Tag Archives: Love

Grafted

29 Mar

It was a deep wound,

Intended to bring death,
Inflicted by the spear,
Of a Roman Soldier.

Gaping open,
It released blood and water.
The blood of the new covenant,
The water of the Holy Spirit,
Yet to come.

The precious liquids,
Oozing to the surface,
Were the precious nutrients,
To give food and strength,
To the nation to come.

Inside that wound,
Deep in the side of my Savior,
The wound Satan meant for evil,
God planted a seed,
A bud,
A grafted nation,
A place for me.

That wound,
And the seed inside,
Were anointed with myrrh,
With aloes, and with spices.
Wrapped so carefully,
With the finest linen,
Preparing a cleft,
Of most Holy foundation,
For the Gentile to join,
God’s chosen.

Then came the moment,
When the linens were left,
In the shape of a man,
But hollow and unaltered,
As a message of release.

The moment when Christ,
With the grafted children,
Tucked safely beneath his arm,
Faced Satan and conquered death.

Now this nation,
Birthed in the side of Christ,
As Eve was birthed,
In the side of Adam,
Sat in communion,
At the right hand of God.

Guided forth,
Performing greater miracles,
Exhibiting greater power,
Flowing in the Holy Spirit,
The seed branched forward.

Inside that graft,
With its roots entwined,
Deep into the Master,
There is a leaf,
Turning to the Son,
Preparing to break forth,
And follow the way,
Set forth by Him.

It’s just one leaf,
Of the many branches,
Just one small part,
Of a mighty tree.
But on that leaf,
Is a name,
And that name belongs,
To ME.

olive-branch

Written 3-9-1999

By Linda J Humes

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Into Every Hand

27 Nov

Into every person’s hand,

God brings life.

Sometimes they are the children of our passion;

Sometimes the children of our compassion;

Sometimes the hopes and dreams of our soul.

.

And with the honor comes obligation;

to breathe truth, to breathe love,

to breathe hope, to breathe light,

into that life.

.

With the guard of ministering angels, life can grow.

But tempted by the guard of the fallen,

they find anger, they find strife,

they embrace perversion.

.

We choose their angels, in their toddler years;

They choose their angels, in their teens;

All choose again, in the maturing of life.

.

Where have we sent them, these precious lives?

What have we shown them?

What example have we set?

.

Do the angels of our light,

war with the angels of their darkness;

Or do the angels of our darkness,

strive to drive away the angels of their light?

.

Into every hand, God places the gift of life.

Some are the children of our passion;

Some are the children of our compassion;

Some are the hopes and dreams,

of our soul.

Written By Linda J. Humes

10-11-98

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Dear Friends

25 Oct

”Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

We all have memories; some wonderful, some good, some bad, some nightmare grade. We don’t dwell on those memories, unless we get together with family and friends and the “remember when\s” start up. Once in a while something triggers a memory that takes you back; a smell, a touch, a glance at something similar, or maybe a dream.

I was looking at my one bookcase of books and study materials that remain in my small home. Books have always been dear friends to me. They took me away on incredible adventures, or to a world I would never be able to see in person. They answered questions that no one nearby could reasonably explain. They helped me see into the heart, mind or soul of a person, place or event; some imaginary, some real. They inspired me to think!

If it was a story book or a poetry book, the pages had to stay clean and unwrinkled. No folded corners or marks, except for a date on the front page indicating when I had read it, and my name and address if I had loaned it out. If it was a study book, the pages would be highlighted and notes in the columns and sides of the page of thoughts to remember. Notes to teach from, notes to write from. Books – dear friends and precious teachers.

Those memories that I spoke of are the root of every writer’s story. The memory that started this piece was how much I loved the first day of school. Stepping through the classroom door and smelling the fresh coat of wax on the floor, the stack of freshly sharpened pencils, the inky smell of the tan/brown paper with stout royal blue lines, and a new textbook. The first thing I would do is open the book and put my face deep into the pages, breathing in the rich printing press smell. Dear friends that take me far away from the trials and the challenges of today and into a place of hope and promise. Dear friends that took me places I could not go to and taught me things I did not know.

