Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. SOS 8:6

A seal, in biblical times as today, is used to guarantee the security or indicate ownership. Ancient seals were often made of wax, embedded with the personalized imprint of their guarantor. 

The word seal appears in approximately 49 verses in the Bible.

In our world of technology, seals seem to be a lost art. Letters may be obsolete soon.  I have a faint memory of learning about sealing a letter with a wax seal in middle school.  I thought it was cool and enjoyed sealing my letters to my short-lived pen pal... But I do not remember if we were taught the real reason seals were utilized? 

So, we did some digging, and we found some literature on the subject. 

It stated that the history of seals can be traced back to some of the earliest known civilizations. Actual examples have been found from the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia civilizations, which were active from 3300BCE and 150BCE respectively. The first seals were made from clay. 

Researchers in the UK found medieval wax seals to look for possible cases of forgery and other crimes by examining fingerprints and handprints left behind in the wax. Analysts are studying seals on documents dating from the 12th to 14th centuries, such as business contracts, land sales, and other financial exchanges. These transactions were as important and binding as our modern-day signatures, contracts, and credit advances. 

The wax or clay was melted, or made pliable and applied to the opening, and nearly in all cases, they pressed the wax or clay with either a handheld seal or a specially-made signet ring. This would become a symbol of commitment and final approval. Wax rings, which were used as far back as ancient Egypt, were also used as a symbol of status and power. 

Seals brought power, they brought romance, they brought a comfort level that your secret was indeed safe and made only for the eyes of the intended. Or it finalized and bound the parties to the contracts or covenants that were made. 

There are many documented times seals were used in the Bible.  One of the ones that I discovered made me pause. It was the seal that sealed the tomb where Jesus laid. I will share my first thought the tomb was sealed meaning closed permanently. But now I have a different understanding.. Pontus Pilate placed his seal on the tomb of Jesus to prevent any tricks by his disciples.  He had no clue nor did His disciples ever anticipate no one would be breaking in ... But Jesus would be resurrected and break out on His own with His full power and glory.

Many have heard of the 7 seals in Revelations. Each one marking a time and event that all point to the greatest King’s return. Each one can only be opened by Him within His perfect timing. 

All seals have played a significant role.. each one has power.. each one held a secret, each one had a significant mystery and romance and finalized the covenant or agreement. 

So how does this ancient ritual affect us today? I can now say I know in my heart this is not a dying art.. This seal I speak of can not be seen with the naked eye... But it can be felt in the deepest chambers of our hearts.

You ask how do we get this seal? Can we buy it? Can Amazon deliver it? Is it available on prime?  

It can not be bought. Because Jesus already paid the price by the shedding of His blood. The delivery of this beautiful romantic seal is automatically delivered an amazing love and gentleness. His delivery does not need prime because His timing is impeccable..  it fits all types and sizes...  When it’s delivered an amazing transformation begins to take place... If you are wondering who is this that delivers such a seal ??? I call Him my heart. I call Him my soul. I call Him my Holy Spirit. 

It’s Him, it’s always Him! 

 “So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” 

Matthew 27:66

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. 

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels

Bible Verses From NIV  / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music: YouTube As a seal upon my heart

The meaning of the name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua/Y'shua., which is based on the Semitic root y-š-ʕ (Hebrew: ישע‎), meaning "to deliver; to rescue."

A Simple search in the KJV shows the name Jesus is used approximately 983 times in the New Testament.

We started a Bible word study 351days ago. We have successfully completed one word a day since December 14, 2019. We have danced through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations. We have listened, read, and studied many scriptures and verses. They all try to gently teach us of the beautiful man with a Heavenly connection. This connection goes deeper than anyone on earth can even begin to fully understand. Many 

of us have difficulty in understanding the Trinity and how they so beautifully tie and work together.

 I do believe God tried to teach the many tribes of ancient times. Very few listened. Very few learned the lessons, very few obeyed. So, He felt it necessary to come to earth and live among us. I think this was for 3 major reasons. 1. To see for Himself if what He was asking of us was indeed attainable 2. To teach us how to live and how to love. 3. And the most important reason of all is because of His love for each one of His children. 

