Tag: forgiveness

Where God Meets Me and You . . .

Do you feel desperate to meet with the Lord in your brokenness and pain? God meets you at His seat of mercy. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

Not at the door.

Not at the altar.

If God met me at the door first, it wold be about me, being there.

If God met me at the altar first, it would be about me, and my offering.

God meets us in all our failures and brokenness at the mercy seat.

A pattern’s given. The words are written. The plans are drawn up.
“Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.” (1)

God desired to dwell with His people. He asked them to construct a place of refuge and safety:

According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it. (2)

God gave instructions to build His place to dwell.  First in importance was the ark of the covenant:  And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; . . . (3) 

God gave pattern with exact measure and size:
And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around . . . (4) 

Make an ark out of a dessert wood. A wood when punctured, oozes out a sap that heals wounds. Overlay it with pure gold, inside and out and then give it a crown molding all around.

Does this description remind us of anything?

God continues His meticulous instructions:

 And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you. (5)

The 10 commandments, written by the finger of God, given to Moses for His children to know. They were put in the box made of wood, overlaid with gold.

Inside this ark, the 10 commandments reside.

Jesus, Himself was the only Man able to keep all these commandments, never a spot or miss. Only Jesus.

Next, God proclaims:

You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; . . . (6)

With golden cherub and wings stretched out to meet, God proclaims the pattern concerning His mercy seat,
 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. (7)

So we have a picture clear in our mind. The box made of wood, covered with pure gold, and inside are the 10 commandments. And God says,
 And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony . . .

The seat of mercy sits atop the ark. Covering the Commandments kept inside the box overlaid in pure gold.

“This is where I will meet.” God tells us all.

Who is listening to these gracious words of mercy?

A story is told in 1 Samuel, chapter 6, of this ark being captured by the Philistines. It was set near their god named Dagon that day. Well, the next morning, their god Dagon, was flat on his face.

Lifted again by Philistine people, only to find next morning Dagon had fallen, again. But now with broken neck and hands.

“Let’s get rid of this ark and send it back home,” the Philistines said.

The Israelites were delighted when the ark was returned.

But something happened that day, it’s recorded, in all the excitement, they took the liberties that day, to lift the mercy seat and uncover the Law.

Fifty thousand and seventy people died that day. The mercy seat was lifted off the ark covering the commandments.

What was God saying? What was the message that day?

What is mercy anyway?
MER’CY, n. [L. misericordia.]
1. That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves;

the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant.

2.Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.

God meets us at His seat of mercy.

Jesus became a man, yet He was God come down. Pure and Holy.

He was pierced for our transgressions. His blood that poured out brings healing to our souls.

He paid our debt, that we might receive His undeserved favor.

He meets us first, not at the door. Nor at the altar. Jesus meets us at His mercy seat.

And great warning comes to us who try to lift the mercy seat. God wants us to be Holy and gracious and compassionate, He is just.

The picture’s complete.

Jesus’ love covers me.

Because of His love, I desire to open my heart’s door. Because of His love, I offer Him, . . .

my life.

The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Num 14.
__________________________
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you God?” (Micah 6:8).

(1) Exodus 25:8
(2) Exodus 25:9
(3)Exodus 25:10
(4) Exodus 25:11
(5) Exodus 25:16
(6) Exodus 25:17
(7) Exodus 25:21

(8)Exodus 25:22

Where is Love?

Constant Love is Found in Jesus
The sweet love of Jesus is genuine and steadfast, enduring forever through all things. And the meaning of the word “all” is ALL!

Where is love?

“If God is love, where is He?” Some might be asking.

“This is so elementary. I don’t have time for this,” some might be thinking.

But perhaps, it’s in simplicity that God paints His pictures of love everyday.

If we open our eyes, we can see love in everything.

Color, design, majesty, in each leaf and flower. We are awed by each morning’s sun.

We understand the need from protection from danger. We blink before something might touch our eye.

Simplicity is found in much complexity.

A Designer? Many of us agree, “Yes. I believe in God.”

Many believe shallow thoughts that the Bible is only a religious book. Fluffy, fairy-tale like, with a long set of rules.

God’s Word is far from soft and fluffy, especially in its definition of love.

