Today....can you see the cross as a GIFT?
The biggest, best, eternity-changing gift ever given.
And it's a gift for YOU.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Way Back...
...I posted the lyrics of Third Day's Love Song.
Here they are again...and this time you can listen as you watch the Love Song clip.
This song never fails to bring to tears to my eyes. Why? Because it is the ultimate love song...."Just to be with you, I would do anything." What a promise. And one we humans make often, but as the song suggests, we rarely follow through. Jesus made the promise and fulfilled it....in spectacular, painful, bloody, grief-stricken, loving style....for you and for me.
"Just to be with you, I've done everything....there's no price I did not pay." What a sacrifice....what love Jesus and the Father must have for us. That they would pay this price to be with us is astounding.
Won't you take many moments this long weekend to remember...to be grateful and to share that same love?
Here they are again...and this time you can listen as you watch the Love Song clip.
This song never fails to bring to tears to my eyes. Why? Because it is the ultimate love song...."Just to be with you, I would do anything." What a promise. And one we humans make often, but as the song suggests, we rarely follow through. Jesus made the promise and fulfilled it....in spectacular, painful, bloody, grief-stricken, loving style....for you and for me.
"Just to be with you, I've done everything....there's no price I did not pay." What a sacrifice....what love Jesus and the Father must have for us. That they would pay this price to be with us is astounding.
Won't you take many moments this long weekend to remember...to be grateful and to share that same love?
Again....I marvel at your love Jesus. Thank-you seems so inadequate, but it's all I have.
Monday, April 18, 2011
ROMANCE.......God's Way
Whether it looks like his vows on your wedding day, an unexpected gift or a call from work to see how you are travelling, we girls love romance.
That feeling of being special to the man in our lives is priceless. And when he takes the time to romance us, the feeling is unbeatable.
Yet anything our boyfriends or husbands might do to 'romance us' pails into insignificance in the light of what we remember later this week.
No night off cooking, red rose or weekend away can compare with the ultimate acts of love God the Father and Son performed for all of humanity 2000 years ago.
They planned a dramatic rescue in order to secure an eternal relationship with the ones they love. They paid the ultimate price - separation from each other. They endured rejection and pain, loneliness and immense grief. They gave and gave, but never demanded anyone receive their precious gift. What vulnerability!
Their Easter sacrifice that secures us real life and real relationship with them is the ultimate gift.
It is a precious thing to be loved with an everlasting love by the One who made us and paid the highest price to prove His love.
No earthly romance can hold a light to that heart and soul winning gesture....and that's worth remembering this weekend.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
I Need Jesus
The Jesus I read about in the gospels is the Jesus I need.
But I am not talking about needing a miracle worker who can bring healing with a word. Or the Son of God to offer forgiveness and grace. Neither am I talking about needing a Saviour who died and rose again. (I only say that because He has already done those things for me.)
The Jesus I need today is the One who has seen it all, experienced it all and now sits beside God, speaking on my behalf. He is the One who understands.
In reading the gospel of John, I am amazed at how many different experiences and emotions Jesus has. From joyful times of celebration with family and friends right through to total rejection by the same people. From times of feasting to times of utter desolation and loneliness.
Jesus experienced it all, as a human, so He could offer us understanding and encouragement as we journey through similar experiences in life. I am so grateful to have One who sympathises with me, was tempted in every way, felt pain and sadness, endured trials and now goes into bat for me with the Father.
That's the Jesus I need.
He is One who....
- explained the same things over and over....and was still misunderstood.
- loved people so much....but was hated by so many.
- spoke only words of truth...but was accused of being a deceiver.
- was passionate about life....but had His taken from Him.
- gave the greatest gift ever....but has had that gift rejected so many times.
- saved others.....yet walked each day under the threat of losing His own life.
- offered hope and healing....but was continually questioned about His motives.
- spent time with a loving Father at night.....but faced angry 'Father followers' each day.
- needed rest and peace and 'time out'....but was followed and watched and demanded from continually.
- knew the end of the story was good.....but lived hard days along the way.
- was light....yet surrounded by constant darkness.
- had it all.....but gave up everything in order to rescue me.
