How Deep the Savior's Love

FaithWalkDaily December 29, 2008

For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. ~ Rom 3:23-25 NLT

As another year draws to a close, I've been thinking a lot about my life and my attitude.

A few weeks ago I was on the phone with a friend as our cat Nani Ui moseyed by. I reached down and scratched her head and neck, rather mindlessly as I was chatting with my friend.

Nani is a Bombay with the nature of a Panther. While she can be sweet and loving, she is not a particularly affectionate cat and is quick to let us know when she's had enough. There is always a warning before an attack. Having been scratched a fair number of times, we're wise to her ways.

On this particular day, I was distracted. Nani had reached her limit and had no doubt given me fair warning, which I missed. The next thing I knew, the Tasmanian Devil wrapped itself around my arm and then darted off like Ricochet Rabbit, leaving me bleeding. The bite swelled, turned an angry red, and throbbed all day. Later that afternoon I found myself in urgent care with IV antibiotics dripping in my arm. I was sent home with my arm immobilized, an IV catheter in my vein for a follow up dose, and a bottle of mega caplets.

All the way home I replayed the incident in my head. How can that cat attack me when we give her so much love and care? We adopted her at eight months when she was very ill and listless, and nursed her to good health. She's shown signs of previous abuse, is extremely skittish and terrified of going outdoors. We've been kind and loving to her despite her wild behavior. My sons and others have asked me, why do you keep such an evil cat?

Nani is not evil. Neither are we. We are sinners. We all fall short of the glory of God. We get up, we fall down. We get up, we fall down. Nani is not a hateful or wicked cat. She is who she is. Her nature is wild and it's up to me to be on guard. She reacts according to her God-given nature. And when she snaps, we don't beat her or throw her out. We hold her, stroke her and calm her, letting her know we love her no matter what she does. Are we reinforcing her bad behavior? No. We're reassuring her that no matter how scared or agitated she is, we're not going to turn away from her and stop loving her.

Because of that first act of rebellion in Eden, we're damaged goods. Wild and skittish, showing signs of abuse, we strike out. We all turn on God sometimes when things don't go our way. I can't even count the number of times I've screamed at God when I felt He'd abandoned me. In the quiet of my heart He's always reminded me, "I haven't turned away from you. I will never leave nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5.) I do not change the rules or strike out at you. I AM GOD." He holds me tight in His love reminding me, whatever I do, He's here for me. He wants me to love and serve Him only, and will wait as long as it takes.

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." ~ Matt 28:20 NIV

The scar on my wrist will probably be there forever, a reminder of who I am and how much God loves me. I haven't given up on Nani. We'll keep her, love her and care for all her needs until she's old and dies. You don't give up on loved ones just because they don't respond or react as you think they should. Love is unconditional. That even spills over to what others think is an unlovable creature.

I am an unlovable creature in my sin. Praise God He doesn't drop me off at the "animal shelter" when I deserve it! When I fall down, He gently reaches out and pulls me up into His loving care.

Lord God, how merciful You are. You, who could wipe us out with a word, choose instead to wait for us to come to our senses. You know our hearts and desires and that we long to be righteous and holy even as Jesus is righteous and holy. Yet our sin continues to get in the way. We resolve to keep our eyes on You, to seek You, to serve You, our loving Father. Thank You for holding us tight when we're out of control, for never giving up on us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Wishing you all a Blessed and Holy Christmas Season.

May the LORD bless you and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace. Num 6:24-26

In the love of our Savior,
anne & ruth

THE INNOCENSE OF YOUTH
A Christmas Blessing for all the World

FaithWalkDaily Christmas Devotions...

Jesus is the Reason

I think that trite little saying, Jesus is the Reason for the Season is just about the most brilliant cliche anyone ever came up with. It'll never wear out for me...

I was sent an email with the following list and thought I'd share it today. I didn't write it but it couldn't be more succinct - we all need to remember, especially when times are hard, that our Savior, not Santa, is all we need.

Scripture references were added by me to authenticate the statements.

