Sunday, April 17, 2011

Do you REALLY understand??

My A HA! moment of the week.  This morning was one of the most emotional, anointed, appointed, spiritual, touching services I've been to in a long time.  The spirit of God was very much present.  It always is but today was more special for me.  Through a series of skits, songs, prayers, the Lords Supper, and scripture reading, God spoke to me.
     Growing up, I LOVED praise and worship!  I had most all of the hymn's memorized.  But now, as an adult who seeks to know more of God and to grow in my faith, I realize I never really LISTENED to what I was singing.  I was going through the motions.  Sure I loved the Lord with all my heart.  I would tell others of the wonderful things he did for me but I never stopped to FULLY comprehend just what it was He DID do for me....and YOU!!  You should also watch this skit.  http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=7Z67KGNX  That skit wasn't the main thing that brought to mind just how much of a sacrifice my Savior did for me but it did help drive the point home. 
     It all started with a skit some of our Church members performed.  It was a skit showing that no matter what we do, no matter what we go through, even when we feel alone, Christ is there for us!   His grace is there for us.  All we need to do is accept it!  And then through a series of praise and worship song that I REALLY listened to and brought me to tears, and to listening to Holy Spirit speak to me, an analogy popped into my head.  As a child and through my teenage years, my daddy (my earthly daddy) was my everything.  I loved him like I loved no other.  So when he first became ill, I couldn't comprehend why MY daddy had to go through that.  When his second bout of cancer finally lead to his death, I hurt like you wouldn't believe.  It was without a doubt the worst pain I've ever gone through in my life.  My dad didn't choose to go that way.  I sure didn't choose to see him suffer in agony like that and if his parents had been presented with that choice, they sure wouldn't have chosen that path for him either but sometimes, life happens.  And in life, there is death.  We aren't promised tomorrow but we ARE promised eternity.  A bright future! 
     As a parent, I can't even IMAGINE choosing for my child to be a sacrifice so that others may live.  The mommy in me just can't bare that thought. But God did!!  As a human being, I can't imagine allowing myself...choosing to follow that path of being nailed to a cross for all humanity!  A humanity that may or may not choose to believe in me and to accept my sacrifice.  But Jesus did!!! 
     Do you understand???  Do you get just how much of a sacrifice was made?  Do you get how great a gift we've been given if we only choose to accept it??  A loving God cared for His creation so much that though they more often than not, chose to live in sin, was willing to send His ONLY son to be the ultimate sacrifice so that we may find redemption!  He dealt us the Grace card!  He gave us a get out of hell free card!!!  WHY would you not choose such an amazing gift of love??
     I understand that there are those who have a hard time believing that anyone would make such an ultimate sacrifice and for that reason, their doubt leads them to not believe.  Some even hate Christianity for believing in such a Hopeful ending.  One where no matter how much suffering we go through, will ultimately lead to a life of hope and joy for all eternity but I have but one thing to say about that.  If I'm wrong, (which I know I'm not!  I've seen way too many miracles and felt God's presence more times than I could ever even try to count) what do I have to lose???  If YOU are wrong, you've missed out on an eternity with a loving creator who chooses to give His children an eternity free from pain....and sorrow....and death.....and heart break!!!  Think about all the pain and suffering and heartbreak you may have experienced already in your life time!  Wouldn't it be nice to know that once our time is up or once God calls us home that from that point on and for all eternity we will never have to go through that again???  THAT is what my God did for me...and YOU and for all the world! 
     John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not parish but have everlasting life!"
     John 3:17  "For God came into the world not to condemn the world but that the world, through HIM, might be saved!"

Romans 10:9

" If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

My prayer is that all those I've ever come in contact with be given the opportunity to hear of God's love and his sacrifice and come to know a God of grace and ask Him to be their Lord and Savior!

And please don't take this as a "holier than thou" blog.  It is not meant that way.  I've made my fair share of mistakes and will continue doing so I'm sure.  I'm only human!  We all sin.  None of us are perfect and I know I fall short sometimes.  Probably at times I may not even realize it.  But I'm a human that has been saved by grace and that alone gives me hope of a brighter tomorrow.   I do ask your forgiveness if I've ever not been an example that I know I should be.  I ask for your grace to realize that though I strive to do good, live right, and be a light to others, that I do have my weak moments.  I do fall short...I do lose patience and please forgive me for that as well.  And please know that if ANY of you ever want to know about my faith and my love for Christ, that I'm more than willing to talk to any one of you about it.  I've not always been able to say that.  I've been timid...self conscious, intimidated but that is no more.  I can not let my lack of confidence keep me from doing what we as believer are called to do. 


Mark 16:15

   15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

God bless!!!
~Mary