Several years ago, Lynn Anderson, a popular country-western singer, sang a song written by Joe South and made it very popular, “I Never Promised You A Rose Garden.” Some of the words are still meaningful to life in this world, “Along with the sunshine, there’s gotta be a little rain sometimes. When you take, you gotta give, so live and let live, or let go.”
If you know me well you know that I am a gardener and love flowers. I have a lot of other kinds of flowers that are beautiful but I have always loved roses but was discouraged from growing any because “they are too hard to grow and take a lot of work.” Well since when did hard work keep me from doing something I really wanted to do :)? So I bought my climbing rose, planted it in the sun, fed it, watered it, put up a trellis on which to grow and now I have red roses growing outside the picture window of my bathroom. But I have since come to know by the experience of cutting, pruning, digging, feeding and watering that my beautiful roses have thorns which latch onto clothing and skin alike, stabbing, tearing and bringing profuse blood at times. But this light suffering is not to be considered for the pleasure of seeing these beauties outside my window.
How analogous the rose is to the Christian life. Contrary to the focus some teachers have on material things, the "name it and claim it" gospel, we are promised tribulation as long as we live in this world (Jn.16:33), but, don’t you love God's "buts," – “but I have overcome the world.” To become that beautiful, fragrant flower God intended us to be we have to be pruned, dug around, fed, watered and grown in the “Son.” Jesus, the Master Gardener, knows that to grow us up into His perfect image we have to endure whatever He sees it takes to bring us to that place of being a desired, beautiful, fragrant and mature Christian.
Tyler, Texas, is called the rose capitol of the world. I used to see their roses being sold at roadside stands along the interstate outside of Tyler. Because of their fame and beauty, the roses were a sellout every day. Is the beauty of Jesus shining so in us that others who think they are wealthy and have need of nothing want to obtain the beautiful roses of peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and humility (Rev.3:18, Gal.5:22-23) they see in us? These qualities only come from “the Rose of Sharon” and cannot be purchased with money, only with a repentant and pure heart. In fact, all these beautiful things come in the package when we receive Jesus. When that happens the Master Gardener begins cultivating and perfecting our rose garden.
Yes, we were promised a rose garden. Although the thorns come with the roses it is worth it. (People without Jesus have all thorns, no roses :( ).
Mary Jones
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO HIS FACE?
“Look and Live” (Numbers 21:9) February 28, 2009
Have you lately looked into Jesus’ face? Looking intently, sincerely, hopefully and beseechingly into the face of Jesus is a marvelous and life changing experience. You cannot just glance in passing, but to receive the miracle of renewal there must be an enthralling, concentrated and meditative gaze.
Have you looked into His face as He hung on the cross? Have you seen your pain of sin in His eyes! Matthew 27 tells us that after the soldiers had crucified Jesus they sat down and watched Him. It was only after Jesus died, the earth shook and rocks were broken, the saints who had died were resurrected and came out of their graves, that the soldiers really saw Jesus for Who He was, “Truly this was God’s Son.” Looking at Jesus will change anyone who earnestly looks into His face!
First you must clear away the fog and smog which has blown in from the compromising circumstances around you, which you have embraced. You have to clear out all the cobwebs of spiritual inactivity you have allowed to remain in your soul. You have to cleanse yourself of the overt and hidden sins you have rationalized. They all have to be confessed and forsaken. Only after all fog, cobwebs and filth have been purged from your life are your eyes able to clearly see again the beauty of Jesus. Just look at Jesus’ “friendly” face. He wants to speak with us face to face as a man would speak with a friend. Look at His expression of acceptance and love. He calls you by name and looks and speaks of His favor toward you and as He looks at you, you can see His glory, mercy, grace and goodness.
How can you help but notice His face. As you gaze, see the glory of His name shining forth. Do you see your “Savior,” your “Head Lifter,” the “Compassionate One,” the “Christ,” the “King of Kings,” the ” Life,” “Light” and “Living Water,” and so much more.!