God’s creation went his own way, deceived by the snake, disobedient to God’s instruction way back in the beginning, Genesis 3.

The prophet Isaiah sums it up like this,

“All we like sheep have gone astray . . .”

no longer under the protective care of the Shepherd, we, stubborn sheep go our own way and then are overcome by pestilence and fear.

Hatred.

Pain.

Darkness. Every day. More and more.

Where is love?

Over 2000 years ago, on a hill called Calvary, Jesus took all our filthiness, cruelty, stubbornness, envy, pride, hatred, and murders and was nailed to the cross. He willingly left the glory of heaven to come down to us.

He took all our sin on Himself.

That’s what love is.

“Who has believed our report? . . . He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him” Isaiah 53: 1-3.

God. Loves. The world. He sees. He knows. He never slumbers.

Do we cry out for His presence?

“God so loved the world that He . . . “

gave. . .

His only Son, . . .

for me. For you.

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:4-6.

Love offers freedom, healing, the power of . . .

forgiveness and new Life.

Love is not like the natural man, ever.

Only God is perfect love. And He took all our failure on Himself and He offers His love to us, today, no matter what we’ve done.

The Bible tells us so:

Love is very patient and He’s kind.

Love’s not irritable,

or rude.

Love doesn’t demand His own way.

He’s never jealous or envious.

Love is never selfish, boastful or proud.

Do we hold grudges?

God’s love does not.

God’s love hardly notices when others do it wrong.

Love is never glad about injustice!

But, Love rejoices whenever truth wins out.

Love came down and was, and is loyal at a great cost.

Love always believes the best about people.

Love hopes the best for all.

He says, “I’ve been waiting for you. You are such a treasure to Me. You are Mine.”

He cleanses and heals our broken and darkened hearts. He shines light to repair all damage done. He makes all things new when we invite Love in.

Do we resist God’s love? . . . still?

Isn’t it time?

His love never fails.

Never.

(Taken from 1 Corinthians 13, Living Bible with emphasis added).

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” James 4:8.

Do you feel the Lord touch your heart today?

Talk to Him. He’s been calling You by name.

The Final Answer

Can we be angry and humble at the same time? Can justice be found without anger? Where is the love we all long for? Can forgiveness be complete?

Today, our eyes witness evil. That is an absolute we can agree on.

“Justice,” is the people’s cry in the streets. This is a two way street that is an absolute .

Love is planted deep in the heart of every human. Family is a place to often see it grow.

Forgiveness is an absolute necessity and a great need.

“Where in the world do evil, justice, love and forgiveness converge at one point in history?” Ravi Zacharias concluded his talk at a United Nations Prayer Breakfast.

We know evil exists. We seek justice. We’re hungry for love. Forgiveness is needed. “Can I take you to a hill on Calvary and show you the person of Jesus Christ.”

Ravi, who has recently gone home to be with the Lord after a short but painful battle with a rare bone cancer stated, “Deep in my heart, I believe there are no other answers apart from the person of Jesus Christ.”

He shows us evil, taken on himself. He was the just and justifier who loved us so greatly that He prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

What’s truth? Where’s God in all this suffering and pain?

Ravi Zacharias shared thoughts by James Stewart of Scotland:

“It is a glorious phrase of the New Testament, that ‘he led captivity captive.’ 

The very triumphs of His foes, it means, he used for their defeat.

He compelled their dark achievements to subserve his end, not theirs.

They nailed him to the tree, not knowing that by that very act they were bringing the world to his feet.

They gave him a cross, not guessing that he would make it a throne.

They flung him outside the gates to die, not knowing that in that very moment they were lifting up all the gates of the universe, to let the King of Glory come in.

They thought to root out his doctrines, not understanding that they were implanting imperishably in the hearts of men the very name they intended to destroy.

They thought they had defeated God with His back the wall, pinned and helpless and defeated: they did not know that it was God Himself who had tracked them down.

He did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil. He conquered through it.”(James Stewart, October 17, 2012).

We seek peace in the midst of evil. We pray for justice. We desperately need love and forgiveness . . .

There are many questions.

