"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness," (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV).
What a challenging/convicting/encouraging verse to wake up to!
These verses inspired me to write about them today. I should read this scripture every morning to remind myself that I have things to do. Not my "to do" list, but real, soul-saving, life-changing, ministry to share with others. Yes, first I must live my life as a person with spiritual roots wrapped tightly around Jesus Christ, my Savior. And I must keep myself in The Word constantly so what goes into me is what comes out to others. I must keep learning, but there is also a time to strike out with Jesus and touch the lives of others.
Our Pastor just finished a module on "How to Share the Gospel" last night. He showed us how to use a marked testament to introduce a person to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I feel inadequate and frightened at the thought, thinking I would fumble around clumsily until the person takes off running and screaming, "Help I'm being pummeled in scripture by this crazy Jesus lady!"
Ultimately that is what I want. (Not the running and screaming part). Part of my life purpose is fulfilled if people say, "that lady knows Jesus" when they meet me, and if they are drawn to me because of Jesus, not shunned away.
Listen to the scripture verses one more time from "The Message":
"Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving," (Colossians 2:6-7 MSG).
This verse offers a great reminder to be thankful in all things...overflowing...spilling over with thanksgiving! That image helps me move out and begin my day with a grateful heart, ready to share my love of Jesus with the people I meet.
What are you waiting for?
Monday, April 30, 2018
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Claim Your Identity In Christ
I've been told I spend too much time worrying about what others think of me. Guilty. It is only when I take an honest look at who I am in Christ that I am able to lift my eyes from the ground to the heavens.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you," (Romans 12:3 NIV).
Although there are times I suffer with low self-esteem, there are also times that I find myself feeling a little self-righteous. I must always work at being humble. My Life Application Study Bible NIV edition suggests, "The key to an honest and accurate evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth--our identity in Christ. Apart from him, we aren't capable of very much by eternal standards; in him, we are valuable and capable of worthy service."
When I look at the standards set apart in scripture, I fall short every time. It is only with Christ that I can be made pure and holy in God's sight. No matter how long my list of sins is, faith in Jesus Christ gives me a clean slate, a covering of a blood sacrifice made for me (and you). Jesus Christ went to the cross for me (and you). How valuable does that make me (and you) now!
With our identity in Christ comes responsibility; love one another.
"Honor one another above yourselves," (Romans 12:10 NIV).
It is a struggle to balance our self-examination but Jesus always wins.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you," (Romans 12:3 NIV).
Although there are times I suffer with low self-esteem, there are also times that I find myself feeling a little self-righteous. I must always work at being humble. My Life Application Study Bible NIV edition suggests, "The key to an honest and accurate evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth--our identity in Christ. Apart from him, we aren't capable of very much by eternal standards; in him, we are valuable and capable of worthy service."
When I look at the standards set apart in scripture, I fall short every time. It is only with Christ that I can be made pure and holy in God's sight. No matter how long my list of sins is, faith in Jesus Christ gives me a clean slate, a covering of a blood sacrifice made for me (and you). Jesus Christ went to the cross for me (and you). How valuable does that make me (and you) now!
With our identity in Christ comes responsibility; love one another.
"Honor one another above yourselves," (Romans 12:10 NIV).
It is a struggle to balance our self-examination but Jesus always wins.
Who am I, Lord?
I am in You and
You are in me.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Blessed Sunshine
If you are in Iowa for the week you are excited about the promise of a week-long stretch of 60 degree days and mostly sunny! Guess that doesn't mean much if you life in a warmer climate where 60 degree days are the cool ones. It is all a matter of perspective. Iowa has been under a gray cloud with snow and really cool temperatures all spring and we are tired of it!
Everyone and his/her dog was outside yesterday enjoying the weather. There were bikes and strollers everywhere you looked. Runners and walkers in short sleeves; balls bouncing and hitting the basket; laughter and yelling as kids played. John and I walked; me in my jeans coat and gloves. It was glorious to experience the warm breeze in your face.
The best part of the warmth is the sunshine. What a blessed gift sunshine is! Sun makes the icy water of the lake call to the boaters and fishermen. The warmth fills every car. Sun draws the plants from the cool earth - just down the block tulips were up about two inches - showing how far behind we are. The power of the sun warms up the house through windows - the furnace takes a break during the daylight hours.
The suggested memory verse this week from our pastor is one that fits well with our mild weather. It reminds me of faithful farmers who trust God for their livelihood. They work hours and hours planting the seed, then wait faithfully for the sun and the rain to nurture the seed to open and thrust forth plants that eventually cover the land like a warm, green blanket.
