The call has come. There’s not much time.
We’ve all been taken captive, bound up by sin. Even though this word is not ‘politically correct’, we’re all bound; and deep down, we know it inside.
Just as the research for many, many years went out to discover that smoking ‘kills’. But the words that came to the public ears, written even on the boxes themselves: ‘smoking may be hazardous to your health.’
Did we not know – these words were just lies.
So, what if in fact, “truth is not what you make it?” But truth has been told -in the Book of old.
Does what we believe really matter at all? Does smoking actually, ‘kill’? Or simply give you a cough.
So much better than ‘good advice’ is the gospel message of Jesus Christ. You see, the chains will be broken. Chains that have you stagnant and hurting.
There’s a wash inside-out, a free ticket home, and the power to breathe with God’s living hope.
Hey, The Book is the same from page one to the last. In the beginning God created. Many can’t get past that. You see, faith is required and what you believe really matters.
Believe in yourself, and see where you get. But keep your eyes on those who put their hope in the One, that each page of The Book was written about.
The whole Book, really, is about the Lamb. Remember Adam and Eve, making the choice for us all. (And don’t fret about it, if it were any of us, we would’ve also made the fall).
We do, everyday. And in every way, we are like just them now: “Do something! Let’s hide from God. Let’s cover ourselves in leaves that bring pain.
Now they knew they were naked. Just as we know we’ve messed up. They were anxious and afraid. The bottom line – they disobeyed their Love.
But what we believe matters. If we stop reading the story, we miss the full picture of the Hand of God reaching. A spotless lamb slain, that they might be covered at last, not by their own efforts and strain, but in softness and gentleness of wool of an innocent Lamb.
Yes, there was blood. Yes, there was death. But it didn’t come from them. It came in the Lamb that was sent. The only work for Adam and Eve to do that day in the garden, was to take off the old garments of prickly thorns they’d sewn on their own, and receive the covering that God offered them.
“No thank You God, we like the pain. You keep the Lambskin. I’m going my way.”
We all have a choice, to believe God, or not. To believe in His Son, to spend time in His word. To receive His great love, to walk in His Way, to accept new life and obey His truth.
God is in control. He created this world. But it’s broken and fallen. The Story is told. From beginning to end. Genesis to Revelation. The Lamb has come to ‘take away the sins of the world.’ In John 1 verse 29, it can be read in black and white,
but these words are living and even sharper than a sword. They cut to the heart, because you are loved by the Lord.
What we believe, matters. Everlasting life forever is offered to those, who take off the old and receive – new life that’s given.
Lambs skin over thorny leaves … put on Christ, and see God’s Hand take the lead.
Please let someone know that you believe in the Son. But first, even right now, talk to God in your heart, or even better, out loud and make a new start. With God, nothing is impossible. He heals. He restores.
And He has a plan for you that is better than you can know. Keep your eyes up, and in His Love may we each day grow.
Tag: God’s hand
a child's question: "Are you rich?"
“Are you rich?” is the question brought to my attention. “Yes, I am rich with a full and thankful heart!”
The child probably thinking of a nice house and vacations, yet the answer flowed quickly, “Yes! I am rich!” He turned with a start.
“Don’t you know that a thankful heart makes one rich through and through?” You become rich when you stop living for the future, and in your present moment, learn to say, “Thank you!”
“Remember today is a gift we’ve been given, and when choosing to be thankful, for every little thing, your ‘richness’ increases with each breath you take. The people around you, the flowers, the sounds – a heart full of thanks makes riches abound!”
“Don’t be deceived by the houses and cars and the outside appearance when in fact, the heart is starved! Riches are ours, today-right now, when we ‘give thanks’ for the breath we are breathing and the songs that we hear and the taste of the fruits and the smiles that are near.”
Give it a try, just for today, why not! Think on what is good and give thanks and pray. Cast those heavy cares to Your Father above. Talk to Him often, without ceasing, that is. Draw ever near and He draws closer to you. In His presence is joy, the joy of the Lord. “Are you rich?” “Yes I am!” and you’ll discover it is true that a thankful heart is riches – for me and for you!”
“I am rich because the Lord loves me. I am rich because He washed my sins away. I am rich because He gave me breath. I am rich because He’s given me a song to sing. I am rich because He is mine and I am His. I am rich because I need not fear anything!
I am rich because the Lord is my Shepherd! I am rich because He loves his lambs. I am rich because no matter what happens…I am held with love and compassion, and gentleness and care in the Hands of the Almighty! Yes, I am, Yes, I am!”
