The Real Meaning of Christmas

“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!” (Isaac Watts) Most do not know the real meaning of the Christian Christmas holiday. In fact many are marking out “Christ” and replacing with an X – Xmas, or completely getting rid of the term, “Merry Christmas,” and now say “Happy Holidays.” The secular world doesn’t want Christ to have any part of these holidays. Actually, the name Christmas comes from the term, Christ’s Mass, which comes from the Catholic Church, to mean “the worship of Christ.” But has been infiltrated, distorted, and polluted by many heathen practices. But the Christian Church has embraced the idea of celebrating the coming of Christ into the world to bring about our salvation. Jesus Christ probably was not born on December 25, or even in December, but Christians wanted to have a “special day” to celebrate the free Gift from God the Father to us that by accepting Him we might be “saved.” The tree and the decorations are just part of our celebration to commemorate God’s magnanimous Gift. We celebrate with a pure heart toward God, the only God, Who is pure, all powerful, omniscient, omnipresent, and all loving God. Because of His love for us, God the Father gave Jesus Christ to us in the form of a baby. All this is to say, the true meaning of Christmas is LOVE, so what is real love? Real love “gives.” John 3:16 tells that God so loved the world (all of us) that He gave. He loved us so much that He was willing to give His most precious Gift, His Son, Jesus, to live and die for us so that those who would accept and commit to Him and become His children, so we could one day live with Him! Real love “gives.” It gives our very “self.” Read, study and meditate on this chapter of scripture to learn, or learn again, the real meaning of Christmas. The theme of every book in the Bible, in some way, is about the love of God. I can be the most talented, so I can speak in the tongues of men and even of angels, but have not that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion that God’s love inspires in me, I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And I may have so much faith so I can remove mountains; and if I can understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am a useless nobody. Even if I dole out all that I have to the poor to provide food, and if I surrender my body to be burned (that I may gain glory), but have not God’s love in me, I gain nothing (I Cor.13:1-3 Amp). Verse 4&5 says that “true love” endures long and is patient and kind, and is not envious, nor jealous, boastful, nor conceited, nor rude, and does not displays itself haughtily. God’s love in us does not insist on its own rights or its own way; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful. God’s love in us causes us to be humble – we know from Whom all our abilities and our very life come. Real love “forgives.” I Cor.13:5c (Amp.) says “real love” takes no account of the evil done to it (it pays no attention to a suffered wrong). Verse 7 says that real love bears up under anything and everything that comes, it is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening. In verses 6&8 it says that God’s kind of love does not rejoice in injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. It believes the best of every person. God’s love never fails, never fades out or becomes obsolete. Faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is LOVE! God is love! Love is His Essence, His DNA. He can do no less than love, He cannot change! He loved us when He knew us before we were born. He loved us while we were still sinners. That is why He willingly came to earth as a baby, to live a despised life by many, to die a hideous death on the cross for us, and He continues to love us from His place at the right hand of the Father. He sent His Holy Spirit to convince us of our sin and that Jesus loves us and is our Savior. The Holy Spirit will stay with us to keep, guide and comfort us. He prays for us that we will accept Him and commit our lives to Him. This is what Christmas is really all about – LOVE! Jesus gives us a “new commandment” in John 13:34 to, “Love one another as I have loved you.” May we all grasp and cling to His love for us, may it change us, may we internalize it and make it our own to expend on all with whom we come in contact, the good and the bad. That’s what Christmas is all about! Because Jesus came as a baby, lived as a man, died as our Savior, rose as our conqueror, and is our soon coming King, we can joyfully say, MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanksgiving Prayer After the 2016 Election

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You, Jesus for the victory in our nation’s election! Victory for the unborn; victory for the sanctity of marriage; victory for freedom of religion; and on and on for the victories for the freedom to follow the righteousness You have set down for us in Your Word. You are faithful ! – Faithful to keep Your promises, faithful to hear our cries, faithful to hear our prayers!! You heard our cries for mercy! You, once again have proved Yourself! You overlooked our fears and our doubts! You just accepted our “mustard seed” faith and showed Yourself great and faithful on our behalf! You are good, and You are great, and greatly to be praised!! We shout with Andre Crouch, “How can I say thanks for the things You have done for us? Things so undeserved, yet You did to prove Your love for us.” This victory shows the character of the Almighty, Omniscient, All Loving, Ever Present and Ever Merciful God – Jehovah Jireh, our Provider! Now, we need You to hear our cries for our newly elected President! Father, bring him to the foot of the cross in humility. May he openly acknowledge You as the Sovereign God Who rules the affairs of man, Who loves us even when we have walked so far from You and listened to the lies of the enemy of our soul, Satan, and You now wait to give us forgiveness, a clean heart, newness and restoration of all we have lost. Protect him, spirit, soul and body from Satan, our enemy. May he be the leader in humbling himself, praying, seeking Your face, and turning from his wicked ways (II Chr.7:14). Then he can claim the promise for You to “heal our land.” Only You can heal our hearts, so may Your Holy Spirit move in the hearts of all the people of this land to follow You first, then our leader, Donald Trump, in becoming a dedicated people to the righteousness of God You set forth in Your Word. Father, help us “to not remember the former things, neither consider the things of old, but to look to the new thing that is now springing forth (Isa.43:18-19). Thank You for giving us a new start, a new hope, and new courage to stand boldly for righteousness. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (II Chr.20:12c)! Hear our prayer, O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer! Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing! Know and recognize that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Come into His presence and up close to Him with thanksgiving and praise! Be thankful and praise His name, Jehovah – the Almighty, Eternal, All Powerful and Sovereign God! For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting. His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations (Ps.100). (This is my heart’s response to the miraculous answer to our pleas for help regarding our nation! We must not forget to praise the One Who is the only One Who could bring about this victory, and I hope you will join me). Mary Jones

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD Psalm 23 is a Psalm that addresses all the needs and lack in our lives, and Jesus is the One Who can meet all that “lack.” Let’s look at Psalm 23 and see how Jesus is the Good Shepherd who fills full all of our “lack.” Psalm 23:1 shows us how our Good Shepherd will feed, guide, and shield us – if we follow Him we shall have no lack. In verse 2 & 3 He leads us to a place of peace, tranquility and rest after being depleted by our own waywardness, He will refresh and restore us and lead us back into the paths of righteousness (not for our earning it but) for His name’s sake –His name is Jehovah- Tsidkenue (our righteousness), what love and grace! In verse four the Good Shepherd is portrayed as the One Who continually walks with us, even through the shadows of death. We don’t have to be afraid of any evil because He is with us, and remember: “Greater is He that is within us than He that is in the world” (I Jn.4:4). He is with us even in the shadows of “death” to a dream; death of a loved one; death to a job that supplies our livelihood; death to a friendship; or our actual death, or anything that brings us into a place of shadows, depression or fear. Remember that our enemy, Satan, has come to steal, kill and destroy us, but Jesus has come to give us life and life more abundantly (Jn.10:10)! He has, and uses His rod of protection for anything Satan would devise to hurt or destroy us. He has His staff to guide us in the way we should go, the path of righteousness. He is The Light of the World, and if we look to that Light and walk in that Light, He will eventually bring us through and out of the “shadow of death,” and into His glorious Light, which will be a place of joy, peace and comfort. Verse 5 & 6 tells us that when we are His child, and one of His “sheep,” the Father prepares a banqueting table for us with wonderful plenty, while the enemy, who has been warring against us, spirit, soul, and body, will stand and watch us feasting on the goodness of God. “You anoint my head with oil.” In the Bible “oil” was used for the act of dedication to God; to mix with sacrificial items; marking God’s anointed; signifying richness, fruitfulness; putting on the face to make it shine to appear healthy. It was a symbol of the Holy Spirit Who comes into our lives when we give ourselves to God. He brings richness and fruitfulness into our lives, and brings a shining, joyful countenance to us. He enables us to be over-comers, and to do all things through His strength and ability. Our cup is running over with His grace, goodness, mercy and love! Surely all of these good things shall follow us all the days of our lives, and in His presence we will live! Everyone needs all of these things that are found in Jesus, so He is all we need. We need: Love – John 3:16. He is love. Love is character and He cannot be anything but loving. Just as Jesus is eternal, His love is eternal, it is unconditional! We cannot do more good things to make Him love us more; nor can we do any worse things to cause Him to love us less. He will always love us! We need a protector - He is our Protector - Ps.3:3! We need someone to lean on and sustain us - He is our Sustainer (the One we can lean on) – Ps.3:5! The whole world is crying for peace – peace in our world, heart and mind. He is our Peace – Isa.26:3! When we are weak and tired He is our Rest – Ps.16:8-9! When Satan with the circumstances of life have oppressed and depressed us -He is our Comforter – II Cor.1:3-4! When we are lost and wandering - He is our Seeker – Eze.34:16a; Luke 19:10! We are desperately in need of help - He is our Helper – Ps.33:20! We want and seek truth -He is The Truth – Jn.14:17! We want and need a true friend who will be there for us. Someone who knows us, yet loves us - He is our intimate Friend - Prov.18:24; Jn.15:14; Ps.139:1-18! When we are bound by addictive habits of the body and of the mind - He is our Deliverer – Ps.18:2! When we don’t know which decision to make or which path to follow - He is our Guide and Counselor – Jn.16:13; Isa.9:6! When we are in the “pigpen” of life and come to Him for cleansing, He will clean us up and give us His clean Robe of Righteous.” - He is our Righteousness – I Jn.1:9: Rom.3:21-24! What more, or who else could we want to satisfy our deepest needs and longings? Only the Lord Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd! He is all we need or want!!