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody," (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV)
I love a quiet life, preferably mixed with sunshine, of course. I long to get my hands in the soil - (when it warms up a little) and care for the plants. There is a life in the soil that awakens my soul to produce some of our food for the summer and into the winter. Though I don't have a garden that requires hours of labor, I'm able to raise tomatoes and green beans with enough surplus to put some in the freezer.
I also use my hands to write. You use your hands also, be it at work - teaching, caring for babies, accounting, laboring, knitting, building, crocheting, feeding livestock, fixing fence, planting seed, pouring concrete, playing the piano or cello, driving truck, managing staff, coordinating items for sale, serving customers, riding horses, studying, governing, preaching, planning or cooking meals, or bagging groceries.
Whatever we do, we are to spend our time in a way that wins the respect of non-believers. Only then will we be able to win them over for Christ. So, be faithful and positive in all that you do. Care about others with the love of Jesus, but don't meddle or gossip. Lead a quiet life of dependence on God alone and glow His love to others.
Everyone and his/her dog was outside yesterday enjoying the weather. There were bikes and strollers everywhere you looked. Runners and walkers in short sleeves; balls bouncing and hitting the basket; laughter and yelling as kids played. John and I walked; me in my jeans coat and gloves. It was glorious to experience the warm breeze in your face.
The best part of the warmth is the sunshine. What a blessed gift sunshine is! Sun makes the icy water of the lake call to the boaters and fishermen. The warmth fills every car. Sun draws the plants from the cool earth - just down the block tulips were up about two inches - showing how far behind we are. The power of the sun warms up the house through windows - the furnace takes a break during the daylight hours.
The suggested memory verse this week from our pastor is one that fits well with our mild weather. It reminds me of faithful farmers who trust God for their livelihood. They work hours and hours planting the seed, then wait faithfully for the sun and the rain to nurture the seed to open and thrust forth plants that eventually cover the land like a warm, green blanket.
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody," (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV)
I love a quiet life, preferably mixed with sunshine, of course. I long to get my hands in the soil - (when it warms up a little) and care for the plants. There is a life in the soil that awakens my soul to produce some of our food for the summer and into the winter. Though I don't have a garden that requires hours of labor, I'm able to raise tomatoes and green beans with enough surplus to put some in the freezer.
I also use my hands to write. You use your hands also, be it at work - teaching, caring for babies, accounting, laboring, knitting, building, crocheting, feeding livestock, fixing fence, planting seed, pouring concrete, playing the piano or cello, driving truck, managing staff, coordinating items for sale, serving customers, riding horses, studying, governing, preaching, planning or cooking meals, or bagging groceries.
Whatever we do, we are to spend our time in a way that wins the respect of non-believers. Only then will we be able to win them over for Christ. So, be faithful and positive in all that you do. Care about others with the love of Jesus, but don't meddle or gossip. Lead a quiet life of dependence on God alone and glow His love to others.
Quietly live in sunshine or gray;
Work with integrity;
Earn honor and respect.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
What Does It Mean To Be Blessed?
On Monday I talked about counting blessings. I think it is an important act for Christians to help keep them feeling positive and to acknowledge the constant presence of God in their lives. When we count our blessings we are uplifted by the many ways God touches us with His perpetual love and care.
"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods," (Psalm 40:4 NIV).
This scripture tells us to keep God as our trust - our Confidant, our Hope, the One we rely on - and if we do we will be blessed. But, what blessed mean? Jesus defines being blessed in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:3-12. But let's look at the dictionary meaning first. The American Heritage Dictionary says blessed means, "worthy of worship; enjoying happiness, being fortunate; or bringing happiness or pleasure."
To bless someone means "to make holy or sanctify, to invoke divine favor upon, to honor as holy; to confer well-being or prosperity upon; to endow as with a talent" (also, from the American Heritage Dictionary). To me that says generally the only one who can bless is God; however, I can think of several instances when people bless others, can't you?
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says the blessed are: those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted and insulted. (See Matthew 5:3-12). My Life Application Study Bible notes say,
"to Jesus, 'blessed' means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost."
To be blessed is to be filled with that wonderful hope and joy that comes from having Jesus live in us - no matter what is happening in our outward life. To be blessed means to be able to take one step in front of the other even when the road we must walk is hard and rocky or along the dangerous mountain cliffs. No matter the cost - be it sacrificing our lives for our faith or standing up for what we believe in and being ridiculed or shunned.
Lord, fill us with your mercy and grace, so we can stand tall as Christians and face any trial that comes our way.
