Meditate on this...

"He (God) stretches out the north over empty space and
hangs the earth on nothing." Job 26:7 (parenthesis added)

The heart of the gospel...

"I have found, my brethren, by long experience

that nothing touches the heart like the cross of Christ.

When the heart is touched and wounded by the two-edged

sword of the Law, nothing heals its wounds like the

balm that flows from the pierced heart of Jesus."

-The Heart of The Gospel, July 1886 by Charles. H. Spurgeon

Something to meditate on for the rest of our earthly lives

"Labour to obtain such a disposition of mind that you may choose heaven

for your inheritance and home; and may earnestly long for it, and be

willing to change this world, and all its enjoyments, for heaven.

Labor to have your heart taken up so much about heaven, and heavenly

enjoyments, as that you may rejoice when God calls you to leave your best

earthly friends and comforts for heaven, there to enjoy God and Christ."

The Christian Pilgrim, Jonathan Edwards, Sept 1733

Hope
My soul, wait in silence for God only,

For my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

On God my salvation and my glory rest;

The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

Trust in Him at all times,

O people; Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:5-8

WOW

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

A good quote to think about...
“As a believer’s life is very different from an unbeliever’s life, so also a believer’s death is very different from an unbeliever’s death. The unbeliever prefers Heaven over Hell;
the believer prefers Heaven over this earth.The unbeliever prefers Heaven only over Hell because
he cannot imagine anything moreblessed than this life. The believer prefers Heaven over earth, because the believer cannot imagine anything
more blessed than life with God.”

Our Great God: Jesus Came....Headed For the Cross

Glorious Truth: Jesus Is God.

- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us...(Jn 1:1, 14a)

- For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (Col 2:9)

- ...He...was calling God His own Father, asking Himself equal with God (Jn 5:18)

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Is Immanuel - God With Us.

- "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." (Mt 1:23)

: This quotes Isiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Is The Savior.

- And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world (1 Jn 4:14)

- ...He (Jesus) Himself being the Savior of the body (Eph 5:23c)

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Is The Lamb of God.

- ...and he (John the Baptist) looked upon Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" (Jn 1:36)

- (verse 18 - we are redeemed...)....with precious blood, as of a lamb....the blood of Christ (1 Pt 1:19)

: See Gen 22, Ex 12, Lev 1-9, 16-17 for background on the sacrificial system God set up, and the lamb's place in it.

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Is Sinless, Spotless, Without Blemish.

- (Jesus)....committed no sin...(1Pt 2: (21) 22)

- ...with precious blood, as a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ (1 Pt 1:10)

- Christ....offered Himself without blemish to God (Heb 9:14)

: See also Ex 12:5 - the sacrificial Passover lam was to be unblemished.

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus (Offered Himself As) The Guilt Offering.

- He (God) gave it (the sin offering) to you to bear away the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord (Lev 10:17b).

- ...He would render Himself as a guilt offering...(Is 53:10b)

- ...just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (Eph 5:2)

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Bore Our Sins On The Cross.

- ...He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors (Is 53:12c)

- ...so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many...(Heb 9:28a)

- ...He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross...(1 Pt 2:24)

: See the book of Leviticus to better understand how the guilt and sin of the people was laid upon, or transferred to, the sacrificial animal - so that it bore the sins for them.

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Is The Sacrifice For Our Sins.

- ...and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (Eph 5:2)

- ...who does not need daily...to offer up sacrifices....because this He (Jesus) did once for all when He offered up Himself (Heb 7:27)

- ...He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb 9:26b)

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Shed His Blood.

- And He said to them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out (shed) for many." (Mark 14:24)

- ...but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water (Jn 19:34)

: Hebrews 9:22b says...without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Suffered For Us.

- ... "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer..." (Lk 22:15)

- ...the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day....(Lk 24:46)

- But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone (Geb 2:9)

______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Laid Down His Life For Us.

- ...I lay down My life for the sheep (Jn 10:15b)

- I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep (Jn 10:11)

- "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again..." (Jn 10:17-18)

______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Died For Our Sins.

- ...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures...(1 Cor 15:3b)

- For Christ also died for sins...(1Pt 3:18)

- But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities...(Is 53:5a)

______________________________________________

Glorious Truth : Jesus Died In Our Place.

- But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities...(Is 53:5a)

- For Christ also died....the just for the unjust....(1 Pt 3:18b)

: The person who sins will die (Ezk 18:20a), because the wages of sin is death (Rm 6:23a), yet Jesus committed no sin (1Pt 2: 21-22).

