Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I am still considering and meditating on this scripture from Luke.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36

Thinking back to the days before I was a Christian at University of Connecticut I am newly in awe of how mercy and grace flow from God because HE is merciful and kind and compassionate and loving and is based on nothing within myself.

Let me give you an example from my life.

My husband and I were at University of Connecticut in Storrs, Ct. I guess it was in the winter of 1976/77 and my (now) husband, Dennis, was in my dorm room. We were studying… HA! We really were!!! There was a knock at my door and I opened it and two female students identified themselves as being from Campus Crusade and asked if they could come in and speak to us about Jesus. Dennis and I were NOT Christians and we kind of gave one another one of those knowing looks that people who have been together a while have between them. We decided to go ahead and let these girls from Crusade come in and speak to us. Dennis and I had silently agreed that we would give these girls a hard time.

AND WE DID! They shared the gospel. I don’t remember their exact words but I do remember ours. We used the Lord’s name in vain and told them what they could do with “their Jesus”. I know, HORRIBLE, right? I remember those girls gently leaving my room and told us they would be praying for us. I was SO insulted!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never saw these girls on campus again, we graduated , Dennis and I got married, had children and about 12 years later God caused me to be born again and I received Christ and a couple of years later so did my husband.

In those 12 years from graduating college to receiving Christ my husband and I continued to mock Christians. We would for fun tune into the Christian TV station and make fun of the people on the shows there.

Everytime we sing this one particular song at church I am reminded of the times that Dennis and I mocked Christians and mocked JESUS! Here are the lyrics to the song:

How Deep The Father's Love For Us lyrics
Stuart Townend
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Lyrics:
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom(REPEAT)

Link to 'How Deep The Father's Love For Us'

In particular, these lines describe myself: “Behold the Man upon the cross, My sin upon His shoulders. Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers.”

I DO hear my mocking voice ringing in my ears from that day at UCONN and subsequently as we watched Christians tv and mocked them… but by God’s amazing grace I do not hear condemnation in return… I hear the gospel! I hear that Jesus died for those very sins that I am so ashamed of!!! Jesus bore the wrath of God for MY sin of mocking HIM!!!! He became that sin FOR ME! wow!!

So, now you can better understand how grateful and amazed by grace I am when I read this scripture from Luke. Jesus was kind to the ungrateful and the evil! That is ME!! By God’s grace it is easier to love my enemies and pray for them when I remember my own sin.

I have so often wished that I could go back to those girls who came to my dorm room and ask for their forgiveness. I wish I could tell them that God heard their prayers!!! That God did indeed open up my heart and Dennis’s heart to the gospel! I wish I could tell them thank you for sharing the gospel! I wish I could encourage them and let them know now how grateful I am for their ministry.

THANK YOU UCONN CAMPUS CRUSADE!!!!!!!!!!!

I once was ungrateful and evil but received mercy and kindness from my Savior Jesus!!! Now, that is worth thinking about as I enter 2009!

Joyfully in love with Jesus,

Diane

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends, brothers and sisters in Christ!
I feel a bit like a cheater this morning as I'm not going to post my own writings but that of a young man, Sean Patrick Muldowney. I've never met this young man, and although we are 30 years apart in age, we have two things in common: we are both graduates of University of Connecticut and we both are followers of Jesus Christ. I met him through Facebook and have recently been acquainted with his blog. I am posting his Christmas Blog today. I encourage you to follow this link and read more of what he has written!
Merry Christmas!!!! may you remember that Jesus is kind to the ungrateful of which I am the most ungrateful! Lord have mercy! O come let us adore Him!

Kind to the Ungrateful
Posted by sean patrick on December 25, 2008

This Christmas Eve, I sit at the computer in the upstairs office at the teen crisis shelter I work at. I supervise three teenage boys arguing and fighting while playing Madden. I couldn’t be happier.
I wasn’t much in the Christmas spirit over these last few weeks. Not many decorations up in my house. The annual family stress and drama reared its ugly head again. I’m so caught up in work and other projects that I haven’t had much time so take in the smells and bells of the season.
That’s why I’m glad to be where I am right now, at work. I’m glad I’m working Christmas Eve overnight, into a double on Christmas morning. I’m glad to be somewhere different; someplace that makes me appreciate what I have; someplace that isn’t so much caught up in the hype.
The following verse has wrecked me over the past week:
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36
At least two applications for me. The first being, my Father has always been kind towards me in all my ungratefulness. For 19 years I was aware of Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. I paid it litte mind, other than to accepting it as historical fact that Jesus died for people’s sins. I lived carelessly and ungratefully, not knowing I had a need to have a real relationship with Him, until I was confronted with the Gospel. My attitude changed once I was awakened to the fact that Christ did what He did for me. The Father sent Him for me. I was condemned for my sin. Christ bore God’s wrath that was being stored up for me. The Lord woke me up to repentance and faith, and I became grateful for more than a historical act, but for redemption applied.
Now as a follower of Christ, I am commanded to heed Jesus’ teaching here. I am to love without condition, love my enemy, and be kind to the ungrateful, as my Father is. This is especially poignant concerning where I work. I can often struggle over the fact that the kids I work with often come off as ungrateful. I mean, they could be on the streets right now. They could be in an abusive household. They could be freezing under an overpass. They could be hustling or being hustled. We provide them with so much, and sometimes they seem to be less than thankful.
Christ’s teaching here gives me no place to condemn ungratefulness. If anything, I should give thanks that my heart is being searched. I am ungrateful….for a job, a home, a family, a church, close friends, comfort, etc, etc.
Jesus never commands us to do anything that He has not lived out Himself. He was kind to me in all of my ingratitude. He was patient with me in my rebellion. He was longsuffering towards me in my religious hypocrisy. As a believer, He is kind towards me in my struggles and failures, up to and including living out this command that has caused so much self-examination.
All of this reminds me that I’m a work in progress, that I’m not a finished product. My lack of Christmas spirit compels me to set my affections on Christ. The holiday atmosphere isn’t a consolation to me. But Christ’s invasion into human history….His search and resuce mission to redeem the lost….with me specifically in mind….this brings me joy.
His gift to me this season is Himself. My gift to Him is to lay down my life, more and more, over and over. I’m reminded to show love to the ungrateful, as He has shown love to me. I become grateful for the ungrateful, knowing that I am no different apart from God’s grace, and knowing that they may become vessels of grace just as I have.
I walk among those whom Jesus was born among. The kids are more thankful than I realize. Blessed am I this Christmas Eve into the morning. Merry, to know my Savior, and to live His life among those in need. No hype.

Friday, December 19, 2008

It's been a while since I've written. Tis the season of business and all that.

As I write this my son Pat and his wife and 2 dogs are on their way here for Christmas!
This morning I have had a moment of emotional gratitude to God for this past year. Just a little over a year ago Pat returned from a 15 month tour in Iraq. Within a month of his return he was married and has spent the last year living in North Carolina and now Georgia.

God has been so kind and merciful to us. I am so grateful I cannot even express it to its fullest extent!

I just want to give God the glory and I repeat this Scripture that was on my heart the week he returned from Iraq:

Blessed be the Lord!
For He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
My heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to Him."
Psalm 28:6-7

THANK YOU LORD!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that in the business of preparing for Christmas you stop and, as cheesy as this sound, count your blessings. Count the ways God has blessed this year! The biggest blessing, of course, is that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for our sins." EVERYTHING else is gravy!!!
The blessing of salvation is enough, yet, God repeatedly blesses us! His mercy and generosity are beyong compare!

Merry Christmas!!!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Great Post by R.C. SPROUL!


