Wednesday, April 30, 2008

HE LOVED ME FIRST
1 John 4:19
“We love because He first loved us.”

I will never forget going to the memorial service of a man in my church just a few months ago and we had the privilege of seeing a video of Mark taken months, or maybe weeks before He died. Marie (his wife) asked him, “Mark, why do you love Jesus?” and Mark answered through labored speech, “I love Jesus because He first loved me.” He then proceeded to share the gospel.
It was beautiful! I would have answered that question with, “because he died for my sins” or “ because he saved me from God’s wrath.” Those statements are true, but bottom line is this, if Jesus didn’t love me first, if God HIMSELF didn’t open my eyes to see the beauty of Jesus, if God Himself didn’t put a measure of faith in my heart, I WOULD NOT HAVE LOVED JESUS! I would have gone my own way sinning and sinning until I died.

BUT

God loved me first!! He opened my eyes and let me see!!

There’s an old hymn that I love: Here is the link if you want to listen to an updated version: http://voiceofthesheep.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/my-lord-i-did-not-choose-you/


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
Cleansed me, made me new
Of old, You have ordained me
That I should live in You

My Lord I did not choose You
For that could never be
My heart would still refuse You
Had You not chosen me

Unless Your grace had called me
And taught my opening mind
The world would have enthralled me
To heavenly glories blind

My Lord I did not choose You
For that could never be
My heart would still refuse You
Had You not chosen me

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

My Lord I did not choose You
For that could never be
My heart would still refuse You
Had You not chosen me
Copyright 2003 Detuned Radio Music. Words by Josiah Conder, Music by Matthew Smith

Oh Lord God! Thank you so much for loving me and choosing me! I am in awe today of your love, grace and mercy! There is nothing in me that would cause you to love me .. it is all due to YOUR love, YOUR grace, YOUR mercy! I am humbled today by your grace. I love you Jesus. Thank you that I love You. Amen.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

RANSOMED


1 Peter 1:18-19
“…knowing that YOU WERE RANSOMED from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver and gold, but the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

Revelations 5:9
“…for you were slain, and BY YOUR BLOOD you RANSOMED PEOPLE FOR GOD from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You made them a Kingdom and priests to our God and they shall reign on the earth.”

When I read these scriptures this morning I had the picture in my head of the movie RANSOM that came out about 10 years ago starring Mel Gibson. Do you remember it? I think of the picture of him sitting at a desk surrounded by a million+ dollars and yelling into a tv camera that he is not going to give in and pay the ransom. He was calling the kidnapper’s bluff. He refused to be “had” by the kidnappers. His precious boy was being held prisoner and he decided to make a statement instead of paying whatever it took in order to reclaim his son.

Then I read these beautiful scriptures about being ransomed and I think about how Jesus WILLINGLY laid down His life and spilled his PRECIOUS BLOOD, HIS LIFE, for the elect. He ransomed us, rescued us, paid for us with not millions of dollars but with his very blood. If this ransom had not been paid, if Jesus decided to “make a statement” and not humble himself to the point of death, we would have NO HOPE! BUT… Jesus was slain and by HIS BLOOD He ransomed a people for God. WOW! It was impossible for Jesus to do anything but that which was the will of God. Jesus is so full of mercy, compassion, grace and love, obedience and humility, it was HIS joy to ransom us by His precious blood. Jesus did not look into a camera and say, “ I will not be had”.. instead he looked to the Father and sacrificed His life for us.

I cannot put my arms around the greatness of this kind of love. It’s too huge for me to comprehend. Instead, I shall rest in it and be joyful today that Jesus spent His precious blood for me… and you.

Monday, April 28, 2008




FOR GOD'S GLORY



Isaiah 43:25
“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

Psalm 25:11
“For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.”

“God forgives our sins for His own sake.” (John Piper)

Reminding myself this morning that the Gospel is not about me, but it is all about GOD and HIS great mercy, compassion, love, holiness, and sacrifice FOR HIS GLORY! It is not a man-centered gospel but a God-centered gospel and that makes me very happy and full of joy!
Does it make you joyful?

Sunday, April 27, 2008

PUT ON NEW WAYS OF LIVING

Colossians 3:12-15

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

When I read this passage this morning my first thought was, “oh, if only everyone in the body of Christ would take this scripture to heart.” And then it came to mind that I cannot do anything about anyone else’s behavior but I can do something about mine!!! I began to think on what it would be like if I lived out my every moment with every person in my life with a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with others and always forgiving and loving them!!! WOW! My life would radically change and I imagine that those around me might be affected as well!

