It Is in the Heart of Man

:by Cindee Nebeker:

It is in the heart of the natural man to pass judgement and inflict reproach. Because we recognize that tendency in ourselves, we also fear it at the hand of others. Satan knows this better than we do and he uses it to his advantage. He would rather see us trapped and isolated by the fear of shame and rejection than to see us confess our sin, our struggles, and our sorrows. 

It's one thing to honestly open up to God about these things, but quite another to be that vulnerable with another fallible human being. It’s pretty scary. We have zero control over the way they handle whatever it is we tell them. Sometimes we have a choice about who we confide in. We can keep the circle small and tight and safe. That can be a very good decision. 

Sometimes, we have no choice. The story is out there for all to see and judge. Again, very scary, but we have to realize that the reactions of others, while they absolutely affect us, have little to do with us. Their behavior is between them and God. If they react in an ungodly manner, that is a reproach on them, not on us. 

I’m not referring to constructive criticism, or to godly reprimands. As Christians, we definitely are called to hold each other accountable. I’m talking about pointing fingers, placing blame, gossiping, and ostracizing instead of supporting, sympathizing, nurturing, and extending the love of God to those who are hurting. 

When facing the fear of shame, I think it’s important to remember that all shame isn’t bad. The Holy Spirit definitely uses it tell us that something needs to be corrected, much like pain is a useful tool that helps keep us safe. Since Satan cannot create anything, his only recourse is to twist and pervert what God has already created and established. Therefore, Satan employs false guilt and shame. He attacks us with guilt and shame that aren’t actually ours to bear. He is making fraudulent charges to our account. It’s our job to say, in essence, “I don’t receive that. I didn’t make that purchase.” 

To make matters worse, Satan doesn’t do this directly. He uses the people in our lives. People we love. People we respect. People whose opinions matter to us. It’s frightening to think those people might reject us, or think less of us. Satan loves to keep us in that fearful state because then he is in control and he is keeping us from a confident relationship with our Father God and with other believers. 

Also important to remember is that it is not God’s intention that we bear these burdens. That’s why Jesus came. To take all that upon Himself. “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on Me.” (Romans 15:3) Do not accept blame, guilt, and accusation from either yourself or others that is not yours to carry. You have an Advocate. If you are in error, correct it. If you need to change or make an apology, then, by all means, do that! Otherwise, boldly reject the shame and reproach directed toward you. 

I think the solution to this problem is in Ephesians 6:10-17. We must be protected with the Armor of God. It is His Belt of Truth that exposes the lies of the Deceiver. It is His Breastplate of Righteousness that guards our hearts from evil. It is His Shoes of Peace that readies us to go into whatever situation God leads us, gracefully spreading the gospel. It is His Shield of Faith that protects us against Satan’s fiery darts of fear, lies, and deceit. It is His Helmet of Salvation that that keeps our minds focused on Him. It is the Sword of the Spirit which defends against the Evil One. 

The belt of truth will help expose the false guilt and shame. The breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith will deflect the real and imagined judgmental looks and actions from others. (Satan will tell you that people are judging you even if they aren’t!) The helmet of salvation will keep your mind focused on Jesus and remind you of the TRUTH. 

Practically speaking, I think it’s helpful to mentally work your way through the list and “put on” the armor. 

BELT: Make a list of the truths regarding the situation and your thoughts about it. Sort out the truth from the lies. 

BREASTPLATE: Remind your heart that you are safe and secure before God because you have been given the righteousness of Jesus. 

SHOES: Remember that the Gospel of Peace has prepared you to walk with assurance into the situations of your life and spread the Good News. 

 SHIELD: Remember that, since you dwell in the shelter of the Most High, His faithfulness will shield and protect you. Psalm 91 

HELMET: Remain focused on the only One whose opinion really matters. If other people have a different opinion of you, they are in opposition to God Almighty! “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns?” Romans 8:33-34 

SWORD: Abide in God’s Word. It’s the only weapon listed. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. 

The verse in Ephesians right after this listing of the Armor of God, is a good one to end with: Ephesians 6:18 - “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” 

Pray for yourself. Pray for the situation. Pray for your Christian brothers and sisters. Pray that God will cover everything with His peace, love, and unity and that the gospel will continue to go forth and that His will is accomplished. Pray to be the person and to find the persons that will embody Romans 15:7 – “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” 

 

The Bible and the Coal Basket

I think about this story a lot. It helps me press on with my Bible reading even when the text is difficult to understand.

Here's the thing. As I continue to read though the Bible every year, I'm losing track of which parts I find difficult to read or hard to understand. They are getting less difficult and less confusing. I used to dread reading through the book of Numbers. I don't dread it anymore. And Leviticus is one of my very favorite books to read. I can't imagine NOT reading God's Word regularly. If I let myself get distracted and "too busy," I certainly notice it, and I regret my choice to let other things crowd out the Living Bread I need.

I encourage you to make Bible reading a part of your daily routine. "For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life." Deut.32:47a

In the comments, let me know your favorite verse(s) about the Word of God.

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible.
His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked,

"Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.
The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.
Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.

That is the work of God in our lives.
To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.

Take time to read a portion of God's word each day. Pray that He will use it to turn your heart and mind to Him.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word." Psalm 119:9

"...that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word..." Ephesians 5:25-27

Source: https://www.crossroad.to/Victory/stories/coal-basket.htm

The Sacrifice of Parenting

Some people say that motherhood, that parenthood, is a sacrifice. On one hand I disagree with that sentiment because it implies that since it's a sacrifice, there's something better or more desirable that I could be doing with myself and that I'm giving it up. In my heart, there's nothing I'd rather be doing than being a mother.

Okay, once in a while I wish I could just sleep in, just be sick and have no one depending on me, just do what I want to do without having to consider someone else. But that thought just brings me to my other hand, my other thought. Motherhood IS a sacrifice. But let's think about what's being sacrificed.

In my list of things I sometimes wish, I find some pretty selfish wishes. Seems to be the only real sacrifice to be found in parenting is a sacrifice of self. But isn't that something we're supposed to be doing anyway? This life isn't about us. As Christians we are to live for Christ, reflect His image, die to self and let His life become our own. What a profound gift parenting is. What an opportunity for Christ to accomplish His work in us. What a blessed vehicle through which we can be molded into Christ-likeness. It's a very rewarding way to do what we're supposed to be doing anyway: decrease so that He might increase.

My opinion is that it would probably be much more difficult to die to self if one didn't have children. I would likely be much more selfish than I am if I didn't have the constant reminder that it's not about me.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

A convergence of thoughts

Opening our fists, releasing our hold, and giving financial gifts to individuals and/or organizations becomes really easy if we recognize that it's God's money in the first place. Dave Ramsey says, in his Financial Peace University, that, "You and I are asset managers for the Lord, so if we view it properly, we aren't giving our own money anyway." It's really easy to give away someone else's money! Fun even. I really appreciate Dave Ramsey bringing that principle into focus for me. It's not mine anyway, I can give it away freely. Now hold that thought a moment...

Often I feel stretched to my limit, spread to thin. There's not enough of me to go around. This one needs a diaper change, this one wants me to read a book. That one needs to talk about friendship issues and the other one needs his tail kicked because he got side-tracked from doing a chore. You know the feeling, right? On top of that, I'D LIKE A NAP! Or to read a book, or write this post without interruption! There isn't time to do it all and certainly not time to do all the the things I'd like to do and do them well. So I have to choose. I have to NOT do some things. Then my Sense of Entitlement rears it's ugly head. I get grumpy. I feel sorry for myself. I start thinking that too much is being asked of me, no one appreciates me, and "why can't I just DO this thing I want to do without anyone bothering me?" (stamps foot!) See how ugly it can get?

One day a Scripture popped into my head (thank you Mr. D for requiring me to memorize Scripture in school!). "...you are not your own. You have been bought with a price..." 1 Cor. 6:19b-20. Now I wasn't remembering the Scripture perfectly and the issue being written about was s3xu@l immorality, BUT... I think I can still make an application. Here's where the two thoughts converge. I'M NOT MY OWN. I've been called to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). My life belongs to Jesus. SO...it doesn't need to be difficult to give myself away. Now it's not as hard to just put the book down and go meet the need of a child. It's not such an irritation to stop in the middle of a project and resolve a squabble. Why? Because I AM NOT MY OWN. I'VE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE. I am not mine anyway, I can give myself away freely. It's easier. Fun even.

Hold that thought too.

Those with young

Do you have young? Do you need encouragement? I do. On both accounts. I'm tired. I'm overwhelmed. I cannot do this on my own power. Here is a Message:

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

Our Lord is not heavy-handed nor is He absent from our lives. Take heart in that!

