From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2004 6:54 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: February 8th Blessings

"For our citizenship is in heaven..."  Philippians 3:20

Christ Jesus is our access, the door, as we saw in the list of  "I AM"s of Christ.  From the list of the "I WILL"s of Christ we see: "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."  John 6:40

John 17 is the high priestly prayer of Jesus and we read in verse 24, "Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me were I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me..."

Concerning the word 'behold' in this verse, "Vine's Expository Dictionary" says,  "It is used of experience, in the sense of partaking of."

In verse 21 & 22, Jesus prayed,
"That they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us...and the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one."

Concerning the saints (Believers) glorified:
"Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears, let him hear."  Matthew 13:43

"And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him." Romans 8:17

Philippians 3:21 tells us that it is Christ, "Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory..."

"When Christ who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."  Colossians 3:4

Here is the mystery that God made known to the gentiles, "...Which is Christ in you the hope of glory."  Colossians 2:27

We are always in His presence!  Is He always in ours?
Have you ever pondered these things in the presence of All Mighty God? The woes of this present day fade as we with a "single eye" focus on Christ in His Holy Spirit who leads, guides and teaches.

"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."  Romans 14:17

Therefore, IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, kingdom living is ours now!
Does that not make you want to sing out:
"Break forth into joy oh my soul,
 Break forth into joy oh my soul.
 In the presence of the Lord there is joy forevermore;
 Break forth, break forth, into joy oh my soul."

Now, to Him be glory and majesty forever!  Amen.