Glimpses of Jesus
Only those who stare through the window - who see the brush strokes of the artist in the landscape; who hear the original conductor behind all beautiful melodies; who sense the intervening provision in ordinary circumstances - are fit to be called "worshipers." All other worship is merely pretense and religion. The one who "sees Him who is invisible" and reaches through the limits of space and time into heaven to see and find and know Him for themselves can fulfill his Destiny, while the one who "knows of" God in his "mind" and seeks to do right "things" for Him never will.
10/31/1998
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
“For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” –Romans 1:18-21
Our entire universe was built to be a window into another realm. But most people spend their entire lives staring at the window, and never through it.
A panoramic display window like no other, a view divinely fashioned by a Master Designer, yet men and women stand with their eyes squarely focused on nothing more than the reflections in the glass, with their favorite reflection to gaze upon being their very own.
But you cannot focus your eyes on God and yourself at the same time. If you want to Know the Realities of a world not rooted in the natural but rooted in the Reality found in the Son of God, then you must look past the pane of glass.
Every day we are offered choices to look through the glass and catch a glimpse of God Himself. But if we won’t look through the glass to HIM, then the world around us becomes nothing more than vain, worthless replacements for God Himself.
If a tree or landscape or music or art just fills our senses with warm fuzzies and temporary pleasure and false satisfaction to our soul, then that is idolatry. But if those same things make us worship God because we truly see right through to the REALITY on the other side, then Jesus, the Messiah, becomes the satisfier of our every longing.
Let God draw you out past the glass and into Himself. There is a world of wonders beyond the window for you to discover, if you’ll let Him take you there.
See the displays of His splendor. Let your focus be purely on Jesus of Nazareth.
Because…
only those who fix their gaze to look through the window…
who see the brush strokes of the Artist in the landscape…
who hear the original Conductor behind all beautiful melodies…
who sense His intervening provision in ordinary circumstances…
These are those who are fit to be called “worshipers.”
All other worship is merely pretense and religion. The “music” may sound lovely, the emotions may be roused, and the words may be “right” and sincere, but the soul is not Saved and the heart is not Changed.
An offering of duty and conscience is not the same as Heaven-Piercing Faith. One has the knowledge of good and evil in his “mind” and seeks to do “good” “things” for God, but the other Sees Him who is invisible! Such a Faith reaches through the limits of space and time into heaven to see and find and know Him and eat from His Tree of Life for themselves.
This is an invitation to first SEE HIM…. and then to See the world around you as He sees it.
So let’s start by taking a deeper look at Him who fills everything in every way.
Because…
if you are never riveted with unexplainable awe at His Grandeur…
if your heart never skips a beat at His Love…
if your knees never buckle at His Word…
if your eyes never shed a tear at the price He paid for your sin…
if your spine never gets chills up it at His unmistakable touch of commitment and intimate involvement in your life…
if you’re never inspired to love or to dare or to risk in bizarre ways and times and places for the sake of others…
then you’ve not yet seen the One whose image is stamped indelibly on our Universe and whose image continues to emerge like the dawn—even among the fallen sons of Adam.
Built into the structural code of our universe are the qualities of His very nature. He is a Warrior, a King, a Poet, a Prophet, a Brother, an Artist, a Groom to be, a Best Friend, and countless other marvelous things. He is the embodiment of everything Good, Right, and Wonder-full.
Because He is an Artist…
The simple beauty of a fiery sunset or a flowery meadow calms your soul
Colors and brushstrokes stir the imagination
Creative and eye-catching design is found in sweeping landscapes and in the tiniest of creatures
The fresh morning scent of the forest is rejuvenating
Because He is a Designer, a Gardener…
The refreshing thaw of spring prods you — to close your eyes and breathe in a fresh start
The summer sun and unbridled thunderstorms uniting to mature the crops stir you — to celebrate a harvest
The brilliant autumn leaves falling on the cool breeze remind you — that change is beautiful
The snowy winter night calls to you — to sled, to throw snowballs, to make snowmen
Because He is a Hero, an Explorer, a Pioneer…
The ocean’s pulse inspires you to peacefully wonder past the distant horizon
Mountains and their towering grandeur compel you to climb higher
Eagles soaring in the bright blue sky with its fluffy white polka-dots, make you dream of soaring
A mighty waterfall in its torrent of power and fury, stirs your desire to be part of something bigger than yourself
Because He is a Carpenter…
You are drawn to build and create
A hard day’s work brings satisfaction to your soul
Sweat feels good and proper and right
Fine craftsmanship is its own reward and is pleasing to behold
An honest day’s work deserves a fitting wage
Because He is a Best Friend…
Everybody wants one
Brotherhood is revered and Sisterhood is cherished
Confidants are coveted
Loyalty is precious and a trusted companion is priceless
Men climb into trenches for their comrades
Because He is a Father…
Holding a newborn makes time stand still
Children are allowed to make mud pies
Playing catch isn’t just a game
Children come running when Daddy gets home
Laps feels safe and secure
A baby’s laugh melts hearts
Correction rooted in love feels safe — because no one wants to wander from home
Because He is a Poet…
Hearts are stirred by noble verse
Carefully chosen Words capture your heart and awaken you to think deeper
Truths in poetry cross boundaries and break barriers
Children are predictably drawn to rhyming and rhythm
Because He is a Musician, a Conductor…
Feet tap unconsciously to the beat
Flowers hear music and thrive
Demonic men are calmed by harp strings
Symphonies form and create a song richer than any lone instrument ever could
Musicians delight to follow a Master Conductor
Melodies bind to memories, flowing in our minds for years, evoking dormant emotions and bringing tears to our eyes
Harmony brings rest and is more than just a musical term
Because He is a Scientist…
We Wonder and ask “How?” And “Why?”
