I know this is a long post but trust me, it is worth it. This is a portion of my Sunday School lesson on 'How did Jesus win our salvation?' Read the passage please. It left me speechless...
Excerpts from 'The Sacrifice' by George Herbert
"With clubs and staves they seek me, as a thief,
Who am the Way and Truth, the true relief;
Most true to those, who are my greatest grief:
Was ever grief like mine?
See, they lay hold on me, not with the hands
Of faith, but furie: yet at their commands
I suffer binding, who have loosed their bands:
Was ever grief like mine?
Arise, arise, they come. Look how they run!
Alas! what haste they make to be undone!
How with their lanterns do they seek the sun!
Was ever grief like mine?
Therefore my soul melts, and my heart's dear treasure
Drops blood (the only beads) my word to measure:
Was ever grief like mine?
These drops being tempered with a sinner's tears
A balsome are for both the hemispheres:
Curing all wounds, but mine; all, but my fears:
Was ever grief like mine?
So sits the earth's great curse in Adam's fall
Upon my head; so I remove it all
From th' earth unto my brows, and bear the thrall:
Was ever grief like mine?
The soldiers also spit upon that face,
Which angels did desire to have the grace,
And prophets, once to see, but found no place:
Was ever grief like mine?
'O ye all who pass by, behold and see';
Man stole the fruit, but I must climb the tree;
The tree of life to all, but only me:
Was ever grief like mine?
Such sorrow as, if sinful man could feel,
Or feel his part, he would not cease to kneel,
Till all were melted, though he were all steel:
Was ever grief like mine?
'Now heal thy self, Physician; now come down.'
Alas! I did so, when I left my crown
And father's smile for you, to feel his frown:
Was ever grief like mine?
In healing not my self, there doth consist
All that salvation, which ye now resist;
Your safety in my sickness doth subsist:
Was ever grief like mine?
But now I die; now all is finished.
My woe, men's weal: and now I bow my head.
Only let others say, when I am dead,
Never was grief like mine."
He suffered more than we can even imagine, to gain the love we so rarely give Him. How truly great is our God!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Live like We're Dying
"We only got 86,400 seconds in a day
to turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell 'em that we love 'em while we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying!"
This is part of the chorus to a popular song right now by Kris Allen. It isn't a 'Christian' song but it applies anyway. God is not confined to speaking truth only through the music of those who claim His name. We can find truth even in the words of the firmest athiest.
So...what are we going to do with our lives? Who are we going to live for? What, at the end, will give us joy? Imagine if more people starting living like this, living as if the day they had were the last they would ever see. What would change?
As Christians, every night we should go to sleep ready to meet our Maker and knowing that we didn't waste a second of the day we are now finishing. We only have one life,all we are guaranteed is the moment we are now in. What are we going to do with it?
Christ came to earth to die for us, He wrapped Himself in flesh to take the punishment for our sin, He bore the shame and agony of the cross to redeem His sinful creations. As He went through each day, He knew that He was one day closer to His own death but also, to the glory of His resurrection. Will we follow our Lord's example or will we live for ourselves? Will we enjoy good now or we will wait, realizing that there is greater good to be gained at the feet of our Savior?
You only have 86,400 seconds in this day. Will you be proud or ashamed of them once they are gone?
to turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell 'em that we love 'em while we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying!"
This is part of the chorus to a popular song right now by Kris Allen. It isn't a 'Christian' song but it applies anyway. God is not confined to speaking truth only through the music of those who claim His name. We can find truth even in the words of the firmest athiest.
So...what are we going to do with our lives? Who are we going to live for? What, at the end, will give us joy? Imagine if more people starting living like this, living as if the day they had were the last they would ever see. What would change?
As Christians, every night we should go to sleep ready to meet our Maker and knowing that we didn't waste a second of the day we are now finishing. We only have one life,all we are guaranteed is the moment we are now in. What are we going to do with it?
Christ came to earth to die for us, He wrapped Himself in flesh to take the punishment for our sin, He bore the shame and agony of the cross to redeem His sinful creations. As He went through each day, He knew that He was one day closer to His own death but also, to the glory of His resurrection. Will we follow our Lord's example or will we live for ourselves? Will we enjoy good now or we will wait, realizing that there is greater good to be gained at the feet of our Savior?