Lord God, assist me in living this way. Help me to stop thinking about how OTHERS should be living this way but instead entrust myself to you, surrender to you and live this way myself! Lord, I need your help for I know that left to myself I would live in the opposite way! I would be critical, prideful, impatient, holding grudges against others. Lord, I do not want to live this way anymore, not one little tiny bit! I thank you that by the work of Jesus on the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit in me I am not a slave to this sinful way of behavior but instead I am a slave to living in love and meekness and patience, forgiving others! Oh God this fills my heart with joy for THIS is the life that this new creation was created to live! Thank you that I can count on your assistance for you are going to complete in me what you have begun! In Jesus name, Amen.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

A CALM AND QUIET SOUL

Psalm 131
“O Lord my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised to high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”

“It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what.” ---Joni Erickson Tada---

I saw this quote from Joni on a friend’s Facebook page and I began to think about it and how beautiful it is to trust God. It glorifies Him! I love that, Joni, who has had a very difficult journey in life sees God’s sovereignty in concealing WHY certain things come into our life are for HIS glory. How it magnifies God when we trust Him, no matter what and the fruit in our life is a calm and quiet soul.

David understood that there is peace in not trying to figure out things that are just too great and marvelous for us to know. It was enough that God is sovereign.
Yes, that is my prayer today that God would help me to always have a calm and quiet soul.

How is your soul today? Is it calm and quiet?

Friday, April 25, 2008

A WIDE PLACE FOR MY FEET

Psalm 18:35-36

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave me a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.”

I love the psalms. The psalms were written by real people like me and you under the direction of the Holy Spirt, but they are SO real in expressing the emotions, feelings and everyday living of people. This psalmist is speaking about a physical battle of war that God rescued him from, but how beautiful a picture this is of the salvation of our souls. God delivered this man from the pursuit of his enemies and He gives glory and credit to God alone for this deliverance from his enemies. God delivered me from the wrath of God and the mastery of sin, and I give credit to God and God alone! He has given to me the shield, the protection of HIS salvation.

For those who say the gospel is only seen in the New Testament they need to read the psalms for here we see that God alone gives us the shield of his salvation through the life and death of Jesus Christ. Do you see that God is gentle???? I am a sinner who deserves the full wrath of God for my sins but instead I have received salvation through Jesus Christ! He gave me the faith to believe that Jesus died for my sins, so I could turn to Him in faith and repentance! THIS is a gentle God! He has compassion on my plight and takes great measures to save me/us. This is not a “saved by the skin of my teeth” type of salvation this is a FULL and SURE salvation. He set my feet on a wide place! There is no fear of my feet slipping. God put me there and God will KEEP me there! He is a great God full of love and gentleness, kindness and mercy. God has changed my heart, made me a new creation who DESIRES to serve and obey God! He has indeed set my feet on a wide place!

God you are worthy to be praised!!! Thank you for your gentleness and love that saved me! Amen.

Thursday, April 24, 2008





This blog from Desiring God Ministries is outstanding and I just had to post it here! Oh how I need to be reminded that I am not to be wise in my own sight.




If a twelve-year-old makes A’s in school and generally makes wise choices, how would you help her apply this verse to herself?


Never be wise in your own sight. (Romans 12:16)


You might say:


It means that you gladly admit that all true wisdom is from God. It is his, and not finally ours.
It means that you recognize that any sense of superiority comes from comparing yourself only with your inferiors. But the most important person to compare yourself with is God, and he is infinitely wiser than you. Not only that, there are a lot of people in the world wiser than you.
It means that you feel humbled by the fact that you are a sinner deserving of God’s wrath, and that you are amazed at the grace that gives you eternal life. This humility and amazement swallows up a sense of pride.
It means that you do not count yourself worthy of being served, but rather “empty yourself” and become obedient and serve others, both the wise and the foolish.
It means that you are mainly not thinking about yourself at all but taken up with how admirable Jesus is and how wonderful his works are and how interesting and needy others are.


GIVE YOURSELF TO PRAYER



Psalm 109:3-5,21

“They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I GIVE MYSELF TO PRAYER.
So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love. BUT you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your names sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me.”

It is hard to hear words of hate at anytime, but particularly when they are spewed forth without cause and especially when they are from the mouth of a friend! The psalmist has the right answer, GIVE YOURSELF TO PRAYER!


It is hard to be hated, to have loved someone and be given hate in return. The “feeling” of betrayal is sharp indeed. BUT the scriptures tell us over and over again that God deals on our behalf, it’s not up to me, it's not up to you, it’s up to him. Our response should be to give ourselves to prayer and to entrust ourselves to God alone. He alone can ease the pain of the shards of sharp words that penetrate the heart and mind.


The answer is so simple. GIVE YOURSELF TO PRAYER!


