And the Lord will bless Israel again, and make her deserts blossom; her barren wilderness will become as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. Joy and gladness will be found there, thanksgiving and lovely songs. Isaiah 51:3 KJV
I’m pretty sure you never expected to live in Eden, yes? Imagine, a lush garden filled with trees bursting with fruit as your home?
But, what if I told you that was God’s plan for you all along?
You see, I believe that Jesus wants to take you, as one of His beloved children, back to Eden to dwell with Him there.
That’s kind of a strange thing to say, isn’t it?
But, I believe it’s true, because when God first created man, He created us to walk and talk with Him each day–closely with Him–face to face and heart to heart. And, Eden, was the garden where He met with Adam each evening, in the cool of the day. [Genesis 3:8]
Unfortunately, we know what happened next. Adam and Eve blew it by disobeying God’s very specific instructions, and God expelled them from the perfect beautiful place He had designed for them.
But, here’s what I have often wondered.
Is one of His primary goals to lead us back there?
God wants intimacy with us
I believe He misses those daily “walk-n-talks” with us.
And, He misses us so much, that He will move heaven and earth, to get us to “the place” where we are willing to return to Him–and, return to Eden’s intimacy. Only now, today? Eden is not a physical place on earth. It’s in your heart! And, isn’t that the place where intimacy lives?
Isn’t intimacy the goal for every thriving and loving relationship?
I guess that’s why I believe He wants to walk and talk daily with each of us, via His Holy Spirit, and that is an internal heart walk.
Wasn’t that His goal with the original twelve?
Your heart and your doors
I speak now to you of Eden’s access by two doors.
First, Jesus said,
Again Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you, I am the Door of the sheep. All others who came ahead of Me are men who steal and rob. The sheep did not obey them. I am the Door. Anyone who goes in through Me will be saved from the punishment of sin. He will go in and out and find food. The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.
john 1-:7-10 NLV
The second door I speak of, is the one in your heart.
The one you control.
Christ is the answer.
He will save you.
The choice is yours alone.
Please choose life.
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and we will eat together.
revelation 3:20 nlv
Intimacy
As in all relationships, intimacy doesn’t just happen.
It involves our personal choices.
Each person has to be a willing participant.
As a new disciple, inviting Jesus into our heart, is only the first step. It is the “first draft” to our faith.
But, we are not meant to stay there. You know as well as I do, introductions, and “Nice to meet you.” isn’t much of a relationship, if that is as deep as it ever goes
As a disciple who is following closely, our faith and our intimacy with Christ are to grow and mature, into something much deeper.
Love Wins
The Chosen series just premiered the new gift being offered on thechosengifts.com.
It is this beautiful painting created to illustrate the truth of Isaiah 43:1.
It is a painting capturing the powerful moment in the video series, The Chosen, where Mary of Magdala first meets Jesus.
(Definitely a “Wow!” moment.)
It certainly illustrates my own moment of returning to Jesus after being a prodigal for ten years and how His love finally won my whole heart.
I also believe, it illustrates perfectly the heart to heart relationship Jesus wants to have with each of His followers, as we each return to our own personal “Eden-like intimacy” in our daily relationship, and discipleship with Him.
Yes, He comes closer…
And closer, to you. As you draw, closer and closer, to Him. He restores Eden in your heart, when you open the door to Him, and ask Him to come in!
The Holy Spirit now dwells there with you.
You are never alone again.
He becomes your Guide, your Comforter, your Teacher.
As your intimate relationship grows, you begin to manifest all the aspects of The Holy Spirit’s Fruit:
The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this.
galatians 5:22-23 the voice
A heart like Eden
God wants to walk with you. Talk with you. Just like He did with His first disciples.
Wants to change you from the inside out.
But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.
Galatians 3:25-29 the message
He intends to make EVERYTHING new again–with a transformed heart and mind, just like Eden.
If you will be still. Wait before Him. He will come closer.
All those past mistakes?
That was only the first draft of your faith walk.
He is far from finished with you.
You are His Beloved–His Bride.
He wants you to have a heart that manifests all the fruit of His Spirit
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
Galatians 5:22-23 TPT
Women With Destiny 