Look! That “Light” you see is to illumine Himself to those in darkness. It is to warm and soften your heart that has grown cold and hard. It is to reveal to you that the light within you is the very character of Him Who is Light. It is to shine light on the stumbling stones, pits and traps in your path as well as the well marked crossroads.
Do you see the glory of His name “Head Lifter” in His face? When you are bent down with heart pain, depression or discouragement He is the only One Who just speaks and looks with love and the pain and discouragement must go. So keep looking into that face! It certainly lifts up my head to experience His compassion. Sometimes we see His look of compassion in a word or phrase from His Word or a kind word or deed by others. That look says, “If I see the sparrow fall do I not see, know and care about your heartache?’
As you look into His face you will see His eyes are filled with forgiveness, care and hope for you. Do you see that smile on His face as He desires to manifest Himself as your Shepherd (provider, guide, protector and deliverer); as your only peace; always there through thick and thin; your healer; your victor and righteousness! No wonder He is smiling – just waiting to show Himself mighty on your behalf!
His face is “findable.” He has plans for you for good and hope for the future, so seek His face with your whole heart you will find Him. Moses couldn’t look at God’s face lest he die, but when you look at Jesus’ face you too must die – to self. If you have turned away from the place where you first saw His face and confessed Him as Savior, return and look again into that dear face. He is waiting! Look and Live!
The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ
S. McEachern
There is a place here by Me, a cleft in this rocky land,
Stand, and when My glory passes; I will cover thee with My hand.
I know thee by thy name; in My sight thou hast found grace,
I will show to thee My glory, but ‘tis death to see My face.
Mercy, grace and goodness: glistered by in brilliant white,
The glory of His mighty name, incandesced; blazing bright,
Filled with holy wonder, awestruck; stood Moses in his place;
God’s glory in a portion passed, but ‘twas death to see His face.
Marred more than any man His face; smitten slapped, and spit upon;
There the glory of His love shone forth; and revealed the heart of God.
My longing heart gazed at Calvary’s dark’ at the glory of that place;
In faith I cried out to Him and found—‘tis life to see His face.
Helen H. Lemmel put it so succinctly, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Benefits of Being A King's Kid
There is a lullaby you don’t hear much anymore, sung by a loving, completely indulgent parent, “Hush, Little Baby.” The lyrics promise all kinds of rewards to the child if he or she is quiet. The lullaby goes:
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Daddy’s going to buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don’t sing,
Daddy’s going to buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Daddy’s going to buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Daddy’s going to buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Daddy’s going to buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Daddy’s going to buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
“If you then, as evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven (perfect as He is) give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!” (Mt.7:11). The very nature of love is to give. The earthly parent can give earthly things, as in the song above, but only if the Holy Spirit lives within can he be a conduit to pass on heavenly and eternal things such as a legacy of love, integrity, humility, godly self-esteem, trust and hope in the Lord God, Who is the source of all good things.
The benefits of being a King’s Kid are too numerous to name, but I am going to mention a few. The first I will mention is a “no brainer” – LOVE. I can think of nothing sadder than a mother and/or father who doesn’t even want their child, or doesn’t want the best for them. A truly selfless parent will sacrifice everything they have, even their own life, to see their child have the necessities of life and thrive spirit, soul and body. As a King’s Kid we can bask in the unconditional love of our Father. He does see the sparrow fall and all His other creations are in His view but His main focus is on us.
Did you know God sings and rejoices over you? I think His song is, “I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.” (smile) He takes great delight in you and He is always there in trouble to save you. When you are hurting and fretting He takes you in His arms and gives you peace and quiets you with His love while He sings His love songs to you. One verse in Zephaniah 3:17 confirms all of these benefits, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." To you whom God’s wrath is more real than God’s love, choose to believe and accept God’s love whether or not you understand it. All of the other benefits of being a King’s Kid are just facets of this greatest benefit, the jewel of Love.
