THE HIGH COST OF BETHLEHEM
by Lanelle
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.
2 Cor. 9:15
For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
What a gift! God Himself giving Himself!
Surely the most awesome expression of love of all time... even all eternity! Our minds cannot begin to comprehend the magnitude of that gift.
He is the One Who has been 'I AM' from before time began and Who will always be 'I AM' ...from eternity to eternity; the One Who has all power that He 'spoke' all creation into existence; (Ps.33:6-9, Col.1:1 -17) He Who hung the stars in place in the heavens and by simply thinking of it He holds it all together!
It was His right and privilege to do what so ever pleased Himself. . simply because of Who He was. We could say that He could do as He pleased with no limits and all the hosts of heaven would say 'amen'.
It was 'natural' and proper for Him to express Himself as Deity because He WAS GOD. (John 1:1-5) He did not 'possess' deity but WAS Deity Personified. And all of heaven would bow down to Him, worship, adore Him, and do His biding. His every wish was their command!
Think of HIS PERSONAGE in that high and exalted position of power and glory! That PERSON decided to give a gift to one of His creation: Man.
What could He give? Remember, it could have been ANYTHING His mind could conceive....which would mean it could have been ANYTHING because there is nothing He could not conceive. What a choice of gifts!
So..... what did He decide to give? He says, 'I'll give them ME, MYSELF'.
I can almost visualize some of the angels asking, 'What? How will You do that?' (in angelic language of course :-)
Then He explains to them what He is going to do, what all will be involved in the process, and what it will mean for the ones who receive this gift of Himself.
Sometime in our eternity future I think He will let us see how the angels reacted to that revelation! If it is possible for angels to be so awestruck as to be speechless, I'm sure they must have been.
Just what about this revelation was so stupendous? What about it must have simply taken their breath away? I think it was the staggering cost of the gift!
But what was the cost? We are accustomed to thinking of the cost of the cross when Jesus paid our sin debt. But that was the 'final installment'. The contract was made, the price was set, and payment started 33 1/2 years before that in Bethlehem. Without the payment at Bethlehem there could have been no Calvary... and no 'It is finished' (John 19:30) on the cross.
What was the cost at Bethlehem? Although it is not possible for any human mind to ever fully understand the mysteries of God, Paul explains something of this cost in Phil 2:5-8 when he says:
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Notice the 'attitude' of the 'mind which was in Christ Jesus'. He KNEW that He was God and was in the form of God so it was no pretense to claim the rights and privileges belonging to Deity. They were HIS. BUT.... He chose not to hold on to them, and instead stepped down from His position of rightful privilege to take on the form of a servant!
To be sure, He didn't give up His Deity, because that is not something He 'possessed' but what He WAS. But He did lay aside many aspects, rights, privileges, and expressions of Deity in order to take on a human body and live an earthly life common to other men. He willingly chose to be 'touched with our infirmities' (Heb.4:15) and to feel the pains and limitations that we feel....some of which are simply because we are finite humans. He was laying aside His 'expression' of the infinite to share the experience of the finite with His creature, man. (John 1:14)
Just consider how high He was and how low He came. We cannot imagine what a big step down that was for Him. He was the I AM, the MOST HIGH, and He willingly leaves that position to step into the likeness of mortal man, a servant. He leaves His glory and reputation for humiliation. Instead of having all the hosts of heaven at His beck and call He humbles Himself to not having a place to lay His head.
And yes, He did that knowing all the while that at the end of this experience in an earthly body He was going to submit Himself to the ridicule and torture of those who hated Him. He left the glories of heaven knowing that the human body that He would be dwelling in would face a cruel death at the hands of the very same creatures He loved so dearly!
That kind of love and that kind of GIFT boggles the mind of any thinking person. We could talk about it for years and never get to the heart of it all. It is such a wonderful mystery! (1 Tim.3:16)
To try and put a small part of this in some earthly example that my limited intelligence could half-way grasp, I've wondered what it would be like to lay aside my natural way of expressing myself, my form, my power and ability to do all the physical things I can do in this body, my human way of communication, my reputation, all privileges as a human .... just lay it all aside WILLINGLY and because I WANT and CHOOSE to lay it aside, with no outside pressure.... in order to be able to take on the form of an ant and experience and accept the limitations of simply BEING in the form of an ant.
And do this, all the while knowing, that the other ants would despise me, torture me, and in the end crush the life out of me. And to do it for the simple reason that I LOVE the ant!
Yet, for the Creator of all that is, both visible and invisible.... for HIM to step down from His exalted position and take on the form of man was a much farther step down than mine would be to take on the form of an ant!
WHAT A HIGH COST WAS BETHLEHEM.
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.
2 Cor. 9:15
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
Sunday, June 30, 2002
Sunday, June 09, 2002
The Christian Declaration Of Independence
I am free from failure for "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13
I am free from want for "my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
I am free from fear for "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of self-control." 2 Tim. 1:7
I am free from doubt for "God has given to every man the measure of faith." Rom. 12:3
I am free from weakness, "for the Lord is the strength of my life." Ps. 27:1 and "the people know their God shall be strong and do exploits." Dan. 11:32
I am free from the power of Satan "for greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world." 1 Jn. 4:4
I am free from defeat "for God always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus." 2 Cor. 2:14
I am free from ignorance, "for Christ Jesus has given me wisdom from God." 1 Cor. 1:30
I am free from sin "for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin." 1 Jn. 1:7
I am free from worry "for I am to cast my cares upon Him." 1 Pet. 5:7
I am free from bondage "for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:17
I am free from condemnation, "for there is therefore now no condemnation of those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1
I am free from failure for "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13
I am free from want for "my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
I am free from fear for "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of self-control." 2 Tim. 1:7
I am free from doubt for "God has given to every man the measure of faith." Rom. 12:3
I am free from weakness, "for the Lord is the strength of my life." Ps. 27:1 and "the people know their God shall be strong and do exploits." Dan. 11:32
I am free from the power of Satan "for greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world." 1 Jn. 4:4
I am free from defeat "for God always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus." 2 Cor. 2:14
I am free from ignorance, "for Christ Jesus has given me wisdom from God." 1 Cor. 1:30
I am free from sin "for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin." 1 Jn. 1:7
I am free from worry "for I am to cast my cares upon Him." 1 Pet. 5:7
I am free from bondage "for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:17
I am free from condemnation, "for there is therefore now no condemnation of those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1
Sunday, April 07, 2002
Who Do You Say That I Am?
By: Adrian Appleberry
There's an eternal question that burns across space and time
A question that we each must answer before we hear life's last chime
We must decide who we think Jesus Christ is
We must choose to be our own or to be entirely His
He asked Peter and He asks each of us
It was a simple question, but it's caused a lot of fuss
"Who do you say that I am?" we each hear
Will we stand up and proclaim He is Lord, or retract in fear?
Was He a liar, was He a lunatic, or was He God?
Did His sacrifice have meaning or was it just a facade?
In my mind, the answer is crystal clear
And the picture gets brighter year after year
He is the Lord and God of all creation
He is God in a human personification
He came to save and He lives today
He died and rose and paid my way
He laid down His life so that I might live
Is there anything more precious anyone could give?
His love abounds, and this is the proof
How can anyone claim that it's all a spoof?
I am purchased by His grace
And soon I will see Him face to face
You see - He's coming back; this I know
And I, for one, can't wait to go
By: Adrian Appleberry
There's an eternal question that burns across space and time
A question that we each must answer before we hear life's last chime
We must decide who we think Jesus Christ is
We must choose to be our own or to be entirely His
He asked Peter and He asks each of us
It was a simple question, but it's caused a lot of fuss
"Who do you say that I am?" we each hear
Will we stand up and proclaim He is Lord, or retract in fear?
Was He a liar, was He a lunatic, or was He God?
Did His sacrifice have meaning or was it just a facade?
