Eternal Instants - gone in an instant... moments that give you glimpses of heaven

The next time an instant in your life begins to be eternal, let it. — Max Lucado Eternal Instants by Max Lucado, from God Came Near We played every game we knew. We ran up and down the hall. We played "find me" behind the couch. We bounced the beach ball off each other's heads. We wrestled, played tag, and danced. It was a big evening for Mom, Dad, and little Jenna. We were having so much fun that we ignored the bedtime hour and turned off the TV. And if the storm hadn't hit, who knows how late we would have played. But the storm hit. Rain pattered, then tapped, then slapped against the windows. The winds roared in off the Atlantic and gushed through the nearby mountains with such force that all the power went off. The adjacent valley acted as a funnel, hosing wind and rain on the city. We all went into the bedroom and laid on the bed. In the darkness we listened to the divine orchestra. Electricity danced in the sky like a conductor's baton summoning the deep kettle drums of thunder. I sensed it as we were lying on the bed. It blew over me mixed with the sweet fragrance of fresh rain. My wife was lying silently at my side. Jenna was using my stomach for her pillow. She, too, was quiet. Our second child, only a month from birth, rested within the womb of her mother. They must have sensed it, for no one spoke. It entered our presence as if introduced by God himself. And no one dared stir for fear it leave prematurely. What was it? An eternal instant. An instant in time that had no time. A picture that froze in mid-frame, demanding to be savored. A minute that refused to die after sixty seconds. A moment that was lifted off the timeline and amplified into a forever so all the angels could witness its majesty. An eternal instant. A moment that reminds you of the treasures surrounding you. Your home. Your peace of mind. Your health. A moment that tenderly rebukes you for spending so much time on temporal preoccupations such as savings accounts, houses, and punctuality. A moment that can bring a mist to the manliest of eyes and perspective to the darkest life. Eternal instants have dotted history. It was an eternal instant when the Creator smiled and said, "It is good." It was a timeless moment when Abraham pleaded for mercy from the God of mercy, "But if there are just ten faithful." It was a moment without time when Noah pushed open the rain-soaked hatch and breathed in the clean air. And it was a moment in the "fullness of time" when a carpenter, some smelly shepherds, and an exhausted young mother stood in silent awe at the sight of the infant in the manger. Eternal instants. You've had them. We all have. Sharing a porch swing on a summer evening with your grandchild. Seeing her face in the glow of a candle. Putting your arm into your husband's as you stroll through the golden leaves and breathe the brisk autumn air. Listening to your six-year-old thank God for everything from goldfish to Grandma. Such moments are necessary because they remind us that everything is okay. The King is still on the throne and life is still worth living. Eternal instants remind us that love is still the greatest possession and the future is nothing to fear. The next time an instant in your life begins to be eternal, let it. Put your head back on the pillow and soak it in. Resist the urge to cut it short. Don't interrupt the silence or shatter the solemnity. You are, in a very special way, on holy ground. Excerpted with permission from God Came Near by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado Your Turn Can you think of an eternal instant that got imprinted on your heart recently? What was it? Come share with us on our blog. We'd love to hear what reminded you that the King s on the throne and life is still worth living. COMMENT Share this with someone who needs it today. DON'T MISS THIS DEAL $6.99 Sale God Came Near: God's Perfect Gift by Max Lucado Paperback, Regular: $15.99 Sale Price: $6.99 (Over 50% off) + free U.S. shipping* on orders $30 or more SHOP NOW It all happened in a moment—a most remarkable moment. God came near. He came not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as One whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that held him were not manicured, but callused and dirty.  No silk. No ivory. No hype. No party. No hoopla. God had come near . . . for you. Travel back in time and relive Christ the Son of God as he became man. Join Max Lucado as he brings to life the most important event in history . . . when God came near. And as you catch a vision of this incredible moment, let it mark the beginning of a new life. Because when you see the truth of his life, it will change yours forever. Learn more and save today... Plus save $10 off Max Lucado's bestseller You'll Get Through This You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times by Max Lucado Max reminds readers God doesn't promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless. That certainly wasn't the case for Joseph who was tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten and dismissed, but God ultimately used the intended evil against Joseph for a greater purpose. Hardcover Regular: $24.99 Hardcover Sale Price: $14.99 SHOP NOW You'll Get Through This Study Guide with DVD Packs In this six-session small group Bible study, pastor and New York Times best-selling author, Max Lucado offers refreshing assurance. Max reminds participants God doesn't promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless. It wasn't for Joseph—tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten and dismissed. But his Old Testament story is in the Bible for this reason: to teach us to trust God to trump evil. Hardcover Regular: $41.99 Hardcover Sale Price: $25.19 SHOP NOW WEEKEND SALE *Sale prices valid through 09/30/2020, excluding eBooks. eBooks purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose.  Free U.S. shipping on orders $30 or more, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. FaithGateway ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. Did you receive this message from a friend? Sign up to start receiving Devotionals Daily. Copyright © 2020 HarperCollins Christian Publishing. All Rights Reserved. 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions *Manage Your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe  ________________________________________________________________________________ Subscription Information This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog  *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally