Tuesdays with Tiz

Afraid of Death?...no way


"But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Acts 7:55,56

The above words were spoken by Stephen as he was being stoned to death for sharing his faith in Jesus Christ. Stephen was the first martyr in the Church, the Body of Christ. (you can read the full account in Acts 6 and 7).

We are told in scripture that when Jesus ascended into Heaven He sat down at the right hand of the Father . In the above scripture Stephen sees Him "standing". That just blessed my heart. The heavens opened and Jesus stood to welcome Stephen into Heaven. Stephen saw Jesus because his eyes were on Jesus even though he was being stoned to death.

Friends, I will never look at death the same way again. If Jesus stood up and opened the doors of heaven to receive Stephen He will do the same for me when it is time for me to depart this earth suit. If my eyes are focused on Jesus , the death process will just be a step into His presence. Now, here I go typing myself into the Glory Zone again!!

As we studied this in Sunday School, one of the Princesses suggested that Stephen probably did not feel the first stone because his eyes were gazing into heaven and he was caught up in the Glory of God. We further discussed the fact that no matter what is going on around us we do not have to give into our pain if our eyes are focused on Jesus Christ instead of our circumstances.

"Father, I so thank you for showing me this truth in your Word. What a joy it is to experience You and Your Peace in the midst of my storms. I pray that someone reading this post today will focus totally on You and Your Glory as they face their storms. I pray that their grief will turn to Joy Unspeakable and full of Glory. In Jesus comforting Name, I pray." Amen

Tuesdays with Tiz

Walk in Freedom

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" John 8:36

As I was meditating on this verse, I ask myself , "what does it mean to be free indeed"? "What am I free from"? and "What am I free to."

What does it mean to be free indeed? it means really free, no pretending, nothing false.

What am I free from? Friends, Jesus set me free from myself and my self righteousness. He set me free from guilt and its crippling feelings. He set me free from the bondage of legalism and religious performance. He set me free from an un-Christlike judgmental attitude. (to name a few)

What am I free to? I am free to love as He loves, to obey Him because of who He is. I am free to forgive others as well as myself. I am free to accept you just as you are even though you may be different from me. (again, to name a few)

Yes, friends, when the Son sets us free, we are free indeed. That is God's Amazing Grace....Let's walk in that freedom today!!!

"Father, I praise you for who you are. I thank you that you have provided all I need to walk in total freedom. I have Your Word and as I continue in Your Word then I know the truth and You set me free. Praise Your Name!!! In that Name, I pray" Amen.

Tuesdays with Tiz

"Meet me in the stairwell"

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say "Good Bye" I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, "Honey, I am not going to make it , but it is OK..I am ready to go."

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor whan a woman cried out to Me for help. "I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!" I said. "Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now."

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name.. though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are "ready to go."

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

-God