JUBILANT WITH JOY!

Psalm 68:3

But the righteous shall be glad;
They shall exult before God;
They shall be jubilant with joy!

Because I have been clothed with and the righteousness of Christ had been given to me, I have no fear of judgement before God!!!

Jesus bore the full weight of the wrath of God that I deserve! THEREFORE, I have no fear of God’s wrath and judgement and THEREFORE I am FREE to be jubilant with joy before God!!!!

THANK YOU JESUS!!!

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

Psalm 66:5-12

“Come and see what God has done; He is awesome in HIS deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in Him, who rules by His might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations. Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you O God have tested us; you have tired us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we through fire and water; YET you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”

This Scripture reflects God’s awesome faithfulness! In CHRIST we are in a place of abundance! Living in gratitude today.

THE SWEETEST THING OF ALL

Psalm 65:4

“Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!”

Psalm 27:4

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

I am in a state of awe and gratitude that God chose to bring me near to dwell in His courts through Jesus Christ! How can I NOT be satisfied with the goodness of the Lord and the holiness of His temple? I am so grateful for I know it was nothing in me that caused God to draw me near to Him but it was His great mercy and love and grace that He chose me. Thank you Lord! Because of God’s great mercy in choosing us we get the privilege of inheriting God HIMSELF and gazing upon his beauty for all eternity. I can hardly wrap my mind around that! But it’s true! I want to ponder and meditate today on God’s great love and mercy.

Funny, as I was reading these scriptures today and thinking about sitting in God’s temple I was reminded of the musical Fiddler on the Roof! In one of the songs that the main character Tevya sings is, “If I were a Rich Man” and this particular stanza always made me get weepy:

If I were rich,

I'd have the time that I lack

To sit in the synagogue and pray.

And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.

And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.

That would be the sweetest thing of all.

This poor man had no time to spend in the scriptures and pray as he wanted and he thought about being a man who was so wealthy that he wouldn’t have to work so then he could spend his time learning and praying.. to Tevya this would be the best aspect of being rich.

Since God chose, by His great mercy, to draw me near to him and gaze upon His beauty and therefore I have the privilege of having access to the very Word of God then do I consider time with God in prayer and His word the SWEETEST thing of all in my life? I am reminded once again that I do not have to “wish” for my time with the Father or in the Word, I just have to TAKE the time. I am blessed to live in a time and place where I have time.

Oh Lord, you have chosen to draw me near by your great mercy, help me to not waste my time but to use my time wisely and take the time to be with you and gaze upon your beauty and your holiness. I love you Lord, help me to love you more. I love your Word Lord, help me to love it more. Thank you for your grace, your mercy and your steadfast love. May I view my time with You in prayer and the Word as the sweetest thing of all. Amen.

Earnestly seeking God?

Psalm 63:1-8

"Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So have I looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night. For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me."

This psalm was in my scheduled reading for today. I love this psalm. I come back to it often! Sometimes it reflects where I am, and sometimes it reflects where I want to be, and sometimes it reflects where I need to be. I love praying through scriptures and this is such a wonderful psalm to pray through.

I once heard a story, I'm not sure if it's actually true or not, but it is a story about a man teaching a younger man about how much we should desire God and His Word. The story goes like this: An older man who had been walking intimately with God for most of his long life took his young protege to the local river. The young man had indicated that he wanted to know how much he should yearn for God. The man took this young man to the river and suddenly took him by the back of the head and dunked his head and face into the lake. He held him there for what seemed like forever to the young man, his arms were flailing, he was trying to get the older man's hand off his head.. finally the old man released the young man and naturally the young man was gasping for each beautiful breath of fresh air that he could get. The young man said, "WHAT were you doing?" and the old man replied, "the way you gasped for each breath when I released you is the way we must gasp for the God and His Word."

thus, my prayer:

Lord, I need your help to earnestly seek you. Often my soul doesn't thirst for you. I drink from empty cisterns instead. Oh Lord, give me a thirst for you alone. Do not let me be satisfied anywhere else. Help me to behold your power and your glory! Help me lord to believe and live out that your steadfast love is better than life! Help me to bless you as long as I live! Help me to cling to you. Thank you that your right hand upholds me! I want to be fully satisfied in you alone! Thank you Lord that you are my joy and my inheritance! Thank you that you have been my help! Help me to rest in the shadow of your wings and sing for joy!

and I love love love this song:

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very Word
Spoken to me
And I, I'm desperate for You
And I, I'm lost without You

© 1995 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing





You can hear a sample here:




http://media.vmg.com/VMD9380/VMD9380-S-96kbps-15.mp3

PERFECT PEACE

Is 26:3-4

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

I am drawn to the phrase “perfect peace” today. What IS perfect peace!? For one thing, I think, only God is perfect so perfect peace or perfect anything can only be found in God, himself. This is an incredible promise!!! If my mind stays (secured in place, constant, standing firm, taking up residence, to continue in a place or condition, to stick, to remain with, to stop advancing forward) on God, if I trust Him, HE will KEEP me in perfect peace. I am realizing it is not a circumstance by circumstance deal, or a single activity.. it is a way of life to have my mind STAYED on God.. it’s an “all the time” deal, as my mind is constantly on God, not moving from that spot, this is producing trust and God will keep me in perfect peace.

How does our mind STAY on God? By reading and knowing the Scriptures!! God gave us a way to KNOW him and all about him. We must must must have a life devoted to reading the Bible!!!! I am reminded over and over again that I always find time to do what I want to do.

“Thank you Lord that through Jesus Christ alone there is nothing between You and I that can keep me from keeping my mind stayed on you. Lord, when my mind wants to move on, to move away from being stayed on you, from trusting you, I pray you bring my mind and my thoughts back to Yourself. Thank you that it’s not I who keeps myself in perfect peace but YOU oh Lord who keeps me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on you. Thank you Lord for this beautiful promise. When I am weary of reading Scripture, when my joy in your word begins to wane, I pray Lord that you will draw me back and give me a new and deeper hunger and desire for your Word, that I may grow in my knowledge of You. Amen.”

MORE COMPASSION

“Fill me with an over-flowing ocean of COMPASSION, the reign of love my motive, the law of love my rule.” (Valley of Vision, p130; paperback edition)

Colossians 3:12
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.”

I am daily reminded of my lack of compassion. I think I’m doing okay in this area and then all of a sudden I find myself impatient with a difficult person, or legalistic about the sin in someone’s life, or frustrated with someone’s complaint. I find I can be like this with people close to me, and I find this to be true about me with complete strangers! I recognize my sin in my lack of compassion.

Therefore, I come before the Lord to ask forgiveness and to seek help in time of need; to ask God, who is FOR me, to help me to be more compassionate towards all people in all circumstances, to help me to love others as Jesus does, to be kind and compassionate in my thoughts, my words and my actions.

I am assured of God’s help for he is making me like Jesus and uses all circumstances to this end. May God be glorified as he works compassion into my heart.

GOD keeps me walking!

Psalm 56:13

“For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”

Psalm 116:8-9

“For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”

Yesterday my prayer was that my walk with the Lord would be worthy of the calling. Today, as I read the above scriptures I am reminded that GOD, himself does this work in me. HE has delivered my soul from death; HE keeps my feet from stumbling and falling, and because HE does these things, I will walk with him in the land of the living.

I love how God answered yesterday’s prayer with today’s scriptures. My walk is a work of God and I must depend on Him ALWAYS in ALL things. I am to trust HIS work in me and I must surrender to God and die to self as he works in me. What makes this all so AMAZING is that God himself provides the power, the strength, and the grace to do these things.

"THANK YOU LORD for delivering my soul from death. THANK YOU that you keep my feet from stumbling and falling. THANK YOU that I can walk before you in the light of life and the land of the living. It is only by your great grace and mercy and the work of JESUS on the cross that I can do so. You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise O Lord!

