In Christ - I am saved

I am saved...

I Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Titus 3:4,5 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but because of His mercy He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit... 

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.

Truth for Life Daily Devotion

June 12, 2012
We Are Saved

2 Timothy 1:9

"The apostle uses the perfect tense and says, "who saved us." Believers in Christ Jesus are saved. They are not looked upon as people who are in a hopeful state and may ultimately be saved, but they are already saved. Salvation is not a blessing to be enjoyed upon our dying bed and to be sung of in a future state above, but a matter to be obtained, received, promised, and enjoyed now.

"The Christian is perfectly saved in God's purpose; God has ordained him to salvation, and that purpose is complete. He is saved also as to the price that has been paid for him: "It is finished" was the cry of the Savior before He died. The believer is also perfectly saved in His covenant Head, for as he fell in Adam, so he lives in Christ.

"This complete salvation is accompanied by a holy calling. Those whom the Savior saved upon the cross are in due time effectually called by the power of God the Holy Spirit to holiness: They leave their sins; they endeavor to be like Christ; they choose holiness, not out of any compulsion, but from the power of a new nature, which leads them to rejoice in holiness just as naturally as when previously they delighted in sin. God neither chose them nor called them because they were holy, but He called them that they might be holy, and holiness is the beauty produced by His workmanship in them.

"The excellencies that we see in a believer are as much the work of God as the Atonement itself. In this way the fullness of the grace of God is beautifully displayed. Salvation must be of grace, because the Lord is the author of it: And what motive but grace could move Him to save the guilty? Salvation must be of grace because the Lord works in such a manner that our righteousness is forever excluded. Such is the believer's privilege—a present salvation; such is the evidence that he is called to it—a holy life."

From Morning & Evening revised and edited by Alistair Begg copyright © 2003.

There was a long time in my life when I didn’t know I needed to be saved – I was a “good girl” – and didn’t do the things that “those other people” did.  I loved God – don’t get me wrong – I just didn’t realize that I needed Him to save me from sin – because I really didn’t understand what it meant to be a “sinner!”  Sure – I knew the Bible says we’re all sinners – that no one is without sin – but I consciously didn’t apply that to myself, because I was a “good girl.”  When I look back at that time in my life I cringe!  How audacious of me to put myself above anyone else!  How useless I was to the Kingdom of God, too!  I could live like a “good girl” – but in my heart of hearts there was an evil that needed to be “outed” – and until I was willing to face it, God was unable to use me as His holy and sanctified vessel.

It took almost two years of living “in the gutter” to finally see the truth – I was a sinner very much in need of a Savior!  It was at that point when I truly understood the grace and gift of God – and when I faced up to my own sin nature and repented I put myself in the position of being useful to the Kingdom.  Now I choose to live a holy life – not because I have to be that “good girl” again – but because I want the world to know what God has done for me – and what He yearns to do for them! 

Are you saved?  If so, are you living a holy life?  Or – are you allowing darkness to creep in and pollute your heart and soul?  These are questions I have to ask myself often.  Just because I have a relationship with God that’s now based on the truth of who I am and what I’m capable of doesn’t mean that I don’t sin – or that I’m not tempted – or that I always make the right choice.  I have to seek the Lord with my whole heart – every day – and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those things that still need to be refined.  The result of that will be a holy life that others will see.  Not a “holier than thou” life – a HOLY life – a life set apart for service to Christ!  Sharon

In Christ - I am crucified with Christ

I am crucified with Christ...

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

Wednesday, November 10th Update from Joni:

“November in sunny California is an odd season -- the roses and purple sage along my back fence are expiring in one last burst of color, as if to stave off the coming cold. Not even flowers like to die, I guess. Neither do we Christians, yet lately when I flip through the New Testament, I keep reading "... unless a seed falls to the ground and dies" or "... put to death, therefore" or "... I have been crucified" and finally, "... take up your cross." It seems from the moment we are born, we need to learn how to live and die.

“None of us, in our culture of comfort, know how to prepare ourselves for dying, but that's what we should do. As I shared in a recent Christianity Today interview, every day we are called to die a thousand deaths -- not just walking through the valley of the shadow of death when we get a bad medical report; but when we say 'no' to our selfish desires or 'yes' to trusting God when it's hard. And nothing helps us learn how to die better than suffering. My struggle with cancer and chronic pain is teaching me on a much deeper level how to yield to Christ and embrace both His cross and mine -- at times it's so hard the only thing I can do is give in and groan alongside my Savior, ‘Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.’

“When I was 14 years old and a new Christian, I wanted my life verse to be Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." I may not have understood it at 14, but that's how to die -- and it brings power, joy, peace and contentment. May God give you and I the strength to lose our lives for Christ's sake... because that's when real living starts :-)!”