Giving ourselves to prayer, immersing ourselves in Scripture is THE way to walk in the light of the gospel in trials like these.


Remind yourself that if someone has sinned against us, our response must be one of forgiveness. If they are believers, they are forgiven through Jesus Christ, just like we are, for all our sins. If they are not, they will have to face God with this sin.


Then, think on this!!! What if we had to face God with even just ONE of our many sins??? I cannot EVEN imagine what it would be like to have to face the wrath of God!!! I lived for almost 33 years without God in my life but even then I never had to face his wrath! Thinking on this should drive us to prayer on behalf of the person who has sinned against us!


Praying like this would certainly change our heart as we think about the offense:

Thank you Lord for your mercy on my life! Jesus, you endured the wrath of God the Father for sins that you didn’t even commit!!! Do I think I deserve better than you had to endure? I’m only asked to bear the wrath and slander of one friend and even still I am doing much better than I deserve! Thank you Lord for calling me to prayer, prayer to bear the heartache of hurt feelings and prayer for the one who has offended. Please be merciful to my friend, O Lord and draw my friend near to you. Amen.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

DO NOT GROW WEARY
in
DOING GOOD!


2 Thessalonians 3:13
“As for you brothers, to not grow weary in doing good.”

Sometimes it is tiring to continue doing good. We know the right thing to do, but sometimes we just grow tired. At these times it is good to look to the cross!

Jesus suffered and died and became sin for us and bore the wrath of God so we can not grow weary in doing good! When I was a slave to sin it was impossible to “stay on the right path”, to continue to “do good”. HOWEVER, in Christ, because of HIS active obedience and righteousness credited to me I can continue in doing good and not grow weary and quit. The power of the gospel is strong! As I feel spiritually weary I MUST look to the cross and ask for God’s help.

He will help.
He promises.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

SHHHHHH!









Ecclesiastes 3:1,7b

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”

Last week, for several days, I pondered on scriptures that warn us about the dangers of the tongue, and I prayed that God would guard my tongue and help me to speak only words of grace and encouragement. This week, because of a new trial in my life, I see that I must keep silent, period. Words of grace fell on deaf ears.

I prayed and wrote about this yesterday… about the temptations to defend myself, to demand justice, to accuse back!!! Yet, by God’s grace, I want to follow the example of Jesus and not revile in return, to keep silent. There are several scriptures that speak about Jesus remaining silent and NOT defending Himself.
So, with God’s help, I will remain silent. I will not defend myself. I will entrust myself to the ONE who judges justly.

The truth of the matter? The gospel is helping me so much! God has forgiven the one who accuses me the same why God has forgiven me. CHRIST DIED FOR MY SINS! It is true for me and it is true for the one who accuses me!!! I can keep silent because JESUS remained silent. I am not remaining silent in anger!!! I am remaining silent because God is showing me how to lay down my “right” to defend myself. I am learningto die to self in this trial.

I can remain silent because JESUS died for my sins and those of my accuser. WOW! Such rest and peace to be found in the gospel!

Jesus, thank you so much that by your grace I can be silent and not defend myself. I started to defend myself, Lord, and my beginning responses to this trial I did, but then you showed me ,Lord, that by your work in me I can be silent. Thank you Jesus that you yourself are my peace. May you bring YOUR peace to my friend. Amen.

Monday, April 21, 2008



SUFFERING



1 Peter 2:19-23
“For this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it you endure?
But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
When He was reviled, He did not revile in return;
When He suffered, He did not threaten, BUT continued entrusting Himself to the HIM who judges justly.”

It is so tempting when we are sinned against to defend ourselves, to strike back, to hurt like we’ve been hurt, but this is not the example given to us by Jesus.
He died for us. He bore our sins and took our punishment. He received upon Himself the wrath of God that belongs to me, not Him! Yet, Jesus did not revile in return. Jesus did not defend Himself. He did not threaten his mockers and killers.


BUT, he DID continue to entrust Himself to God who judges justly. The gospel just keeps on giving, doesn’t it? The gospel : CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS reaches way beyond the cross. The gospel is our key to daily living. We must preach it to ourselves everyday! While Jesus was suffering and dying for our sins He endured! And in this scripture it is shown to us how we too can endure suffering! Jesus, while bearing the wrath of God still trusted God.


We, who follow Jesus, get to trust God while He is showing us compassion, grace and mercy, NOT WRATH! Oh how sweet suffering is when we compare it to the suffering of Jesus. We will NEVER have to endure the worst suffering there is, bearing the sins of the elect and experiencing the full wrath of God. There is no greater suffering than this. I will NEVER see this kind of suffering.