Waiting Takes Some Serious Doing

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and selected young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord (who expect, look for, and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” (Isaiah 40:30-31 Amp.) This kind of waiting is not sitting down and folding our hands and being inactive but waiting on God to answer our prayers involves some “serious doing” on our part. Sounds like an oxymoron? The Hebrew word for “wait” in our text is “qavah,” a prime root which means, “To bind together by twisting; (fig.) to expect – gather together, look, patiently wait (for, on, upon).” This definition of “wait” spells out the “serious doings” of waiting upon the Lord. So, what are they? First to wait and expect Him to act on our prayers, we must to come into His presence with clean hands and a pure heart (Ps.24:4). He will not hear our prayers if we come to Him soiled with sin (Ps.66:18). We must confess our sins, and know that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (IJn.1:9). Coming into His presence with clean hands and a pure hear is our first “serious doing” to be ready to wait on Him. After becoming clean we should praise God. Having a grateful heart moves the heart of God. Thank Him “in” everything (I Thess.5:18). Right in the middle of your problem give Him thanks for being your problem solver; thanks for being with you in your problem, thanks that He knows the answer, He is in control and in His time He will make everything beautiful (Eccl.3:11). Also thank Him “for” the problem (Eph.5:20). Thank Him for how He is teaching you with your problem - that you are learning to trust Him for a successful solution, and how your faith could not grow without problems. Andrae’ Crouch’s song, “Through It All,” says it all: I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow, There've been times I didn't know right from wrong; But in every situation God gave blessed consolation that my trials Come to only make me strong. I thank God for the mountains, And I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through; For if I'd never had a problem I wouldn't know that He could solve them, I'd never know what fait in God could do. Chorus: Through it all, Through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God. Through it all, Through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word! Next, we must “gather together” all of our desires, dreams, aspirations, and all we are, and commit our all to the One Who thoroughly knows us, Who knows what is best for us, Who knows every circumstance that must take place before we are ready to “mount up with wings; to run and not be weary and to walk and not faint.” Committing our all to Him is hard, because it means committing our will and our self-centeredness to God in exchange for His wisdom, His will and His Righteousness. (This is part of the Great Exchange I wrote about in another blog, December 26, 2008). More “serious doing” while waiting on the Lord is faith-filled praying. Not just presenting our petitions and going our way and hoping God heard us and will answer just the way we want it answered. But this is the part of “binding together” by twisting our will and our way of doing it to the One Who knows what is best and has the power to answer our prayers. When we have faith in, and trust our prayers to Him and His promises, we shall become bonded together with Him “Who is able to do abundantly, above all we could ask, hope or imagine” (Eph.3:20). His will becomes our will, and we can patiently wait for His answers. To come near to Him We trust our all to Him, and “We must know that God exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6). Having rewarding faith is being able to “Cast all of our care, your anxieties, all your worries and all your concerns on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully” (I Pet.5:7 Amp.). Until we come to this position of faith, we are not truly waiting on Him to answer our prayers. God is not as man that He should, or would lie, but what He says, He will do. All his promises are true – “Yes and Amen in Jesus” (II Cor.1:20). So when we come with clean hands and a pure heart, submitting our all to Him and fitting into His plan, and pray in faith believing He is God and will reward our faith with a “yes and amen” to His promises (Heb.12:1-3), then our waiting is rewarded by our prayers being answered, our strength being renewed, and we will be “lifted on wings as eagles; we will run and not be weary; and we shall walk and not faint or become tired.”

The Twenty Third Psalm (As I Enjoy It)

I imagine if you were to ask everyone who was familiar with the Bible, “What is your favorite Psalm” the large majority would say the 23rd Psalm. Whenever I stop to meditate on it, it thrills my heart to drink in the love of the Good Shepherd for those of us who love Him. It says to me: First verse: “Because the Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want or lack anything.” The Good shepherd provides perfectly everything His sheep would need (and I am one of His sheep). As one of His sheep, I need to know all of my needs will eternally be met. Because He is eternal, and He will never change, He will eternally meet my needs, if I trust Him. Love is something all of us want and need. As one of His sheep, God, the Father, loves us with an everlasting love (Ps.100:5), and John 15:13 tells us, “No one has greater love than to lay down His own life for His friends.” And John 3:16 tells us, “For God so dearly loved and prized the world that He even gave up His only begotten (unique) Son that whoever believes and trusts in, clings to, and relies on His shall not perish and be lost but have eternal life.” No matter what we do, nor how far away from Him we may run, His unconditional love will follow us – always wooing and drawing us back. If we are one of His sheep we cannot withstand His patient and pursuing love, but must fall at His feet for forgiveness, cleansing & complete restoration (I Jn.1:9) The Good Shepherd is our protector (spirit, soul and body), because we have made Him our refuge (Ps.91). He brings us into the fold and becomes the “door” so nothing that would hurt or destroy could come in or touch us. Jesus tells us in John 10:9, “I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out freely, and will find pasture.” He is our Sustainer (Ps.3:5), we can “lean on” Him, and when we are down He will “lift us up.” We all desire, and are looking for peace. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they who love your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble,” and in Psalm 3:1&2 David is instructing his son, “My Son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of a life worth living and tranquility (inward and outward and continuing to old age till death), these shall they add to you.” Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal.5:22-23). When we become one of his sheep, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us, with all of His fruit: love, joy, peace, an even temper, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (humility), and self-control). How do we as His sheep keep peace of mind and heart? Isaiah 26:3 has the answer: “You will guard him and keep him in perfect peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You.” “Whatever is true, whatever is worthy reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and fix your mind on them” (Phil.4:8). When we become so harried with life that our mind and body demands rest, the Good Shepherd makes us “lie down in fresh, tender, green pastures; He leads us beside the still and restful waters, He refreshes and restores our souls” (Ps.23:2-3a). At the end when time shall be no more, “the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and he will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev.7:17). God gives us a promise of rest in Isaiah 30:15, “For thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel; ‘In returning to Me and resting in Me you shall be saved; in quietness and in trusting confidence shall be your strength.’” God gave another promise in Jeremiah 6:16, Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.” We all need and want a comforter to come along-side and bring comfort to our minds and heart through His promises from His Word The Good Shepherd is the Wonderful Comforter to those who are “discomforted,” and seek His face. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of pity and mercy and the God Who is the Source of every comfort and encouragement, Who comforts us in every trouble (calamity or affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort with which we ourselves are consoled and encouraged by God. Before Jesus went back to heaven He promised believers another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf. He will teach you all things.” He is now ready for you to pour out your heart to Him with all your grief, pain, or anything causing discomfort. When we trust Him, He will bring wonderful comfort as He refreshes and restores our lives (our very selves); He leads us in the paths of righteousness (uprightness and right standing with Him - not for my earning it, but) for His name’s Sake (Ps.23:3). Sheep are very helpless creatures, just as we are (although we think we are very self-sufficient). We need help, and at times want help. When a sheep accidentally gets on his back he cannot right itself because of the rather square shape of his body if his fleece is thick. We can become affluent, strong, healthy and think we have need of nothing, when all the time we are spiritually neither cold or hot, we are wretched, poor, pitiable, blind and naked Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be truly wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see. (Rev.3:15-18). Good Shepherd, Help us! Sheep need to know the truth about their shepherd, their enemy and where the fold is. We also need to know the Truth about the Good Shepherd – “He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes to the Father but by Him” (John 14:6). The truth is there is no other way to be saved from our sins but by the blood of Jesus Christ. The Truth is He is our All in All – He is the Word (Jn.1:1); He is the Light of Life (Jn.1:4); He is the Living Bread of Life (Jn.6:51); He is the Living Water (Jn.4:37). The truth is that all the books in the world could not contain all the Truth about Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the world (Jn.21:25). We, as sheep, will all someday “walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but if we know Him we have nothing to fear for He will be with us; His rod and His staff will comfort us. We know if we are His sheep He will protect us and guide us. His rod is to protect us, for Shepherd’s would carry a long, heavy, club-like stick to ward off predators. Satan is our predator waiting and enticing us to follow him in paths we should not go, where he can steal, kill and destroy us - our peace, joy, reputation, etc. and fellowship with the Good Shepherd. Sometimes God has to use the rod of hard discipline to bring us back. Sometimes it is a debilitating illness; sometimes a loss of friendship; sometimes a loss of income; or sometimes even alienation from loved ones. We should be thankful for the rod of suffering that our Good Shepherd used to rescue us from Satan’s snares. Our Good Shepherd also uses a staff, which was a long stick, sometimes with a crook at the end used to pull the wandering into wrongful paths so Satan can’t take advantage of our vulnerability. Thank You, Jesus, for your staff! (Ps.23:4). The Good Shepherd prepares a table (food, drink, & plenty) before us in the presence of our enemies (Ps.23:5). What an unusual picture this verse paints. I see it as the Good Shepherd has led us into a safe haven where our enemy cannot come, because He is the “door” and stands ever ready to protect us, and has us seated at His banqueting table, filled with plenty of good food and drink to nourish, encourage and strengthen us against the hardships of life. Once again, I see this banquet as our feasting on God’s Word (the Bread of Life), and being encouraged and strengthened by His fellowship with us, all the while, our “enemy” has to stand outside and cannot come in. How rich and good to feast on God’s Word. It shows us the way we should go – It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps.119:105). Proverbs 4:20-22 tells us to,“attend to My words; consent and submit to My ways, let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh.” Continuing in verse 5, “You anoint my head with oil.” My commentary tells me it was customary in hot climates (& without air conditioning) to anoint the body with oil to protect it from excessive perspiration and dehydration. When mixed with perfume, this oil imparted a delightfully refreshing and invigorating sensation. Athletes anointed their bodies as a manner of course before running a race. As the body, therefore, anointed with oil was refreshed, invigorated and better fitted for action, so the Lord would anoint His “sheep” with the Holy Spirit, Whom oil symbolizes, to fit them to engage more freely in his service and run in the way He directs – in heavenly fellowship with Him. Our “cup” runs over with joy and love for the Good Shepherd Who is so loving and attentive to our needs and wants. Only goodness, mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and the length of my days the house of the Lord (His presence) shall be my dwelling place (Ps.23:6). If we have Jesus as our Good Shepherd what more could we want?