Joni’s right – no one wants to think about death – or dying – but it’s something we will all experience – no one escapes death.  Some of us may live longer than others – but in the end, there is death.  For the Christian that doesn’t have to be a scary thing – it can actually be quite comforting – death means that our struggle here is over and our eternal life with Jesus begins.   She’s also right about our need to die daily – to our sin – to our flesh – to our own will – to see ourselves crucified with Christ.  That’s hard to do – it’s so much easier just to do what I want - but God wants us to CHOOSE death to self in order that He might work the character of Christ into our lives.  Do you want to see yourself as that “new creature in Christ?”  Then die to yourself – live the truth that you have been crucified with Christ, and live wholly – and holy - for Him.  Sharon

In Christ - I am a new creature in Christ

I am a new creature in Christ...

II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 

August 4, 2010

Freed to Start Anew

Sharon Jaynes

Friend To Friend

“Laura lived in a small town with parents who were morally sound and family oriented. She went to church from her earliest remembrance and was baptized when she was twelve-years-old. In high school, she began dating Barry. After Laura went off to college both of Barry's parents died. He was lonely and missed the close-knit family he had once enjoyed.

“After Laura's first year of college, Barry began talking marriage. He had not gone to college and wanted her to come home and be his wife. Laura was torn, but made the decision to marry Barry and continue working toward her degree.

“Laura and I held hands and prayed together before she walked down the aisle. It was a beautiful day as I stood with her and the two were united as man and wife. However, after the wedding comes the marriage - something that neither the nineteen-year-old Laura nor Barry were prepared to face.

After five years, Laura was bored with the marriage, restless in her job, and disappointed in her husband. While working in a medical office, Bob, a salesman for an international medical supply company, took on their account. Bob was older and lived what seemed like an exciting lifestyle. It started as friendly bantering, which progressed to enticing flirtation. Laura found herself looking forward to Thursdays - the day the rep made his weekly visits.

“A touch here, a lunch there, and soon an affair ensued. Laura packed her bags, left her marriage, her job, and her hometown to move to greener pastures. But the greener pastures weren't so green. Thorns infested the relationship. Bob wasn't interested in anything long term. Laura was just a young plaything he toyed with on weekends. What promised to be an exciting life away from small town America, away from a mundane, monotonous marriage, turned into a deep, dark pit of regret and remorse. Laura discovered Bob wasn't anything special. He was just someone different - a diversion. And she was his flavor of the month.

“After her divorce was final, Laura was left all alone in a strange town. What have I done? She cried.

“Laura's husband remarried and put the broken pieces of his life back together. Laura, on the other hand, was just broken.

“Laura turned away from our friendship when she headed down the road to self-destruction, but after she came to her senses, she called me - full of remorse and sadness. I welcomed her in my arms, held her close to my heart, and brought her to my hometown. My husband and I found her a job, helped her get her finances in order, and directed her to a great Bible-based church. That's what it looked like on the outside, but here's what really happened.

“Laura, in her own words would tell you that she stood before Jesus like the woman caught in adultery. She felt the stares of her accusers and recoiled at the rocks that would surely fly. In her own mind, she stood naked and ashamed before her community, her childhood church body, and her lifelong friends. But more importantly, she stood in shame before Jesus.

"’I didn't think God would forgive me,’ she began. ‘I had hurt my family, my husband, and my witness. What would God want with someone like me?’

"’Laura,’ I began, ‘we are all sinners. We are all saved by grace. None of us deserve it. That's what makes grace, grace. You made a terrible mistake, but so did the woman caught in adultery that the Pharisees brought to Jesus. What did Jesus do with that woman? What did He say?’

"’He told her to go and sin no more.’

“’Exactly. He told her to leave her life of sin. That doesn't mean that she never sinned again. But we can safely believe that she left this lifestyle, this sinful relationship, and began a new life. That is what Jesus will do for you. That is what He does for all of us.’

“God promises: ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9). Another translation uses the words "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (NASB). I love the picture of God washing away all our sins, erasing the list of offenses, throwing our sins into the deepest of seas - all gone.

“Laura did begin again. She repented of her sin, immersed herself in Bible study and ministry, and began a new life totally committed to the One who forgave her and set her free from condemnation. And that my friend, is what Jesus does for each and every one of us who come to Him with a repentant heart ready to start anew.

“After Laura began her new life, she followed hard after God. She was so grateful for a chance to start again, and she gave her life to serving and honoring Jesus.

“Sometime during her fifth year at her new church, she met a wonderful Christian man, Peter. After they were married, Laura and Peter committed their lives to serving God wherever He led. After a missions trip to Eastern Europe, they both felt God calling them to return on a more permanent basis. Now, for over ten years, Laura and Peter have been serving God in Eastern Europe, planting churches and loving people to Christ. She has agreed with Paul when he wrote, ‘This one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead’ (Philippians 3:13). But friend, it is a choice.