"

WALKING with CHRIST

Ephesians 4:1
“…urge you to walk in the a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace.”

Philippians 1:27
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…”

Lord, may my walk and manner of life be such that reflects how worthy YOU are of my obedience and a life that pursues holiness. It is not because I am worthy of the gospel. It is because of the beautiful gospel of grace that YOU are worthy of our lives and reflect your holiness, mercy, love and grace. Lord, work holiness in me, by your Spirit. Teach me how to walk so that you are glorified and shown to be worthy! By the name of Jesus I come to you and ask. Amen.

In reading one of my devotionals today the author spoke about how worthy Christ is!!! I began to think of how I want my life to reflect the worthiness of God. The author reminded me that when people walk away from an encounter with us, they should be in awe of how great this great God of grace really is! Sometimes I feel, well, most times I feel that I am so far off this ideal. My prayer is that the Spirit of God would work in me so that my life will reflect the greatness, goodness and mercy of God!

Happy Resurrection Day! He is Risen!!

“For I delivered to you as for first importance what I also received:
that
CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS
in accordance with the Scriptures,
That He was buried,
that
HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY
in accordance with the Scriptures.
and that He appeared to Cephas,
then to the twelve.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-5


“…the Lord has risen indeed..”
Luke 24:34

“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6

Continuing to ponder the death of Jesus for my sins. “Amazing grace how can it be, that thou, MY GOD, should die for me?” (Charles Wesley)

Romans 5:7-8
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person- though perhaps for a good person one would even dare to die- BUT God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 19:30b
“It is finished” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I don’t think I need to add any words to this to explain what my heart is thinking today, with gratefulness.

SING TO THE LORD! SING ABOUT THE LORD!

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:18-20

“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1

“I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you Oh Lord, I will make music.” Psalm 101:1

So many things are rushing through my mind this morning as I think of singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Before my mom came to live with me I would go to my iTunes and select my favorite worship songs and listen through my quiet time and often just leave it on throughout my morning while at home. Once my mom moved in and I found that she joined me in the kitchen at the time that I would usually do my quiet time, I found that it wasn’t as easy to belt out songs of worship. :)

I eventually found my “groove” again with my quiet time but the music was replaced by a conservative, usually political, radio show that my mom likes to listen to. God has given me the ability to tune out things that I don’t want to hear.. so the radio show would be on but I wouldn’t hear a thing they were saying.

This morning, by God's sweet leading, I didn’t turn on the show for my mom. Instead, I turned on Stuart Townend's newest CD and found myself immersed in Cross centered, gospel centered, Christ centered music! Oh what a pleasant change from 2 men grousing about the political state of our nation and upcoming elections! I sat doing my quiet time, even doing all my blog reading that I do in the morning with this godly music playing. My affections were truly influenced by this music this morning. I felt my love for Jesus increase with each song as I sang and pondered the gospel. This music truly soothed my soul. I would sing (very quietly) or hum or just revel in the beautiful gospel words that I was hearing.

I realized anew how music affects my soul. If I’m hearing some rock classic that is sad or bluesy I find myself sad.. if I listen to country music I find myself downright depressed!!! Ha! But as I listen to gospel centered music I find myself joyfully being thankful to God for crushing His Son for my iniquities!

I remember my dad who immigrated to the United States immediately after WWII. My dad loved America but he sure did miss his homeland of Lithuania. Sometimes I would pass by the den and see my dad weeping as he was listening to Lithuanian music. Music affects our souls and our emotions.

So, I am renewed in being intentional about listening to cross centered music each and every day while at home. Psalm 89:1 says that “I will make known your faithfulness to ALL generations!” As this music is playing and as I pathetically sing along (good tone is NOT one of my gifts) :) my mom will hear the gospel over and over and over again!