A little over a year ago I moved into the smallest house I’ve had. I made the decision not to keep a library. I kept my one bookcase of materials to teach and counsel from. I have been on an incredible faith journey since March 1988, when I met Jesus in an intimate and personal way. Books have helped me along the way.

I thank you Lord, for the words you have placed in people’s hearts to share with the world. Words they may never realize made a difference in the lives of others. Words of a tale, words of a concept, words of history, or words of encouragement, helping us to step forward a little stronger every day. Thank you, I am truly grateful.

——– Update:

Since this writing in 2012 I have moved into a much smaller home – and rebuilt my library. Not as large as it once was, but delightfully larger, and hope to build bookcases in my second bedroom to accommodate these books and more to come!!!

Written by Linda J. Humes

10-21-2012

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Exceedingly Abundantly Above

3 Sep

abundantly

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”      Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)

Imagine something, anything, the biggest imagine that you have ever imagined.  God can do it.  In fact, God can do Exceedingly (“exceedingly; very; greatly; highly”), Abundantly (“an exceeding measure, something above the ordinary”), Above (“of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative superior to, more than”) anything that you can possibly imagine.  That’s huge!!

When I think about that, “Exceedingly Abundantly Above All That We Ask or Think,” I wonder how often we limit God in our prayers.  Our prayers are our direct connection to the Father, our personal relationship with Him, and how often are we holding back (Philippians 4:6)?  How often do we think, “Well, there are others who need His help more,” or “I don’t want to bother Him with something so small or trivial,” or “I’m not worthy of His personal attention.”  If that were the case why would this scripture be in the Bible for us to read and meditate on (1 Peter 5:7).  What if Hezekiah had decided that his desires weren’t worth of prayer (Isaiah 38:5), he would have missed out on 15 amazing years of life.

Can you imagine how spiritually powerful we would be if we addressed every need we have with this passage (James 5:16)?  Every prayer we send forward would reach the throne of God with power and confidence and expectancy.  Imagine the pleasure of the Father knowing that His children are stepping into His will and His realm to attack and issue that He can easily address (Matthew 21:22).

I remember hearing a story where a Pastor in Africa was praying for a Bicycle.  He prayed and prayed but nothing happened.  One day in prayer he asked God why his prayer had not been answered.  He heard God say, “You haven’t told me what kind you want.”  The Pastor then became very specific in the model and style and color of the bike he wanted, thinking previously that it was brash to be so specific.  Within a week God had put this Pastor on the heart of someone who bought the exact make, model and color that the Pastor had asked God for, including a basket on the front and a bell on the handlebars!!

God could have sent a rusty old bike that still worked, but He wanted to ”abundantly exceedingly above” bless the Pastor.  He was waiting for the Pastor to recognize that God was big enough for specifics.  He wanted the Pastor to believe that he was loved beyond measure.

Do we limit God?  Do we only ask for the minimal, expecting to receive just the basics of what we need?  Do we believe that God loves us more than we can even imagine and wants to bless us with the desires of our heart, not just the needs of the day (Psalm 37:4)?  Do we believe the promises of the Bible are for other people, important people, strong people of faith, but not a simple believer?

Scripture says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and if you don’t know how to pray for your specific need, to pray in the spirit and your requests will reach the Father (Romans 8:26-27).

Put Him to the test.  Pray with a humble heart and watch God bring you more than you could have ever imagined.  It is for you.  It is for today.  “To Him Be The Glory.”  Amen!

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 8

Written by Linda J Humes

12/19/2016

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Grounded In Love

2 Sep

love

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19 (ASV)

To fully understand the depth of the love of God is probably one of the most difficult things for a Christian, or anyone for that matter.  We sing songs of how He loves us, read scriptures about His love and stand on the promises of His love and compassion for us, but we really don’t understand the depth.  How can we?  How can we know a love so deep, so pure, or intense, that God sent His son to earth to teach us His perfect ways, knowing full well that His son would be tortured and killed?  Not just “killed,” but stripped naked, forced to carry His own device of death through crowds of angry, screaming people, put up on a cross on the hill called Golgatha, and left in the sun to die a death that we cannot even imagine the pain of.  God did that for us.  He did that for me.