“See, God doesn't just set us free from our past. He sets us free to an exciting future. And Jesus showcased the woman caught in adultery in John chapter 8 and my friend, Laura, to show us how.

“Let's Pray - Dear God, thank You for being a God who allows u-turns. Not only do You forgive me of my sin, You allow me to start anew.  In Jesus' Name - Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

“Did you know that God allows u-turns in your own life?

“Is there an area that you need to make a u-turn and head back toward God?

“Are you ready to repent of your sin, accept God's forgiveness, and begin a new life filled with purpose? If so, it is only a prayer away.”

Change IS a choice – God does the work of setting us free from our pasts and giving us a new identity – but we have to CHOOSE to live in that new reality.  That’s hard – especially if we’ve lived a life where we did whatever we had to do to survive.  Habits are deeply ingrained – and it’s so easy to go back to what once “worked” for us.  But GOD wants us to be different – to live the truth of our new identity in Christ.  That means we have to keep our eyes open to things in our life that we are not consciously aware of – if we ask God to show us, He will – and He’ll give us the strength and willpower to change – but we have to be willing to take those first few steps – no matter how uncomfortable they are.  If you know that you’re still living like that old “dead man” – make the u-turn God offers and ask God again for a fresh start – and He’ll give it to you!  Keep moving forward – and eventually you’ll be able to look back and see just how far you’ve come!  Sharon

In Christ - I am the temple of the Holy Spirit

Joni and Friends/June 3, 2010

"One of my favorite summertime activities is to tent camp. There's nothing like a campfire in the morning when you get up. And the smell of those sizzling eggs and bacon... yum.

"Shortly after breakfast my husband, Ken, will let the fire die down. Then, at suppertime, Ken has to start the fire again. But this is an economical man. Instead of starting from scratch, Ken will poke the coals, searching for the tiniest spark of life. Sure enough, way down in the ashes there will usually be a glowing coal left over from the morning campfire. He nurtures it with dry grass and leaves until it's roaring once again. It seems that no matter how small the spark or how dim the flicker, Ken can bring a fire back to life.

"It's the same with the Spirit of Christ in our lives. Sometimes the spark may be small, but if there is the tiniest ember, the slightest hint of obedience in our Christian life, it's not too late to be revived.
God has given us light, knowledge, and a new heart. He has given you and me grace and a new nature -- and he has deprived us of every excuse if we do not live for his praise. So, if we are not holy, whose fault is it but our own? If we do not appear sanctified, who can we blame but ourselves?

"How about you? Do you feel the ashes smoldering, even if faintly? Do you sense life within, even if feeble? Nurture it. Gently fan the spark - follow through on the nudge to obey, spend a little time in prayer, revive yourself in God's Word. Don't neglect the grace, the heart, and the new nature God has given you. Poke around and get the fire of the Spirit going in your life."

There was always to be light in God’s temple – it was the job of a specific family from the tribe of Levi to make sure that the lights burned through the night. Our God is a God of light – and light exposes things that the darkness hides. Maybe that’s why some of us are drawn to the darkness – we don’t want our sins to be discovered. BUT – if you are a true child of God there’s NO hiding from HIS light! There will always be a small ember burning somewhere in our spirit – and just as Ken could coax life back into a campfire, the Spirit is able to fan that ember into "red-hot sold out living for Jesus" – if we let Him. When we come to God – on HIS terms – we become HIS – forever! WE are His temple now – not a building of sticks and stones, mortar and cement – but a living, breathing temple where the Spirit of God resides, just as He did in Solomon’s temple. Keep your light burning brightly – experience His presence – and His power – every moment of every day! Sharon

In Christ - I am dead to sin

I am dead to sin...

Romans 6:1-4,17,18
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Daily Word with Pastor Jack Graham
May 5, 2011
"History books tell us that when the slaves were liberated at the end of the Civil War, many of those who had formerly been under the bondage of slavery refused to leave their slave masters and pursue a life of their own. They chose to remain under bondage because it was the only thing they’d ever known!

"There are many Christians today who are still under the bondage of their past. That’s why every believer must always ask himself as he considers doing something: ‘Is this thing becoming my master? Is this controlling me? Does it have the potential to control me?’

"In my years of ministry, I’ve seen pastor after pastor lose his job and his congregation because of this very issue. So many believe they’re above becoming a slave again to sin and they simply refuse to acknowledge their potential weakness.

"So when it comes to sin, don’t buy into the lie that you’re immune to falling back into old patterns of behavior. But when that temptation does come, remind yourself that you’ve been freed already through the death and resurrection of Christ. Live each day on the offensive knowing that, while the enemy prowls around, you have victory in Christ!

