Psalm 56: 8
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.
O my dear, tender-loving Father, You are the great God of the Universe, yet You are my Daddy (Abba), Who invites me into Your lap, and You wrap Your strong, protective arms around me.
You take such careful note of all my sorrows, even collecting all my tears in Your bottle and recording each one in Your journal.
Why would You do all this, if not to demonstrate how Your own heart grieves for my pain and hurts! Such gentle care You give me, so tenderhearted and strong.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Burdens
Psalm 55: 22
Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Matthew 11: 28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
The burden that has weighed most heavily on me through the years has been my children. Before they were conceived and born I had given them back to the Lord, His having shown me back then that He would only lend them to me for a time, to prepare them for eternity with Him.
But I have often taken them back and tried to make them righteous in my own strengths and abilities. This has proved to me to have been unprofitable and even harmful to them.
Now that they are adults, I realize that they are out of my hands, and are now directly responsible and accountable to God, not me.
O my Father, thank You so much for each one of my children. Please keep me out of the way of Your dealing with them and working on them. They belong to You, Father, they always did. Please make Yourself real in their understandings and sensibilities. Draw each of them ever closer to Yourself and bless them.
And thank You also, Father, for the grandchildren You have given me through them. Help me, guide me, and teach me how to be a good grandma to each of them, as each one is so different from every other. As Jesus dealt with different people with different approaches and methods, show me how to be a good influence in each of their lives, considering how You have formed each one.
Father, You are such a good, good Father to us. Thank You for all You have done for me and mine. Teach us how to respond to Your workings in our lives the way You desire, walking in the path You have set each of our feet upon. Show Your light before each step, showing all the pitfalls and stumbling stones so we can avoid them, and I know You will not let go of our hands, to keep us from slipping off into a ditch on the right-hand or on the left.
And may You receive all the credit, all the glory, for everything You are doing in our lives, our societies and our World on this beautiful Earth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Matthew 11: 28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
The burden that has weighed most heavily on me through the years has been my children. Before they were conceived and born I had given them back to the Lord, His having shown me back then that He would only lend them to me for a time, to prepare them for eternity with Him.
But I have often taken them back and tried to make them righteous in my own strengths and abilities. This has proved to me to have been unprofitable and even harmful to them.
Now that they are adults, I realize that they are out of my hands, and are now directly responsible and accountable to God, not me.
O my Father, thank You so much for each one of my children. Please keep me out of the way of Your dealing with them and working on them. They belong to You, Father, they always did. Please make Yourself real in their understandings and sensibilities. Draw each of them ever closer to Yourself and bless them.
And thank You also, Father, for the grandchildren You have given me through them. Help me, guide me, and teach me how to be a good grandma to each of them, as each one is so different from every other. As Jesus dealt with different people with different approaches and methods, show me how to be a good influence in each of their lives, considering how You have formed each one.
Father, You are such a good, good Father to us. Thank You for all You have done for me and mine. Teach us how to respond to Your workings in our lives the way You desire, walking in the path You have set each of our feet upon. Show Your light before each step, showing all the pitfalls and stumbling stones so we can avoid them, and I know You will not let go of our hands, to keep us from slipping off into a ditch on the right-hand or on the left.
And may You receive all the credit, all the glory, for everything You are doing in our lives, our societies and our World on this beautiful Earth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
His Love And Suffering
Mark 14: 62
Jesus said, "I AM [the I AM is here (Exodus 3:14)], and you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand (Psalm 110:1) and coming on the clouds of Heaven (Daniel 7:13)."
It is so amazing that our great God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, would come as a human, a Son of Man, to receive power and to come on the clouds of Heaven to receive the kingdoms of this Earth to reign as Sovereign King!
But to first suffer--to endure hardship, humiliation, rejection, even execution as a criminal; for me, the criminal now set free! But for the joy set before Him, He endured the Cross--how He could have endured it at all, but especially, God the Father's rejection--God turning His back on God. I cannot imagine the agony of that moment, being forsaken by Father God--unimaginable!
Mark 14: 33-36
He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," He said to them. ... He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. "Abba, Father," He said, "Everything is possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will."
O my Father, my tiny mind will never comprehend how You could love so much, so deep, so saturating to fill all the Universe, down to the very molecules and atoms and beyond. To demonstrate that love in allowing Your own Son to be that atoning Sacrificial Lamb of God, knowing that it would entail that separation between Father and Son, if even temporary. Knowing that it would all be worth the price paid. To count us, me, worth that unlimited price! Uncomprehendable!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jesus said, "I AM [the I AM is here (Exodus 3:14)], and you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand (Psalm 110:1) and coming on the clouds of Heaven (Daniel 7:13)."
It is so amazing that our great God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, would come as a human, a Son of Man, to receive power and to come on the clouds of Heaven to receive the kingdoms of this Earth to reign as Sovereign King!
But to first suffer--to endure hardship, humiliation, rejection, even execution as a criminal; for me, the criminal now set free! But for the joy set before Him, He endured the Cross--how He could have endured it at all, but especially, God the Father's rejection--God turning His back on God. I cannot imagine the agony of that moment, being forsaken by Father God--unimaginable!
Mark 14: 33-36
He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," He said to them. ... He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. "Abba, Father," He said, "Everything is possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will."
O my Father, my tiny mind will never comprehend how You could love so much, so deep, so saturating to fill all the Universe, down to the very molecules and atoms and beyond. To demonstrate that love in allowing Your own Son to be that atoning Sacrificial Lamb of God, knowing that it would entail that separation between Father and Son, if even temporary. Knowing that it would all be worth the price paid. To count us, me, worth that unlimited price! Uncomprehendable!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
A Broken And Repentant Heart
Psalm 51: 16-17
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
God does not want us to try to make up for our wrongs by trying to do all kinds of things to pacify Him, or balance out the scales. Nothing we can do, no matter how good or how winsome or how much it cost us, it could never make up for any sin of ours, from the least to the greatest.
We are all born with a sin-bent nature, the Bible calls our "flesh." This is the sin we each are born into, that we inherit by our human nature. That is why we all sooner or later make that wrong choice to do what we know is wrong, but we do it anyway, for whatever reason. Some of us have more private and others more public sins, and some are more deeply affected by our sins and others to a lesser extent.
But the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. We are all guilty, and we each have earned the paycheck of death. That is why Jesus came to this Earth and entered into our World as a human being, just as we are. But He was not born of Adam, who passes on that gene to all of us through our DNA; He was born of Mary, a daughter of Eve, who only had personal sin, being deceived.
So Jesus did not need to give any sacrifice for himself, as all the priests and high-priests were commanded to, before offering the animal for the people; He could give His human life for each of us, which is what He did.
David knew this, and responded as he did, with that broken heart and spirit, in the repentance that God wants us all to experience. To admit to God that we deserve death, and let Jesus take our place on His Cross, paying our full, eternal debt on our behalf.
II Peter 3: 9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God is so gracious to allow His own Son to come forward to offer Himself in our place, as the Lamb of God, sacrificing God's own Blood on His altar, the Cross. Then God raised Him from the dead, with a new, Resurrection Life, proving He accepted that payment in full for each of us, and showing us what He has planned for us--that same Resurrection body that is designed to withstand the very presence of God Almighty to live with Him in His Home, Heaven.
O my Father, thank You so much for choosing me to be Your own. Thank You for sending Your only Son to take my place on Your Cross! I love You with my whole heart, soul, and my human strength.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
God does not want us to try to make up for our wrongs by trying to do all kinds of things to pacify Him, or balance out the scales. Nothing we can do, no matter how good or how winsome or how much it cost us, it could never make up for any sin of ours, from the least to the greatest.
We are all born with a sin-bent nature, the Bible calls our "flesh." This is the sin we each are born into, that we inherit by our human nature. That is why we all sooner or later make that wrong choice to do what we know is wrong, but we do it anyway, for whatever reason. Some of us have more private and others more public sins, and some are more deeply affected by our sins and others to a lesser extent.
But the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. We are all guilty, and we each have earned the paycheck of death. That is why Jesus came to this Earth and entered into our World as a human being, just as we are. But He was not born of Adam, who passes on that gene to all of us through our DNA; He was born of Mary, a daughter of Eve, who only had personal sin, being deceived.
So Jesus did not need to give any sacrifice for himself, as all the priests and high-priests were commanded to, before offering the animal for the people; He could give His human life for each of us, which is what He did.
David knew this, and responded as he did, with that broken heart and spirit, in the repentance that God wants us all to experience. To admit to God that we deserve death, and let Jesus take our place on His Cross, paying our full, eternal debt on our behalf.
II Peter 3: 9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God is so gracious to allow His own Son to come forward to offer Himself in our place, as the Lamb of God, sacrificing God's own Blood on His altar, the Cross. Then God raised Him from the dead, with a new, Resurrection Life, proving He accepted that payment in full for each of us, and showing us what He has planned for us--that same Resurrection body that is designed to withstand the very presence of God Almighty to live with Him in His Home, Heaven.
