No Eye Has Seen

But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9          

 

This bible verse has been one of my favorites for many years.  The mere thought that as humans, our senses  can not even fathom the wonders that await us…prepared by God who loves us and desires to draw us to Him!

Imagine the most magnificent sights you have ever enjoyed.  They are countless, however, a few stand out for me.    The faces and smiles of my husband, sons, grandson, family, and friends.  Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.  Never ending stars twinkling in a black sky.  A rainbow. Niagara Falls.  The beauty of one rose, or the splendor of a field of wildflowers.

Imagine the most beautiful sounds you have ever heard.  For me, that would include the consoling and refreshing sound of the waves breaking on the shore, the musical notes and harmonies of birds singing in the morning, and the pure delight of hearing babies’ giggles and the sweet voices of my loved ones.

Now, without reservation, imagine what would be the “perfect heaven” for you.  Our imaginations can run wild with this one…all of the things that we feel would make us perfectly happy.  What are those things for you?

Anything that our eyes, ears, and mind can reveal to us, will never even come close to what God has already prepared for us.  His love, mercy, and vision for our lives and our future with him are out of our realm of understanding or discovery.  Wow…we are so loved by God, that he has made preparations for us so wondrous, that we can not grasp the full beauty of it!

Now read the verse again…“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”

“For those who love him” jumped out at me a few days ago while reading this verse.  I had never thought about that aspect of this verse before.

Many times, those that consider themselves “saved” will nonchalantly answer “Jesus loves me just as I am, no matter what I do” when confronted with the truth regarding sin in their life. Essentially, we tend to make excuses for our behavior, believing that Jesus will love us know matter what our actions or thoughts are.  And he will.

However, this verse does not say “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those that he loves.”  It specifically states…for those who love him.

Think about that…in what ways do you love Jesus?  In what ways do you attempt to grow closer to him?  What are the ways that you show him you care for him and want him in your heart…in your life?

In a true loving relationship, the focus is not on “me.”  The focus is, “what can I do to please my loved one?”  What changes in my life would  bring joy and happiness to the one I love?  How do I make a conscious effort to love God?

Dear Lord, please fill me with your Holy Spirit.  Open my eyes, ears and mind to the ways I can show my love for you.  Engulf me in your mercy and love, and allow me to open my heart as a vessel for your love to flow through to all who live in darkness.  Teach me to love you.

 

For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.  Isaiah 64:4

But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9  

 

 

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The Faith of Saint Therese of Lisieux

The faith and heart of Saint Therese touches my own walk with Jesus in a profound way. We are all blessed with different gifts; Love is the source of all.
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Eye Hath Not Seen

It’s a funny time of year for me…it’s almost autumn.  The hot and humid days of the summer have disappeared, and for now, here in Virginia, we’ve been enjoying weather in the seventies and low eighties.  The sun is still shining brightly, however, there is that unmistakable crispness in the air.  The nights are cool.

All that is missing…is what I love the very most…the colors of fall.

Why do I love fall?  Let me count the ways.  The smell of campfires, and hot dogs roasting.  The beautiful color palette that spreads so beautifully right in front of our eyes.  The crunch of leaves under our feet as we walk.  Pumpkins, apple cider, beef stew, a big pot of chili with friends, apple cake.   Either a cup of warm cocoa or a cold mug of craft beer in my hand…there is a time and place for both, depending on the occasion!  For me, nothing touches my heart and senses like the autumn season.

When I think of the beauty of fall, and nature in general, my thoughts always drift to one of my favorite Bible verses:

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9

How could anyone doubt the existence, power and glory of God when witnessing the beauty all around us?  When I am outside, surrounded by the creativity and majesty of God, I feel so blessed and grateful.  Who really needs the artificial pleasures of this world, when God has gifted us with His holy and majestic creations all around us?

And let’s take that a step forward…according to 1 Corinthians 2:9, we cannot even FATHOM what the Lord has planned for us when we are in heaven with Him.  Perfect joy, perfect peace, basking in God’s perfect light and love.  Colors, sounds, feelings that we are not even capable of conceiving in thought, are being prepared for us right now!

Even more beautiful than fall?  Isn’t that exciting?

Dear Lord, please help me to always trust in your Word and your Love for me.  Help me to open my heart, mind, body and soul to your Holy Spirit, so as to fill me with the pure joy that only comes from you.  That joy is so complete, that I will not be able to contain it…help me to share your saving grace with a world in need. 

Help me to see that for me, the world is encompassed in my daily life.  Lord, please open my eyes to all the ways I can serve you today through reaching out, in your love, to the people you place in my life.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.           Romans 1:20

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