Colossians 1:21-22

Thought I would share a couple verses that really blessed &  encouraged me during my devotions this morning. :)

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:~Colossians 1:21-22, KJV

Yes. I was a alien of the things of God, and an enemy of God. But He loved me, and through the blood of His cross, He has reconciled me, and now, before His sight, presents me...

-Holy. I am pure before Him.

-Blameless. I am faultless before Him.

-Unreprovable, or as NKJV says, above reproach. Others cannot criticize me, for before Him, I am perfect.

When I really started meditating on this, I was completely overwhelmed. Wow. As Romans 8:35-39 says, nothing can separate me from His love! Nothing can change my standing in Christ, if I continue in Him!

As the next verse after 22 says, "Continue in the faith grounded and settled." Let us press on in the confidence of our standing before Christ!

The Lord is my...

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

~Psalm 18:2~

The other day, I read this verse in my devotions, and it was one of those verses that kind of leaps off the page at you. I decided to outline all that this verse said God was to me. As I meditated on each thing, I was overwhelmed by the attributes of my Father. I hope that by sharing these things with you, that you also will come away encouraged! ♥

-My Rock-

Many mountains have large rocks in them- can you move them very easily by pushing and shoving them? No, of course not. They are large and very heavy...very firm and stable. You can stand on it and it won't move. That's how our God is: He is unchanging and we can stand firmly on Him!

-My Fortress-

What is a fortress? It's a place that keeps you safe from outside enemies. That's what our God is. He is our refuge...our safety. His name is a strong tower, and if you run in, you'll be safe! He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. {Ps 91:1}

-My Deliverer- 

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. 

{Col 1:13-14} 

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! {Ps 107:13-15}

-My God, My Strength, in Whom I will trust- 

Our God is the King of Kings. Our God is strong. Our God keeps His promises. Our God is unchanging. We can completely trust Him. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. {Ps 46:1-3}

-My Buckler-

I looked up the word "buckler" in the Hebrew, and it means "a shield; a protector; a defense." He is our shield! Our Protector! We only need to trust Him.  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. {Proverbs 30:5}

-The Horn of my Salvation-

We were wretched sinners, heading for eternity in hell. But God, who is rich in mercy and loved us so much, sent His own Son to pay the price for our sins. He put our sin upon Jesus, the perfect and spotless one. He became sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. {2 Cor 5:21} From Him comes our salvation. Nothing else can save us. He is our salvation! 

-My High Tower-

What comes to your mind when you hear "high tower"? The Hebrew defines it as "a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place); altitude; refuge." Reminds me of when I have gone hiking and I'm standing on the big rock overlooks. I'm so high up, the breeze is blowing on my face, and I can look wayyy down into the valley and across the miles. Nothing down there can reach me while I'm way up here! He is my High Tower!

My friends, may you mediate upon the strength of our Lord! He is waiting for you with open arms- just trust Him and rely in His strength!!

In closing, here is a favorite passage of mine. Who is God, save the Lord? It is God that girds you with strength! Go in His name!

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. {Psalm 18:30-35}

Too Busy Not to Pray

Anyone else noticed that things seem to be picking up? I have an endless to-do list and a whole lot of expectations placed on me.  I won’t bore you with the details, but things are pretty busy.  And yet, especially in these times, how important it is to take time in our schedules to pray.  Martin Luther once said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”  Having this much on our plate should drive us to our knees, not away from the throne room.  One of my friends has been studying Esther over the past year, and here’s what she learned from Esther’s story. I hope you will find it an inspiration as well.

So this week has been crazy in my family, like certifiably-should be in some kind of an asylum- kind of crazy. Our family trying to move is like no other experience with 7 kids, and many pets, from a house we have been in for 7 years… Sports can't slow down, school is taking it up a notch, and repairs are being done constantly… we are all about to lose our minds xD! But this made me think of what the Jews were feeling like when facing this certain death! I mean, what would you do if you knew you had just a few months to live?! Yet somehow, the Jews took the time to fast (and presumably pray) with Queen Esther. I find this absolutely remarkable because my situation is SO much less dire than the situation of the Jews and I can barely find time to spend with the Lord, however, the Jews could and did find this time and their situation was exponentially more complicated and panic ensuing than mine!!! I see this as a lesson to all of us that no matter what our situation is, we must find time to stop and spend time with the Lord (and I am the one who needs this lesson!!). A great poem once ended with "[…] and I paused before entering my day, I had so much to accomplish, I had to stop and pray."

May we too be drawn to the throne room of grace even in our busyness, for without Him, we can do nothing!

A huge thanks to Allison for allowing me to use posts from her wonderful blog!! 

The Power of the Cross

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. - 1 Peter 2:24

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: - 1 Peter 1:18-19

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. -2 Corinthians 5:21

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; - Eph. 1:7

As the sand of the sea...

 "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

Psalm 139:17-18

Tune your instrument!

"Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterward. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him."

-Hudson Taylor-

A Man Fell In A Hole

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." 

-Romans 3:10, 23-

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

-Romans 6:23-

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." 

-Romans 10:9, 13-

JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE SAVED!

