By His Great Mercy

Today is the day the Lord has made.  Oh....let us truly rejoice and be glad for He is awesome and wonderful.  God is in control of all that happens to us today and all that happens around the world.  He is truly what is holding it all together. 

As I sit here this morning I have turned to 1 Peter.  Just looking at the headings for the different sections of scriptures excites me.  I read the NLT version.

Salvation and the call to holiness.

Verses 3-9....The Hope of Eternal Life.

Verses 10-12....The Greatness of Salvation.

Verses 13-21....A Call to Holy Living.

As I read through the verses I felt just an unexplainable surge of excitement running through me!
Read this first section of verses. 

The Hope of Eternal Life

³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, ⁴ and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. ⁵ And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

⁶ So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
⁸ You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. ⁹ The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Truly....how awesome is this?!  It is by His great mercy....God is protecting you by His power....
there is wonderful joy ahead....the reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls!....just these few words alone can speak peace to your soul if you really stop and think about what they mean!   

The Greatness of  Salvation

¹⁰ This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. ¹¹ They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.
¹² They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

And what about how Christ suffered for you?  What greater thing could anyone have done?  There is nothing....nothing can compare to His love for you!

A Call to Holy Living

¹³ So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. ¹⁴ So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. ¹⁵ But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. ¹⁶ For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

¹⁷ And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” ¹⁸ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. ²⁰ God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
²¹ Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

This whole section speaks volumes to me.  I read it all the time....and I still fail....all the time.  But I will not be discouraged by my failures because I know that the ransom was paid for me! Paid for me by....the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.  And since accepting this free gift I have placed my faith and hope in God because He did raise Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory!!  

To back up in this a bit Peter tells us....Don't slip back into your old ways. He will judge you or reward you according to what you do.  We are just...."temporary residents" here.  I am excited that even though I fail in this earthly life it's all only temporary.  Why?  Because....
Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.  If our faith and hope is truly where we say it is....in Christ....we have a lot to look forward to and we don't need to fear today or tomorrow. 

I absolutely love this  whole section of 1 Peter.  I could probably say something about every verse and how I feel about it....there is just so much in these verses!  My challenge to you today is to read them for yourself.  How do they make you feel and what do they mean to you?  What is the Lord revealing to you....making known to you....through these verses?


"until we see JESUS....face to face"

What's Stirring

What's stirring in your heart tonight?  For me it's the same thing I have been feeling for a long time.  It's a desire....a burning....that I just can't seem to quench.  It's always there....just under the surface.  I was wondering if some of you have it?  It's a longing....a longing to go deeper in your relationship with the Lord?  I think as Christians we should all have that desire. To go deeper....what can it hurt?  Going deeper with Him can only do good things for us.  For me it's a longing of my soul....no it's "the longing" of my soul!  At this point in my life there is nothing that I want more!  I want to draw closer and closer to Him!  How about you?  What is your soul longing for?

I've always liked this verse....

John 3:30 NLT
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

The good thing about this is....

As we let the Lord become greater and greater in our life....we will automatically become less and less.  Why?  Because we will focus more and more on Him and less and less on our own desires....on self.  Then Jesus will become the greatest thing in our life.  What could be better than that?!

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

All At The Same Time

I was reading in Isaiah this morning and the Lord brought many things to my attention.  Many things that I so needed to be reminded of today.  There was one in particular that I would like to share simply because I have never thought of  this before.

Isaiah 40:10-11

¹⁰ Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.
    He will rule with a powerful arm.
    See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.
¹¹ He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
    He will carry the lambs in his arms,
    holding them close to his heart.
    He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

In vs 10 it says how He will rule with a powerful arm then immediately comes back to say in vs 11 how He is like a shepherd....caring and gentle.  

I've always know that the Lord is all powerful.  That has never been a question for me!  Then there's Psalm 23....one of my all time favorites.  But I guess....I just never put it all together and thought of Him as a mighty warrior....and a gentle shepherd....all at the same time.  For me that just plainly gives me comfort this morning! It helps me with the trust issues I seem to be having.  What comes to mind is this....

While He is fighting for me....holding back the "darkness"....He is at the same time holding me gently....close to His heart....so that I feel His love and protection for me.  Knowing this....putting it all together....helps me to understand it better.  The Lord is my Shepherd and He is fighting to keep me safe....holding and loving me....through everything!  My Shepherd and my Protector!!

