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circumstances, eternal life, experience, joy, life after death, new life, Oswald Chambers, seeing God, spiritual power, spiritual transformation, wilderness
The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus…
(Photo by Susanne Schuberth)
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Is 35:1-10 ESV)
Have you ever wondered whether the Scriptures above only spoke of a future life in heaven after our physical death? Or are out there some readers who have the hope, or even the experience, that such a wonderful life does exist right now? No doubt, after this earthly life that is more or less filled with pain, sorrow, and trials for everyone, those verses certainly fit. However, it depends on how we define life. Do we see life as something that somehow “approaches” us merely from the outside and confronts us with circumstances we often had not chosen if the power had been in our own hands, or, do we realize that every living creature has received its life from the unseen Spirit who is Life? The Spirit is God’s and thus everything that exists IS eternal. So, if Christ transfers our awareness from the physical realm into the spiritual realm, we might suddenly see that ALL life is eternal (Note: discussing eternal death here would take me too far afield right now).
Nonetheless, the spiritual life I am speaking of here must be given to us since every human being by nature is indeed separated from God’s life and naturally unable to touch, taste, smell, hear, and see spiritual things. Once we have received this life, we cannot die anymore, but already live eternally, though our outward wrapper (aka as body 😉 ) withers. The scriptural confirmation can be found here:
“For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he wills.” (Jn 5:21 ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (Jn 5:24 ESV)
“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (Jn 17:3 ESV)
Let me conclude with two quotes from Oswald Chambers which might be enlightening, but also a bit thought-provoking, I hope. 😉 The first one refers to experiencing God’s power in circumstances which are adverse, to be sure, but can be perceived differently as soon as we live together with God as, for example, the apostle Paul and many, many others saints later did. The second excerpt points to the possibility to really SEE Jesus in this life, an experience that eclipses the whole creation in light of Him who created all things (if you like, confer my own testimony https://enteringthepromisedland.wordpress.com/2014/06/13/my-testimony/ under “A few months later…Meeting the Christ of Revelation, the Son of God”).
And now Oswald Chambers, once again. 🙂
We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us. Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against— tribulation, suffering, and persecution— are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. “We are more than conquerors through Him” “in all these things”; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4).
After that, He appeared in another form to two of them… —Mark 16:12
Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did before.
You should always recognize the difference between what you see Jesus to be and what He has done for you. If you see only what He has done for you, your God is not big enough. But if you have had a vision, seeing Jesus as He really is, experiences can come and go, yet you will endure “as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27).
Jesus must appear to you and to your friend individually; no one can see Jesus with your eyes. And division takes place when one has seen Him and the other has not. You cannot bring your friend to the point of seeing; God must do it. Have you seen Jesus? If so, you will want others to see Him too. “And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either” (Mark 16:13). When you see Him, you must tell, even if they don’t believe.
Entering the Promised Land 
Susanne, just a quickie, I just wanted to say I loved your photograph! Beautiful! forgot to mention it but it was the first thing I saw!
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Thanks a bunch for saying this, dear Jacqui!! 😀
Actually, I hoped YOU would like it, knowing that you have an eye for the beauty of nature since you take sooo beautiful pics!!! ❤
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My dear Susanne,
I went and read your testimony of seeing Jesus once again. I am so hungry for what you have experienced. I was a bit shocked by what O. C. wrote in your second excerpt from him above. Most Christian authors never broach this subject so openly.
“Jesus must appear to you and to your friend individually; no one can see Jesus with your eyes. And division takes place when one has seen Him and the other has not. You cannot bring your friend to the point of seeing; God must do it. Have you seen Jesus? If so, you will want others to see Him too. “And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either” (Mark 16:13). When you see Him, you must tell, even if they don’t believe.”
It was not that I don’t believe what he wrote, but I was shocked that he had experienced and wrote it. I guess I should not have, for the spiritual depth in which he wrote in his book reveals a man who not only mentally knows (Grk, gnosis) about Jesus, but a man who gnosoko’s (has intimate knowledge of) Him.
Jesus has put this deep hunger in me to know and even see Him as He IS in THIS life. Thank you for all your encouragement that it will happen, dear sweet sister. Thank you for giving this following passage scope in my life.
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 RSVA)
Your eternal friend and brother,
Michael
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My dear Michael,
You’re welcome to everything I can offer. I do believe that God put that spiritual hunger in your heart in order to satisfy it. No doubt! 🙂
From his writings it was also clear to me that Oswald Chambers must have had deep spiritual experiences of his own. Nonetheless, I found that quote about him seeing Jesus quasi incidentally, that is, I was not looking for it, yet suddenly it sprang out on me, and I thought I could share it on here.
God willing (Susanne’s favorite disclaimer 😉 ), He allows me to share some other excerpted mystical writings in the days ahead, too.
Your eternal friend and sister,
Susanne
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Yes, dear sister, I would really be interested in other testimonies of those who have seen Jesus first hand. I don’t think that Paul was the only one that was “born out of due season.” I appreciate all that YOU have shared about your own experiences, too. I feel like a kid in a candy store on your blog because He has given me a “sweet tooth” for personally experiencing HIM in a deeper way as well.
