The Power of the Cross

 

Growing up I didn't know the true meaning of Easter and even as one who attended Christian functions in early high school, I still didn't know the significance. For nearly 20 more years Easter only meant  family gatherings, Easter Egg Hunts and getting a new Spring dress. How sad to spend all those years not knowing the truth. Perhaps it's the sharp contrast of knowing the truth next to not knowing the truth that makes knowing the truth even more precious, more significant and more humbling to me. For if God had not opened my eyes to the truth I'd still be wandering down a lost path towards eternal hell. As each year passes my gratitude towards God increases as the significance and power of the cross becomes clearer and sharper and with this my heart becomes heavier as I grieve for my loved ones and others who are wandering down that lost path. 

Never cease to pray for the lost.

 "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them

 is that they may be saved." Romans 10:1

Never cease to preach the gospel.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Take time now to ponder the significance of salvation and the power of the cross and  pray with humility, gratitude for God to touch your heart in a powerful way opening your eyes even more to the beauty and glory of His everlasting presence in your life.

The Power of the Cross by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day;
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
Chorus:
This the power of the cross!
Christ became sin for us.
Took the blame, bore the wrath,
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain written on your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin;
Every bitter thought, every evil deed,
Crowning you bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath,
Quakes as the Maker bows his head.
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life;
“Finished”, the victory cry.
Oh, to see my name written in the wounds,
For through your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live;
Won through your selfless love.
Last Chorus:
This the power of the cross,
Son of God slain for us.
What a love, what a cost,

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Convicted to Change

"Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; 

but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can."

 Jonathan Edwards

We all have things in our lives that give us problems. But in our selfish ways we're often oblivious to this until we are face to face with the problems these things cause and even then we may deny the problems until we reach a point where we're convicted that something has to change. That's where I am. For me it's that I have things that I absolutely do not need and they are getting in the way. Recently I've been very motivated to get rid of excess things around my home because my time has been wasted. Perhaps you can relate. Last week, I couldn't find something and I wasted hours searching for it because I had too many things to go through to find it and I still did not find it. Since then, almost daily, I've been wasting more time searching through things for this item, which is really crazy but even more convicting to me for I'm almost to the point where I'd accept a fire to destroy everything and then I could just start over! OK, that's getting extreme, but I'm just trying to emphasize how convicted I am to change. Jesus often reminds me:

 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, 

where moth and rust destroy

 and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6: 19-29

I want more TIME. Time to spend on the important things which are the things that are pleasing and glorifying to my God, my Savior Jesus, the Lover of my soul. I thank Him for convicting me and bringing me to the point of extremity to change. I resolve to never lose one moment of time; but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Perhaps God is convicting you to make changes in your life. It may be a change that will improve your health or something that will help you improve relationships with others. We all have areas in our lives that need improvement and many times the change needed seems impossible to accomplish but God can and does help us. Pray to Him, ask Him to help you, and trust that He will.

Perserve me, O God

Preserve me, O God – for in thee do I put my trust. Psalm 16:1 (KJV)

Last week while pondering on Psalm 16:1, my initial thoughts were of great gratitude to God for saving me from eternal hell. And as I thought further I considered the many ways God has protected me and my family from harm. This is truly remarkable for there is much pain and suffering in our world, yet God has blessed me in countless ways and preserving me for His Kingdom is the greatest blessing of all.

Then a new situation woke me up to why God had been drawing me to Psalm 16. Verse 1 is now not just a verse for reflection on what God has done for me but what God is doing now.

Preserve me, O God(!)– The cry is urgent. The need for help is deep. And the cry is to God for He is the only one who can help. Only God can protect me from the things that I am afraid of.

For in thee do I put my trust. – Trust is assurance that God will do as He promises. True followers of Christ trust that no matter how difficult things may get or seem, God is in control and there is no need to be afraid. I am secure. I rest in the security of Christ’s salvation, God’s preservation, and the Holy Spirit’s comfort.

For in you I take refuge. – God provides of safe place for those who trust Him. I need not fear, the time of difficulty will pass and I will reap blessings along the way.

Preserve me, O God – for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1 (ESV)

We can trust God to preserve and protect us. He hears the cries of those who trust Him, those who know that He is a refuge, a safe place from harm. God gets us through by drawing us closer to Him, strengthening our faith, and showing us His mighty works and His perfect purposes.

Psalm 16 is considered a Golden Psalm because of how precious and valuable it is for the devoted Christian. God’s Word is sprinkled throughout with many Golden Verses – Romans 8:28 is perhaps one of the most precious, golden verses for me. May God bless you as you draw near to Him, read His Word and gather precious gold He has for you.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

A Golden Psalm

It hasn’t been for lack of words or thoughts that I’ve not written for many months, but lack of time and discipline. Today this became a priority. God called me to sit still and write. And so I wrote and then God made it clear to me why I needed to do this now. So we’ll begin with Psalm 16.

Why Psalm 16? Because God has drawn me to this particular Psalm. Over the last many months I found myself going to Psalm 16 while reading the Bible on my iPod and as the verses became precious to me I highlighted them. Over time, nearly the entire Psalm was highlighted. Interestingly, when I referred to Matthew Henry’s commentary just a few days ago, I found that this Psalm is a Mitkim which means golden Psalm. I smile thinking about this since I have highlighted the verses golden yellow.