In the same way we can all be reminded of how we really are defenseless without the protection of our Lord.  He cares for and loves us....and because of this He is protecting all of us....all of the time.  

We are defenseless under our own power but we are never truly defenseless because we don't live under our own power.  We live with our Savior watching over us. Guiding and protecting us if we will only let Him.  

Psalms 23

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Just Go With It

It's Tuesday morning 7 a.m. and I'm sitting at my desk writing again.  Normally I would be at work but today I have places to go and people to see....as the old "adage" says.  I remember always hearing that as a kid.  I like those types of memories....I was always a word and number person.  My Mom always liked words and my Dad always liked numbers....as well as hunting and fishing.  However....as fun as some of these remembrances are I will save more of them for another post.  But not now.  Today I want to focus more on God.  My parents "gave" me life but....

The Lord is the sustainer of my life.  He keeps me going when I sometimes think I can't continue on.  Sounds crazy I know....that I can't keep on....but my thoughts sometimes do get the best of me.  The Lord knows when we need more than we have....more than we are capable of having on our own.  Even though deep down somewhere I know that Gods got me....got "it"....I let my thoughts and fears get the best of me.  The "it" in my life becomes stronger....in my thoughts....than the Sustainer of my life.  But this morning....

This morning I was hit first thing with words from the Lord.  At 4:17 I was wide awake and started finding things to read.  I looked at my e-mail first and saw one from a friend.  It said....HE loves you, and wants your complete trust to be in HIM.  All I could think of was....I know....I know....but I'm having a hard time with that!  So I read it a couple more times trying to get that thought process to sink in!!  Then I went to what some call a bad thing....Facebook.  I get a lot of scripture and good things on my Facebook....this morning those things seemed more than normal. 

Deuteronomy 31:8
"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Then there was a devotion from Greg Laurie titled Bring Him Into Your Boat....it was very good!  It is about the disciples when they were in the storm tossed boat. 

John 6:20-21

²⁰ but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” ²¹ Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

For me....right now....today....I don't know that it's fear....I'm not sure....well....in all honesty....maybe some fear it's just hard to admit that.  I think I'm just tired of fighting this continually and I need it to be done.  I do know that I need to be at the final destination for this thing....the "it" that Gods got....in my life.  

I'm not sure how to finish this except to say....

I know that the Lord is with me all the time....even when I don't feel Him.  He will take care of me and has His best plans for my life.  Just as He does for all of you.  

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Morning Musings

Take me back Lord to when I first knew You....when I first beheld Your face....when I first knew of Your wonderful love....when I heard Your voice above all others and I knew....I knew that it was You. Take me back to the beginning of our relationship....when it was all new to me....when I called out to You and You answered....take me back.

This morning came earlier than normal for me....three a.m.  After a bit I picked up my phone and started scrolling through facebook and played a word on a game....at sometime between 3 and 4....really?!  My thoughts were something like....What's wrong with me?  I should be sleeping!  I turned out the light and begin to think of the stuff going on in my life.  Thinking turns into more than thinking....anxiousness starts to set in.  Then....something I used to always do when I was anxious....scared....feeling alone....flashed in my thoughts.  Something I haven't really done in a long time.  I use to place my Bible on my chest and hold it there when I couldn't sleep....when the remembering happened....when I had to leave the lights on to sleep....when I just needed to feel closer to the Lord.  With the Bible on my chest I would talk to Him and He would calm me....sleep would come.  It always worked for me.  The Lord knew that I just needed to feel Him closer....He would respond.  So this morning I reached over and picked up the Bible beside me and placed it on my chest.  A connecting point between me and the Lord....His Word....then comes prayer....conversation really....connection. 

Did I go back to sleep....no.  I find myself sitting at my desk....Bible open.  I read a few verses then started to write....not knowing where I was going with this....just writing....not knowing why I'm sharing this with all of you. Then I looked at the verses I had read and what I had written when I first sat down here....

John 10:27-30

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, ²⁹ for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. ³⁰ The Father and I are one.”

Perfect words for a mind/heart that is a bit confused.