WOW! Doesn’t this then put our sufferings into perspective? By the power of the Holy Spirit we can choose to endure. Because of the great sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf we are no longer slaves to sin.


I no longer am a slave to being offended.

I am no longer a slave to thinking I have to protect myself from life’s hurts.

I am no longer a slave to defending myself when wrongly accused.

I am no longer a slave to reviling in return or threatening those who hurt me.

I am no longer a slave to settling the score.

I am no longer a slave to being hurt and angry.


I am a slave to righteousness and because CHRIST DIED FOR MY SINS I can choose to endure in my sufferings.


Because of the gospel we are able to endure the sufferings that come our way.


The gospel continues to be good news!


It is so helpful to remember that the fellow believer who has sinned against me has been forgiven by God because JESUS DIED FOR THEIR SINS, just like he died for mine!!! WOW! Oh may I endure it when I am sinned against by not reviling, not threatening and by entrusting myself to GOD who judges justly.


It is tempting, to hurt back. It is tempting to be mad. Why do I act as though “how can this happen to me?”… it can happen to me because I am a sinner and I am living with and friends with sinners and I am not above the sufferings that Jesus himself endured and just to remind myself again, I will never endure sufferings as drastic as those endured by Jesus. Oh Jesus , I need your help! Make me more like you!!!!


And even more important, Lord, Help ME to not be the one that causes others to suffer! Help me Lord to be cautious and gentle and compassionate and full of grace and mercy as I interact with your precious children. I need your help. In Jesus name.. amen.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

AMEN


Jesus is Yea and Amen in all his offices. He was a Priest to pardon and cleanse once, he is Amen as Priest still. He was a King to rule and reign for his people, and to defend them with his mighty arm, he is an Amen King, the same still. He was a Prophet of old, to foretell good things to come, his lips are most sweet, and drop with honey still—he is an Amen Prophet. He is Amen as to the merit of his blood; he is Amen as to his righteousness. That sacred robe shall remain most fair and glorious when nature shall decay. He is Amen in every single title which he bears; your Husband, never seeking a divorce; your Friend, sticking closer than a brother; your Shepherd, with you in death’s dark vale; your Help and your Deliverer; your Castle and your High Tower; the Horn of your strength, your confidence, your joy, your all in all, and your Yea and Amen in all.
(Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, April 19)

Revelation 3:14 “The Amen”

All I have to add is AMEN!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Psalm 97:10a
O You
who love the LORD,
HATE evil!
Oh Lord, why do I dabble with sin and flirt with evil? Oh if it weren't for your grace and your steadfast love and your righteousness that I am a slave to, I would fall headlong into sin. Help me! Keep me from sin! Help me to hate what you hate and love what you love!

Friday, April 18, 2008





WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?



"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust (OR SPILLED COFFEE) can destroy and where thieves and break in and steal, BUT lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust (OR SPILLED COFFEE) destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO!" Matthew 6: 19-21


Mark's sermon on this passage motivated me to ponder on where my treasures are.


I LOVE LOVE LOVE my gadgets! I LOVE LOVE LOVE technology! Love my laptop, love my iPod, love my Blackberry, love my HD TV.. etc etc... After Sunday's sermon I thought to myself, that although I love these things I "think" i'd be okay if they were gone.


Well... God put me to the test this week. On Tuesday my Blackberry stopped sending and receiving emails. I tried to fix it to no avail, so I brought it to the local ATT store and they tried with no success. They called the Techies at Blackberry and they tried to remotely fix it.. NOPE. They determined that it was the device that was broken and could not be repaired. I pretty much spent half the day at ATT! The young girl who was helping me at ATT was very apologetic saying that she knows how important cell phones and particulary blackberries are to people. I smiled at her and said, "Ya know what? if this is the worst thing that happens to me today then I am a very blessed woman." She looked at me and said, "WOW! That is a great attitude." And then they gave me a new phone FOR FREE! We discovered it was still under warrenty. I didn't expect that. I figured I was out a blackberry and it was OK!


THEN TODAY:


As I was at the computer early this morning at my desk, my lamp fell, hit the coffee cup and SPLASH! Coffee spilled ALL over my laptop!!!!! I jumped up, turned it upside down to drain and then, a message appeared: "Hard drive has halted." ... then it faded to black. I am HORRIBLE at backing my files. So, I pretty much lost everything. Addresses, Care Group stuff, bible study lessons, a study guide I was writing, etc etc etc.. the list goes on and on.


My response? Calm and peaceful!!!! I ran upstairs to tell Dennis what happened. He came down and fiddled with it. His response? Calm and peaceful!!!!!!


