The Straight Up Word: The Definition Of Up
Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You Who dwell in the heavens.
Psalm 123:1 (NKJV)
And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to Heaven.
1 Kings 8:54 (NKJV)
Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to Heaven.
2 Chronicles 30:27 (NKJV)
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His Eyes to Heaven, and said: 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.'
John 17:1 (NKJV)
Jesus is the Definition of Up. ALSO, the Definition of Heaven.
As a Man, God’s Son brought Heaven to Earth and, stunningly, chose to share It with us. 'For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:21).
How can we see It? With an MRI?
No! While we’re here, 'We walk by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7).
For our faith to grow in this present age, God remains INDIRECTLY visible. 'For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then Face to face' (1 Corinthians 13:12).
But for 33 incredible years, Jesus became DIRECTLY visible, as 'The Image of the invisible God' (Colossians 1:15). However, that was then, and this is now.
For Christians, that's not the point anyway.
Actors, models & talent for Christ: Here’s the point countless “Christians” don’t get…
Earth’s lost sheep need to see JESUS… IN YOU!
How?
Here’s a breakdown of what your Teacher said: 'In-deed, the Kingdom of God is within you.'
Think about it. In-deed means in-action! Therefore, by your actions you look like Christ!
If 'We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same Image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord' (2 Corinthians 3:18)...
If one definition of glory is “light”, as in “brilliant illumination”...
Then acting like Christ (notably off-stage)... conveys a brilliant illumination of Him… in you… to others.
Actors, models and talent for Christ: You represent hope in a dreary world: 'Among whom you shine as lights in the world' (Philippians 2:15).
So when the enemy hits you with doubts, get down on your knees, reach up to the sky and reconnect with the Father of Lights.
You WILL WIN! Your success is guaranteed. The only variables are timing, scope and circumstance.
'For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry' (Habakkuk 2:3).
The Straight Up Word: The Definition Of Up (Part 7)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.