Victory for Mankind

The United States recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of its first landing on the moon. Years of planning went into that first space walk. There were some who never thought it would happen. Still, others continued to work and wait, believing that one day man would walk on the moon.

That day finally came. Americans watched and listened as Neil Armstrong took the first step. His words, now famous.

"That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind."

It was a remarkable footprint in US History.

There was another man whose life would greatly affect mankind.

Jesus Christ, God in flesh.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." John 1: 1-2

Since before the beginning of time, God had a perfect plan. He created mankind knowing what Adam and Eve would do, knowing the consequences of disobedience. Yet, He had a plan in place to send a Saviour to redeem us all.

Years passed as the plan unfolded. Prophets foretold the Good News of the Messiah. Many were skeptical. Others believed.

God prepared the way for Christ. Christ was born through a miraculous birth. He lived a sinless life, performed miracles unlike any other, all part of God's plan.

Before his arrest and crucifixion, Christ prayed to the Father, knowing that the plan would soon be fulfilled.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." John 17: 3-4

The moment came when death would be defeated. One glorious morning, three days after his brutal punishment and death for our sakes, Jesus Christ was raised again. He now reigns at the right hand of God.

Praise be to God! That's one giant victory for mankind!

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NLT)

1. If you have never accepted Christ as Saviour, I encourage you to pray today.

2. If you are already a Christian, are there other areas in your life where you are skeptical about what God can do?

3. Consider prayerfully what Christ did for all mankind and what it means to you.



Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."

Descriptive Grace

"I'm a sinner saved by grace." How many of you would agree? Go ahead, raise your hand, talk to your computer.

I raised my hand too. It's not uncommon to nod our head in agreement, shake our heads at our failings, and then raise our heads to thank God for His grace. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. It's good. It's humbling. Keeps it real. However, does anything strike you odd or out of the ordinary about that statement?

I began to look at it and I even asked God, "Do you prefer to hear 'I'm a sinner saved by grace,' or 'I'm a Child of God'? I think he just let me mull over it awhile. I came to a conclusion.

If I say and think "I'm a sinner saved by grace," then my definition of myself is "sinner." Yep, that's me. That may be true, but is that to be my identity to myself, even to others, or to God?

I believe that to continually put "sinner" on my I.D. card concerning who I am says more about what I think about myself than what I think about God.

Not that I can't recognize that I sin, but Sinner cannot, must not, be my proper name. I say this because the Bible calls the sin nature the "old man" or that which is dead in us. We were crucified with Christ, not that we live but that Christ lives in us. (Galatians 2:20) And if Christ lives in us now, how then can we make our main I.D. "sinner"? That is dead in us, it doesn't rule us and Christ went to hell and back to make sure we didn't let it define us.

If sin is so dominant, but forgiveness can trump it, the power of the Holy Spirit can overcome it, the cross shamed it, and God seated Christ at his right hand over every authority, then why give it such prominence in our description of who we are? Don't we all know we are sinners? Then why keep telling each other this?

Why not say, "I am forgiven - saved by grace."? Why ever call myself by such a name He came and died to set me free from? Jesus never referred to us as sinners saved by grace. He said sinners needed him. He said it is by grace through faith we are saved.

Ephesians 2:8 says "For it is by grace you have been saved..." and is followed up directly with "For you are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus.." not, "You are now a sinner saved by grace created in Christ Jesus..." Even in the very passage we get our phrase "sinner saved by grace," our God doesn't even say it! He calls us his workmanship. He gives us new hearts, minds, titles, positions and proper names.

Why not say, "I'm Natalie, a Child of God, forgiven, saved by grace, and oh yeah, I can struggle with such-n-such if you really want to know."

What if a dear Follower of Christ who was an alcoholic said, "I'm so-n-so, saved by Jesus who is breaking the bondage of alcoholism in me." Wouldn't that inspire more strength, more fortitude, more hope than introducing yourself as that which holds you so tightly?

And why do we only do that to those who struggle with alcoholism? Why not all of us? "I'm so-n-so. I'm a soap opera addict." I'm so-n-so I'm afraid of rejection." "...I'm plagued by bitterness." Why the proper names of addiction, sin, fear, worry?

