Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God, the Just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
No Guilt
God never tries to make us feel guilty. The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict. Guilt does nothing except cause pain. Conviction brings change. If you are feeling guilty about doing or not doing something, then listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Stop doing what you shouldn't be doing and start doing what you should. It is a matter of the will and the help of God's Spirit.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Love or Duty
I often struggle with whether I am doing things out of duty or out of love. Like "duty-bound" Aeneas, I find myself doing things that I don't really want to do, but I do them because I think it is the right thing to do. But surely, that is not the attitude that the Lord wants from us. We should serve Him out of love for Jesus and all He has done for us. How to you love someone you haven't seen and cannot touch or hold? Yet, I know that I love Him, for I feel it deep within my heart. How do I change duty into love? I haven't figured out the answer yet.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Jesus' tender compassion
I am of the "timid, trembling race," a frightened starling. Thank You, Jesus, for your tender touch.
Another Spurgeon
"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench." --Matthew 12:20
What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits across the river moves it to and fro. You can conceive of nothing more frail or brittle, or whose existence is more in jeopardy, than a bruised reed. Then look at the smoking flax-- what is it? It has a spark within it, it is true, but it is almost smothered; an infant's breath might blow it out; nothing has a more precarious existence than its flame. Weak things are here described, yet Jesus says of them, "The smoking flax I will not quench; the bruised reed I will not break." Some of God's children are made strong to do mighty works for Him; God has His Samsons here and there who can pull up Gaza's gates, and carry them to the top of the hill; He has a few mighties who are lion-like men, but the majority of His people are a timid, trembling race. They are like starlings, frightened at every passer by; a little fearful flock. If temptation comes, they are taken like birds in a snare; if trial threatens, they are ready to faint; their frail skiff is tossed up and down by every wave, they are drifted along like a sea bird on the crest of the billows--weak things, without strength, without wisdom, without foresight. Yet, weak as they are, and because they are so weak, they have this promise made specially to them. Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and lovingkindness! How it opens to us the compassion of Jesus--so gentle, tender, considerate! We need never shrink back from His touch. We need never fear a harsh word from Him; though He might well chide us for our weakness, He rebuketh not. Bruised reeds shall have no blows from Him, and the smoking flax no damping frowns.
Another Spurgeon
"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench." --Matthew 12:20
What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits across the river moves it to and fro. You can conceive of nothing more frail or brittle, or whose existence is more in jeopardy, than a bruised reed. Then look at the smoking flax-- what is it? It has a spark within it, it is true, but it is almost smothered; an infant's breath might blow it out; nothing has a more precarious existence than its flame. Weak things are here described, yet Jesus says of them, "The smoking flax I will not quench; the bruised reed I will not break." Some of God's children are made strong to do mighty works for Him; God has His Samsons here and there who can pull up Gaza's gates, and carry them to the top of the hill; He has a few mighties who are lion-like men, but the majority of His people are a timid, trembling race. They are like starlings, frightened at every passer by; a little fearful flock. If temptation comes, they are taken like birds in a snare; if trial threatens, they are ready to faint; their frail skiff is tossed up and down by every wave, they are drifted along like a sea bird on the crest of the billows--weak things, without strength, without wisdom, without foresight. Yet, weak as they are, and because they are so weak, they have this promise made specially to them. Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and lovingkindness! How it opens to us the compassion of Jesus--so gentle, tender, considerate! We need never shrink back from His touch. We need never fear a harsh word from Him; though He might well chide us for our weakness, He rebuketh not. Bruised reeds shall have no blows from Him, and the smoking flax no damping frowns.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Spurgeon's Morning and Evening
Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions is one of my favorite books to read for a daily devotion.
"Sanctified by God the Father." --Jude 1 "Sanctified in Christ Jesus." --1 Corinthians 1:2 "Through sanctification of the Spirit." --1 Peter 1:2
Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if He were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit. In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided. Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still doth Jehovah say, "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness," and thus we are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness--upon purity of life and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us.
