Who is Jesus to ME?

As we draw near to Easter, I want my thoughts to focus on Jesus. I will be republishing a series I have done before during the Lenten season- "Who Is Jesus?" Please stop by frequently to join me in thinking about just who Jesus is and what He means to me....

Jesus asked His disciples, "And who do YOU say I am?" It is an important question for all of us to answer....

Once during a bible study, the leader asked us to keep a “journal” of who Jesus is to us, personally, writing down whatever came to us during the length of the study. It was a great "task". I think sometimes I forget to sit and ponder just how much Jesus means to me.

I encourage you to take on this assignment. She had us write everything we KNOW about Jesus and everything Jesus is to us (for example, if He is “tender” to you….). This is the beginning of my list, and if I were to write everything, you would be here for hours reading it! So, this is what I thought was most precious to me.

Jesus knew He was Savior BEFORE the beginning of time. Before creation, He knew “the plan”. He knew Adam would fall in the garden. He knew He would have to die for my sin, to BECOME sin for me- the Spotless Lamb- to take away my sin. He would take on my punishment. BEFORE He created me, He knew in order to spend eternity with me, He would willingly, joyfully choose to be my Savior, to take my lashes, to take my punishment, scorn, ridicule, and death on the cross. Knowing ALL of this, He still chose to create me. Wow, that blows me away! The love He has for me.

Jesus is the Creator of the universe- “through Him all things were made- without Him nothing was made.”

He is the Word made flesh. He is the Living Word. He is the Written Word. Genesis through Revelation tells the “story” of Jesus. The Word- the Word that leads me and guides me……

Immanuel- “God With Us”- Jesus never leaves me, never abandons me, never is too busy for me. Jesus is with me in my trials and my joyful celebrations. Jesus is part of me- “I am in Him and He is me.”

Savior- Jesus is my Savior, saving me from my sins, saving me from myself, rescuing me over and over again……..

Healer- Jesus is my healer, healing me from ALL my diseases- body, soul, mind, and HEART. One of my favorite examples is the leper that says he believes Jesus can heal him if Jesus is willing. Jesus answers, “I am willing.” Those three words bring me such comfort- I am willing. I am willing. Jesus, you healed ALL who came to you.

Author and perfector of my faith- my biggest “cheerleader.” Jesus, you want me to succeed, you want me to grow and mature. Jesus, you don’t condemn me, but challenge me, encourage me, guide me and perfect me……..

Bridegroom- waiting in eager expectation to return in glory for ME. As a bridegroom, you rejoice over me with singing (Isaiah 61), Jesus, you are “enthralled with my beauty.”

Jesus is my Intercessor- Jesus is praying for me every day!

Redeemer, You bought back my life....REDEEMED it!

Friend, a friend that sticks closer than a brother, my best friend……

Freedom! I no longer am in bondage to anything!!!!!!!!

Lover- Jesus, you love me with an everlasting love that never ends……

Way- Jesus, you are the only way to the Father………..

I love you, Jesus.

Who is Jesus to you?

This was first posted last 1/18/08

Ash Wednesday

I love lent.

I was reading something online which said something like, "Ash Wednesday is the one holiday the secular world won't take over and make it about materialism. Hallmark won't be making Ash Wednesday cards."

Could you imagine? Why? Because Lent, with the beginning of it being Ash Wednesday, is about a season of realizing your sin and complete "human-iss." We are reminded that "from dust we came and to dust we will return." We remember that we are sinful creatures in need of a Savior. It is a season, 40 days, of repentance. We are preparing our hearts for our Christ as we focus on His death on the cross and most importantly, His Resurrection! Do you remember before Jesus began preaching there was a voice crying out in the wilderness (John the Baptist), "Repent! Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at hand!" Lent is our time to repent, to prepare our hearts for the Lamb of God.

"Have mercy on me O God, according to your unfailing love, according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth in the inmost parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop and I wil be clean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME!
Cast me not away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from the bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Lord, you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it,
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise."- Psalm 51

