Mental Health- Praise!

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:1-2, ESV)

Mental health is no joke. Anxiety is something a lot of people struggle with as is depression. I have been struggling with anxiety for a long time and recently felt like it was getting worse so, with the encouragement of my wonderful husband, I told my doctor about it. He encouraged me to get in touch with counseling and he also prescribed me a normal drug that helps with anxiety symptoms. He said the only real side effect was that I would feel sleepy and I wouldn’t feel the effects for about a month. Almost as soon as I started taking it I felt like my brain was different. Instead of feeling sleepy, I felt more awake, but different. A few days into it I thought maybe I wasn’t sleeping very well. And then one night, while I lay in bed awake and wishing I was asleep, I noticed I was blinking. Too much.

I freaked myself out and I woke my husband. I was just blinking over and over again. He thought it was my muscles spasming and they just needed to relax, so I stayed home and tried ice packs and hot showers and slept. By the next morning, it seemed to be gone so I went to work. By 9 in the morning the blinking had returned, so I called my doctor. I talked to his aide and she encouraged me to go to the emergency room as this was not normal. I was freaked out again and crying and my hand was also starting to tremor. My wonderful supervisor took me to urgent care and my husband met us there. From there we went to a different ER and it was a long time of sitting and waiting before I got tested. The doctor believed it was my psych medicine, that my brain just got too excited. They tested my blood and gave me a CAT scan on my head just to double-check everything but also gave me a shot of Benedryl to counteract the symptoms. Eventually, everything was clear and I could go home, told to stop taking the psych medicine and take more Benedryl.

The next week was very hard for me. I couldn’t go to work, but my doctor was very patient and understanding and gave me a note for the week off. During that week I slept almost the whole time, fighting lack of appetite, sickness, tremors, anxiety attacks, and depression. One by one they subsided, with only little bits returning here and there. Even now with feeling mostly myself, I am really tired. But I am also something else: grateful.

The LORD has been with me through the whole process. He has surrounded me with amazing people to care for me and pray for me. We recently started attending an amazing church and so we had a small group to ask to pray for us. I have an amazing friend group who is praying for me and worried for me. I have friends and family back home who love me and pray for me and check up on me. I have the most wonderful supportive husband God has provided for me who took care of me and providing for me and loves me oh so deeply. God even provided for me a wonderful gentle puppy who was my comfort buddy during my depression and sleeping. At every turn, with caring coworkers, a wonderful doctor, great friends and family, and church and husband and puppy, the LORD has been taking care of me in the most wonderful of ways and I am full to the brim with thankfulness and joy and praise for my Father in Heaven! I wouldn’t have been able to make it without Him by my side!

So although it was a rough story about mental health, I want to encourage you to seek treatment if you are struggling mentally. There is help out there, even if at first it is trial and error. Even just seeking a professional to talk to is a good thing. I am not discouraged in seeking help in regards to my anxiety, and I look forward to continuing the journey because even in that I know the LORD has a plan and is guiding me forward. But just know that no matter what happens, your Father in Heaven is not surprised and He will take care of you. I fully believe that if you are His He will not leave you or forsake you. He is good all the time! Amen and Amen!

Come Home

All I can say is

Hurry, hurry

All I can hope is

Hurry, Lord

All I can say is

Come on home

All I can hope is

To come home

.

Shall we come home

To one another?

Lord Jesus Christ

And my Father

Holy Spirit come on home

Shall I come home

To You?

.

All I can say is

Lead on Lead on

All I can hope is

I please You as the day goes on

All I can say is

Lead me home

All I can hope is

Your feet come home

.

Shall we come home 

To one another?

Lord Jesus Christ

And my Father

Holy Spirit Lead me on

Shall You come home

To me?

.

When’s the Day going to end?

When’s this eternal night going to end?

When’s my suffering going to end?

When’s my complacency going to end?

When’s Your Day going to end?

.

When’s Your Night slumber going to end?

When’s Your patience going to end?

When’s Your judgement going to end?

.

Shall we come home

To one another?

Lord Jesus Christ

And my Father

Holy Spirit come on home

Shall I come home

To You?

~

~

2 PETER 3

8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. ^a

11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. ^b That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15a Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,

JOHN 14

1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ^a ; believe also in me. 2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really know me, you will know ^b my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

15“If you love me, keep my commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be ^c in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

23Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25“All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

Praises: Psalm 93

I’ve been working a lot recently, so much so I haven’t felt I’ve had much time for writing.  I was barely getting by reading my bible every day.  After a while that starts to take a toll on you, especially if you don’t particularly enjoy your job.  I kept finding myself getting discouraged and angry almost every day.  Then one day, my dad had me listen to a podcast.  I don’t remember who it was or what the podcast was (if I find out I’ll put a link in the comments), but it really brought my focus back to where it should be.  The speaker was a woman pastor, and she was talking about worshipping God and how important that is throughout all aspects of life.  It was so very encouraging and reminded me that I needed to be focusing on God, because He is my King and my strength.  He’s the one that will get me through every day, not me.

