Tuesday, May 23, 2006
I'VE GOT A MANSION JUST OVER THE HILL TOPS
My wonder years were during a time of radical change for the Christian life style. Just shortly after the Azuza Street Revival many Christians became hungry for more. The family that raised me really wanted to be Christians. Their hunger was evident in their choice of churches they attended. Being a Christian was serious business to them and the words of change still ring in my ears.
"Don't be satisfied with this pie in the sky, attitude," he said. "God has a lot He wants to do for you now. He does not intend for you to wait for every blessing when you get to heaven."
His words brought a lot of hope to people. My mom was born right at the end of the era we know as the great Depression. As you also know , even though the U.S.A. came out of it economically, many folks did not come out of it mentally. They still needed to not use their good stuff until their other stuff had really gotten worn out. Grandma's kept presents back for the days they really would need them.
It was like this mental battle had to be won in the church. You can have blessings now ! You don't have to wait, was like a teaching people had to recondition their thinking to accept.
As good as it was to encourage people to become new wine skins so that they could become filled with new wine, many lost what had held their fathers through that great depression.
"Restore unto me the JOY OF THY SALVATION," the psalmist sings.
Jesus seeing Himself as Salvation for every seed of Adam, endured the cross ,for the joy set before Him.
Just like salvation, the joy that goes with it is a free gift. An emotion will be produced by what you think about. Knowing that the Lord is willing to fill me with His Holy Spirit every morning is more than wonderful ! Knowing that I have Jesus' saving grace that assures me a place in heaven for all eternity is joy unspeakable !
"Don't be satisfied with this pie in the sky, attitude," he said. "God has a lot He wants to do for you now. He does not intend for you to wait for every blessing when you get to heaven."
His words brought a lot of hope to people. My mom was born right at the end of the era we know as the great Depression. As you also know , even though the U.S.A. came out of it economically, many folks did not come out of it mentally. They still needed to not use their good stuff until their other stuff had really gotten worn out. Grandma's kept presents back for the days they really would need them.
It was like this mental battle had to be won in the church. You can have blessings now ! You don't have to wait, was like a teaching people had to recondition their thinking to accept.
As good as it was to encourage people to become new wine skins so that they could become filled with new wine, many lost what had held their fathers through that great depression.
"Restore unto me the JOY OF THY SALVATION," the psalmist sings.
Jesus seeing Himself as Salvation for every seed of Adam, endured the cross ,for the joy set before Him.
Just like salvation, the joy that goes with it is a free gift. An emotion will be produced by what you think about. Knowing that the Lord is willing to fill me with His Holy Spirit every morning is more than wonderful ! Knowing that I have Jesus' saving grace that assures me a place in heaven for all eternity is joy unspeakable !
