Romans 8:¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

I accepted Christ as my Savior at the young age of 5.  I don’t remember much about being 5; yet, that moment I remember.  Cannot tell you how it was that a 5 year old understood that she was a sinner and in need of a Savior; but, I remember the essence and where I was standing–in a corner of our kitchen facing the light switch.  Mom or Dad never used time out as a punishment so I am certain they had not put me there.  I remember the radio playing Dr. Dehaan’s message and I remember feeling a heavy weight with the sense of my own inability to ever be good enough to have a relationship with this Glorious Savior and I wanted Him in my life to fill my heart.  Since I cannot tell you anything else about being 5 without relying on Mom’s memory to say what happened; yet, she did not remember any details about my moment of accepting Christ.  She only remembers that I had told her and she doubted that it was even possible at the age of 5. So, even that has been God’s gift of Grace to place that assurance in my heart.  Through many trials, many temptations, and many failures; that truth has always remained and has been my greatest source of hope.  I am a child of God; though, there may be many failures or times in my life that I have failed to bring honor to His name; yet, He has never left me there and with great patience, has taught me, guided me, sifted out the chaff one by one as He continues to perform the work of transforming me into the beautiful bride without blemish.  I am being transformed into the image of Christ one glory at a time.  Glory by glory–this is the work of the Holy Spirit through me.  My part?  Keep my eyes on Jesus whom I love and adore as the greatest treasure of my life. 2 Corinthians 3: "¹⁷ Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

¹⁸ But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." For that reason, I study His word, His love letters to me so that I might know more of who He is and never forget all the wondrous covenant promises to me.  Now, my question to you is; do you remember a moment when you asked Christ into your heart, is there an overwhelming essence of His Spirit with you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0NwaJ54atw

Romans 10:⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So simple; yet, break it down just a little.  So many confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord; yet, do they truly in their heart believe? Do they realize that He is their greatest treasure?  When they see the cross, do they know the agony that the Creator of the Universe endured for them?  We see the acts of terrorists and bombers as evil; but do we see that the greatest evil ever perpetrated was nailing perfect righteousness to a cross.  He bore the full wrath that Justice demanded against my sin; though, He knew no sin.  He took my shame upon Himself in my place.  We look too lightly upon this and say thank you with a gesture as though it should have been so.  It must have been easy for God to give His life this way; after all, He was God.  But what you must remember, it was harder than even for you or I.  He was fully God and fully Man, so His human body was subject to pain, temptations, and suffering just as you or I.  I am certain that it was much harder to endure; because you or I when suffering have no choice–He, on the other hand, could call forth a legion of angels at any moment to say done–finished, I quit.  So what held Him to that cross?  He knew that the only way that I could ever experience the Joy and Love that He wanted to share with me would demand He finish the work He came to do.  He must bare the penalty for my sin, or I could never have a relationship with Him and my life would be left without any hope of True Joy–as can only be found in Him.  He loved me that much.  He was thrust into Hell–separation from the Father (soul) and Holy Spirit.  He then rose from the grave, conquering death’s curse.  He stands with open arms to all who would believe in their heart.  Do you really believe?  If so, then follow Him. 

Hebrews 12: 12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Remember this, there is no pain too great to endure for the salvation of one soul.  An entire lifetime is nothing compared to eternity.  So whatever afflictions may be mine here on this earth, I must throw aside the feelings of self pity and deny that whispering voice searching for immediate gratification and look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith.  He endured more than I could ever be asked to endure focused always on the future Joy that He could share with me.  Shouldn’t I do the same?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv3E7DhitRU

Philippians 2: ¹² Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Paul wrote to the church of Philippe from a jail cell.  He so wanted to teach the church that Christian living is the out-pouring of the life that they have in Christ.  Christ had purchased their salvation and now through the power of the Holy Spirit within each believer they are to demonstrate to the world that which they have in Christ Jesus.  They are to live in a manner that the light of Christ might shine forth into a dark world, shining with hope which glorifies God.  He says they are to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling."  In this He is referring to their outward actions being a demonstration of the salvation that is within them.  When he says to do so with fear and trembling, he is talking about the fear that every believer should have in failing to represent Christ in all that they do.  We should fear  listening to the lies of sin which draw us away from Christ being our greatest treasure and leading us into doing or saying that which would cause a unsaved world to say, "Why should I follow Christ, those Christians are worse than I am in their murmuring and fighting and lifestyle?"  If I see Christ as my greatest treasure, then I will study His word that I might say as David, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." If I keep my eyes focused on Christ, then I will desire to shine forth His love, His joy and His glory to those whom I meet in this world.  My greatest trembling with sorrow is when my actions may have disgraced the name of Christ.  As I stand and proclaim His name to the world, then my actions need to also proclaim His name.  My greatest fear is that I might by my deeds or my words bring shame or dishonor to the name of my Beloved.  My greatest desire is that my life will reflect the grace and mercy He has shown toward me and give me the power to have joy in the midst of trials, tribulations, and even when I must stare my own failures in the face.  I long to seek and savor Christ with all of my heart and soul that I might grow in His Grace and the knowledge of Christ Jesus.  In that Grace which grows through faith in Him, I gain the power over sin—one step at a time, one temptation at a time as I ask for grace each moment of the day.  Paul knew this and wanted to teach these young believers of all that He had learned.  Christ in me, the hope of Glory.  Christ had said,

