Friday, April 15, 2011

He Loved Us First

We love him, because he first loved us .1 John 4:19 (KJV)



God saw us in our unformed state, before He wove us together. He knew the selfish bend in our personas. He was aware of how we could be able to hurt one another. Yet, He loved us anyway.

He foresaw nations waging war on nations, governments bringing out the ire of their people. God watches as nations rise and fall. In spite of all this He allows those forms of government to flourish.

Our God uses great restraint when He sees we haven’t done right in His eyes. He actually forgives us our sins; all we have to do is ask Him to. He also exercises patience and grace to us when we fall away.

The important thing is God loves us, as we are-warts and all. He doesn’t see us as selfish, undisciplined, and mean children. We belong to Him and he loves us, no matter what.

God has prepared a place for us in His home. From the beginning of time, He planned for us to live with Him forever.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Crucifixion

A Prayer from 2009
______________
(John 19:1-27)

Dear Jesus:

They trumped up charges against You; they were that afraid of You and Your message. You did nothing wrong.

They nailed you on a cross—a fate reserved for the vilest criminal. But You asked God

to forgive them.

You became sin for us all, especially me. We all deserve to die and receive punishment for what we have done. Yet, you took our place, even mine.

Your followers watched as You agonized. They felt intense sadness as they heard You crying out; they smelled death the whole time.

But this was God's plan for You. One you wrestled with in Gethsemane and finally yielded to because of Your great love for Your children.

I find I appreciate You more as I walk closer to You. Thank You for accepting God's plan,

Amen

Monday, April 11, 2011

Pierced For Our Transgressions




“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:45(NIV)

Jesus encumbered himself with our ill manners, our ailments, our grief, burdens. We didn’t understand what God did. We might have thought the Father was punishing His Son. People could have thought God cruel for what He put Jesus through. Is this the way God would reward someone for doing His work? Why did we have to lose the Teacher?

But, God had a plan. He sent His Son to Earth so we would know God and follow His ways. Jesus healed and taught of His Father’s love. Our sins cut Him to the heart. Our lack of righteousness crushed Him. As cruel and unjust as His death seemed, this process brought is peace. I marvel at the prayer God’s Son prayed three times in Gethsemane, “If at all possible, take this cup from my lips. But, not my will, but Thine be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Because Jesus willingly gave His will over to the Father, we are healed from our illnesses, our grief, anger, impatience, talecarrying, and impure thoughts.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...