Jesus Christ laid down His life us. He paid our debt in full on the cross at Calvary. He rose from the dead. And He lives today. Does He live in our heart, today?

The final answer? The Gospel:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.

How to be blessed? How to be happy?

“Be blessed.”

“I’m praying for good health.”

Have a wonderful day!” Greetings, blessings, and prayers for good health are a common occurrence and desire for most humans on this planet.

But God knows that we have greater need than present happiness.

Our greatest need in acquiring a deep fulfillment in this present day, this present life is . . . His presence.

Can we begin to live our life for an audience of one?

Is our main concern to find ourselves pleasing to the Lord?

What does that look like anyway?

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:7 that When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

How do we get inner health, heart and mind, and become pleasing to the LORD?

What does He require? Is it to “be kind” each day? Can we “be honest” in all things? None of us can be Holy and perfect, apart from believing on the work of Jesus on the cross.

Where is our help? No one is perfect.

Jesus, who is perfect says to us weary and broken-hearted,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” Matthew 11:28,29.

Who doesn’t want rest for their souls?

Have we heard lies about “those Christians” and let our attitude about their faults and failures keep us from a community of faith that will prove to lift up our heavy laden hearts?

Jesus knows every person on the entire planet misses the mark. None of us can get it right! But when we check out the stories of Jesus with an opened Bible, we learn, . . . He is the only righteous One.

Jesus spoke on a hill one day, when a great crowd of people gathered in one place.

We might live in a day where, “What’s good is bad,” but Jesus has the Words of life. He speaks to the broken-hearted turning things around for good bringing hope in every situation.

I’m sure in this multitude of people gathered there were all kinds of “sin-full” people present. Jesus knew they were all “sin-full” people. (We’re all sin-full people.) But He loved each one and He spoke about a new attitude, (Matthew 5, Amplified),

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit[those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

The poor in spirit are those who might be feeling they have failed.

But when one turns to Jesus, he, she’s forgiven, . . . he, she’s washed, . . . In Him, He makes all things new, 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us this,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

In Him, In Jesus, we’re blessed. Why? The multitude all gathered together heard it from His very own voice,

“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted] Matthew 5:4, AMP.

Why do we listen to lies that He’s going to take all the good stuff away? Who doesn’t want to be new? Who will reject being comforted?

Many do.

But those who have ears to hear, the Bible says over and over, “Let him hear,”
“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5, AMP.

And there are more blessings.

“Who was this Man on the hill speaking to the multitudes?”

He’s Savior to those who believe. But today, we must check our heart, are we believing?

Here, in Matthew 5 He’s a great teacher. In many Bible stories, He’s healer. He fed thousands. Jesus was good, but,

He won’t become Savior until we invite him in, for salvation, one time, for guidance, every minute . . .

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John the Baptist proclaimed in John 1:29.

We all need washed. Only the blood of the Lamb cleanses.

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 

 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from . . .

all sin 1 John 1:6,7.

John the Baptist prepared the people, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” in Matthew 3:2.

Has the kingdom of heaven come near? Right now?

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied” Matthew 5:6.

Satisfied, healthy, and joyful. Isn’t this the desire of our heart?

Jesus looks on us who turn to Him with grace and compassion. He is slow to anger. He is abounding in mercy:

“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” Matthew 5: 7.

And Oh, how happy we can be in Him today.

“Jesus, we need You in our lives to direct and guide and keep us in Your way.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Ps.16:11), . . .

we believe in Jesus’ name. Amen”

Will we believe? Do we choose Jesus and abide in Him? What do you say?

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 

 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15: 4,5.

A Repeated Song of Thanks and Love, from mom

A giver of gifts, not my specialty.

Empty wallet, distant feet, words that struggle to leave my heart to speak.

For each of my children, if you could take an imaginary ride through my veins, you would witness my mind reciting thankful strains,

a heart bulging with inexpressible love,

and through each vessel, your name resounding in your mama’s blood.

My child, you are knit to me.

With lack, and loss, and struggles, and pains, I seek to think on an abundant theme:

God the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit—God is love.

He’s the Beginning, He’s the End. He saved me, remade me, fills me new, time and time again.

He’s my “same old” song on my one-stringed guitar. He’s my note that hammers and slides, with added harmonics.