Matthew 5: ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V0rgrt1nTM

Psalm 13 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

² How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

³ Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

⁴ Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

⁵ But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

⁶ I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

There are tragedies that send us running to God and questioning why?  Sorrow fills our hearts and we ask God where is He.  Yet, as David concludes in this Psalm and every other, God is right there.  He stands with open arms to receive all who would turn to Him and receive mercy and grace.  Sorrow will always be a part of our life on this earth; because mankind has chosen the darkness of their own hearts rather than to stand in the light of God’s Glory.  Mankind prefers to trust in his own egotistical heart rather than acknowledge his own need of a Savior; therefore, evil continues to increase in this world that so surrounds us. Yet, our Savior and High Priest does not stand so far away that He cannot understand our grief.  Just as Isaiah had prophesied of Christ: He came and bore upon Himself the sorrows and iniquities of us all. 

Isaiah 53: ³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Christ bore the wrath against sin that perfect Righteousness and Justice demand.  As we search for those responsible for the bombings yesterday, we cry out for justice; that the perpetrators of such acts be punished.  Rightly so. We can fully understand the need for justice and wrath against evil when we see such acts of cowardly violence.  Yet, we seem to want to request that God in mercy just forgive all our sins without our accepting the gift of atonement that He has offered through His son.  Do we see our own guilt as so little before the throne of heaven?  Do we see the Glory of His Righteousness as so dim that we cannot see the darkness within each of our hearts?  Yet, we have a high priest whom we may cry out to.  Jesus Christ bore our sins upon the cross and only asks that we come to Him in true repentance, seeking Him so that we might be saved.  He understands our sorrows, our infirmities, and our frailties; yet, He has loved us and wants to provide grace for our time of need.  Will you come to Him today?   Oh, that the eyes of your hearts may be opened; so that you might see a glimpse of His Glory; seeking and savoring Christ with all your heart, your mind and your soul. 

Hebrews 4: ¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

A Soldier Wounded

by Effie Barba

A Soldier wounded in the fight

Oh Lord I need your strength, Your might

I need to go, a place to hide

That draws me closer to Your side

This battle lord has knocked me down

Until it’s hard to glimpse Your crown

With evil pushing all around

I dearly need Your solace found

That I might rise again to fight

With vision of the brilliant light

Of your great glory in the end

On that your love I might depend

Within this world, pain doth abound

I need your word my mind surround

Until I cannot hear their voice

So I might know what is your choice

Oh Lord, I lay my sword tonight

And pray for strength tomorrow’s light

That I might stand once more for you

With Christ’s dear love my only view

So hold me tight within your arms

And keep me safe from all that harm

My tears may fall against your chest

My Father’s love in which to rest

And when the dawn of morning sun

Doth signal forth that night is done

A song of praise my lips to sing

A joyfilled hope found in my King

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EVco7eba0

Romans 13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

(New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.)

This commandment came from Paul, who was imprisoned by the government and later killed for preaching Christ.  His statements here were that we are to demonstrate our Christian faith by trusting that God is in control.  We are to pay our taxes and to submit to the authorities peaceably and still continue to teach Christ and Christ only for salvation.  Quite a fitting verse for today, April 15.  As Christians, we should never cheat on our taxes, argue with the police; but rather, treat those in authority with respect and proclaiming the love of Christ to them.  We can demonstrate to the world who we are in Christ.  Look at the example Paul had set; himself following this same statement. 

Acts 16: ²² And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

²³ And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

²⁴ Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

²⁵ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

²⁶ And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

²⁷ And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

²⁹ Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

³⁰ And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

³² And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

³³ And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

³⁴ And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

We must continue to pray for our nation and pray for revival which begins within our own hearts first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXLQ2RPLO78