Marley's Message to Scrooge
December 8, 2008 @ 7:30 AM Posted By: Tim Challies
by R.C. Sproul
"Bah! Humbug!" These two words are instantly associated with Charles Dickens' immortal fictional anti-hero, Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge was the prototype of the Grinch who stole Christmas, the paradigm of all men cynical.
We all recognize that Ebenezer Scrooge was a mean person - stingy, insensitive, selfish, and unkind. What we often miss in our understanding of his character is that he was preeminently profane. "Bah! Humbug!" was his Victorian use of profanity.
Not that any modern editor would feel the need to delete Scrooge's expletives. His language is not the standard currency of cursing. But it was profane in that Scrooge demeaned what was holy. He trampled on the sanctity of Christmas. He despised the sacred. He was cynical toward the sublime.
Christmas is a holiday, indeed the world's most joyous holiday. It is called a "holiday" because the day is holy. It is a day when businesses close, when families gather, when churches are filled, and when soldiers put down their guns for a 24-hour truce. It is a day that differs from every other day.
Every generation has its abundance of Scrooges. The church is full of them. We hear endless complaints of commercialism. We are constantly told to put Christ back into Christmas. We hear that the tradition of Santa Claus is a sacrilege. We listen to those acquainted with history murmur that Christmas isn't biblical. The Church invented Christmas to compete with the ancient Roman festival honoring the bull-god Mithras, the nay-sayers complain. Christmas? A mere capitulation to paganism.
And so we rain on Jesus' parade and assume an Olympian detachment from the joyous holiday. All this carping is but a modern dose of Scroogeism, our own sanctimonious profanation of the holy.
Sure, Christmas is a time of commerce. The department stores are decorated to the hilt, the ad pages of the newspapers swell in size, and we tick off the number of shopping days left until Christmas. Buy why all the commerce? The high degree of commerce at Christmas is driven by one thing: the buying of gifts for others. To present our friends and families with gifts is not an ugly, ignoble vice. It incarnates the amorphous "spirit of Christmas." The tradition rests ultimately on the supreme gift God has given the world. God so loved the world, the Bible says, that He gave His only begotten Son. The giving of gifts is a marvelous response to the receiving of such a gift. For one day a year at least, we taste the sweetness inherent in the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
What about putting Christ back into Christmas? It is simply not necessary. Christ has never left Christmas. "Jingle Bells" will never replace "Silent Night." Our holiday once known as Thanksgiving is rapidly becoming known simply as "Turkey Day." But Christmas is still called Christmas. It is not called "Gift Day." Christ is still in Christmas, and for one brief season the secular world broadcasts the message of Christ over every radio station and television channel in the land. Never does the church get as much free air time as during the Christmas season.
Not only music but the visual arts are present in abundance, bearing testimony to the historic significance of the birth of Jesus. Christmas displays all remind the world of the sacred Incarnation.
Doesn't Santa Claus paganize or at least trivialize Christmas? He's a myth, and his very mythology casts a shadow over the sober historical reality of Jesus. Not at all. Myths are not necessarily bad or harmful. Every society creates myths. They are a peculiar art form invented usually to convey a message that is deemed important by the people. When a myth is passed off as real history, that is fraud. But when it serves a different purpose it can be healthy and virtuous. Kris Kringle is a mythical hero, not a villain. He is pure fiction -- but a fiction used to illustrate a glorious truth.
What about the historical origins of Christmas as a substitute for a pagan festival? I can only say, good for the early Christians who had the wisdom to flee from Mithras and direct their zeal to the celebration of the birth of Christ. Who associates Christmas today with Mithras? No one calls it "Mithrasmas."
We celebrate Christmas because we cannot eradicate from our consciousness our profound awareness of the difference between the sacred and the profane. Man, in the generic sense, has an incurable propensity for marking sacred space and sacred time. When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, the ground that was previously common suddenly became uncommon. It was now holy ground - sacred space. When Jacob awoke from his midnight vision of the presence of God, he anointed with oil the rock upon which he had rested his head. It was sacred space.
When God touches earth, the place is holy. When God appears in history, the time is holy. There was never a more holy place than the city of Bethlehem, where the Word became flesh. There was never a more holy time than Christmas morning when Emmanuel was born. Christmas is a holiday. It is the holiest of holy days. We must heed the warning of Jacob Marley: "Don't be a Scrooge" at Christmas.

Friday, December 05, 2008

WHICH CAME FIRST?
1 John 4:19
"We love because He first loved us."
How's that for a simple answer? :)

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Today I am blogging about why I appreciate my pastor in response to Abraham Piper’s offer to enter our pastors into a drawing for a free registration to the Desiring God Pastor’s conference! Good luck Mark!

Why I Appreciate my Pastor


I appreciate Pastor Mark Mullery of Sovereign Grace Church in Fairfax for several reasons:

1. First and foremost I appreciate him because of his dedication in keeping the cross central to all his preaching. He always brings everything back around to the gospel and how to apply it practically in our lives.

2. I appreciate Mark’s expository preaching.

3. Mark’s incredible humility is evidence of God’s grace at work in his life and the life of our church. When my husband and I visited this church almost 5 years ago we were won over by the humility of not only Mark but the rest of the pastors as well. Mark models humility and it trickles down to the rest of the staff and into the body of believers that go there. When we first began to attend this church we were taken aback by the kindness of the people who went there. At first we attributed it to the fact that we were new. Then, I uncharitably assumed it wasn’t real. As time wore on I realized that this kindness was indeed real, it was evidence of God’s grace at work in this church and that it was modeled and taught from Mark and through the rest of the pastoral team.

4. When I tell Mark I feel so blessed to be part of this church he says, “Me too!” He loves his church!

5. He regularly and humbly honors members of the pastoral team and members of the church giving glory to God for their service.

6. I appreciate how Mark loves great books of sound doctrine, not for the sake of reading or just to accumulate knowledge but for the purpose of directing our gaze to Jesus and the cross and to Scripture

7. I appreciate Mark’s genuine emotion when he is overtaken by the love of Jesus Christ through the gospel.

8. I appreciate his humble leadership

9. I appreciate that Mark has his fellow pastors preach often.

10. I appreciate all my pastors!! Each brings to the table his own unique gifts.

Friday, November 28, 2008

grumble...grumble...grumble...grumble...grumble...

James 5:9
"Do not GRUMBLE against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door."

grumble = to murmur or mutter in discontent; complain sullenly.

Are there any grumblers out there besides me? Are you like me? If someone annoys me or I get frustrated with someone I may not grumble to their face but I will sometimes go home and grumble to my spouse or to myself! BUT! this scripture clearly warns the believer to NOT grumble ... grumbling is not only complaining or being discontent with someone, it is actually judging someone! I confess that I am a closet grumbler! Sometimes I'm not so closeted about my grumbling!!

I admit to a bit of fear striking my heart as I read this scripture. Even if I committ no other sin (which of course I have), I deserve to be judged on this one alone!!! The scripture is clear that grumbling will bring judgement.

So, what is my hope?

JESUS! He alone is my hope.

I am assured that because I have received Christ and turned to Him in faith and repentance that this sin has been covered by the blood of my Savior and has been forgiven. Jesus has clothed me in HIS righteousness and I can stand before God, not as my judge but as my Father! wow! Romans 8:1 tells us that, "therefore, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus." THIS is GOOD NEWS!

So then, do I continue to grumble because it's been covered by the blood of Jesus? NO! I do not want to trample on grace. I want to turn from this fairly consistent sin in my life but I do so with the help of GOD Himself! I am not a slave to this sin or any other sin in my life because I have been set free from slavery to sin and am now a slave to righteousness. I know that as I surrender to God in humility and repentance that He will change me. I want to serve Jesus by not grumbling and complaining.

oh LORD! I need your help! I don't want to grumble against my brothers and sisters or anyone anymore! Again, it is my tongue that shows what is in my heart. Change my heart oh Lord! I am hopeful and even sure that You are at work in me and I am grateful.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

THERE IS A REDEEMER!
by Keith Green


There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God,
Messiah, Holy One,
Jesus my Redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God,
Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit, '
Til the work on Earth is done.
When I stand in Glory,
I will see His face,
And there I'll serve my King forever,
In that Holy Place.

Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.
There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Psalm 32: 7
“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.”

Psalm 143:8
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

To whom or what do you lift up your soul to?
To fear?
To worry?
To impatience?
To approval of man?
To your children?
To self?
To your husband?
To your finances?
To your hobbies?
To your busy-ness?
To your ministries?
To self?
To food?
To exercise?
To tv?
To books?
To church?
To anger?
To self?
To perfectly clean homes?
To your job?
To health?
To your bible study?
To self?

Do you trust in fear?
In worry?
In impatience?
In the approval of man?
In your children?
In yourself?
In your husband?
In your finances?
In your hobbies?
In your busy-ness?
In your ministries?
In yourself?
In food?
In exercise?
In TV?
In books?
In church?
In anger?
In yourself?
In perfectly clean homes?
In your job?
In health?
In your bible study?
In yourself?

We might look at these and say, “of course not!” .. but do we?
All of the things I mentioned above are good things (well, except fear and worry and anger, impatience…) but are these worthy of lifting up our souls to??? What do you spend your time doing? Do you spend time worrying or when worry comes upon you do you spend your time talking to God about it? Do we trust in our bible studies? Or our pleasant circumstances?