"LIVE ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST SATAN SO WHEN TEMPTATION TO SIN COMES YOUR WAY, YOU CAN KNOW THAT YOU’VE BEEN FREED FROM SLAVERY TO SIN"

One of the most heartbreaking things I have to deal with daily is hearing Christian after Christian telling me that they are sexually involved with someone – and they’re not married. They’ve somehow convinced themselves that it’s "OK" – that God doesn’t really care that much – that His COMMAND to be sexually pure "isn’t something that’s possible in this day and age." What they don’t realize is that they are IN BONDAGE to the sin of promiscuity – and God DOES take it very seriously. He won’t "wink" at it – He won’t ignore it – and He won’t tolerate it. The Bible says that God is not mocked – we can’t practice sin and think we’re getting away with something. Just because we don’t see immediate consequences (although many of the women I talk to ARE facing the consequences of their choice) doesn’t mean we won’t pay the price at some point.

Now – God WILL forgive – praise be to the Father of Mercy! But He requires something – repentance. To be forgiven we must sincerely agree with God about our sin – and when we can do that, He will forgive us. "Agreeing with God" will be evidenced by a change in behavior. That means that we no longer give in to the temptation to sin – that we flee from those temptations and rely on Him to be the strength we need to live a holy life. How does someone do that? They make plans to avoid the temptation! If you’re a drunk, you don’t hang out in a bar! If you’re struggling with sexual sin you don’t hang out in places where it will be easy to fall! Thank ahead – create and ENFORCE boundaries! Seek accountability – find a mature Christian who will hold you accountable for what you’re doing. Be in fellowship – you can’t thrive in your relationship with Christ if you’re doing your own thing – in your own strength and wisdom! That’s a recipe for disaster! We all need to be accountable to someone – we all need to be surrounded by fellow believers who will pray for us – love us – encourage us – speak the hard truth to us.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom – and He deserves – and DEMANDS our allegiance! He has vanquished sin – why would we CHOOSE to live in bondage to sin anymore? He LOVES you – and He has GOOD plans for you! Don’t let the enemy rob you of all that God has in store for you! Live a holy life, in full submission to Him! Sharon
__________________________
Sharon Pearce, Director
Silent Voices International
www.silentvoices.org
svoices@pacbell.net
619-422-0757

In Christ - I am at peace with God

I am at peace with God...

Romans 5:1,2 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Psalms 29:11 The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace. 

Psalms 85:8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints--but let them not return to folly. 

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. 

Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, Who has compassion on you. 

August 31, 2010

KPRZ – Girlfriends in God

May She Rest in Peace

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth  

Friend to Friend

“We often associate the phrase ‘rest in peace’ with death and the loss of a loved one. In fact, these words of comfort are often spoken at some point in most funerals I attend or are included in the inscription on many headstones.

“Today, I want us to associate the words ‘rest in peace’ with life instead of death.

“Yes, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sin so that we can rest in peace when we die, but God also gave His one and only Son so that we can rest in peace every minute of every day. Does that sound like your life? Would the people who know you best describe you as a peaceful person? As I ask myself that question, the words ‘not so much’ come to mind.

“The Mayo Clinic once stated that the illnesses in 80 to 85% of their caseload were caused by stress. An article in a leading medical journal entitled ‘Is Stress the Cause of All Disease?’ It said that at the beginning of the century, bacteria were the leading cause of illness but today stress has replaced bacteria.

“We all long for an inner calm - especially in the valleys of life. We all want, pray for and pursue peace. At the point of desperation, some people pursue peace by numbing their pain with alcohol, drugs, sex ... food ... success ... the list is endless. Remember the old country song that says we look for love in all the wrong places and on the wrong faces? The same can be said about peace.

“Some people tend to believe that peace is simply the absence of problems, valleys and trials. Not so! Peace is a calm confidence that the Lord of the mountains is still on the throne - no matter how deep the valley may be. Peace recognizes Jesus walking on the water as He calms the crashing waves and stills the howling winds in your life. Trials become opportunities to trust God when peace reigns in a heart. That kind of peace can only be found in God.

“Notice that I did not say we can find peace in church membership, in doing good things, in giving large sums of money to a charity or ministry, or even in being a really good person. Peace is a gift. When we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we enter into true peace.

“Romans 5:1 (NCV) ‘Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ.’

“We cannot bargain for or earn peace, girlfriends, but we will experience peace when we are willing to move away from our sin toward the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, in a personal relationship. Then, and only then, will His peace become our peace.

