SEEING EASTER . . . THROUGH GOD'S EYES . . . (another writing from my Library Stacks)
It was the night before Easter. I had spent the entire day in semi-frantic preparations for the holiday. My house sparkled, clean and shiny like a new toy. A chocolate cheesecake was cooling in the fridge along with brightly-colored eggs decorated by my youngest son, Joshua.
At ten years, Joshua is a budding artist. He delights in using colors to create unique designs for the eggs. He writes the name of a family member or relative on each one.
Sometimes we talk about names. Joshua feels honored to have his special name. He knows that "Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew word, "Joshua," which means "the Lord saves."
When I dragged my weary limbs into bed that night and snuggled under the covers, I realized my mind needed redirecting. Closing my eyes, I tried to focus on Christ and His resurrection, on the joy that comes with knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Drowsiness threatened to overtake when, unexpectedly, a horrifying image flashed into my mind.
It was a picture of Joshua. His gentle, innocent face was covered with blood, rivulets of blood streaming down endlessly.
My eyes snapped open. "Lord," I silently cried out in the oppressive darkness, "take this away. I don't want a nightmare. I can't look at this. I want to think about Easter!"
Then I knew. I knew that God was showing me the true image of Easter, through His eyes. The image of His beloved Son, Jesus, whose holy and innocent face was covered with blood, rivulets of blood flowing down endlessly.
This was no brief vision to God. No nightmare. This was Reality. The God of all creation made Himself look upon the agony and torment of His Son, the One who would pay the penalty of sin for the whole world.
I know that I would not be willing to give my son to die for anybody. Yet God willingly chose to give His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me . . . and for you.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Showing posts with label sin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sin. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
KEY #P4: SLIPS AND FALLS
My youngest son, J, is quite creative. One day when he was two years old, I found him in the dining room looking under the table, behind the drapes and various other places. My curiosity aroused, I inquired if he had lost something.
"I lost my imagination," he replied.
"Oh no, you haven't!" I responded.
Another time J came up to me and asked me to guess what he had behind his back. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I gave up.
"What do you have for me?" I asked.
He stretched his empty arms out wide and with a beaming smile replied, "A big hug!" Happily, I claimed my gift.
However, I began to question my young son's understanding of integrity after an incident in our home one day.
Two-year-old J was bouncing up the stairs in his usual manner when he tripped and fell. Hearing his cries, I rushed to him and, trying not to show alarm, calmly questioned, "What happened?"
Dark brown eyes studied me cautiously as he picked himself up. "E pushed me!" he pouted, referring to his older sister . . . who happened to be at school at the time. J and I were alone in the house.
I shook my head and tried hard to quench a smile that threatened to break out at the thought of the irrational logic my son used to excuse his fall.
However, I'm afraid that my own well-thought out rationalizations of slips and falls into sin appear equally illogical to my heavenly Father.
And I'm also quite sure that when I succumb to that practice God doesn't fight a tendency to smile.
Father, help me to be honest with You, face up to my sins and accept Your forgiveness so that You can transform me into the person You want me to become.
"S", "L" and "T" so far. Any ideas for the contest? (See the box at the right)
"I lost my imagination," he replied.
"Oh no, you haven't!" I responded.
Another time J came up to me and asked me to guess what he had behind his back. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I gave up.
"What do you have for me?" I asked.
He stretched his empty arms out wide and with a beaming smile replied, "A big hug!" Happily, I claimed my gift.
However, I began to question my young son's understanding of integrity after an incident in our home one day.
Two-year-old J was bouncing up the stairs in his usual manner when he tripped and fell. Hearing his cries, I rushed to him and, trying not to show alarm, calmly questioned, "What happened?"
Dark brown eyes studied me cautiously as he picked himself up. "E pushed me!" he pouted, referring to his older sister . . . who happened to be at school at the time. J and I were alone in the house.
I shook my head and tried hard to quench a smile that threatened to break out at the thought of the irrational logic my son used to excuse his fall.
However, I'm afraid that my own well-thought out rationalizations of slips and falls into sin appear equally illogical to my heavenly Father.
And I'm also quite sure that when I succumb to that practice God doesn't fight a tendency to smile.