_______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Died On A Cross.

- ...this Man (Jesus), delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death (Acts 2:23)

- The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death hanging Him on a cross (Acts 5:30)

- ... And they also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross (Acts 10:39b)

: See also Matthew 27:35,40 which speak to Jesus' crucifixion on the cross.

_______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Died Once.

- For the death that He died...once for all...(Romans 6:10a)

- ... so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many...(Heb 9:28a)

- ... but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God...(Heb 10:12)

________________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Paid Our Debt.

On the cross, as Jesus died...

- ... He said, "It is finished!" ... (Jn 19:30) [PAID IN FULL!]

: The New Testament Greek word for 'finished' from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance is #5055 'teleo' - to end, complete, execute, conclude, discharge a debt; 'tetelestai' which comes from Strong's # 5056 'telos' - the point aimed at as a limit, the conclusion of an act or state, result, purpose, spec. an impost or levy as paid. Hallelujah!

_________________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus - The Propitiation For Sin - He Propitiated For Us.

- ... and He (Jesus) Himself is the propitiation for our sins...(1 Jn 2:2a)

- ... He (God) loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 Jn 4:10b)

- Therefore, He (Jesus) had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people (Heb 2:17)

: Simple definition of propitiation: (a noun) that which turns away God's wrath, satisfies God's holy justice, pays a debt. In this case Jesus is the propitiation.

: Simple definition of propitiate: (a verb) the action of propitiating, turning away wrath. In this case Jesus does this.

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Purchased Us (With His Blood):

- ...(Jesus was) slain, and did purchase for God with (His) blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation (Rev 5:9b)

- ... the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28b)

- You were bought with a price...(1 Cor 7:23a)

: Purchase implies a change of Master.

_____________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus - The Ransom Paid For Us.

- ... the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mt 20:28)

- (Jesus) gave Himself as a ransom for all... (1 Tim 2:6a)

: Spiros Zodhiates says this is the price paid for redeeming captives, loosing them from their bonds and setting them at liberty.

: The ransom was paid by God (Jesus) to God (the Father).

___________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Redeemed Us.

- ... (Jesus) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us...(Titus 2:14a)

- Christ redeemed us from the cure of the Law...(Gal 3:13a)

: Redemption gives freedom. Theologians say it an be likened to us having been in the 'slave market of sin,' but Jesus buying us back, purchasing us with His blood.

: Boaz redeemed Ruth [Ruth 4] as her Go'el (kinsmen redeemer - see Lev 25, one who buys back that which is in bondage or had become the 'property' of another). Chris is our Go'el.

______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Took Away Our Sin.

- ... "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of world!" (Jn 1:29b)

- ... He (Jesus) has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb 9:26b)

_______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Expiated / Wiped Out Our Sins.

- "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own Sake..." (Is 43:25)

- "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away..." (Acts 3:19a)

: Expiation is toward humans - Christ sacrifice wipes out a person's sin and guilt.

: Propitiation is toward God - Christ's sacrifice turns away God's wrath.

_______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Covered / Atoned For Our Sins.

- "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgive and whose sins have been covered (Rm 4a;&)

- How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! (Ps 32:1)

: Lev 16:15, 17b - Then he (the priest) shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering which is for the people....that he may make atonement for himself and for his household and for all the assembly of Israel.

: The word 'atonement' is not actually used in the New Testament, especially for the concept of covering. The KJV translates 'katallage' as atonement in Rm 5:11 but the Greek word used there actually means reconciliation, restoration, exchange.

______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus' Blood Cleansed Us.

- And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity...(Jer 33:8a)

- ... and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn: 7b)

- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9)

_______________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Brings Forgiveness Of Sin.

- ...For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:28)

- "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you..." (Acts 13:38)

- In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace...(Eph 1:7)

_________________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Reconciled Us To God.

- For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Rm 5:10)

- ... God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ...(2 Cor 5:18b)

- ... yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach...(Col 1:22)

__________________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Justified Us.

- ... that being justified by His grace...(Titus 3:7)

- Much more then, having now been justified by His blood...(Rm 5:9)

- Therefore having been justified by faith...(Rm 5:1)

: This is a declaration of pronouncement of guiltlessness.

___________________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Made Peace With God For Us.

- ... we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...(Rm 5:1b)

- ... and through Him (Jesus) to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross...(Col 1:20)

__________________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Our Mediator-Advocate.

- For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...(1 Tim 2:5)

- ... if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous...(1Jn 2:1b)

__________________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus - In Whom We Have Eternal Life.

- And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son [Jesus] (Jn 5:11)

- ... but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (Jn 20:31)

- " And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent." (Jn 17:3)

___________________________________________________

Glorious Truth: Jesus Resurrected, Ascended To Heaven, Coming Again.

