The Wonderful Cross

This morning I am amazed anew that God would send His precious Son to ransom a lost and corrupt people...that Christ would suffer death, even death on a cross for me. Sometimes the fact that Jesus died for those he loved can seem like a far away thought to me, but when I meditate on the truth of the matter, I am moved to tears. Jesus Christ was real, His sacrifice on the Cross was real and the absolute truth that we will one day be with Christ is real. How great is our God! I pray that the Cross will become more and more the center of my life.

Matthew 27:45-56 - "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"
Matthew 28:5 - "But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen."

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name

Rainy Days...

After being sick last week, I thought the following scripture and quote were appropriate. And even though I am SO thankful to be almost all the way better, I am thankful that it was not worse and I have much respect for the people who live with daily health trials.

"The LORD protects him and keeps him alive;
he is called blessed in the land;
you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.
The LORD sustains him on his sickbed;
in his illness you restore him to full health." - Psalm 41:2-3

"He that rides to be crowned, will not think much of a rainy day." - John Trapp

One + Nineteen

This new year has already been so busy, that I have not had the time or made it, to spend a large chunk of quiet time to prayerfully consider what things I should pursue over the next eleven months. It has always been so helpful for me to write down what areas I need to grow in and what projects I should undertake. However, I have to resist the temptation to become too ambitious and set myself up for failure. This quote by David Powlison helps me to keep things in perspective,

“We are simple people. You can’t remember ten things at once. Invariably, if you could remember just ONE true thing…you’d be different. Connect one bit of Scripture to one bit of life…. Apply one relevant thing from our Redeemer to one significant scene in your story. Bring one bit of the Bible to one bit of your life….You can’t deal with it all at once. Scripture never does…. Life goes one step at a time.”

"So we see that the mark of true spirituality doesn’t require ten giant steps forward. One step at a time is sufficient. In fact, you could argue that choosing one area for growth in godliness is an expression of humility. It’s a humble acknowledgment of our serious limitations as 'simple people'. And what’s more, growth in one area almost always affects every other area of our lives. So rather than lament about the twenty ways we need to grow in godliness, let’s be encouraged that as we isolate just one and devote ourselves to change in that area, by the grace of God it will affect the other nineteen." -Nicole Whitacre

Thinking of my "list" of new year's aspirations in this context, helps me to prioritize and really ask God what it is He would have me give my attention to. I am looking forward to taking some time soon to discern what would glorify the Lord in my life this next year!

=)

A friend at work sent this over the weekend and I thought it was funny =)

"Four football fans - a Cowboys fan, a JAGS fan, a Colts fan and a Patriots fan - are climbing a mountain and arguing about who loves his team more. The Cowboys fan insists he is the most loyal. 'This is for the Cowboys!' he yells, and jumps off the side of the mountain. Not to be outdone, the Colts fan shouts, 'This is for the Colts!' and throws himself off the mountain. The JAGS fan is next to profess his love for his team. He yells, 'This is for everyone!' and pushes the Patriots fan off the mountain. GO JAGS!"

Longings

Keep me always longing
for a present salvation in Holy Spirit comforts and rejoicings,
for spiritual graces and blessings,
for help to value my duties as well as my privileges.
May I cherish simplicity and godly sincerity of character.
-Valley Of Vision-

Like King David, I am in a place where I want to "wait on the Lord". It has been a life long process of God teaching me to sit at His feet and wait. David also asked God to "make Him know His ways." He didn't ask for God to help him know His ways, but to make him. I know that I can often approach the Lord in a half-hearted and fearful way. I pray for sanctification, but I don't want too much at one time. I want to get to the place where I am thirsting for fellowship with God so much, that I am willing to wait for Him all day long.

Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.-Psalm 25:4-5

The word "longing" in relation to longing for God has also been on mind as of late, so I looked up the definition and read that it means, "strong, persistent desire or craving". I want to get to the place where I "long" for the Lord and His presence. To be near Him; to know His ways. By God's grace He will continue to foster that desire in me.

In the quiet of my soul
In the stillness I hear Your voice call
And I am overwhelmed
And I am lost for words
To describe You

Jesus You're more than a friend
Jesus You're more than my heart
Could ever express
Your love and Your grace never fail me
Your merciful touch always heals me
You bring joy to my soul, joy to my soul

My heart longs to worship You my king
And I long to bring You a pleasing offering
And I am overwhelmed
And I am lost for words
To describe You-Jeremy Riddle

Unspeakable Joy

"Not all the music blown from sweet instruments, or drawn from living strings, can yield such melody as this sweet promise, I will be their God. Here is a deep sea of bliss, a shoreless ocean of delight; come, bathe thy spirit in it; swim an age, and thou shalt find no shore; dive throughout eternity, and thou shalt find no bottom. I will be their God. If this do not make thine eyes sparkle, and thy heart beat high with bliss, then assuredly thy soul is not in a healthy state. But thou wantest more than present delights--thou cravest something concerning which thou mayest exercise hope; and what more canst thou hope for than the fulfilment of this great promise, I will be their God? This is the masterpiece of all the promises; its enjoyment makes a heaven below, and will make a heaven above. Dwell in the light of thy Lord, and let thy soul be always ravished with his love. Get out the marrow and fatness which this portion yields thee. Live up to thy privileges, and rejoice with unspeakable joy."-Charles Spurgeon

As I sleepily read these words this morning, I was tempted to just gloss over them and move on. But God had other plans and they instead grabbed my heart and attention. "I will be their God." What an amazing truth! A deep see of bliss can be found in those words. I was encouraged to find joy in my God and not in circumstances. The kind of joy that makes my eyes sparkle and my heart beat with high bliss! Does the Lord deserve anything less than that? Absolutely not! He is worthy of all my praise, honor and adoration. God is so good to us!