In my mind, the answer is crystal clear
And the picture gets brighter year after year
He is the Lord and God of all creation
He is God in a human personification
He came to save and He lives today
He died and rose and paid my way
He laid down His life so that I might live
Is there anything more precious anyone could give?
His love abounds, and this is the proof
How can anyone claim that it's all a spoof?
I am purchased by His grace
And soon I will see Him face to face
You see - He's coming back; this I know
And I, for one, can't wait to go
Sunday, March 17, 2002
Words of Hope
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5, NIV
Above the gate of Hell, Dante writes in The Inferno, is a sign that says, "Abandon all hope, you who enter here."
The Inferno is a work of fiction, of course, but in this case I think Dante has articulated an important truth. Whatever the geography of Hell, it is certainly permeated by hopelessness.
As Christians, we're to live our lives in hope because we live on this side of Calvary; the Cross casts its long shadow upon us. Satan is a defeated foe, our sins have been forgiven, and we are citizens of Heaven for all eternity. It is the hope of eternal life that continues to drive us to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off when the trials of life knock us off our feet (if you're like me, you've collected a lot of dust over the years).
Has life beaten you down? Have you almost given up? If so, here's a reminder: followers of Jesus already have all the most important things in life. Most importantly of all, we have been given the hope of Heaven because our sins have been forgiven. As Paul says, "Hope does not disappoint us" because it is based on the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus died and rose again to give us hope and a new, eternal life.
That's a truth we can cling to in good times and bad.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5, NIV
Above the gate of Hell, Dante writes in The Inferno, is a sign that says, "Abandon all hope, you who enter here."
The Inferno is a work of fiction, of course, but in this case I think Dante has articulated an important truth. Whatever the geography of Hell, it is certainly permeated by hopelessness.
As Christians, we're to live our lives in hope because we live on this side of Calvary; the Cross casts its long shadow upon us. Satan is a defeated foe, our sins have been forgiven, and we are citizens of Heaven for all eternity. It is the hope of eternal life that continues to drive us to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off when the trials of life knock us off our feet (if you're like me, you've collected a lot of dust over the years).
Has life beaten you down? Have you almost given up? If so, here's a reminder: followers of Jesus already have all the most important things in life. Most importantly of all, we have been given the hope of Heaven because our sins have been forgiven. As Paul says, "Hope does not disappoint us" because it is based on the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus died and rose again to give us hope and a new, eternal life.
That's a truth we can cling to in good times and bad.
Important Recall Notice
The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the primary and central component, or heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed "Subsequential Internal Non-morality," or more commonly known as "S-I-N," as it is primarily symptomized by loss of moral judgment.
Some other symptoms are:
A: Loss of direction
B: Foul vocal emissions
C: Amnesia of origin
D: Lack of peace and joy
E: Selfish, or violent behavior
F: Depression or confusion in the mental component
The Manufacturer, Who is neither liable or at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service, free of charge, to correct this SIN defect, at numerous locations throughout the world. The number to call for the recall station in your area is: 1-800-P-R-A-Y-E-R.
Warning: Continuing to operate the human unit without correction voids Manufacturers warranty, exposing the owner to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
For free emergency service, kneel and call on the name of "JESUS" for prompt assistance at any location worldwide. Operator is standing by to assist you now.
The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the primary and central component, or heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed "Subsequential Internal Non-morality," or more commonly known as "S-I-N," as it is primarily symptomized by loss of moral judgment.
Some other symptoms are:
A: Loss of direction
B: Foul vocal emissions
C: Amnesia of origin
D: Lack of peace and joy
E: Selfish, or violent behavior
F: Depression or confusion in the mental component
The Manufacturer, Who is neither liable or at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service, free of charge, to correct this SIN defect, at numerous locations throughout the world. The number to call for the recall station in your area is: 1-800-P-R-A-Y-E-R.
Warning: Continuing to operate the human unit without correction voids Manufacturers warranty, exposing the owner to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
For free emergency service, kneel and call on the name of "JESUS" for prompt assistance at any location worldwide. Operator is standing by to assist you now.