“When John Paton was translating the Bible for a South Seas Island tribe, he discovered that they had no word for peace. One day, a native who had been running very hard for several miles came to the missionary's house, flopped down into a large chair and tried to catch his breath. ‘It's good to rest my whole weight on this chair’ the runner said. Paton thought for a minute before replying, ‘I'll translate peace as the result of resting one's whole weight on God.’ Exactly!

“We hear from so many women around the world who would give everything they have for just one minute of peace. I know the list of trials and storms is long. I honestly do not know how some people get out of bed each morning to face the trials and hard times in their life. I understand that the problems we deal with every single day can weigh us down; but I also know that every problem can be given to God. When we surrender the weight of our trials and pain to Him, we will experience peace. As we allow God to carry the weight of worry, the burden of anxiety and the penalty of every sin in our life, peace will reign and leave no room for the deadly trap of stress. Today, girlfriend, I pray that you will rest in Peace.”

The Bible says that Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14 - For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility”) – so Believers can now find their peace in a person – the Person of Jesus, God the Son.  Our Peace isn’t in our circumstance – they can change daily and randomly – and it’s not dictated by our feelings – because these, too, can and do change.  Since our Peace is in the Person of Jesus, we can rest knowing that since He never changes we can never lose our peace with God!  The challenge is choosing to line up what we know intellectually with what’s going on in and around us – and that requires effort and discipline.  But – dear sister – it’s worth the effort!  You don’t have to be tossed to and fro by your circumstances – YOU CAN KNOW and EXPERIENCE the peace of God that surpasses knowledge if you choose to!  Don’t give up trying – keep pressing in to your Savior, even when everything around you is falling apart, and His peace is yours! 

In Christ - I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world

I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world...

Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Today’s Devotion June 16, 2010

By Mike MacIntosh

Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?"  Mark 4:21

“Jesus raises questions here that even little boys and girls could understand. Do you light a candle so that you can cover the light up? Or do you light a candle to put it under a bed? Of course not! Both are clear misuses of light: one would extinguish the light and the other would start a fire (bringing about destruction). A candle has a purpose: to shine.

“Jesus is showing us here that as Christians we are given the awesome opportunity to shine as lights in the darkness. You have a purpose! Your life isn't to be miserable, full of bitterness and anger. You are a vessel of God's light, and as you grow in faith, your light gets brighter. The purpose of your light is that people would see Jesus through you. Look at Matthew 5:16:

"’Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

“Luke 11:34 says that people can see in your eyes if you're doing things for good or doing things for evil purposes. You see, when you allow God's light to shine through you, people will see that light and glorify the Father. We can choose to be lights or we can choose to live in darkness. You can choose to suck the oxygen out of your life and be a bitter person, or you can allow God's Word to permeate every square inch of your being, to radiate His goodness and love to others. Choose this day to let your light shine. You have every excuse in the world to be angry, frustrated, confused, and bitter, but Jesus has given you new life to shine for Him. Glorify your heavenly Father today and choose to be a light in the darkness. Let God's Word shine through you today.

"’Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).’”

To BE the light you must HAVE the light.  If you’re not shining brightly for the Lord, maybe it’s because you’re not spending time in His word – with His children – in fellowship – having your spiritual “batteries” recharged!  Christianity isn’t meant to be experienced in solitude – it is meant to be experienced in community.  And it’s in community that we get recharged so we can go back out into the world and shine for Jesus.  If you’ve been missing church – not making time for daily time in the Word – I hope you’ll commit to making both of those things priorities.  We’re living in a world that prefers the darkness – but there are still lost souls out there trying to find the way to truth – if your light shines for Jesus, you can help build His kingdom!  Sharon

In Christ - I am loved by God

I am loved by God...

Jeremiah 31:3  The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." 

Romans 8:38,39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Ephesians 3:17-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

I John 4:16-19 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because He first loved us.

This is a little longer than most devotionals – but it’s worth the read!  Be blessed!

The Choice

by Max Lucado

“He placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the ground.

“All of the Garden's inhabitants paused to witness the event. Hawks hovered. Giraffes stretched. Trees bowed. Butterflies paused on petals and watched.

"’You will love Me, nature,’ God said. "I made you that way. You will obey Me, universe. For you were designed to do so. You will reflect My glory, skies, for that is how you were created. But this one will be like Me. This one will be able to choose.’

“All were silent as the Creator reached into Himself and removed something yet unseen. A seed. ‘It's called 'choice.' The seed of choice.’

“Creation stood in silence and gazed upon the lifeless form.

“An angel spoke, ‘But what if he ...’

"’What if he chooses not to love?’ the Creator finished. ‘Come, I will show you.’

“Unbound by today, God and the angel walked into the realm of tomorrow.

"’There, see the fruit of the seed of choice, both the sweet and the bitter.’

