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Times of Refreshing

Posted in Blessings, God's Goodness, God's Grace, Uncategorized, tagged Acts 3:19, Blessings, God's Goodness, God's Grace on February 24, 2014| 4 Comments »

“Times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Peter said (Acts 3:19b).

I wonder: What might those refreshing times look like?

If we think about those moments that restore us physically and emotionally, we’ll find clues to the spiritual refreshment God offers.

For example, do you feel renewed after…

…a good night’s sleep?

Jesus offers rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29-30)–rest that includes insulation against fear and worry.

…a tall, cool glass of water on a hot day?

Jesus offers “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). He was speaking of an enhanced life–characterized by peace, joy, and his comforting presence. Finally, this enhanced life will turn to ecstasy once we’re transported to heaven.

…a delicious meal?

Just as food satisfies our stomachs, God’s Word satisfies our spirits. The Bible fills us with truths that strengthen and promises that revive.

…a heart-to-heart chat with a friend?

God actually designed us for symbiotic relationship. “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). But the uplift is augmented when we know Jesus and seek his wisdom–his ways–in our interactions.

Then consider the relationship we have with Jesus himself. I can’t imagine living without him, can you? Just a quick reminder that he is in control and has a plan can ease any anxiety. When I affirm he will supply my needs and those of family and friends, I can breathe easier. Knowing he is always with me is great comfort. When I avail myself of these benefits, he does indeed restore my soul (Psalm 23:3a).

…a hot shower?

Nothing is quite as restorative as washing away the grime of the day and allowing the pelting water to ease weary muscles.

Peter spoke clearly and bluntly, “Repent…turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19a).

Why do we resist repenting–confessing and turning away from those things we know deep down aren’t good for us? We’re like little kids, grungy and itchy from playing in the dirt, and resisting a bath!

But if we do not repent, if our sins are not wiped out, the times of refreshing from the Lord cannot come. Here’s the whole of Acts 3:19, parts A and B together:

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

I do not want to be tired, thirsty, hungry, lonely, or dirty in my spirit. Not when God’s refreshing grace is always available for renewal, restoration, and replenishment.

* * * * * * * * * *

So here I am, Lord, coming to you with a repentant heart. I don’t want to live in some remote wasteland, removed from your presence! Thank you for your restoration that is complete and your provision of refreshing times that are continual. All day long you replenish my spirit! Even in the night you restore my soul. Your loving kindness and grace are boundless, and my spirit soars with praise!

(Photo credit: http://www.wikimedia.org)

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Light, Rainbows, and Dance

Posted in God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Promises, Praise, Prayer, Worship, tagged 1 John 1:5, bubbles, Exodus 34:6, Ezekiel 1:27, Genesis 9:15-17, God, God is Light, God's Grace, Isaiah 40:11, Praise, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 76:4, Rainbows, Worship on November 4, 2013| 16 Comments »

As I set the dish washing soap down on the counter, a small cluster of bubbles burst from the open top. Playfully they danced upward in front of the window. And I didn’t just smile; I giggled.

Memories associated with bubbles floated through my mind as I watched those drifting bubbles—memories of our children, and now our granddaughter–gleefully capturing bubbles that family members provided for their popping pleasure. As they grew older, the children took on the challenge of slow and steady blowing, to make the biggest bubbles possible.

But it’s just a pocket of air surrounded by a film of soap. Why is it that a bubble grabs our attention?

First, no one can refute their beauty:

Bubbles reflect light and sparkle with iridescence.
Bubbles refract light into brilliant pastel hues. Ever-changing ribbons of color pirouette over the surface in rainbow swirls.
Bubbles gracefully glide across space, undulating on the air currents.

Each of these aspects can also draw attention to another form of beauty: the beauty of the Lord.

(“One thing I ask of the Lord,

this is what I seek: …

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.”

–Psalm 27:4)

But what does the beauty of bubbles (of all things) have to do with God?