Advent Season

I want to share a couple thoughts from the sermon I heard today. I've never really known what the Advent Season is. I've always just figured it had something to do with Christmas since that is the only time I've ever heard it spoken about. I learned something new today.

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming") is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western Christian year and commences on Advent Sunday.

Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Christ. (From Wikipedia)

I think that the Advent we should focus on is the one yet to be. The preacher said, "While Jesus' birth is important, His return is imminent. ...It's hard to see what's ahead when we are always looking backward." We can get so distracted by what was that we forget that something is still to come. His return IS imminent...are you ready? Are you watching? Are you expectantly waiting and preparing?

O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Refrain

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13

Thoughts on Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. Not a day I generally take notice of but I thought what I read in my devotional today was so good I wanted to share it.

Today is Earth Day, a commemoration of our global home and a reminder of our responsibility to be careful stewards of this orb. But celebrating the greatness of our unique home among the planets can take on a dangerous slant if we leave out one key element. Contemplating the grandeur of earth should remind us that we are merely "the people of His pasture" (Ps. 95:7), and we must worship "our Maker" (v.6). The creation was flung into space to point to God and His greatness, power, and majesty. He alone deserves our praise and worship (Ps. 148:5). Thank You, Lord, for such an awe-inspiring reminder to worship You! — Dave Branon

How foolish to worship the creation, when the Creator is so much greater.

Source: Our Daily Bread

PSALM 148
The Whole Creation Invoked to Praise the LORD.

1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light!
4 Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, Sea monsters and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins; Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven. (emphasis mine)
14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people, Praise for all His godly ones; Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD!

Holiness

It seems I don't have anything to blog about or the inclination for it either. Anything I have on my mind seems too big to discuss and I can't find the words. Also, lately, I'm very consumed with my home life. I suppose that has to do with being gone for 2 1/2 weeks over Thanksgiving and Micah's recent surgery. There's probably more to it but I don't want to get into that right now. More than anything I feel God pruning the dead wood from my life. Really there is so much I've been busy with that has nothing to do with God's purposes being worked out in me. That stuff needs to go!

"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit." John 15:2

God is not as interested in my happiness as He is in my holiness. This business of becoming holy is tough stuff. How much has to go before I have achieved it? Aha! First of all, I'm not the one doing it. This is God's work in me. Second of all, it ALL has to go.

Christ says "Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don't want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked-the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you
Myself: my own will shall become yours."

C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

I think about this a lot in terms of entertainment. I'm starting to wonder if there is any room in our lives for any of the entertainment the world has to offer. There is so much on TV and so many movies available to rent/buy. Most of it is just rotten. The rest can be pretty questionable. In trying to be more choosey in that area and trying to glorify God in my choices, I'm finding that there is almost nothing that is worth watching. What should be my standard? Even in Christian circles I see the standard sounding a bit like this: "Well, it's a lot better than anything else out there" or "It could be worse" or "I've seen worse". That isn't a good standard. When we use that standard for our own behavior we get into trouble. If I use the excuse that "I haven't murdered anybody", or "I don't cheat on my taxes" then I'm comparing myself to what I consider the worst examples (and I come out looking pretty good) rather than comparing myself to God's standard which is Jesus. In that case, I come out looking like I'm in need of a Savior. Which happens to be the truth. I'm going to go out on a limb here (with a saw) and say that I think Hannah Montana is garbage. In researching the show online I find that so many people think it's a great show. Even Christians. That surprised me. Even PluggedInOnline (a media review site by Focus on the Family) gives it a good review. That surprised me also. I guess it's getting good reviews because it's "better than the other stuff out there." I still think it's junk but I have a hard time explaining just why. Here's a stab at it:

-immodest, worldly dress
-inappropriate boy/girl relationships
-focus on self
-inappropriate situations portrayed as funny
-lack of respect for parents (this usually turns around by the end of the episode but it still keeps happening so the lesson never seems to be learned)
-answers lie within oneself

Oh, most of what I just said about Hannah Montana goes for High School Musical and HSM2 also. As you can probably imagine, I'm quite popular with my 11-year-old daughter right now.