The bread, His body, broken for me, the blood that was shed on Calvary, He bid me to come to His Table one day, that I might leave with Him every guilt and every stain.

The Table is where I gave Him my all.

He faithfully re-created me. He told me, “I will not let you fall.”

Following His grace notes, He’s added more strings.

God is blessed with family. The struggle for unity, harmony,  and joy each one knows.

I give you Jesus. He’s the wine never ending, the Bread, the beauty a Rose.

The invitation comes from the King of all Kings. His word is true, He’s hope. He’s life. He’s deliverance. He’s rest.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–” (1)

Jesus is the name above every name. He never changes, never leaves, He forgives, He believes, . . .

in you.

Always.

He is faithful. Of Him only, this is true.

He’s your keeper, your healer. He breaks down every wall. He’s present. He’s patient.  He’s  power, and  peace.

He was spat on, beat, abused. He was hated.  He knows your every thought, good, bad, and weighted. He accepts you. He’s perfect,

so the best gift I could ever give to you my daughters and sons, (apart from the first birth, many years ago), I can offer you Jesus, for a new birth, right now, right here,

that daily we can share His world together with new eyes and new ears, and we grow in His grace and His knowledge for all eternity’s years.

Talk to Him now, read His word daily. Love floods in like a symphony’s song . . .

I love you forever, my sons and daughters, oh, but He loves you most, more than any other,

for now and forever,

I am a thankful mom.

(1) John 1:12

 

 

Because of His new mercies, my meditation is a song.

A Psalm of David, so long ago, was penned and written for the Chief Musician.

Psalm 139, I pray will stay close to my heart as I take hold of His hand.

Before my feet hit the floor, may I meditate on who He is, and by His help better understand.

My walk is as a messy poem, but God in His great mercy never leaves me alone:

 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.
 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

If these words be true, (You have pronounced Your Word as truth), help me today to believe.
Help me remember . . .You.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth, John 17:17 states.
So, in knowing and seeing it all, You can see clearly, I often make many mistakes.
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. John15:3.
I don’t completely understand, but I receive a washing in the morning as  I read.
Let this Word be a continual song I sing:

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Yesterday’s pain, struggle, and loss feel like heaviness falling on me, but if even the night shall be light about me; . . . and the night shines as the day;

I receive Your Word that I don’t completely know, but when I look at a candle, only light surrounds it, so . . .

I can see that You are with me, and light even my night.

You are greater than all of my anxiety, ugliness, and fright. Your Word, the powerful sounds, are healing the doubt that so often surrounds.

 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Deep calls to deep. These thoughts are not as man’s. These Words pierce me through. My days you write in a book? Truly from beginning to end? I clearly see, I want more faith, more faith each day to trust You!

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!
 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Clearly, a lifetime it will take to comprehend such thoughts. Give me wisdom and knowledge. Help me understand the price You paid on the cross.

A Love so real. You laid down Your life for me. Even though You knew how wretched many of my steps would be.

I want to be on Your side, dear Lord.

Please keep me from being an enemy. With doubt, and unbelief. Making excuses to sin.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119.

Get my eyes in Your Word, more and more, dear Lord.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

This is a hard prayer to pray in the morning, and even more so, at night.

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for covering my sin with Your blood. I thank You for showing me You walk with me and know, every step that I take, and every word I speak, and even the thoughts that I think. And You still love . . .

You knew me in the beginning and promise to know my end days as well. Today, let me be new, tear down, rebuild, clean up and move.

Help me walk more closely. Help me let You lead. Let this be my song that I continually sing,
making the choice each day, to acknowledge You,  King:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

In Jesus Name, I, and all who believe ask, “Let it be, yes, let it be. Amen.”

Crushed grapes to wine is as brokenness to joy

When Jesus sat on a hill and spoke to the multitudes of people, He spoke words contrary to man’s natural inclination,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:3.

Another translation  puts it this way, “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” (The Message).

In ancient Bible times, crushed grapes produced wine. There is much argument about this topic, levels of fermentation, etc. but today, I seek to focus on the Bible’s symbolism of wine for joy.

