our sins were paid
On His shoulders our burdens were laid
Set free from the sins of our past
Freed up to hear God say,
welcome home My good and faithful child at last
My friends if this does not bring you peace
And fill you with a joy that does not cease
It should make us long for Jesus so much
To be near to Him in our hearts
Feel Him in the depths of our soul
With a yearning to feel His loving touch
As His loving arms pick us up
Bringing us into the heavenly fold
Sandy Perry
Monday, March 29, 2010
Seeing through Jesus' eyes!
Zacchaeus was an easy man to dislike. As a tax collector for an unfair occupying government, he had made himself rich by overcharging his countrymen. Yet, to the dismay of the crowd, Jesus honored him by going to his house and eating with him. Should we not do the same? Being Jesus to whoever or wherever we might see or be present with?
A judge with a reputation for toughness showed me by his actions how he learned to relate to unlovable people. It seems that Sunday morning sermon his minister urged the congregation to try to look at people through the eyes of Jesus. A few days later the judge was about to give a stiff sentence to an arrogant young man who kept getting in trouble. But then he remembered what the minister had suggested. So with that love of Jesus guiding him, he looked this young man in the eye and told him he thought he was a bright and talented human being. And then said to him, let’s talk together about how we can get you living in more motivated and fruitful ways. The prisoner and the judge had a surprisingly good conversation. This judge being Christ like toward this criminal had a positive effect on this young man’s life.
Jesus saw Zacchaeus as a sinner with an empty hole that only He could fill, and through His kindness Zacchaeus was transformed. The judge could not report any such change at that very moment, but I know the long term outcome was? He had set a good example for me, because he saw me through the eyes of Jesus. It was then quite a few years for real change to happen but eventually it did. So never think a kindness done in the name of Jesus ever returns void.
We all have heard of the blessings Jesus spoke of in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-10). Here's a "blessing" from the Old Testament that is less well-known: "Blessed is he who considers the poor" (Psalm 41:1). The Hebrew words I crossreferenced with Strongs translated "considers" means "to take thought for others." The word translated "poor" means "those in need."
There are many people around us who are poor in love and in hope, those in need of a kind loving word. Even the hard hearted in-mate needs to feel they are loved, and in the thoughts of God. Even though we cannot solve all their problems, we can show them that we care. We may not have lots of money, but we can give of ourselves. We can let needy people know that we're thinking of them. We can listen as they tell their stories. We can treat them with courtesy and respect. We can pray for them. We can write letters of encouragement. We can tell them about Jesus. If we can do nothing else, we can love them.
Think about those who live only for themselves, always trying to get ahead, looking for the next thing to make them happy. Compare them with people who give themselves to others. Which ones possess inner calm, strength, and joy?
The place of God's blessing is easily entered: Consider the poor, love the unlovely, Rescue the Captives, whether homeless, or in prison or sitting right beside you in the pew.
We need to see through Jesus' eyes, our neighbors who are lost
For then we will reach out to them, regardless of the cost
We need to see through Jesus’ eyes,the needy on the street
Feeding their body and their soul with Jesus' love oh so sweet
Not in having or receiving, but in giving there is joyful bliss
He who has no other pleasure, always may he rejoice in this?
In Christ,
Sandy Perry
03/29/10
Micah 6:8
A judge with a reputation for toughness showed me by his actions how he learned to relate to unlovable people. It seems that Sunday morning sermon his minister urged the congregation to try to look at people through the eyes of Jesus. A few days later the judge was about to give a stiff sentence to an arrogant young man who kept getting in trouble. But then he remembered what the minister had suggested. So with that love of Jesus guiding him, he looked this young man in the eye and told him he thought he was a bright and talented human being. And then said to him, let’s talk together about how we can get you living in more motivated and fruitful ways. The prisoner and the judge had a surprisingly good conversation. This judge being Christ like toward this criminal had a positive effect on this young man’s life.