The Light

We learn from Genesis 1:3-5 that God created “light.” It was this same Creator God Who has shone in our hearts so as to beam forth the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ the Messiah (II Cor.4:6 Amp.). Light is a wonderful thing. It causes life to grow, and enhances health. In businesses and in education they have proven that having natural light in the workplace and classrooms improves standardized test scores. It eliminates common distractions, and makes students more efficient. Natural light improves health and growth, and natural light is completely free of charge. Life would not exist without natural light, and people are much more alert, positive and happier with natural light. Spiritual Light has the same effect on mankind, which last forever. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, turn from our sins, we come out of the spiritual darkness we have lived in all our lives, and come into the Light of Jesus (II Cor.4:6). . Jesus is the Light of the world (Jn.1:4,9). Coming into the Light makes us a new person, and the old has passed away (II Cor. 5:17). Jesus said of Himself, “I am the only way, the only Truth, and the only Life-giver; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn.14:6). God’s Life reveals truth, and followed truth brings wisdom (Prov.3:21-26). The formula for Godly wisdom: Light = Revelation = Wisdom. We live in the midst of a lot of trees and on a lake, which is a perfect habitat for a lot of different kinds of snakes, including 4 poisonous kinds. It would be foolish for us to go outside at night without a light and a weapon of some kind with us so if we were to see a snake we could protect ourselves from it. That is the wise thing to do. The illumination from the light reveals the truth of any danger on the path. This truth gives us revelation knowledge and the wisdom to protect ourselves. Jesus is the True Light Who came to earth to live as a man to illumine our hearts to the Way we should live; to the Truth of Who He is and how we could receive eternal Life. His light has shown the Truth that while we were born sinners and needed a Savior. And Christ loved us while we were still sinners, died for us (Rom.5:8). Can we reject this Light, this Truth, and this Life? To accept Him is the only wise thing to do! Godly wisdom leads us out of darkness into His wonderful Light (Prov.). Jesus is the Light, and His light will shine more and more to the perfect day (Prov.4:18). By accepting this Light and Truth, we are illuminated with this same Light, and become “the light of the world, a city set on a hill” (Matt.5:14). Charles Stanley said, “The truly wise people of this world are those who have accepted the truth and bent their spirit – and their knees – before the Lord.” God’s Light reveals His Truth and results in conviction and Godly wisdom to choose His eternal Life! My Blog Address is: http://lightfrommywindow.blogspot.com

Praying and Praising the Names of God

Father, I praise You for all that You are, and how You reveal Yourself through your names. Your names are so precious to me and bring me joy, hope, comfort, and most of all, faith. Thank You because Your name, Jesus (Savior), saves us when we call upon that name in faith, (Acts 2:21). How precious is Your name, Jehovah, which is Your Redemptive Name of Deity, the self-existing One Who reveals Himself. Thank You for being Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. I am such a needy person, but only You can fill those needs. You are the One Who provides and liberally supplies all my needs, spirit, soul, and body, according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil.4:19), and Your riches are unfathomable! Thank You for being Jehovah Rohi to me - my Shepherd, and I am your sheep. You see me when I am lost, or discouraged, or in need of protection or deliverance. You are my Friend, my Keeper, my Counselor, my Comforter, my Guide, my Protector & Deliverer, and my Provider. You are my All in All (Ps. 23; John 10:11,14; Heb.13:20). I am so thankful You are Jehovah-Shammah , the God Who is there. Wherever I am and in whatever situation, You are there! You are the One Who will never, never, no never leave me, nor forsake me. You saw me in my mother’s womb. You saw my unformed substance, yet in Your book all my days were written. If I go into the deepest sea, or highest heaven, even there Your hand shall lead me and Your right hand shall hold me. The darkness cannot cover me because the light and the dark are alike to You (Ps.139, Heb.13:5; Joshua 1:9). Thank You that You are that Friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov.18:23). Thank You for being with me forever! I praise Your holy name, Jehovah-Shalom – You are my Peace. You have broken down every wall of division. I am so thankful that You have promised that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. You are the Author and Giver of peace. You have given me Your peace when I surrendered my heart of turmoil to You and believed on Your name, and the world (nothing, nor no one) can take it away! Thank You for being my Peace! (Eph.2:14; Isa.26:3; I Thess.5:23; Heb.13:20-21; Isa.54:17). I praise Your holy name, Jehovah-Ropha – The God Who Heals, (spirit, soul and body)! Even as you healed when you walked on this earth, You still heal today – You are the same yesterday, today and forever! I may not understand why some are healed and some are not, but I know You are a good God and knows what is best, and Your plans for us are for good and not for evil. Your ways are not our ways, and since You made the heavens and the earth by Your great Power and Your outstretched arm, nothing is too difficult, for You are the Sovereign God Who loves me with an everlasting love, and I will not resent Your ways with me, but just trust in Your goodness. And someday I will understand Your ways. (Heb.13:8; Ex.15:26; Eccl.3:11; Jer.32:17; Isa.55:8-9; Jer.29:11). Thank You for being my “Banner of Victory,” Jehovah-Nissi. As I focus on You and trust in You in all my difficulties, You cause me to run through a troop and jump over a wall (Ps.18:29). You always cause me to triumph in Christ (II Cor.2:14). Help me to always walk under Your banner of love – love never fails (I Cor.13:8). How wonderful to know that You are Tsidkenu, You are Righteous. You are right in all You are and all you do, and You desire to give me of Your Righteousness. I may not be perfect in my ways, but when I ask of You, You make my heart clean and right with You. You clothe me in Your Righteousness. Thank You for so great a plan of salvation that You take my sins and give me Your righteousness – O what a wonderful exchange! (Rom.3:21-26; I Cor.1:30)! Thank You, Jesus, for being my Sanctifier, Jehovah M’Kaddish. You are the only One Who can make me pure and set me apart from my past sinful life, and set me apart to do Your good works. Thank You for opening my eyes so I could turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so I could receive forgiveness for my sins and a place among those who are purified and set apart by faith in You. (I Cor.1:30; Acts 26:18; I Thess.4:3; I Thess.2:13; I Pet.1:2-5). Thank You, Jesus, for being Jehovah-Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts. You are the Almighty, Sovereign God Who is always in control. I bow at Your Name! (Amos 4:13; Ps.24:10; Isa.51:15; 1:24; 6:5; 56:5). Jesus, You are the “Way, the Truth, the Life.” You are the “Bread of Life,” the “Water of Life.” You are the “Christ, the Messiah – the anointed One.” You are the Word of God,” and the “Word of Truth.” (Jn.14:6; 6:35; 4:14; 1:1; Acts 8:5; Thank You, Father, for Your wonderful, powerful Names: El Roi, “The God Who sees,” (Genesis 16:13-14). Elohim, “The strong, faithful, covenant keeping God Who is the universal creator, and King of kings,” (Lamentations3:23). El Elyon, “The God Most High; The Maker of Heaven and Earth,” (Jer.33:2). El Shaddai, “The Almighty God; Sufficiency,” (Gen.14:18-22). Adonai, “Lord, Master, Sovereign,” (Gen.4:26; Isa.42:8; 48:11; 54;5; II chron.20:6). There are many more names that would take many books to hold. The above are just the major names out of which all the others come. BLESSED BE THE NAME/S OF THE LORD! My Blog address: http://lightfrommywindow.blogspot.com