Can you imagine the psalmist singing this:

Pleasant circumstances you are my hiding place; you preserve me from trouble, you surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Or

Approval of man you are my hiding place; you preserve me from trouble, you surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Or

Self you are my hiding place; I preserve me from trouble, I surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Or

My children you are my hiding place; my children preserve me from trouble, they surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Does your money speak of steadfast love in the morning? How about the approval of man? Or Worry? Do these things loves us steadfastly?

It seems so absurd, doesn’t it ? To insert our pet idol in the place of God in these psalms? Yet isn’t that what we are doing when we bow down to our idols? Aren’t those the things that we sometimes lift up our souls to?

May we be convicted today but not discouraged because the psalmist is praying and he says,
“LET ME HEAR OF YOUR STEADFAST LOVE…” Do you find yourself spending more time thinking about and paying attention to your idols? Ask God.. ask HIM to tell you of His steadfast love! Confess your sin.. repent of it.. ask God for help! He DELIGHTS to give it!! Don’t try and buck yourself up! Ask God for help! Beg HIM to show you HIS steadfast love and ask HIM to show you the way to go and He will do it!!!

My soul rejoices in the promises of God. His children are assured of His sanctification and making us more like Jesus. ONLY God is to be trusted ! ONLY God is our hiding place. ONLY God delivers us. ONLY GOD has steadfast love for us! Let us lift up our souls to GOD alone!

REJOICE AND BE THANKFUL!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Hebrews 13:20,21

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working is us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Thank you Lord God, for you are THE God of peace who brought my Lord Jesus from the dead!!! My Jesus, my shepherd by the blood of the eternal, never ending, eternal covenant… it is YOU who equips me with EVERYTHING good so I may do your will. YOU work in me what which is pleasing in YOUR sight through Jesus Christ! Lord, thank you that YOU do not leave me high and dry and but YOU oh GREAT GOD demand obedience from me and then in your non exhaustive mercy and kindness you equip me with EVERYTHING good so that I may do what is pleasing to you. I am amazed that you supply to me what you demand from me. Your kindness knows no bounds. Reading this scripture this morning increases my love and affection for you. Thank you for applying your word to my soul today. Amen.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

As I read this chapter in Isaiah this morning I was overwhelmed at the gospel written here. The writer tells us that God was angry and then turned His anger away that he might be comforted.
oh praise the ONE who satisified his just wrath toward sinners by sacrificing Jesus!
I rejoice this morning for God has indeed turned his anger away from me because He poured it out on Jesus instead!! And then! God comforts me!!! GOD gives to us what we need to enter in relationship with Him. He gives us what we need to be adopted into the family of God!
It is indeed with JOY that I draw from the wells of salvation!
As you read this scripture today from the Old Testament may you see how full of grace it is and sing praises unto the God of our salvation!


Isaiah 12

"You will say in that day:
I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.

Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song
and He has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon His name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that His name is exalted.

Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

Friday, November 21, 2008

Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

I love this scripture. I love the entire chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews. It serves to remind me of the faithfulness of God!
Have you ever become impatient with God as you wait for something? Have you prayed for something and it seems as though God is silent in response? When those times happen to me I want to remember this Scripture. These faithful saints died not having received the promises of God but had faith that the promises of God would be fulfilled. They understood that this world is not all there is. They understood that this world was not their home. That is so beautiful to me.

Yes, all these great saints who have gone before us had such a great faith but do you think that they drummed up this great faith on their own??? Of course not!!! Romans 12:3 tells us that God assigns faith to us. He opens our eyes to see and by His grace we believe. Mark 9:24 shows us a father who brought his son to Jesus and asked for a healing for his son crying out to God that he believes but to help his unbelief! Over and over again scripture shows us the weak faith of many of the people of God and the faithfulness of God to show Himself. God is faithful to help us in our unbelief! He delights to do so!
Is your faith weak? Do you struggle with unbelief? Confess this to God in repentance and ask Him to increase your faith! Remember it is not our weak faith that brings us peace and comfort, but it is God’s faithfulness that brings us comfort and peace in our times of waiting.

I believe Lord! Help my unbelief!!!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hebrews 9:24 “For Christ has entered not into holy places made with hands which are copies of true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”

Wow! On our behalf. Jesus has entered into heaven and is in the presence of God on our behalf!!!! Jesus stands righteous before God in my place. This gospel truth just blows me away. Other scriptures tell us that Jesus intercedes for us before the Father. Why would I EVER want to rely on myself or my works when I have JESUS in the presence of God on my behalf!? Do not let the amazing-ness of this gospel truth escape your thoughts today. Grasp it, hold on to it and if you are finding yourself less than amazed then ask God to help you be stunned at the beauty of Christ standing in the presence of God on your behalf! Let it stun you. Let it penetrate a chilled heart today. It is absolutely amazing!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

James 3:7-8 “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Ugh. Have you ever vowed that you would not say what you wanted to say to someone and then unbeknownst to your conscious mind the very words you have resisted saying come tumbling out? Yep… I had a day like that yesterday. The very thing I didn’t ever want to say to someone I said. There was not one second of gratification in it, there was instantaneous remorse. If I could have grabbed the words in the air I would have and stuffed them back into my mouth but no, instead my sinful words full of this deadly poison came out. ugh. After about 60 seconds of internal disbelief at what I just said I turned to this person I poisoned with my sinful tongue and asked for forgiveness. Of course, I was graciously forgiven… but the memory of my words definitely linger in my mind and most likely linger in the mind to whom I spoke these words.

Two things come to mind as a result of my harshly spoken words:

1. I am so grateful that Jesus died for my sins and that His blood covers these sins. I am much more aware than I was yesterday of my deep, deep need of Jesus. Apart from Christ I would die. I need the power of the gospel in my life. I need God’s amazing, powerful grace to change my heart. I can resist using my tongue for evil only so long before my sinful cravings overcome my desire to remain silent. That is why I need a heart change and I am HOPEFUL because this is what God promises! I am so grateful that God showed me my sin INSTANTLY! It assures me that the Holy Spirit is in me and I can still hear Him. Thank you Jesus!!! I am assured of God’s forgiveness and His continued sanctification!

2. I am newly aware of how I should not be hasty in judging other Christian’s words! I am sure that we all at one time or another say things we wish we didn’t say! I love this following quote by Jonathan Edwards…


“Resolved, To act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings, as others, and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.”

I hope that when I hear someone sinning with their tongue that instead of judgment and criticism that I would remember my own failings and sinfulness that comes from my mouth and seek God’s mercy for my own tongue!

Can anyone related to me today?

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Ezekiel 42:20

“He measure it on the 4 sides. It had a wall around it, 500 cubits long and 500 cubits broad, to make a separation between the holy and the common.”

I have been reading through the book of Ezekiel and honestly, it’s been difficult. In the past few chapters as the author writes about cubits and lengths and heights and all the measurements of the temple I admit to stifling many yawns. This morning I breathed a silent prayer saying that I know that EVERY word of Scripture is given to us is God breathed and useful for living. I prayed that God would help me see it. The prayer was maybe one nano second long.

And then…. BAM! I read the last part of this verse, “to make a separation between the holy and the common.” WOW! .. I read that and was reminded that God is HOLY, so perfectly HOLY that nothing can be in His presence other than righteousness and holiness… that pretty much counts EVERYONE out! the common, must be separated from the holy. And then I am reminded of the gospel. Oh, the precious, precious gospel! The good news that CHRIST DIED FOR MY SINS and NOW I can be in the presence of the HOLY because Jesus exchanged my sin for his righteousness! WOW! Jesus made a way for me to be in the presence of the holy. No more separation. Thank you Jesus.

So, in the midst of bleary eyes and yawns in what seems to be the most excruciating longest book in the bible God opened my eyes to this nugget of a scripture and replaced my bleary eyes with teary eyes and yawns with shouts of joy for there is no more separation between God and me! I am his child and He is my Father. Oh Lord, thank you.

Friday, November 07, 2008

Ephesians 4:29

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

That sure is a tall order! Oh how my desire is that the words that fall off my lips would always be encouraging and full of grace!!! It amazes me how one word of criticism can wipe out a paragraph of kind words. We tend to remember the harsh words spoken, we tend to be affected by the corrupting words that are said to us. Is that what I want people to remember about the words I speak? Of course not! And it’s not just the words we speak TO someone but this scripture applies to the words we speak ABOUT someone to include people we don’t even know!