“The angel gasped at what he saw. Spontaneous love. Voluntary devotion. Chosen tenderness.  Never had he seen anything like these. He felt the love of the Adams. He heard the joy of Eve and her daughters. He saw the food and the burdens shared. He absorbed the kindness and marveled at the warmth.

"‘Heaven has never seen such beauty, my Lord. Truly, this is your greatest creation.’

"’Ah, but you've only seen the sweet. Now witness the bitter.’

“A stench enveloped the pair. The angel turned in horror and proclaimed, ‘What is it?’

“The Creator spoke only one word: ‘Selfishness.’

“The angel stood speechless as they passed through centuries of repugnance. Never had he seen such filth. Rotten hearts. Ruptured promises. Forgotten loyalties. Children of the creation wandering blindly in lonely labyrinths.

"’This is the result of choice?’ the angel asked.

"’Yes.’

"’They will forget You?’

"’Yes.’

"’They will reject You?’

"’Yes.’

"’They will never come back?’

"’Some will. Most won't.’

"’What will it take to make them listen?’

“The Creator walked on in time, further and further into the future, until He stood by a tree. A tree that would be fashioned into a cradle. Even then He could smell the hay that would surround Him.

“With another step into the future, He paused before another tree. It stood alone, a stubborn ruler of a bald hill. The trunk was thick, and the wood was strong. Soon it would be cut. Soon it would be trimmed. Soon it would be mounted on the stony brow of another hill. And soon He would be hung on it.

“He felt the wood rub against a back He did not yet wear.

"’Will you go down there?’ the angel asked.

"’I will.’

"’Is there no other way?’

"’There is not.’

"’Wouldn't it be easier to not plant the seed? Wouldn't it be easier to not give the choice?’

"’It would,’ the Creator spoke slowly. ‘But to remove the choice is to remove the love.’

“He looked around the hill and foresaw a scene. Three figures hung on three crosses. Arms spread. Heads fallen forward. They moaned with the wind.

“Men clad in soldiers' garb sat on the ground near the trio. They played games in the dirt and laughed.

“Men clad in religion stood off to one side. They smiled. Arrogant, cocky. They had protected God, they thought, by killing this false one.

“Women clad in sorrow huddled at the foot of the hill. Speechless. Faces tear streaked. Eyes downward. One put her arm around another and tried to lead her away. She wouldn't leave. ‘I will stay,’ she said softly. ‘I will stay.’

“All heaven stood to fight. All nature rose to rescue. All eternity poised to protect. But the Creator gave no command.

"’It must be done ... ,’ He said, and withdrew.

“But as He stepped back in time, He heard the cry that He would someday scream: ‘My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?’ (Mark 15:34) He wrenched at tomorrow's agony.

“The angel spoke again. ‘It would be less painful ...’

“The Creator interrupted softly. ‘But it wouldn't be love.’

“They stepped into the Garden again. The Maker looked earnestly at the clay creation. A monsoon of love swelled up within Him. He had died for the creation before He had made him. God's form bent over the sculptured face and breathed. Dust stirred on the lips of the new one. The chest rose, cracking the red mud. The cheeks fleshened. A finger moved. And an eye opened.

“But more incredible than the moving of the flesh was the stirring of the spirit. Those who could see the unseen gasped.

“Perhaps it was the wind who said it first. Perhaps what the star saw that moment is what has made it blink ever since. Maybe it was left to an angel to whisper it:

"’It looks like ... it appears so much like ... it is Him!’

“The angel wasn't speaking of the face, the features, or the body. He was looking inside—at the soul.

"’It's eternal!’ gasped another.

“Within the man, God had placed a divine seed. A seed of His self. The God of might had created earth's mightiest. The Creator had created, not a creature, but another creator. And the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return.

“Now it's our choice.”

From In the Eye of the Storm, Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1997) Max Lucado

I just LOVE Max Lucado – he has a way with words that I envy!  Can’t you just picture it? God creating Adam – and the angels and the rest of creation watching and waiting to see what He was up to?  Created “in His image” – and loved from before our first breath – His love is overwhelming – more than we can comprehend this side of heaven.  I hope you will rejoice in His love for you today!  Sharon

In Christ - I am always in God's thoughts

I am always in God's thoughts...

Psalms 139:17,18 How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

Isaiah 49:15-16 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me."
Jeremiah 29:4-13 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon; "Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters - that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD. For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
KPRZ - Encouragement for TodayJuly 5, 2012

My Name is on God's Hand
by Shaunti Feldhahn
"See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16 (NLT)
How can we know for sure God is thinking about us today? There are so many people in this world, why would He be personally interested in us?