We were asked by family members whether or not she could have those movies for Christmas. After researching them online (we had watched Hannah Montana on TV several times) we said No to Hannah but yes to High School Musical. Well, she got Hannah, HSM, HSM2, and HSM2 Behind the Scenes! Yikes! We took away Hannah and let her keep the rest. Yesterday I saw part of HSM2 and I was horrified! I couldn't even stay in the same room. Then it occurred to me that we had only agreed to HSM and not the sequel. When I looked at the review of HSM2 on Plugged In I realized that I would not have agreed to that movie if I had been asked in the first place. I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm more interested in the holiness of my family and less interested in their happiness but, boy, this is hard.

What do you think? Do the titles I've talked about have any redeeming qualities? Am I missing something here?

---

I guess I thought of something to say! :-)

Remembering & Hoping

Yesterday I planted purple tulips and yellow daffodils. Except for a few weeds missing, the flower bed looks no different today than it did yesterday. It's full of bare-looking bark chips and fallen leaves but I know that it now holds the hope of beautiful spring flowers. The bulbs I planted will die but they do not die in vain for they will bring about beauty and I will once again see God's hand at work in His world.

Yesterday was my due date. Except for a few more lines on my face, I don't look much different than I did last year. I wear the same clothes that I wore last year and my hair looks pretty much the same but I hold in my heart a renewed hope of an eternity with my Savior. For I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God and when Christ, who IS my life, is revealed, then I will be revealed with Him in glory. (Col. 3:3-4). When I die to myself, I do not die in vain for it will bring about Christ's perfection in me and I will once again see God's hand at work in me.


Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:24-26

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Psalm 39:7-12

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Thy presence?

If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there.

If I take the wings of the dawn,

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Even there Thy hand will lead me,
And Thy right hand will lay hold of me.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,

And the light around me will be night,"

Even the darkness is not dark to Thee,
And the night is as bright as the day.

Darkness and light are alike to Thee.

A reminder to myself

Message to Laodicea (or to Cindee)

14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:

15 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.

16 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

17 'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, (emphasis mine)

18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

19 'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

20 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

21 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (emphasis mine)

22 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

Revelation 3:14-22 NASB

Have you slipped?

When life pulls the rug out from under you, remember that the rug is not your foundation. Jesus is beneath the rug. He is your true and sure foundation!

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD,"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed."
Isaiah 28:16

More than I can handle

Have you ever heard anyone say that 'God will not give you more than you can handle'? Do you agree with that statement? I'm not so sure that I do. Where does that theology come from? I believe that it's based on 1 Corinthians 10:13, which states,

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

First of all, it seems to me that this scripture is talking about temptation. It's saying that there IS an escape for each and every temptation that we face. It's not talking about heavy burdens, sick children for days on end, losses, financial crises, cancer, death, or any of the myriad of troubles that we encounter in this very fallen world.

Secondly, whether it's God giving us burdens to bear or it's God allowing Satan to pile these things on us, I'm not quite sure. Maybe it's both. What I am sure of is that we do indeed have more than we can handle. Isn't it rather arrogant of us to think that we can adequately handle anything without God's help? We do have more than we can handle because it's only then, when we get to the end of ourselves and of our own resources, that we can really see our need for a Savior. It's then that our faith and trust in God's provision can be exercised.

So what should I think when I'm having troubles and I wonder how much more I can take?

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you.
Deut. 31:6

or

The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6

or

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
Job 19:25

and of course, Psalm 18. It's my favorite Psalm, the whole thing, so it's hard to pick an excerpt. Here's a few:

...The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge...

...In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears...

...He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me...

...For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness. For by You I can run upon a troop; And by my God I can leap over a wall...

...For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God, The God who girds me with strength...

...The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation...

Yes, I have way more than I can handle but it's not too much for my most awesome, holy Lord. the Author and Finisher of my faith.

Shining Light

My grandma has a devotional published over at MustardSeed Ministries.

I first knew Letha as the sweet older lady who taught our small daughters’ Sunday School class. They loved her, and my husband and I appreciated her excellent teaching. I, also, learned from her. Whenever I felt disturbed, she always had the right words to comfort me. She spoke the truth. When I needed a stern word, she challenged me...

Read the rest here.