 

Almost a week later I read Psalm 93 in my daily reading.  You can almost hear it as a song, someone singing praises to God and putting fully their trust in their King.  It describes Him as being established on His throne, robed in splendor, and around His belt is the strength that holds all things together.  And All things join together to praise Him.  And then it concludes that because of His kingship, strength, and worthiness of praise, we can trust that what He decrees is good, and He will be a good King forever and ever.  Reading it just makes my heart swell with praise!

I hope this Psalm encourages you today!

 

1             “The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty;

The LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.

Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

2              Your throne is established from of old;

You are from everlasting.

3              The floods have lifted up, O LORD,

The floods have lifted up their voice;

The floods lift up their roaring.

4              Mightier than the thunders of many waters,

Mightier than the waves of the sea,

The LORD on high is mighty!

5              Your decrees are very trustworthy;

Holiness befits your house,

O LORD, forevermore.”

Lean on the LORD, He will help you through today.

Happy Father’s Day Dad!  Thanks for encouraging me to focus on God!

Proverbs: Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

“1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”~Proverbs 4

Wisdom, the Spirit in me

Given by the Lord far above me

Wisdom, the majesty of my King

Clothing me in glory

.

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

I must have her now

Adopt her as my mother

Keep her as my prize

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

Who shows me the Way of the King

She is not mine to hide

But I am hers to display

.

Wisdom, the Light of Heaven and Earth

That does not shrink from the truth

Wisdom, the Door to understanding

By which we enter into Paradise

.

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

She tells me of the coming glory

And urges me to endure to the end

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

She reminds me of the price of sin

And assures me of the Lord’s faithful grace

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

She’s waiting for me at the wedding feast

And there will present it to me,

The Glory Crown.

.

And on that day that I receive her gift

I will cast it down at my Lord’s feet

My King whom I serve

My Husband who I praise

Whose path I follow today

It’s Wisdom’s Way

~

“11For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” ~1 Corinthians 2

14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5

“22What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” 26and, “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ ” ~Romans 9

“9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” ~Revelation 4

“6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 9Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” ~Revelation 19

Meditation: Adopted Into Life

1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” ~John 14

There are days that I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing with my life or where I’m supposed to go, days of feeling like it’s just me and the world and no one is around to help me get to my goal—and I’m not even sure what my goal is.

But the bible is full of verses that talk about perseverance and keeping our eyes set on the prize, keeping our minds on Heaven. Even Jesus Himself told His disciples this. Our belief in Him is our confidence that He has prepared a place for us, a place with no tears, pain, uncertainty and most of all no sin, a place that we can live with Him for all eternity. It is because of our relationship with Jesus that we have this glorious inheritance, for we are now adopted into the Holy Family!

“1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” ~Colossians 3

From this passage it seems clear that not only are we to know Christ but we are to even find our very identity in Him. He died, therefore we died. He was raised, we are raised. He will be glorified, we will be glorified. He is supposed to permeate our entire life—He IS our entire lives! And it is because of this we are supposed to put our focus on the place where He is, in Heaven.

Because we died with Him we are to constantly be putting to death our sinful desires. Where our entire lives are focused on our Savior, His entire life is focused on glorifying the Father, and therefore so is ours. And being obedient to Him in every way honors the Father, the Son, and therefore also the Holy Spirit. And why do we care about what they think? Because He is our life! God gave us eternal life and will give it to us at the end of all things!

I hope very much that you are encouraged today to think on Heaven with me. How awesome it is that God lay down His life that we might be adopted into such a glorious inheritance, to join Him in Holiness!

Sermon on the Mount: Road to Heaven

13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” ~Matthew 7

There is only one way

To Heaven

There is only one path

You can take

Do you know His Name?

Do you love Him with

All of you?

Straight is the path

And narrow the way

Into His hand

.

And there is

A road

Much wider I’m told

It leads to a place

Of tolerance

For every face

No one is condemned

No one is a sinner here

Just one big happy family

Pouring into eternity–

If you believe there is one

.

Wide is the road

Wide is the gate

That leads to destruction

It pours out lies

It pours out deceit

And many fail to see it

See it for what it really is

.

Into His hand

The way is narrow

And the path is straight

With all of yourself

Do you love Him?

Do you know His Name?

You can take

Only one path

To Heaven

There is only one way

He is Jesus Christ

~

Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Isaiah 35:8

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.

1 John 4:15

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.