- ... and that He (Jesus) was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...(1 Cor 15:4)

- ... He (Jesus) was lifted up while they were lookingon, and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9b)

- "And then they will see the Son of Man (Jesus) coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Lk 21:27)

___________________________________________________

He's Always In Control...

God’s sovereignty directs every moment of my life, for my good and His glory. It’s true. I know it. But oh, how quickly I forget it. I need to hear it again. I need to be reminded of it every day. Sometimes I need to speak this truth to myself many times a day!


So, here is another reminder—for me, and maybe you too!


"This, then, is of faith, that everything, the very least, or what seems to us great, every change of the seasons, everything which touches us in mind, body, or estate, whether brought about through this outward senseless nature, or by the will of man, good or bad, is overruled to each of us by the all-holy and all-loving will of God. Whatever befalls us, however it befalls us, we must receive as the will of God. If it befalls us through man’s negligence, or ill-will, or anger, still it is, in even the least circumstance, to us the will of God. For if the least thing could happen to us without God’s permission, it would be something out of God’s control. God’s providence or His love would not be what they are. Almighty God Himself would not be the same God; not the God whom we believe, adore, and love.” (E.B. Pusey, 1800-1882)

(HT: Elisabeth Elliot via Janis Shank)

(Poem) The Will of God

The will of God will never take you . . .

Where the grace of God cannot keep you,

Where the arms of God cannot support you

Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,

Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you . . .

Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,

Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,

Where the army of God cannot protect you,

Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you . . .

Where the love of God cannot enfold you,

Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,

Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,

Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you . . .

Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,

Where the Word of God cannot feed you,

Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,

Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Everything happens for a purpose.

We may not see the wisdom of it all now,

but trust and believe in the Lord that everything is for the best.

(author unknown)

Our Great God

Some Of God's Names

Abba - Our Father (Mark 14:6; Romans 8:15)

El Elyon - God Most High, the Supreme (Genesis 14:18-19; Ps 78:35)

El Olam - God Everlasting (Genesis 16:13)

El Shaddai - God Almighty (Genesis 17:1 Exodus 6:3)

YHVH/Y/Yaweh/Jehovah "I AM THAT I AM" the self-existent One (Exodus3:14; John 8:58)

Jehovah Jireh - God our Provider (Genesis 22:14)

Jehovah M'Kaddash - God our Sanctifier (Exodus 31:13; Lev 22:32)

Jehovah Nissi - God our Banner (Exodus 17:8-15)

Jehovah O'saynu - God our Maker (Psalm 95:6)

Jehovah Qanna - God, a jealous God (Exodus 20:5b Exodus 34:14)

Jehovah Ra-ah (Ro-eh, or Rohi) - God our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)

Jehovah Rapha (Rophe) - God that heals, our Healer (Exodus 15:26)

Jehovah Shalom - God our Peace (Judges 6:24)

Jehovah Shamar - God our Keeper, Guard, Protector (Psalm 121:5)

Jehovah Shammah - God is here with us (Ezk 48:35)

Jehovah T'sidkenu - God our Righteousness (Jer 23:6, Jer 33:16)

Jehovah Tzevaot - God of Hosts / Sabaoth (Js 5:4)

Jehovah Ya'ats - God our Counselor (Ps 16:7)

Beautifully Broken

Awe dude....yet another break-up! I had to explain to my daughter that the gentleman who was pursuing me....whom she and I had been praying for as a potential husband....wasn't going to work. God had given me much discernment on numerous things which had me come to this decision...and I am so grateful for that. But having to explain these things to your child who is the first grade....is tough man!

Madelyn's response was - "Another one Mom?" I gasped! Another one? (I've only 'dated' one other Christian man....so my count was "2") She said...that's 3 mom! Clearly my mouth dropped to the floor.....who in the world was the 3rd guy she was referring to??? My response of course was....Three? And she said "Yeah, . . . 1) Daddy, 2) Mr. Soandso and 3) Mr. Soandso! Wow - I found it mind boggling that she considered her father....as a man in my life! She was only 2 months old when he abandoned her and I after I caught him in adultery. Needless to say....he's a part-time dad to the "T" - only sees her once a week - and because he pays child support....his duty is done. He doesn't call her and he doesn't try to see her more often than the court appointed visitation. It broke my heart. And I explained again....how her Dad made this choice and decision - and it wasn't Mommy's will. She understands that I've forgiven him. But it still hurts. Almost 8 years later!