Bubbles remind me that:

1) God is light (1 John 1:5). Ezekiel saw him “as if full of fire…Brilliant light surrounds him” (Ezekiel 1:27). “The Lord is my light” is also a symbolic statement, referring to his truth and goodness.

2) The refraction of light into glorious colors is reminiscent of the first rainbow (Genesis 9:15-17). God told Noah that never again would he send a flood to destroy all life on earth. The rainbow was a sign of this promise. To this day, a rainbow—even a rainbow on a bubble—is a reminder that God keeps his promises.

3) The grace with which bubbles move brings to mind the grace of God. He, too, moves in gentle ways within our spirits, like a loving shepherd tenderly gathering the lambs to his heart (Isaiah 40:11).

Perhaps God’s whole intention for creating bubbles (and many other phenomenon in nature) was to grab our attention and turn our thoughts to him.

So the next time bubbles escape from the bottle of the dish soap, you may wish to send up a prayer of praise, as they merrily bob through the air:

You are resplendent with light, O God (Psalm 76:4)!

You are faithful to all your promises (Psalm 145:13c)!

You are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,

abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6)!

But why wait for serendipity bubbles? Take some of that dish soap and create your own!

Revel in the sparkling light, the whirling rainbows, the graceful dance…

…and worship!

(photo credits: www.flickr.com; http://www.pixabay.com; www.dailyverses.net; wikimedia.com; http://www.pixabay.com.)

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The Daddy/Daughter Dance

Posted in Blessings, God's Delight, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, Joy, Praise, Worship, tagged Appreciation, Blessings, God's Goodness, God's Love, Joy, Pleasure, Worship on September 30, 2013| 15 Comments »

Our granddaughter, Elena, is now seven months old, and already her personality is evident.

For example, when she awakens in the morning, Elena plays contentedly in her crib for ten minutes or so. She chews on her pacifier from every angle, rolls around, practices her pike position, and plays with a snuggle toy or the zipper on her sleep sack. Elena may also struggle to crawl or even pull herself up into a standing position, in spite of the confines of the sleep sack. Eventually she lets the household know that crib-playtime is over and she’d like to be rescued.

The rescuer receives rich reward–a big 1000-watt smile, a few squeals of pleasure, and panting excitement at what the new day might hold.

And though she enjoys songs and stories, Johnny Jump-Up and toys, her favorite activity has to be dancing with her daddy. Eric, our son, has created a playlist specifically for this activity, many tunes from Disney musicals.

I recently had the pleasure of watching Eric and Elena perform this ritual. Eric tucks her firmly in one arm, while holding her hand out with the other. True ballroom style. And though they may begin with a gentle waltz, Eric soon takes off with gentle jogging and polka steps. He adds his voice to Angela Lansbury’s and David Tomslinson’s.

But the other morning, my pleasure in watching them dance turned to uproarious laughter, as Eric mimicked a few of the chimney sweeps’ moves from Mary Poppins. Knees rising high with each step, and dips in between, he marched across the dining room. Then with broad, high kicks he pranced in the other direction. Elena bobbed in his arms, beaming and squealing.

And I thought, O, Lord, this is such supreme pleasure–to watch a daddy and his daughter do a silly dance, reveling in the music, the movement, and each other. Do you, Father, take joy in watching us, your children, delighting in all the pleasures you’ve given? Surely so. Otherwise, why would you have provided spectacular colors, intricate patterns, and incredible variety in creation? Why would serendipity blessings suddenly drop into our laps? Yes, we need to keep pleasure in its proper place, and not let the pursuit of it consume us. But I glory in those delights you have ordained. And I worship you for your gracious love, motivating you to make us laugh and smile. Thank you, God.

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Imagine

Posted in Book Reviews, Encouragement, Faith, God's Grace, God's Promises, Hope, Uncategorized, tagged Encouragement, Faith, God's Grace, God's Promises, Hope, Jon Bloom, Old Testament Joseph on August 12, 2013| 6 Comments »

Not by Sight: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Walking by Faith - By: Jon Bloom, John Piper

Imagine…

…the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11), walking home after her encounter with Jesus. What must she have been thinking?