This scripture applies to how we speak to our spouses, our children, our friends, our colleagues, our parents and the words spoken ABOUT them. It also applies to words we speak about politicians, celebrities, etc. The words we speak about someone corrupts the person who is hearing our words. Corrupt words are so damaging to the speaker, to the hearer and the ones spoken about.

When our family first started attending our church (Sovereign Grace Church in Fairfax, VA) I was taken aback by the kind words spoken by pretty much everyone we came in contact with. At first I thought that everyone was this kind with their words because we were visiting. As the kindness continued I then figured it was because we were still “new”… then I had the uncharitable thought that they didn’t really mean it!!!!!!!!!! As we continued to stay at this church and eventually became members, I realized that not only where these kind, grace filled words spoken, but they MEANT THEM! These people were sincere in what they spoke! Is everyone there perfect and without sin in their words? Of course not ! But I can say with honestly that kind and encouraging talk prevails there! Grace filled words and thoughts and actions are greatly encouraged at my church. I am so thankful God brought me there!

As I began to associate with these people and as I surrendered my mouth, tongue and heart to God in this area I found that He began to help me be kinder in the words I spoke. Trust me, I have a long way to go but God has certainly been changing my desire to really want to speak grace-filled words. When I don’t, in God’s kindness I feel his conviction almost immediately.

So, let’s pray that we continually seek God’s help in speaking grace filled words to one another and about one another.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

No matter what our circumstances this scripture is true and will always remain so.

I’m not suggesting we minimize anyone’s struggles or sufferings, but what a difference when we view our circumstances with our eyes on Jesus!!!!!!

So, no matter who is President of the USA, no matter what the economic condition of the country OR personal life… JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday, today and forever. Presidents serve 8 years at the most, money comes and goes, jobs come and go… but JESUS never changes. HIS truth remains the same. The Gospel is good news through all circumstances!

Rejoice today in the God that never changes!!!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

My reasons for writing this blog is to keep my eyes as well as the reader's eyes focused on the cross of Jesus Christ. Today, I want to congratulate President Elect Obama. I did not vote for him but I desire to be gracious in my response to the election outcome. Senator McCain was very very gracious in his concession speech last night and I believe, we as Christians, must be gracious as well. We do not have to support Obama's pro-death policies, you do not have to like his economic strategies or health care options, but we must, as Christians, respect him and pray for him. So, that I will do. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we WILL be able to be respectful and prayerful for our new president.

I have to say, that as I watched the response from the American people I was driven to tears at the historic moment this is in the history of America. Of course there was much hoopla but as I observed the tears streaming down the faces of many older people who never thought they'd live to see a black president, I wept with them. It was a beautiful moment and I felt the weight of their joy.

Following is a link to Al Mohler's blog. It is a great read and great encouragement.
http://www.albertmohler.com/

Let us remember to pray for President elect Obama, for our country and for God's mercy.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Psalm 55:5-8
“Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”

I love reading the psalms. David is as real as you and I. His life is laid out before us in the Scriptures. We read about his sins and his struggles and his fears as well as his victories. Psalm 55 expresses David’s anguish and fear! He uses some very powerful words such as “horror” and “overwhelms”… these words describe a man who is in trouble and all he wants to do is escape!

One thing David knew was that his refuge was in God. David expressed his fears and his woes and usually came around to declaring that God is the one in whom he finds refuge and safety.
I know I have felt this way at times and you may be feeling this way today!

I encourage you to turn to Jesus for HE alone is our safety and our refuge. Jesus is our way of escape! He is our way to God, Jesus is our way to escape the just wrath of God we deserve for our sins and Jesus is the one to whom we give our cares and burdens to for HE carries them for us.

I heard a song by Steve Green this morning, BE AT REST. It is so beautiful ! May these lyrics bring you back around to the cross today.

Be At Rest

Be at rest, be at rest once more
O my soul,
for the Lord has been good
Be at rest, be at rest once more
O my soul, o my soul

Be at rest once more
For the Lord has been good to you
For You, O Lord
Have delivered my soul from death
My eyes from tears
And You, O Lord
Have delivered my feet from stumbling

Words and Music by Jeremy Johnson© 2005 Van Ness Press, Inc. / ASCAP

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Psalm 90:14
“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

I love this Scripture! One of my favorites! What a beautiful way to begin a day by asking God to satisfy us with his steadfast love. The result of being satisfied with God’s steadfast love is rejoicing and being glad all our days! Amazing!

There are so many things that we attempt to be satisfied in. We try to be satisfied in our ministry, our families, our homes, our hobbies etc etc.. we attempt to be satisfied in striving for the “no hassle” life.. no trials, no suffering etc… none of those things bring true or real satisfaction, rejoicing or gladness. But knowing, reveling, understanding and receiving the steadfast love of the Lord and being satisfied (content, convinced of) in it, now THAT brings true joy!

So, a good thing to remember today is : if our circumstances were different, if our homes were in perfect condition, if our families were perfect examples of obedience.. even though all these things are blessings and gifts, but the one thing that will bring true contentment, true gladness is being satisfied with God’s steadfast love.

“Lord, I often am satisfied with far lesser things than your steadfast love. I settle for a hassle free life, or a new book, or a perfectly kept home.. I fiddle around with far less than what you are willing to give! Help me to be satisfied in your steadfast love this morning and I ask that you would help me to rejoice in this and be glad all my days in you and you alone. Amen”

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Psalm 62:8
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him, God is a REFUGE for us.”

Psalm 59:16-17
“But I will sing of Your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a FORTRESS and a REFUGE in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to You, for You O God are my FORTRESS, the God who shows me steadfast love.”

I love to look up definitions of words when I am reading Scripture. Even though I know the meanings of these words it is helpful to me to hone in on the exact meaning… so here are definitions (www.dictionary.com) of the two words that are used multiple times: Refuge and Fortress

Fortress = any place of exceptional security; stronghold

Refuge = shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc. ; to take refuge from a storm
A place of shelter, protection or safety
Anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief or escape.


These definitions help me to absorb the meaning of these scriptures for my life… according to these definitions God is our shelter or protection from danger. God is a place of safety. God is the one in which we have recourse for aid, for relief and escape. God is a place of EXCEPTIONAL security, a stronghold!

No wonder we can call on God and say, “O my STRENGTH!” God shows us his steadfast love by being that refuge and fortress and strength in times of distress. Whether the distresses are trials and adverse circumstances, or our own sin… because of the precious blood of Jesus poured out for our sins we can run to God and find that security and shelter. Surely our own strength is limited at best and sure to fail, but GOD’S strength is sure and reliable.

May you see God today as the one who protects you, gives you shelter and safety. May you run to Him for aid and relief from the trials of the day and from the guilt of sin. May you see God today as the one whose love for you is steadfast and never ending. May you find your rest in God and experience His nearness as you take time in His Word today. May HE be your strength today.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

I read a post on the Thinklings blog this morning :
http://thinklings.org/posts/jesus-asked-do-you-love-me-more-than-these

After reading that and watching the music video my heart and mind wandered to the books of Romans and Lamentations this morning…
I couldn’t decide which scripture to share with you so I shall share both! You get a “two-fer” this morning… Two “fer” the price of one!

I heard a song this morning that drew me to God in repentance… I’d like to share the lyrics with you and what I wrote in my journal…

Enough by Chris Tomlin

All of You is more than enough for ALL of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough.

Dear Lord,

I confess to you that although I sing these words it isn’t always true. When I choose to sin it proves that I do not see You as enough for me! I show that sin brings me more pleasure than You do. It shows that I treasure what I want and what I want to do as more important than You. I show that in that moment I feel that You are not more than enough for me. I seek to satisfy my thirst and needs elsewhere, instead of You.

Oh Lord, I am so sorry. It is good that You understand my weakness more than I do. You ARE all I need! Help me to live this way! You ARE enough! Help me to live this way! I thank you that the blood of Jesus covers this sin, covers ALL my sins. Thank you that in Christ there is no condemnation for the believer(Romans 8:1), even though condemnation is exactly what I deserve! Oh Lord Your mercies are new EVERY morning! Your steadfast love NEVER ceases! Great is YOUR faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:22-23) It is a good thing, Lord, that it is not MY faith that saves. It is a good thing that it is not MY works that save! It IS a good thing that it is not MY adherence to the law that saves! IT IS A GOOD THING THAT JESUS SAVES! Thank you for saving me! Thank you for showing me my sin. You so love me. Change me Lord. Make me more like you. I want you to ALWAYS be more than enough for me and may my life reflect this. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Monday, October 27, 2008

This morning I find myself thinking about the cross. If it were not for the cross I wouldn't even be having this thought process! I am in awe yet again of the kindness, mercy, grace and love of our God. Thinking about the cross and what was accomplished there makes me desire to serve the Lord with all I have... Lord, please help me walk through this day with the desire to die to self and live for you.

