Robin S.’s Journal

We should show hospitality to others/strangers like we are entertaining the angels. I remember a time I was waiting on my husband who was late as usual picking me up. A gentleman walked in the foyer and asked me why I was upset. I explaine the situation and he calmly said, "do not be upset, there may have been circumstances that made him late" I wanted to disagree with him but there was something about him that caught my attention and made me wonder if this was one of God's angels sent to keep me calm. He came back by 5 or 10 minutes later and just smiled. My husband came right after that but I was much calmer and the ride home was not as stressful at it could have been. The angels are 'Holy' heavenly creatures who perfectly do God's will. They are priviledged to reside in his presence. When we are in their presence and interacting with them, we are interacting with a direct emissary of his. We can get caught up in our own issues and ignore or forget to be kind to others. I wasn't rude to the man, even though I was upset with my husband. After he left though, I really wanted to further the conversation and ask him if he was angel because he gave me such calmness and peace.

When we are facing hardships and persecution, we can feel like we have lost all energy. We may go into a depressive state and want to sit around in anguish or pout. The world appears dark to us and we feel drained. Our bodies may slump and our head may hang low. No matter what we have gone through, we still have not gone through as much persecution as the Christ did for us. It is difficult to envision the light or the angels in the heaven during these times but if we do the work necessary we will be strengthened. The apostle says strengthen 'your' hands, make level paths, make peace. So even at our lowest, if we do not give up and keep pressing ahead we can become stronger. We can get help from our Father through the Holy Spirit. We can know that we are part of a greater family that is cheering for us.

This scripture stands out because here John, after talking about sin that leads to death and believing in the Christ, brings up idols. I guess its because its the idolatrous things that lead us to sin. Mankind seems to make everything idols. Many may think this is only some inanimate object that we bow or pray to but idol worship goes so much deeper than that. Idols can be political or entertainment figures that we admire. Idols can be over eating and heavy drinking. We can even make ourselves our own idols by focusing to much on our needs and desires. The fact that he said dear children shows the affection he puts into the warning. Not hollaring or screaming that we sometimes do when we feel our children are in danger but her is loving and gentle counsel. Dear Heavenly Father, help me stay from idols.

This scripture has always been interesting to me and have left me with many questions like "What do you mean he could not be found?" Did someone go to visit him one day and he was not there and never returned? Did he have alzheimers and just walk away? I mean he was over 300 years old. Did he show up on the side of a goat or cow since there were no milk cartons? Was he seen like Elijah going up into the sky on something? He must have been really, really faithful because there were others who were faithful who didn't get a golden chariot ride like Abraham or Job. Job past the big test by Satan. He even endured stinky boils and a nagging wife. Anyway, I guess I'll just have to work on my faithfulness and maybe I'll get a heavenly rainbow to ride. Or maybe I'll be like Dorothy and tap my heals three time and end up at the father's thrown. It'll be my luck and be carried away by the flying monkeys!

This scripture has always been interesting to me and has provoked many questions. Like what do you mean he could not be found! Was he at home one day and just disappeared? Did anyone around witness this "now you see him, now you don't" miracle? Did his picture show up on a goat or cow since there were no milk cartons? Did he go out for a walk and just never come back because he was eaten by something ferocious? Did he have alzheimers and just wonder away? He was over 300 years old. Then there are the questions of boy he must have been really faithful because there has only been one other person that was just whisked away to heaven and that was Elijah. But even Elisha saw him leave. Abraham was the Patriarch of the Israelites; God's friend but he wasn't just taken to heaven. Job was an integrity keeper who passed Satan's test with flying colors; including quite a few gross stinky boils and a nagging wife but he didn't ride a heavenly rainbow. I guess it is not for me to know, just to live my life as faithful as I can and maybe just maybe I'll be like Dorothy of Kansas and tap my heals together one day and be home with my father in the heaven. Maybe I'll go up on a flying monkey.

When I think of this verse, I think of a father looking for his child because he has something for him to do. He knows he's in hearing range and he calls him. The child hears the fathers voice, rushes to him and says " here I am, I have come to do your will." The son knows the father has something for him to do and he is willing and ready to do it. Maybe because he knows that his father's will is important. Maybe he's done the fathers bidding before and he enjoys it. Whatever the reason is, he's heard his fathers call and he is ready. In this case the son knows the mission. It is specifically designed for him. It It is life giving and saving. May I too become keen on hearing the father's voice by reading his word more and meditating. I know I need to open my spirit more to him. I need to get lost in my thoughts of him by blocking everything out as often as possible and concentrate on him. God I really do want to do your will. You truly are my only father.

The first covenant was full of laws and instructions. It was a burden on the people and did not make anyone sinless nor direct their worship to the heavens. They were still ruled over by an earthly king and priest. How grateful I should be that I only have to focus my attention upward to the heavenly sanctuary that does not have to be dismantled or could be destroyed during war. I can worship the King anywhere and at anytime.

Jesus our savior offered up his life in the heavens to come to earth. He put on corruption in the form of flesh and maintained a perfect life for 33 1/2 years. He took on death and was victorious and went back to heaven. You would think that was the ultimate love right there and would be enough. But no, he continues to be concerned with his creation. He was the master worker. Now he's our King and High Priest. Wow! Who are we, sinful man/woman that we deserve such time, attention and love? Can any of us ever feel that we are not important and loved? He still serves us in the real world! Please Lord help me serve you to the best of my ability because you really deserve my worship and love.

I can only imagine what it was like for the priest to have to daily offer up animals, birds and grain offerings (depending on the sin) for the people. There were hundreds of thousands of Israelites in the camp and the Levitical priest had to serve them all because no one was perfect and eventually had to go to the temple with a sacrificial offering. To meditate on that, then realize that God's provision through his son our savior Christ Jesus was greater and had to be done only one time for all eternity for everyone, demonstrates a God of great wisdom and love. No matter how many times the billions of us on earth sin, we just have to look to our savior, repent and ask for forgiveness. No kept animals are needed. No trips to the temple with a sin offering so that everyone knew you had done something wrong. No judgement by another imperfect human but love from a priest who is holy forever. Thank you Jesus!

Are we not products of the Land? Didn't God take man from the earth and breathe his breath of life into him. Should we not receive Gods rain of Holy Spirit and the the fertilizer of his word to grow and produce in ourselves a righteous heart; one that will not only bless ourselves but bring honor to God by reflecting his light and life. Can't we then share our crop of good news to bless others and bring joy to our father's heart. Won't we receive the blessing of his acknowledgment on our lives by his whispers of peace and well done my good fruit.