…Zacchaeus, the despised tax collector, coming to your door to return the money he owed you—plus four times more (Luke 19:1-10). What would have been your reaction?

…how it felt to be Joseph Barsabbas, the candidate not chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:26). How might he have responded?

These are just three out of thirty-five scenarios Jon Bloom explores in his book, Not by Sight: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Walking by Faith (Crossway Books, 2013). Indeed, they are fresh, creative takes on familiar Bible stories.

And although quite short, just three pages or so in length, each vignette still gives plenty of food for thought. I found them to be compelling, insightful, and instructive—encouraging my walk of faith.

One of my favorites is “Staying Faithful When Things Get Worse.” Jon imagines what Joseph must have been thinking as a falsely accused prisoner in Egypt. For at least twelve years he endured the hellish conditions and tormenting hopelessness. Those should have been the best years of Joseph’s life—his youth. Many would have said, “What a waste.”

Imagine year nine, Jon suggests. Surely Joseph fought against depression and discouragement, even as he recited to himself the promises of God. No doubt he reviewed in his mind the stories of his ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and even those of his own father, Jacob.

Jon Bloom imagines Joseph affirming repeatedly that, just as God had been faithful to them, he would be faithful to Joseph. Each patriarch had faced situations that seemed impossible.

Abraham and Sarah were much too old to have a child.

The older brother, Esau, would never serve his younger brother, Jacob–even if the age difference between twins was slight. That promise of God went against all tradition and logic.

Jacob was a poor runaway. He couldn’t possibly become a wealthy herdsman.

But each man and his family had been blessed, just as God had promised. Why? They remained faithful. Yes, they made mistakes and failed to obey God on occasion. But they never turned their backs on him, even when circumstances turned bleak.

Jon Bloom also imagines Joseph reaffirming his faith in God and his willingness to wait for him to act. Meanwhile, he would continue to honor God, even within prison walls.

As Jon brings the vignette to a close, he shares fresh application:

Even in the care of Almighty God, circumstances may get worse, not better. “Faith in God’s future grace for us is what sustains us in those desperate moments,” Jon says. Our hope is best placed in God, in his promises, and especially the assurance of eternal bliss in heaven yet to come.

Jon Bloom perfectly fulfills the role of a writer, as defined by Anais Nin, American author of the twentieth century: “The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.”

Page after page, this is what Jon Bloom did for me. No doubt he will do the same for you.

(Art Credits: www.angieblattner.theworldrace.org ; www.illustrationartgallery.com )

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Undeserved Goodness–Part 2

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, God's Goodness, God's Grace, Uncategorized, tagged Blessings, Encouragement, God's Goodness, God's Grace, Grace on June 27, 2013| 7 Comments »

On Monday we began a list of the riches we enjoy because of God’s G.R.A.C.E.–God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

Or, as Matthew Henry defined God’s grace: the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind.

And because our God loves us so very much, his grace is multi-faceted. Thus far I’ve discovered forty-seven aspects of God’s grace. On Monday I shared twenty-three; here are the remaining twenty-four.

24. An unshakable KINGDOM, as a promised inheritance (James 2:5).

25. Everlasting LOVING-KINDNESS that draws us to him (Jeremiah 31:3).

26. Rich MERCY that spares us from what we really deserve (Ephesians 2:4-5).

27. Wonderful NEWNESS of Life with Christ, who is our constant companion (Romans 6:4).

28. Deep PEACE, because God’s children have nothing to fear (John 14:27).

29. A positive PERSPECTIVE, to see good in the bleakest of circumstances (Philippians 1:12-18).

30. A privileged POSITION as members of a royal priesthood, because through Christ we belong to God (1 Peter 2:9).

31. God’s joyful PRESENCE, which makes our hearts glad (Psalm 21:6).

32. Flourishing PROSPERITY of soul, because our confidence is in God, for his provision and protection (Psalm 128:1-2).

33. Personalized PURPOSE, to fulfill a God-ordained plan (Jeremiah 29:11).

34. Full QUALITY of Life, as a child of the King (John 10:10).

35. An intimate RELATIONSHIP with Almighty God, like two good friends having dinner together (Revelation 3:20).

36. Quiet REST, as we allow him to handle our worries and fears, heal our hurts, and relieve our guilt (Matthew 11:28-30).

