Because He Loved Us!

"Still He Walked" (By Carrie McCutcheon)

He could hear the crowds screaming "crucify,"

"crucify". . .
He could hear the hatred in their voices,
These were His chosen people. He loved them,
And they were going to crucify Him.
He was beaten, bleeding and weakened . . .

His heart was broken,
But still He walked.

He could see the crowd as He came from the palace.
He knew each of the faces so well. He had created them.
He knew every smile, laugh, and shed tear,
But now they were contorted with rage and anger . . .

His heart broke,
But still He walked.

His disciples had left, denied, and even betrayed Him.
He searched the crowd for a loving face and He saw very few.
Then He turned His eyes to the only One that mattered
And He knew that He would never be alone.
He looked back at the crowd,
At the people who were spitting at Him,
Throwing rocks at Him and mocking Him, and He knew
That because of Him, they could be forgiven and never be alone.
So for them, He walked.

The sounds of the hammer striking the spikes echoed through the crowd.
The sounds of His cries echoed even louder,
The cheers of the crowd, as His hands and feet
Were nailed to the cross, intensified with each blow.
Loudest of all was the still small voice
Inside His heart that whispered "I am with You, My Son",
And God's heart broke.
He had let His Son walk.

Jesus could have asked God to end His suffering,
But instead He asked God to forgive;
Not to forgive Him,
But to forgive the ones who were persecuting Him.
As He hung on that cross, dying an unimaginable death,
He looked out and saw, not only the faces in the crowd,
But also, the face of every person yet to be,
And His heart filled with love.
As His body was dying, His heart was alive.
Alive with the limitless, unconditional love He feels for each of us.
That is why He walked.

When I forget how much my God loves me,
I remember His walk.

When I wonder if I can be forgiven,
I remember His walk.

When I need reminder of how to live like Christ,
I think of His walk.

And to show Him how much I love Him,
I wake up each morning, turn my eyes to Him,
And I walk.

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Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things."

Malachi 3:3

Malachi 3:3 "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered,

"Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

A Good Question!

TWO WOLVES (Author Unknown)

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil -

It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good -

It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
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Our Caring Shepherd

Our Caring Shepherd is Always Beside Us In Our Pain

"As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after My sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness." (Ezekiel 34:12)

Scripture is full of images of Jesus as a Shepherd. Psalm 23 has its calming tones. We read in Luke 15 how a shepherd will seek out one of his lambs gone astray and rejoices when it is found. Though often linked with the principle of salvation, this parable can be applied to any of the Lord's own who have gone to seek other pastures.

With this Ezekiel verse, new thoughts came to my mind. I meditated on the challenges that many of us face when we are dwelling with our caring Shepherd, trusting Him and clinging to Him for our strength.

The Lord has countless followers, sheep who depend on Him to meet their needs. In this way, because there are so many, they are scattered – meaning they cover the whole earth. Not one is missed by His watchful eyes even if some choose to wander off.

Those who remain true and do not roam can be crushed with the cares within. These showed up when the day of clouds and darkness sent these sheep into dwelling places unimaginable. Did the Shepherd make some mistake? No.

What I recognize as I read this verse is that our "rescue" is not from our wandering off, nor that we are in need of salvation. Rather we are in specific need of being released from the feelings that can overcome – despair, false guilt, self-condemnation – the things that can bring shadows that may seem to block out the sun of the Shepherd's care.

He is ever near, looking out for each of us as He understands our deepest needs. He is so pleased when we choose to stay near him as well.

Prayer: I lay down in your pasture of care, dear Lord. Help me to receive the light of your love that is ever present. May it shine through any cloud that tries to invade the space that only You can fill. Amen.