Because you are a King’s Kid you receive all the benefits of His love which includes: being chosen, redeemed, justified, forgiven, reconciled with God. His everlasting faithfulness, patience and His mercies that are new every morning. You can sleep like a baby with a clear conscience and in peace. You can have the benefit that the Father knows best and His timing is perfect and He gives you joy unspeakable and full of glory. He is the Anchor of your soul and you are made citizens and have the hope of heaven.
The Holy Spirit lives within to seal you as God’s child, to comfort you, to teach you and guide you into all truth which transforms you from the inside out and produces godly fruit in your life and gives you all spiritual gifts with which to minister to all the Body. The Holy Spirit also empowers you to desire and choose righteous living and break unholy habits. He makes His footsteps your pathway and shines the light on it so you can clearly see the way.
Another wonderful benefit of being a King’s Kid is the access the Father gives you to come boldly into His presence in prayer and worship and supplication. You don’t have to be afraid to ask anything because He is your Father Who loves you and wants to give you all things that will benefit you. He sees your weaknesses, knows your enemy and will enable you to overcome your enemy with His Word.
Like David we must praise and thank the Lord for benefiting us by bearing our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation (Ps.68:19)! David commanded his soul to bless the Lord for all His benefits (Ps.103:3). He said in Ps 116:12, "How can I repay God for all His benefits toward me?" Our days should be filled with praise and thanksgiving!
God rejoices and sings over His children, picks then up when they fall and kisses them with goodness, What more could we ask? We should pray the words of the songwriter, Clara H. Scott,
"Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth Thou sendest clear; Open my mouth and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere." Father, give me a thankful heart for all your manifold benefits!
Mary Jones
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Daddy’s going to buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don’t sing,
Daddy’s going to buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Daddy’s going to buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Daddy’s going to buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Daddy’s going to buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Daddy’s going to buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
“If you then, as evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven (perfect as He is) give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!” (Mt.7:11). The very nature of love is to give. The earthly parent can give earthly things, as in the song above, but only if the Holy Spirit lives within can he be a conduit to pass on heavenly and eternal things such as a legacy of love, integrity, humility, godly self-esteem, trust and hope in the Lord God, Who is the source of all good things.
The benefits of being a King’s Kid are too numerous to name, but I am going to mention a few. The first I will mention is a “no brainer” – LOVE. I can think of nothing sadder than a mother and/or father who doesn’t even want their child, or doesn’t want the best for them. A truly selfless parent will sacrifice everything they have, even their own life, to see their child have the necessities of life and thrive spirit, soul and body. As a King’s Kid we can bask in the unconditional love of our Father. He does see the sparrow fall and all His other creations are in His view but His main focus is on us.
Did you know God sings and rejoices over you? I think His song is, “I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.” (smile) He takes great delight in you and He is always there in trouble to save you. When you are hurting and fretting He takes you in His arms and gives you peace and quiets you with His love while He sings His love songs to you. One verse in Zephaniah 3:17 confirms all of these benefits, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." To you whom God’s wrath is more real than God’s love, choose to believe and accept God’s love whether or not you understand it. All of the other benefits of being a King’s Kid are just facets of this greatest benefit, the jewel of Love.
Because you are a King’s Kid you receive all the benefits of His love which includes: being chosen, redeemed, justified, forgiven, reconciled with God. His everlasting faithfulness, patience and His mercies that are new every morning. You can sleep like a baby with a clear conscience and in peace. You can have the benefit that the Father knows best and His timing is perfect and He gives you joy unspeakable and full of glory. He is the Anchor of your soul and you are made citizens and have the hope of heaven.
The Holy Spirit lives within to seal you as God’s child, to comfort you, to teach you and guide you into all truth which transforms you from the inside out and produces godly fruit in your life and gives you all spiritual gifts with which to minister to all the Body. The Holy Spirit also empowers you to desire and choose righteous living and break unholy habits. He makes His footsteps your pathway and shines the light on it so you can clearly see the way.