37. Generous REWARD for whatever good we do (Ephesians 6:8).

38. Eternal SALVATION incredibly given to us as a free gift (Romans 6:23).

39. Life-changing SATISFACTION, because God’s love and power are at work in us (Psalm 63:2-5).

40. Firm SECURITY that God will never fail us (Lamentations 3:22).

41. The all-sufficient STRENGTH of God to equip us for life’s challenges (2 Corinthians 12:9).

42. An unending SUPPLY of everything we will ever need (Philippians 4:19).

43. God’s abiding THOUGHTFULNESS of each of us, 24-7 (Psalm 139:17-18).

44. The absolute TRUTH of his Word, with its reliable guidance and uplifting encouragement (Psalm 119:137-138).

45. Lavish UNDERSTANDING because he knows our weaknesses (Ephesians 1:7-8, Romans 8:26).

46. Assured VICTORY over Satan, because of Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:57).

47. Divine WISDOM to determine right actions from wrong (James 1:5).

No doubt this is just a partial list. In fact, if you discover additional facets of God’s grace, I would love to hear from you. We can make this discovery process a team effort!

But even as the list stands now, these varied and glorious gifts of God’s grace prove his sufficiency. He is all we need (Isaiah 58:11).

* * * * * * * * * *

Thank you, Father, for showering us with your grace–grace that blesses us far beyond comprehension. You are indeed most worthy of our praise, because the greatness of your grace no one can fathom.

Art and photo credits: www.lifehopeandtruth.com ; www.BreathOfLifeOnline.net ; www.dilshara.redbubble.com ; www.lift-up-jesus.blogspot.com ; www.creativeoutburst.com

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Undeserved Goodness–Part 1

Posted in Blessings, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Provision, Uncategorized, tagged Blessings, God's Grace on June 24, 2013| 8 Comments »

G.R.A.C.E. = God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

Many of us are familiar with that definition of God’s grace, based on Ephesians 1:7-8.

I like Matthew Henry’s definition, too:

Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind.

But I’m left wondering: What are those riches? What does God’s goodness look like?

The first undeserved favors we might think of include forgiveness, salvation, his peace and presence, guidance and joy. But surely there are more. How many more? I began to keep a list. It currently includes forty-seven aspects of grace.

Perhaps you’ll be awed and inspired as I was, contemplating the overwhelming riches that God supplies. All because of the price Jesus paid for us at the cross. Each one deserves careful thought, because each is a precious treasure. I’ll share twenty-three of them today, and the rest on Thursday. You’ll notice they’re organized in alphabetical order. A hierarchy would have been impossible.

GOD’S GRACE INCLUDES:

1. Unconditional ACCEPTANCE no matter what we’ve done (Luke 15:11-24).

2. Confident ACCESS to God, to talk to him any time, day or night (Hebrews 4:16).

3. Loving ADOPTION into his forever family (Ephesians 1:5).

4. Faithful ATTENTION to our prayers (Psalm 6:9).

5. Rich BLESSINGS to all who call upon him (Romans 10:12).

6. Attentive CARE through life’s ups and downs (1 Peter 5:7).

7. Compassionate COMFORT when we’re afflicted (Isaiah 49:13).

8. Trustworthy COUNSEL, offering guidance for the best way to live (Psalm 73:24).

9. Promised DELIVERANCE on which to set our hope (2 Corinthians 1:10).

10. Strong EMPOWERMENT to do what he asks , which is always in our best interest (Acts 1:8).

11. Continual FAVOR as a child of the King (Proverbs 8:35).

12. Augmented FELLOWSHIP with other Christians (1 John 1:7).

13. Complete FORGIVENESS for our sins (Hebrews 8:12).

14. Liberating FREEDOM from sin, death, worry, and fear (Romans 8:1-2).

15. Satisfying FRUITFULNESS for a productive life (Philippians 1:10-11).

16. Special GIFTS of the Spirit, not for just a few stellar believers, but for everyone (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