I often tell my children that I love them more than they can understand or will understand until they have children of their own.  There is a depth of love between a parent, especially a mother, and a child, that can’t be explained in words – but I don’t think that I could love a group of people enough to take one of my children and commit them to torture and death so that the others could live.  Could you?  God did.

Scripture says that God knew us before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4).  He knew the mistakes we would make, the doubts we would feel, the anger and people we would hurt, the moments that we would scream and curse at Him when things didn’t go well in our lives, and yet He loved us.  He didn’t just “love us,” He loved us with a love “which passeth understanding” (Phil 4:7).  That completely overwhelms me.

When I don’t spend time studying the Word, or on my knees in prayer, He sends His love in a cool breeze on a warm day, and a sky filled with beautiful stars on a dark night.  When I have moments of doubt in the foundations of my faith, He whispers words of peace and love in the night hours.  When I feel alone and lost, He shows me that He is always near me, guiding me, teaching me, setting my steps, never leaving me (Heb 13:5).

It is that love, that deep piercing love, that helps me get back on track.  It is that love that strengthens me after a trial and gives me the ability to reach out and help others that struggle in their own lives.  It is that love that helps me to “run with patience the race that is set before” me (2 Tim 12:1-2), the race of life, sharing the gospel while encouraging and strengthening the children of God.

It is the kind of love that people have for each other where you can’t spend enough time together, and when your loved one speaks, you sit perfectly still so that you don’t miss one word of what they have to say.  Yes, it is that kind of love.  Not a one-sided loved, but where God hangs onto my words and thoughts and feelings and desires, just as much as I hang onto His.  Yes, it is that kind of love, where we are “filled unto all the fulness of God.”  It is that kind of love.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 7

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-27-2016

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The Inward Man

1 Sep

Dove and hands

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;”   Ephesians 3:14-16 (ASV)

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know about God and Jesus.  I don’t know where I learned about them.  I don’t remember going to Sunday school, except when my paternal grandmother came to visit, until I was a teenager and my brother and I decided to go to different churches that we could walk to.  I don’t remember asking God into my heart or making a confession for Him to be my savior, it is possible that it happened and I just don’t remember, but I doubt it.  I do know one thing, from as young as I can remember, I talked to God and He talked back to me.

The reason I don’t think I said the sinner’s prayer as a child is because of how powerful the feeling was when I made that decision at the age of 38 at a Mario Murrillo Crusade.  It was an overwhelming and emotional event that swept over and through me like something that I have never felt before.  Peace, rest, knowledge, release, fire and a feeling that every trial that I had been through, and was currently going through, was all completely taken away and resolved.  The burden was no longer mine, but that of a big God who had all of the answers and was giving me the way to resolve the problem and deal with any lingering challenges through peace.  It was so different from the stress, fear and worry of all the years before.

My relationship was strong with God, but it didn’t become the strong force that it is today until after I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  That day, that receiving, completely changed my life and opened my mind, body and soul to a whole new spiritual realm that I cannot explain to another; it is truly something that must be experienced.  Scripture came to life.  The confusion of the King James Language was gone and the words easy to read and understand.  Bible study was a joy and I spent most of my waking hours in the Bible and in study books, helping me understand how the Old Testament and the New Testament came together.  Types and Shadows.  The history of the Old Testament and how the lives of the Patriarchs became the basis and foundation of the life of Jesus, the Disciples, and Apostles that followed Him.

The Inward Man.  The place where the Spirit dwells, once we invite Him in. It is also the place where free will rests.  It is a holding ground of potential, and it is a place where only we can open up to outside influences, both good and bad.  I suspect that my Inward Man was protected by the many prayers of my grandmother, aunts and uncles during the time when I didn’t know any better.  It was the place that called to my brother and I to look for a place to worship and seek God.  It was a fallow ground that needed to be prepared for my decision to be a pastor and share the gospel.

Many do not make the same decision that I did, they fill their Inner Man with self-love, greed, addictions, and occultic activities, those become their soul foundation.  Their chosen Inward Man pulls them into things that keep them from peace, rest and true love.  I suspect that there are times, as we grow up, that we all fill our Inward Man with things that should not be there, things that we need to release.  The wonderful thing about our Inward Man, is that we have the ability to cleanse what should not be there and refill it with the things God meant for us to have.  We can, if we will.

The Apostle Paul’s prayer of this scripture is that we would make the choice to follow the Father, cleansing out any poor choices that we have made in the past, and receive the “riches of glory” through the acceptance of the Holy Spirit into our lives, strengthening our Inward Man.  What a powerful prayer that so many have received and walked in.  I cannot explain the difference of having the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I comes with signs and wonders.  It comes with miracles and answered prayers.  It comes with peace, joy and understanding.  It comes with a little bit of Jesus living inside of us.  It comes with Love!

** A Journey Through Ephesians  –  Chapter 3, Part 6

By Linda J. Humes

Written 5-18-2016

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One New Man

24 Aug

cross-as-bridge

“For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” Ephesians 2:14-16 (ASV)

I remember, when I was in my mid-twenties, I thought I would never be my own person.  I went from being Bobby’s daughter to being Bob’s wife and I never was recognized as myself, Linda.  I was always somebody else’s something.  It felt quite frustrating.  It wasn’t until many years later that I began being recognized as an independent person with skills and talents that recognized me by my own name.  I was a person, still daughter to one, and wife to another, but identified as all 3 for being who I was.

In the Bible, the Jewish lineage was very important.  From Numbers to the “begats” of Matthew, each person’s lineage was lined out for the importance of coming from a family of wealth or power, or from the lineage of a harlot, or being born to a simple peasant girl.  It wasn’t that there was a specific pattern of where you had to come from to what you were going to become.  It was/is a book of stories of people.  People who made horrible decisions and suffered the consequences.  People who fought through temptations and trials, but had a heart humbled and dedicated to God.  People who were just trying to find their way in life and lived a decided life in faith.  Even we are there, in the parallels, in the passages, in the words of “those who believe” (John 11:25-26).  The Bible is just about people – and God – and choices.

Yet between the Old Testament and the New Testament there was a crevasse.  A deep division between the Jew and the Gentile.  One people chosen by God from birth.  One people, for the most part, set on destroying the Jewish people and all they stood for.  A division which seemed could never be healed or bridged.  Then came the birth of Jesus and a new Covenant.  Then came hope for all who would listen.

With the ministry of Jesus came a new message of love (Matt 6:14), forgiveness (Matt 18:22) and equality (Gal 3:26-29).  Jesus’ life was seen by many as a breaking of the Old Testament laws of God.  His ministry included both Jew and Gentile, both men and women, both rich and poor, both good and bad.  His ministry took the extremes of all walks of life and proved that with trust and love, God could work through any person (Phil 2:13), and any person could turn a life of questionable decisions and behaviors into a life filled with faith and integrity.  His ministry took the crevasse and bridged it with the love only God could birth.  A love so strong that it held the heaviest of burdens and the longest of tribal hate and wars, shaped them into a robe of righteousness (Heb 7:25), and clothed a nation with a heart of unity.

Even in His death, chains of hate, confusion and tradition fell away from those who watched, who beat him, who gambled for his clothing, who laughed at him as they pushed the thorns of the crown deep into his forehead.  They saw, on that day, this was no ordinary man, punished by an angry crowd screaming “Crucify Him” (Matt 27:45-54).  They saw the sky darken and felt the earth tremble.  They heard His voice cry out to His Father “Forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  This had never happened before.

By His death, Jesus’ words and teachings created a new way.  Jew and Gentile became one nation (Eph 2:11-17).  The Gentile could become a confirmed child of the living God by accepting the Son.  The old laws of sacrifice and traditional gatherings to ask for the forgiveness of their and their family’s sins were taken away (1 John 3:9).  Now it was ALL by faith (Heb 8:6).  The war that raged between these two factions of people had no reason to continue; they had always been equally loved by God, but could now realize that they were equal in the eyes of God.  This was by the birth of the Son of God to a simple peasant girl and His death, 33 years later, at the hands of an angry and deceived crowd.

The veil in the Holy of Holies was rent (Matt 27:51).  The prayers of the people were now to be offered directly to God and His son, who intercedes for us.  The barriers of birth were removed.  The “People” became “One New Man;” One New People.  And, in this country, at least for now, we are free to worship God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Today I have a new name.  I am Linda, child of the living God.  I like that.

**A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2 – Part 7

Written by Linda J. Humes

5-24-2015

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Saved Through Faith

20 Aug

by grace

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

So many thoughts cross my mind when I read these scriptures.  Things like “there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” or “you never get something for nothing,” and even “you are no more a Christian because you sit in a church, than you are a cow because you stand in a barn.”

Over the years I have seen person after person come into the church and give all they physically have, but never find the true gift, the relationship with God.  I think that we have been “programmed” by the American culture to believe that if we work hard and “give it all we’ve got” we’ll get whatever we want.  Some have succeeded, many have failed.  But that “programming” does not apply to God’s culture and the plan He has set out for us.

The New Testament makes it very clear that no matter what we have done, said or caused, we have hope through Jesus for an eternal life in Heavenly places (Romans 4:7).  Through repentance and the forgiveness of sins, God wipes our slates clean and we become white and pure as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  We can’t work enough hours to receive that gift.  We can’t feed enough hungry people or clean enough church carpets or share the gospel in enough countries to receive that gift.  We can’t spend enough time in prayer or hours in the scriptures, memorizing – memorizing – memorizing, to earn that gift.  It isn’t possible.  The gift is free.  The gift is from God Himself, His “grace” card (1 Corinthians 1:4).  The gift of salvation is simply received through believing faith (Romans 3:22 & 25).  Faith!  No more, no less.

So, in God’s culture, there is a “free lunch,” eating daily of God’s Word (Matthew 4:4) and feeding the spirit that is growing inside.  In God’s culture, there is “something for nothing, there is grace, and through that grace there is faith, and through that faith there is eternal life in Heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).

As far as the last quote, that’s a true comment, but with the love and acceptance and example of the saints, people who come seeking will find the true faith they desire.  Everyone starts coming to church as a non-Christian, but finds their way to the free gift of salvation, pre-paid by the Son.  Once we realize it took the blood of a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14) to bring us that gift, a life freely given on Calvary (1 Corinthians 2:12), how could we even consider boasting.

We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ.  Simple.  Easy.  Priceless.

* A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 4

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-28-2014

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Exceeding Riches

19 Aug

Homeless

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”   Ephesians 2:5-7 (KJV)

I suspect we all have met people who continually live on the edge of disaster.  They take chances we would never even dream of.  They live without concern of where they will sleep or where their next meal will come from.  They wander through life looking for adventure and excitement and for that feeling of completeness.

I am amazed at their dis-concern for their surroundings and potential plight.  In their place, I would be completely out of sorts.  When I asked one young man whether he was worried about what he may face with his lifestyle, he said “No, God takes care of me.”  When I asked about any formal “church” upbringing, there wasn’t any.  Clearly drugs and alcohol had taken a toll on his physical health.  Breaking the law made the way of keeping him with the addictive substance he desired.

It’s hard to understand why he felt so content in his relationship with God.  I wonder if it was just something he said to steer off curious onlookers, like myself.  I wonder if his life expectations were so low that what he experienced in his life exceeded his hopes and he gave God the glory for it.  I wonder if he prayed, and even in his sin laden life, God kept a hedge of protection around him, knowing that one day he would turn himself around and follow the call placed on his life (Luke 9:23).

I wonder if he met God in a deep dark place and had that wonderful intimate relationship that made him feel blessed, no matter where he was or what he was doing (Acts 17:27).  Had he recognized God’s “Exceeding Riches” in his day to day, moment my moment existence, and even in his poverty and life of poor choices, feeling the great value of that relationship.  Even though he has not pulled himself back to a “normal” lifestyle, did he know that God still loved and watched over and cared for him?  I don’t know, he said he did.

