We have together explored the concepts of fighting for Joy in a World filled with sorrow; yet, you may ask so "Are you saying I am to be merry all the time?"  What about all the aching of my aging body?  What about all the annoyances that occur everyday in my life?  What about the distress we must face every day that we live?  From broken appliances in our home to dealing with bodies ravaged by illness.  Though the outward man may be battling with fatigue, pain, aging, frustrations, frailties, and vanities; the joy that under girds is a joy based on hope.  Like a steady flowing fresh water spring that hope  rises up within us, bubbling forth and lifting us to be able to step forth into today.  We are given the courage and the energy to step forth one more day into whatever world we must face today, marching forward to proclaim the name of Christ into a world plunging daily further into despair.  Much like Paul says in Romans 8.  Paul was imprisoned, beaten, cast down, and carried about with him a "thorn in the flesh."  We are never told precisely what that thorn was; but we do know that it was that which caused him pain and irritation. 

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

My Joy and my Hope rest fully upon a relationship with my Heavenly Father who knows my every frailty.  The more I know of His Love, the more I am aware of my own inability to love Him as I should; yet, I know one day I will.  The more I see His righteousness, the clearer I see the darkness within my own heart and groan of my ineptness; yet, I know and hopefully cling to His promise that one day I will look like Christ.  The more I see of His Glory, the more I realize my unworthiness; yet, I know His glory will reflect off my life like a mirror when I am emptied fully of my own selfish desires.  This Joy is not one of drunken merriment; rather it is one of steady hope; knowing that God has a plan.  Were I to be so fully comfortable with this life, would I ever seek Him?  Will not the pains, sorrows, frailties and afflictions that we face on the earth create within us a greater joy when we stand before Him one day?  Who would enjoy the banquet feast more, savoring each morsel–the one who eats to their fullest satisfaction every day or the one who has suffered hunger?

Luke 5:  30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

The self-righteous will never see their need of Christ and remain content with their counterfeit joys–thus never see or desire the true Joy (that steady ebbing flow that fills a heart that stands firm in hope and faith upon the Creator of this universe.)  One day their counterfeit joys will dissipate and they will spend eternity apart from the only true hope.  So let hope arise within you, sit in His presence for just a little while today and be filled with that Joy which He provides. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyMWBx6vvJo

For the past two days I have written to you about truths within in the word of God as to how we might fight for joy in the midst of a world filled with pain and sorrow.  How do we cling to faith wherein we might experience His fullness of Joy while everything around us and within us is crumbling from pain and fear? If we look around us, we see only sorrow and frustration.  If we look deep within ourselves, we see failure and guilt. So how do we still fight for Joy?  Christ said that He had told us these things that our joy might be full. These things He spoke of were to abide in Him.  So, what does abiding look like?         

         So, abiding in Him is learning to rest in His Arms knowing that one day I will stand before Him and all Glory will be known.  I can trust that every time He prunes me that He does so with Love so that I may bear more fruit which Glorifies Him more; magnifying His Beauty ever more within my heart.  As I through contrition, praise, faith and obedience abide within His arms of Love; I bear more fruit.  That fruit Glorifies Him more, magnifies His Beauty and thus brings more joy and hope in my heart as I gaze upon His ever increasing, breath taking Beauty. To Abide in Him, we lay down everything to trust Him—no matter what.  Though my heart’s greatest desire is to be standing before His throne; I do not want to go without an abundance of fruit to lay before His feet.  For that reason, I must abide in Him by trusting Him with all my Heart and Soul.  When storm clouds crowd around me I must continue to battle for joy in Christ even while here upon this earth. I must revel in the moments that He does allow those glimpses of Overwhelming Joy and to see His great Glory before me.  I must hold tight to Future Grace which will continue to sustain me into eternity.  Trust, my soul in Him; rest my heart within His love, and forever let me seek His face with each step of this my life until my dying breath.   

            Abiding is trusting my heavenly Father is omnipotent and that He will not allow anything into my life that is not for my edification and for my ultimate joy.  He only removes those things which get in the way of my seeing Him.  Abiding is trusting my heavenly Father is omniscient and that He sees me as the Glorified, Justified, Perfect final product that He is molding.  Like the artist envisions the final portrait as he steadily adds, erases, covers and transforms the canvas into his final completed work; God also sees the completion of His work in me.   Abiding is trusting in the truth that my Heavenly Father loves me.  Abiding is trusting that He is able to speak and stop whatever storm may have arisen; yet, in love has chosen not to—so that I might be blessed and He might be glorified.  Abiding is casting aside all this pride which desires to show God that I can do it myself and realizing that I can only do it when He does it through me.   Abiding is acknowledging the truth that He is on His throne and rules over the just and the unjust.  Abiding is clinging to hope in Future Grace as He has provided.  Abiding is letting go of Counterfeit treasures that I might obtain the Greatest Treasure which is God.  Abiding is knowing that God gave His greatest treasure (His Son) that He might suffer, die and be risen so that a regenerate, guilty heart might be declared righteous and thus be able to share in the Beauty, Love, and Joy that is found in the Triune God.   Abiding is knowing that 2 Corinthians 4:” ⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷But we have this treasure (the gospel) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”  And abiding understands that in this world, we may have tribulations; but our joy flows only as we allow the life sustaining nutrients of the vine to flow forth through us.  2 Corinthians 4: “⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹¹For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”  (Excerpts from Ultimate Inspiration–God’s Plan of love)

I John 2: 12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

What is that will of God? I Timothy 2: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

So what if God allows my trials and tribulations so that I might present to you Christ and Christ Alone?  Then, wouldn’t it be worth every tear?  And to you who know Christ, remember, that no matter how long those deserts of your soul may be present, keep preaching to your own soul the truth of the gospel.  I know I must.

Isaiah 61: 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Do not forget to keep your eyes focused on Christ.  And remember as Johnathan Edwards,

“Christ is not only a remedy for your weariness and trouble, but he will give you an abundance of the contrary, joy and delight. They who come to Christ, do not only come to a resting-place after they have been wandering in a wilderness, but they come to a banqueting-house where they may rest, and where they may feast. They may cease from their former troubles and toils, and they may enter upon a course of delights and spiritual joys.”
Jonathan Edwards
The Works Of Jonathan Edwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTlqY_ok8VY

 

As we saw yesterday, Christ said that "these things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  What things you might ask?  Please, I need to know what things that I might in the midst of this worlds sorrows cling to a hope for joy, you might plead.  So let’s look at what Christ had just said.

15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

He had declared that He was the vine and we the branches.  The only life giving, joy flowing, energy filling source is found through Him.  We cannot bare the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith Galatians 5:22) unless we first have the life-flowing sap of the vine in us.  Christ is that means by which we may be grafted into the vine. A vine; however, that is not pruned does not bear fruit.  If not tended by the husbandman (God), the branches would grow wildly with hundreds of shoots going off in wild directions.  Those shoots do not bear fruit.  Sounds a lot like us and our desires running into a thousand directions with little true purpose; ahh, but such is the human race. 

Then how do we ever learn to abide in the vine.  Is it a hopeless dream that I will ever become a fruit laden branch for God?  Can this regenerate, willful branch ever learn to be fully submitted to Him and quit trying to prove itself by trying to do the work for God?  Will I ever reach that point that I do not weep over the pruning when God so wisely removes those desires I am clinging so tightly to; in order that I might wholeheartedly seek the only true treasure which is God, Alone.  He must continually cut away those counterfeit joys in order that I might seek and savor the only true joy which I can find in Him. Ever so gently He has provided me with glimpses of His Joy and His Glory; knowing that the magnitude of His Wondrous Glory, Love and Joy are too great for this human heart to fully comprehend. Yet, I have felt His Joy just enough to know I want and desire it with all of my heart and soul.  I have seen just enough of His Glory to know that I hunger and thirst after Him as the greatest treasure.  Still there are moments when life with all its trials, sorrows and demands seem to blur my vision.  The depth of sorrow that comes is even greater in those moments because I have tasted of His Joy and His Glory.  I hunger and thirst after Him.   Like David in Psalm 27: ⁴One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. ..⁸When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”

