Today I sat outside for only 20 minutes in 60* weather. I use to love soaking in the sun for hours in much warmer weather. I only lasted 20 minutes, because my breathing is more shallow, and I felt like I was inhaling heat. Also my metabolism is messed up and I get overheated more easily now. (I now always use a fan and prefer cooler weather and air conditioning.)  I was thinking that all goodness comes from God (Jms 1:17), and especially our breath, (Gen 2:7, Job 33:4) and I thought how awful it would be, to be separated from God’s gift of goodness of not being able to breathe. As a believer in Christ, when we stop breathing in this life, we have a confident assurance that we will instantly be present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8) non believers have no such hope. In Lk 16:23-24 the rich man, while in hell, asked Abraham to send for Lazarus, so he could dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool his tongue, for he was tormented in flames, but the rich man was told that his request would be denied, because there was a fixed gulf between heaven and hell.

Last night I had a very vivid dream or vision. I was visiting a friend and we were discussing healing. While in conversation I began hearing heavenly voices singing the hallelujah chorus to Handel’s Messiah. I told my friend that I liked that hymn and just after the song started, my left arm began to raise and praise God, then my right arm. I could literally feel the physical sensation of my arms being raised and praising God. I began to shout, “It’s happening, its happening!” Then I thought, “I have to tell everyone” This is when I woke up, and looked at the clock, it was 3:59 a.m.I lay in bed for 2 hours thinking about the dream, and praising God about the eternal reality of my healing. I felt God leading me to John, chapter 11, where Jesus told Martha and Mary concerning their brother Lazarus’ sickness in Jn 11:4 “this disease is not unto death but for the glory of God” Then Jesus begins to speak to Martha about the resurrection not only being a spiritual truth concerning the body in the future, but a present reality that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and He can heal our diseased bodies NOW!

“Martha then said to Jesus, Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever You ask from God, He will grant it to you. Jesus said to her, your brother shall rise again. Martha replied, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this? vs40 Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?” Jn 11: 21-26,40 

I have been feeling more and more detached from this earthly life.

 “..confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” Heb 11:13;

“If you call on the Father, who without respect to persons, judgeth according to each mans work, pass the time of your SOJOURNING here in fear” 1 Pet 1:17.  

My home is not in Puyallup, WA or anywhere else on the earth, (“For here we have no continuing city, but seek one to come” Heb 13:14.)  I am finding more pleasure talking with God and fellow-shipping in His Word with Him as a son, than partaking in daily activities in this life. The cares of this world and the desires for things in this world pale to the fulfillment I have exploring the Word of God,

“..The cares of this world, and deceitfulness of riches and lusts thereof, choke the word and it becomes unfruitful” Mk 4:19; 

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as STRANGERS and PILGRIMS to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” 1 Pt 2:11.

Often times, I identify with the apostle Paul in 2 Cor 5, when he refers the physical body to a tent, groaning and yearning to have it replaced with a heavenly garment and also saying he would rather be absent from the body so he could be present with the Lord. I also know that I am Christ’s ambassador to my generation and I cannot quit or give up while I am here. I am here for a reason and must finish my race. One day I will be held to account for my time here. So even though I would rather be with Him, He motivates and strengthens me daily with His love, faith, and grace to keep going. He gives me courage to compel others to be reconciled to Christ.

I have been meditating on Christ’s suffering for my personal sin. The thought of my Savior suffering and paying the penalty of death for me, is overwhelming. Not only every sin I would ever commit, but every sin that all of humanity would commit, He personally suffered and paid for so that I would not have to!

“Surely He has borne our grieves (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all” (Is 53:4-6).