Father, help me to be honest with You, face up to my sins and accept Your forgiveness so that You can transform me into the person You want me to become.
"S", "L" and "T" so far. Any ideas for the contest? (See the box at the right)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
KEY #A17: ULTIMATE RELATIONSHIP
The Ultimate Relationship . . . between an individual and God. Last week we talked about Relating in Relationships. This week we are focusing on the Ultimate Relationship, between God and me . . . or God and you . . . expressed primarily through God's completed Word, the Bible, on His part and through prayer on our part.
Since prayer is so crucial in developing this relationship, how do we go about doing it? Again, this is a huge topic and unsure of how to even make a dent in the topical surface (especially since I am no expert and fall far short of my desires to excel in this area!), I am going to visit the Ultimate Relationship Room for thoughts to consider and to pass on to you. The door is nothing fancy . . . obviously not intended to intimidate . . . God wants all of His children to approach Him on a continual basis. He tells those of us who have accepted Jesus' sacrificial death and ressurrection in our behalf to "pray without ceasing." We read in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."
Once inside the door, I find myself surrounded by the most glorious stained glass windows. Overhead, I catch just the glimpse of the four enormous legs protruding from underneath a mass of heavy clouds. Somehow, I know in my spirit that they are the foundation of a Great Throne. Splendid wisps of fabulous colors wave and dance around the legs, constantly moving, leaving hazy trails that last for seconds, then disappear and are immediately replaced by more tremulous, glowing forms.
Turning my attention to the beautiful stained glass work, I ponder their significance, and am immediately confronted with the similarities to those windows and to the concept of prayer. Prayer is composed of words . . . my heart, mind and soul pouring out fears and feelings and gratitude to my heavenly Father. But prayer is so much more than words. I visualize prayers as a stained glass window . . . each separate piece a work of art in itself, yet connected to make up the whole image.
Images . . . that's it!
Here are some images I have experienced in my life, expressing what it means to pray:
Every evening, especially in winter when the darkness arrives early, I have a ritual of going to different rooms in my house, drawing the drapes in the living room (unless my husband beats me to it!), and pulling down the shades in all the bedrooms, closing the blinds in our bathroom. Having practiced this ritual for many years, to me it symbolizes the closing out of the world's business and influence on the life of my family, as we wind down our day, settling in, enjoying the security of just being a family together . . . or these days of the empty nest, just a couple. That is how I want to come to prayer, closing out all other influences . . . just resting alone with God, relishing the security of His presence.
Of course, at other times, I pray "on the run," as I do my housework and errands. So many practical prayers through the years: "God, please don't let K throw up when he gives his first speech today in school." "Put the kids to bed earlier than usual tonight at the slumber party since J needs his rest." "Please make this dessert turn out good, because I don't have the time and energy to make another one." In all our daily problems, God hears and cares and answers.
In the face of hardship and suffering . . . kneeling down at the bedside with my husband, holding hands while he leads us in prayer for a loved one, or direction we desperately need.
Saying the same words over and over to God for 25 years before I even see the beginning of an answer.
Lying in my bed, too sick to think clearly, closing my hand and imagining that Jesus is sitting by my bedside and clutching my weak hand in His strong one.
Forming portraits in my mind of specific people I want to lift up in prayer when I am too weak to form words.
Inadequately groping to form the right words for my request and then remembering the the Holy Spirit prays for me with "groanings too deep for words. . ." Romans 8:26
Trusting God when I can not only not see the end of the tunnel, but not even its entrance!
Letting the dust settle and the dishes wait until I have spent time with my Lord.
Shedding tears of confession when once again I have failed God or taken it upon myself to worry . . . again.
From God's point of view . . . sometimes when I am worshipping God with others who love Him, I wonder if maybe when God looks down on this world He created . . . now overcast with sin . . . maybe He sees our prayers and praises rise up as tiny lights penetrating the dark shroud that envelopes our world . . . to give Him joy in return for all that He has given us.