Why 'give back?' Because, I've been 'given!'
If I can write a story that inspires someone to hope again, then I have succeeded. I had no hope. I was suffering and despairing, I was low. The rug had been pulled out from under me, and my whole family of 13.
(And yes, they were all mine biologically, and no, we are not Catholic, or Jewish (!) (I would always be asked in NJ). “No we just love Jesus.” was our answer.
The thorns of this life had torn and ripped and brought great loss. Now we had bleeding hearts. And it seemed as if each of us was all alone, each with our own pain, because loss sometimes brings a void of words.
Even in the ‘trying’ to heal, I opened the Bible to page 1 and after reading the word “GOD”, all I could see was, “The earth was…an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face…”(Gen. 1:2). “Yes, that’s me…” is all I could feel.
I remember going for a long walk, all alone. I cried out to God! Yes, out loud with tears down my face – this was a desperate cry to God. Yes, I even yelled at Him! I yelled, “I will never get over this!” “I will never get over this.” And I believed my words. I believed my words!
But my words weren’t true. You see, two weeks later… (and I imagine you are thinking, “Oh, everything smoothed out and the pain and hurts were taken care of.”) Well, think again! Two weeks later it was discovered that I had a very large tumor on my right breast, 5cm x 7cm. I now had great loss AND breast cancer! Truly it seems as if God is mean and heart-less. That God is distant and just doesn’t care.
But something happened – something amazing and huge and transforming and good.
My family was injured so they were numb, but God had a plan. Do you know, (of course you don’t know. That’s why I’m telling my story, so that you WILL know…), that the neighboring community gathered together and extended rides for me to the infusion room – sometimes people I didn’t even know! Friends came and sat with me for hours while I received my poiso…I mean…chemo! People sacrificed their time…for me.
A dear sweet woman in her late 80’s who lived 5 states away sat down and wrote in a beautiful card with flowers every Tuesday, week after week with the hand written words, “In God we trust” on the envelope and the words “I am praying for you and your family daily, Love Bea” . Every Thursday week after every ‘bald and sick’ week I received mail from what seemed the very the hands of God saying, “I love you.” “I am with you.” “I will never leave you.” “I have not forsaken you.”
The swim team of the Y(MCA) that we were members of rallied together and gathered gift cards of activities and eating places so the children could focus on life and health and hope! For a large family, this is a BIG deal! The Y provided a way for the kids to ‘kick out’ their anger’ that they couldn’t even understand at the time, to ‘kick out’ their fear and uncertainty. The Y was a finger of the strong hand of God for each of my children, saying, “I’ve got a hold of you during this storm.”
Do you want to hear something HUGE? Well, women from the local church were touched and being that I was sick through the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, they decided to go shopping for the 8 children I had living at home at the time! Yes, the woman went Christmas shopping for my family! The evening they came walking in like Santa with large contractor bags, (yes, 4 of them!), filled with goodies for my kids, I felt like George in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life!’ God walked through the door saying, “I love you!” “I am with you and your family!” Each of you are special to me. I know your names, I know your shoe size. I want to bless you.”
Wonderful, well thought out dinners with amazing desserts and cookies walked their way down our sidewalk through our door being carried by busy people who chose to give their time and substance and effort for me and my family for weeks and weeks! We saw God! We saw the very hand of God! (And somehow, the kids think that dessert comes after every meal now!)
The dinners didn’t always seem appetizing to me however, because I was very sick on the chemo. So, for many weeks, one of my friends came and shared time and love and …you guessed it, her home-made chicken soup. I had hope because I could hear once again the amazing sound of God’s grace, “Toni, I know what you need. I am here for you.”
I was empty and in the face of darkness, but the “Spirit of God moved upon the …” hearts of His people. And I was healed.
I was healed of everything that hurt me. The cuts were still there from the thorns, but they healed. God’s hand reached down to touch us through the hearts, minds, hands, and feet of others.
God had a plan. He was working a work of compassion in my heart. But first, He had to allow the ‘rug to pulled out from under my feet’.
I had no hope, but now I hope to better spot the person that feels ’empty and void and filled with darkness.’ And now, I hope to ‘give back’ – be it a card, or a phone call, or prayer with someone, or a song…(you don’t have to ‘join an organization’ to do that!)
Those little things are as big as the hand of God! I know first-hand.
Why ‘give back?’ Because I’ve been ‘given!’