She also wrote these books:
What A Year May Bring Forth, and
Who Was This Boy?: The Story of a Troubled Child

On diapers and justification

I just read a great post over at The Greenhouse. Here's an excerpt from the whole article:

It's funny how some people talk about diaper changing as though it involved swallowing slimy grubs. It really doesn't bother me in the least. I've always found it to be a fun time to bond with my babies, talking to them, tickling them, kissing on their feet (until they learn to walk). It's satisfying to tend to someone else's most basic needs. Babies' helplessness is one of the things that makes them most endearing at times. What could be more of an act of service than taking a small stinky person who can't make themselves clean and offering them a fresh start in a nurturing way? After all, Christ does that for us daily...

From Theopedia
Justification: "Justification is the work of God where the righteousness of Jesus is reckoned to the sinner so the sinner is declared by God as being righteous under the Law (Rom. 4:3; 5:1,9; Gal. 2:16; 3:11)." -CARM

"Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in which he (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ's righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in his sight." - Wayne Grudem

"It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." -Romans 4:24-25

To quote my dad: "God's deal is that He treated Jesus, who was innocent, as if He were guilty, so that He can offer to treat us, who are guilty, as if we were innocent. It's a pretty good deal, and we ought to take it."

The omnipotence of our God

Last night I watched a Chonda Pierce video. She read a great scripture from The Message Bible. I looked it up in mine version and started reading. Great stuff there in Jeremiah! I'm sharing the Scripture as she read it and also a couple others that stuck out to me last night.

"The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be."....God, pick up the pieces. Put me back together again. You are my praise!
Jeremiah 17:9,10,14 (The Message)

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)

"Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it, the LORD is His name, 'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'"
Jeremiah 33:2-3 (NASB)

Glimpsing eternity on the way to the store

On the way to the store today I heard a couple of songs back to back on the radio. They are both great songs and really ministered to me today. The first one was In Christ Alone by Michael English. I think he wrote it as well. I found it on YouTube today sung by someone else, Brian Littrell. It sounds pretty good so I'm including it in this post.

The second song was You Raise Me Up by Selah. Music written by Rolf Løvland, lyrics by Brendan Graham. This is SUCH a beautiful song and I've been enjoying ever since it hit the Christian radio station. I found a YouTube video with Selah singing it so I'm including it too.

Click on the triangle in the bottom left corner of the video screen to play. Don't click on the triangle in the center, it will take you right to YouTube.

IN CHRIST ALONE

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal
To the grace by which I stand

In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope
Is Christ alone

In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
Only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses
To the glory of the Lord

YOU RAISE ME UP
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Be blessed.

Who Is The REAL Me?

Who is the real me? Is it the person who woke up while it was still dark to eat breakfast, pack a lunch and get ready for school? The person who sometimes hated 'babysitting' her siblings and took it out on them? The person who had no particular dreams for her life and wasn't really worried about it? The one who outwardly obeyed or the one who inwardly rebelled? The one who loved school or the one who hated it? The one who loves the ocean or the one who loves to play the piano? The one who enjoyed drama at school or the one who caused no end of frustrations to her teachers.

Who is the real me? Is it the person who cries or the person who laughs? The person who loved Bible college or the person who loves research? Is it the person who loved to goof off with other Bible college freshmen or the one who delighted in aceing a test? Is it the one who fell in love the first time, or the one who fell in love the second time? Is it the one who loves to stay home and read or the one who loves to travel? The one who doubts her own judgement or the one who is confident?

Who is the real me? Is it the one who just wants someone else to take care of it all or the one who rolls up her sleeves to help someone else? Is it the one who likes to have woken up early or the one who likes to sleep in? Is it the one who wants to be married and share a life together or the one who would rather just have it her own way and not have to compromise? Is it the person who didn't have the responsibility of children or the one who does? The one who worked earning an income or the one working to raise godly children?

Who is the real me? Am I the 'me' I was before something happened or am I the 'me' since it happened? Is the real me ever suppressed or is it just in a continual state of growth and change?

Here's what I think. I think it's ALL me. At whatever point I find myself in life, THAT is me. I also think that it probably doesn't actually matter much who the real me is, in a sense, because whoever I am needs to die and become whoever it is that God desires for me to be. Why would I ever want to return to a former 'me'? Ideally, that old 'me' is dying a little more each day and the newer 'me' is an improvement. In the end, it's not about me at all. It's about Jesus and who He intends for me to be. Like John the Baptist said: "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col.3:1-3

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:7-14

In my heart I find a need

My Savior, My God

The lyrics of this song are so powerful to me. I've heard this song for quite a while now on the radio and at church but my heart never really took in the words until just a couple of weeks ago. When I started researching this song in order to write about it I was surprised to discover that it is a 134-year-old hymn written by Dorothy Greenwell! What a testament to the longevity of a well-written song with powerful words.