            As we come to realize that His beauty, His Glory is greater to be desired than anything we have ever imagined; we seek Him and savor Him.  We begin prizing Him, cherishing Him, loving Him above any other treasure; yet, this does not mean that our sorrow is completely gone while we are yet in this world.  We are never beyond the battle on this earth against negativity even within our own hearts.  We do however battle for joy in the midst of all this sorrow.  We may be broken heartedly clinging tight to that joy which we now have seen glimpses of and hold very tightly to it; because nothing else on this earth can ever compare to it.   (Excerpt from Ultimate Inspiration-God’s Plan of Love)

When we see Him as our greatest treasure and have glimpsed at His Glory as that which we desire most; then we can see beyond the pain that we might feel at this moment to glance at the portrait that God is weaving within our lives- a portrait of His Son.  Only He can see the upper side and only He knows how all the threads when woven together will portray His Glory and His Son to a world is such dire need of Him.  We too often look at the moment and forget to focus on the "big picture" which only God can see.  I can trust Him with each detail.  Only then can I say as did Paul the Apostle in 2 Corinthians 6: "⁴ in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, ⁵In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; ⁶By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, ⁷By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; ¹⁰As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

Oh, that we will never lose heart fighting for Joy in Christ, no matter how the hurricane winds of sorrow, pain, and guilt surround us each day in this world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygx4Qe27lBw

Tomorrow we will look a little deeper into Abiding.

“Fits of depression come over the most of us. Cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.

There may be here and there men of iron to whom wear and tear work no perceptible detriment, but surely the rust frets even these; and as for ordinary men, the Lord knows and makes them to know that they are but dust.

Knowing by most painful experience what deep depression of spirit means, being visited therewith at seasons by no means few or far between, “  Charles Spurgeon    "When a Preacher is downcast"

If God’s Purpose for my creation was to share with this pauper His Love, His Joy, and His Glory; then, why would I ever feel downcast?  Is that an ever pressing reminder of my own failure of faith? We pray; yet, there are times when God says wait–yet we wonder how long?  We see the world around us filled with evil and despair, while we cling so tightly to that thread of hope.  People in despair without jobs while the very cost of living increases daily.  Our salaries diminish, our costs increase and we are pressed against a wall wondering "Why?"  I have faithfully tithed all these years, did I expect prosperity in return?  Still, He has provided each day the needs of that day.  Where do we go when the sorrows and weights of this world seem to creep in to steal our joy in Christ?  Is there any purpose in those moments?  How do we fight for joy in the midst of our life?

We are certainly not alone in our questions.  Look at Paul the Apostle who faced trials from every side, imprisonments, beatings, hunger, and great sorrow at times. 

2 Corinthians 7:

5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

Then look at David, who was haunted by his own failures with there resultant consequences.

Psalm 90: 8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

13 Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

So what do we do?  Do we just sit in our sorrow and carry our cross with downcast eyes until the day we die?  NO, We fight for our Joy in Christ; laying aside all those counterfeit joys which we formerly desired.  We stand on faith and grace; knowing that God has the perfect plan for our life.  Paul wrote the question and the answer to the church at Philippe.

Phillipians 1: 

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Paul desired to leave the worries and trials of this world behind to be with Christ.  The burdens were heavy; however, he knew he had a job to do.  He was to teach the people how to grow in the "Joy of Faith"  Our lives are bought with a grave price.  How can I teach you to walk through trials, if I never faced a trial myself?  How can I boldly say, you must fight to cling tight to the Joy that is found in Christ when the hurricanes of this world swirl about you?

