1 Chronicles 1:17-3:9

“These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher. The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by the daughter of Shua, the Canaanitess. Er, the firstborn of Judah, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; so He killed him. And Tamar, his daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.” 1 Chronicles 2:1-4 NIV

It’s a shame that the only thing mentioned about Er is that he was wicked. I can’t help but wonder what will be spoken about my life. What legacy will I leave?

“Also the sons of Hezron who were born to him were Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai. Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, leader of the children of Judah; Nahshon begot Salma, and Salma begot Boaz; Boaz begot Obed, and Obed begot Jesse; Jesse begot Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh. Now the sisters were Zeriuah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel-three. Abagail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.” 1 Chronicles 2:9-17 NIV

Some of these names are very familiar to me…David, Boaz, Abigail. Others I find myself skimming over, but wanting to find out more about their life. I am reminded that names are important. And that because of Jesus, I have a new name. I recently read a book that asked, “Do you know the meaning of your name?” (When Women Walk by Faith-Lysa TerKeurst). I’ve always known that my name means Beloved, but this time it took on a whole new meaning for me. It went from my head to my heart. It was a tangible reminder of God’s love for me. There was no doubt in my mind that God was speaking to me through this book and the words of this song…

“I’ve heard the accusation. And I’ve heard the propaganda. I’ve heard the lies they whispered to my soul. That I have been forsaken. And I’ll always be forgotten. No matter what I do it’s not enough. I am Your Beloved, You have bought me with Your blood. On Your hand You have written out my name. I am Your Beloved, the one the Father loves, Your mercy has defeated all my shame. The One who knows me best, is the one who loves me most. There is nothing I have done that could change the Father’s love…” (I am Your Beloved, Jonathon & Melissa Houser-Bethel Music)

Dear Father, thank you that you call me by my new name…Loved, Chosen, Redeemed. That I am found by You and loved by You. My name is written on the palm of your hand (Isaiah 49:16). My purpose and identity are in you. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

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Numbers 12-14, Psalm 28, Colossians 2

I am continuously in awe of the cross and the sacrifice Jesus made for me, the injustice he received- my justice. The older I get and the more I look around at the world around me both locally and globally, again, I am in awe of the place the Lord has me in. I wonder why I have been so incredibly blessed to live where I live, have the family that I do and the stability that probably 90% of the world does not. It’s actually disturbing to think about sometimes.
When thinking about the timing that I was born, I have often reflected on what it would be like to have lived 3,000 years ago when Moses walked the Earth. If we put our belief and faith in the fulfillment of Christ, their faith (for salvation) was in the promise of what was to come. Would I have had faith in something that had not happened yet? Or would I have been like the Israelites, always complaining and grumbling? They didn’t stop to reflect on God’s goodness so they forgot. They didn’t remember God’s faithfulness to carry them through so they were fearful. They didn’t offer thanksgiving but were discontent and grumbling. They missed it and subsequently missed out (on the Promised Land).
So what do I miss out on because I forget all that Christ has done for me? What do I miss because I am too busy trying to make up and or follow “rules and regulations”. I am often looking for the “right way” to do this or that, the next best self-help or self-improvement book or bible study. In my day to day life I forget all that Christ has done for me. I look to myself or others for help in what I should do. I forget that Jesus paid it all and instead, I have bought in to the lies in the world that tell me there is an ounce of good in me and it’s that good that Jesus wants. When I get on that hamster wheel, the cycle of performance, failure and guilt spin round and round. But Paul reminds us as believers we already possess all the knowledge we need to live in this world when we believe. We not only have the knowledge, but the power because of Christ and that should cause us to be thankful. Colossians 2 says:

6 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

I am reminded by this passage that when I crossed the line of faith, I became been filled with Christ. I am in him and he is in me. In him I have died to trespasses, circumcised, buried and raised. I was dead but am now alive, forgiven and free. Christ “cancelled the record of debt that stood against me with it’s legal demands.”
When I try to rely on my own goodness, my own good deeds and my own rules and regulations I set up in my life, it only leads to pride and a judgmental spirit. It leads me further from Jesus and shrinks the cross. When I listen to the conflicting messages from the so called Christian world around me, I am tempted to subscribe to man-made rules instead of living in the freedom that Christ died for me.

16 “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,[d] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?”

Lord, Jesus, please forgive my sinful heart for wanting to fall back into slavery to man-made rules and regulations that you came to fulfill. Thank you for your sacrifice that bought my freedom both here on Earth and in eternity. Amen.

Genesis 1-2; Psalm 19; Mark 1

Begin by the water.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1:1,2

To this infinite expanse, the mind of God brings a physicality: light pierces the darkness and gives rise to order, rhythm and sequence. And God creates life upon life. Shimmering, dancing, unrestrained life. Combinations of colors of every hue, sounds, song and sensation arise from the very heart of God and take form: earth and sky, plant and animal, then man. Man created in God’s very image.