Even little children can appreciate prayer, long before they understand what it is all about. I was playing piano and singing with little c (my youngest grandson) one day last week, and in between every "Jesus song," he wanted to stop and pray. He closed his eyes, bowed his little head and folded his hands until I finished saying a short prayer. Many times, he wanted more than one prayer before we could resume singing! Yes, there is much about prayer he doesn't understand, but he realizes how special it is . . . thanks to the way his mommy and daddy are raising him!
Have you ever considered that when you are praying for another person and if that person is praying for you at exactly the same time, it is as if your spirits are joined "in hand" around the throne of God? What an awesome thought! Will you join me at God's throne soon? I need your prayers and ask God to help me be faithful to pray for you!
As we close today, I'm sure you can recall many images of your own stained glass prayer window to add to my list. We are told in Rev. 8:3-4 of "the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand." Our prayers are continually rising before God's throne. He values our prayers that much! How much do I value the invitation He extends for me to pray?
Since prayer is so crucial in developing this relationship, how do we go about doing it? Again, this is a huge topic and unsure of how to even make a dent in the topical surface (especially since I am no expert and fall far short of my desires to excel in this area!), I am going to visit the Ultimate Relationship Room for thoughts to consider and to pass on to you. The door is nothing fancy . . . obviously not intended to intimidate . . . God wants all of His children to approach Him on a continual basis. He tells those of us who have accepted Jesus' sacrificial death and ressurrection in our behalf to "pray without ceasing." We read in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."
Once inside the door, I find myself surrounded by the most glorious stained glass windows. Overhead, I catch just the glimpse of the four enormous legs protruding from underneath a mass of heavy clouds. Somehow, I know in my spirit that they are the foundation of a Great Throne. Splendid wisps of fabulous colors wave and dance around the legs, constantly moving, leaving hazy trails that last for seconds, then disappear and are immediately replaced by more tremulous, glowing forms.
Turning my attention to the beautiful stained glass work, I ponder their significance, and am immediately confronted with the similarities to those windows and to the concept of prayer. Prayer is composed of words . . . my heart, mind and soul pouring out fears and feelings and gratitude to my heavenly Father. But prayer is so much more than words. I visualize prayers as a stained glass window . . . each separate piece a work of art in itself, yet connected to make up the whole image.
Images . . . that's it!
Here are some images I have experienced in my life, expressing what it means to pray:
Every evening, especially in winter when the darkness arrives early, I have a ritual of going to different rooms in my house, drawing the drapes in the living room (unless my husband beats me to it!), and pulling down the shades in all the bedrooms, closing the blinds in our bathroom. Having practiced this ritual for many years, to me it symbolizes the closing out of the world's business and influence on the life of my family, as we wind down our day, settling in, enjoying the security of just being a family together . . . or these days of the empty nest, just a couple. That is how I want to come to prayer, closing out all other influences . . . just resting alone with God, relishing the security of His presence.
Of course, at other times, I pray "on the run," as I do my housework and errands. So many practical prayers through the years: "God, please don't let K throw up when he gives his first speech today in school." "Put the kids to bed earlier than usual tonight at the slumber party since J needs his rest." "Please make this dessert turn out good, because I don't have the time and energy to make another one." In all our daily problems, God hears and cares and answers.
In the face of hardship and suffering . . . kneeling down at the bedside with my husband, holding hands while he leads us in prayer for a loved one, or direction we desperately need.
Saying the same words over and over to God for 25 years before I even see the beginning of an answer.
Lying in my bed, too sick to think clearly, closing my hand and imagining that Jesus is sitting by my bedside and clutching my weak hand in His strong one.
Forming portraits in my mind of specific people I want to lift up in prayer when I am too weak to form words.
Inadequately groping to form the right words for my request and then remembering the the Holy Spirit prays for me with "groanings too deep for words. . ." Romans 8:26
Trusting God when I can not only not see the end of the tunnel, but not even its entrance!
Letting the dust settle and the dishes wait until I have spent time with my Lord.
Shedding tears of confession when once again I have failed God or taken it upon myself to worry . . . again.
From God's point of view . . . sometimes when I am worshipping God with others who love Him, I wonder if maybe when God looks down on this world He created . . . now overcast with sin . . . maybe He sees our prayers and praises rise up as tiny lights penetrating the dark shroud that envelopes our world . . . to give Him joy in return for all that He has given us.
