"The God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we ourselves have received from God." 2 Cor.1:3-4
If I were to poll different people on this question, I know I would receive many different answers. Here are some you might hear: I come from a long line of strong and independent people. I am self-made, I am strong from all of the hard-knocks I have received in life. I choose to be strong, I made up my mind that I would be, and so I am.
And I would agree that in those statements there is some truth, if you solely looked at it from a human standpoint and took God out of the equation. And if you put God into the equation, you could still say those things but they might sound a bit different if you could hear the whole story.
You see, I could say a lot of those things but I would like to share with you the rest of the story. I am proud of my heritage and my parents and grandparents and great grandparents they have amazing stories, they were/are some of the strongest people I know.
I could also tell you I have faced a lot of hard and challenging things in life. I could gather you in and tell you stories of heart ache and heart break. I could also tell you that I chose to rise up and face the obstacles that could have turned me into a bitter and angry person. That I chose to be thankful and grateful and to focus on blessings instead of curses. Again, all of those are part of the truth but not an accurate view of my history, or I will say His(Story).
You see, on September 9, 1967, my story became God's story when my parents brought me to the waters of Baptism. I became God's child and my life changed forever. I cannot separate who I am from God because I belong to Him.
My parents taught me from a young age to trust Jesus with all things. I can tell you from my 48 plus years of experience there were times I wondered what was going on...could I really trust Him to work things out. And time after time God has amazed me with what He has done and how He has worked things out.
During those time of waiting and wondering...I remembered the stories of my Grandparents and my parents of how they trusted God above all things. I read the Word and the stories of how God took the impossible and made it possible.
Most of all, I remembered and took comfort in the fact that God took the biggest problem the world has ever faced, SIN. And how Jesus conquered that problem on the cross for you (even if you don't believe it) and for me. I have been given the gift of eternal life because of what He did for me. Sin still causes problems in this world but I know the ONE (Jesus) who took care of it. And so while I wait for all of the challenges of life to sort themselves out, I will continue to trust Jesus.
I love this song. These two young children have incredible voices. But as I listen to this song, it is like a modern day Psalm in which I am singing to the One who has raised me up and given me the strength to face all things, Jesus my Lord and Savior.
Today we remember that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Sometimes I think we say that phrase without remembering what it really means. The word crucifixion comes from the word “excruciating.” To be crucified is the most horrific and painful death a person can suffer. We can only begin to imagine the physical pain that Jesus suffered. Jesus also suffered spiritually and emotionally in a way that we never will. When He cried out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” it was because at that moment, Jesus was separated from God. Now how could Jesus, who is also God, be separated from God? That has always been a great mystery – even to the greatest of theologians... He, who was without sin, became sin for us all and suffered separation from God. That is the only way we could be saved. Jesus knew what would happen and yet the night before He told His Father, “Not my will, but your will.” Our sins nailed Him to the cross, but His amazing love for you and for me held Him there.
If we would have been standing there that day we would have also heard Jesus say, “It is finished.” Jesus did not only say this, He shouted it out. “It is finished,” is three words in English; but in Greek it is one “Tetelestai” as it would be in Aramaic. And “Tetelestai” is the victor’s shout; it is the cry of a person who has won through the struggle; it is the cry of a person who has come out of the dark into the glory of light, and who has grasped the crown. So, then, Jesus died a victor with a shout of triumph on His lips.
“Here is the precious thing. Jesus passed through the uttermost abyss, and then the light broke. If we, too, cling to God even there seems to be no God, desperately and invincibly clutching the remnants of our faith, quite certainly the dawn will break and we will win through. The victor is the person who refuses to believe that God has forgotten them, even when every fiber of their being feels they are forsaken. The victor is the person who will never lot go of their faith, even when they feel that its last grounds are gone. The victor is the person who has been beaten to the depths and still hold on to God, for that is what Jesus did.” (William Barclay)
I am sure many of you have seen this youtube clip already #LikeAGirl, I encourage you to watch it if you have not. And if you are like me, you have watched it several times.
