To Pardon And Sanctify Me

This verse from the old hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, offers powerful hope for our earthly lives and for our eternal souls:

In the old rugged Cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Jesus died to pardon our sins -- our acts and deeds of rebellion -- and to purify our Sin -- our attitudes and dispositions of rebellion.

But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
-- 1 John 1:9 (NLT)

Lord, thanks for saving and for sanctifying me.
Grateful

Hearing Jesus Laugh

The Son still prays and weeps at the right hand of the Father. I look forward to seeing and hearing Him exhale and laugh one day.

Weeping may endure through the night but joy cometh in the morning. -- Psalm 30:5b

Lord, let my life bring joy to your heart.
Grateful

Expectation & Promise

I know this verse of Scripture totally applies to my own life:

A lot will be expected from everyone who has been given a lot. More will be demanded from everyone who has been entrusted with a lot.
-- Luke 12:48b (GWT)

In light of the enormous expectation packed into Luke 12:48b, I am glad for the powerful promise found in this verse:

It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please Him. -- Philippians 2:13 (GWT)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Three Things I Ask of My Lord for My Life

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. He answered them, “People can’t observe the coming of the kingdom of God. They can’t say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ You see, the kingdom of God is within you.”
-- Luke 17:20-21 (GWT)

Lord, help me to remember that Your Kingdom is within me. I desire personal relationship with You, my King, over public usefulness to people. Three things I ask of You for my life:

(1) Intimacy -- to know ever-increasing oneness with You in prayer.
(2) Vulnerability -- to be a real believer, so that others will know You are my Life.
(3) Longevity -- to trust in You alone over the long haul.

Lord, I want my life to be my argument, yes the greatest convincer that You are good. In Jesus name. Amen.
Grateful

What Do I Know of Holy?

I recently heard a young pastoral couple in the Pittsburgh area, Fred and Kelley, testifying about how God has been working mysteriously in their lives over the past few months. Kelley nearly died but God spared her life. During this scary season, Fred became spiritually numb. He took some time alone to seek God in solitude. He said these song lyrics in the form of a question, "What Do In Know of Holy," spontaneously restarted his soul.

Click here: What do I know of Holy? - Addison Road - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Impossibility Has Lost Its Meaning!

I was recently included in a prayer e-mail for a dear friend of mine, Jenny, who is battling some medical challenges associated with the often feared C-word. Here's a portion of the prayer a friend offered on Jenny's behalf:

Your tears flow from God's cheeks. He has known about this cancer (or your problem) far longer than you. He is grieved beyond our poor ability to understand. He holds you close, as you weep together. No heartache, no suffering, no disappointment that we experience has not fully pained our Savior. Not only does He suffer with us, He comforts us with His tears.

It is too easy to say, "God's grace is sufficient." However, God's grace is sufficient. The more difficult our path, the clearer it becomes that God's grace is sufficient. We are unable to do much, unable to comprehend, unable to plan the future because of our limited knowledge and perspective. God does all of that.

You are part of God's incredible plans, you have been walking by faith, you have been trusting God and He has performed the impossible with such regularity that impossibility has lost its meaning! God is not on vacation, He is with you moment by moment. He is your strength. He is your portion forever.

Click here: Your Grace Is Enough by Matt Maher - YouTube

Amen & Amen.

Grateful

Cry for the Whole World

This passage recorded by Matthew about our Lord's life has provided so much vision to my own life as a believer and as a pastor:

(35) Jesus went to all the towns and villages. He taught in the synagogues and spread the Good News of the kingdom. He also cured every disease and sickness. (36) When He saw the crowds, He felt sorry for them. They were troubled and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. (37) Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is large, but the workers are few. (38) So ask the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his crops.”
-- Matthew 9:35-38 (GWT)

I personally added this comment beneath my own August 3, 2012 blog post: Lord, please give us tender tears of compassion for one another and then maybe we will learn to cry for the whole world one-soul-at-a-time. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click here: Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes (lyrics) - YouTube

Give me Your eyes, Lord!
Grateful