Lord, I do come before You in spirit of repentance, with a broken and contrite heart. Lord, I confess and repent (turn away from) the ugliness of my heart. I repent of a critical spirit that judges others. I expect others, especially my family to do things the way I would do them, and if it isn't done my way, it isn't "good enough." I repent of complaining. Forgive my heart that complains that "I am doing all the work around here"- all of the laundry, the cleaning.... I know what your Word says- to "do everything as you are doing it for the Lord." It says "do everything without arguing or complaining....so you may shine like stars in the universe." I confess my bad attitude and worshiping at the alter of self. I confess my bad choices. Instead of doing the things You have laid on my heart, I waste precious time. I haven't been a good steward of time and resources. Sometimes I choose to watch TV, filling my mind and heart with the world instead of filling it with You. Aaaahhh! There are so many ideas, so many things you have given me to accomplish, how could I waste my time on silly things????? I am reminded of the parable of the talents. I want to hear You say, Father, "Well done my good and faithful servant- you were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness." How can I expect You to give me more when I haven't been faithful with what You have already generously given? I confess my unbelief. I say I believe You, but do my actions trust you completely? Am I obedient in all things? And, if I believed You completely, I would be........... Lord, forgive me for going my own way so often. Forgive me for pride-fullness. I don't want to have an ounce of pride in my being, Lord! I don't want to depend on ME, but on you! Lord, I repent of yelling at the kids. I know I have patience and self-control in me- they are fruit of the Spirit. I think I expect too much of Andrew at times. Help me Lord, to be a better mother. How I want to be gentle and humble, to have that gentle and quiet spirit.

Lord, I turn away from all of these things and turn towards you. Help me, Lord! Thank you for Jesus! I am in such desperate need of a Savior! Prepare my heart, Lord for Jesus' coming. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me! Father, I come before you, crying out for the United States. In your Word, you say, "If my people, who are called by name, would humble themselves and pray, then you would restore us." Lord, as a people, as a Church, we have allowed ourselves to be so far from you. We have rebelled against You and Your Word. Forgive, us Patient Father. Thank You that You are "slow to anger, compassionate and long suffering and abounding in love." Father, I am on my knees, asking You to have mercy on us, to forgive us. Lord, may these 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter be filled with Your Presence. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I love You Lord. In the Precious Name of Jesus, the Name above all names, the Alpha and Omega, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace, Immanuel, the Healer of the lame, the One who sets the captives free, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Resurrection, and the Lover of my soul, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's the day of "love". Lovers around the world celebrate their affection for one another. Families make heart-shaped pancakes.....Men buy red roses and chocolates...Some women even receive gifts such as jewelry.

But, what if you don't have a spouse?

What if you have a child who won't speak to you?

What if you are grieving the loss of your loved one?

Or, what if your "honey" doesn't buy flowers, chocolates, or jewelry?

What if you feel disappointed?

Unloved?

Whether we are celebrating the love of those around us, or we feel "left out" in this love thing, we need to remember our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can ever imagine.

For God so loved the world...

“We love because God first loved us!” (1John 4:19) We can only love God and take delight in Him because He FIRST loved us! "For God so loved the world, that He have His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) God loves the world so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son so that we may live.

God loves the WORLD, and you are included in the WORLD, but God loves YOU….personally. God loves YOU so much that He gave YOU Jesus.

When our youngest child Abby was about 8 months old, I was making my bed and I happened to look over at her. She was quietly napping in her swing. All of a sudden, I was filled with such an overflowing, intense, unconditional love for her. It was like a wave of love washed over me. I HAD to stop making the bed, drop everything and scoop her up, kissing her from top to bottom. I thought, "Abby, you are "addicting!" Sometimes I can't even do anything else but love on you!" I felt so much love for her.

She hadn't DONE anything.

She hadn't performed.

She wasn’t “being good.”

She was just….being.

And, I just felt overwhelming love for her. God whispered to my heart at that moment. “Tracy this is how I feel for you. I want to scoop you up and love on you. You don’t have to DO anything. You don’t have to perform. You don’t have to “be good.” Just BE.........”

Sweet Reader, God feels that way for you as well. He has an overflowing, intense, “gotta
stop what He is doing, scoop you up and love on you” unconditional love. Beloved, we don't have to DO anything, He JUST loves us! He just has to pick us up, breathe us in, kiss us, love on us.... The God of the Universe feels that way for YOU! Doesn't it just bring you to your knees?

God loves you and desires that you love Him back! “The Lord Your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. And He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Your God sings over you like a mother singing to her newborn babe cradled in her arms.

Do you get it?

Can you comprehend how much God loves YOU?

He takes delight in you. You make Him smile. You are His Beloved!

I'm sorry to say that our sweet husbands, children, parents, and friends will disappoint us at times....they are not meant to fill our needs, our longing...

Only your God can love you the way you need to be loved.

Completely.

Unconditionally.

Beyond measure.

And, because God loves us, He wants US to love one another.

This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.-1John 3:11

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.-1John 3:18

Remember, LOVE isn't a FEELING. LOVE is an ACTION.

Love someone today.

Happy Valentine's Day!