About the Author: Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 27 years of living with daily physical challenges. ~~~~~~~~~~

A New Look At Psalm 23

"The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush. . ." (Psalm 23:1, Japanese Translation) Would you like to take a new look at Psalm 23? So often we open up our Bible and the words blur past us. When our heart is hurting or our body is in pain, we can quickly skip over certain passages, such as the words for the 23rd Psalm, because we think we know them already and that we won't get anything fresh out of them today to offer encouragement. It's time like this looking at another translation can help us slow down and look again at certain scriptures. Below are the words to the 23rd Psalm. It was recently read to us and one of my womens retreats, and this translation from the Japanese Bible gives Psalm 23 meaning. In fact, it describes exactly what we need t do with scripture! "He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals, He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity." I hope you are blessed as well and that it gives you a new explanation of the 23rd Psalm. Words for Psalm 23 The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush; He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals, He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity, He leads me in the ways of efficiency through calmness of mind, And His guidance is peace. Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for His presence is here, His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance, He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity, By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility. My cup of joyous energy overflows, Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours, For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in His house for ever. Author: Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries http://www.restministries.org/

Source: From 'Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals - http://chronicillnesspaindevotionals.wordpress.com/

Drink Plenty of Water!

Drink Plenty of Water! (Author Unknown)

I've heard it. I've read it. As long as I have been running, it's always been the same message: "drink plenty of water."

All along most race courses are water stations, and most runners slow down to drink a cup of cool water. Keeping your water level up is critical when you run. If you get slightly dehydrated, you will not run well. If you get moderately dehydrated, you will become disoriented. If you get seriously dehydrated, you can die. It's serious business.

The first year I ran was 1991, and I was inexperienced (also younger, slimmer, stupider, etc.) I passed water stop after water stop, occasionally drinking a swallow or two. I felt good, and I wasn't going to waste precious seconds drinking water, even though it was a hot, humid day.

Big mistake. As I neared the final mile, I "hit the wall." My energy level dropped to zero, I began having to walk some, and I realized I would have to work hard just to finish. I did make it across the line, but only with a tremendous headache and hardly enough energy to walk. It was not much fun.

I learned an important lesson that year. Stopping for water doesn't actually slow you down. In fact, you will run a better race if you do drink water. The bottom line is that your body is simply not designed to function without water.

In the same way, your spiritual stamina depends on stopping for regular drinks of "spiritual water." The dilemma for busy believers is finding time to invest in reading the Word and meeting with God in prayer. Like the runner intent on reaching the finish line, we tend to put off those regular drinks of water until we are totally parched.

But in the long run, you will run a better race if you will stop for spiritual water. In fact, finishing the Christian race at all may depend on it. And runners who don't ever slow down to take a drink often stumble off the course far short of the finish line.

In this year's race, I saw a man become dehydrated just a mile from the finish. Strangely, he didn't seem to recognize that anything was wrong. He was swaying from side to side as he walked, mumbling over and over, "I'm fine. I'm fine." He was so disoriented that he didn't even recognize his own sick condition.

If you let yourself become spiritually dehydrated, you may not even be able to recognize it. Stop today to drink some cool "living water." For serious runners, it's a must.
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Promise of Pentecost

Promise of Pentecost

VERSE: "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." -- Joel 2:28

THOUGHT: Throughout the Old Testament, God's Spirit would come upon special leaders or agents of God's will to do his work. Most of the time, the Spirit's presence would be temporary, to help with a pressing issue, need, problem, or battle.

In a few cases, like David, God's Spirit never departed from God's servant. But the presence of the Spirit living permanently inside all of God's people was the promise of the coming of the Messiah and the formation of God's new people. This promise from Joel 2 is the centerpiece Scripture quoted by Peter in his sermon during Pentecost. This day, promised by Joel's prophecy, comes with the dawn of the church and signaled by the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit first comes to those who proclaim the story of Jesus, but then to all who hear the message, believe, and respond by being baptized, on this day and all the days of conversion to follow (Acts 2:38-39). We live in the age of the Spirit!

PRAYER: Thank you! Thank you O God, for allowing me to live in the time of your church. Forgive me when I discount your power released in and through her through the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for not responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to be conformed to the character and compassion of Jesus. Forgive me for the times I've grieved the Spirit by saying unkind things about others in whom the Spirit lives. I ask, dear Father, in the name of Jesus, that your Holy Spirit have more influence on my heart and in shaping my life. Amen.

Source: SpiritFire! from HEARTLIGHT http://www.heartlight.org/spiritfire The SpiritFire daily devotional email is written by Phil Ware and is part of Heartlight.org's online Christian resources. SpiritFire is a year long devotional walk focused on the blessing of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Is the Bible Your Authority?

Reflective Thought: Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, ... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.
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Is the Bible Your Authority?