A large scale mural has been painted by Aniekan Udofia in Ivy City, Washington D.C. *

When we’re crushed, (when we face the pressing trials of each day), do we produce wine? or whine?

“He who believes in Me,” Jesus said, “out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” John 7:38.

Being tried and crushed through the everyday pressures, how do we produce wine? Out of our hearts is flowing . . .

rivers of living waters? Where’s the joy?

God tells us a story. John 2 explains,

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,  and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.  When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water;” so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so,  and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.

Then he called the bridegroom aside  and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

“Do whatever He tells you,” Mary said to the servants.

These are hard words. It’s hard work to fill six 20 to30 gallon jars with water.

As a branch surrendered to the Vine, (who is Jesus), I will discover the ability to produce fruit. Fruits of love are: joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

John 15: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

Are we abiding, surrendered to the Vine?
Then much fruit will come.

Dear World, Let Passion Week speak:

What’s on my mind during Passion week:
“Dear world, STOP. Look. Listen and hear the Father God, Creator of all natural beauty we see and enjoy,
the One Who is holy and just, truth, and all righteousness,
the One Who knows everyone by name.
The One Whose nature is unconditional Love.
STOP and look at the cross. Not the one around your neck, but the one that Jesus’ died.
Listen to Almighty God’s Voice:
‘My children, turn at once from running toward the lying thief that I sent my Son Jesus to rescue you from. Turn from believing lies that you can do it all on your own without Me.
I sent My Son. He is the the promised One.
His blood was shed, to cover each and all of your shame.
Admit your sins. Believe on Him. And Celebrate a new-born life, abundant and free.
And go and tell others. Be a witness for Me.'”
Oh, that the world would listen to the Father at this time.
This is what’s on my mind.
 Jesus found me when I was lost.
He gave His life . . . for my sin.
He offers hope and His Spirit that we might each day walk in the power of His resurrection. He didn’t hold back, so neither will I.
Take time to ask yourself this question, “What is my direction?”
Stop. Look. Listen, these are words Jesus prayed. Will you turn and trust in Him today?
 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 
 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.
Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them,” John 17:20-25.
It’s hard to stop. It’s a challenge to look. But God’s glory is revealed and our broken hearts are healed when we finally listen. He is the very definition of commitment!
It’s time to run with Jesus, and never again be deceived by the thief. This Passion Week, will you choose to believe? If so, make sure you let someone know.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity—Jesus
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him,” John 3:17.
Choose Jesus?  His passion is outstanding. In heaven is great celebration.
 

“Led by grace that love to know . . . I am His and He is mine”

“Loved with Everlasting love, led by grace that love to know. . .”
The Hymn by George Robinson, I Am His, and He is Mine, 1876, is especially speaking to my heart as I sit on a couch in 2018, reading the words aloud.

This world seems to coldly whirl by and grab, push, and shove, but this timeless hymn carries me, as if “grace” took my hand out of anxiety and stress, and an impossible mess, to remind me:

I’m Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!

Oh, this full and perfect peace!
Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.”

How my frame is weak and my heart grows weary, thoughts of doubt and terror flood in, “I can’t do this. I’ll never make it through. There is nothing left for me to do. Temptations to escape and lose this race flood to my view.

But, the Spirit breathing from above, saves me from inner turmoil, time and time again. My Rescuer, my Comforter, my present Help in need, the Spirit of the living God, He does “fall afresh on me.”

This new day, the Spirit says, “Rise,” open the hymnal. Though sitting on my living room couch, I feel as if carried to view the beauties and the healing powers of creation. Increased faith helps to lift my eyes:

“Heav’n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen;

Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine;

Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.”

I pray, “Let me know Lord, even now, that ‘I am His, and He is mine.'”

Scriptures suddenly flood my mind, washing the filth of the faithless world away: Be still and know that I am God. (1)
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (2)
In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (3)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (4)

Hymns and the word build faith like no other. God hears our prayers and leads us to sing. He wants us to remember, . . .
Him:

“Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest,
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on His loving breast;


Oh, to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear
I am His, and He is mine.”

A prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, teach me to number my days.

That I walk, knowing, believing I am a child of the living God.

That I would not walk in a way that seems orphaned and restless.