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross


When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood

See, from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were a present far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Words and Music by Isaac Watts

Sunday, October 26, 2008

2 Thessalonians 1:7b-10

"...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when He comes on that day to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed."

I read this scripture today and was overcome with the incredible kindness and mercy of God. If God had not loved me first, I would not have loved Him. If God had not given me faith to repent and believe the gospel, all I would have to look forward to would be the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of Lord Jesus!!! I do not even want to imagine the horror of that !!! To be away from the presence of JESUS??? For the believer this will never be so because of the love, kindness and mercy of our God. As believers we look forward to forever being in the presence of Jesus and we will MARVEL at him! THAT day will be beautiful for the believer and pure terror for the unbeliever.

Thank you Lord God for your kindness and mercy towards me. I deserve to be among those who will face eternal destruction away from the presence of Jesus, BUT, you have saved me! Lord, help me to walk in a manner worthy of this calling. Help me to do good works in response to this great salvation. You are my only hope! Apart from you I would go my own way and end up facing your just wrath. Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins. Thank you Jesus for bearing the wrath of God for my sins. Your mercy overwhelms me. I love you, Jesus.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Romans 12:16
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”


I find myself having many a “heated” political discussions lately. But it’s not what you think. I’m not arguing party platform or policy.. I’m getting frustrated with my fellow Christian brother and sisters, as many not all, seem to have a need to demonize the “other” party and their candidates.

My question is, “can’t we just disagree with the “other” party? Do we have to demonize them and drag them through the mud? Do we have to dig up dirt on them and then revel in what we found? Shouldn’t we as Christians demonstrate kindness and compassion for those who belong to the “other” party? Regardless of who gets elected, Mr. Obama or Mr. McCain as president does not bring salvation, only the gospel does. I’m not saying we shouldn’t vote or we shouldn’t be interested in politics. I love politics but I am weary with the nastiness I am seeing.. and then I am weary of my own pride as I get frustrated with my brothers and sisters.

So, my prayer must be, “oh Lord keep me humble.” From Valley of Vision, pp 88 :

“When I am tempted to think highly of myself, grant me to see the wily power of my spiritual enemy; Help me stand with wary eye on the watch-tower of faith, and to cling with determined grasp to my humble Lord; If I fall let me hide myself in my redeemer’s righteousness, and when I escape, may I ascribe all deliverance to thy grace. Keep me humble, meek, lowly.”

Oh.. notice I never said “who” the “other” party is? God has his elect in both parties. I pray that we Christians can approach the remaining 13 days and the next 4 years with humility and compassion and prayer no matter WHO is elected, remembering the sovereignty of our God in all things!

Monday, October 20, 2008

My soul was affected by the sermon my pastor delivered yesterday. We are in the midst of a series on Penal Substitution. I am so grateful that our pastoral team is doing this. It has been so good for my soul to ponder and meditate on the fact that "in MY place, condemned HE stood."

My pastor used a quote from The Gospel Primer (Milton Vincent, p 33) :

"A gruesome death like the one that Christ endured for me would only be required for one who is exceedingly sinful and unable to appease a holy God. Consequently, whenever I consider the necessity and manner of His death, along with the love and selflessness behind it, I am laid bare and utterly exposed for the sinner I am."

and Scripture:

Is 53:4-5

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrow; yet we esteemed him stricken, wmitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chatisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."

to bring together the facts of my exceeding sinfullness and guilt, Christ's great sacrifice and death and God's great love and mercy. Realizing the extent of my sin, guilt and helplessness before a holy God; realizing the extent Jesus had to go through to atone for my sin , the crushing of himself by GOD!!!, and realizing that THIS is how much I am loved by God brings sorrow, repentance AND great joy! This is absolutely amazing!

I don't think I will ever understand how amazing the love, mercy and grace of God really is!

Lord, the words of "thank you" are so inadequate to express how thankful I am. Help me Lord to live a life worthy of what you did to save me. I am in awe that not only do you crush your Son for my sins but then you help me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live a life that is pleasing to you. You provide for EVERYTHING that I need to live for you. Make me humble, Lord and keep me surrendered to you in all things. I love you Lord, help me to love you more! Amen.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Colossians 4:12
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Jesus Christ, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

SEVERAL THINGS COME TO MY MIND AS I READ THIS SCRIPTURE THIS MORNING.

1. DO I ACTUALLY “STRUGGLE” IN PRAYER ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST OR DO I ZIP THROUGH PRAYERS QUICKLY IF AT ALL FOR THEM?
OH LORD! GIVE ME SUCH A HEART OF COMPASSION FOR MY FAMILY IN CHRIST THAT I WILL SPEND TIME STRUGGLING FOR THEM IN PRAYER! HELP ME TO TAKE THE TIME TO ACTUALLY BE BEFORE YOU OFTEN AND INTENSELY FOR THEM. SHOW ME WHAT IT MEANS TO STRUGGLE IN PRAYER FOR THEM.

2. WHAT A GREAT WAY TO PRAY FOR THOSE IN OUR LIVES! THAT THEY WOULD BE “MATURE AND FULLY ASSURED IN THE WILL OF GOD.” SIMPLE AND TO THE POINT. I WOULD LOVE FOR MY FAMILY IN CHRIST TO PRAY FOR ME IN THIS WAY!!!

LORD, HELP ME TO PERSEVERE IN PRAYER. DRAW ME TO YOURSELF IN CONSTANT AND CONSISTANT PRAYER BEFORE YOUR THRONE. HELP ME LORD TO BE WITH YOU IN PRAYER MORE OFTEN THAN I AM. HELP ME TO PRAY FOR OTHERS WITH VIGOR. THANK YOU THAT I CAN TRUST YOU TO HELP ME PRAY IN A WAY THAT DRAWS ME CLOSER AND CLOSER TO YOU. I LOVE YOU LORD. AMEN.

AS I WRITE THIS I AM LISTENING TO THIS SONG:

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS by Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886


What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Psalm 103: 8
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

Why, why, why do I feel justified in my anger when someone cuts me off on the highway? or when someone is a little rude to me? or when I don't get my own way? or when someone doesn't "get" a spiritual truth as quickly as I'd like them to? UGH! I am quick to anger in all the above cases!

I, then, come across a scripture like Psalm 103:8 and my arrogant balloon deflates. The only one that has a right to be angry, the only ONE who is capable of pure and righteous anger is SLOW to anger, merciful and gracious.

I have no right to be angry or frustrated with ANYONE!

LORD, how I long to be more like JESUS! Thank you that I am not a slave to my sin of unrighteous anger and frustration any longer! I have been set free through Jesus Christ and by the help and power of the Holy Spirit i can change! I count on the promise that you are sanctifying me and will complete in me what you have begun! I am sorry for my bursts of quick anger. Change me Lord!

I am leaving for Georgia this afternoon to visit my son and his beautiful bride! I'll be writing from Ft. Benning tomorrow!!!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

In Christ:

"we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." ( Colossians 1:14)

"Grant that I may always weep to the praise of mercy found, and to tell other as long as I live, that Thou art a sin-pardoning God, taking up the blasphemer and the ungodly, and washing them from their deepest stains." (Valley of Vision pp ed. page 62)

I want to always have a deep awe and gratitude of the magnificence of this! I want to always see how merciful and gracious God has been, is , and will be to me! It is absolutely AMAZING that God would do this for us!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

I love how God will remind us of Himself even when we are doing or reading something that is not “spiritual”.

I am re-reading (for the 10th time, maybe?) perhaps my most favorite book besides the Bible, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. In the very first chapter I read this sentence:

“Why my dear you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of great fortune… and was so delighted with it (the estate) that he is to take possession before Michaelemas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.”

The footnote corresponding to this sentence said that, “it was common for servants to precede their masters in order to prepare a house for the latter’s arrival.” (annotated by David Shapard)

God IMMEDIATELY brought to my mind the following Scripture:
John 14:1-3
“Let not you’re your hearts be troubled, Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you, And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.”

I was struck by the humility of our Lord, Savior and Master Jesus Christ all over again! Here, HE is God and He is serving us! Customarily the servants go and prepare a place for the Master but instead, our Master and Lord prepares a place for us! Jesus serves us! While we were yet sinners He died for our sins. HE goes now to prepare a place for those who believe. HE will return and will take us to Himself! HE suffered so we will never suffer the wrath of God and just punishment for our sin and THEN HE goes and prepares a place for us performing the job of a servant.