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

You will never have the power to live a full and fruitful godly life until you choose God's Word as your final authority.

So let me ask you: Have you made the choice to obey God's Word? Sadly, many people treat the Bible as a sorry substitute for their authority.

Some People Treat the Bible as an Hors d'oeuvres Tray

If Kathy and I came over to your house for dinner, I bet we wouldn't be in the door five minutes and you'd offer us a tray of some hot goodies. I'd look at it and say, "That one looks really good. Aw-that probably has too many calories . . . I want this one."

Many people pick and choose Bible passages based on what suits their taste: "I really like the part in Romans 8 about how much God loves me, and I really like that 2 Corinthians 12 about how 'God's grace is sufficient,' but I'll skip the parts about forgiveness, or repentance, or hell."

The Bible is not your authority as long as you're picking and choosing what you accept.

Some People Treat the Bible like Rental Car Insurance

I would guess that most people waive the extra rental car insurance. The costs are plenty already. I haven't had an accident in ten years. What are the chances that I'm going to have an accident today? Slim. No, I don't need the insurance.

A lot of people treat the Bible like that. In an emergency I need the Bible, but I doubt I'll have a crisis today, so I think I'll pass. Technically, you should get up and spend some time in God's Word, but instead you grab a cup of coffee and rush out the door. I'll probably be OK today without it.

Some People Treat the Bible like a Seat Belt

Of course you wear a seatbelt-but only because it's the law. And that crazy bell won't quit ringing until you click it. If you could get behind the dashboard and rip that bell out, I think you'd wear your seat belt less.

Some people treat the Bible like that. Yeah, I read the Bible because it's the law. And also because I can't get the guilt to quit ringing in my ears if I don't. So to silence the alarm, you spend a few minutes perusing it every day.

Instead of an authority to guide your life, people minimize the Bible by treating it like:

An hors d'oeuvres tray - where you can pick or choose.
Rental car insurance - that you're glad to have, but only in an emergency.
A seat belt - a nuisance that cramps your style.

How sad. If this characterizes your thinking in any way, come back to the priority of God's Word in your life and let it be your authority. -

Your law, LORD, is perfect, reviving the soul; Your testimony, LORD, is sure, making wise the simple; Your precepts, LORD, are right, rejoicing the heart; Your commandment, LORD, is pure, enlightening the eyes. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Amen. (Psalm 19)

What is the Bible to me? How do I know? Can I think of a time when the Bible changed what I did or what I thought about something?

Source: - James MacDonald - Walk in the WordMarch, 2010 - Crosswalk Faith Update http://www.crosswalkmail.com/
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LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).

In this exhortation the apostle Paul is telling the people of God, "Let the mind that is in Christ—the very thinking of Jesus—be your thinking also. His mindset is the one we all are to seek."

What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? Simply put, it means to think and act as Jesus did. It means making Christ-like decisions that determine how we are to live. It means bringing every faculty of our mind to bear on how we actually can have the mind of Christ.

Every time we look into the mirror of God's Word, we're to ask ourselves: "Does what I see about myself reflect the nature and thinking of Christ? Am I changing from image to image, conformed to Jesus' very likeness by every experience that God brings into my life?"

According to Paul, here is the mindset of Christ. "(He) made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7).

Jesus made a decision while he was still in heaven. He made an agreement with the Father to lay down his heavenly glory and come to earth as a man. He was going to descend to the world as a humble servant. And he would seek to minister rather than be ministered to.

For Christ, this meant saying, "I go to do your will, Father." Indeed, Jesus determined ahead of time, "I am laying down my will in order to do yours, Father. I subjugate my will so that I may embrace yours. Everything I say and do has to come from you. I'm laying down everything to be totally dependent upon you."

In turn, the Father's agreement with the Son was to reveal his will to him. God said to him, in essence, "My will won't ever be hidden from you. You will always know what I am doing. You will have my mind."

When Paul states boldly, "I have the mind of Christ," he is declaring, "I too have made myself of no reputation. Like Jesus, I have taken on the role of a servant." And Paul asserts that the same can hold true for every believer: "We [all can] have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Used with permission:: David Wilkerson Today - THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2010 To subscribe to this devotional go to http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/wc/mailing_list/subscribe