The King
He is the King of the Jews
He is the King of Israel
But He's also
King of all the Ages;
King of Heaven;
King of Glory;
King of Kings;
...and Lord of Lords.
He is a prophet before Moses;
a priest after Melchizedek;
a champion like Joshua;
an offering in place of Isaac;
a king from the line of David;
a counselor above Solomon;
beloved, rejected, and exalted
like Joseph;
and yet far more...
The Heavens declare His glory...
and the firmament shows His handiwork.
He who is, who was, and who always will be;
The first and the last
He is the Alpha and Omega
the Aleph and the Tau
the A and the Z;
He is the ego eimi,
the I AM that I AM
The voice of the burning bush
the Captain of the Lord's Host
the conqueror of Jericho
He is our Kinsman-Redeemer
and He is our Avenger of Blood;
and He is our City of Refuge;
He was crucified on a cross of wood;
Yet He made the hill on which it stood.
By Him were all things made
that were made;
without Him was not anything made
that was made;
By Him are all things held together!
In Him dwells
the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from True God.
He became
the first fruits of them that slept.
He is our Performing High Priest;
Our Personal Prophet;
Our Reigning King.
He is enduringly strong;
entirely sincere;
eternally steadfast;
He is imperially powerful;
immortally graceful;
impartially merciful;
He stands alone in Himself:
He's unique,
preeminent,
supreme,
unparalleled:
He's the Loftiest idea in Literature;
He's the highest Personality in Philosophy;
He's the Fundamental Doctrine of Theology;
He's the Supreme Problem in "higher criticism"!
He's the Son of the Living God!
There is no means of measuring
his limitless love:
It was written in blood,
on that wooden cross
erected in Judea
2,000 years ago.
He was born of a woman
so that we could be born of God;
He humbled Himself
so that we could be lifted up;
He became a servant
so that we could be made joint-heirs
of all creation;
He suffered rejection
so that we could become His friends;
He denied Himself
so that we could freely receive all things;
He gave Himself
so that He could bless us in every way.
He
is Available to the tempted and the tried;
Blesses the young;
Cleanses the lepers;
Defends the feeble;
Delivers the captives;
Discharges the debtors;
Forgives the sinners;
Empowers the meek;
Guards the besieged;
Heals the sick;
Provides strength to the weak;
Regards the aged;
Rewards the diligent;
Serves the unfortunate;
Sympathizes and He saves!
His Offices are many;
His Reign is righteous;
His Promises are certain;
His Goodness is limitless;
His Light is matchless;
His Love never changes;
His Grace is sufficient;
His Mercy is everlasting;
His Word is enough;
His Yoke is easy and
His Burden is light!
He's indescribable;
He's incomprehensible;
He's irresistible;
He's invincible!
The Heaven of heavens
cannot contain Him;
Man cannot explain Him
The Pharisees couldn't stand Him
but soon learned
that they couldn't stop Him;
They railroaded Him
through 6 illegal trials,
and yet
The witnesses couldn't agree against Him
and the personal representative
of the ruler of the world,
couldn't find any fault with Him;
Herod couldn't kill Him
death couldn't handle Him
the grave couldn't hold Him!
He has always been and always will be;
He had no predecessor and
will have no successor;
You can't impeach Him and
he isn't going to resign!
His name is above every name;
That at the name of Yeshua
Every knee shall bow
Every tongue shall confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord!
His is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory...
for ever, and ever.
Hallelujah! ...and Amen!
He is the King of the Jews
He is the King of Israel
But He's also
King of all the Ages;
King of Heaven;
King of Glory;
King of Kings;
...and Lord of Lords.
He is a prophet before Moses;
a priest after Melchizedek;
a champion like Joshua;
an offering in place of Isaac;
a king from the line of David;
a counselor above Solomon;
beloved, rejected, and exalted
like Joseph;
and yet far more...
The Heavens declare His glory...
and the firmament shows His handiwork.