Another wonderful benefit of being a King’s Kid is the access the Father gives you to come boldly into His presence in prayer and worship and supplication. You don’t have to be afraid to ask anything because He is your Father Who loves you and wants to give you all things that will benefit you. He sees your weaknesses, knows your enemy and will enable you to overcome your enemy with His Word.
Like David we must praise and thank the Lord for benefiting us by bearing our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation (Ps.68:19)! David commanded his soul to bless the Lord for all His benefits (Ps.103:3). He said in Ps 116:12, "How can I repay God for all His benefits toward me?" Our days should be filled with praise and thanksgiving!
God rejoices and sings over His children, picks then up when they fall and kisses them with goodness, What more could we ask? We should pray the words of the songwriter, Clara H. Scott,
"Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth Thou sendest clear; Open my mouth and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere." Father, give me a thankful heart for all your manifold benefits!
Mary Jones
Monday, December 29, 2008
FOREVER FAITHFUL
"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God!" - Psalm 90:2
All of God's attributes are the summum bonum - "the supreme good from which all others are derived. They are the best, the greatest, the supreme. All of our good attributes have to bow at the feet of God's attributes. Any good in ourselves come from God and his attributes. If we have seasons where we are loving, merciful, patient or faithful it is because we are made in the image of God, but even those good attributes are, at times, vacilating, fickle and unfaithful because we don't abide in Him. Only God is completely and always faithful in all of His attributes, because He can be no different. He is loving because He is love. He is faithful because He is faithful. It blows my mind to even think about it.
This title, "Forever Faithful," is a redundant phrase. "Forever" is an adverb which means: "for a limitless time; at all times." It is describing the second word in the title, "Faithful," which in itself speaks of eternalness, because God is eternal (forever). The word "faithful" means to "firmly adhere to one's promises." There is never a time God is not faithful to His promises. God is not as man that He should lie (Num.23:19). He cannot deny himself. Faithfulness is part of His very essence and He cannot change. God is complete and perfect in all his attributes, therefore, He is "immutable" and will not change (Mal.3:6; Heb.13:8). But because we are so unfaithful and for the sake of our finite minds trying to wrap themselves around this incomprehensible attribute, we are going to use this term, "God is forever faithful." We must try to grasp the truth that God is perfect, complete and filled with faithfulness and will never change in the quality, duration or effectiveness of all His attributes. He is faithful in His love, mercy, long suffering, forgiving and etc.
God declares Himself faithful to keep His promises to His children (Duet.7:9). Those who have walked with Him and proved Him proclaim His faithfulness. Moses says of God, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are law and justice. A God of faithfulness without breach or deviation" (Duet.32:4). David proclaims in Psalms 89:2, "Your faithfulness will You establish in the very heavens (unchangeable and perpetual)". Isaiah said, "Faithfulness shall be the girdle of His loins" (Isa.11:5). Jeremiah, when enumerating some of God's attributes said, "Great and abundant is your faithfulness" (Lam.3:23). Paul, in I Cor.1:9, says, "God is faithful and therefore ever true to His promise." The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:23, "So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable and faithful to His Word." John tells us in chapter one of Ist John, verse nine, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and true to His nature and promises and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
In Psalms 23 David so accurately portrays God's faithfulness in every verse.
Verse one shows His faithfulness in our ever ending relationship with our Shepherd as His sheep to feed, guide and protect us.
Verse two clearly tells us that as we follow Him, He will faithfully give us rest and refreshment after wandering in the desert places of life.
Verse three He faithfully restores our inner selves with His righteousness, not because I deserve it but because His name is "Faithful and True" (Rev. 19:11).
Verse four shows how he faithfully restores our confidence in Him to keep, guide and be with us when we are afraid of evil attacks. And He lifts us up and comforts us when we fall.
