Looking for a New City (Heb. 13:14)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 08-07-03

 

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  Looking for a new city

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Hebrews 13:14

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”  (NASB)  “For this is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come.”  (NLT)

            This verse contrasts what is in verse thirteen, for in that verse we are seen as going outside the camp, or city of Jerusalem, in order to bear disgrace likened unto that of Christ, for we are not of this world, but as this verse says we are looking forward to the city which is in heaven whose designer and builder is God.  There is quite a contrast in these verses indeed.

 

            2.  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  One of the things that the Lord is teaching me as I go through this storm over our investments is that this is not my home, for I am only passing through.  This place where I live is the “proving grounds” for the new place which is talked about in this verse, and that is heaven, or the new Jerusalem.  I cannot afford to hang on to the things of this earth that will all someday pass away.  The Lord has made me a steward of some things that are on this earth, but he wants me to above all place my total trust in Him, and not the things that He has given me to be a steward over.  There are times in this life on earth where I will have to bear the disgrace that Christ bore, but as this verse says this earth is only temporary.

 

The Word of God did indeed present some challenges to me, yet as the same time was refreshing to my heart.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  As this date that has been set up by Andrew Lech to pay the money back to all of us approaches those who has sought out lawyers to plead their case for them my be putting all of us into a longer time frame to receive our funds back.  As all of this goes on I have to continue to trust the Lord for His timing and for His will, and also for His matchless grace to handle what he has for me to go through.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 121:1-7

 

1.      I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?

2.      My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

3.      He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.

4.      Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5.      The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

6.      The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night.

7.      The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.