Hebrews 6: 11-12
11 "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
Beloved friends, as I have been studying Hebrews, the Lord has been opening my eyes, challenging my heart, and teaching me deeper truths. Today I wanted to share some of that with you from Hebrews 6. I pray this will be a great encouragement to you in your walk today and in the days to come.
In this passage the author encourages his audience not to be sluggish but what does that word mean? In the Greek, sluggishness actually means "an inborn sluggishness which makes a person unfit for activities of the mind or spirit". This reminds me of the wrestling match I have with my sin nature to do what is right; my regenerate heart desires to do God's will but my flesh wants to live an easier life. This battle is resonated in Pauls words in Romans 7:15 , "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate."
Instead of just telling them what NOT to do, he puts before them the example of those who have gone before, those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. That faith he speaks of is confidence in certain divine truths, especially those of the gospel. Yet faith does not stand alone, it is coupled with patience. Patience in this context is is actually self-restraint of the mind before it gives room to action or passion... so I see a forbearance of nature as a lifestyle.
This, dear friends, is the Christian life... active, faithful, patient, focused on God's promises. Our walks are exactly that, they are a walk... an active life, one that is lived out by applying the truth of God's Word to every aspect of our lives. We do not do what we do without purpose, by His grace we demonstrate faith and patience as we hold on to the promises of a faithful, changeless God, One who is not slack concerning His promise (II Peter 3:9).
Be encouraged today, whatever your trial or joy may be... God is faithful, you are firmly in His grip.
~G
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Back in the Saddle Again
Well, if there are any of you out there who may still check out my blog, I am back in the saddle again. I am not sure how often I will post but I am ready again to pick up the "pen".
My youngest daughter and I are going through the book of Hebrews this semester. We are reading and rereading it, taking a bite of it at a time and inductively studying it. You know, it is amazing how much God has packed in to His Word... to think I only scratch the surface! Today we were in Hebrews 6:10-20. One of the questions that we asked of the text is, "How does this passage encourage believers?"
Here are a few of those encouragements:
~God is not unjust to forget your work or your labor of love shown toward His name (v. 10)
~God is unchangeable in purpose (v. 17)
~It is impossible for God to lie (v. 18)
Why is this encouraging?
~We who have taken refuge have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us (v.18)
~That hope is an anchor to our soul, both sure and steadfast (v. 19)
~Jesus is our forerunner, our eternal High Priest (v. 20)
Because God's Word is exactly that, God's Word, it is absolute truth. We can look to these verses and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Christ did come, did die for our sins, did rise again on the third day, and He now sits at the right hand of the Father. Be strongly encouraged to take hold of that hold and hold firm to the end.
God bless you today and you cling to Him and His Word.
~G
My youngest daughter and I are going through the book of Hebrews this semester. We are reading and rereading it, taking a bite of it at a time and inductively studying it. You know, it is amazing how much God has packed in to His Word... to think I only scratch the surface! Today we were in Hebrews 6:10-20. One of the questions that we asked of the text is, "How does this passage encourage believers?"
Here are a few of those encouragements:
~God is not unjust to forget your work or your labor of love shown toward His name (v. 10)
~God is unchangeable in purpose (v. 17)
~It is impossible for God to lie (v. 18)
Why is this encouraging?
~We who have taken refuge have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us (v.18)
~That hope is an anchor to our soul, both sure and steadfast (v. 19)
~Jesus is our forerunner, our eternal High Priest (v. 20)
Because God's Word is exactly that, God's Word, it is absolute truth. We can look to these verses and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Christ did come, did die for our sins, did rise again on the third day, and He now sits at the right hand of the Father. Be strongly encouraged to take hold of that hold and hold firm to the end.
God bless you today and you cling to Him and His Word.
~G
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Our Great Salvation
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
"to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
"who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
I Peter 1: 3-5
Recently I have been working my way through I Peter, trying to really dig in and grow in my understanding of what it is God wants me to learn from it. I sat down, prayed then broke down the above verses as best I could using a Greek Word Study New Testament (please keep in mind that I am no Greek scholar). After having read and reread the passage several times here is what I observed about our great salvation from this passage of scripture:
1) We have been born again according to God's great mercy.
It is by His grace and mercy alone that we can stand before a holy God because we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. God has shown great compassion on those who are born again as we see in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2) We have been born again to a LIVING hope.
Our hope is not vain, dead, or wasted... our hope is a living hope, a vivifying (life giving) hope. That life comes through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!" (Hymn: The Solid Rock by Edward Mote)
3) We have been born again to an inheritance which is:
~~imperishable- cannot be corrupted
~~undefiled- cannot be soiled or debased
~~will not decay- unfading as in in cannot ever wear out
~~reserved in heaven-kept, watched over
Our inheritance is not one that can be lost, stolen, squandered, eaten by moths or burned by fire.
It is like nothing on earth, it is eternal, perfect, it's beauty will never fade! It cannot be corrupted, soiled or debased... isn't that wonderful? God has reserved it in heaven FOR YOU. Wow!
4) We are protected by the power of God through faith.
The word protected in this verse has the imagery of a person mounting guard as sentinel, it is being watched in advance, it is completed safe. Why is it safe? Because it is protected by the power of God Almighty- the wind and the waves obey His voice, He spoke the universe into place, He calls all the stars by name, He is God of very God (Psalm 104)! HE is the one who protects those who have placed their faith in Him. Hallelujah!
5) Our salvation will be revealed in the last time.
As we walk through this life by faith we are looking forward to the blessed living hope, our inheritance reserved for us. Why do we do this? Because we have eternity in our hearts, we are not meant to stay here, we are pilgrims, sojourners heading for our heavenly home. In the last time God will literally remove the veil to expose that which was previously hidden... our great salvation. It will not be just a living hope anymore but a glorious reality. We will no longer vaguely see Him but we will see Him face to face! We will take hold of that which has been reserved in heaven for us - our imperishable inheritance!
Maranatha - Lord Come Quickly!
Oh Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the glories of Your word! So little can I comprehend and how great that little bit is! Help me Lord to continually live in the reality of this great salvation You have given to me. Enable me to understand Your word and apply it to my life in such a way that I become more and more like You. Thank You, thank You for the cross and the living hope it gives. Amen.
"to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
"who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
I Peter 1: 3-5
Recently I have been working my way through I Peter, trying to really dig in and grow in my understanding of what it is God wants me to learn from it. I sat down, prayed then broke down the above verses as best I could using a Greek Word Study New Testament (please keep in mind that I am no Greek scholar). After having read and reread the passage several times here is what I observed about our great salvation from this passage of scripture:
1) We have been born again according to God's great mercy.
It is by His grace and mercy alone that we can stand before a holy God because we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. God has shown great compassion on those who are born again as we see in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2) We have been born again to a LIVING hope.
Our hope is not vain, dead, or wasted... our hope is a living hope, a vivifying (life giving) hope. That life comes through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!" (Hymn: The Solid Rock by Edward Mote)
3) We have been born again to an inheritance which is:
~~imperishable- cannot be corrupted
~~undefiled- cannot be soiled or debased
~~will not decay- unfading as in in cannot ever wear out
~~reserved in heaven-kept, watched over
Our inheritance is not one that can be lost, stolen, squandered, eaten by moths or burned by fire.
It is like nothing on earth, it is eternal, perfect, it's beauty will never fade! It cannot be corrupted, soiled or debased... isn't that wonderful? God has reserved it in heaven FOR YOU. Wow!
4) We are protected by the power of God through faith.
The word protected in this verse has the imagery of a person mounting guard as sentinel, it is being watched in advance, it is completed safe. Why is it safe? Because it is protected by the power of God Almighty- the wind and the waves obey His voice, He spoke the universe into place, He calls all the stars by name, He is God of very God (Psalm 104)! HE is the one who protects those who have placed their faith in Him. Hallelujah!
5) Our salvation will be revealed in the last time.
As we walk through this life by faith we are looking forward to the blessed living hope, our inheritance reserved for us. Why do we do this? Because we have eternity in our hearts, we are not meant to stay here, we are pilgrims, sojourners heading for our heavenly home. In the last time God will literally remove the veil to expose that which was previously hidden... our great salvation. It will not be just a living hope anymore but a glorious reality. We will no longer vaguely see Him but we will see Him face to face! We will take hold of that which has been reserved in heaven for us - our imperishable inheritance!
Maranatha - Lord Come Quickly!
Oh Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the glories of Your word! So little can I comprehend and how great that little bit is! Help me Lord to continually live in the reality of this great salvation You have given to me. Enable me to understand Your word and apply it to my life in such a way that I become more and more like You. Thank You, thank You for the cross and the living hope it gives. Amen.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Preparation and Purpose
I Peter 1: 13
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
"Gird up" (prepare):
a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt."
I like this word picture, it illustrates very well how we are to remove or put aside any encumbrances so we can we take action or work. One interesting thing to note is that the ancients did this at the beginning... not once they had begun but in preparation for what lay ahead of them. That required forethought and a sense of purpose.
"keep sober in spirit":
We are to be discreet and keep watch. Our minds are to be occupied with things that pertain to our calling as believers. Now does that mean we are fuddy duddies that have no sense of humor without any sort of interesting personality? No! It does mean that we are serious about our calling as believers and that brings a sense of purpose to all we do (Romans 14:17). We are not to be senseless but loving, joyful, patient, kind, among other things (Eph. 5:22-23).
"fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
Completely means perfectly, entirely, to the end, in the sense of accomplishment of hope. We are to fix (set) our hope perfectly, entirely on the grace that will be brought to us at Christ's revelation. He is our source, our motivation, our reason for preparing for action in the first place. We are to wait for our salvation with joy and full confidence that He who promised is faithful to complete that which He has begun (I Thes 5:23-24).
As we look forward to Christ's return and He will enable us to prepare, act, keep watch, and hope in His abundant grace.
Thank You Lord for the grace which You so freely bestow on me every day. Forgive me for losing sight of my purpose and falling short. Enable me to live a life that is honoring to You in my thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. In Jesus' name - Amen.
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
"Gird up" (prepare):
a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt."
I like this word picture, it illustrates very well how we are to remove or put aside any encumbrances so we can we take action or work. One interesting thing to note is that the ancients did this at the beginning... not once they had begun but in preparation for what lay ahead of them. That required forethought and a sense of purpose.
"keep sober in spirit":
We are to be discreet and keep watch. Our minds are to be occupied with things that pertain to our calling as believers. Now does that mean we are fuddy duddies that have no sense of humor without any sort of interesting personality? No! It does mean that we are serious about our calling as believers and that brings a sense of purpose to all we do (Romans 14:17). We are not to be senseless but loving, joyful, patient, kind, among other things (Eph. 5:22-23).
"fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
Completely means perfectly, entirely, to the end, in the sense of accomplishment of hope. We are to fix (set) our hope perfectly, entirely on the grace that will be brought to us at Christ's revelation. He is our source, our motivation, our reason for preparing for action in the first place. We are to wait for our salvation with joy and full confidence that He who promised is faithful to complete that which He has begun (I Thes 5:23-24).
As we look forward to Christ's return and He will enable us to prepare, act, keep watch, and hope in His abundant grace.
Thank You Lord for the grace which You so freely bestow on me every day. Forgive me for losing sight of my purpose and falling short. Enable me to live a life that is honoring to You in my thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. In Jesus' name - Amen.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Pilgrim's Progression
This world is not my home, I am a pilgrim on a journey to a heavenly city. As I travel this earth I find myself getting too comfortable, too complacent, too willing to delay the purposes of my journey here. At times I even get caught up in serving to the point that I lose my perspective. There are moments when I get a glimpse of my future home and it's splendor and at those moments my vision is renewed to live as a pilgrim.
Too often I lay my armor down and drop my guard only to come under attack from the enemy in a myriad of ways. Those attacks can be subtle or they can be sudden and violent. Either way the attack comes and my lack of care and continual preparation for the battle causes me injury- sometimes it can cause others injury. As for my Lord, I cause Him grief. Oh the remorse that follows, the realization of my own fault and foolishness. And oh the precious comfort my gracious Lord pours out on on me through His Holy Spirit as I repent of my sins.
Praise be to God that:
~Christ is my righteousness (I Corinthians 1:30).
~He understands that I am a sinner, weak and defiled, prone to wander (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
~He is my refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 18:2).
~He never leaves me nor forsakes me (Hebrews 13:5b) even when I fail.
~His forgiveness is full and complete as I come to Him in repentance (Psalm 103:12).
"Lord I am in awe of Your mercy and grace toward me a sinner. I praise You because You are worthy of my praise, my life, my all. Enable me to live a life that is a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to You. Tranform me by the renewing of my mind that I may prove what Your will is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:1-2). Amen."
Too often I lay my armor down and drop my guard only to come under attack from the enemy in a myriad of ways. Those attacks can be subtle or they can be sudden and violent. Either way the attack comes and my lack of care and continual preparation for the battle causes me injury- sometimes it can cause others injury. As for my Lord, I cause Him grief. Oh the remorse that follows, the realization of my own fault and foolishness. And oh the precious comfort my gracious Lord pours out on on me through His Holy Spirit as I repent of my sins.
Praise be to God that:
~Christ is my righteousness (I Corinthians 1:30).
~He understands that I am a sinner, weak and defiled, prone to wander (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
~He is my refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 18:2).
~He never leaves me nor forsakes me (Hebrews 13:5b) even when I fail.
~His forgiveness is full and complete as I come to Him in repentance (Psalm 103:12).
"Lord I am in awe of Your mercy and grace toward me a sinner. I praise You because You are worthy of my praise, my life, my all. Enable me to live a life that is a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to You. Tranform me by the renewing of my mind that I may prove what Your will is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:1-2). Amen."
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Dryer Lint
Dryer lint- it's amazing stuff... it's never ending and it accumulates so quickly especially when I do a load of towels or blankets. Faithfully I clean the lint trap and I encourage my girls to do the same. Recently I was informed that the trap isn't the only place that lint accumulates, it accumulates in the dryer casing and in the dryer hose which over time creates a major fire hazard. The hose takes a little effort but it can be fairly easily cleaned. The dryer body is a completely different matter. Of course I haven't any idea how to get in there to clean it out, the lint is hidden, unreachable so I tend to forget about it. Putting off cleaning is pretty easy because the lint is out of sight but it still exists... so does the danger.
As I pondered dryer lint (strange as that is), I saw a correlation to sin in my life; sin is never ending and it temptations, pitfalls, residue accumulates quickly in my heart. The obvious sins I try to keep on short account with God... you know those everyday ones we know are a problem and everyone around us know are an issue- those are my lint trap sins. These sins are visible and fairly easy to find out. It can be tempting to stop there and feel that I have dealt with my sin but like lint, there are hidden sins that accumulate in the recesses of my heart. While these sins aren't so easy to identify, they are in there growing and gaining ground in my heart creating a fire hazard. One day those sins will consume me if I do not take the time to do the hard thing and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal them to me then enable me to truly repent, put off those sins and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14).
God will wash us thoroughly if we will only but fall at His feet in humble repentance. I praise God for the cross of Jesus Christ and the blood that was shed for my sins. I praise God for the victory won there. If I confess my sins God is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from ALL unrighteousness (I John 1:9) Alleluia, Amen!
My prayer is this Lord:
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Psalm 51:2
As I pondered dryer lint (strange as that is), I saw a correlation to sin in my life; sin is never ending and it temptations, pitfalls, residue accumulates quickly in my heart. The obvious sins I try to keep on short account with God... you know those everyday ones we know are a problem and everyone around us know are an issue- those are my lint trap sins. These sins are visible and fairly easy to find out. It can be tempting to stop there and feel that I have dealt with my sin but like lint, there are hidden sins that accumulate in the recesses of my heart. While these sins aren't so easy to identify, they are in there growing and gaining ground in my heart creating a fire hazard. One day those sins will consume me if I do not take the time to do the hard thing and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal them to me then enable me to truly repent, put off those sins and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14).
God will wash us thoroughly if we will only but fall at His feet in humble repentance. I praise God for the cross of Jesus Christ and the blood that was shed for my sins. I praise God for the victory won there. If I confess my sins God is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from ALL unrighteousness (I John 1:9) Alleluia, Amen!
My prayer is this Lord:
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Psalm 51:2
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ephesians 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places with Christ."
Jesus Christ has blessed us in one simple completed action- acting for our good as He sees what we need most not what we desire. That blessing specifically pertains to every regenerate, spiritual blessing (to be declared as indwelt by God and thereby fully satisfied) in the heavenly realm.
Our blessings are much higher and much more enduring than this life and world. They operate and exist outside of the temporal realm. These blessings are immeasurable and eternal. They do not hinge on our performance but on His good pleasure to do it in order to conform us to His image and present us faultless before the throne.
Praise be to God Who alone is able to do this!
Jesus Christ has blessed us in one simple completed action- acting for our good as He sees what we need most not what we desire. That blessing specifically pertains to every regenerate, spiritual blessing (to be declared as indwelt by God and thereby fully satisfied) in the heavenly realm.
Our blessings are much higher and much more enduring than this life and world. They operate and exist outside of the temporal realm. These blessings are immeasurable and eternal. They do not hinge on our performance but on His good pleasure to do it in order to conform us to His image and present us faultless before the throne.
Praise be to God Who alone is able to do this!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Discouraged and Weary?
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
Dear friends,
Forgive my long absence from blogging here, I have been weary and heavy laden.
God in His faithfulness has been ministering to me and bringing me back
to His side, encouraging me as well as gently rebuking me to get up again.
