For Shame!

SHAME

is an awful feeling. It makes me -- us -- feel dirty and embarrassed, guilty and unworthy...makes us want to hide somewhere away from everyone.

But God wants us, and promises to, cover our shame. Remember He covered (clothed) Adam and Eve's sin, giving us a picture that points straight to Jesus.

And when we believe the gospel, we are clothed in Christ. All of His honor and righteousness are His gifts to us. No room for shame there!

No matter how ashamed we may feel at any time, we are clothed in the finest royal garments.

We can come out of hiding -- we have nothing to be ashamed of!

When God looks at us, He sees His beloved Son!

Satan wants us to forget that -- let's tell him where to go -- literally!

What God said to the Church at Ephesus

 

                          

                   What God Said to the Church at Ephesus

"You have persevered and have endured hardships for My Name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against  you: you have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first." Revelation 2:4-5

I think about these strong Christians - and they were strong and courageous. But they had lost their "first love" -- that love that sparkled and energized their walk with God when they had first professed faith!

They still acted like Christians, but something vibrant and joyous was missing.

Maybe they had grown stale.

Maybe we all have to focus on that -- retaining that 'first love' day by day as we live and work for Jesus.

Think how far we could fall, too.

But how could we ever lose our eagerness to show our love and devotion to Him who loves us so supremely?

How could we grow cold and stale to the One who has the most loving and beautiful  face in the universe?

Please, Father, I adore You so much. Please don't let this happen to  me. Revive  my soul and reopen my heart to see Your glory and grace just as I did that first moment when I walked into Your embrace and You welcomed into Your arms.

I remember that moment, and help me to never lose that joy and 'first love.' 

You matter more to me than anything or anyone else!

Amen

 

The Good Shepherd - The Shadow of the Valley

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4


We often hear these verses at deathbeds and funerals, to comfort the dying and the living. It is appropriately used this way.

But the main meaning is that the shepherd has the ability to protect the sheep in any kind of danger.

The phrase valley of the shadow of death refers specifically to the passage the shepherd uses to move the sheep from the lowlands where the sheep spend the winter, through the valleys to the high pastures where they go in summer.

The high pastures have the richest grazing land and abundant water. That's where they will spend late spring and summer.

But there is also great danger. Wild animals lurk in the hidden caves and crevices of the broken canyon walls, waiting for helpless prey.

Sudden storms sweep down the valleys, maybe even causing floods in the narrow passageways and blocking escape routes.

The sun does not shine as brightly into the canyons, so there really is a shadow that might at any moment become a shadow of death. They might fall from a precipice and suffer death or grave injury.

No other type of animal requires more perfect handling and controlled direction than do the helpless sheep. 

A good shepherd is essential for their survival. He will lead them through all the harrowing experiences as they journey from the lowlands to the high verdant pastures.

I am the good Shepherd, Jesus said. He will lead us safely through life's difficult times.

Why I believe in Christianity - C S Lewis

This is one of my favorite quotes from C S Lewis -- 

"I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

It took a long time for Lewis to make the decision to accept the claims of Christ. He was 30 years old and a well-known  academic, atheistic in his worldview.  His colleagues, also atheists and agnostics, were shocked at his conversion to Christianity.

But this quote says it all.

And for me, too. Everything in my life -- my purpose, my destiny, the whole story of the world -- makes sense when we see it through the eyes and mind of God.

There is a reason for it all. 

Do I still have questions?  Yes, but small ones that He gradually reveals to me day-by-day, leading me further into His eternal truth.

All the big stuff fits into a glorious picture of His love and grace -- all the big things are accounted for.

Praise God that He is not a God who hides Himself, but  a sovereign, omniscient  God who lovingly reveals Himself to His creatures!

DOXOLOGY!!!

 

Helping Someone - Surprise Ending

 

The other day I was hanging out with a friend.

This friend is a Christian but doesn't always act like one. Some days she's in line with God's Word, and some days life's struggles get the best of her.

As our eyes met, I really wanted to say something about it, but decided to let the Lord speak to her heart, knowing nothing I could say would have the same impact as her Father's Words.

So I prayed with her.

And after some tine passed, I winked at her...

And walked away from the mirror.