Jesus is…My Peace

For many years, this song has been my prayer whenever anxiety creeps up on me:

“Peace, peace,
Wonderful peace
Coming down from the Father above.
Sweep over my spirit
Forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.”

Whenever I feel anxious or overwhelmed, I take a deep breath, step away, and sing these few words.

· Slowly.
· Meditatively.
· Prayerfully.

In supernatural ways, God—the source of all Peace—calms my spirit and soothes my soul.

Everything around me might stay the same, but I am changed as my mind and my heart focus on my Heavenly Father. As I envision Him sitting on His throne, I sense Him speaking “Peace” into my situation. My heaviness lifts, my shoulders ease up, and my tense muscles relax.

Peace, peace, wonderful peace.

· When the kids are all screaming in the car.
· When my work is piling up on my desk.
· When my house looks like a tornado hit.

Peace, peace, wonderful peace.

Peace that only He can give (John 14:27). Peace that flows as I trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3). Peace at all times and in every way (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

Jesus—He is my peace (Ephesians 2:14).

Daphne Tarango

Jesus Is…the Answer

So many hymns talk about blood. And that picture has a certain “ick” factor. One familiar hymn reveals the paradox:  Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Another similar hymn was one of the praise songs in our summer VBS program. Each day the 100 elementary kids belted out the jazzed up version of this gospel tune with an accompaniment CD that turned the familiar hymn into an upbeat rap song.

However, on day four of VBS, the focus became serious as we learned of Jesus’ death and resurrection. As worship leader, I was instructed by the booklet to begin the hymn but without the CD. I was supposed to simply sing the opening as a solo and watch for what happened. Apprehensive, I began a cappella, “What can wash away my sin?” I waited and in amazement listened as a hundred children’s voices echoed the answer, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Hearing kids sing that simple truth, is a moment I will never forget.

My question had only one answer. Jesus washed away our sin by sacrificing Himself on the cross as the Lamb of God. The song is timeless because the answer to the question will never change. Do you know the answer?

What can wash away my sin?            Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again?     Nothing but the blood of Jesus

This is all my hope and peace            Nothing but the blood of Jesus

This is all my righteousness               Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Chorus:

Oh! Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow

No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus

Lord, it is nothing but YOUR blood. Wash us white as snow. Be all our hope and peace and all our righteousness. You are the Answer.

Jesus Is…Our Saviour

“Let’s go check to see if there are any new lambies,” I said to Julia. In a muddy corner outside the barn we found a mother and baby. But there were also two other suspicious mounds stuck in the mud that turned out to be muddy, wet lambs barely able to lift their heads. Although I didn’t expect them to survive, with my kindergartner’s help and hope, I began a futile rescue attempt.

Second grader Christine ran warm bath water as Julia and I put the lambs into the tub to raise their body temperature. The girls delighted in the slightest wiggles from their patients. I frowned and warned, “They’re going to die.” Christine and Julia were naively hopeful and needed me to believe; but I remembered their disappointment with an earlier failed attempt. Julia had asked, “The lamb didn’t do anything wrong. Why did it have to die?”

We bathed them over and over, held their heads above water, towel dried their fuzzy bodies, then, blow-dried them. I kept reminding the girls that they would probably die. The lambs were too weak to stand by their mother and nurse, and we didn’t have any powdered milk ewe-replacer to bottle-feed them. “Milk the mom!” Christine begged over and over.

Out in the lambing pen, I obeyed my eight-year-old’s suggestion and later returned to the house feeling rather proud of my accomplishment. The girls praised my efforts and giggled with glee as the lambs sucked down their nourishment. By that afternoon the warmed lambs had perked up and tried their wobbly legs.

When my husband came home from work, the girls bounded out of the family room, each holding a lamb, squealing, “SURPRISE!”

This time we rescued lambs, but in reality it is the Lamb of God who has rescued us. I can’t help but think we’ve been in that muddy pit and somebody washed us clean with the sacrifice of His blood. He has warmed us with love and hope, and set our unsteady feet on the ground. Oh how we need a Savior!

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:2)

Jesus Is…the Good Shepherd (Part 2)

 

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

If indeed “we are his people, the sheep of his pasture,” it is no compliment.