Just think we are loved so passionately by the one that created all the heavens and earth. His love is beyond words. I have discovered that the greatest lesson in this masterpiece written to guide us called the Bible is His LOVE. He has proven He will go to any lengths to take care of the ones He loves. He will go from birth to death to prove His undying love for each of us.

Something happened to me 26 months ago that opened my heart and placed a fire in my soul to discover as much as I can about this amazing Heavenly man that earthly men and women call Jesus. 

As a child, His given Hebrew name was Yahshua. The name became  Jesus came after it was translated from its original language. Jesus was placed gently in His earthly mother's womb with a mission. He came with a hard-fast agenda from His Father.  His mission was to rescue us from ourselves. 

He willingly gave us His entire life. Do you ever wonder why we do not know many facts about Jesus the young boy? Did we even rob Him of His childhood? And then as He traveled through the Master’s plan He found Himself in one of the most horrific acts possible. When I think of this monumental moment on the cross, it wounds my soul and makes my heart bleed.  How could we do this to this beautiful gentle soul? His mission was of peace, He was sent because of love. 

He never said I don’t want to do this find someone else I will just come back to my heavenly home… NO, He knew in His Heart the only chance His children would have for redemption is to follow through with His plan. When we look at His life how are we not humbled? How are we not in awe of the very mention of His name? I do know He has returned to His rightful place with the Trinity. Our amazing Father, His Beautiful Son, and God's very breath we know as the Holy Spirit. 

Together they are our 3 in 1… They speak to our hearts and intercede in our lives daily. They offer us a love that has transcended time and space. It truly is the greatest love story ever told.

He must have shouted out on that faithful day. Earth to Heaven… 

Mission accomplished… put a log on the fire I am coming home! WOW what a celebration there must have been in Heaven!! He must have had the biggest hug from His Father.. as his Father gently whispered in his ear welcome Home my Son, I love you; with you, I am well pleased."

It's Him, It's always Him. 

“You are the most beautiful man that there is. You speak words of grace. God has made you special forever.”

Psalms 45:2 EASY

“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” Isaiah 53:2 KJV.   

 “Serve and worship the awe-inspiring God. Recognize his greatness and bow before him, trembling with reverence in his presence. Fall facedown before him and kiss the Son before his anger is roused against you. Remember that his wrath can be quickly kindled! But many blessings are waiting for all who turn aside to hide themselves in him!”
Psalms 2:11-12 TPT

Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Eclipse of the light of heaven, eclipse of God - such indeed is the character of the historic hour through which the world is now passing.      Martin Buber

The word celestial seems to appear in 12 occurrences in 8 translations of the Bible.

Boy did I ever have my head in the clouds when looking at this word. I knew the word had something to do with stars. Even perhaps star gazing… So, I was very surprised at the above meaning of this amazing word. It is so rich with meaning it goes further than the eye can see. 

It refers to all of the Heavenly locations, and to those that dwell in it. But in my search, I found this word does not speak of our Heavenly Father or Jesus His Son. It speaks of angels, spirits, and things that are spiritual in nature. 

To wrap my head around this word is truly is going to take some soul searching and spiritual guidance. I do believe there is a spiritual world that exists in heaven and here on earth. Some celestial beings are good and pure.. Some have fallen from God's grace. We are caught in the middle of a war.. We are in a tug-a-war between them for our hearts. We may not see it with our human eye. Some of us may have already chosen a side… Some of us may dance on that fine line between the worlds.

As I look around, I see many speaking of things to happen in our future. Some say we should be scared? Some say it is written. Some say it is unfolding right before our eyes.  They say be afraid. Some say fear not.

I do see these as challenging times. I see them as unpredictable. I see people speculating. Some are saying they have a message from God. 

So much information. It can be overwhelming. Who do we believe? Where do we go for comfort?

