I am back after several weeks of chaos in my life! We moved out of our old home, lived in a hotel for a few days, moved into our new home, had no hot water for a week and wished we still lived in our old home or hotel…just something with hot water! We now have hot water, issues still exist everywhere we look, but we are trusting that God has it all under control as we feel that He has led us to this place for His purpose unbeknownst to us at this point. Thanks to everyone who has been praying and offering a hand as it has been a trying time for Jim and I lately.
I hav
e actually been working on this all week which is a bit unusual for me to take that long to get a blog written. The message this week is so important and I felt a great responsibility to say it well. I am so humbled as I reflect on this week’s writing and try to eloquently express the sacrifice Jesus made for us. As the holiday of Easter is upon us, I felt it necessary to remember Him in this blog. But where do I start? I am so unworthy and He has given His all, just for me…just for you. When you really stop and think about what Jesus did, it is mind-boggling. I ask questions like why did He have to die to save us and wouldn’t there have been an easier way?
This is something I love about God. Yes, His ways are way more complex than my simple mind could ever conceive. However, He does things that while blowing you away; so simply illustrate His point. He is an awesome God that knew that we would need something extravagant to catch our attention. At the same time, He showed His love for us by allowing His only Son to die on the cross for us. Anyone who is a parent or child understands the strong ties between the two. Sacrificing one or the other for the good of others resonates with each and every person alive as we experience the depth of His decision.
I need two hands to count the loved ones I have lost during the Lent/Easter season. I’ve often wondered if God called them each home during Easter because He wanted to throw an even bigger party for Jesus that year and needed more people. That’s how my mind works…is there a reason for a party? LOL! I can only imagine how awesome it must be to celebrate such a Gift and be right there with Jesus Himself! Although this is always a time of reminiscing about my loved ones who have gone on when Easter comes around, I can’t help but rejoice thinking of them celebrating with Jesus! My, what a glorious celebration there will be some day in heaven when I am reunited with my loved ones and Savior. I look forward to being right there in the middle of it all, praising Jesus! However, until then, I will hopefully have that same excitement here on earth as we celebrate Easter this week.
If you were to die today, are you assured you would be there for the celebration? If not, a simple prayer to God acknowledging you are a sinner and asking Him to come into your life and forgive you of your sins would solidify that for you. Yes, it really is that easy. I want you to be there with the rest of us as we rejoice in Jesus’ sacrifice He made for us all…no matter where we’ve been, what we’ve done or how bad we might think we have been. He doesn’t care. All He wants is for us to invite Him in so He can wipe our slate clean and give us an eternal life in heaven with Him.
I don’t think we will ever understand the why it all had to happen the way it did and why Jesus had to die, but we can certainly rejoice that it did. We serve a God that needed to show us in extraordinary ways His love for us. What a privilege it is to serve a Savior that would not only be there in our time of need; but, actually would die for us. I am in awe. I am so humbled. I have no words to adequately describe the appreciation I have for Jesus, my Savior.
I would love for you to take time to reflect on Jesus with me and tell me what He has meant in your life. Leave a comment and let’s praise Him together! Jesus has given you a story, as He has me. Take time to share it with all reading this blog that He might be glorified and others may be encouraged. Thank You, Jesus, for all You have done! I live for You! May my life glorify Your Holy Name! You are worthy to be praised!
2Corinthians 5:20-21
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Lori Kempton, Author/Speaker 
You asked so here it is! Every day I thank the Lord again for rescuing me from the dark pit I lived in over 30 years ago!!! I was a drinking, cussing, gossiping witch with a “B”! I’m so thankful for all the Lord did for me and for Him allowing me to live in His light. I too desire to live a life that brings glory and honor to Him! And I agree how easy it is to receive His free gift of salvation and I want to be partying with you and Jesus! Lookin forward to it! thanks for letting me say!
Thanks, Glenda! Well said!
Wow! After reading that I can’t help but chime in and speak praise for Jesus! I too can barely understand how He can love me in spite of my many shortcomings but am so thankful that He does!
We serve a loving God, it is true!
I remember those days in the early days of Embrace church when the small group of us were gathered in your basement, praying. And in your prayers you almost always said “I am not worthy.” That often confused me as a new believer. Are we not new creations, covered by His Grace? Aren’t we made worthy through Him? Aren’t we sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty? Does that not give us rights? I’m not talking about the “name it and claim it” gospel, Jim had taught me too well to believe that. We are promised His inheritance… a mansion with many rooms, streets paved with gold. The fact of the matter is that it took years for me to even get a glimpse of the depth of my sin. How much and often I sin every day. The pride, the selfishness, the fleeting lustful thoughts, the impatience, the judging of others, the envy and jealousy of what others have. Multiply that by trillions upon trillions for all the people who have come before me and will come before His return. It’s simply unfathomable. But I am so fortunate to be counted as one whose name is in the Book of Life, with Blessed Assurance, but for the Grace of God I would be an unrepentant sinner, far far away from the Face of our Lord.
So true, Tom. We are saved only by grace and certainly were not worthy. However as children of the King, we are now deserving of all God, our Father, has to offer.