I give ALL glory to God for mine and Dennis's responses! There was a day when I would have cried and been angry at myself and anyone in my way. Dennis would be been angry and seen $ signs before his eyes! NEITHER ONE OF US HAD THOSE RESPONSES!! How can this be?????


It is our dear Savior and God working in us, forming us and changing us to be like Christ! In my flesh I would not respond with such peace.... Dennis and I both looked at one another and said, "Well, the computer died, at least it wasn't one of our kids." ... God has given us a godly perspective.


I thank God and God alone that although I love my technology and gadgets, my treasure is indeed JESUS CHRIST and Him alone! It is HIS work alone in my life, changing my heart to love only HIM! May it always be so with greater increase each and every moment! Thank you Lord God for giving me a heart to love you! I love you because you first loved me!

Thursday, April 17, 2008




TAMING THE TONGUE



James 3:8-10
“…but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

My meditation on what comes out of my mouth continues. J I have pondered, so far this week, about guarding my mouth, about speaking words of grace that builds others up, and today I am reminded that it is common to man to talk out of both sides of the mouth.

I sing songs of worship! I pray! I bless the Lord! And then this same mouth speaks words of grumbling about others, judgement on others, slander and gossip about others!! Ugh!!!! James tells us that this ought not be so!!!!

The good news as found in the gospel is this: We who have repented of our sins and trust Jesus Christ for salvation are NOT slaves to sin any longer. We are NOT slaves to our tongue any longer!!! Milton Vincent’s Gospel Primer reminds me that “the righteousness that God credited to me became my master on the day I was converted!!” (page 21) I am now a slave to righteousness! Now I must surrender my tongue “to do whatever this righteousness dictates.” (Gospel Primer, page 21).

When I was first converted almost 20 years ago, I read this Scripture in James and realized that God did not want me to use foul language anymore! I remember being so shocked and moved by this scripture and from that day forward my language was cleaned up!! I KNOW it was a work of God in my life. HE cleaned up my mouth! I must surrender all my words to the Lord!

Lord God, today I surrender my tongue to you!!! I do not want to surrender to my flesh. I do not want to surrender to gossip, slander, uncharitable judgements or grumbling about others! I need your help O God! I desire to surrender to the righteousness that you have credited to me! Work in me O God and convict my heart and may the words that come forth from my mouth be pleasing and glorifying to you and edify the hearers of my words. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008



SHOUT WORDS OF GRACE!!!







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.”

I am reminded of a quote by Sinclair Ferguson that I used at the women’s retreat :

“Only be seeing our sin do we come to see the need and wonder of grace. But exposing sin is not the same thing as unveiling and applying grace. We must be familiar with the exponents of its multifaceted power, and know how to apply it (grace) to a variety of spiritual conditions. Truth to tell exposing sin is easier than applying grace; for alas, we are more intimate with the former than we sometimes are with the latter. Therein lies our weakness.”

Yesterday’s scriptures that I was pondering on reminded me to speak little.. today I am reminded that when I DO speak it must be with words that are full of grace, using words that will build others up.
It is so much easier, I'm sad to say, to tear down, to expose sin, than it is to see grace and apply grace. It IS true, I am more familiar with exposing sin than to look for evidences of grace in others. I desire for my words to SHOUT with grace!

O Lord God, help me to have eyes that see evidences of grace in others lives! Help me to be an encourager, not one who tears down. Help me to be intimate with seeing and applying grace. I need your help Lord, for I am afraid that when I do speak it is not always with grace. Help my words to be few and help those few words speak loudly of grace. Amen.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008


SPEAK NO EVIL!


Proverbs 13:3
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; He who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Every once in a while God reminds me to guard my mouth and tongue. Besides the obvious desire of guarding my words and mouth for the glory of God, the bible also includes these wonderful words of wisdom: opening your mouth, Diane, will often get you in trouble and bring ruin! I may bring ruin to myself but even worse, I may dishonor God and bring ruin to others!!!!!
How I need the constant reminder that I do not need to always tell what I am thinking, I do not need to share all I know and I do not need to express my opinion! I DO need to honor God with my words and I DO need to pursue kindness with my speech. Oh Lord, I need your help!!!!!

Monday, April 14, 2008




God's Steadfast Love



Psalm 34:10b
“…but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.”

My prayer today:

Your steadfast love surrounds me Lord because I trust in You and I trust in You because YOU have set YOUR faith into me!!!! Thank you Lord for choosing me for I know I would not have chosen You. I would have continued in my own sinful ways. I love You because You first loved me. Help me Lord always be glad in You and to love Your ways and Your word. In Jesus name, Amen.

Sunday, April 13, 2008




MAJESTY


Luke 9:42-43

While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And ALL were astonished at the majesty of God.