"Sanctified by God the Father." --Jude 1 "Sanctified in Christ Jesus." --1 Corinthians 1:2 "Through sanctification of the Spirit." --1 Peter 1:2
Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if He were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit. In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided. Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still doth Jehovah say, "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness," and thus we are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness--upon purity of life and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Encouragement
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ..." Philippians 2:1
This is a factual conditional clause. In other words, "If you have any encouragement, AND YOU DO..." So what encouragement do we have since we are united with Christ? The first encouragement is our salvation, that we have been rescued from slavery to sin and have been brought into glorious union with God. We need have no fear of death because we know we will live forever with Christ in His kingdom. We will be united with all those who love Him and whom we love. I am looking forward so much to seeing Grandpa again!
There are many encouragements, but one that is important to me is that I am not alone. Jesus promised that He would never forsake His children. Earthly parents cannot be with us forever, but we will have Jesus with us always.
This is a factual conditional clause. In other words, "If you have any encouragement, AND YOU DO..." So what encouragement do we have since we are united with Christ? The first encouragement is our salvation, that we have been rescued from slavery to sin and have been brought into glorious union with God. We need have no fear of death because we know we will live forever with Christ in His kingdom. We will be united with all those who love Him and whom we love. I am looking forward so much to seeing Grandpa again!
There are many encouragements, but one that is important to me is that I am not alone. Jesus promised that He would never forsake His children. Earthly parents cannot be with us forever, but we will have Jesus with us always.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Our Teacher
This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." Isaiah 48:17,18
Being a teacher, it helps me to know that God is a teacher, too. I know how much I want my students to learn, and God wants me to learn even more. The result is peace and righteousness. I know that to learn I must be in His Word, not just reading it, but meditating on it throughout the day. It's not easy, but I want to be not just a student, but a good student. Good students are not necessarily the smartest, but try hard and want to do well, both to learn and to please their teacher. May I do that same.
Being a teacher, it helps me to know that God is a teacher, too. I know how much I want my students to learn, and God wants me to learn even more. The result is peace and righteousness. I know that to learn I must be in His Word, not just reading it, but meditating on it throughout the day. It's not easy, but I want to be not just a student, but a good student. Good students are not necessarily the smartest, but try hard and want to do well, both to learn and to please their teacher. May I do that same.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
A Mother's Day Prayer
Father, We have always prayed that they would grow up to be strong men of God. I thank you that they continue to grow in that direction. I pray today that they will know fully the joy of loving and being loved by you. I pray they will always look to You for guidance. I thank You that You are the source of all truth. May they ever seek to know that truth and to live their lives in that truth. May they feed on your Word to get strength and wisdom for the difficult days that will come in their lives. May they follow the example of Jesus and love those around them, even those who are undeserving and unloving toward them. May they have generous hearts towards the weak and the poor. May they have courage to stand up for what is right. May they find their deepest satisfaction in knowing and loving you. Thank you for the privilege of being their mother. In the name of Him who died, rose and now ever lives to intercede for us. Amen
Sunday, May 6, 2012
God's children
"From now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view..." II Corinthians 5:6
I have read this verse many times before, but today its truth really reached my heart. I have purposed to remind myself of this truth every day, throughout the day. From now on, I will regard no one from a worldly point of view. Everyone I meet, everyone I interact with is either a child of God or someone whom God desires to become His child. I will regard each person from a spiritual, godly point of view, as a person beloved by His Creator. May it be so.
I have read this verse many times before, but today its truth really reached my heart. I have purposed to remind myself of this truth every day, throughout the day. From now on, I will regard no one from a worldly point of view. Everyone I meet, everyone I interact with is either a child of God or someone whom God desires to become His child. I will regard each person from a spiritual, godly point of view, as a person beloved by His Creator. May it be so.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Fool
"The fool is the person who has no reverence for God, and when you have no reverence for God, inevitably your life will show it." --R.C. Sproul
Thursday, March 15, 2012
His Gifts
"Who...crowneth thy life with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things..." Psalm 103
The Lord has given us so many gifts -- His salvation, His love, His mercy, His kindness, His provision, His joy. Give thanks to Him every day for what He has done and what He is doing.
The Lord has given us so many gifts -- His salvation, His love, His mercy, His kindness, His provision, His joy. Give thanks to Him every day for what He has done and what He is doing.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Taking hold of eternal life
"Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." I Timothy 6:12.
