Today is "Good Friday," a day that is really only good because of the end result of what happened. It certainly wasn't good that a perfect man was killed. It wasn't good that it was because of my sins. And it wasn't good that His death was agonizing.
Some say "Good" really stands for "Holy". Some say it was good because it lead to Sunday and the Resurrection. Actually, it seems English is the only language where today is called "Good Friday." Other languages refer to today as "Holy Friday," "Great Friday," "Long Friday" or "Sad Friday."
Whatever you call today, it is a day to acknowledge for several reasons. First, as much as I would like to just skip over the unpleasant details of what Christ suffered ... as much as I would like to jump to Sunday and start celebrating ... Jesus asks me to suffer with Him awhile.
On the night of His betrayal, Jesus asked Peter, James and John to watch and wait for Him while He prayed. During the time when our Lord was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” His closest friends couldn’t keep awake. Three times Jesus returned to find them sleeping.
In Philippians, Paul said, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Phil 3:10)
To truly appreciate Sunday we have to experience Friday. So take some time today to consider the suffering Christ went through.
I've wondered a lot why Christ's death had to be so painful. I know He was fulfilling prophesies, but why didn't He just go through the motions and have His Heavenly Father remove the pain?
This morning as I was consider my devotion from Wednesday and all the comments about experiencing "death" here on earth, this thought struck me upside the head:
Jesus didn't have to experience the depth of suffering He did ... but He chose to. He willingly walked through the ugliness of humanity, the worst type of betrayal, the indignity of being falsely accused and the excruciating pain of the crucifixion, and so much more. He chose to experience every one of those things on purpose.
He chose to so that when you think your heart is about to be ripped from your body in grief - you'd know He understands.
And when sadness has overwhelmed you to the point of tears and exhaustion - you'd know He understands.
And when you despair over the choices of someone you love ... you'd know He understands.
And when you feel betrayal of the deepest, most intimate kind ... you'd know He understands.
And when your body is betraying you with sickness, disease or injury ... you'd know He understand.
We have a Savior who willingly experienced horrific grief and suffering so that we could never say "Jesus wouldn't understand." This "Good Friday" I'm choosing to remember. I'm choosing to not skip over the agony my Jesus suffered. And in doing so, I can already feel the gratitude welling up in me.
And that is a good thing.
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Thank you to everyone who posted a comment on Wednesday or Thursday. I've prayed for each of you. Sadly I only have one gift pack to give away. I wish I had 44. I'm happy to announce that Grace has won the gift pack. I'll send you an email. But if it doesn't come through, please email me at editor@proverbs31.org.
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk, called "But Will He Conquer My Death?" If you're joining me today after reading this, I bid you a special welcome. If you are a regular reader of my blog, I'm so glad you're here today.
I think a lot of us are facing what feels like the "death" of something. It could be the loss of a job, a house, or a business venture. Some face the loss of a dream due to wrong choices, or limited opportunities due to the economy. The death of a relationship carries physical pain some times.
And it's sometimes very hard to admit the depth of the pain when you compare yourself to others who are facing significantly worse tragedies. What I want to say today is there's nothing wrong with honest grief. Especially when you've lost something dear.
There is something unhealthy about denying that pain. You see, when we deny the reality of the pain we feel, we keep God at arm's length. Being honest invites God into our real world. And that is where God loves to be, and where He does His best healing work.
If you are facing a "death" today, it's okay to admit it. You've come to the right place, because we are gong to God's Word for some hope. I hope these passages minister to you as they have to me:
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
" ... he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, 'Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.'” Isaiah 25:7-9
"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him." Romans 6:8-9
"I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. " Revelations 1:18
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. " Isaiah 42:16
"For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’" Isaiah 51:16.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
What scripture has spoken life into your "death"? It could be one of these or one that you've read before. Please post a comment and share it with all of us. Or post a comment and share what feels like "death" to you. I've got a gift pack to give away, including a book, note pad and Starbucks gift card. I'll select a winner from those who post before Thursday night, and announce it Friday morning. Please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you, or check back on Friday.
Is it too early to say, "He is Risen!"?
I think not.
HE IS RISEN!!
Glynnis
I think a lot of us are facing what feels like the "death" of something. It could be the loss of a job, a house, or a business venture. Some face the loss of a dream due to wrong choices, or limited opportunities due to the economy. The death of a relationship carries physical pain some times.
And it's sometimes very hard to admit the depth of the pain when you compare yourself to others who are facing significantly worse tragedies. What I want to say today is there's nothing wrong with honest grief. Especially when you've lost something dear.