Return to the water. Once again, the Spirit hovers over the water and reaches down to Earth.

“As Jesus was coming out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'” Mark 1:10-11

This is God’s public announcement: his Spirit has come down to earth to be with us. Through Jesus, God has humbled himself and taken the form of man. He has come to restore what has been broken. John the Baptist is brought to his knees by the new order:

“After me will come one more powerful than I, the throngs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:7-8.

Jesus brings the Spirit of God to live within me. Eternal life is mine for the asking. Because of Christ’s death on the Cross and resurrection, I can know the renewing presence of the Holy Spirit every day.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world can not accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”  John 14:16-17

So this morning, the Holy Spirit waits for me to turn my heart to him and hear him speak words I long to hear. Words of life and renewal. He invites me to take part in what He is doing. How can it be that the very Spirit of God who shaped the Universe seeks to take residence in my heart?

O Lord,  thank you for humbling yourself so that I might know you. Keep me from foolishly taking your Presence for granted. Give me the wisdom to discern your voice and the obedience to follow your lead. Thank you for your loving kindness and favor.   Amen

Klueh

Leviticus 5; Psalms 3, 4; Proverbs 20; Colossians 3

No one can say, “I am innocent; I have never done anything wrong.” Proverbs 20:9 (NCV)

If a person sins and does something the Lord has commanded not to be done, even if he does not know it, he is still guilty. He is responsible for his sin. Leviticus 5:17 (NCV)

There are 613 individual laws that the Jews were told to follow in the early days of Israel and even unto today. The Mosaic Law is a list of many things that must be done and many more that must not be done to be holy unto God. The laws touch on every thinkable aspect of life and death. It is a list of unattainable perfection.

[By offering the sacrifice] the priest will remove the person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive him. Leviticus 5:10b (NCV)

When one or more sins were committed, the sinner was required to bring a sin sacrifice to the priests. Whether they knew they were sinning or not they were required to offer sacrifices. And only after those sacrifices were made would that person then be forgiven.

There are so many laws to remember, to understand, and to follow and obey. So many things that need to be monitored, regulated. No matter how hard I try, I can’t even imagine actually fulfilling each and every single letter of the law.

I will pray to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain. Psalms 3:4 (NCV)

Answer me when I pray to you, my God who does what is right. Make things easier for me when I am in trouble. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalms 4:1 (NCV)

When I inevitably stumble, all I have to do is pray, ask my Father for forgiveness. My sin is forgiven and forgotten. I am redeemed. The blood sacrifice that was made by Christ at Calvary was, is, and will always be enough to set me free from the law that only serves to show me that I will never be able to do it without His help. His love is everlasting. His mercy is never ending. His grace is the gift of life that keeps on giving and can never be lost.

God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Colossians 3:12 (NCV)

I am a new creation, a righteous life raised from the grave, my grave clothes left behind in the tomb. I am the beloved daughter of the King being prepared as a spotless bride. I walk in freedom and in the delight of being one with Him.

Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 (NCV)

You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God. Colossians 3:10 (NCV)

Blessings – Julie, Vadipatti, India (written in the U.S.A.)

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Genesis 1; Matthew 1; Ezra 1; Acts 1

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness…So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. Genesis 1:26-27 NCV

A beautiful love story.

God created me. Created me in His own image and likeness. The pattern He used was flawless and never duplicated. He knows every part of me. I was called good.

And yet, even in the freedom that was given, that perfection was whisked away and I fell. I welcomed drama into His perfect world and our love crumbled. Our connection was severed. He was forced to turn His back to me; yet only for a moment.

He had a plan…

…The angel said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20b-21

His name is Jesus. Fully God, yet fully man, come to earth, born of a virgin. His purpose: to redeem and reestablish. His goal: to love. The end and the beginning on a cross at Calvary. Christ paid my debts in death and life. His blood covered me, my faults, my sins, from head to toe. An exquisite, red dress that I continue to wear exposed the sacrifice made to save me. I turned and twirl back into His caring arms. I surrendered to His grace and mercy, my will melding into His. Restoration.

May God be with all of you who are his people. Ezra 1:3a NCV

We are together forever. He in me and I in Him. Our relationship renewed. Jehovah Jireh, my provider. Jehovah Rapha, my healer. Jehovah Raah, my shepherd. He is my sanctification and my righteousness.

Jesus said to them, “The Father is the only One who has the authority to decide dates and times. These things are not for you to know. But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.” Acts 1:7-8 NCV

I am waiting only for the marriage feast, the reception to celebrate our eternity together. A time, drawing closer and closer, to when we will be able to walk together once more in the cool of the day. And until that time, I will roam the world telling the mysteries of His everlasting love for me.

And so, one year ends and another begins. A reminder of my new birth, my new creation. A reminder of happily ever after.

 

Blessings – Julie, Vadipatti, India (written in the U.S.A.)

 

Happy New Year!

May 2013 be a year of blessing and abundance in your life!

 

 

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.