The definition of "scale" that I want to discuss is: "any thin, platelike piece, lamina, or flake that peels off from a surface, as from the skin" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scales). When a "scale" falls off of a scab or sore, it reveals fresh, new skin. The new skin is tender, and sometimes fragile. Ointment or medicine can be applied to the skin to minimize scaring. I want to relate this situation to our relationship with Christ.
First, let's look at scenarios where Jesus healed the blind. One case is where Bartimaeus is healed.
Mark 10:49-52: Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=48&chapter=10&version=31).
Jesus simply asked the blind man what he wanted. Without hesitation the blind man told Jesus exactly what he wanted. Do we "see" the importance of the blind man's faith? He told Jesus what he wanted with great faith that Jesus could heal him. He asked and then he received. After his healing, the blind man followed Jesus.
Next, we see how Jesus heals a man who was born blind.
John 9:1-9: As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man" (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209%20;&version=31;).
Now, the first point I want to make in regards to the above passage, is that Jesus dispelled the myth, that if someone was born with an imperfect body that their parents must have sinned against God. Second, Christ, put a "mud mask" on this man's eyes, and when it was washed off (like scales falling off a wound), the man could see. Last, take a look at how others did not recognize the man after his eyes had been open. Can any of you recall a time in your walk with God, after you made a commitment to follow Him, that some of your friends did not recognize your new behavior, new "look," or new personality?
Next, let's look at Paul's transformation and what happened when his sight was restored to him.
Acts 19:17-19: Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=9&verse=17&end_verse=19&version=31&context=context).
It wasn't until Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit that his "eyes were open." I use quotes here to explain how it wasn't just Paul's physical eyesight that was restored to him. Paul's spiritual eyes were open. Paul could now "see" Jesus with his heart and soul. Paul followed his spiritual transformation with baptism.
In all three cases presented above, we can see where there was not only a physical healing, but a spiritual healing as well. When these men had humbled themselves to Christ and asked for God to heal them, they were healed physically and spiritually. Jesus shared with the disciples of their inability to "see" when they realized that they were without bread. Jesus asked them "Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? (Mark 8:17-18, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208%20;&version=31).
Jesus was talking about their little faith and lack of spiritual wisdom. They had eyes, but could not see what Jesus was doing through his teachings and miracles. Jesus performed physical miracles to save people spiritually. He told them that because their hearts were still "hardened" (or unwilling to truly believe that He was the Messiah) they could not "see" His true purpose on earth, nor the Truth that He was presenting to them. Sometimes we as Christians cannot see "Truth" because we're too busy living out our traditions or popular beliefs of the day. We are blinded by religious rules or cultural traditions.
Last year, the scales on my eyes fell after I began my investigation into "Truth." I wanted to know what it was that God wanted me to do. After much research into God's Word, I found that there were traditions that I was keeping that were not in accordance to God's Laws. I took a leap of faith one Saturday, and decided to keep Sabbath instead of "The Lord's Day," Sunday. I can honestly say that my spiritual life has never been the same. You see, the scales of tradition that were covering my eyes, fell off. Because I took the faith of a child and decided to live according to God's Laws, I've been able to "see" things in God's Holy Word that I was not able to "see" before. There are many arguments about how we are now covered by grace and no longer under the Law, but I can tell you this… that Jesus said that he did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. The only commandment that most protestant Christians disagree with (that is, that it is "nailed to the cross") is the 4th commandment. But, if you ask are killing, adultery, coveting, and idol worship nailed to the cross also? Most will say no.
It was by faith, that my eyesight was restored. When the scales fell off of my eyes, it revealed a fresh new look into my walk with God. My life, like Paul's was changed when my sight was restored.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
True Healing
There are days that I think about the miracles written about in the Bible and compare them to my own life. I think about the blind, crippled, and sick that were healed with just a touch from Jesus. We do not read too much of those who went to Christ with a complaint of "I'm just a little blue today." But, what if... what if it was reported about those who only asked Jesus for wisdom and insight into their problems? What if people asked Christ to heal the simplest of ailments?