I only wonder what would happen to us if we changed the way we define ourselves, whether we say it our loud or not. I believe those addictions are real and true, but what if we moved the statement around and stuck the truth of who we are in Christ first?

Would it disarm much?
Would we think differently?
Would we gain a greater respect for ourselves and a higher regard for the power of Christ in us?

I think I'll try this one for awhile:

"I'm a child of God, saved by grace, seated at the right hand of God, anointed by the Spirit, ready for the fight, and created to do what he called me to do when he set me free from the power of sin!"



Yeah, I like that one better. How about you?

In Him, Natalie

Join Natalie at her personal blog:

and her Bible Study blog:

Mama, is it free?

Arriving at the homeless shelter for Bible study, I was greeted with an invitation before even setting foot on the back porch.

"I’m being baptized next Sunday night. Will you come?" Jane* asked.

"How wonderful! I wouldn’t miss it for anything!" I replied.

Jane excitedly shared that she’d accepted Christ as her Savior during Sunday school the previous week at the shelter.

Mary*, another resident, then told the group that she was going to be baptized on the same night. Even though Mary had accepted Christ many years ago, she’d never been baptized.

Then 12-year-old Kristen* informed the group that she’d attended Bible School the previous summer and she’d learned all about Jesus. "And I want to be baptized too."

"Wow - what a night! This is so wonderful." I told the group. And it was. Everyone was excited. Everyone, I soon realized, except for Kristen’s mother.

"Mama, can I? Can I be baptized?"

"You don’t need to be baptized now," Mama responded.

A quiet fell over the group as the little girl’s face drooped with sadness.Kristen crossed her small arms, dropped her head and tried to hold back the tears that were welling up in her big blue eyes.

Even as my heart ached for Kristen, we began our lesson which interestingly enough was on the plan of salvation. We talked about how God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in him could have eternal life. We talked about Jesus being the way, the truth and the life and the only way to the Father.

As we talked, the little girl continued to plead her case. "I know that. I learned that in Bible school. Mama, why can’t I be baptized?"

"Hush. We’ll talk about it some other time," Mama said.

Mama had attended Bible study every week since moving into the shelter. She clearly believed in God. But when we talked about the prodigal son returning home and his father not only forgiving him but welcoming him home with open arms, Mama’s head didn’t drop fast enough to conceal the fact that she couldn’t accept that forgiveness for herself.

"Mama, I need to do this. Please?" the little girl begged.

"I said ‘No’," came Mama’s reply.

Wanting to plead this little girl’s case, but knowing I couldn’t, we continued on and talked about the plan of salvation known as the Roman Road.

"There is no one righteous, not even one."

"For all have sinned and fall short

of the glory of God."

"For the wages of sin is death, but the
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"But God demonstrates his love for us in
this: While we were still sinners,

Christ died for us."

"That if you confess with your mouth,

‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

"Everyone who calls on the name

of the Lord will be saved."

A simple prayer confessing we are sinners, but that we believe Jesus died for our sins and we want to accept His gift of eternal life is all it takes, I told them. And then the child who had been told "no" so many times because the things she wanted in life cost too much asked, "Well, Mama is it free?"

Silence once again fell over the group that was gathered around the table. Even Mama didn’t have a quick answer to that question. The little girl’s eyes then turned to me. And the answer that sprang from my heart was, "Yes, baby girl, it is free. It is God’s gift to us and it is free to all."

Mama eyes turned to me and I gently held her gaze.

"Mama, why don’t the two of you talk about this later? When the pastor comes by to talk with the ladies who are being baptized, I know he’d be happy to talk with you as well," I said.

"Okay," Mama replied and Kristen’s face broke out in a smile.

The following Sunday evening the baptism of those three was a glorious affair to behold. And even though Mama didn’t attend, a radiant-faced little girl stood in the baptismal waters as she announced that she had accepted the one thing in life that is truly free to us all, the gift of Jesus Christ as her Savior.
* Names changed

Father, thank you for the gift of eternal life that is free to all who call on your name.