Today, let me put my hand in Yours, Father, and allow You to lead me.

Trusting with joy that You provide all I need for this moment.

Spirit lead my eyes to “look to the hills.” Give me a new song to sing.

I am Yours Lord, and You are mine, today, tomorrow, for all of time.
Amen, Amen. And, in Jesus’ name, Amen, again and again.

(1) Psalm 46:10
(2) Isaiah 26:3
(3) Psalm 16:11b,
(4) NASBPsalm 23:4,5

He Still Changes Water to Wine


“Read the Bible.” We hear people say.
But even when opened, do the words feel dry on the page?

It’s OK. God must know, because the only thing He gets at times from me at best, is a moan.
But, in the end, I can still say, “Thank You Lord. Thank You Lord, for putting up with me. Oh God, I’m confused and feel alone. Will You help me?”

So, the Word seemed dry, not moving me at all, but my eye caught focus at the bottom of the page of a short Spurgeon poem:

“Lo, Moses scatters plagues of wrath, A ministry of fire and death, But our Immanuel cometh forth, with life and love in every breath.
He turned their water into blood, for vengeance was his dread design: But, thanks to our incarnate God, He turned our water into wine.” (1)

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17.

Jesus is unlike all the rest.

Five minutes in devotion to God, with an opening of His word with a few Spurgeon thoughts, I am changed from a whine to hope.

Jesus still changes water to wine.

Water is necessary. Like food and roof over our heads. We have school, or work. We all are under some authority.

We move quickly, we plan out our day, and we grab a water bottle as we go our way.

Water sustains.

The Holy Spirit is likened as water in the Word.  It’s God’s Word that refreshes, the Holy Spirit directs us to be touched by Jesus. He changes us and gives us a song:

And when I think, that God His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died, to take away my sin. 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art. How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.

Jesus still changes water into wine. For me, my whine to a song, that I might rejoice and experience His fullness of grace and truth, this day.
Let us celebrate today. We’re simply passing through. Let’s let others know about our eternal home:

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, and then proclaim, 
“My God how great Thou art!” 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art. How great Thou art.
God is love. “Dear Lord give me understanding to know Your Name. Faithful and True, Merciful, Gracious, and Above all names:

“Lo, Moses scatters plagues of wrath, A ministry of fire and death, But our Immanuel cometh forth, with life and love in every breath.
He turned their water into blood, for vengeance was his dread design: But, thanks to our incarnate God, He turned our water into wine.”

Keep me singing dear Jesus, and drawing close to You that You might heal me and help me the entire day through:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art! How great Thou art. 

Poem taken from C.H. Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible. Hymn: How Great Thou Art.

Evidence of a Spirit-filled life? Singing? Dear God, fill me that I might sing again

Evidence of a Spirit-filled life?

Singing?

As I open, Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan, a hymnal-devotion, many a mornings to me, I acknowledge even in the first of the day, after moments to pray, that my song is lost to thorns and rocks hidden within the soil of my heart.

I read the hymn, In My Heart There Rings a Melody, written way back in 1923.  Elton M. Roth penned the words: I have a song that Jesus gave me, It was sent from heav’n above, There never was a sweeter melody, ‘Tis a melody of love. 
In my heart there rings a melody, . . .”

But God can clearly see, this morning, my heart is out of key.
But the Lord won’t give up on me, “O ye of little faith.” His voice rings out over and over again to the disciples throughout His Word, yet with such tenderness and grace. There is none like our Lord.

He knows my heart, which is sad, so many days. Worried, and heavy, “leaning on my own understanding.” He watches me wrestle and strain. The illustration of me, is Romans 7—completely. I confess. My heart is weeping:

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.  I love God’s law with all my heart.  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.

This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? (Romans 7:21-24).

Look at all those I’s! Truly, this is not to be ignored.

I thank God for the next words I read. May each word permeate my whole being, and Lord, please give me depth of understanding:

 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:25 ends only to bring me to Romans 8: 

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, . . .

Yes, I belong to Him.

the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you, . . .

That’s what I need to be reminded continually. I am like a sheep, forgetting God’s promise of the Spirit in me:
the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you,  from the power of sin that leads to death. 

