"With one voice they cried out, 'Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!' (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!'...So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will."
Luke 23: 18-21, 25
I wonder what became of Barabbas? Having committed the crimes that earned him the death sentence, he suddenly found himself set free! Someone else had paid his debt for him. Was he curious to know more about this man, Jesus? Did he witness the execution with tears in his eyes, knowing that an innocent man bore his floggings, his nails, his torment? Did he kneel at the foot of the cross and ask forgiveness of his sins? Or did he, with a smirk, say to Jesus, "Tough luck, fella" and go on his merry way?
Jesus died in my place, too. Like Barabbas, I have been set free from the death sentence I have earned. The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death." Seeing the dear price that Jesus paid in my stead, how could I go on never mending my ways? What have I done to show my gratitude?
We are all Barabbas.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
The Character of Contentment
"Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, prominent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews."
Esther 10:3
Mordecai, a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, among those taken captive with the King of Judah. He also adopted his cousin, Esther, who was an orphan. He was a good parent to her, watching out for her welfare and giving sound advice. As the story of Esther goes, he uncovered a conspiracy against the king, for which he was later honored.
The integrity and character of this man were the same when he was a poor exile sitting at the gate as it was when he was second in command, rich and powerful. This was due to his firm foundation, the unchanging Rock of God.
Lord, teach me to be content, no matter what I own. Like Mordecai, I need to be an advocate for the Christian people, humbly walking with you so that others may see your Light in my eyes. Teach me to put aside my selfish desires and seek your will, even in times of adversity. Mordecai donned sackcloth and ashes, fasted and prayed when the fate of the Jews seemed sealed by the king's signet ring. Yet, look at how beautifully you turned those tables. The Jews retaliated against their enemies and gained fearful respect from their adversaries.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Esther 10:3
Mordecai, a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, among those taken captive with the King of Judah. He also adopted his cousin, Esther, who was an orphan. He was a good parent to her, watching out for her welfare and giving sound advice. As the story of Esther goes, he uncovered a conspiracy against the king, for which he was later honored.
The integrity and character of this man were the same when he was a poor exile sitting at the gate as it was when he was second in command, rich and powerful. This was due to his firm foundation, the unchanging Rock of God.
Lord, teach me to be content, no matter what I own. Like Mordecai, I need to be an advocate for the Christian people, humbly walking with you so that others may see your Light in my eyes. Teach me to put aside my selfish desires and seek your will, even in times of adversity. Mordecai donned sackcloth and ashes, fasted and prayed when the fate of the Jews seemed sealed by the king's signet ring. Yet, look at how beautifully you turned those tables. The Jews retaliated against their enemies and gained fearful respect from their adversaries.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Saturday, March 29, 2014
WWJP?
If Jesus knelt by my side, hands clasped, head bowed, what would he pray? That's an awesome thought: Jesus praying for me?
When I read John 17: 20-26, it gives me insight to the answer of my question. Verse 24 says, "Father, I want those you've given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you've given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
If I personalize this even more, it drives the message home: "Father, I want Rachel to be with me. Please can she come, too, to live with us for all eternity?"
I'll get to see Jesus in all his glory and experience the love that's been present since before creation. This is Jesus' prayer for me, for all believers.
To continue, I will paraphrase verses 25 and 26, inserting my name: "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you and Rachel knows that you sent me. I have made you known to her, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in her, and that I myself may be in her."
How intimate! How intensely loving this prayer becomes when I insert my name.
Jesus, I love you so much. I am so happy tha you protect me, love me, save me and want me to be with you where you are, where you will wipe away every tear, where there will be no more death, or mourning, or sorrow or pain. (Revelation 21:4).
When I read John 17: 20-26, it gives me insight to the answer of my question. Verse 24 says, "Father, I want those you've given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you've given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
If I personalize this even more, it drives the message home: "Father, I want Rachel to be with me. Please can she come, too, to live with us for all eternity?"
I'll get to see Jesus in all his glory and experience the love that's been present since before creation. This is Jesus' prayer for me, for all believers.
To continue, I will paraphrase verses 25 and 26, inserting my name: "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you and Rachel knows that you sent me. I have made you known to her, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in her, and that I myself may be in her."
How intimate! How intensely loving this prayer becomes when I insert my name.