There is something unhealthy about denying that pain. You see, when we deny the reality of the pain we feel, we keep God at arm's length. Being honest invites God into our real world. And that is where God loves to be, and where He does His best healing work.
If you are facing a "death" today, it's okay to admit it. You've come to the right place, because we are gong to God's Word for some hope. I hope these passages minister to you as they have to me:
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
" ... he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, 'Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.'” Isaiah 25:7-9
"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him." Romans 6:8-9
"I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. " Revelations 1:18
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. " Isaiah 42:16
"For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’" Isaiah 51:16.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
What scripture has spoken life into your "death"? It could be one of these or one that you've read before. Please post a comment and share it with all of us. Or post a comment and share what feels like "death" to you. I've got a gift pack to give away, including a book, note pad and Starbucks gift card. I'll select a winner from those who post before Thursday night, and announce it Friday morning. Please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you, or check back on Friday.
Is it too early to say, "He is Risen!"?
I think not.
HE IS RISEN!!
Glynnis
Friday, April 2, 2010
On this holy day in our faith - Good Friday - I wish you warmest blessings.
Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk. If you haven't read it, I invite you to do so.
The title is "Victory on the Other Side of Failure." I originally wrote it for a chapter on helping kids deal with failure in my book "When Your Child is Hurting." It is frustrating to me to see so many people living life far below their potential. And I realized that much of that attitude of defeat started when we were children.
Someone, somewhere, at some time, told us we couldn't do something. Or told us we would never amount to anything. Or said we were only a "C" student. Or told us to sit on the bench, keep our mouths shut, stay out of the way.
Maybe they never said anything, but we were passed over for opportunities ... repeatedly.
So we learn to accept mediocrity ... work below our potential ... never risk ... and accept "failure" as the end. As the end of a dream, the end of our hopes, the door slamming shut in our faces.
Only it isn't the end.
If nothing else in history teaches us that "failure" isn't always what it seems, the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ shouts that message loud and clear.
With God, there is always hope.
With God, there is always a new chance.
With God, you always have potential.
With God, victory is on the other side of failure!
We are never to old to learn this lesson and apply it to our lives. And the lives of our children.
Are you out of work today? Victory is on the other side.
Have you been betrayed? Victory is on the other side!
Are you sick? Victory is on the other side!
Are you lonely? Victory is on the other side!
Do you struggle with addiction? Victory is on the other side!
On that Friday, thousands of years ago, the disciples of Jesus saw defeat with their eyes. They saw their precious friend and Lord die on a cross.
It looked like failure. Only it wasn't.
Can you imagine those agonizing hours before Sunday morning? Maybe you can, because you feel like that too. You are experiencing your own loss and wondering if God can conquer your "death."
I believe with everything in me that Christ can conquer death. In whatever form it takes. We just need to look at life with new eyes. And trust God. Don't give up. Victory is coming.
"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" (1 Corinthians 15:53-55, NIV)
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." (1 John 5:4, NAS)
He is Risen!
Glynnis
Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk. If you haven't read it, I invite you to do so.
The title is "Victory on the Other Side of Failure." I originally wrote it for a chapter on helping kids deal with failure in my book "When Your Child is Hurting." It is frustrating to me to see so many people living life far below their potential. And I realized that much of that attitude of defeat started when we were children.
Someone, somewhere, at some time, told us we couldn't do something. Or told us we would never amount to anything. Or said we were only a "C" student. Or told us to sit on the bench, keep our mouths shut, stay out of the way.
Maybe they never said anything, but we were passed over for opportunities ... repeatedly.
So we learn to accept mediocrity ... work below our potential ... never risk ... and accept "failure" as the end. As the end of a dream, the end of our hopes, the door slamming shut in our faces.
Only it isn't the end.
If nothing else in history teaches us that "failure" isn't always what it seems, the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ shouts that message loud and clear.
With God, there is always hope.
With God, there is always a new chance.
With God, you always have potential.
With God, victory is on the other side of failure!
We are never to old to learn this lesson and apply it to our lives. And the lives of our children.
Are you out of work today? Victory is on the other side.
Have you been betrayed? Victory is on the other side!
Are you sick? Victory is on the other side!
Are you lonely? Victory is on the other side!
Do you struggle with addiction? Victory is on the other side!
On that Friday, thousands of years ago, the disciples of Jesus saw defeat with their eyes. They saw their precious friend and Lord die on a cross.
It looked like failure. Only it wasn't.
Can you imagine those agonizing hours before Sunday morning? Maybe you can, because you feel like that too. You are experiencing your own loss and wondering if God can conquer your "death."
I believe with everything in me that Christ can conquer death. In whatever form it takes. We just need to look at life with new eyes. And trust God. Don't give up. Victory is coming.