Nature is filled with an innumerable amount of fascinating discoveries
Discoveries continuously reveal new secrets, showing there is more complexity to our universe than will ever be understood.
The activities of ants and bees speak to our souls of order and industry
A house emptied of clutter feels fresh and inspiring
E=mc2
We are intrigued by the tiniest atom and the most distant reaches of the Universe
Because He is a Mathematician…
The universe is orderly
1 + 1 = 2
1 + 1 ≠ 2 (because numbers are ultimately meaningless :) )
Fibonacci patterns are hidden in both minuscule pinecones and colossal galaxies
Earth is the perfect distance from the sun to sustain life
“When the solution is simple, God is answering.” –Einstein
The most complex of situations can be explained using a very simple equation: A=πr2
Because He is a Warrior…
Inspiration is found in simple contests when athletes give their all
We unconsciously cheer for the underdog
Anger burns fiercely against oppression
The drums of war are a call to arms
A sword being drawn from its scabbard summons courage
When courage confronts injustice face to face, we want to be that person
When evil is defeated, when mercy triumphs, and when hatred is deposed, we exult
Because He is a Judge…
Guilt is a dreadful, if not terrifying, feeling
Blame is prone to shifting
Skeletons love closets & the treacherous crave darkness
Even the stony-hearted pray in airplane turbulence
Because He is a King…
Children’s eyes dance at stories of Kings and Queens and castles
White horses were born, purple robes were fashioned and majestic thrones assembled
When trumpets sound, we stand up straighter
Men remove their hats
Deep in your heart is the desire to bow or curtsy and whisper the words “Your Majesty”
Because He is engaged…
Adam felt alone
The ark was loaded two by two
Mighty men put down their swords and stoop to pick flowers
Chivalry will always live
Hours can feel like mere minutes
Maidens’ hearts flutter and melt
Hearts are carved into trees
Poems are written, car doors are opened, and kind words are spoken
The strongest of men get down on one knee
Fine linen dresses are fashioned
A wedding is the climax of history
And even a baby knows how to dance
Because He is a Redeemer…
Forgiveness given and received changes you
Shepherds leave their 99 to go after 1
You are happy when something that was lost is found
Seventy times seven isn’t a math problem
Mountains of guilt can disappear — chasing the east to the west
Men and women are inexplicably moved to forfeit their lives for loved ones and strangers
“I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” hold a sacred place in every culture
And best of all, our sins can be forgiven
Come to Him!
Now that we have more deeply considered Him who is invisible, (yet not as invisible as those who resist Him want to claim), let us say again…
From the beginning of time, God has made clear aspects of His character throughout His creation, so that all men are without excuse because what can be known about God has been made plain to us.
But that’s not all He did. Jesus, Yeshua, Yesu — the One who made the heavens and the earth — did a miracle beyond miracles. He came to us. He joined us on the journey from flesh to divine-life partakers. He opened the door by His blood because He was the only Bridge possible between us and the perfect God “I AM,” whose very name could not be spoken.
Jesus came to show us the Way into His Life by His Spirit. He is the Impossible Bridge from the third dimension mere human/mammal life and the unseen fifth dimension of Zoe life.
It’s Time to See Our Father’s World—The REAL One
For anyone looking through this world’s pane of glass to the Reality of Christ, Jesus is Amazingly Beautiful.
But Satan’s primary way of keeping people from falling madly in love with this Jesus is to take these beautiful aspects of His amazing character and twist them into self-serving counterfeits. Every day we make choices of whether to see through the glass into Father’s world, the Spirit, rather than being captivated by, controlled by, or fooled by our own reflection and this present age.
This is the difference between living in the present age vs having the mind controlled by the Spirit.
This is the difference between the Tree of Knowledge vs the Tree of Life.
This is the difference between…
Being someone who only sees his own reflection in the window as he delights in his physical senses where the temporary seen world is his considered choice for sensual desires
Or…
Being someone who Sees THROUGH the glass to the big view of Reality on the other side.