"Not so long ago I was affected by something a pastor and his wife shared with me as we drove through the neighborhoods where they do inner-city missions work. Old cars littered the streets; warehouses with windows broken out were slashed by obscene graffiti, while unemployed men and women sat around lifelessly. The air was heavy with a lack of hope.

"The pastor told me stories of his ministry in this area, working with the homeless and those with mental illness. One day, after he had preached a short sermon in a park about God's great love, a woman named Mae came up to him with drug-deadened eyes that couldn't hide her anguish. From Mae's story, it was clear she had been looking for love her whole life and had never found it.

"She was abandoned by her father, had lived in poverty, been surrounded by drugs and alcohol from the earliest age, dropped out of school when she had several children by different fathers, and was now probably in her thirties with no life or hope.

"She told the pastor, 'I just don't know how God can love me.' She felt small, lost in a sea of despair. How could God ever see her, know her, love her?

"The pastor noticed she had written many notes to herself on the palm of her left hand and asked,

"'Why do you do that?'

"'So I can remember things. I have such a hard time remembering things.'

"'Does that help?'

"'Yes. If I have it on a piece of paper, I'll probably forget to look at it. But with the really important things, when it's written there, it's right in front of me so I see it and remember. I can't lose it or forget it.'

"The pastor looked at her with compassion. 'Sister, that is what God says about you in the Bible. 'See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.' Mae, that means He's written your name on His hands. You are the really important thing to Him.'

"He took her hand and pointed to line after line of notes on her palm. 'Just like these notes are right in front of you, God has your name always in front of Him. He is always thinking about you. Mae, an image of you is always on His mind. He loves you that much.'

"Mae burst into tears; great sobs released as she grasped the concept of how much God adored her.
"Not because she had done anything good, and in spite of everything she had done wrong. God had written her name on His hand.

"We can hold onto that promise too.

"Isn't it an amazing, glorious, freeing thing to realize God has our name engraved on His hand? He really sees us, cares about us, and knows us by name!

"Dear Lord, I am constantly amazed at how great You are and yet still You remember me. It is amazing that You not only remember me, but You have engraved me on Your hand. Thank You for that assurance. Help me remember this truth on the days where I feel forgotten and unloved. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

WOW. What an awesome VISUAL of this truth! I love having visuals to remind me of God’s promises. I don’t think I’ll tattoo my hand – but if it works for you, go for it! There are other ways to remind you of this promise that’s not so painful and/or permanent – I have a vial of sand that reminds me that God’s thoughts towards me outnumber the grains of sand – ON THE PLANET! You can get something like that – put it on your desk – kitchen counter – wherever you know you’ll see it often – and remember every time you see just how VERY much you are thought of by your loving and caring Heavenly Father! YOU are important to Him! When Jesus looks at His nail-pierced hands He remembers YOU – and it brings Him joy to know that you will be with Him forever! Sharon

In Christ - I am washed clean from my sins

I am washed clean from my sins...

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Ezekiel 36:25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.
Truth for Life With Alistair Begg
July 6, 2012
Count Your Trespasses
Have you ever really weighed and considered how great the sin of God's people is? Think how heinous is your own transgression, and you will find that not only does a sin here and there tower up like an alp, but that your iniquities are heaped upon each other, as in the old fable of the giants who piled Pelian upon Ossa,¹ mountain upon mountain. What an aggregate of sin there is in the life of one of the most sanctified of God's children! Attempt to multiply this, the sin of one only, by the multitude of the redeemed, "a great multitude that no one could number,"² and you will have some conception of the great mass of the guilt of the people for whom Jesus shed His blood. But we arrive at a more adequate idea of the magnitude of sin by the greatness of the remedy provided.

It is the blood of Jesus Christ, God's only and well-beloved Son. God's Son! Angels cast their crowns before Him! All the choral symphonies of heaven surround His glorious throne. "God over all, blessed forever. Amen."³ And yet He takes upon Himself the form of a servant and is scourged and pierced, bruised and torn, and at last slain; nothing but the blood of the incarnate Son of God could make atonement for our offenses.

No human mind can adequately estimate the infinite value of the divine sacrifice, for although the sin of God's people is great, the atonement that takes it away is immeasurably greater. Therefore, even when sin rolls in like a flood, and the remembrance of the past is bitter, the believer can still stand before the blazing throne of the great and holy God and cry, "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised."
⁴While the recollection of the believer's sin fills him with shame and sorrow, its very darkness serves to show the brightness of mercy; guilt is the dark night in which the fair star of divine love shines with serene splendor.

