Mind expansion time!

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

What jumped out at me this morning? “…in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace.” Heaven really is … just a continuation of His plan for us. Relationships, community, family, purpose, and the revelation of His love – will ALL continue just in greater degrees. In some ways we will be surprised mainly by all the ‘wrong’ assumptions we have made about heaven, and in other ways we will absolutely marvel at the richness, and kindness, and meticulous love of God He has towards each of us individually, and specifically! We will continue to ‘join with Him’ in His purpose. “…in the coming ages…” Not ‘age’ but ‘ages’. Ponder that a moment. Yes, I know the Greek word here for ‘ages’ also includes the idea of eternity and perpetuity – but in our human understanding… eternity is still something we have great difficulty grasping. And the Father and Jesus are looking BEYOND our current life (this current earth and heaven) and planning how they will ‘display the surpassing riches of His grace’ … to us! Coming ages … hmmm… what is in the heart of our Father for the universe and creation, and us …beyond? A new heaven …and a new earth. (Revelation 21:1 / Isaiah 65:17). Stop. Pause…. Realize what these scriptures say. A new heaven. AND a new earth.

During this ‘time’ we are being ‘sent’ many who have visited Heaven and returned. Sure, there are also MANY false and misleading stories about ‘afterlife’ testimonies. This is why we so desperately need the discernment from the Holy Spirit. Just as there is the false and misleading – there is the REAL. And when you encounter the REAL the Holy Spirit will confirm it within you. Do you trust your ability to hear Him? Have you learned to recognize Him clearly in your own mind and heart? The messages of hope being sent from Heaven abound more and more! The Holy Spirit has lately been sending me encouragement THROUGH these testimonies of Heaven, reminding me of what HE has shown me personally. With that ‘revelation’ and sure hope … that makes the short time we have left on this earth …so much more bearable. It is imperative in the coming days and hours that we learn to recognize the REAL versus the counterfeit. I believe our ‘time’ is getting shorter and shorter, and time is speeding up.

But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase. Daniel 12:7

If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. Matthew 24:22

Ask yourself this question… What can defeat the love of God?

It’s only our own personal choice to …reject Him. Without that ‘choice’ love wouldn’t exist. That’s what makes love so unique and special. So… my suggestion to you … is to ‘choose Him’ Choose His will for you. Choose His path for you. Choose His plan for you. Choose to listen to the Holy Spirit. Choose to agree with Him. In doing so… you win. Not what you ‘want’ …but what HE wants FOR you and will give you – which is FAR greater, magnificent, and better than what you want. Who knows best? You or God? How good is God? How far does His love go for us? Just stop and look at Jesus!!!

Father, we choose YOU! Jesus, we choose YOU! Holy Spirit, we choose YOU! I give everyone and everything to YOU this morning. Guide me. Direct me. Help me hear YOU! Allow me to feel YOUR love for me. Encompass me with YOUR Presence. Fill me with YOUR breath! Help me walk out this day in obedience to YOU!

*selah*