Today in our bible study,  we studied the first four churches in Revelation.  At the beginning of each church, Jesus would tell the angel to write and describe who He is. He reminded the church in Ephesus that He held the churches in His hand, He is in control and had the authority to do what He willed.  In the Church in Smyrna, He reminded them He is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. That was important because they were being martyred daily. The church in Pergamum, it is  He who has the sharp, double-edged sword. The Word of God. How they are to stay true to the Word. In Thyatira He described his eyes as a blazing fire and feet like burning bronze. Judging their church for Idolatry, acts of immorality along with so much more. I have to admit, it’s been a “heavy” day for me as I look at each church and as I ask myself how do I reflect the church,  the body of Christ? He often said to them to be faithful and to hold on to Him til the end. To repent and  remember the height in which they had fallen. What a lesson for us all! A lesson to be faithful to the one who holds the body of Christ in His right hand. To remain faithful when pain and sorrow is such a part of the day. To make sure that I hold to the teaching of the Word and not compromise my beliefs when it is true to the Word of God. Knowing that He searches the hearts and minds of us all! He says that He walks among the churches and He knows what’s going on. In all reality, that’s a comfort. I find comfort in the truth that God is all knowing! I need to know that my life is in the hands of a God who is always there and knows everything! A God who is in control of every situation. Father, I pray that today as you walked among our study you were pleased! 

If you take God out of life, life is meaningless. That is so true! Can you imagine trying to deal with life without God? I’m trying to imagine such a thing and it’s beyond my imagination. as a matter of fact, life with God is tough! These past 2 weeks I have heard more heartache and tragedy than I would ever want to hear. I had to get out of the office for an hour just to walk around and think. Have you ever had to just get by yourself and think?( I guess that’s why I love our retreats so much) I just walked and asked  God to love on His hurting children. After my walk, I turned to Ecclesiastes 11:5 “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God the Maker of all things. It’s so true. I do not understand the work of God who is the Maker of all things. The minute I think I have some insight on God He does something or either allow something to happen that puts me back on my knees saying “I’m going to trust you anyway”! I think Peter said it this way ” to whom shall we go?” you have the words of eternal life. I see it this way, we can either walk away and live life on our own or we can trust God’s heart when we cannot understand His hand. To me, walking away is not the answer. I think it’s hard when I’m holding on to God, it’s impossible when I’m trying to live life on my own!Yes, it’s true  this is not heaven and we are not living in the garden but  I can’t imagine trying to live life without God. I really cannot!! 

I’m studying Revelation getting ready for our bible study to begin tomorrow night. The very first mention of Jesus says He is coming with the clouds and everyone will see Him. He tells us who He is in verse 8 of chapter 1,  I am the Alpha and the Omega. Who is and who was and who is to come - The Almighty.This morning coming to the office the sky was absolutely beautiful. All I could think about is Lord come quickly. Life is hard. I have heard from several ladies lately that are going through such difficult times. I just sat at a red light looking up to the sky saying “Jesus, your children are crying out to you. Please love on them and let them know you  hear their cries !  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if He came today!  But, if not,  I need to remember He is the God of my today, my yesterday, and my future. In the meantime, I will continue looking at the clouds and long for Him and remind myself He is Almighty!