He who is, who was, and who always will be;
The first and the last
He is the Alpha and Omega
the Aleph and the Tau
the A and the Z;
He is the ego eimi,
the I AM that I AM
The voice of the burning bush
the Captain of the Lord's Host
the conqueror of Jericho
He is our Kinsman-Redeemer
and He is our Avenger of Blood;
and He is our City of Refuge;
He was crucified on a cross of wood;
Yet He made the hill on which it stood.
By Him were all things made
that were made;
without Him was not anything made
that was made;
By Him are all things held together!
In Him dwells
the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from True God.
He became
the first fruits of them that slept.
He is our Performing High Priest;
Our Personal Prophet;
Our Reigning King.
He is enduringly strong;
entirely sincere;
eternally steadfast;
He is imperially powerful;
immortally graceful;
impartially merciful;
He stands alone in Himself:
He's unique,
preeminent,
supreme,
unparalleled:
He's the Loftiest idea in Literature;
He's the highest Personality in Philosophy;
He's the Fundamental Doctrine of Theology;
He's the Supreme Problem in "higher criticism"!
He's the Son of the Living God!
There is no means of measuring
his limitless love:
It was written in blood,
on that wooden cross
erected in Judea
2,000 years ago.
He was born of a woman
so that we could be born of God;
He humbled Himself
so that we could be lifted up;
He became a servant
so that we could be made joint-heirs
of all creation;
He suffered rejection
so that we could become His friends;
He denied Himself
so that we could freely receive all things;
He gave Himself
so that He could bless us in every way.
He
is Available to the tempted and the tried;
Blesses the young;
Cleanses the lepers;
Defends the feeble;
Delivers the captives;
Discharges the debtors;
Forgives the sinners;
Empowers the meek;
Guards the besieged;
Heals the sick;
Provides strength to the weak;
Regards the aged;
Rewards the diligent;
Serves the unfortunate;
Sympathizes and He saves!
His Offices are many;
His Reign is righteous;
His Promises are certain;
His Goodness is limitless;
His Light is matchless;
His Love never changes;
His Grace is sufficient;
His Mercy is everlasting;
His Word is enough;
His Yoke is easy and
His Burden is light!
He's indescribable;
He's incomprehensible;
He's irresistible;
He's invincible!
The Heaven of heavens
cannot contain Him;
Man cannot explain Him
The Pharisees couldn't stand Him
but soon learned
that they couldn't stop Him;
They railroaded Him
through 6 illegal trials,
and yet
The witnesses couldn't agree against Him
and the personal representative
of the ruler of the world,
couldn't find any fault with Him;
Herod couldn't kill Him
death couldn't handle Him
the grave couldn't hold Him!
He has always been and always will be;
He had no predecessor and
will have no successor;
You can't impeach Him and
he isn't going to resign!
His name is above every name;
That at the name of Yeshua
Every knee shall bow
Every tongue shall confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord!
His is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory...
for ever, and ever.
Hallelujah! ...and Amen!
The Center of It All
What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? (Answer - Psalms 117)
What is the longest chapter in the Bible? (Answer - Psalms 119)
Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? (Answer - Psalms 118)
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up and you get 1188
What is the center verse in the Bible? (Answer - Psalms 118:8)
Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?
The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word!
Psalms 118:8 (NKJV) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? (Answer - Psalms 117)
What is the longest chapter in the Bible? (Answer - Psalms 119)
Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? (Answer - Psalms 118)
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up and you get 1188
What is the center verse in the Bible? (Answer - Psalms 118:8)
Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?
The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word!
Psalms 118:8 (NKJV) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN
When I say..."I am a Christian," I'm not shouting "I am saved." I'm whispering "I was lost!" That is why I chose this way."
When I say..."I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are too visible but God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches which is why I seek His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge. I have no authority to judge you. I only know I'm loved by Him who judges.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I'm not shouting "I am saved." I'm whispering "I was lost!" That is why I chose this way."
When I say..."I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are too visible but God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches which is why I seek His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge. I have no authority to judge you. I only know I'm loved by Him who judges.