Leadership By "The Book" 101

God has set up His Church so it can operate smoothly in all the individual churches. He has gifted those whom He leads to be the leaders and administrators of the local churches and fellowships. He gives His clear requirements in His Word for these leaders, mostly in Colossians 4, and in I Timothy 3, but also a lot of wisdom is offered in other scriptures, particularly in Proverbs. Let’s begin with general requirements for leaders from Colossians 4:1, which tells the leader that he must deal justly and fairly with those under his responsibility. Micah 6:8 also speaks to what the Lord requires of all of us – “to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” So dealing with those under your responsibility must be with justice, mercy and humility before God. Then in Colossians 4:2 leaders must be “steadfast in prayer, with thanksgiving.” Pray first of all for yourself to be godly and righteous (Prov.16:12); to have wisdom in overseeing and guiding those under your responsibility (Prov.8:12-16; Jas.1:5-8); to be loyally subject to those in authority over you (Rom.13:1); to be honest (Prov.17:7). Then pray for those in authority over you and those under your oversight. Be discriminating with those you ask to help or counsel you (Prov.25:4-5; 29:12. Don’t be hesitant to ask for help or counsel but seek out humble, wise and godly people to help and counsel you. Keep yourself morally pure (Prov.31:3) Flee temptation (I Cor.6:18-19; Gal.6:1). Stay sober (Prov.31:4-5). Be willing to protect those that are weak who are under your oversight (Prov.31:8-9). Remember, God is in control of putting leaders in authority (Isaiah 40:23-24), and bringing about the consequences of their judgments, either good or bad (Prov.29:2), so seek Him earnestly in all your decisions & plans (Jer.29:11-13). Cori Ten Boom said, “There is no panic in heaven, just plans!” Behave yourself prudently, wisely and with discretion in your relationship with the world (Col.4:5). Remember the old adage, “Your actions speak so loudly that I can’t hear what you are saying.” Let your speech at all times be gracious, seasoned (as it were) with salt, so that you may never be at a loss to know how you ought to answer anyone who puts a question to you about the hope you have in Christ Jesus of eternal life (Col.4:6). All of us have someone watching our lives – a child, a parent, a relative, a co-worker, a boss, a neighbor, a friend or enemy – we are all leading someone. Now let’s look at specifics in I Timothy 3: v.1 - Becoming an elder or deacon is an excellent choice, if you are led of the Lord. v.2 - You must be above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, well behaved, sensible, lead an orderly life, friend to believers, be a qualified teacher, v.3 - not given to wine, not combative but gentle and peaceable, not a lover of money (to obtain by questionable means), vs.4&5 - rule his own household, v.6 - not a new convert, v.7 - have a good reputation outside the church, v.8 - worthy of respect, sincere in what they say, not shifty, not greedy, v.9 - must be born again, with a clear conscience, v.10 - must be tried, investigated and proven before serving, then, if they turn out to be above reproach, they may serve as an elder or deacon (leader).

Praying The Word of God Daily

Good morning, Father! Good morning, Jesus! Good Morning, Holy Spirit! I come into Your presence with singing in my heart. Help me to comprehend more and more that You are God and are my creator, and I belong to You, and I am your child, and You see me as one of Your sheep. Thank You for inviting me to come into Your presence with thanksgiving and praise. You are good and Your mercy and loving kindness are everlasting, and Your faithfulness and truth will endure to all my children and grandchildren! I praise Your holy, wonderful and powerful name (Ps.100:2-5)! Heavenly Father, according to Your Word, I present my body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable in Your sight. Make me and mold me into the perfect image of Your Son, and use my body, soul and spirit to magnify You and make You look big in all that I have or do and in all that I am or ever hope to be, may I bring honor to You! I confess and name all my sins, as you show them to me, and thank You that You are faithful and just to forgive me of all of my sin and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (Rom.12:1; 8:29; I Jn.1:9)! In the name of Jesus, I put on Your salvation for my helmet, Your righteousness for my breastplate, Your Truth as the belt around my waist, and on my feet the readiness to spread the gospel of peace. I take up the shield of faith to put out all the fiery arrows of the evil one, and I take up the Sword of the Spirit, Your precious Word, the Bible, to fight temptation like Jesus did. I will hide It in my heart, believe every Word of It, and I will live by It. And I will pray in Your Spirit at all times, with all manner of prayer – praise, thanksgiving, confessing my sins, and interceding for others (Eph.6:12:18). For the weapons of my warfare are not physical but spiritual and they are mighty before God for the destruction of all strongholds in my life. And You will lead me to triumph in all things in Christ Jesus, as I lead every thought captive into the obedience of Christ. Heavenly Father, I praise you and I thank you for the armor you have provided for me to dress in today. I’m completely covered and protected for this day in Jesus’ precious blood. ( II Cor.2:14: 10:4-5). And according to Your Word, the glory of the Lord is my rear guard. You are the Rock under my feet(Isa.26:4). You go before me and sift out my path for snares and pitfalls. What a comfort to know that You surround me with Your loving presence ( Psalm 139). Father, please help me to be sensitive and help those in need to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that I will break every enslaving yoke (in Your power and guidance) by meeting their needs with my abundant resources You have provided ( Isaiah 58:6-8). Upon Jesus I have built my life, my home and my marriage and all my relationships, and I confess You as Lord of my life therefore the gates of hell shall not prevail against me (Matthew 16:18). You are my Shepherd, therefore I shall not want, for you have supplied all my needs according to Your riches in glory, and I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me ((Psalm 23:1; Phil.4:13,19; John 1:16). You are my All in All! Father, I cast down all imaginations and bring into captivity every evil thought that sets itself up against the true knowledge of You (II Cor.10:5). Check me and help me to guard my heart above all, with all vigilance, for out of it flow the things that go out to make up my life – the consequences of my choices and my character (Proverbs 4:23). Father, please help me to honor you with my lips, and with my way of living, as well as with my heart, (Matthew 15:8). Help me keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceit (Psalm 34: 13). Help me to always remember that every word I speak becomes a living thing – to edify or destroy me or someone else. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. You are my strength, my rock, my fortress and my blessed Redeemer (Prov.18:21; 6:2; 4:20-24; Ps.19:14). God of all Comfort and Encouragement, I purposely choose today to cast all my cares upon You, for You care for me (II Corinthians 1:3-5; I Peter 5:7). You have promised that when I pass through the waters, You will be with me, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm me, and when I walk through the fire, I will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon me, because You are the Lord my God (Isaiah 43:2). Please help me today to forgive even as You have forgiven me, and to love You with all my heart, mind (intellect) and soul (mind, will and emotion), and to love others as I love myself. Help me to be kind to others, tenderhearted and forgiving as God in Christ forgave me ((Matthew 6:12-12-15; 22:37-40; Eph.4:32). Thank You that no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgment I shall show to be in the wrong. This is the heritage of the servant of the Lord (Isaiah 54:17). And You have promised that all things are working together and are fitting into a plan for good for our welfare and peace, and not for evil, for those who love and hope in the Lord (Romans 8:28; Jer. 29:11). Since You have meant for my body to be Your temple, help me to know how I must keep it holy. As I live to please you even with my body, I will praise You and thank You for my prosperity and good health even as my soul prospers. You are my God Who heals all my diseases, and by Your stripes I am healed, spirit, soul and body. Please give me the faith to believe for whichever time and way You choose to heal me. Your ways are not my ways, neither do I think as You think, but I know you are a good God and You will work out all things for my good, if I trust in You. You had all of my days planned, even before You created me, and You saw today in my life and You want me to trust You with it, whatever it may hold, for You are the Lord of the day and the night. Through it all the joy of the Lord will be my strength. (Ps.139; 100:5; 103:3; Neh.8:10; Isa.53:5; 55:8; III Jn. 2; Rom.8:28). Thank You, Jesus, that though my friends, family and even all may turn against me and forsake me You are the Friend Who will stick closer than a brother, and You have promised to never, never, no never leave me nor forsake me. Even if my father and mother would forsake me, then You will take me and adopt me as Your child. (Prov.18:24; Heb.13:5: Ps.27:10) Father, I have prayed according to Your Word, and You have said You would watch over Your Word to perform It. So I ask You to rise up and live big within me today, for I am Yours. I pray this in the precious, holy and powerful Name of Jesus, that name that is above every name and at that name every knee must bow, in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ((Jeremiah 1:12; Phil. 2: 9-11). AMEN!! (Scripture references are from the Amplified Bible.) My blog address: http://lightfrommywindow.blogspot.com

