HOW CLOSELY CONNECTED ARE YOU WITH THE LORD?

SCRIPTURE:
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared 
in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.
(Luke 2:30-32)

MEDITATION:
Can you even imagine what it would be like 
to see the result of God’s salvation?
How would your life be changed 
if you could get a glimpse of your place in Heaven?
What would you do differently each day?
How would your service to the Lord increase (or for some, begin)?
Would your worship habits and contributions 
to the Lord’s work increase (or begin)?

We may not be able to see into Heaven, 
but we can see the results of the salvation we have been given by the Lord.
When we have trouble and heartache, we can feel His presence.
When we have difficult decisions to make, 
we can sense His speaking to us as He helps us to make wise choices.

When we feel the pang of pressures and anxieties, 
we can feel Him calming our spirits.
When we pray to Him, we can feel His presence 
and sense that He is listening to our every concern.
When we praise Him, our outlook on life changes as we focus more on Him.
When we bring His tithes to the altar, it gives us 
a feeling of participation in keeping the doors to His house of worship open.

When we serve Him, it increases our sense of being a part of His family.
We could add many more results of His salvation, 
but suffice it to say that when we are given His gift of eternal life, 
we feel connected with Him and sense His presence in many ways.

If we could look through high-powered telescopes or listen with 
highly sensitive listing devices, we could hear and see the metallic stars 
that both Russia and America have put into space years ago. 
However, none of these synthetic stars 
have contributed to peace in the world. 
But God’s “star” promised peace to the whole world, 
if man would believe and trust.

Too often man’s synthetic stars bring fear and anxiety. 
Our gadget-filled “paradise” certainly does not offer us 
the happiness which those of the previous century dreamed about. 
But there is still a star in the sky; 
there is still a song in the air; Jesus Christ is alive! 
He is a living presence Who is with us, to conquer despair, to convey hope, 
to forgive sins, and to take away our loneliness – He reconciles us to God.

ACTION:
How are you connected to the Lord?
Is it through prayer alone?
Is it through Bible reading alone?
Is it through worshipping with others only?
Is it through “returning” His tithes and offerings only?
Why not re-connect by making all of these previously mentioned areas 
permanent acts of love in your life?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your salvation for me and for giving me 
a glimpse of Heaven while I live on earth. Help me to embrace Your gifts 
while I am away from You physically, and encourage me to stay connected 
with You through Bible study, attending worship services with other 
believers, returning Your tithes and offerings, and especially through 
prayer. Your peace reaches all who love and trust You, living Lord Jesus 
and I praise Your holy name!”