This morning I read a chapter from the book, “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” edited by Nancy Guthrie.
The selection I read was by CJ Mahaney titled, “The Cup.” CJ’s writing centered on the scripture from Matthew 26:39 which reads: “And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
CJ wrote of how Jesus requested that the cup of God’s wrath (based on Is 51:17) which he was about to drink would pass by Him…yet Jesus would do the will of God and drink this cup for your sin and MINE! The result of Jesus’ obedience is that you and I who trust in Jesus through faith and repentance will NEVER KNOW THE WRATH OF GOD, but instead will drink from the cup of salvation now, forever and eternally! Amazing!
This selection that I read today deeply affected my soul and prompted the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, words could never express my gratitude. I’m pretty sure that my little heart is not even capable of knowing the amount of gratitude that your sacrifice should generate. So Lord, I ask for the grace to love you more. I ask You for the grace to obey your commands. I ask You for the grace to love and serve others more and ALL this to reflect how great and glorious YOU ARE! I cling to You and I thank you that I drink from the cup of salvation for all eternity in the presence of my God and Father all because you did as He willed and drank the cup of God’s wrath meant for me. You alone are worthy of all praise! Amen. I highly recommend this book! It does indeed draw one near to the cross.
Here is a video that takes excerpts from CJ Mahaney’s sermon on, THE CUP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGXRgA75czE
May your soul be as affected as mine was and direct your gaze to Jesus.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Prayer for President Obama by Al Mohler
Our Father, Lord of all creation, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We pray today with a sense of special urgency and responsibility. We come before you to pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and for all those in this new administration who now assume roles of such high responsibility.
We know that you and you alone are sovereign; that you rule over all, and that you alone are able to keep and defend us. We know that our times are in your hands, and that "the king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord" [Proverbs 21:1]. Our confidence is in you and in you alone. We come before you as a people who acknowledge our constant need for your provision, wisdom, and protection.
Father, we pray today for Barack Obama as he takes office as President of the United States. We pray that you will show the glory of your name in our times and in these days, confounding the wisdom of the wise, thwarting the plans of the arrogant, and vindicating those who do justice and practice righteousness.
Father, we pray with thanksgiving for the gift of government and the grace of civic order. Thank you for giving us rulers and for knowing our need for laws and and ordered life together. Thank you for this nation and the blessings we know as its citizens. Thank you for freedoms unprecedented in human history. We understand that these freedoms come with unprecedented opportunities.
Lord, we pray with thanksgiving for the joy and celebration reflected on millions of faces who never expected to look to the President of the United States and see a person who looks like themselves. Father, thank you for preserving this nation to the moment when an African-American citizen will take the oath of office and become our President. Thank you for the hope this has given to so many, the pride emerging in hearts that had known no such hope, and the pride that comes to a people who have experienced such pain at the hands of fellow citizens, simply because of the color of their skin. Father, we rejoice in every elderly face that reflects such long-sought satisfaction and in every young face that expresses such unrestrained joy. May this become an open door for a vision of race and human dignity that reflects your glory in our differences, and not our corruption of your gift.
Father, protect this president, we pray. We pray that you will surround this president and his family, along with all our leaders, with your protection and sustenance. May he be protected from evil acts and evil intentions, and may his family be protected from all evil and harm.
We pray that the Obama family will be drawn together as they move into the White House, and that they will know great joy in their family life. We are thankful for the example Barack and Michelle Obama have set as parents. Father, protect those precious girls in every way -- including the protection of their hearts as they see their father often criticized and as he is away from them on business of state. May their years in the White House bring them all even closer together.
Father, we pray for the safety and security of this nation, even as our new president settles into his role as Commander in Chief. We know that you and you alone can be our defense. We do not place our trust in horses or chariots, and we pray that you will give this president wisdom as he fulfills this vital responsibility.
Father, grant him wisdom in every dimension of his vast responsibility. Grant him wisdom to deal with a global financial crisis and with the swirling complex of vexing problems and challenges at home and abroad. May he inspire this nation to a higher vision for our common life together, to a higher standard of justice, righteousness, unity, and the tasks of citizenship.