My prayer is that I remain intentional about listening to godly music and not let fear of man interfere with this and that as my mom hears these words and songs that God would open up her eyes and hearts to see her need of a Savior.

I thank God for showing us in scripture that we should sing and make music to the Lord and about the Lord and we do so thankfully.

MORE INTERCESSION

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”
Luke 22:31-32a

As I continue to think and pray about prayer, I believe God drew my eyes to this scripture as another example of how Jesus intercedes for us. What a beautiful prayer to pray for someone, that "their faith may not fail.” Jesus appealed to the ONE who gives us faith, to the ONE who keeps our faith.

How often, when I have a friend in trial, do I pray for her faith to not fail? I don’t think I ever have,

until this morning!

I am praising God for giving us these examples of how to pray! I am encouraged on two counts: 1) I see, again, how Jesus intercedes and 2) I have learned another way to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Oh how love God’s Word

and how

it teaches me daily.

Intercession

“…Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Romans 8:34

“Because of the resurrection Jesus intercedes for us in heaven before God.” (By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org )

I’m still thinking about me and intercessory prayer and how I want to be more diligent about praying for others and then I read the above sentence by Piper and I am overwhelmed again by the fact that

Jesus intercedes for us before the throne of God!

How absolutely incredible is that? I am just going to ponder on that today!

WOW!

Stop and meditate on this.

Amen.

Give thanks.

prayer

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

“O God of the Open Ear, teach me to live by prayer as well as by providence, for myself, soul, body, children, family, church. Give me a heart frameable to Thy will; so might I live in prayer, and honour Thee, being kept from evil, known and unknown… (Valley of Vision; pp edition, p 137)

This scripture wasn’t part of my daily reading but was the focus of a devotional that I read by Sam Storm’s The Hope of Glory. Sam Storms spoke of how Paul commended Epaphras for his prayers for the Colossians. Reading both the scripture and the devotional made me yearn to STRUGGLE on behalf of my family, my friends, my church like my brother Epaphrus.

When I first was saved I prayed so much more than I do now. What happened? I’m not sure, but I realized this morning I want to live by prayer once again the way I did when I first met Jesus Christ.

So, please pray for me as I go before the Lord and ask him for the gift of struggling on behalf of others in my prayers. Can you imagine how God will answer prayers as we pray that others would stand mature and assured in ALL the will of God? Oh yes, I want to pray again like I used to, I want to pray like Epaphras. Work this in me O Lord, my God!

GOD'S WORD

Psalm 94:19

“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”

“O Though who hast the hearts of men in Thine hand, form my heart according to the Word, according to the image of Thy Son, so shall Christ the Word, and His Word, be my strength and comfort.” (Valley of Vision, p 17)

I love this scripture for it reminds me where real strength and comfort and consolations lay, IN CHRIST and in HIS WORD! I remember there was a time, when troubled, I would run to the nearest phone to talk to a friend or my husband to receive their consolation and their advice. Now, more times than not, I realize that it is in the scriptures where we see and hear of the mercies and love and promises of God and where we find our counsel and encouragement and this is where I run!

This is also is a reminder to me when ministering to other people, that I must minister with God’s Word not my own words!!! For it is God’s Word that brings hope and peace!

O God I love your Word!!!!

HOW GREAT ARE YOU GOD!!!!

Hebrews 4:14-16

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

God continues to remind me through His Word that as believers we no longer relate to God has our judge but as our father. I am reminded that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are FOR us not against us. As we are being sanctified God tells us to come with CONFIDENCE to his throne of grace to receive mercy and grace to help us in out time of need! As we battle sin, as we are confronted with our sin we do not have to be afraid of God’s judgement for Jesus has already paid for this sin. Instead we are told to come to God for help! For mercy! For Grace to help in time of need!
How can I not bow down and say, “HOW GREAT ARE YOU GOD!!!”

GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME!