Verse five tells us how He faithfully gives us hope and abundance and consecrates us to the Father for His keeping , spirit, soul and body, even while our enemies surround us and would try to overwhelm us (Isa..59:19b).
Verse six shows how His faithfulness covers us as a canopy with His goodness, mercy and unfailing love and will follow us, like the cloud over His people in the wilderness. And His presence will faithfully be with us all the days of our lives and, because of His faithfulness,
we will live in the blessing of that Holy Presence throughout eternity! We can rest in Him knowing that although we don't know what tomorrow holds, we know WHO holds tomorrow!
I hope that you are completely convinced that the God of the universe that loves you with an everlasting love and has said Himself, "I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake , nor let you down or relax my hold on you! Assuredly not!" (Heb.13:5 Amp.) Because He is faithful!
Mary Jones
All of God's attributes are the summum bonum - "the supreme good from which all others are derived. They are the best, the greatest, the supreme. All of our good attributes have to bow at the feet of God's attributes. Any good in ourselves come from God and his attributes. If we have seasons where we are loving, merciful, patient or faithful it is because we are made in the image of God, but even those good attributes are, at times, vacilating, fickle and unfaithful because we don't abide in Him. Only God is completely and always faithful in all of His attributes, because He can be no different. He is loving because He is love. He is faithful because He is faithful. It blows my mind to even think about it.
This title, "Forever Faithful," is a redundant phrase. "Forever" is an adverb which means: "for a limitless time; at all times." It is describing the second word in the title, "Faithful," which in itself speaks of eternalness, because God is eternal (forever). The word "faithful" means to "firmly adhere to one's promises." There is never a time God is not faithful to His promises. God is not as man that He should lie (Num.23:19). He cannot deny himself. Faithfulness is part of His very essence and He cannot change. God is complete and perfect in all his attributes, therefore, He is "immutable" and will not change (Mal.3:6; Heb.13:8). But because we are so unfaithful and for the sake of our finite minds trying to wrap themselves around this incomprehensible attribute, we are going to use this term, "God is forever faithful." We must try to grasp the truth that God is perfect, complete and filled with faithfulness and will never change in the quality, duration or effectiveness of all His attributes. He is faithful in His love, mercy, long suffering, forgiving and etc.
God declares Himself faithful to keep His promises to His children (Duet.7:9). Those who have walked with Him and proved Him proclaim His faithfulness. Moses says of God, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are law and justice. A God of faithfulness without breach or deviation" (Duet.32:4). David proclaims in Psalms 89:2, "Your faithfulness will You establish in the very heavens (unchangeable and perpetual)". Isaiah said, "Faithfulness shall be the girdle of His loins" (Isa.11:5). Jeremiah, when enumerating some of God's attributes said, "Great and abundant is your faithfulness" (Lam.3:23). Paul, in I Cor.1:9, says, "God is faithful and therefore ever true to His promise." The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:23, "So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable and faithful to His Word." John tells us in chapter one of Ist John, verse nine, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and true to His nature and promises and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
In Psalms 23 David so accurately portrays God's faithfulness in every verse.
Verse one shows His faithfulness in our ever ending relationship with our Shepherd as His sheep to feed, guide and protect us.
Verse two clearly tells us that as we follow Him, He will faithfully give us rest and refreshment after wandering in the desert places of life.
Verse three He faithfully restores our inner selves with His righteousness, not because I deserve it but because His name is "Faithful and True" (Rev. 19:11).
Verse four shows how he faithfully restores our confidence in Him to keep, guide and be with us when we are afraid of evil attacks. And He lifts us up and comforts us when we fall.
Verse five tells us how He faithfully gives us hope and abundance and consecrates us to the Father for His keeping , spirit, soul and body, even while our enemies surround us and would try to overwhelm us (Isa..59:19b).