"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" (1 Corinthians 15:53-55, NIV)
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." (1 John 5:4, NAS)
He is Risen!
Glynnis
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Yesterday I went for my annual mammogram. This is always a time of some nervousness for me. You see, when I was only 20 I had a solid mass removed. Then another when I was 27. They were both benign, but I've got fibroid cystic disorder/disease and have got lots of interesting things happening inside. So that means I'm more vigilant than I might have been had I never had a problem.
Also in the past, Satan has used the threat of breast cancer as a tool against me. I've actually experienced oppressive fear at times. But praise God, I've have been miraculously freed of it.
Although I don't experience the same high level of fear, I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a low level of anxiety at this time of year.
Especially this year.
This year, my sister got breast cancer. Just last month she had surgery and will start treatment soon. Praise God, it was caught early. But she has been dropped into a battle she didn't expect -just like millions of other women who don't expect to be in a fight for their lives.
So this year, my family history of breast cancer changed. Before, there was no history. Now there is.
As I've been thinking about that this week, I realized I've got another family history. One even stronger than breast cancer. I've got a history of a very powerful Heavenly Father who fights for His children.
My family history contains stories of a Father who parts water so His kids can escape an army, pauses the sun, makes donkeys talk, saves people from lions and fiery furnaces, confuses enemies so they destroy each other, restores sight to the blind, makes lame walk, brings hope to the hopeless, feeds 5000+, heals diseases and raises the dead!!!
That's MY family history!!
So yesterday, I asked my Heavenly Dad for help. I needed to be reminded of ALL my family history. I needed Him to go with me into that office. I needed Him to battle the enemy's lies and plans for me. I needed to be protected from disease.
I needed to be reminded that even if the test showed something concerning, that He was bigger than any test result and would take care of me.
So my Father went with me yesterday. And was faithful to do all that; the tests were all normal.
Sometimes God uses situations to remind us of truths we need to bury deep into our hearts. Here's my truth for today: I've got a Heavenly Daddy who loves me and will intervene in my life to care for me and bring good out of all situations. I either believe that or I don't. Situations don't change that truth. There is no situation that takes Him by surprise or is too big for Him to handle. I need to remember that.
Here's a great passage from Isaiah 51:12-16:
As we approach Easter next week, it's good to be reminded that the same God of the Bible's history is the same God of our history. And that is a really cool family history.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Also in the past, Satan has used the threat of breast cancer as a tool against me. I've actually experienced oppressive fear at times. But praise God, I've have been miraculously freed of it.
Although I don't experience the same high level of fear, I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a low level of anxiety at this time of year.
Especially this year.
This year, my sister got breast cancer. Just last month she had surgery and will start treatment soon. Praise God, it was caught early. But she has been dropped into a battle she didn't expect -just like millions of other women who don't expect to be in a fight for their lives.
So this year, my family history of breast cancer changed. Before, there was no history. Now there is.
As I've been thinking about that this week, I realized I've got another family history. One even stronger than breast cancer. I've got a history of a very powerful Heavenly Father who fights for His children.
My family history contains stories of a Father who parts water so His kids can escape an army, pauses the sun, makes donkeys talk, saves people from lions and fiery furnaces, confuses enemies so they destroy each other, restores sight to the blind, makes lame walk, brings hope to the hopeless, feeds 5000+, heals diseases and raises the dead!!!
That's MY family history!!
So yesterday, I asked my Heavenly Dad for help. I needed to be reminded of ALL my family history. I needed Him to go with me into that office. I needed Him to battle the enemy's lies and plans for me. I needed to be protected from disease.
I needed to be reminded that even if the test showed something concerning, that He was bigger than any test result and would take care of me.
So my Father went with me yesterday. And was faithful to do all that; the tests were all normal.
Sometimes God uses situations to remind us of truths we need to bury deep into our hearts. Here's my truth for today: I've got a Heavenly Daddy who loves me and will intervene in my life to care for me and bring good out of all situations. I either believe that or I don't. Situations don't change that truth. There is no situation that takes Him by surprise or is too big for Him to handle. I need to remember that.
Here's a great passage from Isaiah 51:12-16:
“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of
mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?
Yet you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the one who stretched
out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the
earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human
oppressors? Will you continue to fear the anger of your
enemies? Where is their fury and anger now? It is
gone!
Soon all you captives will be released! Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate!
For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its
waves to roar. My name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in
my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the
foundations of the earth.I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my
people!’”
As we approach Easter next week, it's good to be reminded that the same God of the Bible's history is the same God of our history. And that is a really cool family history.
In His Love,
Glynnis
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