What does it mean to take hold of eternal life? My NIV Study Bible says that Timothy had possessed eternal life since he had first been saved, but that here Paul is urging him to claim its benefits in greater fulness. In verse 19, he says to take hold of the life that is truly life. Surely we all want life that is truly life. We have to examine our lives and ask the Lord to show us the parts that are not truly life. In verse 17 it says that God "provides us with everything for our enjoyment," so true life is a joy-filled life, and the provision for this life is at our disposal. We need to practice taking hold of eternal life, true life, every day, asking God to guide us.
What does it mean to take hold of eternal life? My NIV Study Bible says that Timothy had possessed eternal life since he had first been saved, but that here Paul is urging him to claim its benefits in greater fulness. In verse 19, he says to take hold of the life that is truly life. Surely we all want life that is truly life. We have to examine our lives and ask the Lord to show us the parts that are not truly life. In verse 17 it says that God "provides us with everything for our enjoyment," so true life is a joy-filled life, and the provision for this life is at our disposal. We need to practice taking hold of eternal life, true life, every day, asking God to guide us.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Certa bonum certamen fidei
I think if our family had a banner or crest I would want it to say this. It is from I Timothy 6:12: "Fight the good fight of faith." The Greek word for "fight" gives us our word "agonize." The Christian life is a battle. It is never easy. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, and it is not just against spiritual forces of evil. We have to struggle against our own selfish desires, and perhaps that is the greatest struggle of all. But it is a fight worth fighting, for "godliness with contentment is great gain."
To fight this fight, I have a suggestion. Find a Scripture verse to meditate on and think about it all through the day or even days. This week I have been thinking often about just the first part of I Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." I am trying to let that truth rule every decision.
To fight this fight, I have a suggestion. Find a Scripture verse to meditate on and think about it all through the day or even days. This week I have been thinking often about just the first part of I Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." I am trying to let that truth rule every decision.
Monday, February 6, 2012
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in the world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." --C.S. Lewis
If we take the time to reflect, I think we all recognize that there is a yearning within us for something that this world can not provide. We are meant to know God - to have a relationship with Him that transcends earth and time. Let us push aside all the unnecessary things that clog our lives and take time to spend with our Father. He is the One who satisfies and completes us.
If we take the time to reflect, I think we all recognize that there is a yearning within us for something that this world can not provide. We are meant to know God - to have a relationship with Him that transcends earth and time. Let us push aside all the unnecessary things that clog our lives and take time to spend with our Father. He is the One who satisfies and completes us.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Law and Grace
I have to admit I like the law. Give me a list of things I should do, and I will try to do them - that's my personality. But I know that I can't do all the commands of God perfectly - in fact, I can't do any of them perfectly - not even close. So I am totally dependent on grace. And what marvelous grace it is! Forgiveness of sins through the death of Jesus, the love of my heavenly Father, the help of the Holy Spirit.
Grace does change everything. Live your life in God's grace. He loves you and His power is available every moment.
Grace does change everything. Live your life in God's grace. He loves you and His power is available every moment.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Meditation
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Bible reading and Bible study are important and good, but meditation on God's Word, I think, is the most important. That's the way the Word goes down from your head into your heart. One good way to mediate is to take a short passage of Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Meditate on what you learn about God and what He is showing you to do. Remind yourself about what He shows you throughout the day. The hard part is remembering to think about it, and, at first, when you are busy, it seems impossible. But keep asking the Holy Spirit to remind you. It cannot help but be a blessing to you.
