LINKS TO BOOK PAGES TO ORDER
- Home
- Tails and Purrs for the Heart and Soul
- Seventh Dimension - The Door, Book 1, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The King, Book 2, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The Castle, Book 3, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The City, Book 4, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The Prescience, Book 5, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The Howling, Book 6, A Young Adult Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension Inspirational - Am I Okay, God?
- Children of Dreams, An Adoption Memoir
- Food for Thought: Quick and Easy Recipes for Homeschooling Families
- The Donkey and the King, a Story of Redemption
- Book Love - Young Readers Become World Leaders - An Early Chapter Book for 1st though 3rd Grade
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
PRISONS OF THE MIND - CAN DEAFNESS SET THE CAPTIVE FREE: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts
Saturday, June 19, 2010
PARADISE FOUND: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts
As a closed captioner for television, sometimes the news can be overwhelmingly depressing. As I look at the oil spill in the Gulf, the missing child in Portland, Oregon, and the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the world appears cruel and heartless. If it bothers me, as sinful as I am, I know it must grieve our heavenly Father.
Today I am reminding myself of the heavenly home that awaits me. While I can’t change the world I face each day, I can renew my thoughts and how I view the sometimes unexplained darkness. By allowing God to work on my heart through His Word, I can gain a heavenly perspective, lifting my spirit from the gutter that robs me of my joy.
Take a few moments and see what God is preparing for us. Our negative thoughts can be redeemed, helping us to live each day with renewed hope for a brighter future.
Revelation 21:4 says. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
On earth, we are locked in time, but heaven exists outside of time. Sadly, sin has tainted almost every aspect of our lives—the way we think, the way we live, and the curse, passed down from Adam and Eve, plagues every living creature. But in heaven, there is no sin. It is a place of unparalleled beauty. Think of the most beautiful place you have ever visited and it won't compare to the majesty of heaven. Heaven is an out-of-this-world kingdom inhabited by thousands upon thousands of people and angelic creatures. When we pass through heaven's gates, we will be clothed in spiritual bodies that will no longer be imperfect but eternally perfect.
Apparently, some saints will shine brighter than others, depending on their faithfulness to God, just as some stars appear brighter in the night sky. There will be rewards for our good works and for bringing others into the kingdom.
In heaven, there is no competition for food or toll for survival—even in the animal kingdom. Romans 8:22 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
It is never dark in heaven because the glory of God gives it light. The New Jerusalem will shine with the majesty of Perfection. The city will be built of pure gold, pure as glass. The foundations of the city wall will be made of precious gems and the twelve gates to the city of single pearls. Nothing impure will be able to enter the city.
Heaven, as portrayed in Revelation, also has many mysteries that are beyond our understanding. For example, the four winds who obey God and the four unusual creatures who unceasingly give praise to our heavenly Father. I wonder, what did John mean when he said the sky receded like a scroll? And where heaven is physically located is not revealed, but in Genesis 23:12, Jacob “had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.”
In Revelation 4:1, John sees an open door to heaven; and in Acts 7:56, Stephen said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Because it is impossible for anything defiled or sinful to enter into heaven, it would have been impossible for anyone to go there if God had not provided a way. In Leviticus 26:12, God said, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.”
Long ago Satan and his angels were cast down, and today we battle against these unseen powers of darkness. But through the Holy Spirit, we have a taste of heaven here. The Spirit whispers to us in our sleep, comforts us in our pain, and implores us never to give up. The Bible reminds us of the unwavering truth that even the rocks would cry out in praise to our heavenly Father if it were possible.
When Jesus hung on the cross, He said to one of the two thieves beside Him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Someday heavenly music will permeate our ears. We will splash with joy in heavenly waters emanating from God's throne and walk on streets of gold. We will be reunited with those who have gone before us. We will feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb, and all those whose names are written in the Book of Life will see the face of God.
Monday, November 23, 2009
GOLD AND THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts
A man tried to sell a one‑ounce Maple Leaf on a
beach in a prominent section of town.
“Will you buy this gold coin for $50?”
“No, I don’t have any money.”
He approached a woman, “Would you like this Canadian coin for only $25?
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t have $25.”
“Suppose I offer this to you for free, will you take it?”
The woman turned it over and examined it.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Do you want it?”
“No.”
No one recognized the value of the coin worth over $1,100. Have we become so
fooled by paper money that we believe the counterfeit is worth more than gold?
A look at history might reveal a clue. During the Great Depression, governments
around the world abandoned the gold standard. In 1933, Congress and President
Roosevelt banned private ownership of gold and asked citizens to turn in their
gold at the rate $35 per troy ounce-essentially robbing Americans of their
wealth.
Although it became legal to own it again in the 1970’s, the money changers
(Federal Reserve Bank and central banks) suppressed its value to bolster the
dollar and manipulated the system to their advantage.
Gold became worth less than the counterfeit because it was not considered
currency. This enabled the Federal Reserve and the central banks around the
world to control the vast money supply.
Gold, a precious metal, has been used by man since ancient times for commerce.
He recognized it for what it was-rare and valuable; but today, gold can’t even
be identified on a beach by passersby.
The yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz symbolized gold. It carved its
way through a beautiful fairyland called Oz inhabited by Munchkins, but the
fabled Land of Oz was overshadowed by evil witches. Perhaps today they would
represent the self-serving moneychangers, the greedy capitalists, or the
Washington bureaucrats who recklessly spend our money but are mortgaging our
children’s future.
While counterfeits abound, God never abandons the true believer. The Good Witch
of the North, Glenda, loved the Munchkins. God has given us His Holy Spirit.
“The mysterious Wizard of Oz might be able to help you to return home,” Glenda
and the Munchkins told Dorothy.
Dorothy set off on the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard of Emerald City.
Along the way she greets three friends who join her-sojourners in search of a
brain, a heart, and a nerve.
But when they meet the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy discovers the horrible truth. The
Wizard was an imposter. The dog Toto exposed him as a fraud.
Today, as in The Return to Oz, our yellow brick road is crumbling, paved
in green fiat money as financial establishments teeter on the brink of
collapse.
In heaven, no longer will we be standing on broken yellow bricks. Our eyes will
recognize the intrinsic worth of God’s creation and the counterfeits of man-the
idols, the liars, and the fakes. All except the pure will have vanished—not
destroyed with water but with fire, as gold is refined by fire.
I hope to be like a Munchkin, but even more so. Heaven won’t be inhabited by
evil witches but angelic creatures that serve a risen Savior.
God will be our King, not a cowardly wizard hiding behind a curtain. He will be dressed in kingly garb as He bathes us in His light. Neither will ruby slippers be able to bring us home. A deeper magic, more costly than gold, more valuable than riches, hewn from wood and thorns, will transport us. With the counterfeit world left behind, Jesus will welcome us on a real yellow brick road richly paved in gold.