The Great Exchange

December 26, 2008 This is the day after Christmas and in my readings this morning I read some thoughts that I thought were very appropriate for this time of year when we have been celebrating the birthday of the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God and the Everlasting Father. (Isa.9:6). He will establish His government and peace, which shall be forever. Jesus came into a world that was as dark as the night, held in fear by a cruel dictator; a world filled with hunger, poverty, disease and ignorance (sound familiar?). Think of all the things with which our world is troubled – war, political conflict, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, hunger, disease, poverty, ignorance, racial strife. At some time or other we all suffer with loss, discouragement, death, emotional breakdowns, family quarrels, loneliness and even suicide. The darkness of the sins of the world and even our own sins can become an almost overwhelming burden. But God the Father has interceded by sending His Son into our world as a baby. By that interception of grace, He began the wonderful possibility of the most glorious exchange for mankind that could be imagined. By accepting the fact that Jesus came as a baby, born of a virgin, lived and died on a cross for our sins, and accepting Him as our Savior, we can become the beneficiary of this GREAT EXCHANGE. But God, while we were sinners sitting spiritually poor, naked, starving and blind in the dark cesspool of our own sin, the Father loved us and sent us “the LIGHT.” Now that we have seen the light and have been lifted out of our pit of despair, we have been deluged with the most magnificent gifts imaginable. The following is a compilation of years of some of my thoughts and findings from the Scriptures on this GREAT EXCHANGE: 1) Jesus became sin on our behalf so we could become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (II Cor.5:21). 2) Jesus died so we might live (Jn.3:16). 3) He became poor that we might be rich and have an eternal inheritance (II Cor.8:9, I Pet.1:4). 4) He took our spiritual blindness, nakedness, hunger and poverty and gave us eyes that could see, clothed us with white clothes, and made us wealthy kings and priests (Rev.3:17-18; I Pet.2:9). 5) He took our weakness and gave us His strength (Phil.4:13; II Cor.12:9). 6) He took on Himself our guilt that we might have His forgiveness (Matt.26:28) 7) He was forsaken by the Father so we could be accepted and adopted into the family of God and become heirs with Christ (Rom.8:15; I Pet.1:4). 8) He took our curse and gave us His blessing (Gal.3:13; Eph.1:3). 9) He took our deserved sorrows, pains and sickness and gave us His healing (spirit, soul and body (Isa.53:4-5; Ps.103:1-5). 10) He bought us out of bondage and gave us His freedom (Rom.8:15; Jn.8:36; (I Pet.1:18-19). 11) He took our alienation from God and through His blood brought us near to the Father (Eph.2:13; II Cor.5:18). 12) He brought us out of the kingdom of darkness and made us citizens in the Kingdom of Light (Col.1:13). 13) He gives us hope for our despair (Rom.8). 14) He took our rejection by men and gave us acceptance in “the Beloved” (Eph.1:5-6). 15) He gave us the gift of salvation so we would not have to be paid the wages of sin (which is death) (Eph.2:8-9; Rom.6:23). 16) From being enemies He made us to be His friends and even trusted ambassadors (Rom.5:4-11; II Cor.5:20; Jn.15:13-14). 17) He takes us from the ugly cocoon of sin we are in and transforms us into new creatures in Christ and to ultimately become the perfect image of Christ (II Cor.5:17). 18) He becomes our conquering hero when we are lost and helpless (Heb.4:16). 19) He gives us joy for mourning, beauty for ashes and a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness (Isa.61:3). 20) He takes our inability and gives us His gifts of abilities (I Cor.12; Rom.12:5-8; Eph.4:8-11). 21) He became the perfect, eternal High Priest sacrifice for our sins and took the place of the need for a yearly,imperfect sacrifice presented by an earthy priest (Heb.7:26-27; 9:14). 22) He takes our rugged places and makes them plain (Isa.42:16). 23) He takes emptiness and fills us with joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Pet.1:7-8). 24) He takes our old name, “sinner,” and gives us a new name, “The Righteousness of God In Christ Jesus” (II Cor.5:21). 25) He gives us a new destination, Heaven, instead of our old destination, hell, (Mt.23:15, 33;Rev.20:15; Col.1:5). 26) He gives us all His fullness when we give Him all our emptiness (Col.2:9-10). 27) He took our defeat and gave us His victory (I Jn.5:4). 28) Instead of instruments of Satan, God changes us into vessels of honor (Rom.6:13; 9:21). 29) The Holy Spirit enables us to put off the old man with his anger, clamor and evil speaking and to put on the new man with His kindness, tender-heartedness and forgiveness (Eph.4:31-32; Col.3:8-11). 30) When we give Him our doubts and fears He gives us faith and confidence (II Tim.1:7; I Jn.3:21; 5:14). 31) We lose the old powerlessness over sin that is part of the old nature and we gain the overcoming power over sin through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom.8:3-5). 32) Jesus died without regret so He could forgive our regretful sins. Blog - THE GREAT EXCHANGE December 26, 2008 This is the day after Christmas and in my readings this morning I read some thoughts that I thought were very appropriate for this time of year when we have been celebrating the birthday of the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God and the Everlasting Father. (Isa.9:6). He will establish His government and peace, which shall be forever. Jesus came into a world that was as dark as the night, held in fear by a cruel dictator; a world filled with hunger, poverty, disease and ignorance (sound familiar?). Think of all the things with which our world is troubled – war, political conflict, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, hunger, disease, poverty, ignorance, racial strife. At some time or other we all suffer with loss, discouragement, death, emotional breakdowns, family quarrels, loneliness and even suicide. The darkness of the sins of the world and even our own sins can become an almost overwhelming burden. But God the Father has interceded by sending His Son into our world as a baby. By that interception of grace, He began the wonderful possibility of the most glorious exchange for mankind that could be imagined. By accepting the fact that Jesus came as a baby, born of a virgin, lived and died on a cross for our sins, and accepting Him as our Savior, we can become the beneficiary of this GREAT EXCHANGE. But God, while we were sinners sitting spiritually poor, naked, starving and blind in the dark cesspool of our own sin, the Father loved us and sent us “the LIGHT.” Now that we have seen the light and have been lifted out of our pit of despair, we have been deluged with the most magnificent gifts imaginable. The following is a compilation of years of some of my thoughts and findings from the Scriptures on this GREAT EXCHANGE: 1) Jesus became sin on our behalf so we could become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (II Cor.5:21). 2) Jesus died so we might live (Jn.3:16). 3) He became poor that we might be rich and have an eternal inheritance (II Cor.8:9, I Pet.1:4). 4) He took our spiritual blindness, nakedness, hunger and poverty and gave us eyes that could see, clothed us with white clothes, and made us wealthy kings and priests (Rev.3:17-18; I Pet.2:9). 5) He took our weakness and gave us His strength (Phil.4:13; II Cor.12:9). 6) He took on Himself our guilt that we might have His forgiveness (Matt.26:28) 7) He was forsaken by the Father so we could be accepted and adopted into the family of God and become heirs with Christ (Rom.8:15; I Pet.1:4). 8) He took our curse and gave us His blessing (Gal.3:13; Eph.1:3). 9) He took our deserved sorrows, pains and sickness and gave us His healing (spirit, soul and body (Isa.53:4-5; Ps.103:1-5). 10) He bought us out of bondage and gave us His freedom (Rom.8:15; Jn.8:36; (I Pet.1:18-19). 11) He took our alienation from God and through His blood brought us near to the Father (Eph.2:13; II Cor.5:18). 12) He brought us out of the kingdom of darkness and made us citizens in the Kingdom of Light (Col.1:13). 13) He gives us hope for our despair (Rom.8). 14) He took our rejection by men and gave us acceptance in “the Beloved” (Eph.1:5-6). 15) He gave us the gift of salvation so we would not have to be paid the wages of sin (which is death) (Eph.2:8-9; Rom.6:23). 16) From being enemies He made us to be His friends and even trusted ambassadors (Rom.5:4-11; II Cor.5:20; Jn.15:13-14). 17) He takes us from the ugly cocoon of sin we are in and transforms us into new creatures in Christ and to ultimately become the perfect image of Christ (II Cor.5:17). 18) He becomes our conquering hero when we are lost and helpless (Heb.4:16). 19) He gives us joy for mourning, beauty for ashes and a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness (Isa.61:3). 20) He takes our inability and gives us His gifts of abilities (I Cor.12; Rom.12:5-8; Eph.4:8-11). 21) He became the perfect, eternal High Priest sacrifice for our sins and took the place of the need for a yearly, imperfect sacrifice presented by an earthy priest (Heb.7:26-27; 9:14). 22) He takes our rugged places and makes them plain (Isa.42:16). 23) He takes emptiness and fills us with joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Pet.1:7-8). 24) He takes our old name, “sinner,” and gives us a new name, “The Righteousness of God In Christ Jesus” (II Cor.5:21). 25) He gives us a new destination, Heaven, instead of our old destination, hell, (Mt.23:15, 33; Rev.20:15; Col.1:5). 26) He gives us all His fullness when we give Him all our emptiness (Col.2:9-10). 27) He took our defeat and gave us His victory (I Jn.5:4). 28) Instead of instruments of Satan, God changes us into vessels of honor (Rom.6:13; 9:21). 29) The Holy Spirit enables us to put off the old man with his anger, clamor and evil speaking and to put on the new man with His kindness, tender-heartedness and forgiveness (Eph.4:31-32; Col.3:8-11). 30) When we give Him our doubts and fears He gives us faith and confidence (II Tim.1:7; I Jn.3:21; 5:14). 31) We lose the old powerlessness over sin that is part of the old nature and we gain the overcoming power over sin through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom.8:3-5). 32) Jesus took our regrettable sins in exchange for a heart filled with rejoicing (Jer.15:16). 33) Jesus took our bankruptcy (my complete inability to pay, and paid our debt in full with His death (Heb.9:26). 34) We were once dead in sin, are now alive with Christ (Col.2:13). 35) Jesus gives us peace, hope and assurance for our fear and doubt (Phil.4:6-7; II Tim.1:7; Heb.10:31). 36) We were alone, but now never alone (Heb.13:5). 37) We exchange a sorrowful departure from this world, to a glorious arrival in Heaven (II Cor.4:8-14; I Thess.4:17; Heb.11:14-16). If we acknowledge and appropriate these great exchanges in our lives we can live joyful, victorious lives. Jesus made those exchanges available for us at the cross, and He now lives on high seated at the right hand of the Father. And we who once were seated with sinners and scorners (Ps.1), but by virtue of the fact of knowing Him and being “in Him,” He now has exchanged that “seat” for the great privilege of sitting there with Him at the Father’s right hand (Eph.2:6)! Hallelujah!! PRAYER: Thank You, God, for sending Jesus to earth to die for me so my old life can be exchanged for everything new! I ask You to continue to change me into the image of Your Son!