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus
By Rev. James Spellman of Ohio

*Santa lives at the North Pole... JESUS is everywhere.
Prov 15:3 The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

*Santa rides in a sleigh... JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Deut 33:26 "There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you,across the skies in majestic splendor.
John 6:19 They were three or four miles out when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat.

*Santa comes but once a year... JESUS is an ever present help.
Ps 34:17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

*Santa fills your stockings with goodies... JESUS supplies all your needs.
1 Tim 6:17 But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

*You have to wait in line to see Santa... JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
John 15:16 You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

*Santa lets you sit on his lap... JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Heb 4:10 For all who enter into God's rest will find rest from their labors...

*Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"... JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our head.
Jer 1:4-5 The LORD gave me a message. He said, 5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Matt 10:30- And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

*Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly... JESUS has a heart full of love.
Rev 3:9 They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

*All Santa can offer is HO HO HO... JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Matt 8:13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, "Go on home. What you have believed has happened." And the young servant was healed that same hour.
Ps 54:4 But God is my helper.The Lord is the one who keeps me alive!
1 Tim 4:10b ...hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.

*Santa says "You better not cry"... JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."
1 Peter 5:7

*Santa's little helpers make toys... JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.
John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.
John 14:1-2 "Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly.

*Santa may make you chuckle but...JESUS gives you a joy that is your strength.
2 Tim 4:17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength, that I might preach the Good News in all its fullness for all the Gentiles to hear. And he saved me from certain death.

*While Santa puts gifts under your tree... JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Its obvious there is really no comparison! Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.

Faith When Reason Fails

FaithWalkDaily December 9, 2008

It's been awhile since I've done any journaling. Writing helps me see where I am, where I've been and where I'm going. I haven't been getting much of anywhere lately. In fact, it feels a little like sliding backwards...

I've been asking often recently, "am I being tested?" If so, I'm not scoring so well. I'm not Job. Sometimes it feels like I'm going insane, like I can't hold up under the pressure. Except - laugh with me now - I am holding up. By a thread woven and held by the hand of God.

A friend was out of work for about six months a couple months ago. They were on the brink of losing their home and had cut out many unnecessary expenses. Then he landed what appeared to be his dream job. All was well. Until a few days ago when he was laid off.

A few months ago, another friend suddenly lost her husband for no apparent reason - he just keeled over and died at the ripe young age of forty-something.

Last year a friend's mother who was in her sixties went beserk. She left home, went on an insane spending spree, stayed in hotels, ate in restaurants, maxed out all her credit cards and nearly bankrupt her husband. Then she died suddenly.

I could go on and on with a list of seemingly senseless tragedies occurring within the Christian community. Are we being tested? How are we doing?

Let's look at Biblical history. Throughout the Old Testament, we see Israel tested again and again. Job was tested. In Luke 8, Jesus talked about the parable of the sower as He told the people to expect their new faith to be tested. Paul warns in Hebrews 3 not to have hardened hearts during testing as the Israelites did in the time of Moses. And James said, "...the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (James 1:3)

James gives us a reason. God tests our faith to develop perseverence.

But why?

Good question. I've come to believe that we need to go to heaven for the answer. We need to look to the time before man was even created. Consider the one who spoiled it all for us.

Lucifer, the bright and beautiful, the beloved of God, angel among angels, brilliant among all the heavenly host. So brilliant in fact, it went to his head. He suddenly found himself admired among his peers and desiring to be worshipped as he had always worshipped God. He aspired to be more beloved than God. It was his last desire before he was cast out of heaven. He got a new job - tormenting us and trying to lead us away from God.

For these times when reason doesn't make sense to me, I can only trust that it makes sense to God, that He's in control and that in the end, all will be well. When reason fails, God never does.

Ps 33:4
4 For the word of the LORD holds true,and everything he does is worthy of our trust.

Lord I submit all my fears and doubts, confusion and hurt, to the foot of the cross. All my trust is in you. Thank You for always giving us the grace to stumble and fumble our way through life, always there to pick us up and set us straight again. In Jesus' name, amen.