Jun

26

He’s alive!

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Our Lord and savior Jesus is amazing. While some wanted him to die and set up a cross on which to hang him on that fateful day, he defied even death and rose three days later from the grave.

What he endured while on that cruel Roman cross was what each one of us deserves. Though because of his perfect plan of redemption for the sins of mankind, he underwent the suffering so we wouldn’t have to.

Pierced, bruised, and crushed—like an innocent lamb led to slaughter. Many would have passed out from only a portion of the pain Jesus suffered. That was the fate of our beloved savior. And so underserved.

The compassion of God is truly greater than anything we’ll ever come to know. The more we dwell upon the flogging…the stripes upon his back…the nails in his wrists…and the crown of thorns on his head, along with the mental anguish from the brief separation from his Father, while he bore our sins, we can more fully understand the magnitude of his suffering. Though because of this miraculous feat, all believers are now set free spiritually from everything that besets our souls forever.

By His stripes we are healed. The greater meaning of it all, we’ll understand in heaven, but for now, we can rest in the truth of God’s word that these things were designed from the beginning for good. All praise, glory, and thanks to God!

Jun

22

Father of fathers

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In the month of June, we set aside a special day to celebrate and honor all men, both young and old, who have earned the distinguished title of Father. A father is more than just being a Daddy or passing down DNA. The task of fatherhood is a great sacrifice, as all fathers can attest.

There is no official instruction manual for fatherhood, no protocol to follow, for each child has different needs to be met. Though the instruction book for life—the Bible—has everything one needs to accomplish the job. What better example to follow than our heavenly Father who, by his grace, has given his children more than what is deserved.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord ~ Ephesians 6:4

Maybe your biological father was absent or less than fatherly. Even so, remember that you have another father—one whom you may not presently see. Another absent father? No, he is very present, even more than if he were standing beside you. The love of this father, our Lord, is incomparable to any other.

To our earthly fathers: We are grateful for all you’ve done for us. Thank you for your sacrificial time, devotion, and love. To our Lord:  Thank you for going above and beyond in sending your son to die on our behalf. May every day be Father’s Day in our hearts toward you, Lord.

 

Jun

12

Ever exalted one

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When the Jews were released from their many years in captivity under the discipline of the Lord by way of the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and also after coming out from slavery through Pharaoh in Egypt, there were so many reasons for God’s people to be joyful and shout aloud to him in their Promised Land.

 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms ~ Psalm 95:2

Like King David was committed to praising God after God delivered David from the hands of his enemies, and through his deliverance, he learned to fear the Lord and not to fear man, we, too, should praise our Lord without ceasing at every opportunity and every turn.

At all times, in every situation, and even through our trials as well as our bliss, praising the Lord is never out of season. Let’s follow the example of David and have our lips filled with God’s praise—always.

Oh, magnify the Lord with Me, and let us exalt His name together ~ Psalm 34:3

Jun

04

From God’s eyes

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As we look at the world through our own limited perspective, it’s not always the view God sees. At even a casual glance, everything the Lord has made here on earth and all that is in it speaks of his divine intelligence. We may take it for granted, but to observe a honeybee dance upon a cluster of sunflowers, or a bird forage for a worm, or a colony of ants diligently building their homes in the sand…there’s an order, a divine order in everything and all for God’s purposes.

God created everything under the sun and made it beautiful in its season. His creation exists as he saw fit to make it, and we who are in it have one purpose—to glorify Him and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Whether in adversity or prosperity, one way or the other, all things of God truly work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose ~ Romans 8:28.

One day, we’ll look back and see the tapestry the Lord has created in each of our lives. Like Joseph’s coat of many colors, God’s divine providence will reveal the picture that was there all the while, if only we had the perspective to fully understand and appreciate all that is divine.

 

May

28

The Greatest Love

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America, the land of the free, is a concept our founding fathers brought forth on this continent that all men should be free from tyranny. They acknowledged their Creator as God, thus paving the way for America to become a blessed nation of freedom.

This Memorial Day, we celebrate our war veteran serviceman and heroes who paid the price and sacrificed so much for our country. We salute them all for their valiant efforts to ensure the safe keeping of our land and its liberty.

With as much gratitude as the distinguished servicemen of our nation deserve, and with as much honor as we can bestow, there’s another brave soul whom we salute…not so much with our hands but with our hearts. Our savior Jesus made the ultimate and distinguished sacrifice to save our souls. The price he paid was the willing offer to give up his own life in obedience to his Father in an effort to bring new life and restoration to the believer.

Thank you, Lord, that we have liberty to worship you in this great land because of the sacrificial efforts of so many… the greatest being your Son.

…and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” ~2 Corinthians 3:17