 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.
 So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 

 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

God declared an end to sin’s control . . .by giving His Son . . . the requirement of the law would be fully satisfied . . .
This, yes, this brings back to me a song!

So I look on again at that age-old hymn, and yes, these are the words of praise I sing:
I love the Christ who died on Calv’ry, For He washed my sins away; He put within my heart a melody, And I know it’s there to stay.

‘Twill be my endless theme in glory, With the angels I will sing; ‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony, When the courts of heaven ring. In my heart there rings a melody, There rings a melody with heaven’s harmony;

In my heart there rings a melody, There rings a melody of love.”

Thanks be to God. He will meet me today and work in my heart to trust in Him more. And lean on His Word, not my own understanding. To get rid of the “I’s” and look to the Lord!

Do we all agree with an Amen? “Amen.”

 

 

The Best Gift I Can Give to My Kids

The best gift I can give to my kids, is first and foremost, to remind them, they are His.

The Creator of all the beauty they see. The Father, the Son, The Holy Spirit will continually speak. And when their hearts believe, God is pleased.  Hearts soft and open, have eyes to receive.

Jesus is not only the giver of light and life, He is Light.

Jesus is not only the giver of life, He is Life.

Jesus is not only the giver of bread, He is Bread.

He is LORD. He is above the rest.

So, the best gift I can give my kids today, is to faithfully, and honorably, live and believe all this, but also, . . .

show them moment by moment, with all of my heart, faithful and honorable love for their dad. Yes, I believe the best gift today, that I can give our kids, is love and grace for the dad-of-all-dads.

I want to please God.

He says to me, “love.”

I fail miserably time and time again, but each new day, He says, “My mercies are new. S e e k Me.”
And He watches me fall. He watches me miss. And He forgives me new, as each day, His face I seek.
And He says to me, “Now . . .
do that for others, as they miss the mark too. Offer grace. Offer forgiveness. Be patient and kind. Remember Me, and abide.”

And kids, you watch me, day after day, so easily offer this as I go on my way. But it is hard stuff to do as I walk through our front door. It is hard to honor and offer grace to the very one, that I said to God “I Do, for all of my days.” And for this, daily, I seek His grace.

How I miss the mark and fall flat on the floor.
(Forgive me, Mike.)

Forgive me kids.

I want to do a better job at offering love and all of this.

So I seek the Lord and He fills and supplies. He is our Lord. He is the One we will both lift up our eyes.

So, I will start this all off with the word: Remember.

It is good to look at pictures of beginnings, that we might reminisce. And kids, I sure hope you spend time praying for us both, as we need your prayers that we might faithfully keep our oath.

That we continue to bring glory to our Lord and our King. And that we love each other, day after day, faithfully. Etched on the inside of my wedding ring, you find the name Mike. His, has the name, Toni. We do well thinking on and remembering these things.

I love you kids. I give you a gift. A promise that I will give it my best, day in and day out to faithfully and honorably love your dad.

“Gory to God in the Highest. And on earth, peace and good will to all men.” Amen.

This is the way, walk in it.

Moving furiously to draw me away, from You, O God, I cry.

Distractions and needless attractions and vices move to catch my eye.

And what about Fear, who continuously lurks nearby?

And Doubt, his best friend who endlessly tempts me to trust only in me, myself, and I?

What a whirlwind of destruction and deception and such. In circles, ever appearing—giant waves of human-ness!

But God, He’s the same. There is none like Him.
He’s able.

His mercy has no end.

He loves not like men.

But I forget . . . unless His Word is on my table!

The stories, the history, God’s provision, the songs. God proclaims salvation from the beginning. His heart . . . so longs:

But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said,

“Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”

Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea.

“Silence!” He commanded.

“Be still!”

And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.

“Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?”

Mark 4:37-40, tells a story for me, and you? “Do you still have no faith? . . . Why are you so afraid?” 

“Forgive me O God. May I continually seek Your unfailing aid. Give me an ear to hear Your voice in the morning. May I, in awe and wonder, faith-fully  obey.
And may I remember You and Your powerful Word. May I not forget, time and time again, that You are ever with me, that You are,
my Lord.”

 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more;

with your own eyes you will see them. 

 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, . . .