Jesus, I love you so much. I am so happy tha you protect me, love me, save me and want me to be with you where you are, where you will wipe away every tear, where there will be no more death, or mourning, or sorrow or pain. (Revelation 21:4).
Sunday, March 23, 2014
My Testimony
"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."
Revelation 12:11
The question recently presented to me, "What moments in your life define your faith?" stirred answers from within, but only after much thought. A comparison was made to the Apostle Paul, but that intimidated me. I thought, "Gee, I'm no Paul, I've not much to tell." Upon further rumination, I DO have much to tell! If I did not, I would be denying the power of my Savior.
Every tree has roots. Blessed by Christian parents who practiced their faith, we went to church regularly, had daily devotions after supper and prayers at bedtime. My mother would tuck me in every night, the wool blanket from the cedar chest with its woodsy smell combined with my mother's kisses secured me against all evils. She would frequently ask me, "Do you know Jesus loves you? Do you trust him as your Savior?" Always, an affirmative nod brought a happy smile and a toasty hug.
I always knew God was real, largely because my folks used Scriptures to guide their family, giving God credit for everything. When I was in grade school, we were at a park in Akron when I suddenly experienced anaphylactic shock from a bee sting. Hives, delirium and nausea quickly created the need for medical intervention, but where was the hospital? Who would help? A ranger came along at just that moment, immediately guiding us to the help I needed.
Again, divine intervention rescued me when I became lost during a family vacation out West. Thinking my family was right behind me, the solitude that soon proved otherwise was devastating to me. Scared and tired, I had walked for miles, crying and praying, but I was never alone. With dusk approaching, a helicopter was being prepared for dispatch, but God sent one last couple along the path who bore the kindness of angels to me.
Childlike faith has a way of taking a back seat when the teenage years arrive. For some reason, all that was precious became cause for embarrassment when friends were around. It hurt deeply to now act ashamed of Jesus (I know how Peter must have felt when Jesus looked at him following his denial), but I felt Jesus would give me time and understanding while individualism beckoned me. ("Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.")
When I was 16, I went on a youth group outing in Pennsylvania called "Jesus '77". After music and preaching, a sea of teenagers were praying in small groups across a field. There was a young man whose leg was in a cast, from hip to toe. A group was fervently praying for his healing, when suddenly he fell to the ground, the cast bearing a split from top to bottom. Kids began to peel it off in a frenzy of praise and glory to God! Never before had I felt so palpably the power of the Spirit.
I'd relish saying that I came home with the faith of Paul after he trod the Damascus road, but I had a lot to learn first.
Being a young bride, far from home in a troubled marriage propelled me to fully rely on God as I sought God's word with hunger, especially consuming the Psalms. For the first time, I read the Bible on my own, discovering such gems as the eighth chapter of Romans. God answered me directly and I was a rapt listener.
Several brushes with disaster assailed me during my residence in Texas, but one happenstance was undoubtedly miraculous. Driving along a four lane road, without preamble, cars piled up before me, closing off all avenues of escape. I shut my eyes, bracing myself for impact, but God brought me safely to the other side of the collision without a scratch. How and why, I do not know, but I credit Him with saving me once more.
God's strength is made perfect when we are at our weakest, and I had a smorgasbord of weak moments ahead such as divorce, bankruptcy and single parenthood. The love and trust rejected by my husband were channeled into God and family as I moved back to my childhood home, an emotionally crippled young woman.
One thing I learned: never stand in judgment of another, thinking I would never behave like that, because Satan can and will coerce a Christian into doing most anything, especially during weak moments. For years, my personal journey took me into places of bleak sin. I berated myself, thinking I was unworthy of the love of Christ, but the Bible says, "There is now therefore no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus". The story of Jesus' compassion toward the adulterous woman became my personal song ("Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.")
Faith ebbs and flows. The tide is high and flowing freely when I stay close to God through prayer and Bible study, but an arid land replaces all when I shut the Good Book. Sometimes, it is most difficult to believe in Someone I cannot see; other times, it's as natural as the air I breathe. The summation of faith for me can be found in this poem by an author unknown to me:
Revelation 12:11
The question recently presented to me, "What moments in your life define your faith?" stirred answers from within, but only after much thought. A comparison was made to the Apostle Paul, but that intimidated me. I thought, "Gee, I'm no Paul, I've not much to tell." Upon further rumination, I DO have much to tell! If I did not, I would be denying the power of my Savior.