I'd love to have you visit at http://www.inspirationfrommayberry.com/.

The Scarlet Thread

She had a choice. Everyone around her seemed unaware that their sinful lifestyles had brought them to this day of consequences crushing in upon their cushy lives. The fear was palpable in the air around the city as they realized that forces greater than they had ever seen were hovering outside their doorstep. They all had a choice that day. But, fear of destruction and even death was not enough to change their hearts from their rebellious nature.

She was, however, different. She stood out from the crowd. Not because of her pure unadulterated lifestyle, but because of her heart. She was a sinner just like everyone around her, but she made a choice to overcome her fears, to give in to God, and to trust Him with her life.

You probably know her story from childhood songs about a courageous man named Joshua and his conquest of the walled in city of Jericho. The song we sing with lusty voices as we march around the table in our living rooms with hand made construction paper horns blown at regular intervals doesn't say much about the brave woman who somehow survived the onslaught of that day of destruction. Why would a prostitute named Rahab be worthy of saving (and consequently, of remembering)?

She alone stood alive and well on the rubble of her once great city because she alone took the courageous step of faith that saved her life. She rescued the Hebrew spies and tied a scarlet thread in her window so they might remember to spare her life in return. Yes, it was a life for a life. She saved their lives and they saved hers in return. Isn't it like that with Jesus too?

We give our lives to Him because He gave His life so completely for us.

Why would God save Rahab? Because He looks around the whole world seeking for hearts that are sincerely dedicated to Him. God knows the heart of even a prostitute and sees her desire to serve Him through all the outer wrappings of her life. God is still seeking for hearts that are fully committed to Him, for hearts with a scarlet thread wrapped around them like a gift to the King.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to
strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Do you remember that moment in your life when everything was crashing down around you, fear prevailed, and your sense of unworthiness as a sinner almost made it impossible to step out in faith?

I know we all have different stories to tell (and won't it be fun to hear them all someday?), but there's a common thread that runs through each of our lives and it's tied back to that crucial moment of decision. So, what's your scarlet thread?

For me, it was the day I decided that being a nerd, an unaccepted and misunderstood teenager was worth it if I knew I had God's approval and acceptance. But my scarlet thread went back even further into my childhood when I realized that the God of the Universe cared about me and loved me more than I could imagine. That was the first day I took baby steps of faith, trusting in Jesus to save me from my sinful nature and draw me into His embrace of grace and compassion.

But the scarlet thread of redemption and salvation didn't end in my childhood or in that moment of decision. It weaves it's way through my life day by day as I continually choose to give my life over moment by moment to Jesus and as I fully commit my heart to Him.

Action Point:

*Take just a few minutes to trace the scarlet thread through your life. Which moments tested your faith and when did you learn to lean harder upon God's promises? Where do you look back on your life and see God's hand rescuing you from the rubble and where do you see a heart that is fully committed to Him? Draw a heart with a winding thread around it and mark these momentous events on there as a visual reminder of God's hand of salvation throughout your life.

The Internet Cafe

welcomes

Alicia from Truth Portraits

"The Cross"

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3.16

Rarely do we find a cross in a church that even remotely resembles the cross of Christ Jesus. They seem to be lacking in splinters and blood. Our modern crosses are made of precious metals and polished to perfection. Symmetrical and spotless, we mount them under adoring lights or poise them atop spiraling steeples.

So it is understandable that the sight of such crosses does not bring us to our knees in gratitude to God. Understandable, but unfortunate. Jesus’ cross would have made us weep.

It was rough and rugged and merciless. It represented humiliation and rejection and failure. It tore His flesh and absorbed His blood. And through it we now know the love of God.

We cannot rest in God’s love without remembering Christ’s cross. The two are bound together, dependant on and reflective of each other. The blood-stained cross of Jesus is the clearest and most compelling evidence of God’s great love for us.

Consider what the writers of the New Testament said about the connection between Jesus’ sacrifice and the love of God:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5.6-8

When we were weak and unable to help ourselves, Jesus came to our rescue. With no guarantee that we would even care, Jesus died for us. He submitted to the cross—a punishment normally reserved for the lowest of criminals—so that sinners could experience God’s love.

Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved…Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ~ Ephesians 2.4-5; 5.2

When we were spiritually lifeless because of our sins, Jesus sacrificed Himself to save us. In His rich and surpassing love, Jesus laid down His life through a humiliating death—one that the religious viewed as cursed—so that we could be become alive in Him.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ~ 1 John 4.9-10

When we were loveless toward God, God sent His Son as evidence of His unfathomable love for us. Jesus embraced unimaginable pain—through one of the cruelest forms of execution known to man—so that we could live for God.

When we were powerless, ungodly, and unrighteous, dead in our transgressions, and without love for God, Jesus died on the cross to save us!

Now that is love. That is worth living for. That is even worth dying for. And that is most definitely worthy of resting in!

Resting in God’s Truth…

• We cannot rest in God’s love without remembering Christ’s cross.


• Without the cross, we would still be powerless and dead in our sins.


• The blood-stained cross of Jesus is the clearest and most compelling evidence of God’s great love for us.

_____________________________

Alicia Britt Chole is a speaker and author who lives with her fun-filled tribe of five in the Ozarks of Missouri.

Visit Alicia's blog: Truth Portraits

Shore of Salvation

"Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on Me – the very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.”
Isaiah 30: 16-17

Have you ever seen a drowning person being rescued? I remember seeing a young girl flailing around in the water as my dad and a friend jumped in to save her. She fought at first, grabbing at them with all her might and fighting to stay afloat. With fear in her eyes, she wasn’t realizing that she was actually working against those who were there to help her. It wasn’t until she settled down and depended on them to help her, that they were able to pull her to safety.

The Bible says, in the same way, that our “salvation requires us to turn back to God and stop our silly efforts to save ourselves. Our strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on Him.” So many times, we fight against all that Christ tells us, thinking that we are going to help ourselves, but this verse tells us this is simply “silly efforts”. We are only saved by “settling down and completely depending on Christ”.

What is tugging at you and trying to pull you under? Perhaps you are still searching and have yet to even find Christ as your Savior. He is waiting to rescue you from your sin and be everything you need. For those of us that have already experienced His salvation, is there something that is pulling us under the waters of life? Are we struggling to stay afloat financially? Is it taking all of our strength to tread the water in a strained relationship? Perhaps we are simply struggling in the undercurrent of our culture and finding ourselves being drug out further than we should go. No matter where we are, the rescue itself will look the same. We must “stop our silly efforts to save ourselves, settle down, and depend completely on Christ to save us. He is able and He is there waiting for us to turn to Him and trust Him to take us to safety.

Stop grapping at everything else around you and looking for another way out, and just surrender to Him. Allow Him to pull you from the water of worry, the sea of sin, and the rivers of regret, and take you to the incredible shore of Salvation.

Lord, thank you that you are my Savior. Thank you that you are always there to rescue me if I will only stop my own silly efforts to save myself, settle down, and depend on you. Thank you that no matter how deep I may find myself, You are always deeper still.

In Him~
Tammy…

You can read more from Tammy by visiting her at Steps in Our Journey

Where does this holiday season find you?

‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa-La-La-La-
La-La-La-La-La… Or is it? Where does this holiday season find you? For many it is the time of good will and good cheer; a time to come together and count your blessings one by one. For others it is a time of great pain.

During the year families can give the appearance that they have it all together, but sometimes bringing everyone together during the holiday season can rip open wounds that have been ignored. Or many of you are dealing with what family member to spend what holiday with, and this can cause major strife.

Maybe you went through a divorce this year.

Or you are a college student who can not get home for the holidays, and it will be a quiet one for you.

Maybe you lost a loved one this year and the thought of celebrating without them is beyond your comprehension.

Are you a single mother and you have to give up your children for part of the season so they can spend time with their Dad?

The situations are endless….Where does this Holiday season find you?

The Christmas season tends to bring to the surface emotions we can normally ignore all year long, possibly feelings of loneliness, depression, or inadequacy. Whatever it is, the feelings are felt deeper during the holiday season.