Let’s briefly look at what Christ promised in John 15.

John 15: 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p0fH8TDL5I

Tomorrow we will look deeper into the "these things" Christ referred to so that you might stand and your joy might be full

We began yesterday to explore the elements of Restoration for a Heart shattered by Sin.  We explored David’s story and began to look at the first four elements which in some ways are our part; yet, without God shining His light deep into our hearts we might go on obvious to our own plight.  We would continue to plunge downward into an eternity separated from the only true source of Joy, Love, Hope, and Glory which is God Him self.  For those of us whose eternity is secure in Christ, I can guarantee that your spirit and soul are in the most miserable of places whenever sin stands between you and full fellowship with God.  (If you can happily live in sin, then look very deep into your heart to find out whether you have ever accepted Christ as your Savior) Let’s continue on to look at the Elements of Restoration for which we will turn to Peter’s denial and Peter’s restoration.  

Luke 22: 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Peter’s spirit at that point was broken—whatever concept of himself he had before this denial was suddenly crushed into the realization that he even being warned could not stand a single night without betraying His Lord and Savior. This the same Peter who had so boldly declared that Christ was the Son of God, the same one who walked on the water, and only a few hours prior declared that he was willing to go to prison or death with Christ.  A few hours later here he was having denied his Lord 3 times.   Imagine the scene of a rugged fisherman sobbing bitterly from his broken spirit, broken and contrite heart.   How could that have happened?  Had he not been warned by Christ himself?  Couldn’t he have done better than that?  After all, he had walked side by side with Jesus.  His was the same brokenness, same questions, same declarations of “never could I betray you, Lord” as mine before any of my failures.  I have the Holy Spirit and the gospel with me.  I have walked with Christ for 50 years. I, like Peter, have no excuses that can be rationalized within my own life and heart.  He was devastated by that glimpse of Jesus who in the midst of being beaten and accused took a moment to glimpse over at this His disciple with eyes of compassion and love.  Though He had warned Peter, He knew the depth of brokenness this would create in the heart of this His follower.  (excerpt from A Broken and Contrite Heart).

Element #5:  The Intercessory Prayer of Christ.  God is the Master Weaver and has a plan for Your Life that all Things will work together to transform each child that accepts Him into the likeness of His Son.  Sometimes that means He allows Satan to sift you.  God could say No; which is what I always wondered about.  Why God, did you not stop me?  Ahh, but without free will, stumbles and even falls; would I learn to walk with Him because of love, devotion, and desire to become like Him? Could this covetous, self exalting heart ever truly love God if it were never shattered by it’s own sin–learning to hate sin with the passion that God hates it?  Yet, even when God allows Satan to sift you, Christ is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for you just as He did for Peter. (Luke 22: 31-32)

Element #6: The Compassionate Love of Christ.  In the most painful moment, while enduring the beatings of the soldiers; Christ turned to compassionate look upon Peter.  This was not an “I told you so” look.  It was, “Peter, I love you; I do this for you and later you will understand.  Remember I prayed for you.  How many times has Christ looked down from heaven and even wept tears for me because I did not understand; yet, compassionately, gently He looked upon me.

Element #7: The Intervening work of Christ on the Cross and His Resurrection.  That was why we see in Mark 16; "6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."  It was as if Christ was already saying, now run, tell Peter that His redemption, His forgiveness has been bought by my death and I have overcome the sin which hath beset you.  Good news Peter, I conquered your sin; once and for ever. 

Element #8: God’s call to Service.  As Peter, we may say that all is good and well with His intercessory prayer and His finished plan of Redemption; but still, I have failed so badly that God could never use me.  Note, Peter went back to fishing fish, not men as Christ had called Him to do.  He returned to where it had all begun, and Christ met him there once more to call him to service.  Christ was waiting on the shore with food to feed their physical hunger and then he asked Peter to go for a walk.  Imagine the scene.