Oh Lord, make me more like you. I grouse and complain about meals I have to cook . I complain about laundry and the messes in the house that never seem to end. Forgive me for my selfishness. Make me more like You, Jesus. Help me to serve others and not myself. Amen.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

2 Timothy 4:10
“For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.”

This has become one of my more frequent prayers that I and my family, my children would NOT fall in love with this present world! I pray that we would fall more and more in love with GOD. I pray that we would seek Him, thirst for Him, pant for him as a deer pants for water. I pray that we would seek to live out the Gospel daily, remembering that Jesus died for our sins. I pray for a more disciplined time in God’s Word, in living a sacrificial life. I think it would be relatively easy to fall in love with this present world if I am not fully devoted to pursuing holiness and Christ-likeness.
Yes, this has become a fervent prayer.

I gleaned this from a new book edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor. This information comes from the 1st chapter written by Jerry Bridges. The new book is STAND. I encourage you to read it!

Oh Lord, help me not to fall in love with this present world.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Ephesians 3:6
“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

I am so grateful that I am a member of God's family, a partaker of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Ephesians 2:12-13

"remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

Oh my! This scripture is encouraging my soul today! I was without hope and without God! I remember those days! I remember feeling hopeless as a young woman, always despairing that life was senseless and worthless. I remember thinking about my sin and knowing there was no way I would get to heaven based on my good works or lack thereof! But now I see that even that despair was a gift from God! He was opening my eyes to see the extent of my sin and let me see and feel the hoplessness apart from God! BUT NOW! Through Christ Jesus, I was brought near through HIS blood! I am so grateful to my God and my Savior.

This scripture reminds me of a song I love sung by Devlin Kauflin on the CD Looked Upon,
My Lord, I did not Choose You. (you can listen to it through the link). Following are the lyrics:


My Lord, I did not choose You
For that could never be
My heart would still refuse You
Had You not chosen me
You took the sin that stained me
You cleansed me, made me new
Of old You have ordained me
That I should live in You

Chorus :

Jesus, You have saved me
And taken all my sin, all my sins away
Jesus, You have called me
Before the world began, to glorify Your name
I was without hope and dead inside
But You chose to save my life


Verse 2

Unless Your grace had called me
And taught my darkened mind
The world would have enthralled me
To Your glories I’d be blind
My heart knows none above You
For Your rich grace I thirst
I know that if I love You
You must have loved me first.

Oh Lord, I am in grateful and joyful awe this morning that while I was far off you drew me near to you by Your blood. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Amen.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Psalm 66:16
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He has done for my soul.”

Just a few minutes ago, a dear sister in the Lord, texted me and asked me how my soul was today. I share with her that my soul was well for Jesus bore God’s wrath for my sin. She then responded that God’s mercies endure forever and that He has arrested her by grace. She said she had a heart of gratitude today!

By this little interchange we did what the Psalm 66:16 says to do. We told one another what God has done for our souls! The people of God, those who fear God, encourage one another when we share what God has done and is doing. What a great way to keep the gospel before us and keep our eyes on Jesus!

Be sure to share what God has done for YOUR soul with those around you!!!

Thank you to my friend who asked about the condition of my soul today!

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Galatians 6:1

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgerssion, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."

I confess that I have often confronted my dear sisters in Christ NOT in a spirit of gentleness. I would say that I have had more of a "bull in a china shop" approach in talking to someone about their sin. WHY? Pride and self righteousness. When i go to someone in frustration, anger, or exasperation what does this say about me? It says, "YOU are sinning (in this area of life) and I NEVER have and NEVER will, and if by chance I have then I, myself, got myself out of it." Now, who really thinks like that? I would venture to say many if not most of us do. We may not actually say or think those words, but our attitude would indicate that we indeed feel justified in our anger and frustration at someone else's sin. Why else would I be frustrated and exasperated?

However, if i have a true understanding of my own sinfullness, if I have a true understanding that I am capable of each and every sin , then I will not be angry or frustrated with my sister or brother in Christ. I would be gentle, compassionate, caring for their soul, fully aware that I could be tempted and fall into the very same sin. It does our soul good to remember that if not for the fact that God opened our eyes to see our own sinfulness we would still be dead in our sin, we would still be slaves to sin. BUT GOD, opens our eyes to see our depravity and our need of Jesus to save us from the just wrath of God for our sins.

I find that preaching the gospel to myself daily, and often during the day, humbly reminds me that God has been kind and gentle with me and that by His grace I, in turn, can be kind and gentle to my brother or sister caught in sin and GENTLY help them to see.

Lord, thank you for your kindness that has led me to repentance. Thank you Father that it is only through Jesus Christ that I have been reconciled to You. Thank you for your patience, steadfast love, and gentleness in how you have dealt with me. Thank you Jesus for bearing the full wrath of God for my sins and because you have done so I will never ever see the wrath of God for my sins. Oh Lord, how can this not humble me? Please forgive me for my pride. Help me to be compassionate, kind and gentle if there is a time when I need to confront a sister in sin. You have been so good to me.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

VICTORY

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

Watch this and think of the believer’s relationship with God the Father… and then ponder on this scripture:

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 15:57
It is God’s victory given to us.

And oh by the way… get a box of Kleenex before you watch the video. AND… may it cause us to bow down and worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the article behind the video: http://ironman.com/columns/ironmanlife/kevin-mackinnon-reports-on-rick-and-dick-hoyt

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Psalm 28:6-9
“Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”

I turned to this psalm this morning and in the margin of my bible was written a prayer of thanksgiving on 1 November 2007 to God for bringing my son home safely from Iraq after a 15 month tour there. As I read these verses again my heart wells up with joy and thanksgiving for God’s kindness and mercy. Yet, I have a confession to make. Once my son was back from Iraq I stopped paying attention to the war. I stopped praying regularly for our soldiers who serve so faithfully over there. I have a friend whose son is in Afghanistan and husband is in Iraq so this has reminded me to pray again for our soldiers. In yesterday’s news I heard that a 26 year old lieutenant from the city where I presently live was killed in Baghdad last week. He was my son’s age. It caused me to be so sad for this young man and his family and again so grateful to God for bringing my son home.

By God’s kindness I have been convicted of my selfish behavior. Once my son came home, I for all intent and purposes, forgot about the other soldiers there. My desire is to persevere in prayer for the soldiers who remain in harm’s way and for their families as they wait for their loved ones to come home. How have I even been able to consider NOT persevering when these people are willing to sacrifice their entire lives to serve their country?

Oh Lord, thank you for the gift of your conviction. I am so sorry for receiving what I wanted for my son and then not persevering in prayers for other’s sons and daughters. This is so prideful and selfish. Thank you for the blood of Jesus that covers my sins. You are so merciful to me. I am weak Lord and I need your help to persevere in prayer. These men and women persevere in WAR and I find it hard to remember to pray for them? Oh Lord, may you affect a change in my heart and help me to remember to pray for our soldiers. May you use their lives to advance the gospel and may peace there reign soon. Please keep them safe Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Friday, September 26, 2008

2 Corinthians 10:7
“Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.”

This scripture is an admonishment by Paul to the Corinthians as he is defending his ministry but it speaks to us in 2008 as well! Sadly, many Christians experience the “friendly fire” of other Christians, either in competing ministries or just plain competition, comparing ourselves to one another.

I remember, about 12 years ago I was in a conflict with a brother in Christ and God very kindly yet firmly showed me that this person was as much HIS as I was and I was not to treat my brother, God’s child, badly. I will never forget the day that God showed that to me. Paul did well to admonish us that we should remind ourselves that just as we are in Christ so are our brothers and sisters, and we must love them accordingly!

Oh how I love God’s Word that is as applicable today as it was then!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

1 JOHN 2:15-17
“DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD- THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH AND THE DESIRES OF THE EYES AND PRIDE IN POSSESSIONS- IS NOT FROM THE FATHER BUT IS FROM THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD IS PASSING AWAY ALONG WITH ITS DESIRES BUT WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER.”

I’ve been thinking about this Scriptures since I read yesterday’s Girl Talk blog. (http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2008/09/worldliness-res.html) I encourage you to read it. I don’t know the answer to the questions of where the line is drawn between worldliness and godliness but I do know that I want to find out. I do know that I do not want to love this present world. I do know that I want to treasure Christ above all things. I’m looking forwards to CJ Mahaney's new book on Worldliness. I know I need help in this area? Do you?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The hidden life (J. R. Miller, "The Hidden Life" 1895)

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart!" 1 Samuel 16:7

Those who are striving to live near the heart of Christ, must realize that it is the hidden life which makes the character.