Sheep are very “not smart” (at our house we’re not allowed to say the word dumb). They are also followers, smelly, and easily lost. And when they tip over, they give up and don’t try to stand up again. A cast sheep becomes frightened and frustrated, frantically flailing her legs. She then gives up—as if thinking, “I’m DEAD!”

Like sheep, we sometimes become downcast. We ask, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” The answer? “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11) The Bible says that God comforts the downcast and that He restores our souls. We need a little extra attention and a shepherd to pick us up.

A Good Shepherd also tends to the mothers and the young.  “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11) And the Shepherd uses his voice to lead. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27).

But that doesn’t mean sheep don’t stray or follow another wayward ewe. During the spring and summer, it’s inevitable that one sheep will squeeze her 180 pounds through the fence wires to find the grass that is greener on the other side. The problem is, others follow through the fence, out to the roadside and into the neighbor’s lawn where they are unprotected from cars, dogs, and wild animals. They might eat noxious weeds or poisonous plants. When I see the sheep out on the gravel road, I drive them in—literally. I aim my Prius at the sheep, and they quickly wriggle back through the fence.

We’re like sheep. We wander and need our Good Shepherd to guide us home. Remember the Shepherd’s comforting rod and staff? The rod taps each sheep’s head as the shepherd counts its return to the fold; and the staff pulls the sheep out of dangerous situations. I am comforted knowing He cares enough to count me worthy of pulling out of a predicament.

I know the sheep of Skyemoor Farm need a shepherd, and I do too.

Jesus Is…Our Redeemer

This past Christmas was our first after moving to a different home, so I had new places to decorate. One of those places was a niche in my entrance. I decided a little tree and some garland would look great up there. But I didn’t have a little tree, and I didn’t want to spend very much. I wanted one about three feet tall.

I was having lunch with my mom one day and happened to mention that I was looking for a Christmas tree about three feet tall and in good condition. “Kind of like yours,” I said, remembering the tree that has stood in her living room window for years.

She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “No!” She caught her breath and started fumbling for her cell phone.  As she scrambled through her purse she was telling me she’d just given it away. She’d donated it to the thrift shop in her small town. She couldn’t find her phone.

“Quick! Call them and tell them I didn’t mean to donate it and ask them to put it aside for you!” I laughed at her panic. She was so concerned. And she was upset! She felt terrible for giving away her tree without even asking me, and now I might have to buy one.

I called my husband and asked him to stop by that thrift shop and check out the little trees. My mom sat on pins and needles. He found trees… lots of them! Which was the right one? He finally just picked the nicest looking one of them all. Turns out he picked my mom’s!

When he told my mom he paid $15 for it, she nearly cried!

That tree has been on my mind since then. It is a perfect example of Redemption. The tree once belonged to us, but then it didn’t. We had to buy it back. The process of buying back is exactly what Redemption is.

Jesus, our Creator, came and bought us back too. The price was paid. Final Sale.

Carla Anne Coroy

The Supremacy of Christ

Today in place of a written post, we offer a video sermon by John Piper entitled The Supremacy of Christ. Less than 20 minutes in length (18:53 to be exact), it is well worth the time investment. You will be challenged, humbled, encouraged, and overwhelmed with gratefulness to our Creator for His mercy and grace.  As Piper says, it all comes down to the supremacy of Christ.

 

If the video is not appearing in your feed, click here to view online: http://youtu.be/TlGCjawKSFc.

 

 

 

Alpha, Beginning–Omega, the End

I hit the snooze button up to three times. My husband asks, “Why not set it right the first time?”

We put on our sneakers for our morning walk. We ask, “How’d you sleep?” and tell tales of our dreams.

We walk several blocks. We walk, we talk.

Heading back home, we reflect on the day and stop to pray.

Jesus is our Alpha—the beginning to our day.

I get ready for work. At the sink, I pray.

As I do my hair, I read God’s word.

Jesus is my Alpha.

My husband sits, coffee in hand, Bible in lap—bowing his head.

I walk by and smile. Thank you, God.

Jesus is his Alpha.

I go to work. My husband—he works from home.

Throughout our day, Jesus is our Alpha.

As our day nears its end, we lock all the doors and climb into bed.

I open my Bible. He opens his.

We each read a chapter.

Our Jesus, Omega—our end He is.

