“If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus' fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.”
DEUTERONOMY 33-34
29Blessed are you, Israel!
Who is like you,
a people saved by the Lord?
He is your shield and helper
and your glorious sword.
Your enemies will cower before you,
and you will tread on their heights.”(33:29)
LUKE 1:24-56
46And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
JOURNAL
Here we have the end of Moses' life and his last words and the beginning of Jesus'. God is faithful and works in the lives of all people. For all of my 51 years I have seen God work and it is never predictable. Although his ways and methods seem cruel, heartless and dismissive at times...the reality is that they are so far above my understanding that the glimpses that I do get into his reasons and ways, never fail to astound me in their goodness and perfection.
To be able to truly have a God that I can connect to at any moment, that promises to never leave or forsake me and that will always forgive me for my foolish wanderings, is overwhelming. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." It is true and it is the fuel that sustains me and propels me every day of my life.
Three years ago we were into the 4th day of "social-distancing"....so many things happened after that point, here we are now with things completely back to normal, that seems as if it never happened. I look back to then and realize all the good that did transpire although it was mixed with the bad...but that's just the reality of life. Both will always exist this side of heaven. The key is to not allow the adversity be a distraction that takes me away from the core of God's love and from all that he calls me to do and be. Regardless though...God is always there, always waiting, always good...the story of the prodigal is always a great reminder that no matter what we face he is there pure and perfect and loves us far more than we can ever comprehend.
Here we have the end of Moses' life and his last words and the beginning of Jesus'. God is faithful and works in the lives of all people. For all of my 51 years I have seen God work and it is never predictable. Although his ways and methods seem cruel, heartless and dismissive at times...the reality is that they are so far above my understanding that the glimpses that I do get into his reasons and ways, never fail to astound me in their goodness and perfection.
To be able to truly have a God that I can connect to at any moment, that promises to never leave or forsake me and that will always forgive me for my foolish wanderings, is overwhelming. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." It is true and it is the fuel that sustains me and propels me every day of my life.
To be able to truly have a God that I can connect to at any moment, that promises to never leave or forsake me and that will always forgive me for my foolish wanderings, is overwhelming. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." It is true and it is the fuel that sustains me and propels me every day of my life.
Three years ago we were into the 4th day of "social-distancing"....so many things happened after that point, here we are now with things completely back to normal, that seems as if it never happened. I look back to then and realize all the good that did transpire although it was mixed with the bad...but that's just the reality of life. Both will always exist this side of heaven. The key is to not allow the adversity be a distraction that takes me away from the core of God's love and from all that he calls me to do and be. Regardless though...God is always there, always waiting, always good...the story of the prodigal is always a great reminder that no matter what we face he is there pure and perfect and loves us far more than we can ever comprehend.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
LUKE 15:21-24
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