The Miriam Webster dictionary definition of “majesty” is: sovereign power.

Yesterday I pondered on the sovereignty and power of Jesus as he calmed the sea and the winds and they obeyed him. Today we see that unclean spirits obey Jesus. Yes, majesty is a good word, a biblical word to describe Jesus.. SOVEREIGN POWER! He is Lord over all! May I never again take for granted the sovereignty and power of my God and Savior!

Saturday, April 12, 2008


HE COMMANDS EVEN WINDS AND WATER


Luke 8:22-25

One day He got into a boat with his disciples, and He said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and ask they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.
He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled saying to one another, “who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?”

This particular scripture never ceases to make me awestruck! Can you imagine being in that boat when Jesus rebuked the wind and the waters and they obeyed Him??? I would imagine that after I picked my lower jaw up from the bottom of the boat I would be terrified!!!! Who is this that has command over the elements? I often think that I have a better perspective looking at it from 2008 because I KNOW that it is GOD HIMSELF who was in that boat with them, protecting them and showing His great power and presence over creation! How kind of God to show us in this day and age who He is and example after example of His sovereignty of ALL things! May I walk today in the knowledge that my God and Savior is God and Lord over all things. THIS indeed, increases my faith! Thank you God!!!!

Friday, April 11, 2008




“My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul!!!!!” (Horatio G. Spafford 1873)

Luke 7:37, 38,47
“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at at table int he Pharisee's house, rought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind Him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. ..Therefore I tell you, her sins which are many, are forgiven-for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Reading this scripture today I remember back in the days when I was under the teaching that we are not sinners but saints. I was taught that if I think I am a saint then I won’t sin. Ugh! The truth is, those who are saved, are indeed saints, but we are also sinners. It is a 2-sided coin. We are both! I am embarrassed to say that in those days I was taught to believe that those who considered themselves sinners were immature and uninformed, that these people took joy in beating themselves up for their sin.

OH! How I thank God for opening my eyes and showing me the depth of my sin and the extent of my depravity!!! For I found that the truth of scripture is this: Only when I realize that I am a sinner, that I sin and it is deep and extensive, do I appreciate all the more the grace and love of my God!!!!


It has served, not to make me sad and morose but joyful and grateful and has increased my affections for Jesus!!!!! I am rejoicing night and day for the amazing grace given to me by God! I am no longer a slave to sin. Sin no longer has dominion over me. BUT I do sin and my joy is this: that Jesus died for my sins and God is working in me and making me holy.

The woman in this scripture cried and wiped Jesus feet with her hair and anointed Jesus feet in repentance and gratitude for she understood her great sin and God’s great forgiveness found in Jesus. The Pharisee was appalled because he felt his sin was small and his goodness great. May I never again consider my sin small. It serves to make me prideful.

How much more effective for my soul it is to realize the depth of my sin. Thank you Lord God for dying for my sins. Thank you for opening my eyes to realize that although you count me a saint in Christ Jesus I now see the depth of my sin. The longer I walk with you the more I see my sin. Thank you for giving me this understanding. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!!!!!!

Thursday, April 10, 2008


Luke 6:27-36

But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, off the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish others to do to you, do so them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those who from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinnres, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return , and your reward will be great, and you will be son of the Most High, for hie is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.


These are Jesus's words that speak louder than anything more I can say.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008



BUT...


Titus 3:1-7

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy to all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days with malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. BUT when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

It’s one of those days where I am just reveling in the gospel. I read about what I once was… foolish? Yes. disobedient? Yes. led astray? Yes. a slave to various passions? Yes! passing my days with malice and envy being hated and hating others? YES! and once again comes my favorite word… BUT when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, HE SAVED ME!!!! Not by works but ACCORDING TO HIS OWN MERCY!

May pondering this scripture remind us today of God’s goodness and kindness and cause us to praise HIM!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008





Romans 12:10a
Outdo one another in showing honor.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Still thinking about the retreat from this weekend. As I read these scriptures I think, "Do I really try to outdo my brothers and sisters in Christ in showing honor to them!? no! and then we are told to count others as more significant than ourselves! We are blessed to be a part of a church that teaches this. I know that I've mentioned this to you before that when I first began going to my church I was suspect of peoples encouragement and kindness to me.


Eventually I realized they are putting into practice this scripture! They are showing honor to their brothers and sisters through encouragement and gratitude! By seeing this modeled to me, I began to desire to extend honor and kindness to those around me. I found I began to NOTICE the service of others where I never had before.


Jesus, himself, the ONLY perfect one humbled himself and took upon himself our sins and bore the wrath and punishment of God in our place, SO that I can, in His name, bestow honor to my brothers and sisters!