My favorite way to memorize scripture

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...(2 Timothy 3:16). 

One thing I really enjoy doing is memorizing scripture. Whether a longer passage or a short verse, all scripture is beneficial to us as Christians. It's amazing how sometimes a verse I have memorized will suddenly pop into my head in the different situations of life.

I've had people tell me "I can't memorize" or "It's too hard". But I know this, that practice makes perfect...The more you memorize, the easier it becomes. 

There are many different methods people use to memorize, but today I'll share one of my favorites. It's actually kind of guessing game! :)

1- Choose a verse, passage or chapter from God's Word to memorize. You may want to read it all the way through before starting. Also pray before you begin! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

2- Find a whiteboard/dry erase board and some markers. Write out the verse on the whiteboard. 

3- Check your verse one last time to make sure that you have it correctly written out. It's challenging if you find out later that it's slightly off. :P

4- Read the verses out loud from your white board over and over, erasing one word or so each time you start over. When you get to the erased part of a verse, then you try to remember and say the missing word. Fill in the blank! :) And you can erase less or more, if you'd like. :) 

5- Once the whole board is erased and clean, say the entire verse from memory. Do you have it memorized? Practice and review it to get it mastered. (Also, you could definitely do this with paper and a pencil, but just make sure you erase it completely so you can't see what you erased.)

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There you go! :) Pretty, simple, right?

Blessings to you as you memorize Scripture! It seems as I read the Word, I find more and more verses I want to memorize...I have a on-going list of scriptures I would someday, like to master. ;-)

I have also found Memverse to be very useful in reviewing your memorized verses. There are different learn features, fun weekly Bible quizzes, and much more! And, it's 100% free and nothing to download. A plus for me :D

How do you memorize Scripture? Is there a verse or passage that you've been working on recently? 

Please share in the comment box!

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P S A L M   1 1 9  :  9  - 1  8 

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach my thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

Jesus is ALIVE!!!

The Garden of Gethsemane / Mount of Olives, looking towards the city of Jerusalem.

Golgotha - "The place of a skull"

Do you see it? The lower half of it is now hidden under the parking lot.

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

HE IS NOT HERE, FOR HE IS RISEN, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Matthew 28:1-8

The Garden Tomb - where he was buried ... and where he rose from the dead!!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16-17

~*~

Praise the LORD! Jesus is risen and alive forevermore!!!

Happy Resurrection Day!!

Take time for the Master!

Martha quickly kneaded her bread dough and formed it into a perfect loaf shape. This meal had to be just right, because a good friend of hers was there in the small village of Bethany visiting Martha and her sister, Mary. The friend was in the next room, and it was Jesus! Mary and Martha had looked forward to this day for some time, for they dearly loved Jesus.

As she shoved the loaf into the oven, Martha grumbled to herself: “Why am I the one doing all this work for our meal? Mary should be helping, but there she sits with Jesus!” Martha hurriedly began working on the other food, thinking similar thoughts. Once or twice she stopped a moment to peek into the next room, hoping to see her sister getting up to join her in the preparations. But each time Mary was always in the same place – listening with close attention to Jesus’ words.

Finally, a sweaty, frustrated, and irritated Martha, her arms akimbo, marched into the room where Jesus and Mary sat. She asked in an exasperated voice: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me alone to serve? Tell her then to come help me.”

Jesus gently rebuked her. “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” 

Martha felt so ashamed. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, taking a seat on by Jesus’ feet.  “I got so caught up in other things that I forgot how I should be taking time to listen to you instead.”

Jesus smiled, and this time, spoke to both of his friends. Martha listened attentively, and her heart was filled with happiness. She knew that this time she was making the right decision: sitting at the Master’s feet, and being spiritually fed.  The meal she was preparing could wait.  For now, she was feasting on food that would satisfy her soul.

                                                                                                        *Based off of  Luke 10:38-42*

                                                    ~*~*~*~

As Martha, we should not allow the cares of this world, as important as they may be, to take from our time with the Master.  Time with Jesus – should be one of the most important things we do each day.

The Holy Scripture tells us, I love them that love me: and those that seek me early shall find me. (Prov. 8:17) We should desire to be with our Master, to be more like him.

Mary, for instance, was sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening very carefully to all he was telling her. She took the time to quietly listen, to meditate, to seek him. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. (1 Chron. 16:10-11)   Mary had peace in her heart – her heart rejoiced – because she sought the Lord.

What Martha was doing was not wrong – there is nothing at all wrong with doing household chores, or of eating or sleeping. Those things are necessary things! The point is...what comes first when the Lord is speaking? Shall we live without thinking about the Lord, (except on Sundays), or live in the Spirit and abide in the Lord's presence every day of the week? Dishes and food and beds can wait, remember, they are not eternal, and will perish. Let us begin living our eternal life now by sitting at the Lord's feet, listening to Him, today. Let us choose the better part that can never be taken from us.

My prayer is that I will always have time for my Master, and not let anything else be more important than Him – I don’t want to be like Martha, who was so busy, she forgot how Jesus was most important.  

Meditations on Monday :: Scriptures for your Day

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