Jesus saw Zacchaeus as a sinner with an empty hole that only He could fill, and through His kindness Zacchaeus was transformed. The judge could not report any such change at that very moment, but I know the long term outcome was? He had set a good example for me, because he saw me through the eyes of Jesus. It was then quite a few years for real change to happen but eventually it did. So never think a kindness done in the name of Jesus ever returns void.
We all have heard of the blessings Jesus spoke of in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-10). Here's a "blessing" from the Old Testament that is less well-known: "Blessed is he who considers the poor" (Psalm 41:1). The Hebrew words I crossreferenced with Strongs translated "considers" means "to take thought for others." The word translated "poor" means "those in need."
There are many people around us who are poor in love and in hope, those in need of a kind loving word. Even the hard hearted in-mate needs to feel they are loved, and in the thoughts of God. Even though we cannot solve all their problems, we can show them that we care. We may not have lots of money, but we can give of ourselves. We can let needy people know that we're thinking of them. We can listen as they tell their stories. We can treat them with courtesy and respect. We can pray for them. We can write letters of encouragement. We can tell them about Jesus. If we can do nothing else, we can love them.
Think about those who live only for themselves, always trying to get ahead, looking for the next thing to make them happy. Compare them with people who give themselves to others. Which ones possess inner calm, strength, and joy?
The place of God's blessing is easily entered: Consider the poor, love the unlovely, Rescue the Captives, whether homeless, or in prison or sitting right beside you in the pew.
We need to see through Jesus' eyes, our neighbors who are lost
For then we will reach out to them, regardless of the cost
We need to see through Jesus’ eyes,the needy on the street
Feeding their body and their soul with Jesus' love oh so sweet
Not in having or receiving, but in giving there is joyful bliss
He who has no other pleasure, always may he rejoice in this?
In Christ,
Sandy Perry
03/29/10
Micah 6:8
Sunday, February 21, 2010
This place is not my home!!
Behind these walls in this 6x8 cell,
I know it is just a temporary man made hell,
In which this earthly body may dwell,
Merely a place where I’m waiting
At this moment in time contemplating,
But not where I’m staying, surely not my eternal home,
With Jesus in my heart and on my mind,
Praise God He never leaves His children alone
He sees me even now in the heavenly places,
As temptation & hatred puts me through the paces
Testing me and my patience every hour
Knowing all along my soul satan can’t devour,
For God is filling me with His tender love,
Sweet merciful blessings and His awesome power,
Christ Jesus our Lord & Savior Who rules even here not only above,
With His graces into us He showers
His tender mercies, eternal and sweet-sweet love!!
Sandy Perry©
02/21/10
I know it is just a temporary man made hell,
In which this earthly body may dwell,
Merely a place where I’m waiting
At this moment in time contemplating,
But not where I’m staying, surely not my eternal home,
With Jesus in my heart and on my mind,
Praise God He never leaves His children alone
He sees me even now in the heavenly places,
As temptation & hatred puts me through the paces
Testing me and my patience every hour
Knowing all along my soul satan can’t devour,
For God is filling me with His tender love,
Sweet merciful blessings and His awesome power,
Christ Jesus our Lord & Savior Who rules even here not only above,
With His graces into us He showers
His tender mercies, eternal and sweet-sweet love!!
Sandy Perry©
02/21/10
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
We may bend sometimes, but in Christ we will never be broken!