I have some physical pains that strike at a moments notice. They are pains I've dealt with most of my adult life. It wasn't until a few years ago, that I took a leap of faith and started to pray once this pain arose. It sometimes would occur at a moment when I had no access to ibuprofen or acetaminophen. I would be in a public place knowing that I would be crippled by this pain for at least an hour or so and there was no way to get relief. One day, as I felt the pain start, I decided to pray and ask God to intervene over my body and take away the pain (as I was reminded "ask and ye shall receive"). I can testify that the pain never reached a level like it did before.
I reveal this story to point out this: "God will take care of the smallest situations if you will just ask." Does God answer the prayer the way we want him to? Not always; but He will answer.
Let's now look at the "ultimate healing:" Eternal Life. When I say that God will not always answer our prayers like we want Him too, I refer to the fact that God sometimes has an ultimate purpose for that "pain" in our lives. Maybe that "pain" helps build our testimony so that we may witness to/encourage others who are going through something similar but have no hope. Maybe there's a reason you have cancer... a handicap... an addiction... stress. Maybe your "pain" is apart of a bigger plan that you can't see. It is refreshing to know that God knows why you're going through your "pain." There is always a bigger picture. The trials and "pains" that we experience are to prepare us for our eternal lives.
God waits on us to reach out to him. God waits to heal us from our "pain" until we ask Him. Have you asked God to heal you from your "pain?"
Matthew 7:
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=7&verse=7&end_verse=9&version=31&context=context).
Malachi 4:
1 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the LORD Almighty.
4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse" (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=46&chapter=4&version=31).
I have some physical pains that strike at a moments notice. They are pains I've dealt with most of my adult life. It wasn't until a few years ago, that I took a leap of faith and started to pray once this pain arose. It sometimes would occur at a moment when I had no access to ibuprofen or acetaminophen. I would be in a public place knowing that I would be crippled by this pain for at least an hour or so and there was no way to get relief. One day, as I felt the pain start, I decided to pray and ask God to intervene over my body and take away the pain (as I was reminded "ask and ye shall receive"). I can testify that the pain never reached a level like it did before.
I reveal this story to point out this: "God will take care of the smallest situations if you will just ask." Does God answer the prayer the way we want him to? Not always; but He will answer.
Let's now look at the "ultimate healing:" Eternal Life. When I say that God will not always answer our prayers like we want Him too, I refer to the fact that God sometimes has an ultimate purpose for that "pain" in our lives. Maybe that "pain" helps build our testimony so that we may witness to/encourage others who are going through something similar but have no hope. Maybe there's a reason you have cancer... a handicap... an addiction... stress. Maybe your "pain" is apart of a bigger plan that you can't see. It is refreshing to know that God knows why you're going through your "pain." There is always a bigger picture. The trials and "pains" that we experience are to prepare us for our eternal lives.
God waits on us to reach out to him. God waits to heal us from our "pain" until we ask Him. Have you asked God to heal you from your "pain?"
Matthew 7:
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=7&verse=7&end_verse=9&version=31&context=context).
Malachi 4:
1 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the LORD Almighty.
4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse" (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=46&chapter=4&version=31).
The Rock; The Passion
When we take a look at the life of Peter (one of the disciples of Jesus Christ), one may marvel at how could someone who publicly denounced God could later be able to gain entrance into the kingdom of God?.Let's look at the the definition of the name given to him (his name is Simon Peter, but Christ addressed him as Peter). Peter is defined as the following: "It comes from the Greek word πετρος (petros) meaning "stone" (petra in Latin), which is used in the form petro- to mean rock" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_%28name%29). Even though Peter had a temper and was very passionate about Christ, He still had some major internal issues that he had to resolve.
As we define "stone" we find that Merriam Webster defines it as such: "a concretion of earthy or mineral matter: a (1): such a concretion of indeterminate size or shape (2): rock b: a piece of rock for a specified function: as (1): a building block (2): a paving block (3): a precious stone" (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary). Can you visualize what Peter was thinking while he walked with Jesus and began to see his purpose in the kingdom? I think about how God knew about Peter before he was even born (how Peter's mother had no idea that naming her child such an awesome name would actually come to reveal itself through a human). Peter's name was by no means an accident. Jesus said the following to Peter...
Matthew 16:
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=16&version=9).
Jesus told Peter, "Upon this rock I will build my church," so that Peter would know that no matter what, He would use Peter in His ministry to spread the gospel to others.