Even little children can appreciate prayer, long before they understand what it is all about. I was playing piano and singing with little c (my youngest grandson) one day last week, and in between every "Jesus song," he wanted to stop and pray. He closed his eyes, bowed his little head and folded his hands until I finished saying a short prayer. Many times, he wanted more than one prayer before we could resume singing! Yes, there is much about prayer he doesn't understand, but he realizes how special it is . . . thanks to the way his mommy and daddy are raising him!
Have you ever considered that when you are praying for another person and if that person is praying for you at exactly the same time, it is as if your spirits are joined "in hand" around the throne of God? What an awesome thought! Will you join me at God's throne soon? I need your prayers and ask God to help me be faithful to pray for you!
As we close today, I'm sure you can recall many images of your own stained glass prayer window to add to my list. We are told in Rev. 8:3-4 of "the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand." Our prayers are continually rising before God's throne. He values our prayers that much! How much do I value the invitation He extends for me to pray?
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
KEY #A12: LIGHT OF LIFE
Jesus is the Light of Life. That is what Christmas is all about! The Son of God came into this world, as both God and Man, to dispel the darkness of the evil one and provide a way for all humanity to discover true freedom.
I love the phrase in the old Christmas carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, that says, "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Him tonight." Isn't that so true? The full range of emotions that all humanity has experienced or ever will experience were laid on Jesus Christ. At Christmas, we celebrate God's gift of His only precious Son who temporarily left His throne in heaven so He could feel as we feel, suffer way beyond any sorrow we experience on this earth . . . in order to share His forever Kingdom with the ones He created and loves.
As I read through the December readings in my daily Bible (which is in chronological order, by the way, and so easy to understand!), I am amazed at how often the word "light" is used. I knew my topic this week would be on light, so I've been thinking about it. You know how it is when you have a certain thing in your mind, you see it everywhere? Like when I had my first baby, I was astounded to see that babies were nearly everywhere! I hadn't paid that much attention to them before I had one of my own.
Here are some examples just from recent daily readings:
"Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world . . . " John 8:12
"for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light" from Ephesians 5:8
"for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth" Ephesians 5:9 Had you noticed that before, the phrase "fruit of the light"? I am well acquainted with the "fruit of the Spirit" but "fruit of the light?" Is this an instance where "Spirit" and "Light" are used interchangeably? The Bible says Jesus is the "Light" and we know the Holy Spirit, God the Father and Jesus are One, so it makes sense!
Another verse, "but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," 2 Timothy 1:10
"But you are . . . a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
Even from these few passages, we learn that Jesus Christ is the Light, and He gives light through the gospel. Believers are "His light" and expected to live in all goodness, righteousness and truth and to declare His praises!
It would be exciting to do a word study on "light" throughout the Bible. Hmmmmm. . . maybe later . . .
In one of my earlier blogs on Keys to Abundant Life, I talked about how each one of us travels to eternity in either the Kingdom of Darkness or the Kingdom of Light. It is Jesus Christ alone who has the power to rescue us from the dark land and transfer us to His kingdom of eternal peace and joy, through His sacrifice on the cross to pay for the sins of those who confess Him as Lord.
I did a short study of the scientific properties of light and listed them to show how Jesus Christ is a fulfillment of those aspects in the spiritual realm. This seems to be an appropriate time to share the "Light Chart":
PROPERTY OF LIGHT CHRIST AS OUR LIGHT
Causes plant growth Creates life and spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:6-7)
Enables one to see clearly Causes us to see God's truth (John 14:16-17, 26)
Produces energy (stored light) Gives us energy and strength (1 Peter 4:11)
Illuminates the darkness and
cannot be destroyed by it Has power over the darkness of evil (Ecc. 2:13)
Causes reflection so we can
see ourselves Causes us to see our true selves, our sin (Is. 6:1-5)
Can be absorbed by an object,
sharing energy and warmth We live, move and exist in Christ. (Acts 17:28)
Can cause chemical change
without changing itself Christ indwells believers, yet He does not change
and does not consume us. (Rom 8:11, Mal. 3:6,
2 Cor. 5:17)
This Christmas may each of you rejoice in the freedom God offers to belong to His Kingdom of Light, through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and honor the Name of Jesus, the true and only source of Light in a world of darkness!