Wherever you find yourself this season, maybe the Lord is bring these feelings to the surface so you will turn to the Hope this season has to offer. Over 2000 years ago Hope was born into the world and he wants to give you Peace, Love, and Joy. But not the peace, love and joy the world has to offer; you already know how that can lead to feelings of disappointment. But

His Peace,

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:7

His Love,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

His Joy,


Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.


Lay whatever feelings you are experiencing this holiday season at the manager, have you accepted what He has to offer you? Maybe this can be your first holiday season finally feeling free from whatever binds you, whatever feelings that keep you feeling trapped. He can set you free!


If you want to experience that freedom, and make a change in your life for the year 2008 then with your heart say this prayer.

"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

If you said this prayer, and your heart was open to receive, then you have received the best gift that I have to offer you this Christmas Season. Feel free to contact any one of our devotional writers or Darlene our editor, if you would like to know where to go from there. But the best advice I can say is begin reading the bible, why not begin in John.

Merry Christmas, may you have a Season of Hope.




I would love for you to visit me at Book Buzz here on CWO or my personal blog: Laurel Wreath

Aptly Spoken Words

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."

Proverbs 25:11

A couple of nights ago I went into my daughter's room to tuck her into bed. She looked over the open Bible she was holding and asked, "Mom, what's does 'aptly' mean?" We discussed the meaning of "aptly" (suitable, appropriate, timely, rightly) and how it applies in the above verse. We talked about why "apt" words are such a gift, and how to speak them to others. I had no idea that later in the week I would receive some "apt" words in my email inbox.

I've had a variety of ideas brewing about what to write on this, the eve of my fortieth birthday. I thought maybe I would be reflective, perhaps offering some wise perspective or some timely witticism about growing older. Maybe share a touching memory from my childhood. But as the week wore on nothing really came to me.

Today I received an email from a godly gentleman in my church, and I knew I wanted to share it with you. We attend a multi-age "Bible fellowship" (our church's name for our Sunday School classes) where we attend as a family. What I love about that class is that there are children and parents, as well as those old enough to be my parents. It's called a "family bible fellowship" or "FBF". We have a Yahoo group which sends out birthday reminders each year, and he had received the reminder of my upcoming birthday.

I received this today, and it blessed me so much that I wanted to share it with you. I pray these "apt" words would wash over you and bless you as well:

"An FBF email birthday reminder caused me to think what I would say to you on your day. You have a wonderful, God-fearing husband, two remarkable children, and a very fruitful life. What could I possibly add?

If I said, 'You are an extraordinary young woman,' you would probably look away and shyly reply, 'Thank you for the compliment, but....'

If I blessed you with all manner of blessing, you would probably look on your children, think of your husband and say, 'I have all that and more.'

Then I thought, if I look upon her through the eyes of a father, reassuring her, 'this is my daughter, in whom I am well pleased,' this would add to her peace.

Happy Birthday."

Those words touched a part of my heart that I had forgotten. The part of me that needs a fatherly "someone" to reassure me that he is pleased with me, to speak that on behalf of my Heavenly Father. And that's okay! Jesus needed that, too. Those words were spoken to Him as a blessing straight from His Heavenly Father. We all need to hear them at some time, perhaps multiple times during our lives, both from God Himself and by someone speaking words of blessing on His behalf. In fact, when Jesus heard them from the Father, His earthly father was no longer around to say them to Him. Perhaps that's partly why God Himself said it. No doubt, those were apt words for Jesus that day.

So, I say them to you today. If you are in Christ, Your Heavenly Father is looking at you today through the blood of His Son. He is well pleased with you. He sees you as righteous and beautiful. He loves you. In fact, He abounds in lovingkindness toward His children! Sure, you blow it daily, and must come to Him in repentance for forgiveness. But you able to boldy come before the throne of grace for mercy, forgiveness, cleansing and strength because He has invited you through His Son and His great love for you. Know that today. Let it bless you! I hope these are apt words for you today.