I know so many girls and women who are amazing athletes, and there would be boys and men who would have a hard time keeping up with them.
My favorite line is when the girl says, I am going to run like myself. We all need to look at our gifts and abilities and realize that we are enough...just they way we are. Now, I do not mean we should strive to always do our best. But be the best you.
We are created in the image of God. We are His masterpieces. We are all different. We each have our own gifts and abilities. It is time to stop comparing and to enjoy who you are. And also to remember who you are....a child of God.
I caught a glimpse of the young man my Dad once was when he
was 14 years old.It was a treasure to
see and one I will forever cherish in my heart.We were able to take a pontoon boat out on Lake of the Woods to go on an
excursion that included the Island where my Dad owned and operated a minnow business
and a place for fisherman to stock up on supplies needed for a day of fishing
on Lake of the Woods.
My Dad was a guide on Lake of Woods for one of the resorts
when he was 14 years old.He would take
the fisherman out on the launches and guide them to best fishing spots and take
care of all their needs while in his care.He worked hard.
My Dad drove the pontoon boat, and as I looked at him in his
element, I saw the years melt away, and I saw the spirit of adventure he
had.His love for the Lake and the Land
showed through and you could see the memories as he retold stories from years
ago.
We were shown the spot where my Dad proposed to my Mom so
many years ago.The love between my
parents is a gift that has grown over the years, and it was a blessing to us to
see where it all began.
I love my Dad.He is
one of the hardest workers I have ever known.His sense of duty to his family over the years is amazing.He went without so that he could provide for
his wife and his children.I do not ever
remember my Dad feeling sorry for himself as he sacrificed for us, he just did
it.Most importantly, my Dad along with
my Mom taught us to always love and trust in Jesus in all things.The lessons I have learned from my Dad cannot
be learned from a book or a Professor at a prestigious university.They were learned by watching my Dad love and
care for us.Watching Dad trust the Lord
in times of joy as well as times of sorrow.It was in the everyday activities of life.
My Dad had and still has a love for adventure.He was planning on going to Alaska before he
met my Mom.He never went to
Alaska.I have told my Dad many times
how thankful I am for all that he did for us.One time stands out vividly in my mind.As I told my Dad how much I loved him, and I thanked him, he looked at
me and told me he would do it all over again.
I also had the opportunity to watch Jacob drive the pontoon
boat under the guidance of my Dad.What
a thrill to handle a boat on such a vast body of water, it was amazing.As I watched my son, I saw a glimpse of the
man he will become someday.My heart was
overwhelmed with words that are difficult to express.
Jacob has the best qualities of both of his Grandfathers and
his Dad.I am filled with wonder as I
watch my son grow into the man God has created him to be.I am thankful for this moment in time.I have struggled with how quickly time seems
to pass and the knowledge that Jacob will be all grown up before I know
it.I found hope and joy in watching him
with his Dad and his Grandpa, knowing he will be a fine young man because he
has had wonderful examples.
In closing, I would like to share my Dad’s favorite
scripture passage.I am also going to
include his favorite hymn but I am going to use the version that is sung in
Cherokee.My Dad’s Great Grandmother was
a Cree Indian.My Dad loves to be
outdoors enjoying the beautiful creation our loving God created for us.
“28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”Isaiah 40: 28-31
What do you place your hope in?Hope is defined as a person or thing in which
expectations are centered.
I have met many people over the years and what they place
their hope in defines how they live their lives.
The following examples are based upon numerous people and
stories mixed together.
A young woman based her
worth on her intellect.She attended the best schools and received the
highest grades and achievements she was labeled a genius.She landed her dream job and pulled in a six
figure income before she turned 30 years old.One day while, at work, she suffered a dizzy spell and passed out.Sadly, it was discovered she had a brain
tumor and after the surgery she was never the same.She could not remember anything and to follow
a simple recipe was even a challenge.All of her years of hard work and study were gone.Her hopes and dreams had dissipated
overnight and her life would never again be measured by her intelligence.
