THE FAITHFUL TRAIL

On the faithful trail, I’ll go,
where the ferns are thick and greening,
and the undergrowth goes up and down,
and the trees are sometimes leaning.
 
Yet on the trail, I’ll follow,
as I pass beneath the basswoods,
as I stroll along the touch-me-nots,
and a patch of tangled dogwoods.
 
I’ll trust when at the gully,
where the woods are dark and deepest,
and cross the scaly cherry tree,
where the bank is slick and steepest.
 
At trail’s end, I’ll have rest
in a special, hidden clearing—
on the grass, I’ll watch the passing clouds,
and the veeries I’ll be hearing.

 

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

 

THE FAITHFUL TRAIL

Veery Glade is lush and green now, and the deep-forested little brown thrush birds known as veeries sing their mystical, swirling tunes in the woodland realm. I especially enjoy their songs at dusk, when they are often one of the last birds to sing, other than the robin, believe it or not!

"They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God."

Luke 13:29

'They' are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets. People will take their places, sit down, and find rest in Heaven. The faithful will enter in from all directions. Today's post is about being seated in Heaven. I'm sure if one scooted over to Bible Gateway, one could do a search on 'seated in Heaven.'

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7

Our pastor mentioned the above verses during the Sunday evening service and it clicked for me to write about this topic of being seated. Here in Ephesians, we read that we are seated with Christ (or maybe will be seated?). In Christ Jesus (by His shed blood for the forgiveness of sins), we are brought near to Him.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

The above verse is my key verse for For the Joy: Christian Poems about Good Friday and Easter. As finisher, Jesus sat. He came to a rest. He gives time to task accomplished, to mission achieved, to His Father's will carried out. He does not need to do anything more. He is done. There is nothing more to be done in regard to reconciling mankind to His Father.

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life."

Matthew 19:27-29

In the regeneration. Did you catch that phrase Jesus used? What does it mean? It has much to do with being born again. In fact, that's what it means! Everyone understands natural, physical birth. We all started as infants, being born a baby. Regeneration, or new birth, is a spiritual, holy, heavenly birth that results in our being made alive spiritually. Natural man is dead in his sins until he is made alive by Christ. This is achieved when natural man places his trust in our only Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and believes. We entered the Earthly realm physically. We enter the Heavenly realm spiritually. We were born with a sinful nature but when a person becomes born again, she becomes a partaker of the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4)

They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

Mark 10:37-38

James and John had asked Jesus if they could sit on either side of Him when He was in glory. But Jesus goes on to say in verse 40 that those places of honor are not His to give, 'but for those for whom it is prepared.' I wonder if God, the Father gives those places. We who are born again will see it and know it. We who are made alive by Christ will learn who they are.

FOR THE JOY: Christian Poems 

about Good Friday and Easter (coming for Easter 2027)

Here is my revised back book blurb:

FOR THE JOY: Christian Poems about

Good Friday and Easter

Why do Christians call Good Friday Good?

Why is Easter Sunday filled with joy?

For The Joy: Christian Poems about Good Friday and Easter is a collection of reverent poems and colorful paintings about Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Lisa Belknap shares her testimony and reflections, offering answers to the above questions. Each of the thirty-two poems with accompanying Bible verses encourage the reader to trust in the love and grace of humanity’s only redeeming Savior, Jesus Christ, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Remember to pray for missionaries. 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 29:19

Christians have obeyed the command. Many have left homes and lands to witness to others and further the Gospel truth even under persecution. And even at home, persecution comes. To stand up for Jesus amidst anti-Christian trends brings reward.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:5-6

Live to dwell in the house of the LORD forever, well-cared for, and wonderfully shown a place to be seated in Heaven.