1 Timothy 1:12-17

I thank HIM who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because HE judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. BUT I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. BUT I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. TO THE KING OF AGES, IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, THE ONLY GOD, BE HONOR AND GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

I just love this scripture. I use it when giving my testimony. It describes me so well. For example, I, before I received Christ would turn on the tv and watch Christian networks and mock the people and their message for fun! I was indeed a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent, the foremost of sinners, in this and oh so many more ways!!!!! And then comes one of my most favorite words … “BUT” I received mercy!!!!! How beautiful is Christ Jesus!!!!!!!! It is good to re-visit this verse to remember what I once was, so mercy and grace are all the more amazing and Jesus is even more beautiful to me!

If I could have fit it on my card the following song would have been written on it. Based on Psalm 51…

GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME (words by Richard Redhead)

God be Merciful to me
On thy grace I rest my plea.
Plenteous in compassion Thou
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me make me pure within
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.

My transgressions I confess
Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against thy grace
And provoked thee to thy face;
I confess thy judgement just
Speechless, I thy mercy trust.

Sinners then shall learn from me,
And return O God to Thee
Savior all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love
Touch my silent lips O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord.

May my life reflect the merciful work of Jesus in my life so sinners will learn from me the kindness, compassion and mercy found in Jesus Christ!

God's Faithfulness!

Jude 24
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

“I will glory in my Redeemer,
My life He bought,
My love He owns
I have no longings for another
I’m satisfied in Him alone.
I will glory in my Redeemer
HIS FAITHFULNESS my standing place.
Though foes are mighty
And rush upon me,
My feet are firm held by HIS grace
My feet are firm held by HIS grace”

(2001 Sovereign Grace Worship, words and music by Steve and Viki Cook)

Today, I am reminded that it is God’s faithfulness that keeps me in Him, not my faithfulness!! God, Himself,
keeps me following hard after God. God’s grace works in me and gives me the desire to love His Word, to love Him, to hate sin, etc etc. God is so faithful to complete in me what HE has begun! (Philippians 1:6). This makes me want to praise HIM!!!!

Break up the Fallow Ground!

Hosea 10:12
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord that He may and rain righteousness upon you.”

1 Peter 2:24
“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.”

“May I with Moses choose affliction rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin.” (Valley of Vision, p. 105; pp edition)

“Return again with showers of converting grace to a poor gospel-abusing sinner.. Help my soul to breathe after holiness.” (Valley of Vision, p. 99; pp ed)

My pastor's(Mark Mullery) sermon on Chapter 10 of the book of Hosea yesterday was like a cool drink on a hot day. He pointed out the warnings that God was giving to His people and His judgements and then in the midst of that gives us verse 10. God gives a way out and showed them how !!

How does this apply to today? God wants us to respond to his warnings of sin in our lives! I realized that sometimes I respond to sin, after the fact (in sorrow and repentance, sometimes in guilt) when instead I could have headed off the sin by responding to God’s warnings first!!!

God doesn’t just sit idly by and wait for us to fall into sin, he warns us! Oh the kindness of God in his sovereign love! In v 10 Hosea tells us to “break of your fallow ground.” My pastor told us ways that we can break up the fallow ground, the hardness of our hearts: through prayer, journaling, applying scripture and involving others.

I have used these methods immediately AFTER sinning… but I had a “duh” moment, as I realized yesterday morning, to use these methods BEFORE the sin!!! This is especially effective for an area of sin where you struggle in. I am blessed to have people in my lives who ARE involved with me and will help me battle sin. What a blessing from God!

The 1 Peter scripture reminds me of the assurance I have in Christ as I die to sin and live to righteousness. God is FOR us, not against us! I am freshly reminded of what Puritan John Owens said, “Kill sin before it kills you.” My prayer today is indeed, “Help my soul to breathe after holiness.” Amen?

Scripture for Sunday, March 9, 2008

”Your words were found and I ate them and your words became a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of Hosts.”
Jeremiah 15:16

I chose that today because I missed being in God’s Word yesterday because I was sick and I wanted to pray through and meditate on a scripture today that would help me to remember what a joy and delight God’s Word is. Also, it's a great scripture to pray through for those who you know that struggle to take time to be in God’s Word!