There has been a lack within myself....something amiss....not quite right.  I've felt it....I've known it....I don't like it!  You know....it's easy to step back from how you know you should be living.  Not really turning from things you believe....not turning your back to the Lord....just not always dong what you should be doing for Him.  Maybe it's just....letting a bit too much of the world into your life.
Not spending the quality time with the Lord that you know you should.  Wanting to hear His voice  like you did in the past....but knowing that maybe the problem is....you just really haven't listened when you last did hear Him!  Maybe....just maybe....that's why the feeling of lack.  The feeling that things within just aren't right.  Jesus wants us to listen.  How can we truly follow if we aren't truly listening for....and to....His voice?  
 
What I wrote at the beginning of this post is true....I want things to be like they use to be in my relationship with the Lord....yet better.  I want to know Him more than I did back then.  I want to know Him with more fervor....more intensity!  I want to know Him more....and more....and more....until I feel as if I will explode with His love!  I want to hear Him more....know Him more....and follow Him with all I have inside me!  I want to have a radical love for Him!!  Jesus gave me something that I never thought I would ever have....something I always wanted....His love....Salvation....Eternal life!  

It is now 7:15 and I have found calm....and another verse....

Psalms 27:14

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Sometimes....through all of life....we just have to wait.  Things don't always happen as we expect or want them too.  But if we do as this verse says....which is rarely easy....in the end....it will all be okay.  

One day soon we will see Jesus.  Won't that be an amazing....breathtakingly beautiful day!
We shall see Him just as He promised....

"until we see JESUS....face to face"



 

It's Jesus

What do you want more than anything?  If you could choose just one thing in your life....for yourself....what would it be?  Would you go out and buy something new and extravagant?  Maybe go in search of a new friend because you feel your current ones just aren't giving you all you need to survive the "daily" of your life....in the way you want them too?  Or maybe....if you stop and really think about it....would you take a good long look inside yourself and realize that what you really want....really need....is something....someone....that you have maybe pushed to the outer extremities of your life.  Well....

Obviously....I've been thinking.  I didn't have to think too long....or too hard....because sometimes you just know what it is you need and what it is you want!  Before I go any further here's a side note....

I want to say that I am a Christian....I do know that Jesus saved me and loves me....but sometimes I'm just not staying as close to Him as I know I should and as close to Him as I need to be!  Because of this....I let things rock my boat more than they should!  But....one thing I have learned over the last seven years is this....He is faithful....God is faithful!  He allows people to speak into my life and kind of jolt me back to reality!  So what is it....Who is it....that I want more than anything....

Yes....It is more of the Lord in my life!  More of His love....His peace....His hope....His strength.....His joy....His power to change me....His calm in the midst of it all....His reassurance....His living water....His blessing....His mercies that are new every morning....His song in my heart and soul....His light in the middle of my darkness....His straight path for my life when I'm twisting and turning....His goodness....His compassion....His still small voice in the midst of all my noise....His soothing comfort when I am hurting....His sure and steady hand when I am flailing about....His greatness when I am feeling small....His correction when I need to submit....His soothing ointment of healing when I am sick....His forgiveness when I have turned my back towards Him....His arm around me when I am hurting....His amazing....amazing....Grace....because I need it so so much....and the last is the same as the first....His Love that washes over all of me!!

That my friends is what I need and what I want more than anything....because the Lord is who I need and who I want....more than anyone.  Jesus Christ is the One that can fill all the needs and all the wants in my life....and yours....we just have to open up to Him and allow Him to do what He does!

1 Corinthians 1:9Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁹ God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Verses

Tonight I could sit and write a lot of things that really just don't matter....or I can just post some scriptures.  I weighed those two choices and decided that you all would be much better off if you just read these.  Gods Word is always needed in every situation of life.

Matthew 11:28-30New Living Translation

²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Isaiah 40:28-31New Living Translation

²⁸ Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
²⁹ He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
³⁰ Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Psalm 4:8New Living Translation

⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Psalm 73:26New Living Translation

²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.

Psalm 62:5New Living Translation

⁵ Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.

Psalm 119:114New Living Translation

¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
    your word is my source of hope.

Proverbs 3:24New Living Translation

²⁴ You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.

Philippians 4:13New Living Translation

¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

"until we see JESUS....face to face"