Father, we pray that you will change this president's heart and mind on issues of urgent concern. We are so thankful for his gifts and talents, for his intellect and power of influence. Father, bend his heart to see the dignity and sanctity of every single human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Father, lead him to see abortion, not as a matter of misconstrued rights, but as a murderous violation of the right to life. May he come to see every aborted life as a violation of human dignity and every abortion as an abhorrent blight upon this nation's moral witness. May he pledge himself to protect every human life at every stage of development. He has declared himself as an energetic defender of abortion rights, and we fear that his election will lead directly to the deaths of countless unborn human beings. Protect us from this unspeakable evil, we pray. Most urgently, we pray that you will bring the reign of abortion to an end, even as you are the defender of the defenseless.
Father, may this new president see that human dignity is undermined when human embryos are destroyed in the name of medical progress, and may he see marriage as an institution that is vital to the very survival of civilization. May he protect all that is right and good. Father, change his heart where it must be changed, and give him resolve where his heart is right before you.
Father, when we face hard days ahead -- when we find ourselves required by conscience to oppose this president within the bounds of our roles as citizens -- may we be granted your guidance to do so with a proper spirit, with a proper demeanor, and with persuasive arguments. May we learn anew how to confront without demonizing, and to oppose without abandoning hope.
Father, we are aware that our future is in your hands, and we are fully aware that you and you alone will judge the nations. Much responsibility is now invested in President Barack Obama, and much will be required. May we, as Christian citizens, also fulfill what you would require of us. Even as we pray for you to protect this president and change his heart, we also pray that your church will be protected and that you will conform our hearts to your perfect will.
Father, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the ever-reigning once and future King, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He and he alone can save, and his kingdom is forever. Above all, may your great name be praised. Amen.
_________________________
Christians are, first of all, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The followers of Christ know no allegiance of ultimate rank to any government or earthly authority. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that God has given us the gifts of law, government, and ruling authorities for our good. We are instructed to pray for "rulers and all who have authority" and to be faithful in praying "so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God" [1 Timothy 2:2].
Our Father, Lord of all creation, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We pray today with a sense of special urgency and responsibility. We come before you to pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and for all those in this new administration who now assume roles of such high responsibility.
We know that you and you alone are sovereign; that you rule over all, and that you alone are able to keep and defend us. We know that our times are in your hands, and that "the king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord" [Proverbs 21:1]. Our confidence is in you and in you alone. We come before you as a people who acknowledge our constant need for your provision, wisdom, and protection.
Father, we pray today for Barack Obama as he takes office as President of the United States. We pray that you will show the glory of your name in our times and in these days, confounding the wisdom of the wise, thwarting the plans of the arrogant, and vindicating those who do justice and practice righteousness.
Father, we pray with thanksgiving for the gift of government and the grace of civic order. Thank you for giving us rulers and for knowing our need for laws and and ordered life together. Thank you for this nation and the blessings we know as its citizens. Thank you for freedoms unprecedented in human history. We understand that these freedoms come with unprecedented opportunities.
Lord, we pray with thanksgiving for the joy and celebration reflected on millions of faces who never expected to look to the President of the United States and see a person who looks like themselves. Father, thank you for preserving this nation to the moment when an African-American citizen will take the oath of office and become our President. Thank you for the hope this has given to so many, the pride emerging in hearts that had known no such hope, and the pride that comes to a people who have experienced such pain at the hands of fellow citizens, simply because of the color of their skin. Father, we rejoice in every elderly face that reflects such long-sought satisfaction and in every young face that expresses such unrestrained joy. May this become an open door for a vision of race and human dignity that reflects your glory in our differences, and not our corruption of your gift.
Father, protect this president, we pray. We pray that you will surround this president and his family, along with all our leaders, with your protection and sustenance. May he be protected from evil acts and evil intentions, and may his family be protected from all evil and harm.
We pray that the Obama family will be drawn together as they move into the White House, and that they will know great joy in their family life. We are thankful for the example Barack and Michelle Obama have set as parents. Father, protect those precious girls in every way -- including the protection of their hearts as they see their father often criticized and as he is away from them on business of state. May their years in the White House bring them all even closer together.
Father, we pray for the safety and security of this nation, even as our new president settles into his role as Commander in Chief. We know that you and you alone can be our defense. We do not place our trust in horses or chariots, and we pray that you will give this president wisdom as he fulfills this vital responsibility.
Father, grant him wisdom in every dimension of his vast responsibility. Grant him wisdom to deal with a global financial crisis and with the swirling complex of vexing problems and challenges at home and abroad. May he inspire this nation to a higher vision for our common life together, to a higher standard of justice, righteousness, unity, and the tasks of citizenship.
Father, we pray that you will change this president's heart and mind on issues of urgent concern. We are so thankful for his gifts and talents, for his intellect and power of influence. Father, bend his heart to see the dignity and sanctity of every single human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Father, lead him to see abortion, not as a matter of misconstrued rights, but as a murderous violation of the right to life. May he come to see every aborted life as a violation of human dignity and every abortion as an abhorrent blight upon this nation's moral witness. May he pledge himself to protect every human life at every stage of development. He has declared himself as an energetic defender of abortion rights, and we fear that his election will lead directly to the deaths of countless unborn human beings. Protect us from this unspeakable evil, we pray. Most urgently, we pray that you will bring the reign of abortion to an end, even as you are the defender of the defenseless.
Father, may this new president see that human dignity is undermined when human embryos are destroyed in the name of medical progress, and may he see marriage as an institution that is vital to the very survival of civilization. May he protect all that is right and good. Father, change his heart where it must be changed, and give him resolve where his heart is right before you.
Father, when we face hard days ahead -- when we find ourselves required by conscience to oppose this president within the bounds of our roles as citizens -- may we be granted your guidance to do so with a proper spirit, with a proper demeanor, and with persuasive arguments. May we learn anew how to confront without demonizing, and to oppose without abandoning hope.
Father, we are aware that our future is in your hands, and we are fully aware that you and you alone will judge the nations. Much responsibility is now invested in President Barack Obama, and much will be required. May we, as Christian citizens, also fulfill what you would require of us. Even as we pray for you to protect this president and change his heart, we also pray that your church will be protected and that you will conform our hearts to your perfect will.
Father, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the ever-reigning once and future King, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He and he alone can save, and his kingdom is forever. Above all, may your great name be praised. Amen.
_________________________
Christians are, first of all, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The followers of Christ know no allegiance of ultimate rank to any government or earthly authority. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that God has given us the gifts of law, government, and ruling authorities for our good. We are instructed to pray for "rulers and all who have authority" and to be faithful in praying "so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God" [1 Timothy 2:2].
Monday, January 19, 2009
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day in the USA. Tomorrow is the inauguration of our first African American president. The historical significance of these 2 days right next to one another should not go unnoticed! It truly brings tears to my eyes as I think where we were in this country 46 years ago regarding race relations and where we are now! God has been kind.
A young friend of mine wrote on his blog that on these two days we should set politics aside and see the goodness of God in regards to race in this country. Oh, I think we have a long way to go, but I am grateful to God for how far He has brought us.
Please read my friend's blog: http://thegatheringonline.blogspot.com/2009/01/power-of-dream.html and set politics aside today and tomorrow. Pray for our president.
Thank you God for giving MLK a dream!
A young friend of mine wrote on his blog that on these two days we should set politics aside and see the goodness of God in regards to race in this country. Oh, I think we have a long way to go, but I am grateful to God for how far He has brought us.
Please read my friend's blog: http://thegatheringonline.blogspot.com/2009/01/power-of-dream.html and set politics aside today and tomorrow. Pray for our president.
Thank you God for giving MLK a dream!
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Matthew 4:18-22
"While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is caleed Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THEIR NETS AND FOLLOWED HIM. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THE BOAT AND THEIR FATHER AND FOLLOWED HIM."
From time to time in my Christian walk I have wondered if I had been Peter or Andrew or James or John would I have left my nets, my boat, my father and followed Jesus? I was sometimes bothered by this but not enough to dwell on it.