Verse six shows how His faithfulness covers us as a canopy with His goodness, mercy and unfailing love and will follow us, like the cloud over His people in the wilderness. And His presence will faithfully be with us all the days of our lives and, because of His faithfulness,
we will live in the blessing of that Holy Presence throughout eternity! We can rest in Him knowing that although we don't know what tomorrow holds, we know WHO holds tomorrow!
I hope that you are completely convinced that the God of the universe that loves you with an everlasting love and has said Himself, "I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake , nor let you down or relax my hold on you! Assuredly not!" (Heb.13:5 Amp.) Because He is faithful!
Mary Jones
Saturday, December 27, 2008
THE AWESOMENESS OF OUR SHEPHERD
OUR AWESOME SHEPHERD
(According to Psalms 23)
The Lord is my Shepherd, (That’s relationship!)
I shall not want, (That’s supply!)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, (That’s rest!)
He leads me beside the still waters, (That’s refreshment!)
He restores my soul, (That’s healing!)
He leads me in paths of righteous, (That’s guidance!)
For His name sake, (That’s purpose!)
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (That’s testing!)
I will fear no evil, (That’s protection!)
For You are with me, (That’s faithfulness!)
Your rod and Your staff they comfort me (That’s discipline!)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, (That’s hope!)
You anoint my head with oil, (That’s consecration!)
My cup runs over, (That’s abundance!)
Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, (That’s blessing!)
And I will live in the house of the Lord, (That’s security!)
Forever, (That’s eternity!)
(Anon.)
(According to Psalms 23)
The Lord is my Shepherd, (That’s relationship!)
I shall not want, (That’s supply!)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, (That’s rest!)
He leads me beside the still waters, (That’s refreshment!)
He restores my soul, (That’s healing!)
He leads me in paths of righteous, (That’s guidance!)
For His name sake, (That’s purpose!)
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (That’s testing!)
I will fear no evil, (That’s protection!)
For You are with me, (That’s faithfulness!)
Your rod and Your staff they comfort me (That’s discipline!)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, (That’s hope!)
You anoint my head with oil, (That’s consecration!)
My cup runs over, (That’s abundance!)
Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, (That’s blessing!)
And I will live in the house of the Lord, (That’s security!)
Forever, (That’s eternity!)
(Anon.)
Friday, December 26, 2008
THE GREATEST EXCHANGES
This is the day after Christmas and in my readings this morning I had 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.8:32;
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) At the cross Jesus took our regrettable sins in exchange for a heart of 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 that passes all understanding, hope and assurance for the war that waged
within,with its fears and doubts (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 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!
http://lightfrommywindow.blogspot.com.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
2008 Christmas Letter
Dear Friends and Family,
Wow! What a year! This has certainly been a history-making year with the campaign with one lady and one African-American running for President; and with one lady running for vice-president. Only in America could the electorate go from owning African –American slaves to electing one as President of the greatest nation on earth. God is still on the throne and He is the One who exalts and He is the one Who abases so now our responsibility is to pray for the President-elect and all our leaders. I know it is not our leaders, nor government that are the answers to our problems but only our Heavenly Father Who will be our provider, protector and sustainer in these most perilous times. He is “the Lifter of our heads,” and the “Hope” for the future, whatever it holds. He’s got the whole world in His hands! He is the REASON FOR THE SEASON and the only reason I am writing this letter.
Four family history-making events happened this year. On May 10th (my mother’s birthday), Sean, Melody and Bill’s son, married a wonderful young lady, Rebecca Bender. “Becca” graduated from ETBU last December and got a job in Tyler where Sean already was living and working. She is from Center, Texas, where her father is one of the ministers at the First Baptist Church. Sean and Becca seem perfect for each other. God is Good!
The next history-making event in our family was the birth of our fourth great-child, Hannah, on her sister’s birthday, June 16th. She is a beautiful and precocious little girl. At 5 months she is already crawling, sitting up and cutting teeth. She has a quiet, laid-back disposition and is a joy to her older sister, Lillian and mommy and daddy, Donna and Jonathan. God is good!
