Message in the Clouds

 “Then everyone will see the Son of Man

coming on a cloud with

 power and great glory.”

Luke 21:27 NLT

As a child, I experienced an amazing scene in the sky. White clouds formed a pathway from high up in the sky down to about three hundred feet above the neighbor’s hay field. Fluffy clouds billowed up on both sides and a man, possibly ten feet tall, in a white robe stood at the end of the path. I heard no audible message from God that day, but it gave me confidence He always watches over me. For days afterwards, I kept my eyes on the clouds hoping for another vision, though none appeared.

In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God in the form of a cloud filled the tabernacle and directed the journey of the Israelite people through the wilderness. When Solomon dedicated the temple, the presence of God appeared as a cloud and interrupted the service.

In the New Testament, when John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan, both men heard God speak from a cloud. Forty days after his resurrection from the dead, Jesus returned to heaven on a cloud. I visualize that cloud as the most beautiful, multicolored formation ever seen in the sky. When Jesus had risen out of sight, the believers received an important message from two men in white robes.  They promised Jesus would return in the same manner as he left—on a cloud.

Keep looking up! Expect that glorious cloud formation.

~ Juanita

Forever Fruitful

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.

For they are transplanted 

to the Lord's own house. 

They flourish in the courts of our God.

Even in old age they will still produce fruit; 

they will remain vital and green.

Psalm 92:12-14 NLT

A sixty-year-old plum tree with gnarled, twisted trunk and branches stands alone in the back yard. Though aged and ugly, it still produces lovely soft white flowers in early spring. Its sweet fruit tastes exquisite in late July. This Santa Rosa plum makes the best juice ever to be desired.

A professional landscaper might decide the tree has seen its better days when he considers the unattractive, half-rotten trunk or the broken branches in desperate need of pruning. He might decide to replace the ancient tree with a straight, well-shaped seedling. But a pastoral artist would value the challenge to paint the scarred tree on canvas just as it is—old but beautiful and fruitful.

 

Whether we see ourselves as a young seedling full of fresh ideas and energy or as a weak, twisted tree needing loving attention, we can praise our Lord every morning and thank Him for another day to bear fruit and feed people in His Kingdom. He planned every day of our lives—the early years and the latter years.

The Lord is our light and salvation, the stronghold of our life (Psalm 27:1), no matter our age or physical condition. Like the fragrance of flowers on a fruit tree, we develop the fragrance of God when we plant our roots deep in His Word and desire to please the Lord with all our thoughts and actions.

~ Juanita

The Feast

 Let us be glad and rejoice,

and let us give honor to him.

For the time has come for the 

wedding feast of the Lamb, 

and his bride has prepared herself.

 Revelation 19:7 NLT

The night my husband and I attended a dinner at the Hilton in honor of a potential presidential candidate, I planned to approach him and ask to take his picture. A few people visited his table before dinner, so I gathered my courage. He graciously shook my hand, called me by name (reading my name tag) and asked a woman at his table to take our picture together. Meeting someone famous is a delightful occasion to remember, plus the experience made an interesting blog posting.

With whom do you want to visit when you go to heaven? The Old Testament introduces us to many interesting patriarchs. One of my favorites is King David. He experienced victory in battle and moral defeat, but he always demonstrated a repentant heart. His testimony blesses us when we read his psalms of confession and praise to his God.

Far ahead of all famous people is our Lord Jesus Christ. Our King! Just to sit at His feet and hear His voice will bring emotions of unspeakable joy. Visualize that heavenly banquet! The victorious believers will not be invited to dine at the Hilton, but to a heavenly banquet served in the grandest fashion to honor our Bridegroom and His Bride—the overcoming church.

Hallelujah! Our Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

Juanita Turner Paslay

A Conversation with the Lord

 Mary Magdalene found the disciples

and told them, “I have seen the Lord! . . .”

 John 20:18 NLT

The clock showed 4:30 a.m. Since I had been awake for two hours, my mind told me, it’s time to get out of bed. My day usually starts with prayer and devotions, accompanied by a cup of tea in my sunny library, but it’s dark at 4:30 in the morning, so I moved to the dining room and stood before our large picture window. I experienced a delightful talk with God. A bright waning moon and several morning stars light up the darkness. If I had waited another half-hour, I would have missed this view of my God’s magnificent predawn sky because the fog rolled in and completely changed the scenery within minutes.

Mary Magdalene was the first person to see and worship Jesus after His resurrection. Picture her walking in the dark before sunrise to His burial site. No street lights, no flashlight to brighten her path. Mary was eager to anoint her Lord’s body after Sabbath, but instead, He talked with her!

Neither Mary nor I shall forget our early morning encounter with our Lord. Next time you awake before dawn, take advantage of the early hour and have a blessed conversation with our Savior.

Wake up, lyre and harp!

I will wake the dawn with my song.

Psalm 108:2 NLT

Juanita Turner Paslay

Divine Appointment

How would we respond if we were a short person who wanted a closer look at a famous teacher? Think back to our Sunday School days.

“Zacchaeus was a wee little man;

a wee little man was he.

He climbed up in the sycamore tree . . .”

Zacchaeus was not just a common city tax collector but a regional chief tax collector. His occupation made him very rich but despised by his Jewish people. The gospel writer Luke infers that Zacchaeus had never seen Jesus before nor heard him teach, but whatever words of wisdom Jesus spoke to him at dinner convicted Zacchaeus for using dishonest methods of over-taxing his own people.

The Old Testament teaches when a thief is caught he must pay back double, but Zacchaeus promised to return four times the amount of illegal taxes plus give half his wealth to the poor. Just one visit with Jesus changed Zacchaeus’ life.

Zacchaeus determined to see Jesus that day. Jesus already had the dinner appointment on His own calendar, just as he has a plan for our lives.

King David believed God planned every day of his life (Psalm 139). The Apostle Paul also declared his life was worth nothing unless he accomplished all the Lord had assigned him (Acts 20:24).

  Lord, we want to live in the center of Your will every day. We invite You to search our hearts and reveal anything that offends You. We ask forgiveness when we disobey Your will. Bless us with Your presence today and always.

Juanita