Sunday, March 03, 2002
God Helps Me
"You will always help me, Lord God, and keep me from falling.." - Psalm 54:4
I use my computer daily. That doesn't make me an expert - far from it! - but over the years, I have figured out how I can use that complex machine that sits on my desk to help me get my work done.
When I need some help on the computer, my first port of call is usually the "Help" feature for the particular program I am using. In one of the applications I use, the "Help" feature is identified by a depiction of a light bulb. The light bulb symbolizes an idea, something that illuminates what was otherwise impossible to see.
As the verse from Psalm 54 reminds us that, long before we had computers, we had a "Help" feature for life: the Lord God who made us, who redeems us, and who richly and daily sustains us. The Lord is the one to whom we can truly turn for help - perhaps not for solving a computer problem, but for leading us and guiding us through life.
When I find myself feeling that I need to solve overwhelming problems on my own, I sometimes look ahead and see only darkness. Then I remember that I have a powerful partner in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I turn to him in prayer. I depend on his promise: "Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you." (Matthew 7:7) In God I can put my trust unconditionally. When the Lord helps me, all my problems have solutions. I thank God for that blessed assurance in my daily life and work.
Bringing It Home:
1. Are you facing a particular problem at home or work? Find a quiet spot, and take a moment to turn that problem over to the Lord, and open yourself to God's love, power, and justice.
2. Read Matthew 7:7-12. Do you know someone who is currently facing Problems for which there appear to be no practical solutions? How can you share the illuminating Good News of God's love, wisdom, and power with that person this week?
Prayer:
Gracious Lord, you are my helper, and you lighten my darkness. By your grace and by the power of your Holy Spirit, help me to be a light to others, so that they, too, may know of your wisdom and love, made known to us through your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Dave Hanson, Pastor
Wilmette Lutheran Church / Wilmette, Illinois
wilmluthchurch@earthlink.net
As posted to Faith At Work
"You will always help me, Lord God, and keep me from falling.." - Psalm 54:4
I use my computer daily. That doesn't make me an expert - far from it! - but over the years, I have figured out how I can use that complex machine that sits on my desk to help me get my work done.
When I need some help on the computer, my first port of call is usually the "Help" feature for the particular program I am using. In one of the applications I use, the "Help" feature is identified by a depiction of a light bulb. The light bulb symbolizes an idea, something that illuminates what was otherwise impossible to see.
As the verse from Psalm 54 reminds us that, long before we had computers, we had a "Help" feature for life: the Lord God who made us, who redeems us, and who richly and daily sustains us. The Lord is the one to whom we can truly turn for help - perhaps not for solving a computer problem, but for leading us and guiding us through life.
When I find myself feeling that I need to solve overwhelming problems on my own, I sometimes look ahead and see only darkness. Then I remember that I have a powerful partner in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I turn to him in prayer. I depend on his promise: "Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you." (Matthew 7:7) In God I can put my trust unconditionally. When the Lord helps me, all my problems have solutions. I thank God for that blessed assurance in my daily life and work.
Bringing It Home:
1. Are you facing a particular problem at home or work? Find a quiet spot, and take a moment to turn that problem over to the Lord, and open yourself to God's love, power, and justice.
2. Read Matthew 7:7-12. Do you know someone who is currently facing Problems for which there appear to be no practical solutions? How can you share the illuminating Good News of God's love, wisdom, and power with that person this week?
Prayer:
Gracious Lord, you are my helper, and you lighten my darkness. By your grace and by the power of your Holy Spirit, help me to be a light to others, so that they, too, may know of your wisdom and love, made known to us through your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Dave Hanson, Pastor
Wilmette Lutheran Church / Wilmette, Illinois
wilmluthchurch@earthlink.net
As posted to Faith At Work
The purpose of this blog is to share words of faith and inspiration for Christians. Quotes, essays, reflections and personal testimony will be posted here. If you have any thoughts to share on the nature of Christianity and what it means to be a Christian, please feel free to e-mail me and I will post them here.
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