O my Father, thank You so much for choosing me to be Your own. Thank You for sending Your only Son to take my place on Your Cross! I love You with my whole heart, soul, and my human strength.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 30, 2017
A Tabernacle Detail: The Lampstand
Numbers 8: 3-4
(Aaron) set up the seven lamps so they reflected their light forward (in front of the lampstand), just as the Lord had commanded Moses. The entire lampstand, from its base to its decorative blossoms was made [in one piece] of beaten gold. It was built according to the exact design the Lord had shown Moses.
Revelation 1: 12-13, 20
When I turned to see Who was speaking to me, I saw seven golden lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son of Man. . . . The seven lampstands are the seven churches.
The lamps are the seven churches (the seven ages of the church?), all set on one lampstand in the Tabernacle, one universal church.
The light of the lamps is to shine forward. We don't light a lamp then hide it, we set it up to give light to the whole room.
Our Light is to shine before us, we are not to hide our Light.
Father, teach me how to shine Your Light in me out to others without appearing to promote myself, only You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(Aaron) set up the seven lamps so they reflected their light forward (in front of the lampstand), just as the Lord had commanded Moses. The entire lampstand, from its base to its decorative blossoms was made [in one piece] of beaten gold. It was built according to the exact design the Lord had shown Moses.
Revelation 1: 12-13, 20
When I turned to see Who was speaking to me, I saw seven golden lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son of Man. . . . The seven lampstands are the seven churches.
The lamps are the seven churches (the seven ages of the church?), all set on one lampstand in the Tabernacle, one universal church.
The light of the lamps is to shine forward. We don't light a lamp then hide it, we set it up to give light to the whole room.
Our Light is to shine before us, we are not to hide our Light.
Father, teach me how to shine Your Light in me out to others without appearing to promote myself, only You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 29, 2017
God's Blessing
Numbers 6: 24-26
May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.
God told Moses to have Aaron bless His people with this blessing.
I have given others this blessing since I found it, but I realize that God has already blessed me with all the elements of this Scripture.
God has blessed me and protected me. He has smiled upon me and been so gracious to me. He has shown me His favor in so many ways, and His peace has settled my mind and emotions in the midst of turmoil.
It has truly been said that you cannot out-give God. As I have desired that God would be so kind and gracious to others, He has been so much more kind and gracious to me!
O that I would be a vessel fit for the Master's use!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.
God told Moses to have Aaron bless His people with this blessing.
I have given others this blessing since I found it, but I realize that God has already blessed me with all the elements of this Scripture.
God has blessed me and protected me. He has smiled upon me and been so gracious to me. He has shown me His favor in so many ways, and His peace has settled my mind and emotions in the midst of turmoil.
It has truly been said that you cannot out-give God. As I have desired that God would be so kind and gracious to others, He has been so much more kind and gracious to me!
O that I would be a vessel fit for the Master's use!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Our Primary Motivation
I Thessalonians 2: 4
For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the One Who examines the motives of our hearts.
Our primary motivation for telling people the Good News that Jesus came to save us by dying for us and rising from the dead, is not to help the people, but to lift up our Lord, obeying Him in teaching everyone in all the Nations. We can help them in many temporal ways, showing them God's love; then He will do for the people what we cannot, lift them up out of the miry swamp and place their feet on the Rock when they believe.
O my Father, please search me and know me, see what wicked ways are still in me; show me my sin that I may confess it and forsake it. Cleanse me and mold me, make me an instrument approved by You to be entrusted with Your Good News.
Strengthen me in my weaknesses, that I would not seek people's approval, only Yours, for You are the One Who examines my heart, and You are the God Who makes me holy in Your sight.
It's all of You alone, and You will get all the credit, You will receive all the glory, for You alone deserve all the glory and honor and praise through all eternity.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the One Who examines the motives of our hearts.
Our primary motivation for telling people the Good News that Jesus came to save us by dying for us and rising from the dead, is not to help the people, but to lift up our Lord, obeying Him in teaching everyone in all the Nations. We can help them in many temporal ways, showing them God's love; then He will do for the people what we cannot, lift them up out of the miry swamp and place their feet on the Rock when they believe.
O my Father, please search me and know me, see what wicked ways are still in me; show me my sin that I may confess it and forsake it. Cleanse me and mold me, make me an instrument approved by You to be entrusted with Your Good News.
Strengthen me in my weaknesses, that I would not seek people's approval, only Yours, for You are the One Who examines my heart, and You are the God Who makes me holy in Your sight.
It's all of You alone, and You will get all the credit, You will receive all the glory, for You alone deserve all the glory and honor and praise through all eternity.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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