A young woman found peace and comfort from always being
around her friends.She did not know how
to be on her own.She needed people and
constant contact.She was put into a
situation where she was on her own far away from family and friends.A tragedy left her far away from family and
friends.Fear and loneliness knocked at
her door in the middle of the night, and she had no one to talk too.
Fame and riches belonged to a young man.Money and power belonged to him.The stock markets crashed, and he lost it
all.All of his friends and his wife
left him; they disappeared almost as fast as his fortune.
I would like to share with you a few real life stories of
hope.These are people who taught me a
lot about faith and hope.I will share
them over my next few writings.
The first story I would like to share is in honor and memory
of my Grandma Katherine.She went to be
with Jesus almost 10 years ago, and I will always miss her.
My Grandma was a young mom with two children when her
husband left her for another woman.Pain, shame, poverty, broken hearts, and dreams are all my Grandfather
left his family. My Grandma did not sit
and feel sorry for herself; she had two young children who needed food and
shelter.She went to work and provided
for them the best she could.It was
difficult and a struggle.My Grandfather
was also an alcoholic, and so it made a heartbreaking situation even worse at
times.
My Grandmother never held it against my Grandfather.In fact growing up they would both be present
at family gatherings, and she was always kind and pleasant towards him.She did not dwell in bitterness.I do not understand from my own human
perspective how my Grandma could have forgiven my Grandpa.But I do know , God was with her and He
carried her and helped to go on.
My Grandma did not have a lot of earthly treasures.Grandma was one of the most generous people I
have even known.She was always helping
someone in need, and she loved to give to people.
Grandma found her hope in God.She prayed Psalm 91 every day for all of her
family.She put her trust in Jesus.
My Grandma was not perfect, and I am not trying to make her
out to be a saint.She would have a fit,
if she thoughtI was making her sound perfect.Grandma was a poor miserable sinner just like
me and you.But she put her faith, hope,
and trust in the One who was perfect, Jesus.And now my Grandma has perfect peace in the arms of Jesus.
“5 Therefore,
since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ.2 Through
him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3 Not only that, but we rejoice
in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,4 and endurance produces
character, and character produces hope,5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's
love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given
to us.”Romans 5: 1-5
My
Refuge and My Fortress
91 He who dwells in the shelter
of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord,
“My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord
your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge— 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample
underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Have you ever been betrayed by a friend or a loved one?The hurt and the disbelief go so deep it
takes your breath away and you forget to live your life for a while.Oh, there are days and weeks that go by and
you think maybe the pain has gone away, but it comes back again trying to steal
your joy like a thief in the night.
Yesterday, the bible study I am in had us focus on Luke
23:34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive
them for they know not what they do.” In this verse Jesus is hanging on the cross,
we cannot even imagine the agony he was feeling at this point.The word crucifixion comes from the word excruciating.We are unable to comprehend the physical, spiritual,
and emotional pain Jesus endured for us.The soldiers were casting lots for His clothes, while Jesus the Son of
God suffered on our behalf.I could
easily stand in judgment of the soldiers, but I cannot because I am no different.
I would like to share the two main thoughts I had about this
verse. Jesus is speaking on our behalf.
Pleading with God to forgive us because we do not know what we are doing.
They knew; I know...what I am doing when I sin....at least I think I do.
But I do not always realize the enormity of my sin. How much it hurts God
and others. How destructive it is. God used their sin, to
accomplish his purpose for us in Jesus. It boggles my mind. The
love Jesus has for us even in our wretchedness is hard to fathom because we do
not think that way. That leads to my second thought. When I feel
someone has wronged me, I often get stuck in my pain over it. I need
Jesus to help me say Father forgive them for they know not what they do. We
(both parties) get stuck in sin and are unaware of what we have done. I am
not able to fix myself or them. When we
forgive we our giving it over to God. It doesn't mean that my actions
were okay or the actions of the other people were okay; it is only letting it
go. And more times than not, I need God to pry it from my hands, because
I am not willing to let go of the hurt or the anger.