Jesus...THANK-YOU!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Jesus....My King
A few years ago Pastor Shadrach Meshach Lockridge (you would have HAD to have grown up to be a minister with that name!) preached this 6 minute description of Jesus called 'That's My King!'. (The edited version runs for a little less.)
It's worth watching, via the link above, but here's the transcript of the entire message from 1976. I was going to highlight my favourite bits and made a start....but pretty soon realised I was highlighting every key phrase! Yep! That's my King - Jesus! Worth highlighting!!!
My King was born King. The Bible says He's a Seven Way King. He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King. He's the King of Israel - that's a National King. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.
Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.
My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King.
He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.
He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.
Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.
His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . .but He's indescribable. He's indescribable. That's my King.
He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.
He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the 'ever's, then . . .Amen.
It's worth watching, via the link above, but here's the transcript of the entire message from 1976. I was going to highlight my favourite bits and made a start....but pretty soon realised I was highlighting every key phrase! Yep! That's my King - Jesus! Worth highlighting!!!
My King was born King. The Bible says He's a Seven Way King. He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King. He's the King of Israel - that's a National King. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.
My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King.
He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.
He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.
Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.
His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . .but He's indescribable. He's indescribable. That's my King.
He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.
He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the 'ever's, then . . .Amen.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The Jesus I Never Knew
Two Jesus' thoughts today....with thanks to Philip Yancey.
In a chapter on miracles in The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey makes two statements that struck me. Once again, reminders that my perspective is sometimes so narrow and so wrong.
1. 'Some see miracles as an implausible suspension of the laws of the physical universe. As signs, though, they serve just the opposite function. Death, decay, entropy, and destruction are the true suspensions of God's laws; miracles are the early glimpses of restoration. In the words of Jurgen Moltmann, "Jesus' healings are not supernatural miracles in a natural world. They are the only truly 'natural' things in a world that is unnatural, demonized and wounded."'
Yes...the world is a mess, but it was never meant to be that way. The problem and consequences of sin are real and huge and ugly. What an astounding contrast to heaven that all makes earth. Take sin out of the equation and add God's permanent physical presence and what do you have? Indescribable!
2. In talking about the death of Jesus' friend Lazarus, Yancey says: 'Jesus knew, of course, that Lazarus was now whole and content, in every way better for having shuffled off this mortal coil. Martha and Mary knew as much too, theoretically. But unlike Jesus and unlike Lazarus, they had never heard the sounds of laughter from the other side of death.'
What a beautiful concept. One to hold onto as we farewell friends and family members who know and love Jesus. While we may be overwhelmed with grief, feeling loss and pain, they are being welcomed with open arms, their arrival is being celebrated and there is laughter and joy on the other side.
Anyway, 2 little (maybe huge really) thoughts to encourage you, stimulate your thinking today and perhaps, challenge your perspective on what we see while we await His glorious return.
In a chapter on miracles in The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey makes two statements that struck me. Once again, reminders that my perspective is sometimes so narrow and so wrong.
1. 'Some see miracles as an implausible suspension of the laws of the physical universe. As signs, though, they serve just the opposite function. Death, decay, entropy, and destruction are the true suspensions of God's laws; miracles are the early glimpses of restoration. In the words of Jurgen Moltmann, "Jesus' healings are not supernatural miracles in a natural world. They are the only truly 'natural' things in a world that is unnatural, demonized and wounded."'
Yes...the world is a mess, but it was never meant to be that way. The problem and consequences of sin are real and huge and ugly. What an astounding contrast to heaven that all makes earth. Take sin out of the equation and add God's permanent physical presence and what do you have? Indescribable!
2. In talking about the death of Jesus' friend Lazarus, Yancey says: 'Jesus knew, of course, that Lazarus was now whole and content, in every way better for having shuffled off this mortal coil. Martha and Mary knew as much too, theoretically. But unlike Jesus and unlike Lazarus, they had never heard the sounds of laughter from the other side of death.'
What a beautiful concept. One to hold onto as we farewell friends and family members who know and love Jesus. While we may be overwhelmed with grief, feeling loss and pain, they are being welcomed with open arms, their arrival is being celebrated and there is laughter and joy on the other side.
Anyway, 2 little (maybe huge really) thoughts to encourage you, stimulate your thinking today and perhaps, challenge your perspective on what we see while we await His glorious return.
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