The main thing that God is calling me back to is prayer... over a period of time
I poured out all I had, I crossed the finish line, and collapsed.
At that point, I am ashamed to say,
my ministry of prayer did not continue.
Therein lay my real problem, I did not continue to come to Him, to lay those burdens down.
I did not come to the Water of Life and drink deeply.
Situations arose that burdened my heart,
some that wounded my heart, some that left me stunned.
Do you know, beloved friends, God knew all of that... ahead of time.
And do you know that in His faithfulness He afflicted me?
Why? So that I will begin to count all things as loss and gain Christ,
so that as I share in suffering I will begin to be conformed to His death.
(Philippians 3:7-11)
Ultimately, these burdens, wounds, and disappointments should drive me to my knees,
in humble and persevering prayer for His power, His healing , His grace.
He is able, I am not... He is God, I am not.
He simply says, "Come to me... I will give you rest."
O Lord, I do come, I need Your rest, Your mercy, Your refreshment.
I need You. Lift up my eyes to You, my help, my hope, my Redeemer.
Thank You for calling me, I am grateful for Your faithfulness.
Amen.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Cracked Pot
Today I opened an email and found this story by an unknown author. I was greatly encouraged by it because I feel so cracked sometimes that I am sure that I am more of a stumbling block than an asset to my Lord. Praise God He can use anyone for His purposes and His glory. Enjoy!
THE CRACKED POT
Author unknown
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of that it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"
"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."
"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
THE CRACKED POT
Author unknown
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of that it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"
"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."
"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
Friday, April 10, 2009
No Cross, No Crown
Tonight at our Good Friday service, the choir sang several songs. One of those songs really struck me - "No Cross, No Crown" (lyrics below).
Such amazing grace and love... how can it be? Christ the Lord, He died for me. He died for you. Praise be to God!
"From robes to rags, bettered and torn,
From heaven's praise to earth's dark scorn.
Alone He stands, clothed in my shame,
He knew the price, He took the blame.
No corss, no crown, no debt repaid,
No thorns, no throne, no sentence stiad.
No death, no life, no grace come down.
His loss, our gain, no cross, no crown.
His Father's will, a higher call,
He gives His life to save us all.
Yet death has failed the Crucified,
The Lamb still lives, the tomb denied.
His cross, our srown, all debts are paid,
Before the throne, all riches laid.
His love endures, His grace comes down,
His loss our gain, His cross our crown."
(I do not know the composer - if you do, please send me a note- thanks)
Such amazing grace and love... how can it be? Christ the Lord, He died for me. He died for you. Praise be to God!
"From robes to rags, bettered and torn,
From heaven's praise to earth's dark scorn.
Alone He stands, clothed in my shame,
He knew the price, He took the blame.
No corss, no crown, no debt repaid,
No thorns, no throne, no sentence stiad.
No death, no life, no grace come down.
His loss, our gain, no cross, no crown.
His Father's will, a higher call,
He gives His life to save us all.
Yet death has failed the Crucified,
The Lamb still lives, the tomb denied.
His cross, our srown, all debts are paid,
Before the throne, all riches laid.
His love endures, His grace comes down,
His loss our gain, His cross our crown."
(I do not know the composer - if you do, please send me a note- thanks)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Grace - God's gift
Ephesians 4:31-32
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
It seems that God wants me to learn more about grace... it keeps coming up from different sources. Has God ever done that in your life? He surrounds you with a message or a verse from totally unrelated sources? It's kind of like layers of an onion, He just keeps peeling back the layers to reveal the next one. This seems to be one BIG onion!
Anyway, that has been the case with grace for me lately. The most recent source (layer) came this week in our Sunday adult fellowship class. I am so glad I was there to get the message, Lord knows I have a long way to grow to become a conduit of His grace. Will you walk through this lesson with me? Here we go...
Briefly our teacher pointed out that in verse 31 there was a negative progression.
Step One: attitude = bitterness (resentment) which we allow to fester in our hearts and minds.
Step Two: disposition = anger/wrath here is the first visible evidence of our inward festering.
Step Three: speech = clamor/slander, now the inward issue bursts out like a volcano erupting.
Step Four: action = malice/evil, finally what is in our hearts pours out in a sinful manner.
Next he pointed out that the first word in that same verse is "let". He said that in the Greek it is a passive word meaning that it is done to us, that it is a work of the Spirit to be done to us. Our part is to let it be swept away from us. We must quit clutching to our bitterness which is at the root of the problem.
The encouragement and application came next. He showed our class the godly replacement in verse 32. The most enlightening thing was that the word translated "forgiving" is from the root word grace, he pointed out that "being gracious" was a better translation. The idea being gracious includes forgiveness but is broader. Graciousness is the antithesis of bitterness.
Here are the replacements he listed for us.
1) In place of bitterness display a graciousness of attitude.
2) In place of anger cultivate a gracious disposition.
3) In place of shouting and abusive speech develop a habit of gracious speech.
The reason for this change?
~We are recipients of the lavish grace God manifested toward us in Christ (Eph. 1:7-8)
~We are bought with a price and we are not our own (I Cor. 6:20; 7:23)
~While we were yet sinners, enemies of God, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)
~We are to be gracious toward others because God through Christ has been gracious to us (Eph. 4:32)
You see, it is HIS grace given to us in order to pour it out on others in His name and... He requires it of us.
Oh that I would become a free flowing conduit of His grace to those around me, not just to those I love but especially to those who are hard to love. Unfortunately I think I must also fall in the "hard to love" category too which means I need God's grace to be demonstrated toward me by you too. Praise be to God that although with men many things are impossible, with God all things are possible! (Matt. 19:26; Mark 10:27)
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
It seems that God wants me to learn more about grace... it keeps coming up from different sources. Has God ever done that in your life? He surrounds you with a message or a verse from totally unrelated sources? It's kind of like layers of an onion, He just keeps peeling back the layers to reveal the next one. This seems to be one BIG onion!
Anyway, that has been the case with grace for me lately. The most recent source (layer) came this week in our Sunday adult fellowship class. I am so glad I was there to get the message, Lord knows I have a long way to grow to become a conduit of His grace. Will you walk through this lesson with me? Here we go...
Briefly our teacher pointed out that in verse 31 there was a negative progression.
Step One: attitude = bitterness (resentment) which we allow to fester in our hearts and minds.
Step Two: disposition = anger/wrath here is the first visible evidence of our inward festering.
Step Three: speech = clamor/slander, now the inward issue bursts out like a volcano erupting.
Step Four: action = malice/evil, finally what is in our hearts pours out in a sinful manner.
Next he pointed out that the first word in that same verse is "let". He said that in the Greek it is a passive word meaning that it is done to us, that it is a work of the Spirit to be done to us. Our part is to let it be swept away from us. We must quit clutching to our bitterness which is at the root of the problem.
The encouragement and application came next. He showed our class the godly replacement in verse 32. The most enlightening thing was that the word translated "forgiving" is from the root word grace, he pointed out that "being gracious" was a better translation. The idea being gracious includes forgiveness but is broader. Graciousness is the antithesis of bitterness.
Here are the replacements he listed for us.
1) In place of bitterness display a graciousness of attitude.
2) In place of anger cultivate a gracious disposition.
3) In place of shouting and abusive speech develop a habit of gracious speech.
The reason for this change?
~We are recipients of the lavish grace God manifested toward us in Christ (Eph. 1:7-8)
~We are bought with a price and we are not our own (I Cor. 6:20; 7:23)
~While we were yet sinners, enemies of God, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)
~We are to be gracious toward others because God through Christ has been gracious to us (Eph. 4:32)
You see, it is HIS grace given to us in order to pour it out on others in His name and... He requires it of us.
Oh that I would become a free flowing conduit of His grace to those around me, not just to those I love but especially to those who are hard to love. Unfortunately I think I must also fall in the "hard to love" category too which means I need God's grace to be demonstrated toward me by you too. Praise be to God that although with men many things are impossible, with God all things are possible! (Matt. 19:26; Mark 10:27)
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Necklace - author unknown
image courtesy of www.karipearls.comThe cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.
'Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?'
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. 'A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you a nd in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma.'
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed.. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, 'Do you love me?'
'Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.'
'Then give me your pearls.'
'Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me.. She's my very favorite.'
'That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.' And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, 'Do you love me?'
'Daddy, you know I love you.'
'Then give me your pearls.'
'Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.'
'That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.' And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
'What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?' Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, 'Here, daddy; this is for you.'
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.
So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.
God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.
'Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?'
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. 'A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you a nd in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma.'
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed.. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, 'Do you love me?'
'Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.'
'Then give me your pearls.'
'Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me.. She's my very favorite.'
'That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.' And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, 'Do you love me?'
'Daddy, you know I love you.'
'Then give me your pearls.'
'Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.'
'That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.' And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
'What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?' Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, 'Here, daddy; this is for you.'
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.
So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.
God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.
Friday, April 3, 2009
There is no Condemnation
Romans 8:1-2
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
As believers we are no longer separated by judgement from God because we are IN Christ Jesus. We are to actively walk - a continuous, ongoing habit - according to our new life in Christ not according to the corrupt nature of man and it's fleshly lusts.
Our freedom comes through the law of the the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life is the exact opposite of the law, that is the power, dominion of sin and death. We have been liberated as a result of redemption.
Since we have been freed from the law, there is no condemnatory judgement against those who are positionally in Christ Jesus. Those who do not continuously, repeatedly walk in the manner of fleshly lusts (habitual sin) but continuously, repeatedly walk in the manner of their new life in Christ are those freed from the law.
We must choose by God's grace to habitually walk in our new life - that liberation from the power of sin and death. We must live what we are positionally - Christ's own and free from the power of sin.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
As believers we are no longer separated by judgement from God because we are IN Christ Jesus. We are to actively walk - a continuous, ongoing habit - according to our new life in Christ not according to the corrupt nature of man and it's fleshly lusts.
Our freedom comes through the law of the the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life is the exact opposite of the law, that is the power, dominion of sin and death. We have been liberated as a result of redemption.
Since we have been freed from the law, there is no condemnatory judgement against those who are positionally in Christ Jesus. Those who do not continuously, repeatedly walk in the manner of fleshly lusts (habitual sin) but continuously, repeatedly walk in the manner of their new life in Christ are those freed from the law.
We must choose by God's grace to habitually walk in our new life - that liberation from the power of sin and death. We must live what we are positionally - Christ's own and free from the power of sin.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Humility and Grace
I Corinthians 15:10
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
Grace is the divine influence upon our hearts and it's reflection in our life. God has bestowed His grace upon us and it is not in vain- not hidden and neglected but stirred up and worked out through spiritual disciplines. This grace, then, is not from within ourselves but from "without" - God must apply His grace to our lives. That grace is freely given as a gift in order that it would be demonstrated in our lives for His glory.
Because grace is a gift from God, it is His work in our lives as we walk in obedience to His will. This is not of ourselves - humility is necessary in order to walk in grace. Humbly acknowledging that we cannot do it without Him, we need His grace to pour into our hearts so we can then in turn pour it out on others.
Extending grace to others is a humbling experience, we must lay down our rights and our expectations. We are unworthy of His grace yet He abundantly bestows it upon us, we have no grounds to withhold grace from those around us. If we are willing to be humbled then grace will begin to flow more freely out of our lives and God will be able to use us for His glory.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
Grace is the divine influence upon our hearts and it's reflection in our life. God has bestowed His grace upon us and it is not in vain- not hidden and neglected but stirred up and worked out through spiritual disciplines. This grace, then, is not from within ourselves but from "without" - God must apply His grace to our lives. That grace is freely given as a gift in order that it would be demonstrated in our lives for His glory.
Because grace is a gift from God, it is His work in our lives as we walk in obedience to His will. This is not of ourselves - humility is necessary in order to walk in grace. Humbly acknowledging that we cannot do it without Him, we need His grace to pour into our hearts so we can then in turn pour it out on others.
Extending grace to others is a humbling experience, we must lay down our rights and our expectations. We are unworthy of His grace yet He abundantly bestows it upon us, we have no grounds to withhold grace from those around us. If we are willing to be humbled then grace will begin to flow more freely out of our lives and God will be able to use us for His glory.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Satisfaction
Isaiah 58:11
"The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."
Life can sometimes broadside you leaving you wounded and bleeding by the wayside. Our souls can become weary, weak, and dry. Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt like you haven't got anything left in you? Like you're in a desert?
Oh my dear sisters, those places are just where we really begin to experience our faithful Savior's touch. He is faithful to continually guide us, heal us, to strengthen and water our weary souls. The key is to turn to Him instead of dwelling in that broken place with all of it's hurts and injustices.
When we seek Him with our whole heart and seek to be fully satisfied in Him, He will satisfy our souls. He is the Living water, He waters us so abundantly that our wells will never run dry.
Honestly I struggle to be completely satisfied in Him.... He is allowing me to go through a very tough season. He is calling me to be satisfied in Him, what He has called me to do, and be content with the outcome. What if others don't approve or like what I do?
Colossians 3:23 reminds me to do whatever I do heartily as to the Lord because He is the One I serve, the One Who rewards. God calls us to seek to please Him and not men.
Be encouraged, He will continually guide you, sustain you, strengthen you, and water your weary soul BUT we must be looking to Him as our all... be fully satisfied in Him.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Pursue Peace
"So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony (peace) and for mutual upholding (edification and development) of one another." Romans 14:19
pursue :
Greek: dioko - ensue, follow after, press toward.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary: To follow with a view to overtake; To endeavor to attain to; to strive to reach or gain.
peace:
Greek: eirene - peace, rest; incontrast with strife- denoting absence or end of strife.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary: To be at peace, to be reconciled; to live in harmony; To make peace, to reconcile, as parties at variance.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace and we are His... we are to pursue peace. Pursue it with a passion as if we were running a race yet we are behind the pack... pursue each person in front of you. As God shows you where peace needs to be made run to that person and make peace. Making peace does not mean keeping peace, it is an active pursuit of, a pressing toward reconciliation, the end of strife. That may mean asking for forgiveness, it may mean doing something kind or helpful, or difficult...it may mean laying down your pride to yield to another which means humility. Remember that Christ Himself willingly came and humbled Himself for us so we, through Him, can be humble.
Yet in order to be instruments of His peace, we must let His peace rest in us. He must be our source of peace.
Colossians 3:15 tells us, "And let the peace of God rest in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful."
God does not give peace as the world gives but a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is our privilege to be instruments of His peace.
pursue :
Greek: dioko - ensue, follow after, press toward.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary: To follow with a view to overtake; To endeavor to attain to; to strive to reach or gain.
peace:
Greek: eirene - peace, rest; incontrast with strife- denoting absence or end of strife.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary: To be at peace, to be reconciled; to live in harmony; To make peace, to reconcile, as parties at variance.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace and we are His... we are to pursue peace. Pursue it with a passion as if we were running a race yet we are behind the pack... pursue each person in front of you. As God shows you where peace needs to be made run to that person and make peace. Making peace does not mean keeping peace, it is an active pursuit of, a pressing toward reconciliation, the end of strife. That may mean asking for forgiveness, it may mean doing something kind or helpful, or difficult...it may mean laying down your pride to yield to another which means humility. Remember that Christ Himself willingly came and humbled Himself for us so we, through Him, can be humble.
Yet in order to be instruments of His peace, we must let His peace rest in us. He must be our source of peace.
Colossians 3:15 tells us, "And let the peace of God rest in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful."
God does not give peace as the world gives but a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is our privilege to be instruments of His peace.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Lavish Grace
Ephesians 1:7-8
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us."
Grace in the Greek is charis - it means unmerited or undeserved favor.
Lavish is the Greek verb perisseuo which means to superabound, to be in excess. The Greek lexicon explains it this way: to furnish one richly so that he has abundance. Here in Ephesians God performed the action, it is a statement of fact with no regard to the past, present or future time. This is a reality in the believer's life... God lavished the riches of His grace upon us. WOW!
Recently I have been studying God's grace, I am overwhelmed by the lavishness of it! God sent His Son to be the propitiation for my sins, He redeemed me by His blood, He has forgiven my trespasses. He did that while I was yet a sinner (Rom. 5:8), at enmity with Him. Christ broke down the dividing wall between myself and God (Eph. 2:13-16). Truly all undeserved by a sinner such as I.
"Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all my sin."
As I ponder the vastness of the grace of God, I begin to get a glimpse of the outworking of His grace in my life. Although salvation is more than enough - it is super-abundant - His sanctification in my life has been abundance on top of abundance.
How many times has He forgiven me? Countless times and without hesitation.
What has He forgiven me? Limitless things- every sin I bring to the foot of His cross is forgiven.
Where am I now compared to 5 years ago? Ten years ago? Walking more and more in His grace by His grace... I am so dramatically changed because of His grace.
Who am I? Chosen by God in Christ (Eph. 1:4, John 15:16), predestined to adoption as sons through Christ (Eph. 1:5), accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6), joint heir with Jesus (Rom. 8:17).
Any one of these things is cause for rejoicing and awe. I know that I know God's grace in my life because nothing could accomplish in me what God's grace has accomplished. Because that grace is so freely given, lavishly given, how can I not extend grace to those around me? What right have I to withhold grace from others when I have been so abundantly supplied?
A parable comes to mind in answer to this question...remember the parable of the unforgiving servant?
In Matthew 18, Christ is talking to Peter about forgiveness and He tells Peter about a king who began to settle accounts with his servants. One servant in particular possibly owed more than he might ever be able to pay in his lifetime - ten thousand talents. The king ordered that he be sold as well as his wife and children to settle the debt. But the servant begged mercy of the king, begging his patience. Not only did the king release the servant but he forgave him the entire debt. The king had every right to the payment but chose to forgive it all.
The story doesn't end there though. That same servant, the receiver of much grace (undeserved favor), goes to another servant who owed him a pittance compared to what he had just been forgiven and demands immediate payment. He not only demanded it, he took that fellow servant by the throat and threatened him. When that man begged for mercy, he was denied and sent to debtors prison until he could repay. When the king heard of it, he was angry and delivered the wicked servant to the torturers until he could repay saying, "Should you not also have compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (Matt. 18:33)
So what is the answer to, "What right have I to withhold grace from others when I have been so abundantly supplied?" NONE, I have no right to withhold grace from anyone because the grace I received is not mine, it is a gift from God richly poured out on me. I have not done anything to merit grace - it is completely undeserved by me. Therefore, it is my obligation to pour out grace on others in Christ's name - not under durress but out of abundance. Freely He has given, freely we need to give - it's His grace we give. Let us walk in the abundance that is already ours spreading that abundance as we go.
Oh Precious Jesus, how You have so lavishly poured out Your grace on me through Your death on the cross. You have cancelled the debt I owe that I could never repay by Your blood. Help me today to walk in that abundant grace and to be a source of that grace to everyone around me. Help me to see myself as I truly am, a sinner saved by Your grace, not of myself lest I should boast. I love You Lord, Amen.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us."
Grace in the Greek is charis - it means unmerited or undeserved favor.
Lavish is the Greek verb perisseuo which means to superabound, to be in excess. The Greek lexicon explains it this way: to furnish one richly so that he has abundance. Here in Ephesians God performed the action, it is a statement of fact with no regard to the past, present or future time. This is a reality in the believer's life... God lavished the riches of His grace upon us. WOW!
Recently I have been studying God's grace, I am overwhelmed by the lavishness of it! God sent His Son to be the propitiation for my sins, He redeemed me by His blood, He has forgiven my trespasses. He did that while I was yet a sinner (Rom. 5:8), at enmity with Him. Christ broke down the dividing wall between myself and God (Eph. 2:13-16). Truly all undeserved by a sinner such as I.
"Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all my sin."
As I ponder the vastness of the grace of God, I begin to get a glimpse of the outworking of His grace in my life. Although salvation is more than enough - it is super-abundant - His sanctification in my life has been abundance on top of abundance.
How many times has He forgiven me? Countless times and without hesitation.
What has He forgiven me? Limitless things- every sin I bring to the foot of His cross is forgiven.
Where am I now compared to 5 years ago? Ten years ago? Walking more and more in His grace by His grace... I am so dramatically changed because of His grace.
Who am I? Chosen by God in Christ (Eph. 1:4, John 15:16), predestined to adoption as sons through Christ (Eph. 1:5), accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6), joint heir with Jesus (Rom. 8:17).
Any one of these things is cause for rejoicing and awe. I know that I know God's grace in my life because nothing could accomplish in me what God's grace has accomplished. Because that grace is so freely given, lavishly given, how can I not extend grace to those around me? What right have I to withhold grace from others when I have been so abundantly supplied?
A parable comes to mind in answer to this question...remember the parable of the unforgiving servant?
In Matthew 18, Christ is talking to Peter about forgiveness and He tells Peter about a king who began to settle accounts with his servants. One servant in particular possibly owed more than he might ever be able to pay in his lifetime - ten thousand talents. The king ordered that he be sold as well as his wife and children to settle the debt. But the servant begged mercy of the king, begging his patience. Not only did the king release the servant but he forgave him the entire debt. The king had every right to the payment but chose to forgive it all.
The story doesn't end there though. That same servant, the receiver of much grace (undeserved favor), goes to another servant who owed him a pittance compared to what he had just been forgiven and demands immediate payment. He not only demanded it, he took that fellow servant by the throat and threatened him. When that man begged for mercy, he was denied and sent to debtors prison until he could repay. When the king heard of it, he was angry and delivered the wicked servant to the torturers until he could repay saying, "Should you not also have compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (Matt. 18:33)
So what is the answer to, "What right have I to withhold grace from others when I have been so abundantly supplied?" NONE, I have no right to withhold grace from anyone because the grace I received is not mine, it is a gift from God richly poured out on me. I have not done anything to merit grace - it is completely undeserved by me. Therefore, it is my obligation to pour out grace on others in Christ's name - not under durress but out of abundance. Freely He has given, freely we need to give - it's His grace we give. Let us walk in the abundance that is already ours spreading that abundance as we go.
Oh Precious Jesus, how You have so lavishly poured out Your grace on me through Your death on the cross. You have cancelled the debt I owe that I could never repay by Your blood. Help me today to walk in that abundant grace and to be a source of that grace to everyone around me. Help me to see myself as I truly am, a sinner saved by Your grace, not of myself lest I should boast. I love You Lord, Amen.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Encouragement
Have you ever pondered the vastness of God's sovereignty over your life, my life, your child's life, our state, our country, our world, the universe? It is absolutely mind boggling!
It is a daily discipline to keep my mind stayed on that reality as life changes and times shift in ways I cannot predict. How often lately I have had to keep reminding myself of Who God is and how able He is to handle anything that comes my way. Not only is He able to handle it, He is never surprised by anything... He is not controlled by time or space constraints, He is completely aware of everything, all the time, everywhere AND He controls it all.
God's word tells us:
"The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Ps. 24:1-2
"The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever." Ps. 29:10
"The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations... The Lord looks from heaven; He sees the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works."
Ps. 33:10-11,13-15
My dear sisters, lets walk in the light of truth, God is sovereign and our God reigns. He is more than able - Hallelujah!
It is a daily discipline to keep my mind stayed on that reality as life changes and times shift in ways I cannot predict. How often lately I have had to keep reminding myself of Who God is and how able He is to handle anything that comes my way. Not only is He able to handle it, He is never surprised by anything... He is not controlled by time or space constraints, He is completely aware of everything, all the time, everywhere AND He controls it all.
God's word tells us:
"The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Ps. 24:1-2
"The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever." Ps. 29:10
"The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations... The Lord looks from heaven; He sees the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works."
Ps. 33:10-11,13-15
My dear sisters, lets walk in the light of truth, God is sovereign and our God reigns. He is more than able - Hallelujah!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Put off, Put on - Sanctification in Action
In seeking to replace sinful habits and patterns, we must look to the word of God to find the biblical antidote. God's word is living and powerful or active (Hebrews 4:12); it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16).
Studying scripture's admonition to put off and put on is a great exercise. With that in mind, I would like to share what I gleaned from my own study. Below each passage is listed along with what we are to actively put off and what we are to actively put on instead.
1) Ephesians 4:25: Put off lying; put on speaking the truth
2) Eph. 4:26-27: Put off holding a grudge; put on forgiveness- be angry and do not sin
3) Eph. 4:28: Put off stealing; put on hard work with your own hands, share with the needy
4) Eph. 4:29: Put off corrupt words; put on edifying words that impart grace
5) Eph. 4:31-32: Put off bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking; put on kindness, be tenderhearted and forgiving
6) Eph. 5:4: Put off filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting; put on giving thanks
7) Eph. 5:11: Put off fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; put on exposing the unfruitful works of darkness
8) Eph. 5:18: Put off being drunk with wine; put on being filled with the Holy Spirit
9) Phil. 4:6: Put off anxiety; put on an attitude of prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
10) Col. 3: 8,12-14: Put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language; put on tender mercies, kindness humility, longsuffering, meekness, forbearance, forgiveness, love
11) Romans 13:12-14:Put off the works of darkness, revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, envy, strife, provisions for the flesh; put on the Lord Jesus, walk properly
As I look over this list I see that every area of my life is revealed... my speech, my thoughts, my actions, my attitudes, my habits. I also see that sin in so pervasive that I must be on guard at all times, actively putting off and putting on while fully relying on God through prayer. But the key to every put on is the last one... put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us strive to have the mind of Christ in everything we do and say and think; He will enable us to put off and put on.
Studying scripture's admonition to put off and put on is a great exercise. With that in mind, I would like to share what I gleaned from my own study. Below each passage is listed along with what we are to actively put off and what we are to actively put on instead.
1) Ephesians 4:25: Put off lying; put on speaking the truth
2) Eph. 4:26-27: Put off holding a grudge; put on forgiveness- be angry and do not sin
3) Eph. 4:28: Put off stealing; put on hard work with your own hands, share with the needy
4) Eph. 4:29: Put off corrupt words; put on edifying words that impart grace
5) Eph. 4:31-32: Put off bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking; put on kindness, be tenderhearted and forgiving
6) Eph. 5:4: Put off filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting; put on giving thanks
7) Eph. 5:11: Put off fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; put on exposing the unfruitful works of darkness
8) Eph. 5:18: Put off being drunk with wine; put on being filled with the Holy Spirit
9) Phil. 4:6: Put off anxiety; put on an attitude of prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
10) Col. 3: 8,12-14: Put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language; put on tender mercies, kindness humility, longsuffering, meekness, forbearance, forgiveness, love
11) Romans 13:12-14:Put off the works of darkness, revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, envy, strife, provisions for the flesh; put on the Lord Jesus, walk properly
As I look over this list I see that every area of my life is revealed... my speech, my thoughts, my actions, my attitudes, my habits. I also see that sin in so pervasive that I must be on guard at all times, actively putting off and putting on while fully relying on God through prayer. But the key to every put on is the last one... put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us strive to have the mind of Christ in everything we do and say and think; He will enable us to put off and put on.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Be Still
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Have you ever heard the saying that your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness? I answer a hearty AMEN to that! I am a doer, I love to be involved in things, busy, active, I am energized by life in general... until I hit the wall. That's when I start to get quiet enough to hear that still small voice, "Be still."
Two very brief and very powerful words.... be still.
Be still - cease: cease worrying, striving in my own weak efforts, trying to fix it, maneuvering, fretting, complaining, overanalyzing, criticising, hurrying...... just stop.
Stop??? How do I do that??? Well, if I am quiet long enough (and that is a big IF), I can hear the rest of that message... "Be still and know that I am God."
I can be still if I look to God, know He is sovereign, trustworthy, unchanging. Knowing that is to recognize and understand He is God. My life circumstances and the people in it are firmly resting in the mighty hand of Almighty God. I can rest because He's got it all handled.
So my dear sisters, it is my prayer for each of us to be still and know that He is God, that we would all walk in that reality every day.
Have you ever heard the saying that your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness? I answer a hearty AMEN to that! I am a doer, I love to be involved in things, busy, active, I am energized by life in general... until I hit the wall. That's when I start to get quiet enough to hear that still small voice, "Be still."
Two very brief and very powerful words.... be still.
Be still - cease: cease worrying, striving in my own weak efforts, trying to fix it, maneuvering, fretting, complaining, overanalyzing, criticising, hurrying...... just stop.
Stop??? How do I do that??? Well, if I am quiet long enough (and that is a big IF), I can hear the rest of that message... "Be still and know that I am God."
I can be still if I look to God, know He is sovereign, trustworthy, unchanging. Knowing that is to recognize and understand He is God. My life circumstances and the people in it are firmly resting in the mighty hand of Almighty God. I can rest because He's got it all handled.
So my dear sisters, it is my prayer for each of us to be still and know that He is God, that we would all walk in that reality every day.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Joy Is a Delight of the Mind
"Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good." Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Joy according to this definition is from the mind, not external sources. The mind is focused on the present possession of good (salvation) and assured approaching possession (our blessed hope of Christ's return). I love the simplicity of it.
Joy is not equal to happiness.... it is not based on what we get in this world but what we have in Christ. We have been predestined, adopted as sons, set apart, redeemed, forgiven. We are joint heirs with Jesus, children of the King. (Ephesians 1)
When I consider these things, I begin to understand true joy; joy that cannot be shaken, taken, or erased. Praise God for His indescribable gifts!
Joy according to this definition is from the mind, not external sources. The mind is focused on the present possession of good (salvation) and assured approaching possession (our blessed hope of Christ's return). I love the simplicity of it.
Joy is not equal to happiness.... it is not based on what we get in this world but what we have in Christ. We have been predestined, adopted as sons, set apart, redeemed, forgiven. We are joint heirs with Jesus, children of the King. (Ephesians 1)
When I consider these things, I begin to understand true joy; joy that cannot be shaken, taken, or erased. Praise God for His indescribable gifts!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Glorious Things
"See the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love,
Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove:
Who can faint, while such a river ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, never fails from age to age."
Recently in church we sang "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken", which was new to me. As I focused on the hymn, I was struck by the second verse. There were four elements that caught my attention and reached my heart.
1) Streams of living waters which spring from eternal love.
Imagine that! Streams (not trickles) of living (not dead) water - active, vibrant, and life giving water. It's source? Eternal love - that is an endless supply - it springs from the love of God which does what is best for the receiver.
2) Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want removed.
The living water supply is abundant - it well supplies all of God's sons and daughters. It is so abundant that it banishes fear of not having enough. It leaves no room for want or worry.
3) Who can faint, while such a river ever will their thirst assuage?
How can it be that we grow faint and weary when we have access to an eternal river that fully satisfies all our thirst - emotionally and spiritually? That river EVER abundantly meets our thirst to the full, it never falls short of being completely able to quench our thirst.
4) Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, never fails from age to age.
Grace never fails because it's Author, our Lord, never fails. One of God's qualities noted here is the Giver. We don't get it, He gives it. Grace is from Him to us - unmerited favor - and it will NEVER fail. God's grace is limitless, powerful, and overarches all our sins. Thank you Jesus.
God in His ever persistent, yet gentle way, used this hymn to refocus my thirsty soul back to it's source. I pray it "rehydrates" your thirsty soul too. To God be the glory!
Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove:
Who can faint, while such a river ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, never fails from age to age."
Recently in church we sang "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken", which was new to me. As I focused on the hymn, I was struck by the second verse. There were four elements that caught my attention and reached my heart.
1) Streams of living waters which spring from eternal love.
Imagine that! Streams (not trickles) of living (not dead) water - active, vibrant, and life giving water. It's source? Eternal love - that is an endless supply - it springs from the love of God which does what is best for the receiver.
2) Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want removed.
The living water supply is abundant - it well supplies all of God's sons and daughters. It is so abundant that it banishes fear of not having enough. It leaves no room for want or worry.
3) Who can faint, while such a river ever will their thirst assuage?
How can it be that we grow faint and weary when we have access to an eternal river that fully satisfies all our thirst - emotionally and spiritually? That river EVER abundantly meets our thirst to the full, it never falls short of being completely able to quench our thirst.
4) Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, never fails from age to age.
Grace never fails because it's Author, our Lord, never fails. One of God's qualities noted here is the Giver. We don't get it, He gives it. Grace is from Him to us - unmerited favor - and it will NEVER fail. God's grace is limitless, powerful, and overarches all our sins. Thank you Jesus.
God in His ever persistent, yet gentle way, used this hymn to refocus my thirsty soul back to it's source. I pray it "rehydrates" your thirsty soul too. To God be the glory!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Affliction
Growing up I was very close to my grandparents. My grandma had Multiple Sclerosis and was eventually confined to a wheelchair. As I grew up in strength and years, my grandma grew weaker and less able to care for herself. Eventually she lost the ability to use her arms and hands which meant she was totally dependent on those around her for simple every day tasks and needs. One very distinct memory of mine is of her sharing a verse from scripture over and over, "I know, O LORD, that Your judgements are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Ps. 119:75
For years I have thought about that verse and my grandma's attachment to it. Lately it has been in the forefront of my mind too. The afflictions in life can be the means that demonstrate God's faithfulness... God in His faithfulness allows afflictions in order to refine us, purify us, and glorify Himself. God, in His wisdom, knows what we need in order to become more like Him, to become more equipped to serve Him. Affliction, when entrusted to the mighty hand of God, yields results that far outweigh the struggle of the challenge itself. It is then that I begin to know God's faithfulness.
In Ps. 119:71 the Psalmist states, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Pondering this verse, I realized that during times of trials and affliction I am more prone to run to the Word of God for comfort and guidance. The dominating theme (context) of Psalm 119 is the Word, a deep longing for it. The psalmist uses eight different terms to refer to scripture: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgements, word, and ordinances. He obviously understood the value of God's word and it's vital purpose in life.
Romans 8:18 tells us, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. "
For years I have thought about that verse and my grandma's attachment to it. Lately it has been in the forefront of my mind too. The afflictions in life can be the means that demonstrate God's faithfulness... God in His faithfulness allows afflictions in order to refine us, purify us, and glorify Himself. God, in His wisdom, knows what we need in order to become more like Him, to become more equipped to serve Him. Affliction, when entrusted to the mighty hand of God, yields results that far outweigh the struggle of the challenge itself. It is then that I begin to know God's faithfulness.
In Ps. 119:71 the Psalmist states, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Pondering this verse, I realized that during times of trials and affliction I am more prone to run to the Word of God for comfort and guidance. The dominating theme (context) of Psalm 119 is the Word, a deep longing for it. The psalmist uses eight different terms to refer to scripture: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgements, word, and ordinances. He obviously understood the value of God's word and it's vital purpose in life.
Romans 8:18 tells us, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. "
Lord, may I consider my earthly trials and afflictions as nothing compared to Your glory and the glory that is to be revealed in me through them. Amen.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Motherhood
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
Motherhood, what a complex and overwhelming task it is yet what joy and fulfillment it brings! Growing up I knew I wanted to be a wife and mother. Some girls wanted to be nurses, others wanted to be lawyers or astronauts. Not me... I looked forward to having a family. While I didn't plan my wedding or pick out my children's names way in advance, I did have a deep desire to get married, have children, and stay home with them.When I graduated high school I didn't have a major or a career chosen so I went to a junior college and earned my AA degree. What next? Well, I didn't have a major, I still just wanted to be a wife and mother so I went to work and waited.
Fast forward, I married my sweetheart and had two beautiful daughters. Wife... check! Mother... check! I even had the privilege to homeschool them, teach them to read, write, cook, draw, do laundry, sew, and on and on. Stay at home... check!
Now my oldest daughter is getting ready to graduate high school this year and her sister is only two years behind her. "What are you going to do when your girls get out of high school?" people ask me. Well, I am doing what I always wanted to do and gee... then what? I'll still get to be a wife and mother but my mothering will change inevitably. You guessed it, I have no major picked out still after all these years! I have even looked through college catalogues and nothing jumps out at me.
My mom said to me just recently not to worry, God had my future all planned out, I just had to live it so I'm going to keep enjoying my "career" and when my "job change" comes, I'll know it and live it. I bet I'll even love it (maybe not as much as my first "career" but that's ok). Lord willing I'll get to see my girls live the same blessed life I have. Who knows.... maybe someday being a grandma will be added to my "career resume"!!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Satisfied in Him
Psalm 36:7-8
"How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."
Many of us have probably sung this popular praise song:
"All of You is more than enough for all of me,
For every thirst and every need,
You satisfy me with Your love
All I have in You is more than enough."
But I wonder... is this lived out in our lives daily? Truly being satisfied (satiated) in Him?
Websters 1828 Dictionary defines satisfy (and it's synonym "satiate") this way:
"satisfy - to gratify wants, wishes, or desires to the full extent; to supply possession or enjoyment until no more is desired."
"satiate - to fill so completely that it is not possible to receive or enjoy more."
Many of us have probably sung this popular praise song:
"All of You is more than enough for all of me,
For every thirst and every need,
You satisfy me with Your love
All I have in You is more than enough."
But I wonder... is this lived out in our lives daily? Truly being satisfied (satiated) in Him?
Websters 1828 Dictionary defines satisfy (and it's synonym "satiate") this way:
"satisfy - to gratify wants, wishes, or desires to the full extent; to supply possession or enjoyment until no more is desired."
"satiate - to fill so completely that it is not possible to receive or enjoy more."
Even more telling is the Hebrew word for "abundantly satisfied" used in the passage above, ravah, which means "to satiate, take the fill, soak, water abundantly, slake the thirst."
What a powerful word picture! We are to be satiated in Him, soaked in Him, filled so completely that it is not possible to receive or enjoy more of Him. It is to be as if we are watered so abundantly that our thirst is completely slaked! We long for nothing more because He truly is our all.
I am guilty of not be satisfied in Him, of being thirsty for temporary things or accolades. God has been drawing my heart to this topic of satisfaction, wooing me back to the source of my salvation and joy.
LORD, forgive me for so quickly losing sight of Your complete abundance, Your grace that has been poured out lavishly upon me. Renew my spirit to a place of total satisfaction found only in You. Teach me to walk in Your fullness and to spill over with it toward others. I ask this in Your holy name, Jesus, Amen.
Friday, January 23, 2009
New Year - Valley of Vision
"O LORD,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed
in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,
sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth thy praise,
testify thy love,
advance thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.
May thy fear be my awe,
thy triumphs my joy."
Taken from "The Valley of Vision - A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions"
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Psalm 18 - Who is God?
I walked through Psalm 18 and it was a treasure trove of insight into the character of God. What an awesome thing it is to look into the Word of God, to see truth when we so desperately need it!
Let these truths wash over your soul today... cleansing it of worry, unbelief, stress, depression, fear, whatever else the enemy is throwing at you. This, my friends, is for you... the daughters of the king!
Verse 1 - He is my strength
Verse 2 - He is my rock and fortress, my deliverer and my God, my strength, my shield, horn of my salvation, my stronghold
Verse 3 - He is worthy to be praised
Verse 6 - He hears my cries of distress, He hears my voice
Verse 7-15 - He is powerful, Creator, controller of all things, Master of the universe, Lord of all creation
Verse 16 - He is my deliverer
Verse 17 - He is stronger than my enemies and those things that are too big for me
Verse 18 - He is my support
Verse 20 - He is my rewarder
Verse 25 - He is merciful and blameless
Verse 26 - He is pure to those who are pure, He is shrewd toward those who are devious
Verse 27 - He saves the humble
Verse 28 - He lights my lamp, enlightening the darkness around me
Verse 29 - He enables me to run against a troop, to leap over a wall
Verse 30 - His way is perfect, His word is proven, He is my shield
Verse 31 - He is the Lord, my rock
Verse 32 - He arms me with strength and makes my way perfect
Verse 33 - He sets my feet on high places
Verse 34 - He is my teacher
Verse 35 - He gives me salvation, He holds me up, He is gentle
Verse 36 - He guards my path so my feet do not slip
Verse 39 - He arms me with strength for battle
Verse 46 - He lives, He is my rock, He is the God of my salvation
Verse 47 - He is my avenger
Verse 48 - He is my deliverer
Verse 49 - He is deserving of thanks and praise
Verse 50 - He shows mercy to His anointed
Let these truths wash over your soul today... cleansing it of worry, unbelief, stress, depression, fear, whatever else the enemy is throwing at you. This, my friends, is for you... the daughters of the king!
Verse 1 - He is my strength
Verse 2 - He is my rock and fortress, my deliverer and my God, my strength, my shield, horn of my salvation, my stronghold
Verse 3 - He is worthy to be praised
Verse 6 - He hears my cries of distress, He hears my voice
Verse 7-15 - He is powerful, Creator, controller of all things, Master of the universe, Lord of all creation
Verse 16 - He is my deliverer
Verse 17 - He is stronger than my enemies and those things that are too big for me
Verse 18 - He is my support
Verse 20 - He is my rewarder
Verse 25 - He is merciful and blameless
Verse 26 - He is pure to those who are pure, He is shrewd toward those who are devious
Verse 27 - He saves the humble
Verse 28 - He lights my lamp, enlightening the darkness around me
Verse 29 - He enables me to run against a troop, to leap over a wall
Verse 30 - His way is perfect, His word is proven, He is my shield
Verse 31 - He is the Lord, my rock
Verse 32 - He arms me with strength and makes my way perfect
Verse 33 - He sets my feet on high places
Verse 34 - He is my teacher
Verse 35 - He gives me salvation, He holds me up, He is gentle
Verse 36 - He guards my path so my feet do not slip
Verse 39 - He arms me with strength for battle
Verse 46 - He lives, He is my rock, He is the God of my salvation
Verse 47 - He is my avenger
Verse 48 - He is my deliverer
Verse 49 - He is deserving of thanks and praise
Verse 50 - He shows mercy to His anointed
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Faith founded on God's Sovereignty
Faith needs to be founded on God's sovereignty.
1) Recall past victories - often the battlefield is in the mind, don't cave in to fear, doubt or misbelief. Shift your focus from the lies of the enemy to God and His infinite ability. Set your heart, mind, will, and emotions on the truth of God's words- use scripture memorization.
2) Reexamine and reaffirm your motives - Is it for personal gain or God's glory?
Victory comes from surrendering my life and desires to Christ. Ask these questions:
~What is my motivation?
~What is God's purpose for me?
~What's really going on here?
3) Reject discouraging words - turn your heart toward God, He is your ultimate encourager.
4) Recognize the true nature of the battle - It is God versus Satan... God wins! (I Sam. 17:45-47)
5) Respond to the challenge with positive confession - speak the truth of God's word to yourself and others. Remember your testimony of faith.
6) Rely on the power of God for the victory - you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Phil. 4:13)
7) Reckon the victory - face circumstances with confidence and hope. It is God's ability that is the source of victory. Trust in Him and tap into the eternal force that cannot be constrained!
(This is an excerpt from my journal dated 10/5/00 - I'm not sure who the source is... but I pray it will be an encouragement to you anyway.)
1) Recall past victories - often the battlefield is in the mind, don't cave in to fear, doubt or misbelief. Shift your focus from the lies of the enemy to God and His infinite ability. Set your heart, mind, will, and emotions on the truth of God's words- use scripture memorization.
2) Reexamine and reaffirm your motives - Is it for personal gain or God's glory?
Victory comes from surrendering my life and desires to Christ. Ask these questions:
~What is my motivation?
~What is God's purpose for me?
~What's really going on here?
3) Reject discouraging words - turn your heart toward God, He is your ultimate encourager.
4) Recognize the true nature of the battle - It is God versus Satan... God wins! (I Sam. 17:45-47)
5) Respond to the challenge with positive confession - speak the truth of God's word to yourself and others. Remember your testimony of faith.
6) Rely on the power of God for the victory - you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Phil. 4:13)
7) Reckon the victory - face circumstances with confidence and hope. It is God's ability that is the source of victory. Trust in Him and tap into the eternal force that cannot be constrained!
(This is an excerpt from my journal dated 10/5/00 - I'm not sure who the source is... but I pray it will be an encouragement to you anyway.)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Right Goals and True Success
The new year always begins with resolutions or goals. Goals may be to read a book every month, lose weight, keep in touch with friends consistently, read the Bible every day, exercise regularly, learn a new skill, paint your house, get out of debt, etc. While all of these goals can be good they can be done without the right motive and with the wrong "success measuring tool".
I recently read an article about defining true success. Within that context, the author was pointing out that we can succeed for our own glory or for God's glory. She told a story of a girl who excelled at everything she did, graduating at the top of her class and being class valedictorian yet her success was empty. Why? Because she sought glory for herself and it was never enough. Then the author told another story about a man who chose to work hard while he was at work but when it was time to go home to his family, he did so. He lived his conviction to be a man of God and keep his family as his top priority after his Lord. Worrying about the outcome of this decision was not his focus, being obedient to God was.
In both cases there were goals and success. For the girl, the goals were accomplished and the success left her prideful yet empty. For the man, he accomplished what God called him to do as a man, employee and husband which was his goal. While he received earthly rewards, God was glorified by his obedience and faith - that success brought peace, fulfillment, and a lifestyle of humble dependence on God.
Which scenario best represents our lives? Are we characterized by a life that follows hard after God and His plans or by a life that is always seeking for more and more of what the world has to offer (at whatever price the world exacts)? It is my prayer that we are becoming ever increasingly more like Christ, seeing goals and success through His eyes.
In the article I mentioned, this wonderful hymn by Frances Brook was shared. Here I am sharing stanzas one and two. Enjoy!
"My Goal is God Himself"
My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,
Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God;
'Tis His to lead me there- not mine, but His-
At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.
So faith bounds forward to it's goal in God,
And love can trust her Lord to lead her there;
Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard
Till God hath fulfilled my deepest prayer
I recently read an article about defining true success. Within that context, the author was pointing out that we can succeed for our own glory or for God's glory. She told a story of a girl who excelled at everything she did, graduating at the top of her class and being class valedictorian yet her success was empty. Why? Because she sought glory for herself and it was never enough. Then the author told another story about a man who chose to work hard while he was at work but when it was time to go home to his family, he did so. He lived his conviction to be a man of God and keep his family as his top priority after his Lord. Worrying about the outcome of this decision was not his focus, being obedient to God was.
In both cases there were goals and success. For the girl, the goals were accomplished and the success left her prideful yet empty. For the man, he accomplished what God called him to do as a man, employee and husband which was his goal. While he received earthly rewards, God was glorified by his obedience and faith - that success brought peace, fulfillment, and a lifestyle of humble dependence on God.
Which scenario best represents our lives? Are we characterized by a life that follows hard after God and His plans or by a life that is always seeking for more and more of what the world has to offer (at whatever price the world exacts)? It is my prayer that we are becoming ever increasingly more like Christ, seeing goals and success through His eyes.
In the article I mentioned, this wonderful hymn by Frances Brook was shared. Here I am sharing stanzas one and two. Enjoy!
"My Goal is God Himself"
My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,
Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God;
'Tis His to lead me there- not mine, but His-
At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.
So faith bounds forward to it's goal in God,
And love can trust her Lord to lead her there;
Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard
Till God hath fulfilled my deepest prayer
Monday, January 12, 2009
Fruit of the Spirit
While perusing my old journals, I came across this excerpt from a newlsetter from by Dr. Paul Chappell, teaching pastor at Lancaster Baptist Church.
"Joy is love singing
Peace is love resting
Longsuffering is love enduring
Gentleness is love's true touch
Goodness is love's character
Faith is love's habit
Meekness is love's self-forgetfulness
Temperance is love holding the reins.
...Wise is he who continues learning to hear that still small voice of God and obeys His every impulse."
"Joy is love singing
Peace is love resting
Longsuffering is love enduring
Gentleness is love's true touch
Goodness is love's character
Faith is love's habit
Meekness is love's self-forgetfulness
Temperance is love holding the reins.
...Wise is he who continues learning to hear that still small voice of God and obeys His every impulse."
Monday, January 5, 2009
Focus and Clear Vision
"Do not look at someone else and say - Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why cannot I? You have to walk in the light of the vision that has been given to you and not compare yourself with others or judge them, that is between them and God."
taken from My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers, December 29
Recently I was wrestling with God when this devotion hit me right between the eyes. I tend to wrestle because I have lost my focus. For example when I know He is requiring something of me yet I look at others that I think are not following suit (anybody see the problem with that view???).
How quickly God calls me up short in His mercy. Thankfully He loves His children with agape love; love that does what is best for them, not necessarily what they desire. That is why I read devotions like this right at the time when I need to hear them... because God is merciful and faithful.
And you know He is always on time... His Holy Spirit works on us, convicting us, reminding us God's Word, bringing people (or devotionals) across our path, whatever it takes to bring us to repentance.
Like a pair of glasses that get dirty over time, my heart gets dirty over time - gradual enough that I don't realize it's happening. God gets my attention, He encourages me to take a good look at my "glasses" and see all the dirty film that has built up. Once I clean them off through repentance, my clear vision comes back and I can see rightly again. He asks me, "What have I called YOU to do?" I answer, "Yes Lord," and we are back in focus again.
taken from My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers, December 29
Recently I was wrestling with God when this devotion hit me right between the eyes. I tend to wrestle because I have lost my focus. For example when I know He is requiring something of me yet I look at others that I think are not following suit (anybody see the problem with that view???).
How quickly God calls me up short in His mercy. Thankfully He loves His children with agape love; love that does what is best for them, not necessarily what they desire. That is why I read devotions like this right at the time when I need to hear them... because God is merciful and faithful.
And you know He is always on time... His Holy Spirit works on us, convicting us, reminding us God's Word, bringing people (or devotionals) across our path, whatever it takes to bring us to repentance.
Like a pair of glasses that get dirty over time, my heart gets dirty over time - gradual enough that I don't realize it's happening. God gets my attention, He encourages me to take a good look at my "glasses" and see all the dirty film that has built up. Once I clean them off through repentance, my clear vision comes back and I can see rightly again. He asks me, "What have I called YOU to do?" I answer, "Yes Lord," and we are back in focus again.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Renewing Your Strength
As the New Year begins, here is a good starting point - renewing our strength, strength only our Lord can give and sustain - and a wise path for the whole year ahead.
"Your life cannot be sustained without renewal from God. Just as it is essential to replace the body's energy by eating, the soul must be revitalized by feeding on the Book of God, by listening to the preaching of His Word, and by the soul-filling table of communion.
"How depressed we become when renewal is neglected! How poor and malnourished are the saints who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer. If our faith can live without God, that faith is not from God; it is only a dream. But if our faith is from God, we will wait for Him as flowers wait for the dew....
"In humble prayer, draw near to the footstool of divine mercy, and realize the fulfillment of the promise, 'Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength' (Isaiah 40:31)"
taken from: "Morning and Evening", Charles H. Spurgeon, January 2, Evening
"Your life cannot be sustained without renewal from God. Just as it is essential to replace the body's energy by eating, the soul must be revitalized by feeding on the Book of God, by listening to the preaching of His Word, and by the soul-filling table of communion.
"How depressed we become when renewal is neglected! How poor and malnourished are the saints who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer. If our faith can live without God, that faith is not from God; it is only a dream. But if our faith is from God, we will wait for Him as flowers wait for the dew....
"In humble prayer, draw near to the footstool of divine mercy, and realize the fulfillment of the promise, 'Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength' (Isaiah 40:31)"
taken from: "Morning and Evening", Charles H. Spurgeon, January 2, Evening
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A New Beginning
As I look over this past year of my life, I find myself overwhelmingly grateful for the measureless grace of God. The grace of God is what has brought me safe thus far and His grace will lead me home.
Last night as I prayed with my girls I was reminded that for the believer, new beginnings don't come once a year but every day. God's mercy is new every morning and great is His faithfulness. If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I don't have to wait; I can be cleansed, renewed, restored now because God is a living God, the one true God Who sees, hears, and acts on our behalf.
We have the privilege of living right now, not yesterday, or tomorrow, but right in this moment.
Last night as I prayed with my girls I was reminded that for the believer, new beginnings don't come once a year but every day. God's mercy is new every morning and great is His faithfulness. If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I don't have to wait; I can be cleansed, renewed, restored now because God is a living God, the one true God Who sees, hears, and acts on our behalf.
We have the privilege of living right now, not yesterday, or tomorrow, but right in this moment.
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