Ash Wednesday (Includes: Prayer, Fasting & Repentance)

In the Old Testament ashes on the head symbolized mourning, being repentant for sins, and/or humility. Although, today most Christian churches do not put ashes on their heads, but some may mark their foreheads with ashes in the sign of the cross, symbolizing their brokenness over their sin, which Jesus covered with His blood at the cross. Ashes were a sign of “being of the earth; fallen humanity; mourning – for a death, or mourning for our sins (being repentant). What is Ash Wednesday All About? Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. It occurs 46 days (40 fasting days, if the 6 Sundays, which are not days of fast, are excluded) before Easter and can fall as early as 4 February or as late as 10 March. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day season of Lent, a time of repentance and preparation for the great celebration of Easter. Observing Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season can be a way of restoring the important practices of confession and renewal in the church. Ashes were regarded as a symbol of personal remorse and sadness. Often an uncomfortable "sackcloth" garment made of coarse black goat's hair, was worn as well. There are many Old Testament references to the practice. Here are a few: •Job 42:6 "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job (whose story was written between seventh and fifth centuries B.C.) repented in sackcloth and ashes while prophesying the Babylonian captivity of Jerusalem. •Dan 9:3 (c. 550 B.C.) "And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes." •Jonah 3:5-6 In the fifth century B.C., after Jonah's preaching of conversion and repentance, the town of Nineveh proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, and the king covered himself with sackcloth and sat in the ashes. •Esther 4:1 "When Mordecai perceived all that was done [the decree of King Xerxes, 485-464 B.C., of Persia to kill all of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire], Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry." The very early Christian church encouraged the use of sackcloth and ashes for the same symbolic reasons. Tertullian (c. 160-220 AD) wrote that the penitent must "live without joy in the roughness of sackcloth and the squalor of ashes." Eusebius (260-340 AD), the famous early church historian, recounted in his "The History of the church" how an apostate named Natalis came to Pope Zephyrinus clothed in sackcloth and ashes begging forgiveness. Also during this time, for those who were required to do public penance, the priest sprinkled ashes on the head of the person leaving confession. Fasting is also included in the rituals of Ash Wednesday. Some just refrain from eating certain foods. But how does God say we should fast? God says, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every enslaving yoke? Is it not to divide your bead with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house - when you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from the needs of your own flesh and blood?” “Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you, conducting you to peace and prosperity, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am. If you take away from your midst yokes of oppression (wherever you find them), the finger pointed in scorn toward the oppressed or the godly, and every form of false, harsh, unjust, and wicked speaking. And if you pour out that which sustains your own life for the hungry and satisfy the need of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in darkness, and gloom become like the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters never fail.” “If you turn away your foot from doing your own pleasure on the Sabbath, from doing your own pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a spiritual delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and honor Him and it, not going your own way or finding your own pleasure or speaking with your own idle words, then will you delight yourself in the Lord, and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will feed you with the heritage promised for you; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.” (Isaiah 58:6-14 Amp.)

The Wonderful Affects of Praise, Thanksgiving & Obedience

Today is a world-changing day! Today is the beginning of the election caucuses and primaries to determine our next President of the United States. We are in a fight for our country and our very lives. I believe our only hope to have God's mercy on us and our country is to call on God in humility, confessing our sins, and turning from them, and completely committing ourselves into His hands knowing that He is the only one Who can help heal us and our country. The twentieth chapter of II Chronicles tells of King Jehoshaphat, the God-fearing king of Judah, who was surrounded with armies of surrounding nations beyond the Dead Sea. These armies were marching against his army and people. In verse three and four it tells us, "Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself determinedly, as his vital need, to seek the Lord; he proclaimed a fast in all of Judah. And Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; even out of all of the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord, yearning for him with all their desire. Then King Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and prayed, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (Amp.) God is our only hope to see a healing in our country, from the President to the lowliest. God gives us a promise of this in II Chronicles 7:14, “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” Notice God said, “If My people,” speaking to Believers (those who trust only in His saving blood). After sincerely doing these things mentioned in this scripture (God knows our hearts), then we can be assured if God said it, He will do it – in His time and in His way. Because we can trust in His promises, we can even now praise Him, even before we see the results. Praising God for Who He is, and thanking Him for what He has done and will do, is the most powerful weapon against all the forces of our enemy, Satan, because it brings faith alive in our hearts (and Satan cannot stand against the faith of the believer). After you have put on all the other spiritual armor, as told about in Eph.6:10-18, verse 16 says to, “Lift up over all the covering shield of faith;” and praise and thanksgiving (with obedience) are the tangible parts of faith. Faith is believing the reality of things you cannot see now, but have the assurance that the reality will come in its time, so, in the mean-time, you obey now what you have been instructed to do by God’s Word – and God cannot lie. Faith in God is the assurance that “if God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.” Therefore, I can trust Him, I can expect Him and have the confidence that he will do what He says He will do. So I have hope in His trustworthiness, in His integrity and in His faithfulness. So I can praise and thank God now, even though I don’t yet see that for which I am anticipating - His promise to “heal our land;” if I will “humble myself, pray, seek His face, and turn from my wicked (wrong) ways.” By praising God, thanking Him, having faith in Him, trusting and obeying Him, I and all of God’s people can see the answer to our prayers, and that will magnify and glorify God to all who are watching.