17. Glorious HEAVEN to look forward to, with a place for each of us (John 14:2-3).

18. Competent HELP that is always near (Psalm 115:11).

19. The powerful HOLY SPIRIT, who is constantly working for us and in us (John 16:13, Romans 8:26-27).

20. Enduring HOPE which renews our strength (Psalm 62:5; Isaiah 40:31).

21. Reliable INSIGHT into God’s Word and how we can apply it to everyday living (2 Timothy 1:7).

22.Overflowing JOY, independent of circumstances (Psalm 16:11).

23. Unfailing JUSTIFICATION, because the God of the universe has declared us “not guilty” (Romans 3:23-24).

THINK OF IT:

At the moment each person invites Jesus into his or her life, all of these riches become instantly available. Yet there are more. I hope you’ll be looking forward to Thursday’s list.

(Art and Photo credits: biblicallyshapedblogspot.com , wonders.wallpaperdave.com, gracefreak.dan.wordpress.com, barnabasonline.net, mintools.com/gifts-list.)

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Come to the River

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, God's Grace, tagged Blessings, God, Grace, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalm 46:4 on May 23, 2013| 13 Comments »

Let’s take a walk down to the river, you and I. It won’t take long—I know how busy you are…

…You’ll come? Splendid!

It’s much too lovely a day to stay indoors anyway. See how the sunshine fairly dances across the mounds of bright white clouds? And look how the yellow asters and violets seem to vie for attention in the grass.

Listen! Before we even glimpse the river through the trees, we can hear the water gurgling over the rocks.

Ah-h-h. Feel that cool air? These grand, shady oaks grow especially lush by the river.

River under the Trees (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here we are! I told you it wouldn’t take long. Let’s sit on these rocks for a moment.

Isn’t it peaceful? The only sounds are the burbling eddies and the distant chirping of a few birds. Must be nap time for the woodland creatures.

The water currents are moving at a slow, steady pace today. Look how the sun glints off the gentle ripples, like tiny stars on liquid sky.

What is it about water that we find so appealing? Why does a vista of calm waters also calm our spirits?

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Such questions bring to mind a scripture about God being like a river.

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells” (Psalm 46:4).

Those of us who love God are the inhabitants of the city, made glad by the streams of the God River.

But how is God like a river?

One, he is our resting place, much as this river offers a quiet retreat. Just reflecting on a few of his names can calm our hearts. He is our Shepherd—caring and protective, he is our Rock—reliable and strong, he is our Father—loving and kind.

Just to name a few.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two, God’s grace (all of his riches) comes to us like the water of this river, in an unending flow. And much as we delight in this scenic view of drifting water and majestic trees, God’s exquisite grace cheers our hearts again and again.

But to enjoy the river fully, we have to sit on its banks. We have to look and listen with focused attention. Otherwise we’ll miss much of its beauty.

The same is true of God’s grace.

So sit quietly. Turn over in your mind the glorious treasures of his grace, and inspect them:

• Inexhaustible love

• Unmerited favor

• Total forgiveness

• Eternal bliss in heaven

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• Lavish provision

• Unfailing empowerment

• Delightful blessings

• Dazzling transformation

And again, this list is just a sampling.

Last, consider these grand oak trees. They, too, offer appropriate imagery of another Bible passage about rivers.

“Blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season”
(Jeremiah 17:7-8, MSG).