Every tree has roots. Blessed by Christian parents who practiced their faith, we went to church regularly, had daily devotions after supper and prayers at bedtime. My mother would tuck me in every night, the wool blanket from the cedar chest with its woodsy smell combined with my mother's kisses secured me against all evils. She would frequently ask me, "Do you know Jesus loves you? Do you trust him as your Savior?" Always, an affirmative nod brought a happy smile and a toasty hug.
I always knew God was real, largely because my folks used Scriptures to guide their family, giving God credit for everything. When I was in grade school, we were at a park in Akron when I suddenly experienced anaphylactic shock from a bee sting. Hives, delirium and nausea quickly created the need for medical intervention, but where was the hospital? Who would help? A ranger came along at just that moment, immediately guiding us to the help I needed.
Again, divine intervention rescued me when I became lost during a family vacation out West. Thinking my family was right behind me, the solitude that soon proved otherwise was devastating to me. Scared and tired, I had walked for miles, crying and praying, but I was never alone. With dusk approaching, a helicopter was being prepared for dispatch, but God sent one last couple along the path who bore the kindness of angels to me.
Childlike faith has a way of taking a back seat when the teenage years arrive. For some reason, all that was precious became cause for embarrassment when friends were around. It hurt deeply to now act ashamed of Jesus (I know how Peter must have felt when Jesus looked at him following his denial), but I felt Jesus would give me time and understanding while individualism beckoned me. ("Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.")
When I was 16, I went on a youth group outing in Pennsylvania called "Jesus '77". After music and preaching, a sea of teenagers were praying in small groups across a field. There was a young man whose leg was in a cast, from hip to toe. A group was fervently praying for his healing, when suddenly he fell to the ground, the cast bearing a split from top to bottom. Kids began to peel it off in a frenzy of praise and glory to God! Never before had I felt so palpably the power of the Spirit.
I'd relish saying that I came home with the faith of Paul after he trod the Damascus road, but I had a lot to learn first.
Being a young bride, far from home in a troubled marriage propelled me to fully rely on God as I sought God's word with hunger, especially consuming the Psalms. For the first time, I read the Bible on my own, discovering such gems as the eighth chapter of Romans. God answered me directly and I was a rapt listener.
Several brushes with disaster assailed me during my residence in Texas, but one happenstance was undoubtedly miraculous. Driving along a four lane road, without preamble, cars piled up before me, closing off all avenues of escape. I shut my eyes, bracing myself for impact, but God brought me safely to the other side of the collision without a scratch. How and why, I do not know, but I credit Him with saving me once more.
God's strength is made perfect when we are at our weakest, and I had a smorgasbord of weak moments ahead such as divorce, bankruptcy and single parenthood. The love and trust rejected by my husband were channeled into God and family as I moved back to my childhood home, an emotionally crippled young woman.
One thing I learned: never stand in judgment of another, thinking I would never behave like that, because Satan can and will coerce a Christian into doing most anything, especially during weak moments. For years, my personal journey took me into places of bleak sin. I berated myself, thinking I was unworthy of the love of Christ, but the Bible says, "There is now therefore no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus". The story of Jesus' compassion toward the adulterous woman became my personal song ("Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.")
Faith ebbs and flows. The tide is high and flowing freely when I stay close to God through prayer and Bible study, but an arid land replaces all when I shut the Good Book. Sometimes, it is most difficult to believe in Someone I cannot see; other times, it's as natural as the air I breathe. The summation of faith for me can be found in this poem by an author unknown to me:
What God Hath Promised
God hath not promised
Skies of blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through.
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
I wish to encourage other Christians not to shy away from sharing your testimony. Everyone has a story to tell. By keeping silent, we give the devil a foothold. The blood of the Lamb is a powerful thing so add fuel to that fire by bragging about the things Jesus has done for you. Only God can make a message out of a mess.
Live Up to His Name
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
Proverbs 22:1
My husband asked me if I liked having his name. I most certainly do, but I teased him by saying, "If your last name had been Twinklebean, I would not have married you."
As the Bride of Christ, I also have taken on a name - the Name of Christ. With it, I have a responsibility not to drag his name through the mud by my actions. It's a good name that I never wish to profane.
"At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." (Philippians 2:10) There is power, prestige, healing and respect that embody that name. I shall strive to live up to that name by living in faith.