"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods," (Psalm 40:4 NIV).
This scripture tells us to keep God as our trust - our Confidant, our Hope, the One we rely on - and if we do we will be blessed. But, what blessed mean? Jesus defines being blessed in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:3-12. But let's look at the dictionary meaning first. The American Heritage Dictionary says blessed means, "worthy of worship; enjoying happiness, being fortunate; or bringing happiness or pleasure."
To bless someone means "to make holy or sanctify, to invoke divine favor upon, to honor as holy; to confer well-being or prosperity upon; to endow as with a talent" (also, from the American Heritage Dictionary). To me that says generally the only one who can bless is God; however, I can think of several instances when people bless others, can't you?
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says the blessed are: those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted and insulted. (See Matthew 5:3-12). My Life Application Study Bible notes say,
"to Jesus, 'blessed' means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost."
To be blessed is to be filled with that wonderful hope and joy that comes from having Jesus live in us - no matter what is happening in our outward life. To be blessed means to be able to take one step in front of the other even when the road we must walk is hard and rocky or along the dangerous mountain cliffs. No matter the cost - be it sacrificing our lives for our faith or standing up for what we believe in and being ridiculed or shunned.
Lord, fill us with your mercy and grace, so we can stand tall as Christians and face any trial that comes our way.
Blessed are believers
who depend on God
for their well-being.
SDG
Monday, April 16, 2018
Counting My Blessings
Sometimes I just have to start writing until God shows me what my blog topic will be. I was thinking about the snow we received this weekend and it seems like last year we had a really early spring.
Every year is different.
I was also thinking about the women's conference I attended Friday and Saturday and the blessing of worshipping with so many women, hearing powerful testimonials, and Susan Heck's message on the power of committing scripture to memory. I had just accepted that I couldn't memorize scripture, or anything else for that matter, but she gave us some really practical steps to use to help us. She made it seem like even I could memorize, so I just may give it a serious try. The benefits of knowing the Word so well definitely make it worth the effort.
I'm thinking about my grandchildren. How Paige was disappointed that her second rodeo of the season got cancelled because of the wintery weather in Spearfish, SD; how Calvin attended a prom in Ames and will attend his senior year prom next weekend in Gilbert; how Payton spent the weekend working with sheep (is her broken leg healed?); how Bailey has an orchestra concert this week; how Graham loves to spend time with Grandpa when he is working on the farm; and how my sweet Piper is so big and will be in kindergarten next year. My heart just swells when I think of them and I miss them; I love them so much.
Truly, this is a day to pause and count my blessings.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry, He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord," (Psalm 40:1-3 NIV).
My home is warm and my pantry is full; my children and grandchildren are healthy; the snow is adding moisture to the ground that will promote growth and healthiness in the plants and trees; the sun is shining; I love my husband; I have new friends and a new church family; I cherish God's Word and bless the Lord with all my soul. Truly, God has lifted me out of the slimy pit of depression that I was once drowning in. I sing a new song of praise to my God.
"Count your blessings--name them one by one; Count your blessings--see what God has done; Count your blessings--name them one by one; Count your many blessings--see what God has done," (When Upon Life's Billows by Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1897).
God, you have done wondrous things in my life and I lift my voice to praise You! Let me use this day to give you praise for each blessing I count. I am so thankful for Your unending love and mercy. May all I do today bring you glory and honor. Amen.
 |
| Snowy April 15 with a cactus bloom. |
I was also thinking about the women's conference I attended Friday and Saturday and the blessing of worshipping with so many women, hearing powerful testimonials, and Susan Heck's message on the power of committing scripture to memory. I had just accepted that I couldn't memorize scripture, or anything else for that matter, but she gave us some really practical steps to use to help us. She made it seem like even I could memorize, so I just may give it a serious try. The benefits of knowing the Word so well definitely make it worth the effort.
I'm thinking about my grandchildren. How Paige was disappointed that her second rodeo of the season got cancelled because of the wintery weather in Spearfish, SD; how Calvin attended a prom in Ames and will attend his senior year prom next weekend in Gilbert; how Payton spent the weekend working with sheep (is her broken leg healed?); how Bailey has an orchestra concert this week; how Graham loves to spend time with Grandpa when he is working on the farm; and how my sweet Piper is so big and will be in kindergarten next year. My heart just swells when I think of them and I miss them; I love them so much.
Truly, this is a day to pause and count my blessings.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry, He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord," (Psalm 40:1-3 NIV).