In the shadows he lurks with his evil he works to make us fall away
Every little crack he seeks to slither in and remind us of our sin
We may bend and sway in the wind, but this reed will not be broken
We know in our heart and trust in the Way, the Word that has spoken
Predator, liar and tempter, a scavenger of lost souls devouring his prey
Knowing he has lost the fight yet still working through the night and day
We may bend and sway in the wind, but this reed will not be broken
We know in our heart and trust in the Way, the Word that has spoken
Father You gave us Your only Son, our Lord Jesus, the Holy One
To bring us into Your kingdom only through Him is our hope for salvation
We may bend and sway in the wind but this reed will not be broken
We know in our heart and trust in the Way, the Holy Word that has spoken
Sandy Perry
02/10/10
Every little crack he seeks to slither in and remind us of our sin
We may bend and sway in the wind, but this reed will not be broken
We know in our heart and trust in the Way, the Word that has spoken
Predator, liar and tempter, a scavenger of lost souls devouring his prey
Knowing he has lost the fight yet still working through the night and day
We may bend and sway in the wind, but this reed will not be broken
We know in our heart and trust in the Way, the Word that has spoken
Father You gave us Your only Son, our Lord Jesus, the Holy One
To bring us into Your kingdom only through Him is our hope for salvation
We may bend and sway in the wind but this reed will not be broken
We know in our heart and trust in the Way, the Holy Word that has spoken
Sandy Perry
02/10/10
Monday, December 28, 2009
Peace amidst the trials. God’s peace!
If anyone ever did or does read my blogs/devotions please forgive my lack over the past couple of months posting I promise to do be more faithful. Love you all!!
It really should not matter what the weather is in your world or as to whether your friends stand with you during times that are stormy or sunny. But, It is usually in these times of adversity and trials that draw our faithful friends and family to us and then we become closer in all areas of life and more personally bonded with them, building longer lasting, closer relationships and deeper understanding of God’s peace that is beyond our understanding.
A very simple rule is found in Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” It is as plain as the nose on our face. It really is surprising, if we are willing to admit it, how some of us love to worry. If we did not have something to worry about, we would feel very abnormal. Some Christians are laid-back in their attitude toward the problems of life. Others may be inclined to be careful about everything. But this plea really, applies to all of us. “Let the peace of God rule.” Let It. In other words, God wants to give us this gift of “my peace.” He wants His children to have rest of heart. He wants us to experience that for which the heart of man naturally hungers. It is not for the apostles only. It is not for preachers, solely. It is for every trusting believer in Christ. Everyone who is willing to trust God and have peace with God through Jesus Christ can also have the peace of God.
I have discovered it is the same way with Jesus. We will never really know Him in a personal way until we allow Him to help us in our hard times. In fact, Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that we are assured we will have hardship in our lives. It is inevitable. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." How awesome it is to know that with the troubles, we will also have peace as well.
Currently undergoing the most difficult time in my life, I have relied on my family and friends more now than ever. My family and friends have been a blessing to me and I have been uplifted with cards, emails, text messages, Music CD’s, sermons, books, and simple notes of encouragement. They have gotten me through days when I could not muster enough strength to get out of bed. I love you all and thank you.
However, beyond the generous, gracious love and support of family and friends, I have dug deep into my faith. A faith I strive to carry with me boldly, have always relied on and needed. However, through this particular trial, I met my sweetest and most faithful friend Jesus in a more personal way.
One of Ruth’s favorite Psalms was Psalms 91, and a reading at her memorial. Since this time, I got a profound message that dissected Psalm 91 and taught me how to come there to it in meditation as a reminder to me each and every day that “He is my place for safety and protection. My God in whom I trust”. That “under his wings I can hide” “nothing bad will happen to me. He will put His angels in charge of me to watch over me wherever I go”. “I can call on Him and He will answer. He will be with me when I am I trouble and rescue me.” I have prayed Psalm 91 daily and made it personal for me. It has sustained me.
A very dear freind sent me a little book called Words of Comfort with a card where she had written Psalm 34 in big letters. I looked up that scripture. Psalm 35:4 says: “I asked the Lord for help, and He answered me He saved me from all that I feared.” I found such comfort in those words. I do not consider it a coincidence that she sent me that scripture on that day. How could she know that specific day I was filled with fear? My faithful friend Jesus must have told her.
So, while I am waiting for the storm to pass. Perhaps you are weathering a storm in your life as well. I know the waiting is the hardest part. Rest assured in knowing there is a silver lining. Nothing is hopeless. Nothing. Every hurt can become a treasure. Every ending is the beginning of a fresh start. Every tear we cry is the watering of new growth. And the only moment that truly lasts forever is the one where we say yes. Yes, Lord, you are my faithful friend, my God in whom I trust.