I love the phrase in the old Christmas carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, that says, "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Him tonight." Isn't that so true? The full range of emotions that all humanity has experienced or ever will experience were laid on Jesus Christ. At Christmas, we celebrate God's gift of His only precious Son who temporarily left His throne in heaven so He could feel as we feel, suffer way beyond any sorrow we experience on this earth . . . in order to share His forever Kingdom with the ones He created and loves.
As I read through the December readings in my daily Bible (which is in chronological order, by the way, and so easy to understand!), I am amazed at how often the word "light" is used. I knew my topic this week would be on light, so I've been thinking about it. You know how it is when you have a certain thing in your mind, you see it everywhere? Like when I had my first baby, I was astounded to see that babies were nearly everywhere! I hadn't paid that much attention to them before I had one of my own.
Here are some examples just from recent daily readings:
"Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world . . . " John 8:12
"for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light" from Ephesians 5:8
"for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth" Ephesians 5:9 Had you noticed that before, the phrase "fruit of the light"? I am well acquainted with the "fruit of the Spirit" but "fruit of the light?" Is this an instance where "Spirit" and "Light" are used interchangeably? The Bible says Jesus is the "Light" and we know the Holy Spirit, God the Father and Jesus are One, so it makes sense!
Another verse, "but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," 2 Timothy 1:10
"But you are . . . a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
Even from these few passages, we learn that Jesus Christ is the Light, and He gives light through the gospel. Believers are "His light" and expected to live in all goodness, righteousness and truth and to declare His praises!
It would be exciting to do a word study on "light" throughout the Bible. Hmmmmm. . . maybe later . . .
In one of my earlier blogs on Keys to Abundant Life, I talked about how each one of us travels to eternity in either the Kingdom of Darkness or the Kingdom of Light. It is Jesus Christ alone who has the power to rescue us from the dark land and transfer us to His kingdom of eternal peace and joy, through His sacrifice on the cross to pay for the sins of those who confess Him as Lord.
I did a short study of the scientific properties of light and listed them to show how Jesus Christ is a fulfillment of those aspects in the spiritual realm. This seems to be an appropriate time to share the "Light Chart":
PROPERTY OF LIGHT CHRIST AS OUR LIGHT
Causes plant growth Creates life and spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:6-7)
Enables one to see clearly Causes us to see God's truth (John 14:16-17, 26)
Produces energy (stored light) Gives us energy and strength (1 Peter 4:11)
Illuminates the darkness and
cannot be destroyed by it Has power over the darkness of evil (Ecc. 2:13)
Causes reflection so we can
see ourselves Causes us to see our true selves, our sin (Is. 6:1-5)
Can be absorbed by an object,
sharing energy and warmth We live, move and exist in Christ. (Acts 17:28)
Can cause chemical change
without changing itself Christ indwells believers, yet He does not change
and does not consume us. (Rom 8:11, Mal. 3:6,
2 Cor. 5:17)
This Christmas may each of you rejoice in the freedom God offers to belong to His Kingdom of Light, through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and honor the Name of Jesus, the true and only source of Light in a world of darkness!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
KEY #A11: OPTIMAL OPTIMISM
I had a dream last night that was so amazing I have to share it with you! I am not claiming that it was a vision or any special visitation from God, but it spoke to my heart and clarified things in my mind.
I was in a modern day courtroom and some undefined person was on trial. During the session, the judge, an ordinary, yet professional-looking, man, stepped down from his bench and walked out to the middle of the room, turning to face the person on trial (who was in the witness seat) and began to sing, acapella (without music). In a powerful, perfectly tuned voice he sang the lyrics to the old hymn "Saved by the blood of the Lamb." (I didn't even realize I knew all the words to that song, but they must be buried in my subconscious!)
This is what I heard: (Maybe you know the tune; it is an old hymn)
"Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless; are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?"