In a world that often breaks my heart, my deepest pain can also be my greatest source of joy and purpose. Brokenness draws me to God like no other condition can.

He is the only One who can give me true hope and use my pain for His glory and for His good purposes. The deepest hurts of this fallen world may be unavoidable, but God also promises me that He is my "refuge and strength" (Psalm 46:1-2), the deliver of all my fears (Psalm 34:4, and the One who wants to use for good the pain of those who belong to Him. (Romans 8:28)

So often I have wanted to skip my seasons of brokenness. I haven't wanted to feel the pain, sorrow, fear, or shame. I longed for the time when I could just be OK again. But the truth is that until Heaven, I won't ever be OK.

Until then, I have a choice. And so do you.

I am allowing myself to truly experience my broken state. For the first time in my life I am asking God to use my deepest hurts beyond my present circumstances. God promises to trade the ashes of our failures, losses, and suffering for His true beauty. He longs to make us beautiful in our brokenness.

At first, I didn't want to be broken, and I certainly didn't feel beautiful. But slowly as each day passes and I am seeking God's comfort. In my brokenness I am submitting myself to Him and He is showing me what it looks like to be truly beautiful.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted....to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes," Isaiah 61 proclaims. Beauty in God's eyes includes brokenness. And I believe that kind of beauty is the kind that can change your heart. My brokenness may become the greatest motivation for change in my life and in someone else's.

It sure was in Jesus' life. He is the one who felt more rejection than any human possibly could fee. He was abandoned, beaten, ignored, and ridiculed. He is our example of what it looks like to be beautifully broken.

This kind of makeover can't happen unless you allow God to use you in the broken period.

In the midst of all the brokenness I have felt over the past 7 years - and often continue to feel - He has worked in my heart in a way I didn't truly believe was possible.

He is my joy!!!

"I offer my heart to you, Lord, eagerly and earnestly." John Calvin

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue,

to know the word that sustains the weary.

He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears,

and I have not been rebellious . . .

Isaiah 50:4-5

Listening submissively to the voice of God is what brings us the knowledge of God and equips us. Where, then, is that living voice to be heard? In Scripture, and through the patient study and growing understanding of the mind of God as He reveals it there. It is in the Bible that we learn how God views himself, ourselves, and the world, and what he wants us to know in order to serve Him.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done to you." John 15:7

We must be resolved to the Word of God and abide in Christ's Words - understanding and taking hold of the importance of this in our daily lives.

We can't make a god in our own image....yet this is what SO MANY do in the world...and what I too once did. We must remember in order to grow in the knowledge of God - we have to depend upon patience and endurance for this growth. So I encourage you - to open up the Word......and read today. We can come up with numerous excuses as to why we are not having our 'devotional' time. But that is key in our sanctification. Devouring the Word and praying to our Father in the midst of our busy lives is what He wants from us....even more so deserves from us.

Sinclair B Ferguson puts it this way - "Scripture is like a working museum of which the Spirit is the Curator, showing us around and explaining the wonders of the mind of the Maker. In this museum we are taken behind the scenes to learn from God himself. In growing to know God, therefore, there is no substitute for the discipline of Bible study and Scripture reading and meditation. We cannot bypass the handbook God has given to us and then expect that we can that we can know him in our own way."

He will give His divine knowledge only to those who desire to glorify Him. So let me ask you this: Do you know Him? Do you obey Him? Those who know Him - obey Him.

http://www.gty.org/Resources/Articles/A335

A Heart For God

Day by day, dear Lord, of Thee three things I pray:

To see Thee more clearly

To love Thee more dearly

To follow Thee more nearly.

(Prayer of Richard of Chichester, 1197-1253)

I am excited to have my own blog....I've wanted one for sometime now. I'm a bit reluctant as finding the time to write my thoughts and reflections seems complicated for a single working mother. But the idea for me, is that maybe something I write perhaps maybe beneficial or profitable for another woman in this world who may happen across this blog.....whom could be seeking or searching for a heart for God as I am. I send these reflections off both nervously and prayerfully. Nervously, because of the greatness and sheer glory of the subject, and a deep consciousness of my own inadequacy rightly to write about the God whom I have come to love and in some measure know. Prayerfully, because I will try to present the teaching He has given me (us) in Scripture, and I long with all my heart that He might use that to help you to know him. So as you read......do so prayerfully as well - with an increasing desire to grow in the knowledge of God.