So they begin this walk, Peter hardly able to contain himself with the thoughts most likely running through his mind.  It was the first time they were alone and Christ wanted to talk to him.  Then came the piercing questions in a series of three; just like the denial had been a series of three so too the restoring questions are a series of three.  Peter prior to the incident was so confident that he loved Christ better than the other disciples and that he would go to prison or death because of his love for Christ.  Yet, Peter, came to realize that his own love was not perfect; instead he needed to rest on the assurance that Christ’s love was all sufficient.  So it is that Christ asked Peter “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me?”  Note that Christ once more is calling Peter by his human name and not the spiritual name he had been given.  Another point of great interest is the word “lovest”,  In the latin languages, there are various distinctly different words that refer to love.  One type of love is “agape” love.  This is an unconditional, never failing, God like love.   The other word for love that is used in these verses is phileo love (this refers to a general brother-like love) and would be considered a good type of love; but certainly, with limitations and flaws.  It is more like an affection rather than a steady burning, unconditional love.  Therefore, the conversation went something like this.  Christ said, “Simon, do you love me with a burning, unconditional agape love?”  Peter’s response is “yeah Lord, I love you with an affectionate, brother like Phileo love.” Christ commands Peter to feed his sheep.  Remember once more this is the same Peter who had previously swore his love to be greater than anyone’s and now he hesitates in his own description of his love for Christ, doubting the depth and sincerity of it.  . So, Christ again asks Peter, “Simon, do you love me with a burning, unconditional agape love?”  Peter’s response again is “yeah Lord, I love you with an affectionate, brother like Phileo love” Christ commands Peter once more to feed his sheep, as demonstration of that love and devotion—He is calling Peter into service again.  Then on the third question, Christ asks; “Simon, do you love with an affectionate, brother like love?”  What a grievous question.  Peter must have quickly thought as I have at times thought, “Lord is my ability to love you so flawed that I cannot even attempt to demonstrate it, does it not even show?”  Yet, very humbly, Peter now replies:  “Lord, you know all things, look into my heart Lord and You will not need to ask such a question.”   Once more the Lord calls Peter into service with “Feed my sheep”  (Excerpts from A Broken and Contrite Heart)

Peter had come to realize that he, himself was nothing and had nothing to boast of except for Jesus Christ.  He came to realize that in the power of his own love, he would fail. His self-righteous spirit was broken completely.  His heart had been broken for Christ and now restored was a humble heart that recognized that unless it is Christ’s love and work through him, there was no work at all.  Now with all self pride stripped away, Peter was ready to become the preacher he needed to be.  He found his own central core of hope in future grace set firm in Jesus Christ and Christ Alone-“the hope for Glory”  (Excerpts from a Broken and Contrite Heart)

So dear child, if you have found yourself at that point; as Peter, as David, and as I have in my life; where you believe that God could never use you again, let me assure you He can.  My prayer for you is the same as Paul wrote in

Ephesians 3:

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Love Divine

by

Effie Darlene Barba

He comes to me when night is still

I hear his gentle, loving voice

He whispers words or sometimes songs

To help me choose which choice

I feel the warmth of His embrace

When darkness, sorrow fills the air

I feel such comfort, safety there

So far from Satan’s lair

So many years I searched to find

A human love, true friend for me

Yet, were there one, oh could I hear

His voice, such clarity

If I were left to choose which path

Is better, higher here to trod

And knew this much as now I know

I surely would choose God

You see, what I had thought was loss

Through tears and pain I now can see

He had a plan, a perfect plan

Of love and joy for me

Though sorrow, pain may be the way

He draws me close and holds me near

I know that He has felt each pain

And cried with me each tear

And though at times I was untrue

His love, His strength His hope is mine

What wondrous joy delight I know

Such gracious love divine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDIVDBqxk_s