Lord God help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ by counting them more significant than myself and to show them honor with zeal!

And they'll Know we are christians by our love,

by our love.

Yes they'll know we are christians

by our love. (by Peter Schools)


Can't help but hum this tune as I think about counting others as more significant than myself!

May God be glorified and the gospel advanced as we love one another, imitating Christ.

Monday, April 07, 2008

ROCK OF AGES


Is 26:4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in Thee;
let the water and the blood,
from they wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure,
save from wrath and make me pure.

not the labor of my hands,
can fulfill Thy law’s demands.
could my zeal no respite know,
could my ears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
Thou must save and Thou alone.

nothing in my hand i bring.
simply to Thy cross i cling;
naked come to Thee for grace;
foul, i to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior or i die.

by Augustus Toplady 1776

As I was listening to my worship songs this morning and heard Rock of Ages I was reminded of the beauty of salvation and how it is a work of God and God alone! God gives us the faith to believe, so by this faith and by God’s grace we turn to him in this God-given faith with repentance.
GOD alone is the one we hide in. HE hides us from His own wrath!
Do you see the kindness of GOD????
HE saves us from his own wrath and gives us what we need to be saved! While we were yet sinners Christ died for our sins! God gives us the faith to believe and in His kindness leads us to repentance!!!!!!! And then we have access through Christ to the very one whose wrath we needed saving from!
WOW!
There is never so secure a place as in Christ! It’s all God! I sing with such joy,
“nothing in my hand I bring.
Simply to thy cross I cling;
naked come to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior or I die.”
Thank you Jesus for saving me.

Sunday, April 06, 2008



A FRAGRANT OFFERING


Eph 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

This was the theme scripture for our little retreat yesterday. It is sticking with me… I want to be an imitator of God, walking in love. I am humbled as God shows me what it means to walk in love as Christ did. That’s a tall order!!! But by HIS grace and work of the Holy Spirit He is sanctifying me and doing this in me! May I willingly surrender to God and his work in me. May it be a sweet aroma unto the Lord.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

CONSIDER THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD!



Psalm 107.43
Whoever is wise, let him attend to those things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Psalm 108:4
For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

This morning, as I prepare to be a small part in the teachings of the retreat being held today, I am STRUCK anew with the beauty of Jesus in salvation. It is WISE to consider the steadfast love of the Lord.


As I contemplate on how steadfast the love of God is I only have to remember that the Scriptures tell us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. WOW!


Enemies of God, in rebellion to the Creator, and his love is so great that He gives to us, through Jesus Christ, the righteousness that He demands of us.


and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.


Thank You For Saving Me

Thank you for saving me,

what can I say?

You are my everything, I will sing your praise.

You shed your blood for me,

what can I say?

You took my sin and shame,

a sinner called by name.


Great is the Lord,

Great is the Lord,

For we know your truth has set us free,

You've set your hope in me.


Mercy and grace are mine,

forgiven is my sin,

Jesus my only hope,

the Saviour of the world.

"Great is the Lord" we cry,

God let your kingdom come,

Your word has let me see,

thank you for saving me!

Written by Martin Smith ©1994 Curious? Music UK

Friday, April 04, 2008

TOO WONDERFUL, TOO MARVELOUS


Job 38:2
“Who is this that darkens my counsel by words without knowledge?”
In this scripture God is telling Job that Job has no idea what he is saying. That Job just doesn’t know the things about God that Job presumed to know!

Job 42:3
“…therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things to wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
In this scripture Job agrees with God. He confessed that it is true, he was talking about things too big for him to know!!

and

v.6 “…therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
In this scripture Job repents of his sin.

Psalm 131:1

“…I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.”
In this scripture the psalmist says that he doesn’t spend time thinking or trying to figure out things that are just to great for Him to know.

How wonderful and sovereign of God to have this scheduled reading for today be on the heels of me opening my mouth yesterday with a friend on the phone and uttering words about things about God that I don’t understand. Oh, I am humbled by God’s love for me as He orchestrates circumstances to reveal sin in me and then forgives me! This love of God makes me embrace repentance knowing that it is God’s kindness that leads me to repentance and repentance is a gift from God!

When she and I were discussing something that was said in her small group I spoke as though I KNEW clearly what I was talking about, but I didn’t!!
How prideful and utterly ridiculous! I see through a glass darkly!