* * * * * * * * * *

Oh, Lord, thank you for your peace and grace that flow unending like a great river. I reaffirm my trust in you. My heart’s desire is to be like one of these trees– spiritually strong, serene, and calm—no matter what happens. And I want to bear fruit, to grow qualities that reflect you. As I seek to send my roots deep into the soil of your Word, guide my thoughts and actions. Because most of all, I want to honor you.

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Lessons from a Newborn

Posted in Blessings, God, God's Delight, God's Grace, Praise, Prayer, Uncategorized, tagged Blessings, Ephesians 3:18, God, God's Goodness, God's Grace, Grace, Praise, Prayer, Proverbs 15:8, Psalm 69:30-31, Romans 8:26 on May 20, 2013| 17 Comments »

Her name is Elena (EL-e-na) Grace, born February 28, 2013. As you can see, she sports a fuzzy round head and pudgy cheeks. What you can’t see are her feet–long and slender like her father’s.

Now two months old, she studies her surroundings and tracks right and left the toys we jiggle for her. Elena already likes books, too. Wide, blue eyes take in as much as possible before the page turns. As her grandmother, I’m delighted to play and read, just to see her reactions.

Elena’s father, our son, is an artist. A number of his paintings hang in their home. Hold Elena in front of one and she scrutinizes it carefully.

“Wow!” her eyes seem to say. “Have you ever seen such creativity? Such interesting spatial composition? What intriguing juxtaposition! Such beauty.” (Yes, I’m sure these would be her comments if Elena could talk. Grandmothers know these things.)

Early in April she began to smile. Each time her little face lit up, my spirit lifted.
And then came the first “coo,” followed by many more. No doubt Elena thinks she’s joining in the conversation. We listen closely to catch every “word.”

Is this how it is for our Heavenly Father?

I wonder…

Does his heart fill with delight when we revel in His creation, as Elena delights in her daddy’s paintings? Does he experience joy when we take pleasure in his blessings, much as we take pleasure in Elena’s smiles? Surely so.

Psalm 69 gives us a hint: “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord” (Psalm 69:30-31a). One of God’s names is Creator. He is also God of grace. What a privilege–to make the King of the universe smile, simply by expressing praise and thanksgiving for what he has made, and what he has done.

I wonder…

Does he listen closely to every word (as we listen for Elena’s coos)–even to our thoughts that defy words?

Oh, yes.

“He delights in genuine prayers” (Proverbs 15:8b, MSG).

“If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans” (Romans 8:26, MSG).

God listens and responds, even to inarticulate prayers.

Why? His love for us is wide and long and high and deep (Ephesians 3:18), in spite of our shortcomings and disobedience. Incredible, isn’t it?

Thank you, Father, for your loving kindness, your forgiveness and empowering presence. Thank you for treasuring us even more than we treasure our families. And thank you for little Elena, who brings new attention to familiar old truths.

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The Glory of the Cross

Posted in God's Faithfulness, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Power, God's Salvation, Jesus, Salvation, tagged 1 Corinthians 1:7, Calvary, Christ, Ephesians 1:18-23, Ephesians 1:7, God, Grace, Romans 3:23-26, Romans 5:8, Salvation on March 28, 2013| 7 Comments »

Crucifixion IV (Photo credit: Remara Photography)

Seems like a cruel oxymoron, doesn’t it—to put the words glory and cross together. Glory carries positive connotations of splendor, radiance, and goodness. The cross is a symbol of horrific pain and suffering.

But the cross is also “an exhibition of the nature of God” (Oswald Chambers). You see, God’s glory is the fullness of who God is, his nature, and includes all his attributes and characters traits. Many of those attributes were at work when God provided the way of salvation for us. The glory of the cross includes:

1. Love

“God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Such love is incomprehensible. How could he possibly desire to be in relationship with us? How could he delight in us, frail and self-centered as we are? It makes no sense.