What we are in the depths of our being, where no human eye can penetrate--that we are actually, as God sees us.

This inner life will ultimately work its way through to the surface--transforming the character into its own quality.

Nothing can be more important, therefore, than that the hidden life be true, pure, beautiful, and Christ-like.

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart!" 1 Samuel 16:7


I receive a small devotional from the site, gracegems.org. This one really hit me this morning so thought I’d share it with you.

As I read this I was even more aware of how much I depend on God for the sanctification of my soul. Scriptures tell me in Jeremiah 17:9 that our hearts are deceitful above all things and beyond cure, who can understand it? The bible tells us from beginning to end that GOD understands our hearts and he has the cure! JESUS!

I am encouraged this morning to rest in the promises of God that He will complete what he has begun in me, that He will sanctify me completely. I don’t even know the depths of the wickedness of my heart! I can deceive myself into thinking that it’s not that bad!!! But God knows and HE, by his grace, by the blood of Jesus took that heart of stone and softened it and made it desire and treasure Jesus! AMAZING!

Some people get panicked when they realize that God knows and understand the depths of our hearts. Believe it or not I find it comforting! I know that God knows the depth of my sin and saved me and continues to sanctify me and brings to surface remaining sin that I wouldn’t even be aware of if it were not for the kindness of God who leads me to repentance!

This motivates me to press in close to Jesus, the ONLY cure to my heart problems!

Does it motivate you?

Sunday, September 21, 2008

2 Cor 5:21
“For our sake
He made HIM
to be sin
who knew NO sin
so that in HIM
we might become
the righteousness of God.”

I am struck anew this morning by the miracle of the gospel. I am in awe of God’s incredible mercy and kindness. God demands righteousness and holiness from us BUT in his sovereign grace, God himself, gives to us what we so desperately need! Righteousness! He gives us HIS righteousness, the righteousness of Christ.

In the scripture immediately preceding this scripture, Paul writes, “we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” And then Paul proceeds to tell us how we are to be reconciled to God. He made Jesus to be sin, not just take our sin, but to BE sin .. Jesus, who knew NO sin becomes sin … and those who are in Christ become the righteousness of God! Amazing grace! If this doesn’t win our hearts, nothing can. If this miraculous truth doesn’t motivate us to share the gospel ,then what can?

Oh how beautiful Jesus is!

Thank you Jesus for being sin so that in you I become the righteousness of God. Thank you for taking your righteousness and giving it to me. Thank you for receiving the wrath of God that belongs to me, so I will NEVER have to bear the wrath of God and am instead a recipient of His mercy, love and grace. You are worthy of all honor, glory and praise!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

PROVERBS 18:13
IF ONE GIVES AN ANSWER BEFORE HE HEARS, IT IS HIS FOLLY AND SHAME.”

I love how God’s Word is so practical. I read this Scripture this morning and I so identified with it. I often speak before I hear!!! Do you know what I mean? I’ve been in conversations with people where I’m not EVEN listening to what they are saying because I’m already thinking of what I am going to say in response!!! Now, how can I know what my response should be if I’m not even listening to what the other person is saying? OR I’ve been in situations where I just blatantly interrupt people and begin to say whatever it is that I want to say!!!! And yes, I’ve embarrassed myself many a time doing this. Again, may I LISTEN more than I SPEAK!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt." (Abraham Lincoln)

Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Interesting thoughts… Lincoln’s quote seems close to scripture but actually it is quite different… in the world’s eyes, the one who is silent, the one who perhaps doesn’t express his/her opinon very often, the one who avoids quarrels and words of contention, by the world’s standards is thought a fool. BUT in God’s opinion (the only one that counts!), according to proverbs, the one who keeps silent is considered wise… even a fool is considered wise if he keeps his mouth shut!

Either quote, though, says its better to remain silent… J Mr. Lincoln says you may be thought of as a fool if you remain silent, but it is better to be thought a fool than to prove it by speaking. God says, even a fool will be thought of as wise if he remains silent.. so therefore it is wise to be silent.

One of the things that God has been teaching me for a couple of years now is to talk less and listen more. He has been teaching me that I don’t have to tell everyone everything I know or think I know! I do not have to express my opinion or make a point about everything that is being discussed in front of me. God has given me so much grace in this area! I used to be like a bull in a china shop with my words all the time! If there was a doctrine to defend, I was defending it and not humbly. If there was a political point to make, I was making it! If there was an opinion on child rearing or marriage issue I was voicing it! But by God’s grace I am keeping silent more and more.

As those who know me well know, I am NOT perfect in this area AT ALL! But hopefully I am getting better. I certainly desire to be more silent in certain areas of my life. Proverbs tells us to seek and treasure and value wisdom! If remaining silent is wise, then this is definitely an area I will continue to surrender to God. I want him to change me!!!

Is it ironic then that I write a blog??? Is it because I want to be heard? Hmmm… I hope and pray it is for the encouragement of the saints and the glory of God!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Luke 9:23
“And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

Every John Piper book I read is my favorite Piper book, :), but the one I’m reading right now is soooooo good! It is presently my favorite! Haha!

Actually, I am reading a book titled, STAND A CALL FOR THE ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS , and it is a compilation of authors edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor. In a chapter, by Piper, I was very affected by a story he told about the martyr Polycarp who died for his faith in 155 AD. I am amazed at the power of God’s grace at the time of Polycarp’s death!

Piper says, “The proconsul sent word that is should be proclaimed aloud to the crowd three times, “Polycarp hath confessed himself to be a Christian.” After the crowd found out there were no beasts available for the task, they cried out for him to be burned alive. The wood was gathered, and as they were about to nail is hands to the timber he said, “Let me be as I am. He that granted me to endure will grant me also to remain at the pyre unmoved, without being secured with nails.” The fire did not consume him, but an executioner drove a dagger into his body. “And all the multitude marveled at the great difference between the unbelievers and the elect.” When we are so satisfied in Christ that we are enabled to willingly die for Him, we are freed to love the lost as never before, and Christ is shown to be a great Treasure. (Stand, p.45)

ummmm. WOW! This man treasured Christ so deeply, securely and sincerely that he KNEW that God’s grace would keep him in the fire as he willingly died for his faith! Amazing. I’ve been thinking about this ever since I read it several days ago. Here, in America, we are not put to death for being Christians. We are not even persecuted like our brothers and sisters were in days gone by and presently are in countries like China, India, North Korea, Saudi Arabia…etc. So, all we have to do is die to self! Why is it so hard to do so? I can see how being burned at the stake would be hard, but to die to self??? Why do I get offended so easily? Why can’t I die to self? Why do I get annoyed at others so easily? Why can’t I die to self? Why is my anger so easily ignited? Could it be because I have more stake in this world than I do in Christ? Could it be that I treasure my desires and my wants more than I treasure Christ? That is easily the reason why it is so difficult to die to self.

My prayer today and for days to come is that by God’s grace I would treasure Christ more than I treasure anything in this world. That I would treasure Christ more than I treasure respect, reputation, myself… THEN by His grace, I will be able to die to self.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Mark 5:18-20
“As he (Jesus) was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”

I read this scripture this morning and was encouraged and reminded that when I am with family and friends, both Christian and non Christian, I must speak of what the LORD has done for me and how he has had mercy on me!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

In my recuperating and resting of my leg (which Dennis is forcing me to do), I have been watching a lot of movies and doing a lot of reading. Yesterday I watched a John Grisham novel made into a movie called, The Chamber. It was very good. I kept holding out for the happy ending but it didn’t come and yet, it ended the way it was supposed to.

In a nutshell, the grandson lawyer of an embittered, callous old man on death row for murdering children was trying to get a stay of execution for his grandfather. In the end, he couldn’t and the man was justly put to death for his crime. The last scenes were very graphic as the viewer watched this man’s heart finally soften towards others but was ready to face his execution by gas. I found myself repulsed and riveted to what I was watching. I found myself crying as this man was put to death, and at the same time realizing that he DESERVED to die for his crime. The scenes went back and forth between the guilty man’s execution, the crowds outside cheering for his death, and the grandson’s sorrow at failing to get a stay for his grandfather.

