"Right from the beginning God's love has reached, and from the beginning man has refused to understand. But love went on reaching, offering itself. Love offered the eternal...we wanted the immediate. Love offered deep joy...we wanted thrills. Love offered freedom...we wanted license. Love offered communion with God Himself...we wanted to worship at the shrine of our own minds. Love offered peace...we wanted approval for our wars. Even yet, love went on reaching. And still today, after two thousand years, patiently, lovingly, Christ is reaching out to us today. Right through the chaos of our world, through the confusion of our minds. He is reaching...longing to share with us...the very being of God. His love still is longing, His love still is reaching, right past the shackles of my mind. And the Word of the Father became Mary's little Son. And His love reached all the way to where I was." (Gloria Gaither - "Hymns for the Family of God", p. 200)
This is so beautiful, so touching, so real that I had to share it with you. God does love me.. and you.. and all mankind, and He desires a relationship with you. You need only to Admit that you are a sinner, Believe that Jesus, God the Son, died to pay the penalty for your sins and that He is alive, and Commit your life to Him, receiving His free gift of eternal life. Then He will pour His love into your heart and call you His own and make you His child forever.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Open My Eyes That I May See
I remain amazed at new truths discovered in Scripture which I have not seen before. They were always there; but my eyes were not opened to them until the present reading. In reading Luke 24:13-32 - the meeting on the road to Emmaus of 2 disciples and Jesus "that very day", the day of Resurrection - I was struck with the fact that the eyes of understanding of the disciples were kept from recognizing Jesus. (Lu. 24:16) As they walked, Jesus explained the reasons of why it was necessary "that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory", beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Lu. 24:26-27) How precious it must have been to be in the physical presence of the living resurrected Lord Jesus Christ and to have Him explain the words that He had given to men to write - His very words! As Jesus supped with them and broke bread, "their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. Their hearts had burned within them as they had listened to Him open the Scriptures to them.
As I read Scripture, I, too, desire my heart to burn within with new truths. Only Christ, the Light of the world can open the eyes of understanding. I desire the risen Christ to "Open my eyes that I might see glimpses of truth Thou has for me; place in my hands the wonderful key, that shall unclasp and set me free." That is the Song my Saviour gave to me for today. What song has He given you?
As I read Scripture, I, too, desire my heart to burn within with new truths. Only Christ, the Light of the world can open the eyes of understanding. I desire the risen Christ to "Open my eyes that I might see glimpses of truth Thou has for me; place in my hands the wonderful key, that shall unclasp and set me free." That is the Song my Saviour gave to me for today. What song has He given you?
Friday, February 27, 2015
Walking Through the Valley of Deep Darkness and Distress
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (valley of deep darkness) I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 24:4
Last evening our Life Group shared thoughts on Psalm 23; it has kept me thinking. The day before I had meditated upon Psalm 118:507a.; "Out of my distress I called on the LORD. The Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my Helper..." The two Scripture readings seemed to dovetail.
The Good Shepherd must sometimes lead His sheep through deep ravines or up steep and narrow mountain paths in order to reach the rich pastures and quiet streams of water that will nourish His sheep. Those areas can be areas of deep distress and danger. In the caves may be robbers waiting in the shadows to steal a sheep. In the shadows of the rocks or bushes may be wild animals waiting for their next meal. Rain and moisture on the trails can cause a fall, as can narrow trails edged by cliffs. But the sheep must pass through.
The sheep who have come to know their Shepherd are not afraid. They know that He will take care of them, just as He has in the past. For the Shepherd carries a rod to drive away the robbers, wolves, bears and lions. He carries a staff with a hook on the end to gently guide the sheep, keeping the sheep on the path and pulling back the one who is straying or is starting to fall. The shadows are real; the dangers are real. But "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear." "....I will fear no evil."
Why, then, as I in distress? My Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, is always with me to tenderly care for me and to bring me great blessing. I must come to know more and more about Him; I must learn to trust Him completely. When I sense danger or am in distress, I must cry out to Him. He will always answer me. O, what a wonderful Shepherd this ewe lamb has!!
Last evening our Life Group shared thoughts on Psalm 23; it has kept me thinking. The day before I had meditated upon Psalm 118:507a.; "Out of my distress I called on the LORD. The Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my Helper..." The two Scripture readings seemed to dovetail.
The Good Shepherd must sometimes lead His sheep through deep ravines or up steep and narrow mountain paths in order to reach the rich pastures and quiet streams of water that will nourish His sheep. Those areas can be areas of deep distress and danger. In the caves may be robbers waiting in the shadows to steal a sheep. In the shadows of the rocks or bushes may be wild animals waiting for their next meal. Rain and moisture on the trails can cause a fall, as can narrow trails edged by cliffs. But the sheep must pass through.
The sheep who have come to know their Shepherd are not afraid. They know that He will take care of them, just as He has in the past. For the Shepherd carries a rod to drive away the robbers, wolves, bears and lions. He carries a staff with a hook on the end to gently guide the sheep, keeping the sheep on the path and pulling back the one who is straying or is starting to fall. The shadows are real; the dangers are real. But "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear." "....I will fear no evil."
Why, then, as I in distress? My Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, is always with me to tenderly care for me and to bring me great blessing. I must come to know more and more about Him; I must learn to trust Him completely. When I sense danger or am in distress, I must cry out to Him. He will always answer me. O, what a wonderful Shepherd this ewe lamb has!!
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