Afraid? Of That?

In Sunday school yesterday our teacher left us with quite the challenge. He challenged us to search our lives to see if we are really leaving a witness to every one we meet. When we go in and pay for our gas, or buy groceries can the person behind the register tell we are different? Or when we get the opportunity to “give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (I Peter 3:15) do we “tuck tail and run”? I find myself so many times afraid of rejection. I wish I could say with the Apostle Pail that “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). He read a poem written for the persecuted Christians in China that really challenged me. Some people face beating, death, and torture all for the sake of Christ. What do I face? Maybe scoffing, rejection, possible slander?
“Dear Lord, please forgive me for being ashamed of you. I want to ask that you would help me, your weak servant, to overcome my fear of man and give me the courage to boldly proclaim your name. Amen”

Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Savior’s face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace,
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
A flash - a crash - a pierced heart;
Brief darkness - Light - O Heaven's art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not -
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? Of that?

The Wonder of Wonders

This Sunday in Sunday school, our teacher has us a sing a song about Jesus. I had never heard it before and it was really good. It really hit me how Unconceivable it was that God came to earth as a man. Amazing love. I think I will just post the lyrics for you to read. Hopefully it will reach you too.

THE WONDER OF WONDERS AS SHE LOOKED ON HIS FACE,
THAT THIS LITTLE BOY SPOKE THE WORLDS INTO PLACE.
THE STARS AND THE MOON SHINING BRIGHTLY ON THEM,
THE EARTH AND THE SUN WERE CREATED BY HIM.

THE WONDER OF WONDERS AS SHE LOOKED DOWN AND SMILED,
THAT HE WAS HER MAKER AS WELL AS HER CHILD.
HE CREATED THE WOMB THAT HAD GIVIN HIM BIRTH.
HE WAS GOD INCARNATE CAME DOWN TO EARTH.

THE WONDER OF WONDERS AS SHE HEARD HIS SMALL CRY,
THAT THIS VOICE HAD THUNDERED ON MT. SINAI.
THE SMALL HAND SHE HELD SO TENDERLY HAD
MADE A DRY PATH THROUGH THE MIGHTY RED SEA.

CHORUS: THE WONDER OF WONDERS ,OH HOW COULD IT BE,
THAT GOD BECAME FLESH AND WAS GIVIN FOR ME.
THE ALMIGHTY CAME DOWN AND WALKED AMOUNG MEN,
THE WONDER OF WONDERS, HE DIED FOR MY SINS.

You can hear it here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eY22ZTJOCs

As always, comments welcome. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Sorrow for the lost

In the evening before I go to bed I have a devotional called the “Our Daily Bread” that I read. Last Saturday’s topic really challenged me, so I thought I would just copy it. Here is goes. “In our Bible-study class, we were reading Ephesians 4:17-24 out loud when Alyssa began to cry. Most of us were wondering why, when she quietly said, ‘I am crying because hearing this passage read aloud makes me see the condition that lost people are in. They’re separated from God and are bind to it! That breaks my heart’. One person in the class admitted later that he was embarrassed he had never felt that sad about nonbelievers and had in the past even talked excitedly about the judgment they would receive one day from God. The apostle Paul laid out the condition of the lost with these words: ‘(They have) their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God…. Because of the blindness of their heart’ (Eph. 4:18). He testified that he had ‘great sorrow and continual grief in (his) heart’ because his fellow countrymen had not yet come to know the love of Christ (Rom. 9:1-3). As we think about the condition of nonbelievers, we can remember God’s heart toward them: ‘The Lord is… longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance’ (2Pete 3:9). When we share the Word of God and pray earnestly for others, eyes will be opened to His love.” -Anne Cetas

Turtle on a Post

Last Sunday in church the preacher told a very convicting story. The story was about a successful business man who was asked to what he contributed his success. The wise business man took him into his office and showed him a picture on the wall. The picture was of a turtle on a post. He said, “every time I begin to get proud of my achievment I look at that picture, and I am reminded that I didn’t’ get where I am by myself. Somebody lifted me.” That was a challenge to me. Do I give all the glory to God for “my” achievements. I had to think of how Nebuchadnezzar took all the credit for the greatness of Babylon and God punished him with insanity. I think we are all turtles that were lifted up. Comments welcome.
“Thank-you All Powerful God for the gifts in
My life. I want to give all the credit for my
Achievements. I know I am nothing without
You. Amen.”