The God Factor

I think we will all agree that our world is in a terrible mess - financially, politically, and spiritually. It seems most of our leaders have lost their belief, or never believed in, The God Factor. They are looking to their fame, expertise, education, political persuasion, wealth, or their power to get them to their anticipated destination, which is usually the approval of man; or the things they think will bring them success and security. If only these leaders of our media, churches, towns, states, and our nation would come to “know” that true success and security come only when The God Factor is counted in. We are presently in a political campaign to elect the next President of the United States, the greatest country on earth. The candidates from both parties are feverishly working to get that nomination, and eventually elected. But only a fraction of them are depending on The God Factor to put them over the top. Most are depending on their monies, their claim to fame, or their connections to bring success. One, maybe two, candidates stand out in this “crowd” to be the only ones who are trusting in The God Factor. This writing is to point out the similarities of one of these candidates to a leader and hero in the Bible. That hero is Gideon, his story is found in Judges six and seven, and the 2016 candidate is Ben Carson, today’s hero. There are a lot of similarities between Gideon and Ben Carson. Both came from very humble backgrounds. Gideon was from the poorest clan in Mannaseh, and the least (unimportant) in his family. But the Lord called Gideon a “mighty man of fearless courage,” and told him to “go in your might.” What was Gideon’s might? He stood in awe of God and reverenced Him, and didn’t fear man. He was “strong in the Lord.” He remembered the past wondrous works of God for the Israelites, and God reminded Gideon that He had sent him, and He would go with Him, and He would defeat his foes as if he were the only man fighting. His foes were “like locust in multitude,” Gideon’s army was 32,000 in the beginning, but God told him to scale it down so Israel wouldn’t boast that the victory was by their own hand, but acknowledge it was from the Lord. By the time God's scaling was over there were only 300 left. So Gideon built an altar of “peace” to the Lord and tore down the heathen altars. He stood for righteousness – he was not politically correct. Even though Gideon had some doubts as to whether he would be victorious, God confirmed his calling and victory. Subsequently, Gideon’s army just stood in their place around the camp of the enemy and blew their trumpets. The enemy in fear either killed each other or fled. Gideon’s army had victory because of the God Factor. ------------------------------- Ben Carson lived in dire poverty until he was grown. He learned to trust God through all of his learning (schooling and life experiences), therefore God has given him many high positions, titles and accolades, because of his humility through them all, and his trust and commitment to Christ, knowing it was only because he could do all things through Christ Who strengthened him. He is humble enough to know that if God called him He would provide everything he would need to complete and fulfill the job, even if the secular media, highly respected people, and even friends (?) forsook him. Ben Carson knows that his God will never, never, no never leave him nor forsake him. In like-manner as Gideon, God will be with Ben Carson and he will defeat all those against him, even if he has to do it alone without any support other than from God. “If God be for him who can be against him?” (1) Dr. Carson’s fleece was his waiting on God to move supporters to contribute with prayer and financial help before he even agreed to run. Then it was “Run, Ben, Run!” Ben Carson is a gentle giant, but a mighty man of courage. He faces his opponents with soft-spoken, but authoritative words, words of peace, never degrading but “speaks the truth in love.” He has refused to accuse his opponents but has bowed at his “altar of peace.” He has dedicated himself to peace, peaceful talk and peaceful acts, and to let God do the “work” and fight for his cause. When it seemed like his opponents has overcome him, he has turned to the Lord in submission to be filled with God’s Spirit. He hasn’t heard, “stop,” so he will continue to fight on until the Lord says, “Here is your victory!” I will say to Ben Carson, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways recognize and acknowledge Him for all He is, and He will direct and make your paths straight and plain.” (2) Don’t look at the nay-sayers demeaning eyes, nor listen to their critical words, for the Lord is on your side! Remember, “It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.”(3) When Christians in all evangelical churches have been praying that righteous leaders would be elected, do they not see that if we don’t put our vote where our prayers are, our vote is self defeating. We must vote for humble, peace seeking, God-fearing, and God-glorifying people to our public offices, then factor in God. That is our part in answering our own prayers for righteous leaders. The critics and pundits may say, “Carson is too low in the polls to ever catch up.” “He is not electable considering how strong the other side is.” They don’t know that God’s ways are not our ways, He loves to surprise us and our opponents, and He is still in the miracle working business. So, stand back, you nay-sayers, watch the “salvation of the Lord” for Ben Carson. Don’t forget the God Factor!! (1) Romans 8:31 (2) Proverbs 3:5-6 (3) Zechariah 4:6

My Magnificent Psalm - 139

I have walked with Jesus since I was a very small child. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t love Jesus and want to have Him live in my heart and to walk and talk with Him as a friend. As I remember, I began trusting in Jesus about the same time my earthly father left the family, first emotionally then physically. (That is a story in itself I may someday put in writing). Until now I had not really associated the two happening as being in the same time-frame, but through that experience of losing my father (that of his choice) I believe my feelings of being securely loved was the grace that my heavenly Father gave me when He came into my life when I accepted Him as my Savior. This love filled up the void left by my earthly father. I loved Jesus and knew that He loved me. As I grew into my teen age years I had a special place where I went to pray and meditate by myself on the things of God. I had to walk about 6 blocks to school, and the route I took was across a college campus where the College Church was located. I went to the church by myself and became acquainted with a little prayer room in the basement of the church which had a door opening to the outside, so it was very accessible for me to go into on my way home from school. The prayer room had an altar, a Bible, a lighted cross and a few chairs. I spent many after school hours in that small room, but it was big enough for me and the Lord and His Word, which became the love of my life. In that little room the Father opened His Word to me, showing me Truths that brought such comfort, peace, joy and hope in what could have been a very lonely, hopeless life. I had many friends, but there was not one who could take the place of my Friend Jesus. It was in this small room that I discovered the 139th Psalm and all its beauty. It has been my favorite Psalm since that time, and I want to share some of its meanings that I received in that little prayer room. Please read the scriptures along with me. Psalm 139 Verse 1. In His unfathomable omniscience God chooses to search the deepest crevices of my mind, my will and my emotions for my motives and desires in every decision I make, whether they are Godward or of the flesh. He “knows” me completely, and wants to guide me in the way I should go. for He knows the “way” that I should go – the way that is straight and narrow – the way that is less travelled. Verse 2. God sees and knows if I am “not walking in the counsel of the ungodly, nor choosing sinners to be my companions with whom I hang out; nor go with them in their ways; nor feeling comfortable taking part with those who scorn God and His righteous children” (Ps.1:1). He sees and knows my thoughts, even before I think them. I pray I will always desire to have His thoughts and walk in His ways – may I always seek them (v 3). God constantly and carefully searches every step that I take for snares, traps, pitfalls and anything that would make me fall. He even searches and plans for the right time, place and circumstances for me to rest. He knows all the choices I will make and all the paths I will take. (I pray that I will always choose His will and His paths.) Verse 4. God even knows the words I will speak, even before I speak them – all the good and the bad. I am altogether open and exposed to God . “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart always be acceptable to Him Who is my Strength and my Redeemer” (Ps.19:14 and Heb.4:13)! Verse 3 & 5 - God has me completely covered me with His protection - if I choose to walk in that protection. He is the “Rock” on which I stand (Ps.19:14); He goes before me and comes behind me and searches out all my paths; He is my “Rearguard” (Ps.139:5). He lays His hand upon me (Ps.91:1-2) - He is my “Fortress” (II Sam.22:33). Verse 6 – God’s knowledge, and all His attributes, are incomprehensible to me. If I was able to attain all the knowledge in the world I could never reach the fathoms of His knowledge. It is too high for me, too deep – it is unfathomable. Verses 7-12 – God’s presence is always with me. If I wanted to, I could not hide from His presence anywhere, but His presence would always be there before me. What a wonderful thought that His presence is with me in the highest heavens (even if I went to Mars His presence would be there, after-all He created Mars), or in the uttermost part of the sea; or even in the grave, even there His hand would still be leading me and His right hand holding me. Even in the darkness nothing nor anyone can hide from God, but the night shines as bright as the day. The darkness and the light are alike to Him, after-all He created both (Genesis 1:3-5) Darkness is simply the absence of light and He is light (Jn.1:4-9). So where He is there is Light, and without Him there is darkness. In the Light there is Truth and there is Life, for that is where Jesus is. In darkness is where Satan dwells. There he deceives and blinds, steals, kills and destroys (Jn.10:10). So I choose Light so I might live (Jn.14:6.). God sees all that is in the darkness, as well as all that is in the light. When I trusted in Jesus He delivered me out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness into His Kingdom of Light (Truth) (Col.1:13-14). I can know the Truth and it will set me free from the blindness and bondage of Satan’s darkness (Jn.8:32). Verses 13-16 - God created us in our mother’s womb; each with our own abilities, and what we think of as disabilities. But God created us all with a purpose and a plan; a plan for welfare and peace and not for evil, and to give us hope in our final outcome (Jer.29:11 Amp.). As I think about my creation from conception through birth, I have to agree with God and praise Him, for He is awesome and wonderful; and for the awesome wonder of my birth. He saw me when I was being formed in secret and curiously worked as if embroidered with various colors. What an awesome mystery! Even then He gave me gifts and abilities all my own so I could be what He wanted me to be. There in my mother’s womb He saw me and in His book of my life all my days were written before even one day took place. (I pray I will follow His plan every day of my life (Jer.29:11). Verses 17-18 - When you love someone they are continually in your thoughts. You want to know what and how they are doing. If your children are the object of your loving thoughts, you wonder, and pray for them to be well and happy and seeking after God with all their hearts (for you know this is the only way they will ever be truly happy and at peace). We are concerned for the choices they are making: in their work, friendships, family and relationships; and the things for which they are concerned. Everything that fills their lives we think about and pray for them to have God’s wisdom in all their decisions. Our thoughts of those we love go on and on. In like manner, God our Father thinks about me, his child, but His thoughts toward me are much more numerous, and with more love. The Holy Spirit prays the perfect prayers for me when I don’t know how to pray for myself. (Rom.8:26) To me, they are precious and weighty. If I were able to count His thoughts toward me, they would be more in number that the grains of sand of all the sea shores in all the world. If I started now to count them, even after death and I would wake up with Jesus, I could count them throughout eternity; I still could not count all His thoughts toward me. Why? All because of His love for me. He knows everything about me yet He loves me. How incomprehensible!! “How can it be? Amazing love!! How can it be that, You, my God, should die for me? Amazing love!!” When He Was On The Cross, I Was On His Mind Gee of the Florida Boys I’m not on an ego trip, I’m nothing on my own, I made mistakes, I often slip, Just common flesh and bones, But I’ll prove some day just why I say I’m of a special kind, For when He was on the cross I was on His mind. The look of love was on his face, thorns were on His head, The blood was on his scarlet robe, stained a crimson red, Though His eyes were on the crowd that day, He looked ahead in time, For when He was on the cross I was on His mind. Chorus: He knew me, yet He loved me. He Whose glory makes the heavens shine, so unworthy of such mercy. Yet when He was on the cross I was on His mind. __________ Verses 23-24 – I am so blind to many of my own “sins,” so I must pray every day, “Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try and test me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” ___________ Is it any wonder that this has been my favorite Psalm since I was a very young teenager who discovered the Truth of God’s love toward me through Psalm 139? I was young then, but now I am old and God’s love grows sweeter every day!!