My home is warm and my pantry is full; my children and grandchildren are healthy; the snow is adding moisture to the ground that will promote growth and healthiness in the plants and trees; the sun is shining; I love my husband; I have new friends and a new church family; I cherish God's Word and bless the Lord with all my soul. Truly, God has lifted me out of the slimy pit of depression that I was once drowning in. I sing a new song of praise to my God.
"Count your blessings--name them one by one; Count your blessings--see what God has done; Count your blessings--name them one by one; Count your many blessings--see what God has done," (When Upon Life's Billows by Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1897).
God, you have done wondrous things in my life and I lift my voice to praise You! Let me use this day to give you praise for each blessing I count. I am so thankful for Your unending love and mercy. May all I do today bring you glory and honor. Amen.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Let Heaven and Nature Sing
Last night when we came out of our Growth Group meeting it was trying to rain. The air was filled with the wonderful fragrance of rain hitting the semi-dusty earth. It was heavenly. The birds were singing, and the deer were running about like rabbits. This morning the geese are flying over our house and making quite a ruckus as they fly in to land on the nearby pond. Yesterday morning there was quite a sight as I looked over the pond. A goose was perched on the rooftop of a building. It looked like a statue as it stood proudly at the peak probably contemplating its next move.
Iowa is experiencing one of the most mixed up springs ever. Today and tomorrow are to be in the 70s, then Saturday and Sunday may bring snow, again. Just like last weekend. God is in control, while the rest of the world wobbles around in near chaos.
With the two days of beautiful weather I plan to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, do some spring clean-up in the yard, and just plain enjoy being outside. I want to see the signs of life returning to my perennials and I'll be saddened if something died. If nothing else, I will walk around the neighborhood looking for tulips, daffodils or forsythia, wishing I had planted bulbs last fall.
My heart sings: "Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and heaven and nature sing." (Isaac Watts, 1719).
"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth," (Psalm 96:11-13a NIV).
What a blessing spring is to the tired, dreary soul of winter - even when it refuses to leave, we know spring will come and stay, one of these days.
May you count your blessings today and be filled with joy as "Heaven and nature sing!" Amen.
Iowa is experiencing one of the most mixed up springs ever. Today and tomorrow are to be in the 70s, then Saturday and Sunday may bring snow, again. Just like last weekend. God is in control, while the rest of the world wobbles around in near chaos.
With the two days of beautiful weather I plan to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, do some spring clean-up in the yard, and just plain enjoy being outside. I want to see the signs of life returning to my perennials and I'll be saddened if something died. If nothing else, I will walk around the neighborhood looking for tulips, daffodils or forsythia, wishing I had planted bulbs last fall.
My heart sings: "Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and heaven and nature sing." (Isaac Watts, 1719).
"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth," (Psalm 96:11-13a NIV).
What a blessing spring is to the tired, dreary soul of winter - even when it refuses to leave, we know spring will come and stay, one of these days.
May you count your blessings today and be filled with joy as "Heaven and nature sing!" Amen.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Daddy's Face
It is curious what you claim as a memory when a small child. My parents were in a horrific car accident when I was around 5 years old. I still can visualize standing in our kitchen where the wall phone was and seeing my adult sister answering the phone. I heard or understood something bad had happened. Something very bad. That instant is frozen in my memory. But, even now I don't know the whole story.
It was a terribly rainy night and my parents and another couple were going to a meeting. There was a long curve in a road and Daddy was probably driving too fast for the conditions (because he was late); he crashed the car. All four of them were seriously injured. I don't remember how long they were in the hospital but Mama came home with a neck brace for what I understood was a broken neck - a result of being thrust into the top of the car. She wore the brace for a very long time and suffered pain the rest of her life. Daddy came home later, I think, in a wheelchair with a broken leg and his face wrapped in gauze; his mouth wired shut. His face broke the windshield.
I remember my Daddy's face as a series of remaining scars and stitches that over time became invisible to me. I remember him pulling out wire stitches that would work their way out of the maze of his broken face. Eventually his mouth would be reopened so he could speak. And at some point he began to sing again. It was truly a miracle. I know that God saved my parents and the other couple that night.
It just occurred to me that Daddy has his handsome face back in heaven. The scars will be gone and he will be able to smile as before. I have always been comforted to know that Mama's pain was gone but I believe heaven has restored them both fully. Hallelujah!
"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known," (1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV).
What a wonderful day when we see our Savior face to face! I imagine we will be so overwhelmed that we can't take our eyes off our Lord. But, in time - which won't matter in heaven - I imagine we will be rejoined with those we loved here on earth and what a beautiful day that will be.
Thank you, Jesus.
When we close our eyes to this world
we will open them to pure majesty!