On August 26th Daniel, Mark’s youngest son, married a young lady he had met a year earlier in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he was stationed at Ft. Bragg. Her name is Michelle and fits perfectly into our family. Daniel wanted to get married in Texas so they came here and spent a few days with us then on to Austin to visit the rest of the family down there and married there. They took their honeymoon in Florida where Michelle’s mother lives. Daniel had to leave for Germany, where he is stationed, the day after they returned to Fayetteville. She joined him several weeks later after she got all her affairs in order. I wish they could come home for Christmas! God is good!
The fourth family history-making event was the birth of Jude Evan, Susan and Justin’s third little boy. Jude was Susan’s second home birth with a mid-wife. She did great and Jude weighed in at 9 pounds. Jeannine, Mark’s wife, kept the other two boys occupied while Susan was in her five hour labor. Ethan and Caleb wanted a little sister but once they saw Jude they forgot about a sister. God is good!
In the November election we had a history-making event here in Harrison County, a black man was elected as the first African-American District Judge, William Todd Hughey. He is a Republican, which is quite unusual here. He ran on the platform of “law and justice.” When he was asked the question, “Why are you a Republican?’ His answer was, “The values of the Republican Party are my values.” He was raised in a different party home, but as an adult his Christian values took pre-eminence over his past party affiliation. William’s story could be named, “Against All Odds.” He has only lived in Harrison for six years but has had experience all over the nation, even in Washington and even presented papers in one case in the Supreme Court. But being a black, Republican attorney running for District Judge in the town known as ‘the litigation capitol,’ made most of the local attorneys very confident of his defeat. The Democratic candidate, who is a white attorney, who was raised here in Marshall, raised $105,000, mostly from local and far and wide trial lawyers, while William raised only $32,000 from grass roots with only three attorneys among those contributing. Wendell and I got to know William and his wife, Willie Mae, at his announcement party. We have become close friends ever since and we love them dearly. They are such humble people and are so committed to the Lord. I believe this is why God has exalted William to this so very important office in our county government. Wendell worked many hours putting up signs all over the county. We had a reception for him in our home and I worked in the Republican headquarters calling for him. We had a full house at the headquarters on election night as we watched the returns come in. William won by an overwhelming majority and what a victory celebration we had. The outgoing District Judge, the District Attorney (both Democrats) and some other shocked Democrats were also there to congratulate him. While the other side is still scratching their heads, William quickly confesses that his victory was only by the hand of God. God is Good!
While the election certainly was a big focus, we are glad it has come and gone. We are now focusing on this most special season for a Christian. We have decorated our Christmas tree, put out our candles and nativity sets, hung our garlands, put our lights in the windows and down the driveway and put up our 20’ star, and all this time, energy and money was done in celebration of that “one solitary life,” Probably our Savior was not born on December 25, but we have chosen that date to celebrate, and celebrate we will with singing, rejoicing, bowing at His table and giving gifts. All this in remembrance of the fact that we have a “living Savior” Who was born to die for our sins!
Here is a young man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to a college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.
While He was still a young man, the tide of public opinions turned against Him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross, between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth, and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen centuries wide have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader for the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as has that ONE SOLITARY LIFE!
(Anon)
Merry Christmas!
Mary and Wendell
Wow! What a year! This has certainly been a history-making year with the campaign with one lady and one African-American running for President; and with one lady running for vice-president. Only in America could the electorate go from owning African –American slaves to electing one as President of the greatest nation on earth. God is still on the throne and He is the One who exalts and He is the one Who abases so now our responsibility is to pray for the President-elect and all our leaders. I know it is not our leaders, nor government that are the answers to our problems but only our Heavenly Father Who will be our provider, protector and sustainer in these most perilous times. He is “the Lifter of our heads,” and the “Hope” for the future, whatever it holds. He’s got the whole world in His hands! He is the REASON FOR THE SEASON and the only reason I am writing this letter.