So hold on. Hold tight. Find a Psalm that gives you comfort and peace (a peace beyond our human understanding and pray it everyday. Yes, life will sometimes fail you but your friend Jesus(found reaching in every needed direction of your life) wants you to have peace, peace through the storm.
In His love,
Sandy Perry
12/26/09
It really should not matter what the weather is in your world or as to whether your friends stand with you during times that are stormy or sunny. But, It is usually in these times of adversity and trials that draw our faithful friends and family to us and then we become closer in all areas of life and more personally bonded with them, building longer lasting, closer relationships and deeper understanding of God’s peace that is beyond our understanding.
A very simple rule is found in Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” It is as plain as the nose on our face. It really is surprising, if we are willing to admit it, how some of us love to worry. If we did not have something to worry about, we would feel very abnormal. Some Christians are laid-back in their attitude toward the problems of life. Others may be inclined to be careful about everything. But this plea really, applies to all of us. “Let the peace of God rule.” Let It. In other words, God wants to give us this gift of “my peace.” He wants His children to have rest of heart. He wants us to experience that for which the heart of man naturally hungers. It is not for the apostles only. It is not for preachers, solely. It is for every trusting believer in Christ. Everyone who is willing to trust God and have peace with God through Jesus Christ can also have the peace of God.
I have discovered it is the same way with Jesus. We will never really know Him in a personal way until we allow Him to help us in our hard times. In fact, Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that we are assured we will have hardship in our lives. It is inevitable. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." How awesome it is to know that with the troubles, we will also have peace as well.
Currently undergoing the most difficult time in my life, I have relied on my family and friends more now than ever. My family and friends have been a blessing to me and I have been uplifted with cards, emails, text messages, Music CD’s, sermons, books, and simple notes of encouragement. They have gotten me through days when I could not muster enough strength to get out of bed. I love you all and thank you.
However, beyond the generous, gracious love and support of family and friends, I have dug deep into my faith. A faith I strive to carry with me boldly, have always relied on and needed. However, through this particular trial, I met my sweetest and most faithful friend Jesus in a more personal way.
One of Ruth’s favorite Psalms was Psalms 91, and a reading at her memorial. Since this time, I got a profound message that dissected Psalm 91 and taught me how to come there to it in meditation as a reminder to me each and every day that “He is my place for safety and protection. My God in whom I trust”. That “under his wings I can hide” “nothing bad will happen to me. He will put His angels in charge of me to watch over me wherever I go”. “I can call on Him and He will answer. He will be with me when I am I trouble and rescue me.” I have prayed Psalm 91 daily and made it personal for me. It has sustained me.
A very dear freind sent me a little book called Words of Comfort with a card where she had written Psalm 34 in big letters. I looked up that scripture. Psalm 35:4 says: “I asked the Lord for help, and He answered me He saved me from all that I feared.” I found such comfort in those words. I do not consider it a coincidence that she sent me that scripture on that day. How could she know that specific day I was filled with fear? My faithful friend Jesus must have told her.
So, while I am waiting for the storm to pass. Perhaps you are weathering a storm in your life as well. I know the waiting is the hardest part. Rest assured in knowing there is a silver lining. Nothing is hopeless. Nothing. Every hurt can become a treasure. Every ending is the beginning of a fresh start. Every tear we cry is the watering of new growth. And the only moment that truly lasts forever is the one where we say yes. Yes, Lord, you are my faithful friend, my God in whom I trust.
So hold on. Hold tight. Find a Psalm that gives you comfort and peace (a peace beyond our human understanding and pray it everyday. Yes, life will sometimes fail you but your friend Jesus(found reaching in every needed direction of your life) wants you to have peace, peace through the storm.
In His love,
Sandy Perry
12/26/09
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