Devotionals

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I Never Knew You

I think about what it will be like to enter heaven’s gates and I hardly can wrap my mind around it, I Can Only Imagine as the song says. What will it be like? To finally see Jesus….I can only imagine. At first sight I may be blinded by His light and fall on my face by His majesty. My Sweet Lord.....O how I love Thee.

I come into the gate - tis’ oh so straight!
T’was at the end of the narrow way
My final journey, just as He said
My soul redeemed, a brand new day!

He comes to meet me just inside the gate
Ten thousand angels gather ‘round
Their voices rapturous in heaven’s realm
Singing Holy, Holy, Holy is the lamb!

I stand before His blazing Glory
A beckoning glow draws me near
I marvel at the shining prisms
His streams of light so bright and clear

His face too brilliant for me to yet see
His voice was so gentle, yet strong and firm
He speaks my name and calls me to Him
“Welcome home, My daughter” He affirms

As I draw closer I see His gentle face
The imprint of old wounds across his brow
His arms outstretched for a warm embrace
I fall on my knees and can only bow

With hands that still bore the scars of old
He lifts me to meet His tender gaze
Pure love exceeds from His very being
He says “thou has been faithful in thy ways

Enter into my Glory, I’ve prepared a place
A mansion awaits your name, complete.”
He lays a jeweled crown upon my head
I can only fall on my face and offer it.....at His feet.

Matthew 7:21 thru 23 the Lord says “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

How horrible it would be to hear those words from the Lord instead of welcoming, loving words. I hear people asking; “do you know Jesus?” It is a valid question and a good one to ask. But in verse 23 the Lord says “I never knew you.”

Think about this, I could go to the White House and tell everybody that I know George Bush. I DO know who he is, what he does, what he looks like, where he lives, etc. But unless Goerge Bush knows ME personally, and recognizes my name, I will not be allowed into the White House.

In order to be in an intimate relationship, both people have to know each other very well. Does the Holy Spirit of God commune with you? Does He let you know He is pleased with you when you pray and read His word? Do you read His word? Does He give you His peace, His joy? Does He discipline you when you sin? Or, is it a one-sided relationship?

Do you pray and pray knowing all the time you will go right back to the same old sin? If so, maybe you have not totally submitted yourself to Him. Maybe you said the prayer but - did you truly repent of your sins, believing in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross to redeem you? Feeling ashamed does not always mean repentance to a Holy God to whom we have sinned against. Repentance means to “turn away” to “change.“ God gives us the power to “turn away” from sin when He saves us but we must make a willful choice to do so. Was there a change in your heart? In your mind? In your speech? Was there a noticeable change in the way you view life? Did the sins of this wicked world begin wound your very soul? Did you become a new creature in Christ with His Holy Spirit as your daily Guide?

Do you really know who Jesus is and more importantly, does Jesus know you? Only you and He knows for sure. If not, ask Him to receive you as His child in total submission. Do it right now. Eternity is a very long time.

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