SDG
It was a terribly rainy night and my parents and another couple were going to a meeting. There was a long curve in a road and Daddy was probably driving too fast for the conditions (because he was late); he crashed the car. All four of them were seriously injured. I don't remember how long they were in the hospital but Mama came home with a neck brace for what I understood was a broken neck - a result of being thrust into the top of the car. She wore the brace for a very long time and suffered pain the rest of her life. Daddy came home later, I think, in a wheelchair with a broken leg and his face wrapped in gauze; his mouth wired shut. His face broke the windshield.
I remember my Daddy's face as a series of remaining scars and stitches that over time became invisible to me. I remember him pulling out wire stitches that would work their way out of the maze of his broken face. Eventually his mouth would be reopened so he could speak. And at some point he began to sing again. It was truly a miracle. I know that God saved my parents and the other couple that night.
It just occurred to me that Daddy has his handsome face back in heaven. The scars will be gone and he will be able to smile as before. I have always been comforted to know that Mama's pain was gone but I believe heaven has restored them both fully. Hallelujah!
"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known," (1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV).
What a wonderful day when we see our Savior face to face! I imagine we will be so overwhelmed that we can't take our eyes off our Lord. But, in time - which won't matter in heaven - I imagine we will be rejoined with those we loved here on earth and what a beautiful day that will be.
Thank you, Jesus.
When we close our eyes to this world
we will open them to pure majesty!
SDG
Thursday, April 5, 2018
"I Am With You Always"
For many years my father sang the song, "The Holy City, Jerusalem" during the Resurrection season, often on Easter morning. The music still rings in my mind as the story culminates in "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Sing for the night is o're! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna forevermore! As he grew older and weaker, the high notes became more difficult for Daddy. I often held my breath for him as the high notes approached in the song. I think the congregation was still blessed by his singing, even if he struggled.
The last words that Matthew shared from Jesus were the Great Commission, as follows:
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age,"" (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV).
Jesus promises to be with us always "to the end of the age." After Jesus was resurrected He was with the disciples on earth until He ascended into heaven. Luke tells us that after Jesus ascended the disciples immediately left Bethany and returned to Jerusalem and to the temple where they praised God (Luke 24:50-53).
To be honest, until I read the song lyrics as printed below, I hadn't thought about the last stanza which talks about the world we will experience when Jesus returns. Until then, the Holy Spirit is within us believers, giving us wisdom and understanding, guidance and counsel, strength and God's power. Yes, Jesus is with us always. He is here as we wait for His Second Coming and the new Jerusalem. Hosanna forevermore! Amen.
May you always know that Jesus is with you, whatever you face today or in your tomorrows.
Music by Stephen Adams;
words by Frederick E. Weatherly
words by Frederick E. Weatherly
Song Lyrics "The Holy City, Jerusalem"
Last night I lay a-sleeping
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang
Methought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang,
Methought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang
Methought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang,
Methought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!
And then methought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang.
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.
The streets no longer rang.
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!
And once again the scene was changed,
New earth there seemed to be.
I saw the Holy City
Beside the tideless sea.
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away,
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.
New earth there seemed to be.
I saw the Holy City
Beside the tideless sea.
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away,
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing for the night is o'er!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna forevermore!
Sing for the night is o'er!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna forevermore!
Monday, April 2, 2018
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Today and every day forward we are filled with the blessing of Jesus Christ our Risen Savior!
Somehow, for many years, I did not understand just how alive Jesus was after He was raised from the dead! The sections of stories about Jesus meeting with the disciples, Mary Magdalene and Mary, two believers traveling on the road to Emmaus, a crowd of 500, all went over my head.
The facts that Jesus met with believers at the tomb; in the locked room; on a dusty road and over dinner; on a fishing boat; in Galilee; in Jerusalem; and on the mountain; didn't sink in.
I knew Jesus gave the Great Commission after He was Resurrected. And that Thomas felt His Savior's wounds.
But Jesus went fishing after He arose! He broke bread with believers! Jesus traveled about 80 miles after His Resurrection! Jesus was ALIVE. He spent weeks on earth as the Resurrected Savior and somehow, for a long time I imagined it all happened in one day.
It isn't all over on Easter. Read what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth:
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also," (1 Corinthians 15:3-8a NIV).
Risen Lord Jesus, hear our prayers today: Help us to keep you alive in our hearts and our lives every day forward. There is so much of your story we need to share with others, guide us to those who need to hear; give us the message to deliver; fill us with Your power and Your love. This we pray in Your Holy Name. Amen.
SDG
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