¹The giant sons of Iphimedia who tried to reach Olympus by piling Mt. Pelian on Mt. Ossa (The Odyssey).
²Revelation 7:9
³Romans 9:5

⁴Romans 8:34

Have you ever had something get so badly stained that nothing you did could get it clean? It never fails that when I wear something new to work I spill something on it – right down the front for everyone to see – and if it had tomato sauce in it I’ll NEVER get it out! I’ve lost many a good blouse to coffee – tea – tomato sauce – blood – and there’s just nothing I’ve ever tried that made it 100% clean again. There’s always a "shadow stain" – a stain I know is there even if it’s not something that other people see. Isn’t it great news that God washes away our sin COMPLETELY? NO STAIN – nothing that HE sees, anyway! The enemy would have us go back and take a look at the things we’ve done that caused the stains in the first place – and he’s NOT going to remind you that Jesus’ blood has been shed to take care of that stain once and for all! All he’ll do is make you feel miserable and keep you focused on that "shadow stain." Don’t let him do that! When you find yourself spending too much time looking back at something in your past – and feeling really bad about it – remind yourself that it was the blood of JESUS – the lover of your soul – that HAS cleansed you – HAS purified you – NOT "will" – but "HAS!" What Jesus did is a "done deal!" If you’ve come to God on His terms then you ARE washed clean from your sins – and those "shadow stains" are only there to remind you of His amazing grace! Sharon

In Christ - I am a child of God

Can I Call You "Daddy?"

Glynnis Whitwer

Devotion:

“Victoria gripped the phone, and dialed frantically. ‘Answer, answer, answer,’ she muttered. Finally, a deep male voice was heard on the other end.

“Victoria's words tumbled out in a rush, ‘Daddy, I'm in trouble. I need you.’

“This scene was from a favorite show. While it's not the most intellectual program out there, I'll admit I'm hooked on the characters. One in particular. The father of the panicked woman mentioned above. He's not a perfect dad; not even a good one most of the time. However, his children know he will hire a small army, spend any amount of money or fly his private jet to come to their rescue.

“His desire to help his children pulls at something deep within me. Although I grew up with a good father, I wouldn't have asked him for help. My father was scholarly. He was a teacher who adored his books, classical music and pipe. I knew he loved me ... that wasn't the issue. He just wasn't an active part of my life. My mother was my problem-solver and rescuer.

“I never had any issues with my father. At least none that I knew of. Until someone told me that my relationship with my earthly father had already affected my relationship with my heavenly Father. Really? I thought I was pretty healthy. Then I started praying and thinking about it.

“Although I loved God deeply, I realized I didn't see Him as a close father. Maybe a distant one. But not one I could call when I'm in trouble. Not one who would hold me while I sat on His lap and cried. Not one who would move heaven and earth, or fire up the private jet, to save me.

“You see, I've never had a father like that. In the depth of my heart, I knew God could help me, but did He really want to? Was He motivated to help me with the same passion I have to help my children? Sadly, I realized I didn't know how to relate to God like a caring father. But I wanted to.

“So I started to change how I pray. Jesus modeled a close relationship with His Heavenly Father. In fact, Jesus called Him ‘Abba’ or ‘Daddy’ (Mark 14:36). I started to pray that way as well. I'll admit it was awkward, and still is at times. Yet, as I have drawn near to God in this tender new way, I realized He has been waiting for me all along.

“I'm coming to understand that God's longing for me is similar to how I feel for my own children. Even though my 18-year-old feels too big to need his mama, I still desire to mother him with protective and loving oversight. And just as I long for my growing children to come and sit on my lap or rest a head on my shoulder, God longs for me to come to Him.

“I'm still learning what all of this looks like. What I know for sure is that I've been invited into a precious relationship with my heavenly Father. In fact, I've been invited to call Him ‘Daddy.’

“Dear Daddy, how I long to fully understand Your love for me. I know in my head You are a tender father, but my heart still doesn't understand. Please reveal Yourself to me as a caring daddy. Help me to overcome all barriers I have to living like a chosen and precious daughter of Yours. I want to know You more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.”

I know I am blessed to have had (and STILL have) a father who was a daddy – someone I could turn to (and still do!) when I needed him.  It helped me relate to God as Father in a way that others have missed out on.  To this day my father will drop whatever he’s doing and come to my rescue – usually at times when it’s really not convenient for him – but I know he’ll come.   If you haven’t been as blessed, I hope you’ll make every effort to get to know God as “daddy” – because that’s what HIS heart is for you!  When Jesus told His followers that they were to address God as their “Father” it was shocking!  A good Jewish boy would NEVER have been so presumptuous!  God was to be revered – feared – respected – but not approached with familiarity.  All of that changed with Jesus.  He brought heaven to earth and opened the door for us to approach Yahweh in a new and more intimate way – as a “Daddy.”  That’s GOD’S heart for YOU – His precious child!  Sharon

__________________________

Sharon Pearce, Director

Silent Voices International

www.silentvoices.org

svoices@pacbell.net

619-422-0757