The Ultimate Goal

The ultimate goal:  To see God face to face.  Every effort, every thought, every faith-filled action, everything I'm living for is culminating in an experience, and enlightenment, a fulfillment, a full understanding of seeing the One for whom I have given everything.

The promise to every child of God is to finally see Him.  What crown, what righteous throne, what earthly or heavenly authority would evaluate as richly as to view and share in the glory of the Glorious One?  Jesus prayed that we might see His Glory, shared with The Father.  Moses had the finger-written law, the burning-bush spoken voice, the manna-raining presence of God, but yearned to see God's Glory.  The promise to every adopted child of God, chosen by God, forgiven by God, made an heir by God, to share in this:  The Glory of God.  This is the desire of every true child of God.  Heavenly peace, eternal life, millennial authority, tearless eternity; these have limited appeal to the true child of God.  For the one adopted, wants more than any THING, to know and see the Father who shows such love.

Seraphim, those six-winged, angelic creatures come close to His glory and hide their faces, all the while crying out "HOLY!"  Anointed elders, seated and enthroned in authoritative position, and crowned with righteous diadem have but one response when granted the one desire for which their faithfulness is rewarded; to see Him, whose glory outshines all others.  And seeing fully the glorious face of Him who chose these adopted ones into His family, all thrones are abandoned in favor of a humble floor, all crowns and rewards are returned with haste, even thrown hastily at the feet of Him, so glorious that no bejeweled treasure could compare. 

"A crown of righteousness", as Paul stated, "is laid up for me."  But the real treasure of Heaven is the face of the One for whom I have been purchased. 

Why I Love Love

Poets have written sonnets describing it, singers have emoted about, lovers have tossed around the word to describe their overwhelming passion, but all the creativity in the world could not begin to explain the meaning or power of love.  What would you say if someone told you that love is the key to achieving a meaningful, satisfying, and power-packed life? 

 The love I’m referring to is not an emotionally dependent, or sexually charged concept, but the very nature of the One True God that created you, and wants to reveal Himself to you.  The love of God is so unique and so different from our understanding of sexual love, or brotherly love that a different word is used in scripture to describe this kind of love.  The root word for sensual love is “Eros”, from which we get the word “erotic”.  The root word for friendly love is “Phileo” from which we get the word “Philadelphia”, known as the “City of Brotherly Love”.  But the word used often to describe God’s love is the Greek word, Agape (pronounced uh-ga’-pay) and it is defined as an attitude resulting from a conscious choice.  This love is not determined by feelings or emotions.  It is not the kind of love of which you fall in or out.  Many marriages end in brokenness because people put such an emphasis on whether or not they feel love toward their spouse.  When the feeling wanes, there is no more love, and the relationship is over.  The love that God demonstrates for us is a conscious choice.  It is a willful act toward humanity, not based on our worthiness, or emotional merit.   

It was love that motivated God to create humanity.  It was love that motivated God to send a Savior.  It is love that is the foundation for all God’s commandments.  It is love that Jesus Christ commanded of His followers.  And it is love that should define and identify true believers.*

I've heard critics say "you're going to love people right into Hell."  Let's be clear:  the message of Love is not "do whatever you feel."  God's love corrected Adam and Eve for their rebellion.  God's love condemned Satan for corrupting His creation.  God's love sent prophets to His people when they wouldn't listen.  God's love took our place when we were the ones who deserved judgment.  

I'm sorry, did you just yawn?  Do your eyes glaze over when you read of God's love?  Are you a Christian that craves more "spiritual solid food?"  Read Ephesians 3:17-19  17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. **

There you have it;  you can't get deeper than the love of Christ.  If this message doesn't thrill you, check your heart.  You might consider me and romantic, but I've always been a sucker for a good love story.  That's why I love love. 

*Excerpt from "A Better Way" by Sammy & Shannon Pawlak (c) 2010

**Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. (3rd ed.) (Eph 3:17–19). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Christmas Jam

In Loving Memory of Mark Priest

Thanks to everyone who attended the Memorial Service for Mark. If you were unable to attend, Please Click Here to watch it online.

Click Here to read a Note From Pastor Sammy.

About

On August 10th God’s House Orlando lost a dear Friend. Mark Priest was a talented performer who brightened the hearts of everyone he came in contact with. Even though Mark is gone from us now we know he is in the Presence of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are confident that we will see him again on the Day the Lord returns to bring us all into Glory.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 : Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

The Bible also states to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and we are rejoicing in the fact that Mark is no longer in pain and is talking with Jesus face to face.

Please pray with us for the comfort of his family and friends during this time of loss. We are also praying that the testimony of Mark’s life will be a witness and bring the gospel to the lost that they might be saved.

Links About Mark

OrlandoSentinel.com – A Note about Mark from his Good Friend
Orlando Sentinel Obituary for Mark Priest

Video of Mark

Please feel free to leave a message below about Mark and how he touched your life.

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