I do not have the answers. I am not a Bible scholar… I am a fairly new believer and I too am trying to find my way. But I do feel I have been on a fast track of learning about His fascinating LOVE and how we play a part in His master plan. I can say without fear or hesitation I have grown to know the love of our Heavenly Father. He has made it clear His Son is our ticket home. He is a loving, forgiving, and always available presence in our lives. I can only urge you to find Him, Love Him, and stay close to Him and His protection. It truly is our only chance to share in His victory no matter when and how it is achieved.

It’s is a physical and spiritual world, and He is the God of all. 

It's Him, It's always Him… 

He will fight for your heart. But when you give Him your heart willingly is when you will find the most amazing response from Him… It’s an unexplainable rush of love that will engulf your soul. 

It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body 1 Corinthians 44

There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial,  but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

Photography Design & Written by Lori Garner

Bible Verses From KJV  / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring music from Youtube

Beckah Shae - Awake (Official Video)

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”  “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. Hellen Keller 

Blindness definition, the inability to see; the condition of having severely impaired or absolutely no sense of sight. 

Blindness is in the Bible approximately 50 times. 

Our eyes and our vision is a precious marvelous gift they open the window to our mind. Where we record images faster than any camera shutter speed.. and our mind files the image for future use. 

But what happens when our vision is taken away... Can we see? Or are we thrust into darkness and feel a void?? 

I can not speak to what a blind person feels... But I can speak of spiritual blindness. 

I am sure you have heard the eyes are the window to the soul?  What does that truly mean?  Because I do not use my physical sight to soulfully see... as a matter of fact when I see and feel with my soul my eyes are closed. And I see images within my mind. 

You probably think this is a strange statement?? Let me share my thoughts.. Most likely if you are reading my thoughts you either are a lover of Christ or you are a curious soul. So I will ask you a question.. When I speak to you of Christ do you physically see Him standing before you? I would be safe to say probably not. But now close your eyes and think of Christ what do you see? what do you feel?  He is there! You are seeing Him with your spiritual sight!  I do believe our physical sight can be taken away but our spiritual sight will remain with us through eternity.   Now that we touched on my feelings of spiritual sight. 

I need to share an important part of seeing.. it has been proven that in order to see being it physically or spiritually we need light..to remain in darkness is to carry a void in knowledge understanding and life. So where does our spiritual light come from??  Oh my for those of you who follow me you know where I am going... 

It’s Him, It’s always Him. 

He is the light of our hearts and souls... It’s His light that speaks to the very essence of our souls and is guiding us to become everything He knows I can be.

He WOWs me

“Hear now this, oh foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears and hear not.” Jeremiah 5:21

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 KJV

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 KJV

Photography Design & Written by Lori Garner

Bible Verses From KJV  / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring music from Youtube

Lauren Daigle - Everything (Starstruck Sessions)

A memorable heart is the easiest way to immortality. 

Meaning of soft: having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than a sharp definition

The word soft seems to appear in the Bible approximately 40 times. 

It has been my observation that many in our society relate to the word soft as a flaw or weakness?  Many see and idolize power as greatness. Do we have our sense of value skewed? 

I do believe life can place many things in our path that began to build layers on our hearts in hopes to protect us from harm. 

We may become guarded and sometimes even bitter.

However, I have found in challenging and difficult times we search out and find comfort with someone who can share an understanding ear, and tender heart, and a soft place to fall. 

These are special souls that are a gift from God. Yes, we can find these souls among the people here’s on earth... But I have found the one that has captured my heart and given me a soft place to fall above anything and anyone I have ever known... 

He meets my every need. He never fails me. He has my best interest at heart. He is willing to listen 365 days a year day or night.

I can tell you He has given me a love that defies all human imagination. He is my mentor. He is my confidant. He is my light source. He fills my soul with a peace that settles my troubled Heart.. He is my first love...and He has given me a promise to love me for eternity.  

He is power, He is grace. He is my soft place to fall in our unpredictable world. 

It’s Him, It’s always Him. 

He is a gift from God!! I call Him Yeshua, the King of my heart. 

A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Photography Design & Written by Lori Garner

Bible Verses From KJV  / Sinner's Prayer

Music from Youtube

Softly and Tenderly - Anne Murray (worship video with lyrics)