The KEY to the doorway in the Land of Abundant Life that I'm using today is for OPTIMAL OPTIMISM. God's grace is what it is all about. I tend to be a perfectionist, not in regard to other people. I can accept and love others for who they are, but I am very tough on myself. As a child, I tried hard to follow the rules (still do!), in my futile attempt to do everything the right way. Which is one reason I battle frustration, when I don't live up to the imposing standards I set for myself. And unfortunately this mindset carries over at times to my spiritual life. I want to do everything right when I follow God, knowing at the same time that I am powerless to save myself, but get drawn into the false senerio that if I can somehow live the "right way" I'll please God more.
Which is utterly impossible!
I am saved only by believing, trusting in His unfathomable grace, His precious gift of His own blood spilt for me on the cross of Calvary. I know this and have staked my life on this fact for many years, but I also need to remind myself that there is nothing I can do to cause Him to love me more, or value me more.
As a parent, I recall incidents when my children were young. Sometimes they would get overtired and crabby, or even be downright disobedient (Yes, even my own wonderful children misbehaved at times. It's hard for me to believe now since they all grew up to be terrific, thoughtful adults!) But even when they were "out of sorts," my love for them didn't change one little bit. God is better at loving than I am, so why would I expect less from Him?
My dream helped to clear things up in my mind and give me a further glimpse into the loving heart of God. His love for us does not depend on anything we do or the state of our emotions. "But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
We are all on the witness chair . . . prisoners actually . . . until we receive the fabulous gift that God offers us at Christmas . . .His amazing sacrifice when He gave His only son . . . equally precious to Him as my own children and grandchildren are to me . . . (even more, because His love is perfect; mine is clouded by sin). . . . to set me free from the bondage of sin
. . . the destiny of sin: an eternal future in hell
. . . and a life of despair and futility, controlled by sin.
I hope that, if ever confronted with a situation where I could be given the opportunity to give my own life for another person, I would be willing to do so at the time. But I know for a fact that I wouldn't send in my own son as a sacrifice! And yet that is exactly what God did when He gave us His Son, Jesus, to die in our place,"to pay the debt He didn't owe because we had a debt we couldn't pay. " (author of quote unknown)
Today, I was only allowed a peek into the Door of Optial Optimism, because this room is where our future Hope resides. Our "certain Hope," held securely in the loving hands of Christ, will be fullly revealed in Time, or rather at the end of Time as we know it. I saw through the peekhole a kalidescopic of images, an assortment of visions . . . the original nativity scene,
with Mary and Joseph kneeling besides the manger that contains the body of little Lord Jesus
. . . in the background a dimmed vision of the cross containing the body of our selfless Lord Jesus
. . . and further beyond that the image of our King Jesus as the clouds part and give way to the eventual second return to this earth of our magnificent Savior when "we who are alive and remain will be caught up . . . in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Just think! We who are living today may not even experience death! Christ could return at any time to take His children home with Him. And if I do die first, I'll go to be with my Lord in heaven forever!
Now isn't that OPTIMAL OPTIMISM??? Nothing I can do will save me or make God love me more than He already does! I simply rest in the protective hand of Jesus, scarred by the nails and stained by His blood. I live my under the shelter of His wings, learning to love Him more and more as I walk with Him day by day and let the freedom He gives bring me joy and inspire me to share the good news with other prisoners along life's roadway.
Have you read the last chapter of the Book? I have! And I found out that we win! God is the victor over Satan and, as God's children, we get the privilege of sharing in the victory of our King!
I hope that today you also make sure that you are depending on the blood of Christ to set you free from sin and Satan's domination to walk hand in hand with Jesus day by day, depending on Him alone with hearts filled with thankful amazement for what He gave to make freedom possible for us.
Thank you, Abba (Daddy) Father, for rescuing me, for giving me an Abundant Life and a future filled with hope, to spend in Heaven with You and the ones I love that love You, too!
I was in a modern day courtroom and some undefined person was on trial. During the session, the judge, an ordinary, yet professional-looking, man, stepped down from his bench and walked out to the middle of the room, turning to face the person on trial (who was in the witness seat) and began to sing, acapella (without music). In a powerful, perfectly tuned voice he sang the lyrics to the old hymn "Saved by the blood of the Lamb." (I didn't even realize I knew all the words to that song, but they must be buried in my subconscious!)