Matthew 22:37-38

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

Meditation:

Sermon on the Mount: Store Up Treasure

“19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~Matthew 6

In this humble home

Built with my hands

I kept all the belongings

I ever wanted

I ever loved

And as I watched them

Sitting in their places

They started to melt away

Age made them droop

Time made them falter

Dust covered them over

In a veil of forgetfulness

What is the need?

Where is the love?

I’ve surrounded myself with emptiness

When I should have been looking

In Heaven above

.

In this humble home

Built with my hands

I kept all the belongings

I ever wanted

I ever loved

I did all I could

To keep them protected

If only I’d known

The thief’s plan to come!

Now he has made off with them

Now I have lost it all

And it seems so useless,

So pointless,

That I sought those things

To feel love

When I should have been searching

In Heaven above

.

In Heaven above

Where the LORD sits

Enthroned in mystery and glory

In His hand is the treasure

Of wisdom and knowledge

Of salvation

Oh, to love Him!

To fear Him above all else!

That is the satisfaction of my soul

To one day see His face

To know Him fully

And long for Him deeply

His Spirit no longer weeping in me

And His Son unashamed of me

He is my only master

That is the treasure I seek

Stored up in Heaven

By the hand of God

~

“72The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” ~Psalm 119

“43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.” ~Matthew 24

“5The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. 6He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” ~Isaiah 33

1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. 2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” ~John 14

“30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” ~Ephesians 4

Thankful: Snow

The snow falls down

In a blanket of white

To make cold the earth

And to make sparkle the night

And I wonder why it overcomes our minds

Some in joy

Some in sadness now

.

In the cold air I breathe

In the grey sky I see

Something worth being thankful for

In the heavy snow I make a path

And as I walk down it I do the math

There is something here worth

Being thankful for

.

I am thankful for the glitter and gold

I am thankful for when the stars unfold

I am thankful for the path given me

I am thankful for this vision of eternity

Your vision of eternity

.

There will be crowns of glory

Glittering on our heads

There will be a rainbow of wonder

Surrounding You, our LORD

We will fall down and worship

On the crystal sea

We will worship the One who’s given freely

Oh I worship You LORD for all You are to me

.

And I know that my family

Now gone to Heaven before me

They are singing Your praises

And are happy forever

I can’t wait to join them on that side

I can’t wait to see them as the apple of Your eye

I can’t wait to see You as the apple of our eyes

.

Yes I’m thankful for this vision of Heaven

You’ve given me

In the glitter of the snow

And the grey of the sky

And the path You’ve made for me

~

1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits^a of God. 6Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“ ‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’^b

who was, and is, and is to come.”

9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11“You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being.”

~Revelation 4

Sermon on the Mount: God’s Way

9“This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ ~Matthew 6

Come down

Your kingdom

From the clouds

In Heaven

Rain down

Your Will

From the clouds

Like mana

.

Feed these hungry mouths

That cry out to You

Hear our faltering words

That never seem to end

Feed these tired souls

That thirst and hunger daily

Hear our cracked voices

Change us to be as You are

Lord

As You are

.

Oh to see Your kingdom

Reigning supreme on the earth

All is righteousness

And goodness and truth

Oh to stand before Your throne

To hear Your very words

All is righteousness

And goodness and truth

Here is Your kingdom

Just a shadow in me through Christ

Reigning supreme

Despite my battle of strife

Your Spirit is in me

I’m a temple of Your choice

I read Your very words

In the Word You provide

.

You have fed these hungry mouths

Even when we cry not for You

You hear our faltering words

Even when they don’t praise You

You are our everything

Even when we are weary of life

You hear our cracked voices

And help us obey You

Obey You

.

Christ has saved!

Christ is Lord over all

Spirit has come!

Spirit is in His temple

Father of all!

Father has transformed us

You transformed us

A new creation

You changed us

To You we lift our praise!

And I’ll ever say

Lord God

Your kingdom come

Your will be done

Here on this earth

As it ever is in heaven

And feed us Lord

As You always do

From heaven

Your good will be done

Your kingdom come

We will praise You

I will praise You

~

Psalm 103:20

“Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.”

“1Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ~Revelation 21

“19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” ~1 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 9:8

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

“4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

“6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7For we live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it…

“17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5

Sermon on the Mount: Poor In Spirit

“1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them.  He said:

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 5

The LORD Jesus came

On the mountainside

And he saw the crowds

And his disciples there

So he began to speak

His disciples remembering every word

And the crowd marveling

He speaks like one with authority

He has insight into the law of God

.

Blessed are you who are poor

Who sees your need is great

You are in need of salvation

You are in need of grace, mercy

Yes, blessed are you

Who are poor in spirit

For to you is opened the gate of life

Of righteousness

To you is given

The kingdom of heaven

.

Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

James 2:5
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?