God bless you with more of Him and His love ❤
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That was sweet that you said felt like a kid in a candy store. I love that, Michael! ❤
Every divine blessing to you – ASAP 😉
Holy Hugs,
Susanne
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Thanks so much for the pingback, dear Michael! 🙂
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Susanne, you are welcome to the pingback.. I hope everyone reads what you have shared here!!! What a blessing you and Jesus are!!! ❤
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Oh, thank you very much for your encouraging words! ❤
You are a treasure, Michael!!
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Oh! And thank you, Susanne, for moderating the pingback from my latest blog. 🙂
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You’re most welcome, my brother! 🙂
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wunderbaren Worte
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Dankeschön, Mark! 🙂
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Lloyd, that might be true, but even this is a living parable of a greater truth. I am reminded of what Paul said,
“Not as though the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel, who are of Israel: Neither, because they are the descendants of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall your descendants be called. That is, They who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the descendants… What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.”
(Romans 9:6-16 KJ2000)
For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
(Romans 2:28-29 KJ2000)
Those who walk by faith, both Jew and Gentile, are the REAL Israel of God and ALL these promises belong to those who do. God takes what seems to be physical fulfillments and shows us how they have a spiritual fulfillment.
“But that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.”(1 Corinthians 15:46 KJ2000)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJVCNT)
I am so glad that the Spirit can teach us things that are relative to our callings from ALL the scriptures, aren’t you?
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I can only say, ”Great exposition, Michael! Thumbs up!” 🙂
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I remember knowing in my mind that Jesus died on the cross because as an unsaved person I had been to passion plays and I had been told about his crucifixion and I saw movies about it..but then on the day when I was officially birthed into His kingdom I saw Jesus being crucified in a vision and the next thing in knew I was cleansed of my guilt and received Gods spirit being into me..yes seeing is believing!
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Beautiful testimony, Kenneth! Thanks so much for sharing it on here!! 🙂
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Lloyd, I agree with you and I see no contradiction with what I believe to be true. Actually, I am glad that Michael provided such a perfect distinction between the visible Israel (both the country and the Jews after the flesh) and the invisible, i.e. spiritual, Israel . Couldn’t be said better, I believe.
I only want to add a few verses that convey God’s plan to save (a remnant of) Israel after the flesh.
The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation
25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,
31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.
32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
(Rom 11:25-32 ESV)
By the way, I truly know only a handful of Messianic Jews. Not very many, indeed.
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I know several Messianic Jews (devout Jews and devout Christians, at the same time). One of these, a lawyer friend of mine, has done mission work in and around the Ukraine, spreading word of the Messiah Jesus Christ to the Jews there.
Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) has program scheduled for 5/22/15 called “Praise the Lord” on which Messianic Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider will be interviewed. Rabbi Schneider hosts a weekly program called “Discovering the Jewish Jesus” on TBN. Rabbi Jonathan Bernis hosts a similar program on TBN called “Jewish Voice”. You may be able to find podcasts online. TBN has stations across the globe.
Is this what you wanted to know, or did I go off on a tangent?
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Yes, I know Messianic Jews who spread the Word in Germany, too, even via TV and on the net, dear Anna. Thanks for providing more information regarding this issue! 🙂
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Paul wrote, “Remember that you [Gentiles} were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:12-18 RSVA)
Our identities must be ONE identity, Jesus Christ, or we are falling short of the glory Father intends for us to walk in. Paul understood this and thus he did not flaunt his Jewishness or his being a Pharisee or in being a Roman citizen, either!
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized [immersed] into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29 RSVA)
Oh that all who call themselves “Christian” could have the scales taken from their eyes to see this! We are made ONE as we have put on Christ and are immersed in Him, not immersed in water, our nationalities, doctrines, genders, social status, religions or anything else. We are a NEW creation IN Christ!
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6 RSVA)
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Yes and amen, Michael.
Another great comment that hits home! 🙂
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Very good, my wild and crazy sister! 🙂
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Your statement, “Even being focused on one’s experiences (on visions or dreams, for example) might become a stumbling stone for some if they do not finally seek God Himself behind all these manifestations” touches on an important point. All or most of those whom I’ve encountered on this site are like you, Susanne, bible believing Christians, who have walked with the Lord for a good deal of time. They cannot easily be misled. However, there are more “junior” Christians — not to any mention non-Christians — who could easily be misled by visions and dreams (especially if they focus on those experiences, rather than on biblical truth). The adversary is not above deception and has, in more than one cult, posed as the Savior. Our experience of the risen Lord in our hearts and in our lives should go hand in hand with Scripture. We must not do the bidding of an apparition when it is contrary to Scripture.
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Yes and amen, dear Anna. Thank you very much for your wise input and confirmation! 🙂
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Very good, Michael! Thanks for your insightful contribution once again! 🙂
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