You only have 86,400 seconds in this day. Will you be proud or ashamed of them once they are gone?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Harlot Bride
Exekiel 16.
This is sin without veils, without sugared words, and without side stepping. It is put down in clear, powerful, attention demanding language. We are not allowed to ignore this.
The orphan has been wed by the King, the bride has been adorned by her Husband, and the wife has betrayed her Savior...
Imagine if a man and woman were about to be married; he had popped the question, she had accepted, and now, they are at their wedding day. The groom is at the altar, the wedding march begins, and the bride comes down the isle. But what if...instead of white gown and veil and eyes on her fiance alone, this girl comes clothed in the garments of a prostitue and flirting with every man in the room?
We were abandoned and covered in our own blood and filth and He came, cleaned us off, and claimed us as His own. He covered us with beautiful robes and gave us all that we have and just like Israel did, we so often spurn it. We run after the fickle idols of this world and sacrifice His own gifts to the vanities of our hearts.
Do we understand how puny, how miniscule we are compared to the God who has saved us? Do we realize how brutal of a betrayal it is when we run from the greatest Love ever just to have some sinful pleasure that will burn on the Day of Judgment? We are His Bride; we should be striving every day to be beautiful for Him.
And yet, our offended Groom does not leave us. He doesn't throw the ring down in the church and walk away. He stays there, calls us back to Him, with pain even, and continues to teach us, to persue us, and to love us when we are unlovable. What an amazing God we have!
This is sin without veils, without sugared words, and without side stepping. It is put down in clear, powerful, attention demanding language. We are not allowed to ignore this.
The orphan has been wed by the King, the bride has been adorned by her Husband, and the wife has betrayed her Savior...
Imagine if a man and woman were about to be married; he had popped the question, she had accepted, and now, they are at their wedding day. The groom is at the altar, the wedding march begins, and the bride comes down the isle. But what if...instead of white gown and veil and eyes on her fiance alone, this girl comes clothed in the garments of a prostitue and flirting with every man in the room?
We were abandoned and covered in our own blood and filth and He came, cleaned us off, and claimed us as His own. He covered us with beautiful robes and gave us all that we have and just like Israel did, we so often spurn it. We run after the fickle idols of this world and sacrifice His own gifts to the vanities of our hearts.
Do we understand how puny, how miniscule we are compared to the God who has saved us? Do we realize how brutal of a betrayal it is when we run from the greatest Love ever just to have some sinful pleasure that will burn on the Day of Judgment? We are His Bride; we should be striving every day to be beautiful for Him.
And yet, our offended Groom does not leave us. He doesn't throw the ring down in the church and walk away. He stays there, calls us back to Him, with pain even, and continues to teach us, to persue us, and to love us when we are unlovable. What an amazing God we have!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sandpaper People
I just got a new background with the help of my awesome, high-tech younger sister. She suffered through my painstakingly slow persusal of the different options and my control-freak need to do everything myself. Bless her heart!
As the oldest of five, I have had plenty of instances when that younger sister and the other three have acted in the same aggravating way to me. They are loud when I am trying to study, they ignore or interrupt me when I am trying to talk, and they discover unlimited ways to simply tick me off. Mom calls them 'sandpaper people'. Those are the people who rub your rough edges smooth; they teach your patience, selflessness, obedience, and humility. That would be my siblings.
And yet, there are times when I hear my six year old brother burst into hysterical laughter or eat lunch with my two beautiful sisters or marvel at the complexity of my other brother's artwork, and I just have to praise God for what would I do without them? What would I do without that obnoxious noise that fills this house or those young voices telling me things I feel too busy to listen to? I am first a Christian, then a daughter, and third...a sister. My siblings change me in ways they don't realize. They define who I am and the way I treat my husband and my kids, should God bless me with both, will be that way because of the decisions I made about them. They are my best friends, my worst enemies, my motherhood practice, and one of the greatest gifts God has given me and I am eternally grateful!
As the oldest of five, I have had plenty of instances when that younger sister and the other three have acted in the same aggravating way to me. They are loud when I am trying to study, they ignore or interrupt me when I am trying to talk, and they discover unlimited ways to simply tick me off. Mom calls them 'sandpaper people'. Those are the people who rub your rough edges smooth; they teach your patience, selflessness, obedience, and humility. That would be my siblings.
And yet, there are times when I hear my six year old brother burst into hysterical laughter or eat lunch with my two beautiful sisters or marvel at the complexity of my other brother's artwork, and I just have to praise God for what would I do without them? What would I do without that obnoxious noise that fills this house or those young voices telling me things I feel too busy to listen to? I am first a Christian, then a daughter, and third...a sister. My siblings change me in ways they don't realize. They define who I am and the way I treat my husband and my kids, should God bless me with both, will be that way because of the decisions I made about them. They are my best friends, my worst enemies, my motherhood practice, and one of the greatest gifts God has given me and I am eternally grateful!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Our Alabaster Flasks
"A woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold...and given to the poor.
"But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, 'Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me...For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.'"
This passage was part of my devotions today. The story has always fascinated me; just the whole picture of Jesus, the cross only days ahead of Him, reclining at the table and Mary, nervous and sorrowful, coming in with that flask. The sound of pottery smashing as she broke it, the pungent scent of the costly liquid filling the room, and then, this young woman anointing the Master's head and washing His feet with her tears, wiping them dry with her long, dark hair.
That perfume was not cheap and it was probably all Mary had; a fragrant oil to perhaps be used at her own burial. And yet, she gave it completely and recklessly to Christ; every drop was poured over Him, she kept nothing back.
How often do we clutch our alabaster flasks so tightly and say, "No, Lord, everything but that! You can have everything else but not my job, my home, my spouse, or my money. Not that one precious flask."
And yet, that is often that very thing that He most wants because it is of most value to us. Sometimes, as with Abraham, He asks us to give up the unthinkable just to see if we really love HIm best?
So...do we? What is your flask? What are mine? If He asked for them, would we obey? Or would we grasp it tighter, hide it away, and mutter excuses on how the God of the universe isn't worth that much?
Do we trade the Creator for a creation or do we smash it recklessly and completely and let the sweet scent of obedience fill our nostrils and cover us in the fragrance of a heart truly under the lordship of Mary's Master?
"But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, 'Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me...For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.'"
This passage was part of my devotions today. The story has always fascinated me; just the whole picture of Jesus, the cross only days ahead of Him, reclining at the table and Mary, nervous and sorrowful, coming in with that flask. The sound of pottery smashing as she broke it, the pungent scent of the costly liquid filling the room, and then, this young woman anointing the Master's head and washing His feet with her tears, wiping them dry with her long, dark hair.
That perfume was not cheap and it was probably all Mary had; a fragrant oil to perhaps be used at her own burial. And yet, she gave it completely and recklessly to Christ; every drop was poured over Him, she kept nothing back.
How often do we clutch our alabaster flasks so tightly and say, "No, Lord, everything but that! You can have everything else but not my job, my home, my spouse, or my money. Not that one precious flask."
And yet, that is often that very thing that He most wants because it is of most value to us. Sometimes, as with Abraham, He asks us to give up the unthinkable just to see if we really love HIm best?
So...do we? What is your flask? What are mine? If He asked for them, would we obey? Or would we grasp it tighter, hide it away, and mutter excuses on how the God of the universe isn't worth that much?
Do we trade the Creator for a creation or do we smash it recklessly and completely and let the sweet scent of obedience fill our nostrils and cover us in the fragrance of a heart truly under the lordship of Mary's Master?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Light and Life Obeyed
"O Father, you are sovereign, in all the worlds you made;
Your mighty word was spoken, and light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons and bounds the ocean’s shore,
Sets stars within their courses and stills the tempest’s roar."
We think of God's powerful arm; His mighty throne room; or His loving eyes but how often do we think about His voice? His mighty word was spoken and light and life obeyed. Imagine, the darkness of before creation and then, a voice to shatter the mountains and still the heart of a child shot across the waters, commanded light to form, and like an obedient servant, it leapt forth shimmering and brilliant!
Through all six days of creation, it was His voice that was obeyed as dry land stretched up from the waters, animals and plants sprang to life, and finally, a man was formed with the breath of life breathed into his nostrils.
But the power of God's voice does not end with creation. Look at the second part of the verse. It commands the seasons and bounds the ocean's shore. I always liked that image. It is as if He drew a line in the sand and told the waves, "Here you go and no farther for I AM."
He sets the stars in place and He stills the tempest's roar. He has utter power over nature and us. We have no need to fear. We serve a God who knows all the stars by name and at whose voice, the earth quakes. We can rest knowing that His voice, His love, His arms, and His eternal plan are unfailing; we will never be alone.
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
Your mighty word was spoken, and light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons and bounds the ocean’s shore,
Sets stars within their courses and stills the tempest’s roar."
We think of God's powerful arm; His mighty throne room; or His loving eyes but how often do we think about His voice? His mighty word was spoken and light and life obeyed. Imagine, the darkness of before creation and then, a voice to shatter the mountains and still the heart of a child shot across the waters, commanded light to form, and like an obedient servant, it leapt forth shimmering and brilliant!
Through all six days of creation, it was His voice that was obeyed as dry land stretched up from the waters, animals and plants sprang to life, and finally, a man was formed with the breath of life breathed into his nostrils.
But the power of God's voice does not end with creation. Look at the second part of the verse. It commands the seasons and bounds the ocean's shore. I always liked that image. It is as if He drew a line in the sand and told the waves, "Here you go and no farther for I AM."
He sets the stars in place and He stills the tempest's roar. He has utter power over nature and us. We have no need to fear. We serve a God who knows all the stars by name and at whose voice, the earth quakes. We can rest knowing that His voice, His love, His arms, and His eternal plan are unfailing; we will never be alone.
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
Monday, October 5, 2009
Love Like This
How much does God love us? To the moon? To the stars? Our human brains can't even take in the depth of His love!
Two days ago, my father came home for a two week R and R after serving nine months in Iraq. My entire family went to the airport and waited...and waited...and waited. I stood at the window and tried not to be sick; I could not sit still I was so eager to see him.
Then,finally, he was there in the flesh and we enveloped him with hugs. Tears were on everyone's cheeks and I was shaking with adrenaline. My mom couldn't even text to say that he was home to those of our friens who were waiting for the news. We were just too excited.
That night, I sat in bed and thought about how great it was to finally have him home and it struck me. That is how God loves us. He yearns for us to finally come to Him in heaven; He longs for me a hundred times more than I ever longed for my dad.
I mentioned this thought at community group since the topic of our dicussion was very similar and one of the men added to what I had said. What if, instead of hugging us and wanting to spend every minute he could with us, my dad had juat walked past us towards the McDonalds or the latest Kohl's sale? That would have hurt more than I can imagine, to be ignored by the very person that I have so eagerly been waiting for.
We do that every day to God. We would rather finish our book or take our nap or buy the latest fashions than give even a little of what He gave to us back to God. He loves us so much; He DIED for us and we ignore Him. How dare we? Think of how that hurts Him and yet...and YET, He doesn't just give up on us. He still pursues us, stil loves us, still helps us when we're in trouble and we decided that praying is worth our time suddenly. He still keeps all His promises. He is truly a wondrous God!
Two days ago, my father came home for a two week R and R after serving nine months in Iraq. My entire family went to the airport and waited...and waited...and waited. I stood at the window and tried not to be sick; I could not sit still I was so eager to see him.
Then,finally, he was there in the flesh and we enveloped him with hugs. Tears were on everyone's cheeks and I was shaking with adrenaline. My mom couldn't even text to say that he was home to those of our friens who were waiting for the news. We were just too excited.
That night, I sat in bed and thought about how great it was to finally have him home and it struck me. That is how God loves us. He yearns for us to finally come to Him in heaven; He longs for me a hundred times more than I ever longed for my dad.
I mentioned this thought at community group since the topic of our dicussion was very similar and one of the men added to what I had said. What if, instead of hugging us and wanting to spend every minute he could with us, my dad had juat walked past us towards the McDonalds or the latest Kohl's sale? That would have hurt more than I can imagine, to be ignored by the very person that I have so eagerly been waiting for.
We do that every day to God. We would rather finish our book or take our nap or buy the latest fashions than give even a little of what He gave to us back to God. He loves us so much; He DIED for us and we ignore Him. How dare we? Think of how that hurts Him and yet...and YET, He doesn't just give up on us. He still pursues us, stil loves us, still helps us when we're in trouble and we decided that praying is worth our time suddenly. He still keeps all His promises. He is truly a wondrous God!
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