The one episode of Peter's life that I'll never forget is when he cut off the ear of the high priest's servant when Jesus was being taken into custody.
John 18;
10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=18&version=9).
The above story was just one of many times that Peter's excitement and passion got the best of him. Peter loved Christ so much that he was ready to cut off a man's ear in order to stop the arrest of Jesus Christ.
Peter is like many of us today. Some of us are 'on fire" for God... we get angry when outsiders don't see what we see in the scripture and we may act out physically (like Peter), non verbally and destroy in seconds what took someone else to build in years. We may disobey God's laws, treat one another unkindly, and even judge outsiders with the wrong perspective. Thank God, that God will use us despite our faults and our sins. Even when our passions sometimes get in the way, Jesus is there to pick up the pieces and mend those who have been wounded in our "battles."
Father God, forgive me when I get angry while presenting your truth to others. Thank you for Peter's example of how even a spiritual leader can get weary, depressed, disoriented, and overwhelmed. God, help me to learn from mine and others' mistakes. Father, help me to understand that I must remain humble in order to win others for Your Kingdom.
As we define "stone" we find that Merriam Webster defines it as such: "a concretion of earthy or mineral matter: a (1): such a concretion of indeterminate size or shape (2): rock b: a piece of rock for a specified function: as (1): a building block (2): a paving block (3): a precious stone" (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary). Can you visualize what Peter was thinking while he walked with Jesus and began to see his purpose in the kingdom? I think about how God knew about Peter before he was even born (how Peter's mother had no idea that naming her child such an awesome name would actually come to reveal itself through a human). Peter's name was by no means an accident. Jesus said the following to Peter...
Matthew 16:
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=16&version=9).
Jesus told Peter, "Upon this rock I will build my church," so that Peter would know that no matter what, He would use Peter in His ministry to spread the gospel to others.
The one episode of Peter's life that I'll never forget is when he cut off the ear of the high priest's servant when Jesus was being taken into custody.
John 18;
10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=18&version=9).
The above story was just one of many times that Peter's excitement and passion got the best of him. Peter loved Christ so much that he was ready to cut off a man's ear in order to stop the arrest of Jesus Christ.
Peter is like many of us today. Some of us are 'on fire" for God... we get angry when outsiders don't see what we see in the scripture and we may act out physically (like Peter), non verbally and destroy in seconds what took someone else to build in years. We may disobey God's laws, treat one another unkindly, and even judge outsiders with the wrong perspective. Thank God, that God will use us despite our faults and our sins. Even when our passions sometimes get in the way, Jesus is there to pick up the pieces and mend those who have been wounded in our "battles."
Father God, forgive me when I get angry while presenting your truth to others. Thank you for Peter's example of how even a spiritual leader can get weary, depressed, disoriented, and overwhelmed. God, help me to learn from mine and others' mistakes. Father, help me to understand that I must remain humble in order to win others for Your Kingdom.
Jesus Loves Me
Ever thought about how much Jesus loves you? I mean really, He gave his life for us.
John records one of Jesus's sermons where He explains what true love really is.
John 15:
9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other (NIV, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=15&version=31).
Jesus already knew that he would lay down his life... but take a look at what he calls everyone... "friends." Also, Jesus explains that we will have "joy" by being obedient. Can we even begin to comprehend being a "friend" to Jesus? How did Jesus define a friend? He said "you are my friend if you do what I command." What did He command? Well, it is written in the Ten Commandments. Since Jesus was with God at the very beginning and will be with God until the very end, He knew the Commandments of God. They are listed in Exodus.
Exodus 20:
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=2&chapter=20&version=31)
I sometimes take for granted Jesus's love for me. I forget about the ultimate sacrifice that He made for me on the cross. Every beating He took was for my sins. Every insult that he received was so I would have eternal life. How could I be so selfish and self absorb to not be reminded every day of His true love for me? I know that I am not worthy of the pain He suffered. But, praise God, He gives me mercy. Jesus will stand one day to defend me against the enemy who wants my soul. I just can't imagine how someone I've never met face to face will one day tell those who persecute me "she is my good and faithful servant."
