Building Materials

 Building Materials

Revelation 21: ¹⁸ The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself was made of pure gold, as clear as glass. ¹⁹ The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation stone was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh yellow quartz, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chalcedony, the eleventh turquoise, the twelfth amethyst. ²¹ The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each gate was made from a single pearl. The street of the city was of pure gold, transparent as glass.

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After following the instructions, I finally finished putting together the furniture. I had to force the shelves to align, but finally got everything to fit. I accidentally spilled some water on an exposed end and the wood began to swell in one spot.

• The furniture was made of particle board which could not withstand water.
• The machining of the furniture was not done well, so I had to force things together.
• The furniture was flimsy and broke easily when it was moved.

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was given the list of materials the city’s foundation was made of. Each foundation stone was a “precious” stone that was probably rarely seen, even in the new earth. The city and streets were made of pure gold as clear as glass. The wall was another precious stone and the gates were made from a single pearl.

My Observations:

• GOD wants us to have something special.
• GOD can create rare things that are precious.
• GOD made you and me and there is no one like us.

Precious things cannot be found everywhere. I mean, when something is rare, it is not only hard to find, it is impossible to replicate. GOD used precious stones for the city that HE made for HIS precious people.

No one is exactly alike. GOD spent time thinking about the building materials of your entire existence. Nothing was a mistake. HE made you and me and was delighted. Your very existence pleases GOD immensely! I am glad GOD thinks of you and me in a precious way!

Challenge

• Why does the writer give this detail?
• Have you ever seen precious stones or something valuable?
• Can you believe that GOD values you as precious to HIM and was excited when HE made you?

I Know a Place

I Know a Place

John 14: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

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“You always know great places to eat” someone said to me. It was a compliment that I took to heart in my own small way. I put the restaurant’s name and what they were known for in my contact list. When someone would ask me for a restaurant, I could recommend the place and what they sold.

• It felt great being asked for advice.
• It felt like I was helping by providing information.
• It felt nice that I could guide people to some enjoyment.

JESUS explained that HE was going to be murdered. HE then said “Let not your heart be troubled.” HE was trying to assure HIS disciples that HE is allowing the murder to fulfil HIS p[purpose. HE was going to prepare a place for those who believe in HIM. HE knew of a great place.

• JESUS has risen and is preparing a place for me.
• JESUS is alive and will return for me when HE has prepared the last place for the last person to believe in HIM.
• JESUS told me I know the way.

“In my FATHER’s house are many mansions” shows me HE is concerned about my quality of life. But HE also knows the deceiver will try to fool me into thinking I can create a false heaven on this cursed earth.

Scratching and clawing for the “best” food, clothes, cars, houses and jobs, to sustain the above, can exhaust any time with GOD. JESUS knows a place that is right for me and that place is with HIM. HE wants my heart to seek the kingdom. I do know a place and it is with JESUS.

• What place are you seeking?
• Are you being led by GOD or by your own desires?
• Will you seek GOD was your swelling place so HE can fill your empty heart today?