I do not know your life circumstances or the events that may
have caused you pain.God gives us peace
and comfort in His Word.Jesus tells us
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me all who are
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for
I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
God can take your battered
and confused heart and fill it with the joy that can only be found in Him.
In Honor of Zig Ziglar and how God used him to change my
life.I wrote a couple of blog posts a
few years back and I am combining them today as a tribute to Zig Ziglar.
Friday, June 30, 2006
As a young girl in grade school I was outgoing
and generally made friends easily. The transition to Jr. High was painful and
awkward for me. My sister and I were tall and we were very skinny and so that
also meant that we were flat-chested as well. In 7th grade we also had braces
and we had worn glasses for a couple of years. Everything seemed to change in
relationship to boys and girls. Prior to 7th grade I had been friends with a
lot of boys, we all hung out together on the playground and had a great time.
Of course there were the secret crushes but that is all that they were for us.
We knew that we could not date until we were 16 years old.
I was not prepared for the endless tormenting that I received; I think I heard
every flat chest joke that was ever invented. The cruelty of some of the
students was almost unbearable at times and the actions of some of the boys
would now be considered sexual harassment. At school I became withdrawn and I
only really talked to my friends that I trusted. I felt ugly, stupid, clumsy,
and inadequate most of the time. I really began to struggle with school and I
had no desire even go.
Eventually I learned to survive and even joke about some of the teasing, though
it hurt deep inside. My families love for me, my faith in God, and my friends
became my anchor for me during that difficult time. At home and with my friends
I was very talkative and outgoing but at school I became silent. I felt like I
didn’t have anything important to say and I didn’t want to add anything else to
endless list of what some of the kids teased me about.
In the spring of my sophomore year I had to take a speech class. I dreaded the
thought of getting up in front of my peers and talking. But what they didn’t
know and what I didn’t fully understand at that point was that I loved to talk
and that it was as natural to me as breathing. Just ask my family….they could
tell you a lot of stories.
My twin sister Jimella had done well in speech and of course I didn’t want her
to surpass me in one of my favorite pass times.
I prepared for my first speech by rehearsing in front of a mirror over and over
again. It was a good thing that we had two bathrooms in our house. I prayed and
prayed and that God would give me the strength to be able to talk in front of
everyone and that I would not mess up. I felt calm and peaceful and as I opened
my mouth to talk it just flowed. I surprised myself, my classmates and the teacher
with my ability to talk in front of people.
I even won best speech for the first round of speeches. I was thrilled and it
was the extra confidence boost that I needed. The book that we studied for
speech class was “See You at the Top” by Zig Ziglar. The book was about the
power of positive thinking and I loved it. I would devour the chapters and
eagerly write my next speech. For the first time in many years I was finally
excelling in one of my classes. I could easily understand what Zig had to share
with us and in time it became part of me.
At the end of quarter the class would always vote on who was the most positive
person in the classroom. They would receive a copy of the book that we had been
studying. I wanted to earn that title and I wanted that book. I prayed about it
a lot… but some of my old fears came creeping back. I’m not good enough and I’m
not one of the popular kids in school, this is beyond my reach. But then I
would remember what God had to say about me and what I was learning about positive
thinking from Zig Ziglar.
The big day finally arrived and because I had received the most awards for
speaking and quite a few other ones I was an automatically put on the ballot.
On the ballot was also one of the most popular boys in the whole school. I knew
I had done the best job I possibly could and whatever happened I would be okay.
You cannot imagine the joy that I felt in my heart when I won the award and the
class shouted and cheered. The boy I had won against came and told me that he
was glad I had won and that he had voted for me because I deserved the award
the most.
As I was presented that book I knew deep in my heart that God had helped me
achieve this goal to show me that I was special and I did matter. I also decided
someday I was going to meet Zig Ziglar
and have him sign that book for me.
In closing I would like to share with your this scripture passage: "1 But now, thus says the LORD, who
created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I
have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you
pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall
not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor
shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of
Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your
place. 4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been
honored, And I have loved you."