If you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the most apt words I could say to you are that it all starts with acknowledging that you need a Savior. Forgiveness of sins and a right standing with God can come only through a relationship with Jesus. (I recommend reading this.) I invite you to contact Christian Women Online if you would like to know more. You are not here on this earth- in this generation- by chance or accident. You have a purpose in God's plan! I hope these are apt words for you today.

Oh, how I hope this post and the words of my friend "add to your peace." Have a blessed Lord's Day!

Cyndi blogs at One Day More and Mater Magistra.

Everything in Common

"Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrach, and Saul." Acts 13:1

The women in this photo and I seemingly have nothing in common. We are from different races, different economic situations, different lifestyles. The same was true for the church at Antioch. In the words of Toby Mac, this first Gentile church was a Diverse City. There were Jews and Greeks. Rich and poor. Culturally elite and social outcasts. There was only one common denominator: Jesus Christ.

Before Friday, I believed I had very little in common with these women and yet through the extravagant, lavish grace of our Lord, a woman and teenage girl became my spiritual sisters this week during a missions effort by our church into their housing community in Montgomery, Alabama. Enticed by a new clothing giveaway, these ladies agreed to join me for some "Girl Talk" during a Backyard Bible Club. I had no idea what to expect going in so I was prepared with a Gospel presentation, my trusty Sword, and lots of praying girlfriends.

Often when I have shared the Gospel in this type of setting, I can literally see the womens' eyes glaze over. In the same spirit in which one would attend a 90-minute condominium presentation for a free vacation, you can almost hear the women say, "Get on with it. I'm not buying. I am only here for the free stuff!" And yet on this day, it was as if the sky opened up and God shot a beam of Holy Spirit fire right into our tent because here are some of the questions which came pouring out of their mouths:

"Why don't we have to offer sacrifices anymore? In the olden days, didn't people have to kill animals all the time? Why don't we do that?"

"Why does God allow terrible things to happen? Why did He let a man in Montgomery murder his three children just to get back at his wife?"

"How can I find the strength to stop doing drugs?"

"Why is it I always do what I don't want to, and I don't do what I do want to?" (Did this one scream Romans 6 or what?)

"I feel like I am sinning against my children for not giving them a better life. I want them to know there is more than this. How do I show them how to make something of themselves when I have failed?"

To say my jaw was on the ground does not even begin to do the matter justice. Here I was expecting dead silence when I began to talk about salvation and instead we went through scripture after scripture for an hour and a half. Shame on me for thinking so little of my God or the powerful prayers of our church and my blog friends! How dare I cease expecting His Wonders!

To hear these women sobbing and asking God to forgive their sin and restore their broken lives was about more than I could take in. The sincere prayer of faith is a sound I will never get tired of hearing as long as I live. What is better? Having one of them come to me today and tell me she had already read the entire books of John and Romans I had suggested and asking where to go next. You can't see, but I am still having a Jesus fit over it.

The blessing of getting to know these women showed me we have much more in common than first meets the eye. We want to mother well. We want the best for our children. We want to live a life of significance. We desire stability. However, God impressed a huge truth upon me this week: Anyone can have common dreams but only through Jesus Christ can we have common hope.

Lord Jesus, with uplifted hands I join the angel chorus who is even now singing praise to Your Holy Name for the redemption of these souls. I am full of joyful expectation of the good things you have in store for those who love Your appearing. Father, You know the dire needs and I ask you to build the faith of these women in Mighty Wonders only You can orchestrate. Amen!

p.s. These women were among twenty plus who were born again during our time in Montgomery this week. I'll be adding more redemption stories at my blog, The Preacher's Wife, over the next few days. Please come visit!

Unwrapping the Gift

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

What do you usually do after you have picked out the perfect gift for someone? Do you simply thrust it at them right out of the shopping bag, with the price tags flying and the receipt still stuck to it? As tempting as that is (because it’s just so hard to wait!) we usually take care to choose just how we’re going to present it. We may choose just the right gift bag or wrapping paper because part of the gift is in the presentation.

John 3:16 tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him would have eternal life." God chose a very special wrapping in which to give us the gift of His Son. According to Psalm 104:2 "He wraps himself in light, as with a garment," but this is certainly not how Jesus showed up! No, in fact God chose a different "wrapping," one much more costly. He, for a time, gave up His garment of light. He went from "wrapped in light" to "wrapped in skin."

