The "Cliff Walk" in Newport, Rhode Island.

Friday, July 29, 2005

"Loving Jesus"

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8,9).

Newport, Rhode Island is a beautiful city by the sea. It is on an island and on its east side it has cliffs along the ocean. Some 100 years ago the rich built summer cottages along these cliffs facing out over the ocean. Of course the cottages were really mansions.

Every visit to New England Brooksyne and I enjoy walking along the "Cliffwalk", a trail on the cliffs with stunning views of the mansions and sea. The photo really doesn't do the scene justice. Since I wanted to focus primarily on the cliffs and ocean, the mansions are barely visible. But with a panoramic view it is a stunning sight.

When we see these wonderful scenes and the mansions Brooksyne has often said she wonders if it's a bit like heaven. A great old hymn of the church majestically states in the 4th stanza:

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore thee in heaven so bright,
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus 'tis now.

We consider heaven and perhaps visualize mansions and incredible scenes. But I believe the hymn correctly expresses that the focus in heaven, as it should be on earth, is loving Jesus.

Peter had seen the Lord and walked with Him during His earthly ministry. In his final recorded personal encounter with the Lord three times he heard Christ ask him, "Do you love me?" Three times Peter responded, "Lord, You know that I love you."

Now Peter writes to early Christians with a certainty that they loved the Lord, "You love Him." Unlike Peter, but so like us, these early believers had never seen the Lord and were presently living in a state of faith not sight, "even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him."

Today amidst all the stuff and distractions of life wherever you live I encourage you to consider this verse, which is such a key to living the abundant life. Read it, perhaps aloud, as if the great apostle were speaking directly to you and rejoice deep within your spirit! "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's note: If ever there was a Scripture verse that brings our priorities into focus it is surely I Peter 1:8 & 9.  It is a picture of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  So many things will come to pass when we cross over to the other side but in the meantime we thoroughly enjoy our relationship with Jesus here on earth. Our ultimate goal and intentional focus is that of our salvation and those whom we influence for Jesus.

"Lord, it seems that the things we touch with our hands and the people we physically see with our eyes are the major focus of our day. Our daily plans often obscure the presence of the Mighty One who desires to be at the very heart of all that we do and say.  This day we express our love for you. Would You, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, speak directly to our hearts and reveal Your spiritual presence in the midst of our activities this day.  May we be filled with an inexpressibly and glorious joy as we meditate upon Your promises.  And, Lord, may our major goal today and everyday, be the salvation of those we meet in our various spheres of influence.  In Jesus' Name, Amen."

New England trip 2005
Here is a separate webpage with some photos of some of our favorite New England scenes. We also share photos and brief stories of some of our friends we visited during our trip, including several new friends we met. This page may load slowly on some connections and bluntly I do not know whether I have it designed properly, after all I am a preacher not a webmaster!

This weekend we look forward to another ministry opportunity in northern Pennsylvania. Brooksyne and I will be participating in the wedding of a young lady that grew up in the church during our ministry there. We will be leaving later this morning for the long drive up, as the rehearsal is this evening. Jeanette is a Bible College graduate with an earnest walk with Christ. Tom and Marsha, her parents, were among the earliest members of the church. They were impacted for Christ in a coffeehouse outreach we had and have been a real blessing to that church over 25 years. They have a great love for the Lord and His people.

A website about the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode island