The Next Cloud

This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Acts 1:11

Though perhaps the picture is not the most beautiful you've ever seen, or even on this blog, it can remind us of one of the most precious promises we hold, the return of our Lord.

Then we ... shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.

I Thessalonians 4:17

As we see look at the clouds in this picture and the one around us, we can watch and say "He may be on the next coud"

Here is a song I like that speaks about that, It's called "He may be on the next cloud"

One Plant

Only One

Renewed Fire

January 4. 4 days into the year 2012. Just long enough to be hit with reality again. Probably for most over half of the infamous "New Year's resolutions" broken.

Where is that fire we had on the 1st?

We start the year with lofty expectations. We determine things we think will be good for us, and rightly so; things that will take us to another level of living. But time goes by and we're hit with reality again. We find it hard to go up to another level when we remember that we are still doing the same things we did last year.

Maybe one of the problems is that we don't live what we are. Ephesians 2:6 tells us we are on a higher level. Ephesians 2:6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He has raised us up. Positionally we are on a higher level, but we don't necessarily practice it. He has raised us up, He has brought us closer to him than anyone else could be in any other time. Even John the Baptist was only the "friend of the Bride Groom", but He has made us his bride. He has made us sit together in heavenly places. Oh that we could enjoy the heavenly places more fully! Above all this we see "in Christ Jesus". Oh the greatness of what we have "in Christ".

May this be our lasting light this year. This light is one that can last longer because it is not by our own power, but by His. He has done it all, it is for us to enjoy and live in the good of what he has made us. May this go with us and light our gloomy days, "He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

May these first days of the year be like the picture. The sun, dispelling the past darkness, promisses a day of bright light. May these days be the sign of renewed fire in our Christian life, the beginning of a day of spiritual brightness in our lives.

Credit for this photo goes to Joshua Peña.