Have you ever held a present and once you moved or shook it you could figure out what was in it? While wrapped in flesh, Jesus certainly gave evidence of what was God is like. The Bible says that He was "moved with compassion" for the hurting people around Him. He healed, He comforted, He performed miracles. The Bible also records that he was moved by the misuse of the His temple, giving us a glimpse of His righteous, holy anger.

Ultimately, His outer wrapping was torn. He was beaten, whipped, pierced and cut. His physical wrapping was finally "opened," for gifts are not meant to stay wrapped forever. He didn’t stay inside His mother, Mary, he didn’t stay in His swaddling clothes, neither did He stay in His human skin. But there was still one final wrapping. Just as He was wrapped in cloth when He was born, He was wrapped in linen after His death. And just as all the former wrappings had been shed, this one would be as well.

Mark 15:46 records that Joseph "bought some linen cloth, took down the body, and wrapped it in the linen." What I found extremely interesting was that the Greek word for "wrapped" in this verse comes from a root word which means "bound to the law." For so long, men were bound to continue falling short of keeping the Ten Commandments and to making sacrifices to atone for sins. All of this pointed to man's need for a Savior. The empty grave tells us we are free from death's power. The empty grave clothes remind us that we are no longer bound to the law, making sacrifices with bulls and rams. In Christ we are free! Free from death for eternity, and free from the power of sin in our daily lives even now.

How do you suppose it would feel to give someone a gift, and for them to acknowledge receipt of it but never open it? Wouldn't you feel they had not truly accepted your gift? God wrapped and sent us the gift of Christ. (Though, unlike our hypothetical unopened gift, this Gift has been unwrapped and is in His rightful place. The grave was not powerful enough to hold Him inside and despite his unbelief, man is not able to keep Him in His grave clothes.) However, each of us must acknowledge for ourselves that the gift was for us personally and not just for someone else or the world at large. It is in this way that we truly accept His gift. We must admit our own need for His sacrificial atonement. To truly open and accept this gift is to repent of our sins and make Jesus Lord of our hearts and lives. We can then enjoy the daily gift of freedom from sin's rule, and the unspeakable gift of the assurance of spending eternity with Him.

We are invited to unwrap God’s gift of salvation and freedom found only in Christ, and to share that gift with others. The grave is open, the grave clothes have been cast aside, Christ is alive!

May this Easter find each of us unwrapping and accepting His incredible gift.

He Split Time In Two!

Today marks a significant day in our history, Palm Sunday. Today we remember the week leading up to the most inconceivable event in human history.

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus,
The Son of God!
Recorded in all four Gospels:

Sunday: The Triumphal Entry; On the first day of the week Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy.
Monday: Clearing of the Temple, turning the tables of the money changers.
Tuesday: Controversy and parables; Jesus evaded the Pharisees traps and taught the people.
Wednesday: Unmentioned. (Interesting)
Thursday: The Last Supper with his disciples. A loaf and a cup of wine. The new covenant.
Friday: The crucifixion and death of our Savior.
Saturday: Defeats the enemy of The Ancient of Days!
Sunday: Resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus the Son of God. Victory over death for all mankind.

As I am typing this recap of Christ's life, I feel a lump in my throat and warm tears brimming. My soul is overwhelmed with the hope I have because of this week and what Jesus did for me.

Jesus

He split time in two.
He is the first.
He is the last.
He is everything in between.
He is conqueror.
He is redeemer of the broken hearted.
His is the restorer of relationships.
He is healer of all wounds.
He knows the innermost parts of my heart.
My Provider.
My Champion.
Powerful Advocate.
He is trustworthy and true.
He holds the stars in His hand!

Wars are waged against Him......He is victorious!
Lies are broadcast about Him......He is truth!
Governments try to crush Him......He is sovereign!
Legislators work to erase Him......He is ever-present.
Schools no longer pray to Him......He is our intercessor.
The media scorns His name......His name gives life.
Evil tried to kill him......HE LIVES!