Happy Sunday!

Scripture for Friday, March 7, 2008

Ephesians 1:3-8

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holdy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of this will, to the praise of his glorious grace with which he blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption, through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of this grace which he LAVISHED upon us in all wisdom and insight….

Today, I am simply VERY thankful… for if God had not chosen me, I would not have chosen Him. Thank you Jesus!

Scriptures and thoughts for Thursday, March 6, 2008

“when my flesh yearns for some prohibited thing,
I MUST DIE.
when called to do something I don’t want to do,
I MUST DIE.
when I wish to be selfish and serve no one,
I MUST DIE.
when shattered by hardships I despise,
I MUST DIE.
when wanting to cling to wrongs done against me,
I MUST DIE.
when enticed by the world’s allurements,
I MUST DIE.
when wishing to keep besetting sins secret,
I MUST DIE.
when wants that are borderline needs are left unmet,
I MUST DIE.
when dreams that are good seem shoved aside,
I MUST DIE.” ( Milton Vincent, The Gospel Primer, p. 41)

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is not longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

When I read this yesterday in The Gospel Primer it resonated with my heart! We can fill in the blanks with any temptation or sin! “when I want to complain about my children, I MUST DIE! When I want to snap back at my husband, I MUST DIE! When I want to feel sorry for myself, I MUST DIE! When I want to complain about some circumstance in my life, I MUST DIE! When I am tempted to worry, I MUST DIE. ” etc etc… you get what I mean! Fill in your own blanks!

I chose this today because I want to concentrate today on Christ who lives in me and who helps me put these sins to death!

"Oh Lord, help me to die to self and live in faith and obedience to you! Thank you Lord that you are for me and are working in me to put to death the things of my flesh and helping me to live for your perfect will!"

Pray for me as I continue to daily die to self. I feel I must add that I can’t do this on my own! I need to pray to God and ask him to do this in me. I need his help to die to self. I have to remind myself, as I die to self, Romans 8:1 : Therefore there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. As God helps me die to self I must remember that Christ died for this sin! How great is that!!

Scripture for Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Mark 7:15,20-23

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defiles him. And he (Jesus) said, what comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within and they defile a person.

“The gospel applied to our heart everyday, frees us to be brutally honest with ourselves and with God. The assurance of his total forgiveness of our sins through the blood of Christ means we don’t have to play defensive games anymore. We don’t have to rationalize and excuse our sins.. we can call sin exactly what it is, regardless of how ugly and shameful it may be because we know that Jesus bore that sin in His body on the cross. With the assurance of total forgiveness through Christ, we have no reason to hide from our sins anymore.” (Jerry Bridges, The Disciplines of Grace)

This Mark scripture was in my daily reading this morning and a great reminder to me that we can never sin and then say to ourselves, “Where did that come from?” .. we know that it comes from our heart!!!! The GOOD news is that we don’t have to hide and cower from God but as believers boldly go to the throne of grace in repentance knowing that we are forgiven and are helped to become more like Jesus! I am reminded again and again and again that God is FOR us not against us. Because of the blood of Jesus applied to our lives through God’s great mercy and grace we KNOW that God is revealing our sin to us and helping us put it to death. We don’t put it to death ourselves! We have his help! Such good news! Such GREAT news!
(I received this quote and many of the quotes I use from a blog site that posts a cross-centered, gospel centered quote every day!
http://firstimportance.org/

Have a blessed day!

COMPASSION!