This morning I had one of those moments where I realized that OF COURSE I would have followed Jesus, just like I did 20 years ago when Jesus called to me! I followed Him because the call of Jesus is effective!!!! I was able to drop the things of this world and follow him because the Holy Spirit caused me to be born again! He regenerated my heart! God gave TO me the faith that would allow me to leave behind my "nets" and follow Jesus! It is ALL God and nothing of me! I would have followed Jesus then, I followed Jesus 20 years ago and I continue to follow Him because He loved me first and He called me. HE gave to me the desire and the ability through faith to turn from my sins in repentance and faith and follow Him! Oh the Lord is good!
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive [quickened us] with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.
1 John 5:1
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me [i.e. believe in me] unless it is granted him by the Father.”
John 6:63-65
Faith in the living God and his Son Jesus Christ is always the result of the new birth, and can never exist except in the regenerate. Whoever has faith is a saved man.
Charles Spurgeon from the sermon “Faith and Regeneration”
If salvation is the implantation of a new, infinite life in the soul, it must be a work of God. Self-caused effects can never rise above the character or qualities of their cause. "Flesh gives birth to flesh but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit," Jesus told Nicodemus. This saving grace cannot be caused by the creature, it can only come from God.
John Hannah from To God be the Glory (pg. 34-5)
Oh Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to the understanding of these scriptures! I have read the Matthew passages so often through my lifetime and today you connected the dots for me! Thank you that it is YOU who gives to me all I need to be saved. I was dead in my sins and you brought me to life by the power of the Holy Spirit so then I could turn to Jesus with faith and repentance! Oh Lord, your kindness does indeed lead us to repentance! You are so loving, so beautiful, so kind, so merciful. I am amazed and in awe that you have indeed given us ALL we need to be saved. Left to myself I never would have "left my nets or my boat" but would have stayed there... but because YOUR call is effective, because you turned my heart towards you, I followed you. Thank you for not leaving me to myself. Thank you for calling me. Help me Lord to walk in a manner worthy of the calling. I love you Lord God!
"While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is caleed Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THEIR NETS AND FOLLOWED HIM. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THE BOAT AND THEIR FATHER AND FOLLOWED HIM."
From time to time in my Christian walk I have wondered if I had been Peter or Andrew or James or John would I have left my nets, my boat, my father and followed Jesus? I was sometimes bothered by this but not enough to dwell on it.
This morning I had one of those moments where I realized that OF COURSE I would have followed Jesus, just like I did 20 years ago when Jesus called to me! I followed Him because the call of Jesus is effective!!!! I was able to drop the things of this world and follow him because the Holy Spirit caused me to be born again! He regenerated my heart! God gave TO me the faith that would allow me to leave behind my "nets" and follow Jesus! It is ALL God and nothing of me! I would have followed Jesus then, I followed Jesus 20 years ago and I continue to follow Him because He loved me first and He called me. HE gave to me the desire and the ability through faith to turn from my sins in repentance and faith and follow Him! Oh the Lord is good!
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive [quickened us] with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.
1 John 5:1
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me [i.e. believe in me] unless it is granted him by the Father.”
John 6:63-65
Faith in the living God and his Son Jesus Christ is always the result of the new birth, and can never exist except in the regenerate. Whoever has faith is a saved man.
Charles Spurgeon from the sermon “Faith and Regeneration”
If salvation is the implantation of a new, infinite life in the soul, it must be a work of God. Self-caused effects can never rise above the character or qualities of their cause. "Flesh gives birth to flesh but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit," Jesus told Nicodemus. This saving grace cannot be caused by the creature, it can only come from God.
John Hannah from To God be the Glory (pg. 34-5)
Oh Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to the understanding of these scriptures! I have read the Matthew passages so often through my lifetime and today you connected the dots for me! Thank you that it is YOU who gives to me all I need to be saved. I was dead in my sins and you brought me to life by the power of the Holy Spirit so then I could turn to Jesus with faith and repentance! Oh Lord, your kindness does indeed lead us to repentance! You are so loving, so beautiful, so kind, so merciful. I am amazed and in awe that you have indeed given us ALL we need to be saved. Left to myself I never would have "left my nets or my boat" but would have stayed there... but because YOUR call is effective, because you turned my heart towards you, I followed you. Thank you for not leaving me to myself. Thank you for calling me. Help me Lord to walk in a manner worthy of the calling. I love you Lord God!
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