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

We are healed. We have hope. We have victory. Jesus faced the week ahead for us. We are the passion of Jesus Christ.

Choose You This Day

"Oh, I just can’t decide! What are you having?"

"I just don’t know! It all looks so good!"

"It’s just can’t make up my mind…"

That's typical over-the-menu conversation at any lunch date with women. We agonize over what to choose, from the right salad to the right shoes. We ask one another's opinions on just about everything. We want input on our choices, and affirmation once they are made, whether it’s a haircut or home decor. We are creatures of choice. It's been that way since the first woman was fashioned by the Divine hands that chose to create us in His image. Part of that indelible image is "choice-maker."

I'm sure some variation of the above "lunch discussion" happened in the Garden of Eden. It must have "all looked so good!" How could they decide? They had the ultimate salad ingredients, that’s for sure! One day, though, the simple decision of "what’s for lunch?" became a destiny-defining choice. I wonder if the forbidden tree had ever been an issue before then. Aside from knowing it was off limits, they had such a bountiful buffet before them daily that it's quite possible they hardly even considered it. But the enemy was able to persuade Eve that its fruit was a valid, even desirable, choice. And what she chose has affected us all.

"Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before... either into a creature that is in harmony with God, ...or into one that is in a state of war with God. Each of us at each moment is progresing to the one state or the other."
~ C.S. Lewis ~
Mere Christianity

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

By nature, we are now creatures born into a “state of war” with God. But, by God’s grace, through Jesus Christ we can choose a path of harmony with God the Father, in tune with His perfect will. (John 14:6) So, the first choice is to decide whom you will serve: yourself, the world, God, or another person. Subsequent choices move you either closer or farther away from that chosen master. I can’t say "I will serve the Lord" and then make daily choices that move me closer to another master (and still be truly serving Him). The word "choose" in the above verse is the most common Old Testament word used to mean "to choose," "elect," or "decide for." My Hebrew lexicon says that this word, bahar, "always involves a careful, well thought-out choice." Further down in the explanation it says, "serviceability rather than simple arbitrariness is at the heart of the choosing."

Serviceability. "...choose for yourselves... whom you will serve." Our choices not only indicate who we serve, but our choices themselves serve the master by advancing his or her purposes. If I have chosen to serve God, when faced with subsequent choices I must ask myself: Will this choice serve to bring me closer to God or further from Him? Will it advance His kingdom? make me more like Christ? help me model Christ for another person?

Not that we should all live with deer-in-the-headlights expressions on our faces, while in a perpetual state of "analysis paralysis" over our choices of flip flops or pizza toppings. But just as Eve's choice had ramifications far beyond that moment in time, our daily choices do as well. How I choose to dress reflects my reverence for God. How I choose to spend resources reflects (and directs) my priorities. What I choose to eat reflects how I view my body, God’s temple. We don't need to be full of angst over each and every decision, for our loving God has not called us to a life filled with anxiety, nor has He saved us because of our works. But He has called us to a life of holiness, of being set apart for Him. He does desire us to live "in harmony" with Him rather than "at war" with Him.

By God's grace, we have the profound privilege of looking at the Garden of Eden from this side of the cross. We have the opportunity to respond to Christ's invitation and to receive the gift of salvation and the accompanying indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our choice-making each day. It is only by doing this that we literally "have it in us" to make the right choices. If you have not yet responded and "chosen this day" to serve Jesus Christ, I encourage you to go here. This world offers many choices of "masters," but only one choice, Jesus Christ, leads to life.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

If I delight in God, my desires will naturally (no, supernaturally) begin to line up with His. His desires will become my desires. God will change my "wanter." My "wanter" directs my "decider." The result will be choices that glorify God and bring me, with ever-increasing glory, more into conformity with the image of Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father in perfect harmony with Him.


Christine at Fruit in Season is our host for this week's In Other Words. If you would like to read other perspectives on this week's quote, or perhaps add your own, head on over. Thanks, Christine, for hosting us this week, and for this thought-provoking quote.

I'm praying for all of us and the choices we will make this day.