Yet, he sent his Son, Jesus, to take the punishment we deserved and to offer us eternal life. When we invite Jesus into our lives, God takes us from the gutter of depravity and elevates us to the status of beloved children. We are adopted into the family of God (Ephesians 1:5). Incredible!

2. Grace

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

What is grace? All the facets of God’s love—his forgiveness, benevolence, presence, peace, provision, and more—made available to us, who don’t deserve it. Grace prompted God to provide a way for us to experience his love—through the sacrifice of his only Son.

Did you notice? God is the one who provided the way to him; we do not have to figure it out for ourselves, and then hope for the best. By God’s grace, he has made salvation (rescue from death) a sure thing. We can know our place in heaven is secure!

God’s grace, put on display at Calvary, sets Christianity apart from any other belief system in the world.

3. Power

“I pray that…you may know…his incomparably great power for us who believe…, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead” (Ephesians 1:18-21).

No one can raise someone from the dead except God. When Jesus was resurrected, he demonstrated his power over death, and proved the validity of eternal life, not only for himself, but for all those who believe in him.

But Jesus’ resurrection was not the end of his mission. Read the next couple of verses (22-23) to discover that, after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended back to heaven, God seated His Son at his right hand (the seat of honor). Now Jesus’ power and authority is above all other rule and authority in the universe.

And someday, Jesus will share that power with us. Those of us who have accepted Jesus into our lives will reign with him in heaven (2 Timothy 2:12). My heart is filled with wonder and awe at such a privilege.

4. Faithfulness

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful” (1 Corinthians 1:7).

Faithful to forgive. Faithful to see us through the journey of this life. Faithful to win the battle over evil in the end. Faithful to keep his promise of eternal life, because of the sacrifice of his Son on the cross.

Our faithful God made salvation so simple for us, but it cost him so much.

5. Justice

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus…He did this to demonstrate his justice” (Romans 3:23-26).

We all deserve punishment, and our guilty consciences confirm that truth. But God made it possible for us to be forgiven and ushered into relationship with him. He declared us “not guilty” because Jesus paid the penalty..

I love the way Eugene Peterson explains it in his paraphrase, The Message: “Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:23-24).

A pure, precious gift; paid for at Calvary. The glory of the cross.

For you. For me.

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Far-Reaching Salvation

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, God, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Salvation, Salvation, tagged Blessing, Encouragement, Salvation on February 28, 2013| 8 Comments »

“My heart rejoices in your salvation,” David proclaimed (Psalm 13:5).

When I hear that word, “salvation,” my first thought is salvation from the consequences of my sins. Jesus paid the debt I owed, considers me “not guilty,” and has graciously given me eternal life. That in itself is an overwhelming gift–more wonderful, more generous than any gift I could hope for.

Yet there is more.

God offers me salvation from a number of ills, such as:

Guilt. He not only forgives my sins, he doesn’t even remember them anymore (Isaiah 43:25).

Fear, because he is my stronghold in the time of trouble (Psalm 37:39).

Worry, having promised to supply my every need (Philippians 4:19).

Foolish decisions, by providing his wisdom when I ask for it (James 1:5).

Discouragement, as I put my hope and trust in him, because all things are possible with him (Matthew 19:26).

Loneliness, because he is always with me (Matthew 28:20).

Sadness because in his presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

Feeling useless, when I live each moment for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:11-12).

Feeling helpless, because in his hands are strength and power (1 Chronicles 29:12). He helps and delivers (Psalm 37:40a).

No doubt a thorough study of scripture would uncover even more ways that God’s saving work is accomplished in my life and yours.

And why is he spending so much time and effort on our behalf, to save us from these malignancies of our souls? You know the answer: He loves us and has our best interests at heart.

That love is not just for the whole lot of us, as one big group. It’s for each one of us individually. We know this, but don’t always live in the confidence of this truth.

So look into his eyes and see the tenderness he feels for you–personally.

Listen to his saving, encouraging word for you and hear the passion in his voice.

Draw near and feel his loving arms pull you close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11).

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

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