To go there. Sounds reasonable…but what will you do there?
Perhaps you have heard the message that God’s love extends even beyond this life
And that he has planned for us an eternity of perfection in the life to come.
You expect to go to heaven because you can believe in a God of love. Again,
What will you do there? With him? For him? To reciprocate this boundless love?
If you have been in love you will recall finding yourself constantly mentioning
Your beloved’s name to any one who would listen, and being so enamoured with this person that you could watch him/her all day.
Or, perhaps been so enthralled by an exhibition or so moved by a speaker
That any thought of the event coming to an end was a definite downer?
Or, enjoyed a holiday so idyllic, refreshing and perfect that home and reality
Seemed another world away? In fact you wished you could forget it all and stay.
No earthly experience however marvellous can compare with what is ahead for those
Who have asked Jesus Christ to be their Saviour and Lord.
There is no greater love than to lay down your life for another. This Jesus did to redeem us, to atone for our sins, to grant us access into the presence of God. The Bible states we love because God first loved us. Our love for Jesus (and our love for each other) is
A result of Jesus’ love for us. If we believe Jesus died for us and repent of our sin, asking Jesus to indwell us, surrendering our will to him, we become ‘new creatures’. ‘Born-again’ joint heirs with Christ to the kingdom of God – eternity.
Not only did Jesus redeem us for this eternal inheritance, he promised to remain with us until that time. Even when he returned to heaven to prepare us a place in which to abide with him throughout eternity, He left his Spirit to be our companion. An ever-present reminder of Jesus’ return for us. A holy friend to comfort us in our walk. A wise counsellor to guide us and open our Eyes, hearts and minds to God’s will for us in this earthly life.
When will Jesus return? We are not told the precise hour, only that we are to be ready. Through The traditional Jewish wedding custom of betrothal - the groom building a marital place under his father’s approval, and coming for his bride in the midnight hour - Jesus urges us to be prepared for his return whatever the hour. Of the ten ‘bridesmaids’ also waiting for the bridegroom’s return in this story, not all are found ready at his coming; those not ready are left behind.
Eternity is not just a better place to hope in for when we die. Eternity is not for those
Who merely say they believe in God.
Eternity is for the bride and the Bridegroom.
Eternity is for the redeemed and the Redeemer.
Eternity is forever a time to praise and glorify our God.
Year of jubilee
I am the Lord your God.
You are my servants, my redeemed.
You are the Lord our God.
We are your servants, praise be to thee.
We lift up our voices before you Lord,
We lift up our voices for the world to hear.
We sing of your glory,
We sing of a time of peace to come.
We face the one who stands against us,
We face a defeated foe.
You are the Lord our God.
Praise be to thee.
You wrote the laws that hold us,
You wrote the laws that set us free.
In your Word there is freedom,
In your Word there is victory.
We set ourselves to the conflicts,
We know there comes a time of Jubilee.
All tribulation is in passing,
All tribulation ends in jubilee.
Sheep
Sheep:
Dumb – content to be one of the flock.
Fleecy – good for garments to keep the weather out.
Herbivorous – tender, no sweeter meat to taste.
Sheep:
We are but sheep in your pasture Lord,
Remind us of your care.
Do we, when need be, give of this abundance?
Teach us your generosity.
When you call, do we render our life in service?
As you Lord did, our Shepherd precious.
Adonai Ro’i
Your pasture is eternal;
Your arms bound our way;
Your providence unequalled;
Your love for us guaranteed.
Hear Lord, the cry of your people:
“May we be today, forever, yours alone to keep.”
12 The Bridegroom is coming
Promise (at your feet)
A gleaner she was in the field of Boaz.
I gather your words as they spill from your heart.
He - an admirer of beauty, a protector of kin.
I glow in the knowledge that in your love I am living.
In winter we believe in the arrival of spring.
In drought we survive in the hope rain will fall.
In darkness we delight in the knowledge dawn follows night.
In separation we live in the assurance that you will come again.
Trusting in wisdom Ruth followed the plan;
There on the threshing floor she fell soft at his feet.
Trust is everything when nothing you hold;
Each day reassured by the promise you’ll keep.
The promised land
Where there is emptiness and longing in our souls,
There will be found contentment, our bodies made whole.
Where sorrow now surrounds us and tears are daily worn,
There will be joy and singing, no longer will we mourn.
Where fear does haunt us and thorns grow at our sides,
There we’ll be in your presence and never need to hide.
Where all roads lead to danger and help is rarely found,
There we’ll be free to wander – we will be on holy ground.
Where faith grows in promises and ‘hope’ our planted seed,
There we’ll thrive in fulfilment and never suffer need.
Where now our path is clouded with storms to struggle through,
There will be only sunshine from the glory of you.
Where all our doors are bolted and caution is a must,
There we’ll know your protection and give you total trust.
Where shadows now torment us from years of shifting sands,
There will be rest and solace in the strength of your hands.
Where our hopes rest on tomorrow but all days turn to night,
There will be no more darkness and we’ll shine in your light.
Where we are but outcasts and yearn our day of rest,
There we’ll glow in your comfort and be eternally blessed.
When the harvest is gathered in fullness of your plan
Then we’ll stand as chosen seed in this, the promised land.
