THE LAKE CALLED SERENITY
By Catherine Brown, Scotland Catherine's email:
catherine@yerton.com
I was worshipping the Lord and I found my spirit transported to a most exquisite place. I saw the Lord by a beautiful pond, where He was tenderly placing lilies of infinite beauty upon its tranquil surface. I noticed that each of the magnificent blooms was white and had traces of silver and gold in their stamens and on their petals. The trumpets were perfectly formed and the flowers emitted a fragrance that was indescribable in its heavenly aroma an echo of the essence of the Love of Jesus. The expression on the Lords face was one of Fatherly pride and the deepest love and affection.
I AM MY LOVER'S AND MY LOVER IS MINE
My lover has gone down to his garden to the beds of spices, to browse in the garden and to gather lilies. I am my lovers and my lover is mine; He browses among the lilies. Song of Songs 6:2,3
The water was a deep, azure blue and there was no hidden menace or undercurrent to it. It reflected the perfect Peace of the Savior. I immediately understood that its depths were unfathomable, as it was a reflection of the One who sustains the Universe by His powerful Word. The tenderness of the Savior surrounded this place and I felt absorbed in His beauty and peace. Unity permeated the atmosphere and Grace, Goodness and loving-kindness abounded.
EACH LILY, A CHILD OF MY OWN
I was keenly aware that there were relatively few lilies on the pond, and I sensed it was the Lords desire and deep longing that many more would be placed there. I drew near to the Lord and gently asked Him about the meaning of the lilies. He replied:
My precious child, This lake is called Serenity and each of the lilies that I place on its tranquil surface represents a child of My own. These are the ones who have searched after complete union with Me with all of their hearts and whose longing for the perfect union with My Spirit have taken them through many trials and tribulations, and who, like the Shulammite, have entered into a deep and blessed union with the Bridegroom.
I love all of my children, but those who desire complete and total ownership by Me may enter into an intimacy reserved for only those who are totally devoted to laying their self-lives upon the altar of heaven, to be made holy, as I am holy. This is the place of My perfect rest and joy. This is the place of totally abiding in Me. This is the place where strife comes to an end and the life of the flesh is crucified in Me. I long for each of My beautiful children to enter into this level of intimacy with Me. It is not for the select few but for all who will hear the call and who are willing to be co-crucified with Me.
THEY DO NOT LABOR OR SPIN!
Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will be clothe you, O you of little faith. And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His Kingdom, and these things will be give to you as well. Lk 12:27-31
The Lord instructed me to lift my eyes and as I gazed into the horizon I saw an ocean as tranquil as the pond I had previously gazed upon, and on the ocean were many millions of lilies. The Lord spoke to my heart and said this represented a day when all striving would cease - when all of His children would enter into their promised rest in Him, dwelling eternally in His Presence and Peace and Love a picture of eternity.
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they might have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city...I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star! The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Rev 22:12-17
TO US, IN US, THROUGH US
I believe the Lord wants me to share this experience with the Body of Christ, as a word from His heart. It is His will that all enter into experiential life in the Spirit, so that it is truly no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in and through us. Some may have reached a place where the spirit has revealed Jesus to them; others may have reached a place where the Spirit reveals Christ in them. Yet it is the Lords desire to take us through the mountaintop experience of the purging of our souls, that the Spirit might reveal Jesus living His life through us.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! Gal 2:20,21
CALLED TO BE CO-CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST
Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is coming in His Fathers glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what He has done. (Mt 16:24-27)
If you have not yet answered the Masters call to enter into His Peace and rest, lift up your heart and voice with all sincerity and He will come quickly to you, precious child of God saved or unsaved.
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell you possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no theif comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. Lk 12:32-34
Jesus is our treasure. What glorious peace is ours to know that our salvation is secured through His blood and that our hearts may rest in Him, both here on Earth and thereafter, in His presence throughout all Eternity.