Sunday, December 30, 2012

Audience of One

I am so blessed to have a husband who is not afraid of preaching and teaching Truth.  Ever since I have known him, he has talked about an "audience of One."  His aim is to bring the Word to his flock each Sunday and he prays that it pleases the Lord.  He's not afraid of controversy, nor does he shy away from the tough battles.  He knows that the only thing that matters is fighting the good fight.

Being married to him is a learning experience. He has taught me there are battles worth fighting, there are races worth running, and keeping the eye on the eternal goal is the only way to go.

In the end, I so want to meet my Jesus seeing Him in me, not me in me.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;  in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8

Who's your audience?  Do you seek the applause and praise of people?  Or do you seek the audience of One?  


   

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas, Part Two

As we draw near to Christmas, I want to share a special memory or two.  We had many traditions in our family and were blessed to have both sets of grandparents living in the same town.  We always spent Christmas Eve with Mom's parents, Christmas morning with Dad's parents, then enjoyed Christmas dinner with both sides of the family.  One year we were even blessed to have our Great-Grandpa from Missouri join us.

When my older sister and I were little, we would put on a Christmas production, usually singing "Away in a Manger" with the cradle motions, the stars looking down, and baby Jesus asleep on the hay.    As I write this, many memories flood my mind, but the two I want to focus on are the ones that made an eternal difference in my life.

After dinner on Christmas Eve we would do two things, without fail, before opening gifts.  I don't remember the order of these two things, but the order isn't important.

We would all stand up and form a circle, holding hands.  Each one of us would go around the circle and say what we were thankful for through the year.  I know as a little child, it was almost too much to bear, since those gifts were calling my name.  But we learned to be still, listen and give our thanks when our turn came.

Dave and I were able to have Christmas with the family a few years ago, and the circle continues.  As an adult, realizing the significance of it and the thankful hearts around that circle, I still tear up.

The other memory is of my precious Grandma Rankin, opening her Bible to Luke 2.  We would gather around, sitting on her lap when very young, or surrounding her as we got older.  She would read.  I would gaze at the lights on the tree in wonder.  It was an old story that was new every time she read it.  I heard that wonderful Christmas story so many times, that I could recite it word for word as she read.

I am so thankful for my parents, my grandparents and so many other godly people that influenced my life.  My grandparents have all gone on to be with the Lord.  I am blessed to still have my parents on this side of eternity.

What are you doing to make an eternal difference in the lives of your family?  Introduce your tiny children to the Baby born in Bethlehem.  Tell them the old story that never grows old.  Cultivate thankfulness in their hearts from an early age.  Make Christmas memories that will last not a lifetime, but an eternity.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas

I love Christmas!  The sights, the smells, the sounds.  I have been known to play my favorite Christmas music year round.  And why not?  We hear, "Jesus is the reason for the season." But isn't He the reason, period?  It is incredible that God, before the foundation of the world, had this planned for our blessing and His glory.

The God who created us, left His heavenly home.  The God who created us didn't shed His deity, but in addition to that, took on humanity.  God in flesh.  GOD IN FLESH!  Breathtakingly incredible!  Totally unfathomable.

Read the events of the birth of Jesus in Luke as if you've never read it before.  See it with fresh eyes, feel the wonder of it all.  And while you're at it, why not listen to Dave's sermon series on the Christmas story?  You can find them at www.iolafcc.org.  

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

How Big is our God?


Ever wonder how big God's love really is? I love the Psalms.  They are rich in praise, thankfulness, adoration along with deep pain and hurt.  They cover the whole gamut of emotions.  One verse in the Psalms that is a wonderful nugget to meditate on today is Psalm 103:11. "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;"

Do you know the incredible meaning of those words?  Maybe you have read that many times, but haven't really captured the amazing truth of it.  Astronomers have seen galaxies 15 billion light years away. That's what they have seen. How many more are beyond that? Then beyond that? Mind boggling?  Amazing!

The old hymn by Charles Wesley is rich in the expanse of this love.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Thank you, God!  You are worthy of honor and glory and praise forever and ever!




Friday, November 23, 2012

Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin

We have heard the phrase, "Love the sinner, hate the sin" many times in our lives.  But have you given thought to the subtle, silent transformation that has happened?  It has changed to, "Love the sinner.  But you must also tolerate their sin.  Don't judge."

Even in many churches today tolerance is preached, because they say, "We need to love like Jesus loved."  Or we also hear, "My God is a God of love."  Let's examine those statements to see if they hold fast to the Word of God or if they are misguided, unbiblical statements.

First of all, is God a God of love?  Absolutely!  His character is pure love.  You will see that thread throughout the Bible.  His love can be described as Sovereign (Deuteronomy 7:8; 10:15), Great (Ephesians 2:4), Abiding (Zephaniah 3:17), Unfailing (Isaiah 49:15-16).  The list goes on an on.

But just as His character is pure love, so is His holiness and righteousness.  (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15,16; Ephesians 5:1).  Again, this is a small representation of the Scriptures that adhere to His holiness.

When Jesus came to earth in the form of a human, He did not lose any part of His divinity.  Being God, not created-but Creator, He shares those attributes with the Father.  That did not change in His earthly ministry.  Here are a few verses on Christ's character.  Love and Compassion (John 13:1;15:13, Isaiah 40:11; Luke 19:41), Holy and Righteous (Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27; Revelation 3:7, Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 1:9), Just (Zechariah 9:9; John 5:30; Acts 22:14).

All too often, our made up version of Jesus does not match biblical truth.  Sin is not something we define based on the current tides of our culture.  Sin is revealed by Sovereign God.  It is anything that does not measure up to His standard of perfection.  Read the Ten Commandments to reveal sin in your life.  Then go to Jesus' sermon in Matthew 5:21-48.  Verse 48 says, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  

Doesn't sound too tolerant to me.  He died to achieve that perfection for us.  We can't do it without Jesus.  We are incapable of perfection (holiness).  But once the Holy Spirit reveals to us that Jesus  lived a perfect life, died a cruel death, for us, taking our sin upon Himself, how can we tolerate sin?  If we claim Christ, not just the label "Christian," but if we truly claim Christ then, as Paul David Tripp says, "You can't look at the life and death sacrifice of the cross of Jesus Christ and also look at sin as being okay."

Is there sin in your life right now?  Are you living under the guise of tolerance?  If you have never repented and put your trust in Jesus, that is the first step.  If Jesus is your Lord and Savior by what He's done, and you have sin in your life, confess it, repent (turn from it and turn back to Him).

Yes, love the sinner.  For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)  Love enough to be bold enough to share Truth.

Don't tolerate what He hates.  Don't overlook what He abhors.  Don't flirt with sin.  It is life and death! Let's call it what it is.  Let's warn those who are among us who claim the title Christian but don't claim the Christ who paid it all.





Monday, November 19, 2012

Created for God's Glory

Many ladies in our community recently completed the study, "True Woman 101" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Mary Kassian.  (www.truewoman101.com) If you have not taken this study, I would encourage you to do so.  I realized as I prepared the lessons each week how many women do not know what it means to be a true biblical woman.

The women ranged in age from young teens to ladies close to 90 years old.  Many had never heard the truths of what it means to be a woman.  Others needed a fresh insight to biblical womanhood.  Others had very warped ideas on God's creation and purpose for women.

Isaiah 43:7 tells us, "Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory,  Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”

Created for God's glory.  Think about that.  Meditate on that. Marvel over it.  We were created by Him and for Him in His image. (Genesis 1:27)  How does this truth change your perspective?  Can we see how incredible that is?  When we begin to let the truth of that seep into our hearts and minds, it can radically change us.  When I lose sight of that truth, I begin to focus on my problems, my fears and my hurts.  When I repent of that attitude, it brings clarity once again.

Thank Him for this wonderful truth.  Confess any selfish attitudes or heart issues and glorify Him. "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."  Revelation 4:11

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Do You Know?


Do you know where you will be,
All throughout eternity?
"I don't want to know right now,
It will all work out somehow."
That's what I hear some people say,
As they walk throughout their day.
"There is time on down the road,
To think about that heavy load.
I must live and laugh and play,
There's time enough to think, someday."

Do you know where you will be,
All throughout eternity?
"I'm good enough, I've done good deeds.
I'll get into heaven with great ease.
I've helped the poor, I've given much,
I've never murdered, raped or such.
I'm certainly not as bad as he,
It's all ok, don't you see?"

Do you know where you will be,
All throughout eternity?
"Eternity?  Don't be silly,
We live, we die, there's no more, really.
I live and let live then I die,
There's nothing more and that's no lie."

Do you know where you will be,
All throughout eternity?
We all are sinners in need of grace,
So God sent Jesus to die in our place.
He took God's wrath upon the cross,
So we would not have to suffer eternal loss.

Do you know where you will be,
All throughout eternity?
Repent of your sin put your trust in the One,
Only Jesus Christ, God's own Son,
Can save you from the wrath to come.
Don't put it off thinking there's no need,
One second too late, is too late indeed.

Do you know where you will be,
All throughout eternity?

Friday, November 16, 2012

What do I want to accomplish from this blog?  More importantly, in what ways can this help turn women's hearts to the Lord?  We live in a time where people believe what is culturally relevant.  Even among Christians, if we are not grounded in God's Word, we are going to follow what we hear, see and experience.

The Christian life is not about checking off a box to say I like Jesus.  It's not about a religion to follow.  It's not about what is convenient for my life right now.  Being a Christian woman today is counter-cultural.  If we feel comfortable doing what the world does, maybe we need to look at our commitment to Christ.

This blog is not going to always make you (or me) feel good.  My prayer is, it will bring God's Word to light and reveal His glory.  The more we see His glory, the more we recognize our sinfulness.  When we recognize it, we confess it, He forgives us.  (I John 1:9)

Are we ready to hear?  Are we ready to obey?  Are we ready to take up our cross daily and follow Him?

I don't have all the answers.  I'm on the journey along with you.  I want to learn how to walk more closely with my Savior.  Will you come with me on this journey?

LIving For Eternity (LIFE)
Renee