Something else I found interesting is how the Psalm reads very differently in the King James Version than it reads in the English Standard Version. It’s not that the meaning is really different but that it shows how easily we are affected by our understanding of words. This is actually beneficial for the meaning is much richer when both translations are read.

As I mentioned before, God made it clear why I needed to write now. The answers lies in the first verse. I will share more the next time I write.

May God bless you as you read and ponder on this wonderful Golden Psalm.


Psalm 16 KJV
1Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
2O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
3But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
4Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
5The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.


This psalm is entitled Michtam, which some translate a golden psalm, a very precious one, more to be valued by us than gold, yea, than much fine gold, because it speaks so plainly of Christ and his resurrection, who is the true treasure hidden in the field of the Old Testament. Matthew Henry


Psalm 16 ESV
A Miktam of David.
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is )fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

My Help Comes From The Lord

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

Yes, I fully believe this for I KNOW it is true. Have I always known this? No, there was a time when I was lost and blind. Then God opened my eyes. When He did, I began to see the truth and He continues to improve my vision as He reveals more to me. And what glorious TRUTH it is! For it is not just a belief in a god, it is a LIVING God that I serve; a God actively working in my life, responding to me and guiding me while preserving my soul no matter my circumstance.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

I am FOREVER His and no matter how wonderful or how difficult life may be on this earth, my God never sleeps, my God cares for me at ALL times; HE always has and He always will even after my time on earth is over I'll be with Him forevermore.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.



Do you know the Lord? I hope and pray that you do. It is my deepest desire for others to know the TRUTH and to enjoy TRUE happiness through KNOWING the One TRUE God. May God's GRACE be given to you, making you forevermore His.

Struggling to Fully Trust God

Decisions, decisions, decisions…admittingly I’ve been struggling. Struggling to fully trust God. The philosophies of the world have attacked what I know is true causing me to struggle. Yet, through all of this God has brought me comfort through His Word, circumstances, and through reading “The Sovereignty of God” by A.W. Pink. Here’s a passage especially comforting to me:

Yes, it is to the Lord’s will we should bow. It is for Him to say where I shall live, whether in America or Africa. It is for Him to determine under what circumstances I shall live, whether amid wealth or poverty, whether in health or sickness. It is for Him to say how long I shall live, whether I shall be cut down in youth like the flower of the field, or whether I shall continue for three score and ten years. To really learn this lesson is, by grace, to attain unto a high grade in the school of God, and even when we think we have learned it we discover, again and again, that we have to relearn it. What should our attitude be toward the sovereignty of God?

One of deep thankfulness and joy.

The heart’s grasping of the sovereignty of God produces something far different than a gloomy bowing to the inevitable. This world knows nothing better than to make the best of a bad situation. But with the Christian it should be much different. Not only should the recognition of God’s supremacy stimulate godly fear, obedience, and subjection inside us, but it should cause us to say with the psalmist, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy name” (Psalm 103:1)

The sovereignty of God is not new to me but as the writer says: “… even when we think we have learned it we discover, again and again, that we have to relearn it.” If you are struggling, be encouraged for all you need to do is ask God to help you. Pray to Him to show you the truth. Read the Bible and meditate on the Word of God. Stay alert and see the ways God is working in your life and in others and write down what God is showing you. And consider reading “The Sovereignty of God” by A.W. Pink for he understands why we struggle and he takes us to the Word of God and shows us the sovereignty of God throughout the Bible bringing us to a place that is much more comforting than what the world has to offer. For we can truly rest in knowing that God is in control of everything.

To bow before the sovereign will of God is one of the greatest secrets of peace and happiness. There can be no real submission with contentment until we are broken in spirit, that is, until we are willing and glad for the Lord to have His way with us. A.W. Pink

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

...since it is His message, it must be interesting

Recently while listening to one of John Piper's biographies, I was especially affected by the following about John Newton.

We know him mainly as the author of Amazing Grace. But we should also know him as one of the healthiest, happiest pastors in the 18th century. People said that other pastors were respected by their people, but Newton was loved. To show you the kind of spirit he had, here is a quote that gets at the heart of how he approached the ministry:

Two heaps of human happiness and misery; now if I can take but the smallest bit from one heap and add to the other, I carry a point. If, as I go home, a child has dropped a halfpenny, and if, by giving it another, I can wipe away its tears, I feel I have done something. I should be glad to do greater things, but I will not neglect this. When I hear a knock on my study door, I hear a message from God; it may be a lesson of instruction perhaps a lesson of penitence; but, since it is his message, it must be interesting.

We should have this same attitude of accepting whatever our Lord brings us each day. For when we do, life is less frustrating when it doesn't work out as we would like and we are more open to what God shows and teaches us which then enables us to be used more fully by God. Less frustration and being used by God brings much contentment and happiness.

I especially love how Newton says it must be interesting! For indeed it must be for it is from God! This is where I find great excitement, for God is actively present in whatever the situation might be, catching my attention, revealing His greatness for I know only He can be doing this. And whether it be instruction, admonishment, or encouragement, when I pay attention to Him, life is less difficult, more joyful and definitely more interesting.