Four family history-making events happened this year. On May 10th (my mother’s birthday), Sean, Melody and Bill’s son, married a wonderful young lady, Rebecca Bender. “Becca” graduated from ETBU last December and got a job in Tyler where Sean already was living and working. She is from Center, Texas, where her father is one of the ministers at the First Baptist Church. Sean and Becca seem perfect for each other. God is Good!
The next history-making event in our family was the birth of our fourth great-child, Hannah, on her sister’s birthday, June 16th. She is a beautiful and precocious little girl. At 5 months she is already crawling, sitting up and cutting teeth. She has a quiet, laid-back disposition and is a joy to her older sister, Lillian and mommy and daddy, Donna and Jonathan. God is good!
On August 26th Daniel, Mark’s youngest son, married a young lady he had met a year earlier in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he was stationed at Ft. Bragg. Her name is Michelle and fits perfectly into our family. Daniel wanted to get married in Texas so they came here and spent a few days with us then on to Austin to visit the rest of the family down there and married there. They took their honeymoon in Florida where Michelle’s mother lives. Daniel had to leave for Germany, where he is stationed, the day after they returned to Fayetteville. She joined him several weeks later after she got all her affairs in order. I wish they could come home for Christmas! God is good!
The fourth family history-making event was the birth of Jude Evan, Susan and Justin’s third little boy. Jude was Susan’s second home birth with a mid-wife. She did great and Jude weighed in at 9 pounds. Jeannine, Mark’s wife, kept the other two boys occupied while Susan was in her five hour labor. Ethan and Caleb wanted a little sister but once they saw Jude they forgot about a sister. God is good!
In the November election we had a history-making event here in Harrison County, a black man was elected as the first African-American District Judge, William Todd Hughey. He is a Republican, which is quite unusual here. He ran on the platform of “law and justice.” When he was asked the question, “Why are you a Republican?’ His answer was, “The values of the Republican Party are my values.” He was raised in a different party home, but as an adult his Christian values took pre-eminence over his past party affiliation. William’s story could be named, “Against All Odds.” He has only lived in Harrison for six years but has had experience all over the nation, even in Washington and even presented papers in one case in the Supreme Court. But being a black, Republican attorney running for District Judge in the town known as ‘the litigation capitol,’ made most of the local attorneys very confident of his defeat. The Democratic candidate, who is a white attorney, who was raised here in Marshall, raised $105,000, mostly from local and far and wide trial lawyers, while William raised only $32,000 from grass roots with only three attorneys among those contributing. Wendell and I got to know William and his wife, Willie Mae, at his announcement party. We have become close friends ever since and we love them dearly. They are such humble people and are so committed to the Lord. I believe this is why God has exalted William to this so very important office in our county government. Wendell worked many hours putting up signs all over the county. We had a reception for him in our home and I worked in the Republican headquarters calling for him. We had a full house at the headquarters on election night as we watched the returns come in. William won by an overwhelming majority and what a victory celebration we had. The outgoing District Judge, the District Attorney (both Democrats) and some other shocked Democrats were also there to congratulate him. While the other side is still scratching their heads, William quickly confesses that his victory was only by the hand of God. God is Good!
While the election certainly was a big focus, we are glad it has come and gone. We are now focusing on this most special season for a Christian. We have decorated our Christmas tree, put out our candles and nativity sets, hung our garlands, put our lights in the windows and down the driveway and put up our 20’ star, and all this time, energy and money was done in celebration of that “one solitary life,” Probably our Savior was not born on December 25, but we have chosen that date to celebrate, and celebrate we will with singing, rejoicing, bowing at His table and giving gifts. All this in remembrance of the fact that we have a “living Savior” Who was born to die for our sins!
Here is a young man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to a college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.
While He was still a young man, the tide of public opinions turned against Him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross, between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth, and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen centuries wide have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader for the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as has that ONE SOLITARY LIFE!
(Anon)
Merry Christmas!
Mary and Wendell
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