Heart song – A Messianic people
In memory of a garden where perfection once grew
There came restoration through a seed, single and new.
Set in the rich soil of promise this plant grew strong.
Set apart from the rest it flourished while under the sun.
With its heart held firm it battled seasons and storms
But many times its limbs were broken, torn.
With love for the tree the time for pruning had come,
That once again it could flourish in the warmth of the sun.
Great sorrow hung over the garden rampant with weeds.
Lovingly slips were taken and joined to the tree.
The season is ripe. The time of rejoicing is come.
The Master is returning; the song of harvest is sung.
Favoure
d, planted, protected by God - called ‘chosen seed’.
Rootstock of the nations, the fruit of the tree.
Scattered. Exiled. The remnant, the few,
United together, established forever, God’s people the Jew.
Destined. Promised – yours for all to see.
Lord, gather again your people – yours for eternity.
The Father’s love (reprise)
Come to the Father; let honour be upon the Son,
For the Father’s love and wisdom ordain you be one.
Let your trust in the Father call you to the Son.
Come to the Father; put your trust in the Son
For his love and his wisdom are just as you’ve known.
Let his love for the Father take you as his own.
Come to the Father; find new life with the Son.
Let his love and his wisdom guide you gently on For the will of the Father plans you walk as one.
Yeshua Ha Mashiach
Yahvah Elyon he is King, lift your voices unto Yah.
He is Lord of everything; sing your praises unto Yah.
In Yeshua will I trust, blessed son of El Shaddai.
Yeshua Ha Mashiach - let your song be Adonai.
Emmanuel, God is with us. Incarnate Diety.
Paraclete my promised friend until Eternity.
I am the Shepherd’s and the King’s; my Redeemer is the Lamb,
Sheltered safe in Yahvah’s wing, in Yeshua will I stand.
Sanctified
In the writings of old,
In the stories long told,
My Lord, I am yours.
When I don’t understand
Take me aside,
Look into my eyes,
Take my hand
My Lord, I am yours.
Like the sun in the morning,
So is your glory,
Every moment in time,
Your love on me shines,
My Lord I am yours.
Written of, whispered to;
Redeemed, sanctified,
My Lord I am yours.
Come what may
(a song of joy)
It’s a beautiful day
Yes come what may;
Because I have you
Yes Lord I’m with you.
Nothing can me sway,
No from your face.
My rhythm is you
Yes, my heart you’ve tuned.
It’s a beautiful day,
Come sun or hail;
Beside me is you,
Yes my journey through.
You’ve paved my way
And beside me stayed.
Every breath’s for you,
Yes even death it proves
Every breath is you.
Overflowing
I want to give thanks my God,
My soul is overflowing.
Measure my joy,
Measure it in full.
Pour it out as blessings,
Bless him whose favour fell on me.
Hunger for your love
Could I be so busy there’d be no thoughts of you?
Could I forget all that we’ve been through?
Distract me while I’m working,
Hold me; warm me in the sun’s embrace,
Toss white pillows on that spread of blue.
Laden the breeze with whispers;
Let me imagine eternity with you.
Call my name when I’m dreaming.
Wake me; begin my days with time with you.
Assure me I’ll want for nothing.
Fill my heart with promises.
Give me a hunger for your love.
Always and forever
Remind me why I hunger for your love.
Every prayer
You keep every word?
I can’t believe you’ve kept them.
As a lover keeps letters, cards, even little notes,
You have kept every uttered and whispered prayer.
Each tearful cry, each wordless plea,
Each joyful song of thanks,
Each heartfelt acknowledgment…
All kept in a golden bowl as incense to surround you.
Each a reminder of my adoration of you.
My heart lifted high
Arms outstretched atop a mountain,
My heart lifted high,
Arms outstretched atop a mountain,
Praise to you my Lord, my Redeemer,
Praise to you my Lord lifted high.
There is peace in your presence,
Security in your love and care.
My rock, my salvation,
How I love to feel you near.
Arms outstretched atop a mountain,
My heart lifted high,
Praise to you my Lord, my Redeemer,
Praise to you my Lord lifted high.
Let me show how much I love you -
With my heart, my life I do.
Today and forever
Lord I will always love you.
Arms outstretched atop a mountain,
My heart lifted high,
Praise to you my Lord, my Redeemer,
Praise to you my Lord lifted high.
A thousand years will not sway me;
Each a chance to prove me true;
My Lord, my Redeemer,
Eternally pledged to you.
Arms outstretched atop a mountain,
My heart lifted high,
Praise to you my Lord, my Redeemer,
Praise to you my Lord lifted high.
A new beginning
Each day that I live
And every step that I take
Is a glimmer of daybreak and a new beginning for me.
All that is within me and whatever can be
Will be fulfilled when your call I hear.
What jubilance! O what joy to respond:
“It is my Lord. My Lord is here.”
Ready
Chosen, Esther made herself ready;
Her time of purification unmeasured
Until that call came:
“Are you ready?
“Are you beautiful?
“The king will see you today.”
Chosen,
And clothed in your love,
I am blessed (happy and to be envied) -
Your bride betrothed.
Radiant in anticipation;
To fill your heart with pride.
Chosen,
We await our day,
The day the heavens will sing:
“Are you ready?
“Are you beautiful?
“Your Lord will see you today.
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