I was going to emphasize certain lines that were especially meaningful to me but as a professor in Bible college told us, "You can't highlight everything in the book/Bible/whatever because that would be like highlighting nothing." So I guess I'll have to pick what impacted me the most. It would have to be the very first sentence.

It's such a freeing thing to realize in my heart that I truly do not have to understand what God has planned. It's enough to know that Jesus is my Savior and that He is working tirelessly for my well-being. How can I not trust that kind of overpowering love? Why would I worry about temporal details in the light of such sacrifice and sovereignty? This song is such a great reminder of God's ultimate control and how I can rest in that. I need lots of reminding!

You can see this song performed by Aaron Shust by clicking on the video in my left sidebar.

Aaron Shust's version:

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at his word and deed
Christ died to save me this I read
And in my heart I find a need
For Him to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, my Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God He was, my God He is
My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying; let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, my Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God He was, My God He is
My God is always gonna be

Bear with me, it's long

3/1/07 - UPDATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST
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C.S. Lewis is brilliant. Our Sunday school class is reading through and discussing his book Mere Christianity. I am enjoying it immensely. It's been much too long since my brain has been engaged and challenged in this way. Yesterday we read Book III Chapter 8: The Great Sin. Here's a bit of it (all emphasis is mine):

I now come to that part of Christian morals where they differ most sharply from all other morals. There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. I have heard people admit that they are bad-tempered, or that they cannot keep their heads about girls or drink, or even that they are cowards. I do not think I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time I have very seldom met anyone, who was not a Christian, who showed the slightest mercy to it in others. There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others.

The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility...

Boy, I dislike it in others! Even more, I dislike finding it practically galloping* in my life.

...According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.

Does this seem to you exaggerated? If so, think it over. I pointed out a moment ago that the more pride one had, the more one disliked pride in others. In fact, if you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, 'How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronise me, or show off?' The point is that each person's pride is in competition with every one else's pride...

"The complete anti-God state of mind." Let me repeat that. ANTI-GOD state of mind. I really want no part of that.

... Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest...

Doesn't it sound just so empty to think that way? Richer, cleverer, better-looking? I need to re-train my brain so that it really sinks in that NONE OF IT MATTERS!

...In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that - and, therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison - you do not know God at all. As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you...

It's so easy to look down on others and think I'm so...(fill in the blank), and forget to look up and realize that I'm a speck on the face of the earth and that I'm not really all that I think I am!

...Whenever we find that our religious life is making us feel that we are good - above all, that we are better than someone else - I think we may be sure that we are being acted on, not by God, but by the devil. The real test of being in the presence of God is, that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object. It is better to forget about yourself altogether.

Say that five times. "It is better to forget about yourself altogether." Wow!

...Before leaving this subject I must guard against some possible misunderstandings:
(3) We must not think Pride is something God forbids because He is offended at it, or that Humility is something He demands as due to His own dignity - as if God Himself was proud. He is not in the least worried about His dignity. The point is, He wants you to know Him: wants to give you Himself. And He and you are two things of such a kind that if you really get into any kind of touch with Him you will, in fact, be humble - delightedly humble, feeling the infinite relief of having for once got rid of all the silly nonsense about your own dignity which has made you restless and unhappy all your life. He is trying to make you humble in order to make this moment possible: trying to take off a lot of silly, ugly, fancy-dress in which we have all got ourselves up and are strutting about like the little idiots we are. I wish I had got a bit further with humility myself: if I had, I could probably tell you more about the relief, the comfort, of taking the fancy-dress off - getting rid of the false self, with all its 'Look at me' and 'Aren't I a good boy?' and all its posing and posturing. To get even near it, even for a moment, is like a drink of cold water to a man in a desert...

"He is not in the least worried about His dignity." He came to earth as a man, as a being he created in order that He might have a relationship with us. What a gift!

...If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.

Ouch!

Read entire chapter

On the lighter side: Did you catch the movie allusion? What was the movie?
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3/1/07
*Updated to say: The movie I alluded to was Arsenic and Old Lace starring Cary Grant. It's a line my family quoted the most while I was growing up. Here it is: