Never Abandoned By God

I wrote this blog for XP Missions and thought I would share it with you.  It's a little after Easter and this was what was stirring in my heart through the Easter season.

http://www.xpmissions.com/never-abandoned-god/

Matthew 27:45-46   From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.  About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

This verse has been on my mind for a couple weeks along with this verse . . .

Hebrews 13:5 “Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ”

I’ve been deeply touched these last few weeks by the truth that Jesus was rejected so I could be accepted. When Jesus bore the sin of the world, Father God had to turn away, as He is a Holy God and sin cannot be in His presence. Jesus took the sin of the world for us and bore the “forsaking” of His Father so that we could have Hebrews 13 – “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 

When we surrender our life to the Lordship of Jesus, this is our promise. When God looks at me, he sees Jesus, the pure and sinless one – who became the atonement for my sin.

When we look at the brokenness of the world around us and those who are suffering, at times it can feel overwhelming; but this is a simple promise for us to hold on to . . . God said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 

The Psalmist says in Psalms 27:10 “Though my father and mother forsake (abandon) me, the Lord will receive me (take me in – hold me close).”

Next time we think about all that Jesus purchased for us as well as those we minister to in missions, in His death and resurrection (freedom from sin, sickness, poverty, etc.) we can include a life that is never abandoned by God. In this, we can rest.

Mention of Your Name

Once-in-awhile I like to share some of my favorite songs with you.  I absolutely love this song.  Whenever it starts to play, my world stops, and I lose myself in the truths found in His name ~ JESUS!  Just the whisper of His name can silence so many swirls . . .

Video Clip:  "Mention of Your Name"

The In-Between Times

"We find it so interesting that God didn't tell Moses ahead of time about the forty-year period of the wilderness.  In essence God told him, 'I'll take you out, and I'll lead you in.'  It was the in-between time that God didn't explain.  There are times He doesn't fill in the blanks; He simply leads you to an in-between place and keeps yo there until Christ's life and nature emerges from within you.  He reaches His loving hands into the substance of your inner nature and squeezes, forms, and shapes you into a replica of Christ.  He will use the in-between place to do His great work of shaping you into the beautiful image of His Son."  ~ Brian & Candice Simmons

Oh so true!  Reminds me of the quote, "Until God opens the next door or you, praise Him in the hallway."  If you find yourself in a hallway or in-between place today, let praise echo through the chambers.

Finished

Jesus said,  "It is finished."  With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.  ~ John 19:30 

Jesus said, "It is finished!"   May I not try to complete what He already finished for me!  So thankful today for Jesus' death and resurrection and everything He purchased for us!  

Successful Parent Tips

Squished in the back seat of our jalopy last night on the way to get an ice-cream cone :-)  

I read this tips from Kris Vallotton this morning and loved them.  They are practical, real tips for being a successful parent that I have seen to be tried and true:  http://krisvallotton.com/15-tips-to-be-a-successful-parent/

1. Be consistent. Parenting shouldn’t depend on your mood. Make sure your kids can count on the same outcomes no matter how you feel. For instance, if your kid is screaming for candy in the store and one day you are tired so you give it to them, you just taught your child that if they throw a fit, eventually they will get their way.

2. Don’t yell. If your voice has to escalate before you finally act, then you are teaching your kids that you don’t mean what you say until the volume of your voice reaches a certain pitch. Your delayed response also sends a message that they should listen to you because you are angry, not because you have their best in mind.                       Read More . . .