The Challenge of Eternity

 Dec 3rd, 2011    Caths Blog    No Comments »

  BY:  Catherine Martin  catherine@quiettime.org 

When it’s cold outside, we love to go inside to a warm cozy house. Those who have fireplaces throw a log on the fire, perhaps grab a cup of steaming coffee or hot chocolate, and settle in for some soothing conversation and fellowship with loved ones. Jesus extends an invitation to all His beloveds when He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). When Jesus resides and rules in human hearts, those hearts are set on fire through the power of the Holy Spirit. Oh that God would move with the revival fire of the Spirit throughout the world, setting hearts ablaze with love for the Lord and His Word. May He cleanse our hearts and purify us through the washing of the water of His Word (John 15:3). The Lord desires His church to be sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water with the word, “that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:26-27).

This week in the study of A Heart To See Forever in Revelation 2-3 we studied the churches of western Asia Minor in a deeper way than before. Now we’re getting personal and intimate with our Lord. Or maybe I should say, He is getting personal with us. Behind the message in His letters is His personal challenge to you and to me. He is asking the same questions He asked the struggling churches of western Asia Minor — questions like, will you love Him first, will you be faithful, will you wake up, will you hold fast, and will you open the door? More than anything, Jesus wants you. He wants a vibrant, intimate, dynamic relationship with you. This message is written all over the letters. Just the fact that Jesus gave so many names and truths about Himself is evidence of His desire for us to know Him.

So dear friend, lay out your heart before the Lord and ask Him to set your heart on fire and fill you with a burning passionate love for Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. I loved this challenge from A Heart To See Forever this week:

When it comes to spirituality, there is no mistaking that one in a million man or woman of God who has the light of Christ burning passionately in the heart. You can see it in the eyes. You can read it in the moves that are made in life and ministry. There is no vacillation in conviction. There is a steady pace in a direction with an invisible force behind it that cannot be stopped. It is the power of the Holy Spirit and the Person of Christ living and active as that person walks through life. There is no question — the first love is Jesus Christ and that first love permeates everything. They have a one track mind and nothing can shake them from the road they are on.

Don’t you love that challenge! I wrote those words in A Heart To See Forever awhile ago, but oh, how they encourage me today. I was blessed by the example of Robert Murray McCheyne who had the rare “first love for Jesus Christ” pedigree. I am so inspired to live passionately, purely, and powerfully for the Lord Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. As you read and study this week, I believe you will be challenged to examine your own heart and your love for the Lord Jesus. I know I was challenged to draw near to the Lord in a deeper way. The Lord led me to the Psalms, and I began to pray many of the prayers in one Psalm after another. So let me ask you, how’s your heart these days? Is it burning hot for Jesus, or do you need to put a log on the fire? I have just the thing for you. I sat in my quiet time and typed up cleansing prayers from the Psalms, and prayed through every one. And so, I have it for you to download right now. Enjoy and God bless you!

Cleansing Prayer From The Psalms free download from Quiet Time Ministries Download this file and pray through these prayers from the Psalms. I encourage you to print out Cleansing Prayer From The Psalms and use these prayers in your quiet time for a cleansing wash of the Word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Share Your Comments

When you finish Week 4, will you share how these letters to the churches of western Asia Minor impacted your life? How has the Lord ignited your passion for Him? Share all that God is teaching you here in the Comments section of this blog post. What was your favorite verse, quote, thought or insight?

Join us @ Quiet Time Radio™

Then, I invite you to join me online this coming Friday, December 9, 2011, on Quiet Time Radio™ at 8 am PST (11 am EST) where you can listen, chat, and call-in via telephone or Skype, as we discuss The Challenge of Eternity in A Heart To See Forever, our book of quiet times on Revelation and the eternal perspective. What an amazing opportunity we have to share together from all parts of the world about what God is teaching us! Join in on the fun!

Listen Online Now — Quiet Time Radio™ On Demand Episode Friday, December 2, 2011
— A Heart To See Forever Study — The Message Of Eternity—Part 2.

Listen Online Now — Quiet Time Radio™ On Demand Episode Friday, November 18, 2011
— A Heart To See Forever Study — The Message Of Eternity—Part 1.

Listen Online Now — Quiet Time Radio™ On Demand Episode Friday, November 11, 2011
— A Heart To See Forever Study — The Person Of Eternity—Part 2.

Listen Online Now — Quiet Time Radio™ On Demand Episode Friday, November 4, 2011
— A Heart To See Forever Study — The Person Of Eternity—Part 1.

Listen Online Now — Quiet Time Radio™ On Demand Episode Friday, October, 28, 2011
— A Heart To See Forever Study — The Promise Of Eternity—Part 2.

Listen Online Now — Quiet Time Radio™ On Demand Episode Friday, October, 21, 2011
— A Heart To See Forever Study — The Promise Of Eternity—Part 1.

Listen Online Now — Quiet Time Radio™ On Demand Episode Friday, October, 14, 2011
— A Heart To See Forever Study — Introduction Week.

READ Caths Blog Post A Heart To See Forever Study — The Message Of Eternity — Part 2

READ Caths Blog Post A Heart To See Forever Study — The Message Of Eternity — Part 1

READ Caths Blog Post A Heart To See Forever Study — The Person Of Eternity — Part 2

READ Caths Blog Post A Heart To See Forever Study — The Person Of Eternity — Part 1

READ Caths Blog Post A Heart To See Forever Study — The Promise Of Eternity — Part 2

READ Caths Blog Post A Heart To See Forever Study — The Promise Of Eternity — Part 1

God bless you as you continue on in the great adventure of knowing Him!