6ne 09, 2006
A few years ago I was surfing the internet and I happened to
find an ad that talked about Zig Ziglar. Because of my love for Zig Ziglars’
writings and how he had impacted my life, I immediately clicked on the ad.
It turned out to be a business opportunity in where I would I become part of
the Zig Ziglar Network. I had the opportunity to share his books and tapes and
a special nutrition line with people.
I met some of the nicest people and I learned a lot about myself; and about
building a business. I met Zig Ziglar several times for training and other
events the company would have. I was always mesmerized by his speaking ability
and his love for Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He seized every chance he had to
share the message of God’s love with his audience and the people around him.
We had a contest that summer and if you earned enough points you could earn an
all- expense trip to Cancun, Mexico. I was determined to earn that trip. I
developed a plan to earn the points that I needed and I worked the plan. I was
delighted to have earned the trip and I was so excited to go and spend time
with the new friends that I had made.
Unfortunately, the trip was in October and for a farmer that is an impossible
time to get away. I was disappointed that I would not be able to enjoy going to
this exotic and romantic destination with Troy. Troy was very proud of me for
earning the trip and wanted me to go even if he could not be there.
My twin sister Jimella had earned most of the trip and so we went together. The
Omni resort was breathtaking and the food was divine. I loved visiting with the
people that I had been working with over the phone and through the computer.
I had brought my book along so I could ask Zig Ziglar to sign it for me. And so
I was waiting for the perfect opportunity to talk to him about it.
One of the nights we had a beach party and they had set up an extravagant meal
for us on the beach. It was a beautiful night and moon’s reflection danced upon
the water. The scent of the delectable food and the exquisite flowers they had
everywhere filled the air. Jimella and I sat with our team and we laughed and
shared our dreams with each other. There was a dance and so we all decided to
go out and have some fun together. They started off the dance with some
familiar favorites; and our group was have a great time together. They started
the snowball dance where you would go and ask someone to dance and when the
music stopped you would go and pick another partner from the group of people
that were not dancing. I saw Zig standing with his wife and I decided that I
would go and ask his wife’s permission to ask him to dance. Jean smiled and
told me to go ahead and ask. I almost lost my nerve; here is this famous man
who has spoken in front of millions of people all over the world. I went over
and I told him that I had gotten permission from his lovely wife to ask him to
dance. He smiled at me and took my hand and off we went to dance. Of course all
of my friends gathered around and danced with him too. In all my dreams of
someday meeting Zig Ziglar; I never once thought about dancing with him on the
beach in Cancun.
The next morning I saw Zig and Jean eating breakfast. I had my book with me and
so Jimella and I went over to talk to him. We both shared with him how his book
had changed our lives and how we had enjoyed the course. I told him about
winning the book and how I had always hoped to meet him so he could sign it for
me. We talked for a long time about faith in God, family and friends. It was a
special moment; and I was struck by how humble this gracious couple was towards
Jimella and I. They treated us like we were honored guests. The conversation
flowed and I knew that it was because we all shared the same faith. We were
connected by God’s love; a bond that cannot be broken or destroyed. Zig signed
my book and he wrote, “Michelle, God loves you.” And he wrote down a scripture
passage, John 14:6 “6 Jesus saith unto
him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father,
but by me.” John 14:6 (ASV)
When we meet face- to- face with God’s love it changes us forever. God used Zig
Ziglar’s writings to change my life as well as the love of my family and
friends.
We all have struggles as we journey through this world and we need to bring
them before God’s throne of mercy and grace. We need to leave them there and
let God’s love heal us and mold us into the person that He has created us to be
Friday, April 22, 2011
Last night as we were leaving our Maundy Thursday service, I looked over and I saw tears streaming down Jacob's face. I put my arm gently around him and pulled him close. As his Mom I know his tender heart and that he would need to share with me what was troubling him. He shared with me how much it bothered him that Jesus had to pay for his sins and the sins of world by dying on the Cross. I told him it wasn't fair but that I am so glad Jesus did not only consider what we deserved. Jesus knew the only option to save us, was for Him to take our place. We cannot save ourselves and the precious truth is we do have to anymore. Jesus has already saved us. It is done. It is finished.