Someone who has been set free in Jesus and is living for and in the Father’s REAL World can appreciate — enjoy — laugh, but isn’t ever drawn, controlled, or disappointed by anything in the binary molecular atom world.
For those with eyes to see and hearts of ignitable tinder, His Irresistible nature shines through the glass where the haze of counterfeits vanishes. We become “dead to the world and the world dead to us” when we see Jesus through the glass and see that all of the things of this present age are just bugs or dirt on the window.
Practical (and Poetic, too!)
Does this just sound poetic to you? Oh no, no. This is a strategy for how to practically get from eating from the Tree of Knowledge (living in and controlled by this present age) to living eating from the Tree of Life — “seated with Christ in Heavenly Realms”…“led by the Spirit”…“abiding in Him and He in you”…“Christ (Anointing) — the hope of Glory”…“on earth as it is in Heaven” — NOW.
Any temptation that presents itself to you, jealousy or fear or lust or greed or selfishness… if you look THROUGH the glass instead of yielding to temptation (or trying to defeat temptation) by looking AT the glass, then you will find Freedom in Jesus. If you will choose to Look THROUGH the glass window at Jesus and allow your “motives to be laid bare“… if you will See Him properly and See flesh and this present age properly — then you will find freedom. Why? Because the victory that overcomes the world is this Heaven-Piercing faith that looks through the glass window instead of at the reflection, seeing both the shadow-world matrix and the Real World properly.
So this is extremely practical. For instance… Do you not know whether a cuppa coffee or a dessert is a lust or an extra — or totally fine? Are you uncertain because of the Tree of Knowledge? That’s a heavy lift to have to know how to be right and justified by “good and evil” decisions, if you have the energy to even try, all day every day.
But instead, “eat the Scrolls” rather than just memorize them. Eat from the Tree of LIFE. Look THROUGH the glass AT JESUS. He gave you the ability to smell and see and taste, He invented electricity to brew the coffee, He allowed your body to feel the warmth going down your throat. Is it a vice? Is it a lust? Is it pleasure-seeking? Find out how to bend towards the aroma of Christ, Anointing, rather than figure it out. It’s all about Jesus. There is no steak. There is no coffee. There is no dessert. If bringing Jesus pleasure is all that really matters, not your own pleasure, then you’ll know what to do or not to do case by case. Take, kill and eat. Or don’t. :-)
Look THROUGH the Glass
Jesus is not a principle, he is a person.
Find Him and His Way…
Looking THROUGH the Glass, Not AT the Glass
Amidst life’s maze, a truth unveiled,
To find our path, our future hailed,
Look THROUGH the glass, not at the glaze,
And wisdom’s light shall guide our days.
Reflections tempt with transient gleam,
Distorted truths, a fleeting dream,
To discern a future bright and clear,
Peer THROUGH the glass, the heart sincere.
The world parades its gilded wares,
Enticing souls with tempting snares,
Yet, through the glass, we See what’s real,
To navigate, with strength we deal.
The things of earth, we may enjoy,
Yet not enslaved, nor to them toy,
For through the glass, we find the strength,
To rise above the fleeting length.
And in our quest to know the Divine,
To feel His presence, light that shines,
Gaze through the glass, find God within,
A boundless love, our souls will win.
Let us seek the vision true,
Through the glass, the world renewed,
Wisdom and discernment found,
In looking through, a truth unbound.
Amidst the glass, a call to see,
Beyond reflections’ vanity,
To find a path for what’s to be,
We look within, our souls set free.
Through glass, we glimpse life’s grand design,
Unveiling truths that intertwine,
Discerning futures, hopes align,
A journey traced by stars that shine.
The worldly temptations may allure,
Yet deep within, we must ensure,
To look through the glass with vision pure,
Embrace the essence, love secure.
In joys of life, our spirits dance,
Not bound by things or circumstance,
Through glass, we glimpse our soul’s expanse,
Beyond materialistic trance.
And in our quest to know the Divine,
Through glass, the sacred visions shine,
A glimpse of truth, of love divine,
In unity, our souls align.
Look through the glass, oh seeker bold,
A world of wonders to behold,
Beyond reflections, clear and bright,
Where truth resides, beyond the sight.
Amidst the haze of earthly things,
The gleaming glint, temptation brings,
But through the glass, we learn to see,
The transient dance of vanity.
The call to serve, to love, to care,
With empathy, our burdens bear,
Through glass, we glimpse the essence pure,
A tapestry of life secure.
In seeking God, the sacred quest,
Through glass, we find eternal rest,
Beyond the ego’s self-reflection,
A divine bond, a deep connection.
So look beyond the surface gleam,
Through the glass, where dreams redeem,
In unity, our spirits rise,
A world unveiled before our eyes.
Part 8: The Worshiper Can See It
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