This is what I heard: (Maybe you know the tune; it is an old hymn)
"Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless; are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?"
The KEY to the doorway in the Land of Abundant Life that I'm using today is for OPTIMAL OPTIMISM. God's grace is what it is all about. I tend to be a perfectionist, not in regard to other people. I can accept and love others for who they are, but I am very tough on myself. As a child, I tried hard to follow the rules (still do!), in my futile attempt to do everything the right way. Which is one reason I battle frustration, when I don't live up to the imposing standards I set for myself. And unfortunately this mindset carries over at times to my spiritual life. I want to do everything right when I follow God, knowing at the same time that I am powerless to save myself, but get drawn into the false senerio that if I can somehow live the "right way" I'll please God more.
Which is utterly impossible!
I am saved only by believing, trusting in His unfathomable grace, His precious gift of His own blood spilt for me on the cross of Calvary. I know this and have staked my life on this fact for many years, but I also need to remind myself that there is nothing I can do to cause Him to love me more, or value me more.
As a parent, I recall incidents when my children were young. Sometimes they would get overtired and crabby, or even be downright disobedient (Yes, even my own wonderful children misbehaved at times. It's hard for me to believe now since they all grew up to be terrific, thoughtful adults!) But even when they were "out of sorts," my love for them didn't change one little bit. God is better at loving than I am, so why would I expect less from Him?
My dream helped to clear things up in my mind and give me a further glimpse into the loving heart of God. His love for us does not depend on anything we do or the state of our emotions. "But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
We are all on the witness chair . . . prisoners actually . . . until we receive the fabulous gift that God offers us at Christmas . . .His amazing sacrifice when He gave His only son . . . equally precious to Him as my own children and grandchildren are to me . . . (even more, because His love is perfect; mine is clouded by sin). . . . to set me free from the bondage of sin
. . . the destiny of sin: an eternal future in hell
. . . and a life of despair and futility, controlled by sin.
I hope that, if ever confronted with a situation where I could be given the opportunity to give my own life for another person, I would be willing to do so at the time. But I know for a fact that I wouldn't send in my own son as a sacrifice! And yet that is exactly what God did when He gave us His Son, Jesus, to die in our place,"to pay the debt He didn't owe because we had a debt we couldn't pay. " (author of quote unknown)
Today, I was only allowed a peek into the Door of Optial Optimism, because this room is where our future Hope resides. Our "certain Hope," held securely in the loving hands of Christ, will be fullly revealed in Time, or rather at the end of Time as we know it. I saw through the peekhole a kalidescopic of images, an assortment of visions . . . the original nativity scene,
with Mary and Joseph kneeling besides the manger that contains the body of little Lord Jesus
. . . in the background a dimmed vision of the cross containing the body of our selfless Lord Jesus
. . . and further beyond that the image of our King Jesus as the clouds part and give way to the eventual second return to this earth of our magnificent Savior when "we who are alive and remain will be caught up . . . in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Just think! We who are living today may not even experience death! Christ could return at any time to take His children home with Him. And if I do die first, I'll go to be with my Lord in heaven forever!
Now isn't that OPTIMAL OPTIMISM??? Nothing I can do will save me or make God love me more than He already does! I simply rest in the protective hand of Jesus, scarred by the nails and stained by His blood. I live my under the shelter of His wings, learning to love Him more and more as I walk with Him day by day and let the freedom He gives bring me joy and inspire me to share the good news with other prisoners along life's roadway.
Have you read the last chapter of the Book? I have! And I found out that we win! God is the victor over Satan and, as God's children, we get the privilege of sharing in the victory of our King!
I hope that today you also make sure that you are depending on the blood of Christ to set you free from sin and Satan's domination to walk hand in hand with Jesus day by day, depending on Him alone with hearts filled with thankful amazement for what He gave to make freedom possible for us.
Thank you, Abba (Daddy) Father, for rescuing me, for giving me an Abundant Life and a future filled with hope, to spend in Heaven with You and the ones I love that love You, too!
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