We lay face to face and discuss what we’ve read.

We pray for the day, say, “I love you.” We kiss.

Alpha, Omega—Jesus is.

Although this year ends, another begins.

My prayer, my heart: Jesus, please stay

Our Alpha, Omega.

Amen and Amen.

 

Daphne Tarango

 

Daphne’s post today is part of Mentoring Moment’2012 theme called Jesus Is. Feel free to share via email, Facebook, or Twitter.

Jesus, Your Friend

Garth Brooks sang about “Friends in Low Places” but friends in positions to help us are what we’d really like. According to the spokesperson for jewelry store, Shane and Company, if you choose them for your fine jewels “you’ve got a friend in the diamond business”. If you are lucky enough to be the child of a police officer (like me) then you might get out of a ticket or two or your daddy might get to know a bit more about what you’ve been up to than you cared for him to know.

In today’s world it is evident that who you know matters.  In God’s kingdom it’s all about who you know too, and guess what? As a Christian you know the King’s son, and you don’t just know him from afar, you get to be on a first name, he’ll drop anything for you basis. In John’s gospel chapter 15 and verse 15, Jesus tells his disciples that he no longer calls them servants but friends. These words are meant for us too and it is important to note, this friendship with him is not a superficial one. The word translated “friend” in this verse is “philos” and according to Strong’s concordance means a friend; someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a trusted confidant, held dear in a close bond of personal affection.

Think about what that means. Held dear.  Prized. Beloved. He knows you inside and out and loves you anyway.  You are precious to Him. I am precious to Him. We’ve got a friend in heaven, a BFF, seated beside the Father’s throne telling the King of Kings just how much he loves us.

One thing to keep in mind, a true friendship requires that you BE a friend too, and one of the best ways to do that is to stay in touch. The prayer line is always open and amazingly you can call on Jesus anytime day or night with no long distance charges or worry about going over your cell plan’s minutes.

Tracey’s post today is part of Mentoring Moment’2012 theme called Jesus Is. Feel free to share via email, Facebook, or Twitter.

Is Jesus My Priority?

It is easy to give Sunday School answers to questions such as, “What is the priority of your life?”

As Christ followers we are quick to say Jesus is our priority because it is the right answer. Yet when it comes to the reality of your life, what really is the priority?

Look at your calendar and checkbook–you will see where your priorities reside. Whatever you invest your time and money in, that is really your priority.

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” He also said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” In both verses Jesus is reminding us that we invest our time money and energy in what really matters.

In these early days of 2012, begin by being honest with yourself. Once you evaluate where your time and money is going, ask God how He would have you invest your time and money. Then set up a plan to make His priorities yours.

 

 

Page’s post today is part of Mentoring Moment’2012 theme called Jesus Is. Feel free to share via email, Facebook, or Twitter.

Jesus, From the Beginning

Sometimes I forget who Jesus really is.

When I’ve been in a car accident. When a child’s health is touch and go. When a diagnosis slaps our world upside down or another job ends. By the time I find my feet and find myself praying, I feel like I’m letting God know what happened.

I forget.

I forget He already knows. He really does want to hear all about it,  it’s not because He doesn’t know. It’s because He does. I forget that He didn’t show up after the car crashed, or after the diagnosis came. I forget that the Bible calls Him “Alpha.” The beginning.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1

He wasn’t just there at Creation.

He was there before the diagnosis, before the last breath was taken, before the job was lost. Before the divorce papers came, before the bankruptcy was filed, before the hurricane, before the flood, before it all–He was there.

As we head into 2012, let’s remember that He’s already been there. He’s already waiting for you in each day. Each moment of time that will unfold holds His sweet presence. There’s nothing that will happen this year that hasn’t already been seen and prepared by our God. We will never understand the fullness of all He is protecting us from, or all that He’s doing each day to wrap us in His arms of love and care. When those days come that knock us off our feet, He is still Alpha – the One who was there already, from the beginning.

Where have you seen (likely in hindsight) that God was already there for you, preparing you, or waiting for you even before you knew it?

Carla Anne Coroy

Carla Anne’s post is part of our year-long series on Jesus called, Jesus Is.  If you find these posts encouraging, consider forwarding, sharing on Facebook, or tweeting–let’s spread the word about Jesus!

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