Then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and I wept for I was reminded that I should be punished for all my sins. I DESERVE the just punishment of how I have offended God. BUT instead!!! Jesus was executed! A guiltless man was declared guilty! A guiltless Jesus came for the sole purpose of taking my sin upon himself and be executed for them. He bore the guilty price and I was declared set free!

As I watched this man in the movie die a horrible death, I thought of my Jesus dying an even more horrible death for he took on the wrath of God upon himself so I never, ever, ever would bear that wrath. Jesus was separated from God so I wouldn’t be!!! In the movie, the crowds cheered for this guilty man to die. In reality, the crowd cheered for a GUILTLESS man to die. I’m sure I would have been one of those cheering for JESUS to die BUT while I was a sinner, Jesus died for me. What great love is this!

How kind of God to minister to me through a silly movie while I rest my bum leg. :)

Thank you JESUS!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

1 Corinthians 10:13-14
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Therefore my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

There has been many a time when I have incorrectly prayed, “oh Lord, provide a way of escape from this temptation.” The Scriptures are clear that God WILL provide a way of escape. The more accurate prayer would be, “Oh Lord, help me to TAKE the way of escape that you provide!” Praise GOD for providing a way of escape from the temptations to sin that we face. How kind, merciful and gracious of our God! AMEN?

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

1 John 4:19-21
“We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God”, and hates his brother, He is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

“When our hearts find their rest in Christ, we stop using other people to meet our needs, and instead we make ourselves servants to meet their needs.” (John Piper, Stand, p.44)

I am reading John Piper’s latest publication, Stand, A Call for the Endurance of the Saints. It is SO good!
When I read this sentence in his book, “when our hearts find their rest in Christ, we stop using others to meet our needs, and instead we make ourselves servants to meet their needs.” WOW! Can you imagine if every person who considers themselves a Christian had this outlook? This is how it MUST be, this is how it WILL be, becoming a servant and seeking to serve the needs of others rather than seeking to have our own needs met is a fruit of being at rest in Christ. It is a fruit of being a Christian! Do we do this perfectly? Of course not… we still have remaining sin but we should be fighting for this !! Fight to be at rest in Christ! Fight to see Christ as our greatest treasure rather than anything in this present world, to include our “needs.” Christ fulfills ALL we need and this frees us up to be His ministers to His church.
Pray to keep fighting against selfishness, surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit as you are being sanctified!

Monday, September 08, 2008

Psalm 68:1-3
“God shall arise, His enemies shall be scattered. And those who hate Him shall flee before Him! As smoke is driven away, so shall you drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!
BUT the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!”

Yesterday, Dennis and I attended a get together in our neighborhood to come around a woman whose father died last week. The hostess of this gathering said a prayer before she asked our neighbor to tell us a bit about her dad. The prayer went as follows: “Please receive this man Lord because he was good.” My heart was so sad as I heard what is obviously her belief… that if one is “good” they will be in the presence of God forever.

I silently prayed for my friend and my other neighbors that God would draw them to Christ in faith and repentance and into a knowledge of the truth. As Dennis and I were walking home I said to Dennis, “I am SO glad that I do not have to stand before the Lord one day based on MY goodness!” He responded with the same words. Then I read the above scripture this morning.

It is going to be a sad, sad, day when those who are not clothed in the righteousness of Christ have to stand before God and be judged. They will not be able to stand before him based on their righteousness, their goodness. BUT the righteous, will be able to be jubilant with joy before God and exult because the Christian is standing before Him based on the righteousness of Christ that has been credited to them!!!!!

I am able to be jubilant with joy before God because I have no fear. I have no fear of His judgment because I am in Christ and I am judged by Christ”s righteousness for I have NONE of my own and ALL of Christ's!

My short interaction with my neighbors yesterday and then reading this scripture this morning has done two things for me:

1. I am thankful for the mercies of God upon my life and for calling me to Him, for opening my eyes with faith to believe and repent of my sins. I am thankful that the righteousness that God demands of me was given to me by HIMSELF!

AND

2. A renewed resolve to pray for my neighbors and family and friends who do not know JESUS! I don’t want them to have to flee from GOD and perish before HIM! They will not know the gospel unless they hear the gospel!!! May God give me favor with my neighbors and develop relationships so I may share Christ with them!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.”

Lord, it is YOU that has given to me the desire to draw closer to you, to desire to endure to the end, the desire to be faithful. I find, however, that I cannot do it! But I know that by the empowering of the Holy Spirit and by the work of YOUR grace in my life, I can and I will. Because YOU have initiated my relationship with you, because you first loved me, because you chose me, YOU will complete what you began in me. Lord, I need your help. Please assist me to do those things that I am responsible for, to read your word, to preach the gospel to myself daily, to consecrate myself to you daily, to trust in your sovereignty and love… I need your help to do these things. Give me the desire to do those things which is my duty to do. Help me to thirst for you more and more and more. I commit myself to you, Lord. I commit my way to you Lord. I trust in you Lord. I need your mercy and your help and I believe you will do what you have promised. In Jesus name. Amen.

Friday, September 05, 2008

“I feel, when I have sinned, an immediate reluctance to go to Christ. I am ashamed to go. I feel as if it would do no good to go, as if it were making Christ a minister of sin, to go straight from the swine-trough to the best robe, and a thousand other excuses; but I am persuaded they are all lies, direct from hell.
John argues the opposite way: ‘If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father.’ (1 John 2:1). I am sure there is neither peace nor safety from deeper sin, but in going directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is God’s way of peace and holiness. It is folly to the world and the beclouded heart, but it is the way.”
—Robert Murray M’Cheyne, quoted by Andrew Bonar,
Robert Murray M’Cheyne (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1960), 176

Just the other day after being convicted of sin, I thought to myself, “how can I go to the Father after I so blatantly sinned? Do I even feel a godly sorrow?” I ended up going to the Lord and expressing regret at my sin but also confessed my lack of godly sorrow and even though this was the right thing to do, I still felt that niggle of guilt. As I read this quote (which I received this morning from one of my favorite blogs,( Of First Importance), I was encouraged and relieved! When we sin where else CAN we go? We HAVE to run to the Father… we have no other hope!!! Before the Father through Jesus Christ is our ONLY hope!!!!!! This is the way to peace and holiness!

There is a lot of talk in the Christian community of what spiritual warfare is. A few weeks ago my pastor reminded us that spiritual warfare is the devil casting doubt upon God’s promises and character. I was in the midst of spiritual warfare the other day when I thought that I could not go to God with this sin because I wasn’t “properly” sorrowful! What a lie!!! Where else was I to go??????

I am so encouraged and grateful to God for the timing of this quote on a blog that I read! I was refreshed and reminded of the greatness and goodness of God. I was reminded of His delight in giving grace and mercy. He knows that I am but human and I need His help. My poor heart was afraid but I was reminded that my debt was paid! ( Jesus, My Only Hope).

AMEN? AMEN!

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Proverbs 2: 1-5

IF :

1. I receive His words
2. I treasure up God’s commandments
3. I incline my heart to understanding
4. I call out for insight
5. I raise my voice for understanding
6. I seek understanding like silver
7. I search for understanding like a hidden treasure

THEN:
1. I will understand the fear of the Lord
2. I will find the knowledge of God

Can’t beat that!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

PROVERBS 3:11-12
“MY SON, DO NOT DESPISE THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE OR BE WEARY OF HIS REPROFF, FOR THE LORD REPROVES HIM WHOM HE LOVES, AS A FATHER THE SON IN WHOM HE DELIGHTS.”

As a parent, I know that because I love my children I discipline them. I do not let them go their own way. When they were young I woudn't let them run across the street, I taught them how to stop and look both ways. If they ran into the road without permission or without looking they were disciplined. As they got older they learned to cross the street but new lessons emerged. How to choose friends, how to study, how to drive carefully, how to be a responsible family member and friend, etc etc… We taught them all these things because we love them. When they disobeyed they were lovingly disciplined (sometimes not so lovingly. :( )

So it is with God and more so because God loves perfectly, God disciplines perfectly. This process of sanctification can be quite painful at times as God reveals another layer of persistent sin, or a new sin we were never aware of! But we can be sure of one thing: God reveals our sins and yes, even disciplines us because He loves us!!!!

So, when I am convicted of sin it is easier to not walk in condemnation because it is proof positive that I belong to God BECAUSE He does discipline me. The one who does not belong to God does not know the conviction of the Lord!

Thank you God that I know your discipline. Show me my sin! Help me to hear you! Help me NOT to despise your discipline! Help me to endure to the end!