I do know that God will meet us where we are at, in our filthiest rags and disgusting attitudes, a life filled with sin and a heart filled with darkness, and He will love us and call to us and stay by our side until we are ready to hear His voice (Isaiah 64:6).  I do know that the joy of receiving Him is far greater than any other joy on this earth, and to call it “Exceeding Riches” is far less than it truly is.  I do know that He has prepared a place for us, rich or poor, male or female, whatever race, whatever creed, brilliant or challenged, evil or kind, and He is waiting for us to accept that gift by accepting His Son (John 14:2-3).  I do know that He has made a way, through the sacrifice of His Son, for us to sit in Heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20; 2:6).

That’s grace (John 1:14).  That’s love (John 3:16).  That is the gift of “Exceeding Riches” so great that we may never comprehend it until the moment we stand before Him (Romans 14:10).

*A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 3

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-23-2014

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At The Right Hand Of The Father

4 Aug

blessing hands

(the strength of His might) . . . “which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” Ephesians 1:20-21 (ASV)

There are very few people, that I have met, who don’t appreciate being recognized for their accomplishments or for doing a great job at their daily duties.  A word of recognition or a note of thanks can turn a dark day completely around, and negative words can take a person to a whole different level of dismay and depression.  I wonder what thoughts went through Jesus’ mind as He suffered and died on the cross that day.  He had been betrayed by the very people He loved and spent years teaching and mentoring.  He was abandoned and faced that horrible circumstance alone, except for the Father who watched from afar.  I wonder if Jesus had thoughts of abandonment.  I wonder if He felt betrayed, even for a moment.  I wonder if He contemplated the work that He had done on earth and if it was good enough.  I wonder if He rose above all of that, knowing the facets of human nature and the fear, shame and pain, that those He loved must have been feeling.  I wonder.

God used His strength and might to raise Jesus from the dead.  His spoken word broke off the tomb of death and called His son to His very arms.  Did God hold Jesus like a mother or father holding an injured child, loving away the pain and the memory of the event that caused it?  Did He speak life and strength back into His son, knowing that Jesus’ journey on earth was far from over?  Or, did Jesus just know?

After Jesus’ work on earth was complete He joined the Father, sitting at the Father’s right hand.  Scripture has many references to the right hand and the blessing that the right hand brings (Matthew 22:44).  It also speaks of the power of God that comes through the right hand (Exodus 15:6).  When children were blessed by the head of the family, giving them inheritance and power in the lands the family owned, and sometimes those blessed were not the children expected to receive the blessing, as in Genesis 48.  And in those times when people called on God for protection and comfort, He reached down His right hand to take care of them (Isaiah 41:13).  I find it very comforting to know that in my time of need, I can call on God and not only can He reach out with His right hand to send His blessing, but at His right hand rests His very son, Jesus Christ, making intercession for my every need (1 John 2:1).

But our reference doesn’t stop with the right hand, the blessings, the protection, the intercessions, or the care and love Jesus has for each of us.  The reference goes on to say who this man named Jesus is and what God has bestowed upon Him for the wonderful work He accomplished while on this earth.  After the sacrifice of the cross and Jesus’ time on earth with the apostles and disciples, God took Jesus to His right hand – above all rule, authority, power, dominion and any other word to describe that thought.  God took Jesus above every name that is named, not just on earth, but in all physical and spiritual locations unknown to man.  He took Jesus above all things known and all thing that are to come that we cannot even fathom.

This should bring us all great comfort, it does me.  For in the heart of Jesus, and on the palm of God, is your name and mine (Isaiah 49:16).  Their love for us is far beyond any rule, authority, power or dominion in worlds we understand, and in worlds we cannot fathom.  We are there, safely held in the arms of a precious and powerful savior, at the right hand of God.

*A Journey Through Ephesians:  Ephesians 1 – Part 12

Written By Linda J. Humes

10-19-14

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