The Grip

Sometimes life feels like we are on the last thread of hope and soon we will be left alone. The whispers say that God has abandoned us and no longer will he help us. Our own eyes deceive us as we look for aid. They are marked with sorrow and dark circles are imprinted as evidence. Sleep eludes us.

The troubles of this world have overshadowed the truth of God. The world shouts, “hang on!” We want to believe them but as we look around the difficulties of life pile on.

What are we hanging on to? Are we linked with the confidence that the world speaks off? Is the foundation we stand on built by man? Have we succumbed to their ways? Have we shouted like in the days of old, “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:19b-20)

Have we rebelled against God and then watch the effects of our choices all around us? Come back!

Cry out like David, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

It’s the extended hand of Jesus we must cling to. Listen as the Lord speaks to Peter. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27) Peter focuses on the Lord and his perspective changed. In the middle of the water’s roar there is a stillness as the world is shut out and Peter is in the hands of the Master.

It’s that peaceful and fruitful place we want to be in but sadly our focus is often interrupted by the wind and fear that whispers that we are going to drown.

The Lord recognized that it was doubt that propelled Peter to lose his footing.

Run and escape to a quiet place with Jesus. Pour out your heart and reaffirm your own soul that only in Christ is there true rest. Depend on him and regardless of what is happening insist on staying in his grip, in his presence. “Yes, my soul find rest in God.” (Psalm 62:5-8)

Holding on to the last thread. Will it break? Fear not, did you not see his hands opened beneath you!

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

God bless you!~Liz

I stand in Awe!

“Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2b)

We’ve heard this testimony often. The courage of the paralyzed man’s friends. The interruption as Jesus was speaking. The mess created in the house as the ceiling is torn open and the teachers of the law are saying that Jesus is a blasphemer.

What about the paralyzed man himself? Why did he not speak? The Scriptures does not record him saying a word to the Lord. Why?

Was he afraid to speak? Was he confident that the Lord would have mercy on him?

What went through his mind when Jesus said, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”?

Do you think that for a moment he wondered, “I came here to be healed not forgiven?” Did he recognize the sin in his own life? The Word does not elaborate on all that transpired. It does not illuminate the condition of this desperate soul.

When the Lord calls we know that we have encountered something inexpressible.

Often the wrestling for us is with our sin. We encounter Jesus and he tells us we are forgiven by the finished work of the cross. Like me, I have asked him to heal me of disease. Jesus can, he has and he continues to do so.

God created mankind in his image, the world, everything we see, and he was pleased. When temptation came, and mankind fell everything changed drastically. Sin landscaped the world and sickness ravished our perfect bodies. Sickness was introduced to the perfect world along with all kinds of evil and spiritual death. Physical death would also follow.

Sometimes we miss the correlation of sickness and sin. Not every sickness is a result of sin. After all,we do live in a fallen world. In this story of the nameless paralytic man we get some insight on the condition of the heart.

I wonder if this paralytic man understood this? When Jesus said, “your sins are forgiven”, what did this mean? Did it mean restitution? Did the paralytic man reason that today there would be wholeness in him? It was not a reward for the sick man but a gift from the Healer and Deliverer himself, the Savior of the World. Jesus was announcing that he was the only one who could forgive sin. No wonder the teachers of the law were angry.

When the teachers of the law saw this miracle that meant that a “heart check” was imminent for them!

No talking. No defending oneself. No excuses. Yes, Lord I am a sinner.

The gavel sounded, and it was in our favor. It’s for “whoever believes”.

I wondered if his silence was just a form of worship and awe. The paralytic man came in broken, a diseased sinner separated from God and left healed spiritually and physically.

The woman with the issue of blood, she said to herself, “If only I could touch his cloak, I will be healed.” No words. She hears, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” (Matthew 9:22)

God is not contained in the ark, the tabernacle, the church or anything made by man. He desires to live within each one who confesses his need and depravity. He desires to dwell in us; he knows our need. God dwells outside of any box we have falsely imagined. He has come to forgive sin and heal us. He is Healer and the Savior of the world bringing restoration to our soul and our bodies.

“Be still and know that I am God.’ (Psalm 46:10a)

Sometimes a quiet heart is an act of worship. It allows us to listen to the song of grace and mercy being sung over us. He loves us. In reply we worship him in spirit and in truth. Thank you, Jesus!

God bless you!~Liz

Has He Been Good to You?

I got up early this morning waiting for some workers to fix by roof.  Well they did not come today, they are scheduled for next week.

I've been on the phone with my insurance company sorting our some details that needed to be corrected. 

As I was getting ready to pay some bills, the Lord reminded me that I had not yet opened His Word this morning. 

So, here I am with his Book opened. I'm reading through Psalm 103.

I enjoy writing in my Bible.  I note dates where the Word of God was specific for something I was going through.  I jot down different word translations and also praise language that reflect my heart of gratitude toward my Maker.

Today, in the margin of Psalm 103 it read June 2010.  I said, "wow, has it been that long since I made that note?"  I began to fan the pages of this Bible and I read that I gifted this Bible to myself in 2008.  That's 10 years ago, one decade!  Time passes by quickly.

One of the reasons I like writing in my Bible is that I handle this book a lot.  Therefore, as I read and run the pages through my fingers it is a testimony to me of all that the Lord has done for me and my household.

My desire is that as this book would continue to get worn out that my body would continue to be healed and transformed by the very Word of God that I hold in my hands. 

This Book holds promises that I have seen come to pass and encouragement that sustain me even today.

God is always speaking to us.  I am so thankful for the many pages of affirmation, conviction and even transformation occurring in me.

He left me this Book so I would know that he is the Savior of the World.  He indeed forgives sin and restores broken lives.

As life continues, my wish is that future generations, my grandchildren would also have their own worn out Bible. I hope that they would be able to read through my spent, worn-out book with notes that I jotted down during my lifetime giving God glory and praise for his goodness. 

I want generations to come to know that God is the same yesterday, today and for all our tomorrows. 

He speaks life and I need it.

He whispers that he loves me and I want it.

He points me to a day when He will return and I await it.

"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Psalm 103:1-5)

So, I will glue it, tape it up and preserve this family heirloom for my grandchildren to come.
There have been other Bibles that I have owned.  But this is the one to be passed on.

What does your Bible say about you?

God bless you!~Liz