I know that even though Christ gives me grace and mercy, I should still honor His commands. I should love others (no matter what they've done to me) like God loves them. Being a friend to those who surround me (even those who have wronged me) is what I have been commanded to do. Some say that I am weak for forgiving so easily, but I say that it takes more character and strength to forgive than to be burdened by bitterness. Jesus forgives those who ask, so why shouldn't I? If I claim to love Jesus, then I should be a friend to all, just as Jesus was.
What a friend we have in Jesus; Just to take Him at His Word!
John records one of Jesus's sermons where He explains what true love really is.
John 15:
9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other (NIV, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=15&version=31).
Jesus already knew that he would lay down his life... but take a look at what he calls everyone... "friends." Also, Jesus explains that we will have "joy" by being obedient. Can we even begin to comprehend being a "friend" to Jesus? How did Jesus define a friend? He said "you are my friend if you do what I command." What did He command? Well, it is written in the Ten Commandments. Since Jesus was with God at the very beginning and will be with God until the very end, He knew the Commandments of God. They are listed in Exodus.
Exodus 20:
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=2&chapter=20&version=31)
I sometimes take for granted Jesus's love for me. I forget about the ultimate sacrifice that He made for me on the cross. Every beating He took was for my sins. Every insult that he received was so I would have eternal life. How could I be so selfish and self absorb to not be reminded every day of His true love for me? I know that I am not worthy of the pain He suffered. But, praise God, He gives me mercy. Jesus will stand one day to defend me against the enemy who wants my soul. I just can't imagine how someone I've never met face to face will one day tell those who persecute me "she is my good and faithful servant."
I know that even though Christ gives me grace and mercy, I should still honor His commands. I should love others (no matter what they've done to me) like God loves them. Being a friend to those who surround me (even those who have wronged me) is what I have been commanded to do. Some say that I am weak for forgiving so easily, but I say that it takes more character and strength to forgive than to be burdened by bitterness. Jesus forgives those who ask, so why shouldn't I? If I claim to love Jesus, then I should be a friend to all, just as Jesus was.
What a friend we have in Jesus; Just to take Him at His Word!
My all In all
Many times I'm inspired to inspire others through songs of worship. There is one particular worship hymn that I just can not get enough of lately. The song is "You Are My All in All" written by Dennis Jernigan. If you are not familiar with the lyrics, I'm going to share them with you. Let's look at the first stanza.
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all
There comes a time in our walk with the LORD that we have to submit ourselves totally… humble ourselves at His feet… let Him know that without Him we are weak and at sometimes fools for trying to do things on our own. We also, must remember to praise God in our times of trouble. If you take a close look at the lyrics, you will see the author sharing his admittance to being weak, but also praising God for being a "precious jewel" and his "strength.
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising up again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
When we are humbled by God's grace, we realize that we take up our crosses, our shame, our sins, and rise up to defeat Satan. During these times, when we feel like we are at our weakest, God shows us that through our faults, shame, disappointments, sacrifices, sadness, and even depression, we grow in strength. Satan would have us believe that we are worthless for our past, present and future mistakes, but God reassures us in His word that we will prevail through Christ and our "cups" will be full again.
Psalms 23: 4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023:4-6;&version=51;).
I pray that each and every one of you will cling to God's promises. That you will learn, as I have, that even when there seems to be no hope, that God will once again pick me up, fill my cup, and be my all in all.
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all
There comes a time in our walk with the LORD that we have to submit ourselves totally… humble ourselves at His feet… let Him know that without Him we are weak and at sometimes fools for trying to do things on our own. We also, must remember to praise God in our times of trouble. If you take a close look at the lyrics, you will see the author sharing his admittance to being weak, but also praising God for being a "precious jewel" and his "strength.
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising up again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
When we are humbled by God's grace, we realize that we take up our crosses, our shame, our sins, and rise up to defeat Satan. During these times, when we feel like we are at our weakest, God shows us that through our faults, shame, disappointments, sacrifices, sadness, and even depression, we grow in strength. Satan would have us believe that we are worthless for our past, present and future mistakes, but God reassures us in His word that we will prevail through Christ and our "cups" will be full again.
Psalms 23: 4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023:4-6;&version=51;).
I pray that each and every one of you will cling to God's promises. That you will learn, as I have, that even when there seems to be no hope, that God will once again pick me up, fill my cup, and be my all in all.
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