There are some things about God that we do not fully understand! What I DO know is that before I was saved I was an enemy of God because God is pure and holy and I am a sinner. I was once not a people of God and GOD made me a people of God! Once I had not received mercy but now I have received mercy. (1Peter2:10) … All I have to know is that I am a sinner separated from God and because God chose me, gave me faith to believe, by grace I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior! THAT is what I DO know and that is all I need to talk about! J So… I gratefully stand corrected by God’s Word. I gratefully stand forgiven by God’s grace.

As the psalmist wrote, I think I will not occupy myself with things too great and marvelous for me!

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Applying the Gospel to Everyday Tasks



Ephesians 2:10
“For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

“Preaching the Gospel to myself each day not only reminds me of the love of God for me, but it also reminds me of the love of God for the works He saved me to perform. When I see the Cross, I see the premium that God places on the works that he has prepared for me. How valuable all of these works must be if Christ would die so I might perform them! And how precious are those for whom these works are done if Christ would die that they may be served.” ( A Gospel Primer, by Milton Vincent, 2008)

I am reminded today that because I am saved, because I have been created in Christ Jesus FOR good works, that have already been prepared before for me to do, I can bring my mom to and from Physical Therapy, I can care for my aging mom’s needs, I can do laundry, sweep up dog hair, , serve my husband and home, raise my children, do the dishes, cook the meals, etc etc etc because Jesus died for me so I could do these works!!!! Applying the Gospel to everyday tasks assists me in being content for I KNOW that these works were prepared for me to walk in them. They are not random tasks that I have to perform so then I can do the work of God, these tasks ARE the work of God!!!! HE prepared them for me to do!!! Oh how I love living in the good of the gospel!!!!

Wednesday, April 02, 2008




JESUS MY ONLY HOPE OF SALVATION



“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

I revisit this scripture often because I love this truth: “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.” I find this sentence jaw dropping! God has not destined us for wrath! Whose wrath? GOD’S wrath! He saved us from His own wrath!!!! This is love. This is mercy. This is AMAZING! He did this so we might live with Him! WOW! I pray that I can live in this jaw dropping realization of God’s great love and then encourage and build one another up in this!!! What could be better news? We can so easily forget that this is the best news of all and we must encourage one another in this truth!!!!


This song, for me, reflects the joy of having no fear of the wrath of God because of Jesus Christ for He is indeed My ONLY hope:



Words and music by Mark Altrogge

As recorded on Songs for the Cross Centered Life


I come into Your presence

With nothing in my hands

I only bring thanksgiving

For Jesus, God and Man

I cast myself on mercy

I cast myself on love

I trust Your gracious promise

To wash me with Your blood


I will not fear Your judgment

For me, no wrath I dread

For it was spent on Jesus

Poured out upon His head

When Satan’s accusations

Make my poor heart afraid

I hear my King declaring

“Father, that debt is paid”


Jesus my only hope,

my only plea

My righteousness,

my Great High Priest

Who intercedes for me

before the throne

Jesus, I trust in You alone


© 2002 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

HUMILITY




1 Cor 4:7

“What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

James 1:21

“In humility receive the Word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”


“Humility knows it is dependent on grace for all knowing and believing.” John Piper; DesiringGod.org; http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1126_6_aspects_of_humility/


Have you ever realized how the ex-smoker or the ex-drinker is the most passionate about NOT smoking or NOT drinking? Perhaps even more so than the life- long non smoker or life- long teetotaler? The ex smoker/drinker wants everyone to know what they now know and even though they mean well come across a little obnoxiously! (yes, I was that ex-smoker!!!)

I’m kind of in that boat right now with my fairly recent revelation of when God showed me my sin of judgementalism, critical spirit and legalism in dealing with myself and other people!. Since then I’ve been like a bull in a china shop plowing down everything and everybody in my attempt to show them where they are judgemental or legalistic !!! hahaha! Which, of course, then renders me judgemental and legalistic all over again as I get frustrated with their lack of “getting it.”

I don’t even know how I navigated to this article about humility by Desiring God ministries this morning, but I am thankful that God took me there for it reminded me that ANYTHING I know or understand about God, his Word, my sin, salvation is because it was GIVEN to me and REVEALED to me by God! I’m not that smart, insightful, or savvy to “get it” on my own. I am such a “fool” and therefore I could never see this on my own without God opening my eyes to see.

"Oh Lord, help me to walk in humility remembering that EVERYTHING I have that is good and worthy is from You. Every thought, every understanding is from YOU! Lord, help me to remember to be gentle and humble as I walk alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please show me every vestige of pride in my life that continues to rise up in me. I want to kill this sin, not just redirect how it manifests itself. I need you Lord! I need Thee every hour, no, every minute, no, EVERY SECOND! I praise you that you are for us and show us our sins for our sanctification! You are so patient and merciful and gracious to me. I love you Lord. Amen."