Scripture for meditation: Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Mark 6:34

When he (Jesus) went ashore he saw a great crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

“When I see persons who are are materially poor, I instantly feel a kinship with them, for they are physically what I was spiritually when my heart was closed to Christ. Perhaps some of them are in their condition because of sin, but so was I. Perhaps they are unkind when I try to help them; but I , too, have been spiteful to God when he has sought to help me. Perhaps they are thankless and even abuse the kindness I show them, but how many times have I been thankless and used what God has given me to serve selfish ends? .. the gospel reminds me daily of the spiritual poverty into which I was born and also of the staggering generosity of Christ towards me. Such reminders instill in me both a felt connection to the poor and a desire to show them the save generosity that has been lavished on me.” (A Gospel Primer, Milton Vincent, pp 34-35)

Many years ago through a book, Hunger for God, by John Piper… a book I was reading with a dear friend, I began to think about how I could serve the community around me. Not just the family of God, but those outside the family of God! (we must not neglect serving the family of God in our local church.. but this is beyond that).

I don’t know why that fervor I felt years ago went away.. maybe it was because I still had young children at home.. but I have had this passion to serve the community arise again in my heart. I read the Mark scripture and was struck by the compassion of Jesus. This scripture was found in the middle of Jesus healing so many people of all their diseases. He helped them and then he taught them .

Will I be called to serve the physically poor people so they will see the grace of Jesus? I feel myself drawn to homeless people and unwed about to be single mothers. I do not know where God is leading me through this but I do know it’s going somewhere! I don’t know WHEN this will all begin to come about but I believe God is placing it on my heart as he is preparing me for some sort of service as a result of the power of the gospel growing in me.

Please pray for me that I remain open to whatever God has prepared for me. Pray I stay close to God’s Word and immerse myself with His Word so when he speaks I will hear! I long to have Christ-like compassion, not just in my thoughts and prayers but in my actions.

Love you!
diane

THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME!

1 Peter 2:10

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Psalm 66:16

Come and hear all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He has done for my soul.

“Mercy and grace are mine, forgiven is my sin, Jesus my only hope, the Savior 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)

Yesterday’s sermon reminded me afresh of the great gift of salvation. Mark’s sermon about Hosea purchasing back Gomer, his unfaithful wife is a beautiful picture of God purchasing me and you , his unfaithful wife, the church. Hosea paid 15 shekels for Gomer, God paid with his son Jesus Christ for me. I am reminded of how GREAT GOD is!!!! Before time He chose to make me his people, he chose to give me mercy. How is it that I keep silent about this as much as I do? The Peter scripture reminds me what God has done and the Psalm scripture reminds me to tell of my salvation!

GREAT IS THE LORD!!!! THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME!!!

Here's a HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY to my daughter Colleen!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEEP!

Scripture to ponder on Sunday, March 2, 2008

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus Name. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.” (Edward Mote, 1797-1874)

1 Timothy 1:15-16

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ may display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

Lord, may my life reflect the beauty of Jesus Christ in his full mercy towards me a huge sinner, the worst sinner. Lord, remind me of the gospel as I walk through my day. Remind me that my hope is built on Jesus Christ ALONE, that I trust in Jesus alone for salvation. Oh Lord help me to live, eat, breathe and walk in the light of the gospel today so that you will be glorified!

Have a blessed Lord’s day!

Gospel Truths!!!

Scriptures to ponder for March 1, 2008 : My 3x5 card for today

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we exult in the hope of the glory of God.

1 John 2: 1,2

And if anyone sins we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.. and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 4:5

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.

“The Gospel encourages me to rest in my righteous standing with God, a standing which Christ Himself has accomplished and always maintains for me.. I never have to do a moment’s labor to gain or maintain my justified status before God. Freed from the burden of such a task, I now can put my energies into enjoying God, pursuing holiness, and ministering God’s amazing grace to others.” (Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer, p.20)

Preaching the gospel to myself again, this morning, because this former Pharisee and legalist needs to do this daily so I don’t fall into the performance mindset before God and man but instead respond to this gospel truth in surrendering to God in and for my sanctification! Pondering these Scriptures makes my soul bow down in gratitude to God’s great mercy in His provision of salvation! Alleluia! Let all the earth rejoice!