“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6
Category: special verses
I Come, Clinging
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 3:23, NLT
I know myself pretty well. I fully understand how dark I can be. I’m nasty and mean, selfish and destructive. I am the “King of Filth and Deceit.” (That is my official title, look it up.) King Midas turned everything he touched into gold. It seems that everything I touch turns black and putrid. I have come to understand Martin Luther’s own assessment, “Sin boldly, but believe in God more boldly still.” He wasn’t encouraging sin; nor was he giving out ‘a license to sin.’ He was simply acknowledging our nature. He was also speaking of God’s wonderful gift of grace, and the faith needed to obtain it.
But I have heard that there is a place where I can be made white and bright; fully and truly cleansed of an immensity of evil. He can heal me, and I do not have to continue to produce such wickedness. I do not have to hurt His dear ones anymore. When I accept Him, His blood releases me. He makes it possible for me to have a new life.
So I come to Him, and cling. I will not let go, I grab Jesus and hang on.
I won’t slide back into this painful darkness. I will latch on to Him with everything I have. I cry out for ‘the spiritual velcro’ of Grace. I do this over, and over– until it works. Just give my sin-addled soul Jesus. I’ve had enough religion, now I want Him.
I’m learning that I must learn to forgive myself. He has already forgiven me. A weaver works diligently on a rug that he is making. He uses even the dark thread as he does his work. In the same way, those deep transgressions must become a part of the Spirit’s work from my life. He takes it up, without flinching, and weaves it into His work. What He does is miraculous.
God’s specialty is turning rascals into sons and daughters.
I see sadness and confusion, and He sees glory. I see nothing but evil, and He chooses to turn it into a special grace. And so, I cling to Him and wait for the Lord to meet me. He is not overwhelmed by my stains, and He promises a complete deliverance from my great darkness. So I cling, as a drowning man latches on to a life preserver.
Oh, dear one. Someone has been looking for you. Jesus has been searching, trying to save you. You can go your own way, but I predict nothing but a difficult sorrow, if that is your real choice. But, there is a way of escape, and it is full of joy and peace. And it is real.
I know, (first-hand,) that it difficult, but that is just the first stage. There is a raucous joy that is waiting for you. You will find such a purpose and completeness that will make your head spin. He will launch on you into a love and a kindness that you will hardly be able to contain.
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:3-4
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- God’s Great Love For Us (pastorht.wordpress.com)
- To His cloak I cling (booguloo.wordpress.com)
- The Old Rugged Cross (mammabloggar.wordpress.com)
- Childlike Faith (essentialspurgeon.wordpress.com)
- Loving Jesus Above All Things (brakeman1.wordpress.com)
Those Joyful Christians
“You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.”
Psalm 63:5, (NLT)
“To be truly happy– a man must have sources of gladness which are not dependent on anything in this world.”
J.C. Ryle
The defining hallmark of vital Christianity has to be joy. It is truly what describes believers in every culture, from a ‘rice paddy’ in Vietnam to a business woman in a NYC skyscraper. Joy is seen in their hearts and faces. Its source– the indwelling Holy Spirit; He makes them ‘bubble’ in a ‘carbonated’ kind of holiness. He sets them apart for Himself. They are His own possession. He loves us prodigiously.
I must say this: Joy is not contingent on ‘good’ circumstances. A bad day at the office or a bill-collector at the door can’t nullify the Spirit’s ministry inside of us. We can be joyful in all circumstances without being comfortable with them. As a matter of fact, we can rejoice (joy, again) in our tribulations.
Ultimate joy is waiting for us. We must turn-off the TV and give our video games a rest, and press into communicating with God. Sometimes we’ll need to shut down the internet for a few hours, to keep ‘the spring bubbling’ fresh and clean.
It will take work to set the Lord before you,
you will have to say ‘No” to some things.
Awareness of Him through His Word and worship are good habits to have. They are essential for ‘broken believers’ that may struggle with physical or mental handicaps. They are as vital as the meds we must take.
“And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Nehemiah 8:10
You’re His Special Delight
Delighted In
“He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.”
Psalm 18:19
God doesn’t deliver us because He feels He has to, or should, but because He wants to.
Lord, thank You for taking delight in us. May we delight in You as well! And here’s a simple poem…
Always
I delight in you
in the dead of night
during your darkest day
I’m loving you, always.
I delight in you
when everything’s alright
in the midst of praise
I’m loving you, always.
#
Please visit Deb Feller’s blog, “SIMPLE POEMS, SIMPLE FAITH”
http://iftodaywehear.wordpress.com/
Related articles
- Praise is How We Grow: Psalm 111:1-3 (psalmslife.com)
- Delighted In (caddoveil.com)
Broken Believers 