“This is the way; walk in it,” Isaiah 30:20,21.

O Lord, may our consolation be speaking the hymn, Nearer, My God, to Thee

Let us pour out our broken and sad hearts to You. Our lips are parched, we thirst. Be to us as the morning dew:

Near-er, my God, to Thee, Near-er to Thee, E’en though it be a cross That rais-eth me!

Still all my song shall be, Near-er, my God, to Thee; Near-er, my God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

“Speak in Psalms, speak in hymns,” perhaps this is our only consolation in,
pain, and suffering, and agony of spirit. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near,”(1) this is our prayer, that we feel Your love and not the fear.

Though like the wan-der-er, The sun gone down, Dark-ness be o-ver me, My rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be, Near-er, my God, to Thee;

Near-er, my God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

Oh God, help us let our thoughts rise to heaven.

“For we know that if this tent which is our earthly home is destroyed, we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2)

There let the way ap-pear, Steps un-to heav’n; All that Thou send-est me, In mercy giv’n An-gels to beck-on me, Near-er, my God, to The;

Near-er, my God, to Thee, 
Near-er to Thee!

“In everything give thanks,” (3)

O God, we can’t without You showing us, revealing to us, healing and carrying us through.
God, You are love. You are light. We are poor and needy, Lord Jesus come rescue us in our plight.

We worship You because You loved us first. You suffered and died for each one of us as you hung in the cross.

Then, with my wak-ing tho’ts Bright with Thy praise, Out of my ston-y griefs Beth-el I’ll raise, So by my woes to be, Near-er to God, to Thee;

Near-er to God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

Your word is sweet as honey sometimes. Your word is bitter as well. Help change and transform our hearts and our minds. That we might” prove what is the good and acceptable will of God,” (4) that we might say, ” I am Yours.

No matter what, I will trust in Your Love.”

Or if, on joy-ful wing Cleav-ing the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, Up-ward I fly, Still all my song shall be, Near-er my God, to Thee, 
Still all my song shall be, Near-er my God, to Thee, Near-er to Thee.

Our song is sad in light of today, but God, only You are able to comfort our pain, with word pictures of life forever with You. . .
With streets of gold, praises to sing,  in the presence of the King of all Kings, for all eternity.

We sing a psalm. We speak a hymn. Or perhaps we simply cry, in hope and the light of Him.

(1) James 4:8
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:1
(3) 1 Thessalonians 5:18
(4) Romans 12:2
Nearer, My God, to Thee (Sarah F. Adams 1840).

Pulling our treasure from The Church Hymn Book, 1867, page 53

Taking some time each morning to glean from God’s Holy Word and Spurgeon, it seems, that very old words from hymns loudly speak, in language poetic, rich, and . . . timely.

“Great God, I love thy sacred word/ What light and  joy its leaves afford!/Thy precepts guide my doubtful way/Thy fear forbids my feet to stray.

Thy threatenings wake my slumbering eyes/ And warn me where my danger lies;/ They show me all my guilt and shame/ And make me prize the Savior’s name.

May this blest volume ever lie/ Close to my heart and near my eye;/ Till life’s last hour my thoughts engage/ And be my chosen heritage.”

So, in the morning, early and dark, I went digging for treasure that Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible had sparked.

I found old words written that made me rejoice in the Lord. The Church Hymn Book from 1867, full of costly treasures, all can afford.

“God in the gospel of his Son/ Makes his eternal counsels known;/ Where love in all its glory shines/ And truth is drawn in fairest lines.

Here sinners of an humble frame/ May taste his grace and learn his name./ May read in characters of blood/ The wisdom, power, and grace of God.

Here faith reveals to mortal eyes/ A brighter world beyond the skies;/ Here shines the light which guides our way/ From earth to realms of endless day.

Oh, grant us grace, almighty Lord/

To read and mark thy holy word,/ Its truths with meekness to receive/ And by its holy precepts live.”

Before the words were read this morning, I awoke with struggles and stresses stirring. But God’s breathed out message, and these long lost words, have proved to revive and set me again, on a straight and narrow course.

Let’s open His Word. Let’s sing the old songs. Oh God, help us humble ourselves, be teachable, and with joy, carry on!