Today we remember that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Sometimes I think we say that phrase without remembering what it really means. The word crucifixion comes from the word “excruciating.” To be crucified is the most horrific and painful death a person can suffer. We can only begin to imagine the physical pain that Jesus suffered. Jesus also suffered spiritually and emotionally in a way that we never will. When He cried out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” it was because at that moment, Jesus was separated from God. Now how could Jesus, who is also God, be separated from God? That has always been a great mystery – even to the greatest of theologians... He, who was without sin, became sin for us all and suffered separation from God. That is the only way we could be saved. Jesus knew what would happen and yet the night before He told His Father, “Not my will, but your will.” Our sins nailed Him to the cross, but His amazing love for you and for me held Him there.
If we would have been standing there that day we would have also heard Jesus say, “It is finished.” Jesus did not only say this, He shouted it out. “It is finished,” is three words in English; but in Greek it is one “Tetelestai” as it would be in Aramaic. And “Tetelestai” is the victor’s shout; it is the cry of a person who has won through the struggle; it is the cry of a person who has come out of the dark into the glory of light, and who has grasped the crown. So, then, Jesus died a victor with a shout of triumph on His lips.
“Here is the precious thing. Jesus passed through the uttermost abyss, and then the light broke. If we, too, cling to God even there seems to be no God, desperately and invincibly clutching the remnants of our faith, quite certainly the dawn will break and we will win through. The victor is the person who refuses to believe that God has forgotten them, even when every fiber of their being feels they are forsaken. The victor is the person who will never let go of their faith, even when they feel that its last grounds are gone. The victor is the person who has been beaten to the depths and still holds on to God, for that is what Jesus did.” (William Barclay)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Lent is a time for reflection. A time for us to remember why Jesus had to die on the cross. There are churches where they do not talk about sin; it makes people feel bad about themselves. It is an unpleasant topic. And so they preach about “feel good” topics instead and the people leave the church feeling good about themselves and about the message.
The church I attend practices confession and absolution every Sunday. We confess our sins together corporately and there is usually a time for silence when we can reflect upon our sins. When I was growing up we would say: Oh almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended Thee and justly deserve Thy temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray Thee for Thy boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter suffering and death of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be merciful to me a poor sinful being. After the confession the Pastor announces our forgiveness through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We had a church member leave our congregation because she did not like to say she was a poor miserable sinner. She didn’t think she fit into that category. Now, I am going to say something and for some of you it may sound weird. I find comfort in knowing that I am a poor miserable sinner. No, I am not happy that I am a sinful being. But it is an explanation as to why I fall short, every moment of every day. I am a poor sinful being and I will mess up every day of my life. I will sin knowingly and unknowingly. I will try so hard not to sin and I will fail. I don’t have any grand elusions about myself and when I do it never works out the way I envision it will.
It is a lie straight from the pit of hell to tell someone that when you are a Christian you will not have problems with sin anymore. If that statement is true (which it is not) what would we need Jesus for? If something we can do on our own could save us…why would we need a Savior? There are so many people out there who are miserable because they cannot live the perfect life, no matter how hard they try, they fail. I KNOW I’m not perfect. God knows I’m not perfect. God knows that I could not save myself, no matter how much I wanted too. I do not need to save myself; Jesus saved me when He died for my sins. We should not treat sin lightly. I am not proud that I am a poor miserable sinner. But I find great comfort in knowing that God knows exactly how miserable I am and loves me anyways. I find solace in the knowledge, the blood of Jesus has redeemed me and because of Him I stand forgiven.
I love Psalm 139 and I would like to share it with you in two ways. One is right from scripture and the other is through a song. May you take the time to reflect upon the words. I know it is painful when we realize our sinfulness but it is not the end of the story. Jesus has paid the price for you and for me. We are washed clean in the blood of the Lamb.
1O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