Proverbs 22:1
My husband asked me if I liked having his name. I most certainly do, but I teased him by saying, "If your last name had been Twinklebean, I would not have married you."
As the Bride of Christ, I also have taken on a name - the Name of Christ. With it, I have a responsibility not to drag his name through the mud by my actions. It's a good name that I never wish to profane.
"At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." (Philippians 2:10) There is power, prestige, healing and respect that embody that name. I shall strive to live up to that name by living in faith.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Pray Only to Jesus
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men."
1 Timothy 2:5
This verse clearly states one God and one mediator between us. A mediator is an intercessor, one who pleads on behalf of another, intervening for the purpose of agreement. The intercessor between God and me is Jesus himself. To give that right to anyone else is to diminish the work he did at Calvary, to water down the blood he shed for us. Who has earned the right to sit at the right hand of God? Only Jesus, so I pray directly to him.
I was saddened to see a person's prayer to the Virgin Mary printed in the classifieds. This person was asking her to assist him in his necessity and to have mercy on him. I urge this needy person: you can and should pray directly to Jesus! Mary did not give her life as a ransom for all mankind. She has gone the way of other believers who have left this world. She cannot help you, but her Son can! Only He has risen from the dead and conquered the grave. Alleluia.
1 John 2:1 says: "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But in anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
1 Timothy 2:5
This verse clearly states one God and one mediator between us. A mediator is an intercessor, one who pleads on behalf of another, intervening for the purpose of agreement. The intercessor between God and me is Jesus himself. To give that right to anyone else is to diminish the work he did at Calvary, to water down the blood he shed for us. Who has earned the right to sit at the right hand of God? Only Jesus, so I pray directly to him.
I was saddened to see a person's prayer to the Virgin Mary printed in the classifieds. This person was asking her to assist him in his necessity and to have mercy on him. I urge this needy person: you can and should pray directly to Jesus! Mary did not give her life as a ransom for all mankind. She has gone the way of other believers who have left this world. She cannot help you, but her Son can! Only He has risen from the dead and conquered the grave. Alleluia.
1 John 2:1 says: "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But in anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Will the Real St Patrick Please Stand Up?
"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
2 Corinthians 4:4
Every St. Patrick's Day, I am nettled by the beer-swilling revelers in green. Do they even know who St. Patrick was?, I wonder.
At age 16, Patrick was captured by Irish pirates. Abruptly taken from all that was familiar to him, he was enslaved in a foreign land as a shepherd for six years. Though he could have allowed this experience to embitter him, he used this time to strengthen his relationship with God through prayer. After this time, he went home, but he eventually returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary, leading many to salvation in Christ. He used the shamrock as a visual illustration of the Holy Trinity.
Satan is a consumate counterfeiter who loves to warp anything that points to Jesus. He'd rather have people exalt the Easter Bunny than see the empty grave. He loves it when we herald the generosity of Santa Claus rather than kneel before the Babe of Bethlehem.
Perhaps this St. Patrick's Day, we can thank God for selfless missionaries who risk life and limb to bring the gospel to dark places. There are numerous Patricks out there today who are being persecuted and executed for the Christian faith. Stop and pray for them. It will result in more abounding, powerful ways than drinking green beer and donning silly shirts.
2 Corinthians 4:4
Every St. Patrick's Day, I am nettled by the beer-swilling revelers in green. Do they even know who St. Patrick was?, I wonder.
At age 16, Patrick was captured by Irish pirates. Abruptly taken from all that was familiar to him, he was enslaved in a foreign land as a shepherd for six years. Though he could have allowed this experience to embitter him, he used this time to strengthen his relationship with God through prayer. After this time, he went home, but he eventually returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary, leading many to salvation in Christ. He used the shamrock as a visual illustration of the Holy Trinity.
Satan is a consumate counterfeiter who loves to warp anything that points to Jesus. He'd rather have people exalt the Easter Bunny than see the empty grave. He loves it when we herald the generosity of Santa Claus rather than kneel before the Babe of Bethlehem.
Perhaps this St. Patrick's Day, we can thank God for selfless missionaries who risk life and limb to bring the gospel to dark places. There are numerous Patricks out there today who are being persecuted and executed for the Christian faith. Stop and pray for them. It will result in more abounding, powerful ways than drinking green beer and donning silly shirts.
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