Praying My Favorite Psalm - 139

Verse 1. Father, in Your unfathomable Omniscience You choose to search for my motives and desires in every decision I make, whether they are Godward or of the flesh. You “know” me completely, and want to guide me in the way I should go. Verse 2. You see and know everything about me, even when I am sitting down or standing up. You even understand my thoughts even before I think them. I pray I will always desire to have Your thoughts and walk in Your ways – may I always seek them. Verse 3. Father, Thank You for sifting and carefully searching out the path I am taking. You carefully search every step that I take to show me any snares, traps, pitfalls and anything that would make me fall. You even plan the right time, place and circumstances for me to rest. You know all the choices I will make, and watch if I am walking in Your counsel, or walking in the counsel of the ungodly; You want to guide me back to the right path. You see when I choose sinners to be my companions with whom I “hang out,” and go with them in their ways; and feel comfortable and take part with those who scorn You and Your righteous children (Ps.1:1). I pray I will always choose Your paths and Your will. Verse 4. Father, You even know the words I will speak, even before I speak them – the good and the bad words - I am altogether open and exposed to You (Heb.4:13). I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will be acceptable to You, Who are my strength and my firm and impenetrable Rock, and my Redeemer (Ps.19:14). Verse 5. Father God, You have completely covered me with your protection, given me wisdom and help me to choose to walk in that protection. You are the Rock on which I stand (Ps.19:14); You go before me and sift out my path (Ps.139:3); You are my Rear Guard and have laid Your hand on me: You have shut me in; (Ps.139:5). Thank You, for your watchful care over me! Verse 6. Father, Your infinite knowledge and all Your attributes are completely incomprehensible to me. If I were able to attain all the knowledge in the world I could never reach the fathoms of Your knowledge. It is too high for me, and too deep – it is unfathomable! Verses 7.-12. Your presence is always with me. If I wanted to I could not hide anywhere, but You would already be there before me. On the other hand, what a wonderful thought that Your presence is with me in the high heavens; in the uttermost part of the sea; and even in the grave, You have always been there because You are omnipresent, and I am never alone! Even in Satan’s darkness (deceit) You are there and You see and You know how Satan works. You see all, whether in physical darkness or spiritual darkness. Thank You that all of Satan’s deceit is completely seen by You, because You are complete Light (Jn.1:4-9)! You have promised that You will never leave me nor forsake me, never, no never, no never (Heb.13:5)! When I trust in Jesus as my Savior, You deliver me out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness into Your kingdom of Light (Truth) (Col.1:13). I can know the Truth about Jesus and Satan, and that Truth will set me free from the blindness and bondage of Satan’s darkness and deceit. Verse 13. God, You created each of us in our mother’s womb; each with our own abilities and those we think are disabilities. But, You created each of us with a purpose and a plan, a plan for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give us a hope in our final outcome (Jer.29:11 Amp.). As I think about my creation from conception through birth, I have to agree with You, God, and praise You for You are awesome and wonderful, and for the awesome wonder of my birth. You saw me when I was being formed in secret and curiously worked as if embroidered with various colors – what a mystery! You gave me gifts and abilities all my own. There in my mother’s womb You saw me and in Your book of my life all my days were written before even one took place. Father, I pray You will help me to always follow Your plan for my life. Verses 17-18. Father, how marvelous to think that Your thoughts are precious and weighty toward me. O God! How vast is the sum of them, they are too many to be numbered. They would be more in number than the sand of the sea. If I could number them, and started now, I would count into eternity and still not finish counting. Then I would awake in heaven with You. How incomprehensible that You could love me that much! How can it be? Amazing love! How can it be that You my God should love me so. Verses 23-24. Father, since I am so blind to many of my own sins, I pray that You will “Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try & test me, and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Is it any wonder that this has been my favorite Psalm since I was a very young teenager who discovered the Truth of God’s love toward me through this Psalm. And this love is not just toward me but to all people! How could anyone spurn such love?)

Jesus Had None

“He had no form or comeliness that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.” (Isaiah 53:2) Why? Why would Jesus have no beauty when the Psalmist, David, asked of the Lord, that he may dwell in the presence of the Lord all the days of his life, to gaze upon the beauty and sweet attractiveness and delightful loveliness of the Lord,” and Moses prayed in Psalm 90:17 to “let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.” At that time God was a spirit and was invisible and had no physical form, so these Psalmists were not speaking of “gazing upon” or “looking” at Him physically, but they had experienced the beauty of His Spirit and all His attributes – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal.5:22-23). He is the Comforter, Guide, Teacher, Sustainer, Restorer, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby, and all the goodness that comes from the Father. He is the Holy Spirit; He is the third person of the Godhead, He is Jesus’ Spirit that the Father sent after Jesus left this earth and ascended to the Father (John 14:26). Those in the Old Testament that sought after God experienced these lovely things through the Holy Spirit. Now in the present time since the Father sent the Holy Spirit to live permanently within all believers, we can experience all of these beautiful attributes. All believers who “walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh” (Rom.8:1-17), can experience the beauty of God’s Spirit with all of His attributes. Walking in the fellowship with the Spirit of God Himself is the most “delightful” and “beautiful” experience a human can have on this earth. So, why and how could we “look” at Him and not see His beauty? Because, Isaiah 53:2 is a prophecy of Jesus and what He would experience at His crucifixion. When Jesus lived in bodily form as a human, and was crucified, He went through such torture and humiliation that He had no physical beauty or grace in His form that we should desire to look at and admire Him. Those who were there and saw Him crucified, saw that He was covered with blood from His head to His feet from the scourging where the flesh was torn from the bones; from the lacerations caused by the “crown” of thorns being thrust on His head; and from being struck on His head with a staff. His hair was matted with the blood which was mixed with spittle from whoever wanted to degrade Him. The High Priest tore His clothes and hit Him with their fist and slapped Him with their hands. This all caused swelling and bruising which further distorted His features. His strength was drained from the loss of blood and from carrying His cross, which probably weighed over 300 pounds, and He fell under its weight. Is it any wonder he had no pleasing or desirable appeal to people looking on? There was no kingly splendor or pomp, no delight in looking on Him. He didn’t even have the form of a young man but looked monstrous. That is why Jesus had no beauty …… all for us! ---------------------------------- Isaiah 53:3-12 (Amp. Bible) He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate his worth or have any esteem for Him. But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded him we are healed and made whole. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, yet when He was afflicted, He was submissive and opened not His mouth; like a lamb that before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Father to bruise Him. He let Himself be regarded as a criminal and be numbered with the transgressors; yet he took away the sin of many and made intercession for the rebellious. ALL PRAISE TO HIM WHO NOW SITS ON THE THRONE! When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Isaac Watts) When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.