Bible reading and Bible study are important and good, but meditation on God's Word, I think, is the most important. That's the way the Word goes down from your head into your heart. One good way to mediate is to take a short passage of Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Meditate on what you learn about God and what He is showing you to do. Remind yourself about what He shows you throughout the day. The hard part is remembering to think about it, and, at first, when you are busy, it seems impossible. But keep asking the Holy Spirit to remind you. It cannot help but be a blessing to you.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Unchanging God
God doesn't change. He doesn't adapt to changing culture. He doesn't lower his standards. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is and always will be holy, mighty, loving, righteous, good. We can always rely on His unchanging love and mercy toward us, as well as on his absolute promise to punish evil. He is to be loved and feared. He is an awesome God in the true sense of the word. There will come a time when EVERY knee will bow before Him. Choose every day to love and follow Him.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
You Make Beautiful THings
All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You
You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new
You are making me new
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You
You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new
You are making me new
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Life and Death
"In Him was life..." John 1:4
"The wages of sin is death..." Romans 3:23
In his "Showers of Blessings" that I have been reading to Grandma, Grandpa says he is fascinated by pairs - both in the Bible and in nature. One pair is "life" and "death." Michael probably sees this most clearly in the physical realm, but it is in the spiritual realm, too. Every day we choose either life or death in what we say or do. We can speak words of life to others, or words of death. The things we choose to do either are life-giving or death-giving. Choose life.
"The wages of sin is death..." Romans 3:23
In his "Showers of Blessings" that I have been reading to Grandma, Grandpa says he is fascinated by pairs - both in the Bible and in nature. One pair is "life" and "death." Michael probably sees this most clearly in the physical realm, but it is in the spiritual realm, too. Every day we choose either life or death in what we say or do. We can speak words of life to others, or words of death. The things we choose to do either are life-giving or death-giving. Choose life.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Value of Human Life
Please listen, at least for a few minutes.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={4CF5FEA6-5F68-48C4-A5F5-030DBB351A83}
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={4CF5FEA6-5F68-48C4-A5F5-030DBB351A83}
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Forfeiting Grace
"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." Jonah 2:8
One idol I cling to is the opinion of others. My concern for the view others have of me causes me to forfeit God's grace of accepting me as His beloved child just the way I am.
It is much better to remember John 1:16 - "From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."
God's grace is free and full. It is worth clinging to.
One idol I cling to is the opinion of others. My concern for the view others have of me causes me to forfeit God's grace of accepting me as His beloved child just the way I am.
It is much better to remember John 1:16 - "From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."
God's grace is free and full. It is worth clinging to.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Humility
"...for I am gentle and humble in heart..." Matthew 11:29
In John 1 John the Baptist says that he is unworthy to loosen the thongs of Jesus' sandals. The NIV note says that although disciples did many tasks for their teacher, the loosening of sandal thongs was expressly excluded. This was a job only for a slave. I wondered about Jesus washing the disciples feet in John 13. Did he loosen the thongs of their sandals? And what could be more lowly than washing their feet? Grandma says that most people who reject Christ do so because of pride. And I think it is our pride that keeps us from depending on the Holy Spirit each day to help us. Perhaps learning to be humble is our most difficult lesson.
In John 1 John the Baptist says that he is unworthy to loosen the thongs of Jesus' sandals. The NIV note says that although disciples did many tasks for their teacher, the loosening of sandal thongs was expressly excluded. This was a job only for a slave. I wondered about Jesus washing the disciples feet in John 13. Did he loosen the thongs of their sandals? And what could be more lowly than washing their feet? Grandma says that most people who reject Christ do so because of pride. And I think it is our pride that keeps us from depending on the Holy Spirit each day to help us. Perhaps learning to be humble is our most difficult lesson.
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Year Resolutions
My verse for this year is Psalm 119:37: Turn my eyes away from worthless things and revive me in Your ways.
Don't waste time on worthless things. Proverbs says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Guard your heart from worthless activities. Everything has a consequence.
And don't put worthless things into your body. We have one body to last a lifetime and we should take care of it.
I also want to focus on God's grace. I cannot earn His favor - He gives it freely.
Grace changes everything. Rely on God's goodness and grace. "By grace are you saved, through faith. It is a gift of God, not of works, so that no man can boast."
Love,
Mom
Don't waste time on worthless things. Proverbs says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Guard your heart from worthless activities. Everything has a consequence.
And don't put worthless things into your body. We have one body to last a lifetime and we should take care of it.
I also want to focus on God's grace. I cannot earn His favor - He gives it freely.
Grace changes everything. Rely on God's goodness and grace. "By grace are you saved, through faith. It is a gift of God, not of works, so that no man can boast."
Love,
Mom
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