Faith I Am To Die For 1:21 AM There is NO GREATER LOVE than this: that a person would lay down his life for the sake of his friends. -John 15:13 I'm not pretty. I don't have a drop dead gorgeous body, nor do I possess that X factor judges in the talent shows are referring to. I'm an ordinary-looking, perfectly normal human being. So what's so special about me? The world may say "nothing much" or "nothing at all". Two thousand years ago, though, Someone broke the rule and was crazy enough to think I'm something else---that I am to die for. I don't know what standard He follows or what exactly His criteria are. Many thought, and still thinks, He's a lunatic. No one in His right mind would do what He did. Who else will suffer for those who persecute him? Who would endure the heat of the sun, the lashes and the beatings, the humiliation, the emotional and physical pain, the ruthless persecution and false accusations of those whom he served, guided, healed, helped, fed, and saved? Giphy Who can withstand hunger, exhaustion from physical torment and lack of sleep, and the emotional and psychological torture of betrayal, fear, and abandonment? What kind of a normal person would silently accept the unjust punishment; spits, stones thrown at him, kicks, scourge, mocks, and jeers from the people he loved and served? Well, He's not normal, that's for sure. What He did and why He did it is beyond words. I still can't wrap my head around it. His love and mercy are simply unfathomable and mind-boggling. That Guy is craaaazy. But you know what? I'm glad He is. He's crazy about you and me. If I would assess my life, I don't think I'm worth a tear from a majestic God. For Him to sacrifice His majesty, live a lowly human life to suffer, and die for me is simply indescribable. Why me? And the answer is the cliché and overused word---love. Gfycat What can be crazier than that? This amazing love, I still could not understand. Trying to will just drive me crazy. I am not perfect. I am not as crazy as He is. I don't think I'm ready to lay down my life for anyone yet. I don't deserve that amount of adoration, love, and attention per society's standard, but Jesus thinks otherwise. He believes I am to die for, and I will be forever grateful. This Good Friday, may we learn to love Him more. He deserves nothing less.
Faith Sharing: What's Best 12:32 PM God desires your best always. This is from Kerygma family's online reflections sent daily in my inbox. Because I love the preacher who wrote this and what he wrote is so timely for me, I'm sharing this to you: What's Best by: Arun Gogna “What is it you want?" – Matthew 20:21 “What do you want to be when you grow up?” my father asked me when I was five years old. I answered, “I want to be a cowboy!” It’s a good thing my dad didn’t take my answer seriously. If he did, he would have saved up for a horse for me to ride when I grew up. Imagine me walking in a mall wearing a cowboy suit and going around riding a horse. I thank God that my father knew what was best for me. In fact, he believed in me so much that when I was six, he asked me again what I would like to become when I grew up. I answered confidently, “Papa, I don't want to be a cowboy anymore. I want to be an astronaut!” When I changed my mind, he didn't force that cowboy decision on me. God is your Father. He knows you very well. It’s a good thing He doesn't answer all our prayers. If He did, our lives could be such a mess. God desires your best always. Trust Him. REFLECTION: What do you really want in life? Are you sure? I thank You, Lord, for not answering all my prayers. I put my trust in You.
Faith A Poem About Starting Over (Author Unknown) 6:44 PM A Poem About Starting Over It's never too late to be who you might have been. -George Eliot There are things we wish we accomplished last year...Goals we are getting tired of trying to reach, dreams we set aside because somehow we lost hope, got discouraged, or has simply outgrown them. Whatever the reason, this poem is a reminder that we need not quit and give it another try. We need to start over. For all you know, you'll find the answer this year. It's never too late. A Poem About Starting Over Author Unknown When you've trusted Jesus and walked His way, When you've felt His hand lead you day by day, But your steps now take you to another way, start over. When you've made your plans and they've gone awry, When you've tried your best and there's no more try, When you've failed yourself and you don't know why, start over. When you've told your friends what you've planned to do, When you've trusted them and they didn't come through, And now you're all alone and it's up to you, start over. When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will, When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still, When you want to stop 'cause you've had your fill, start over. When the year has been long and successes few, When December comes and you're feeling blue, God gives January just for you, start over. Starting over means "victories won", Starting over means "race well run", Starting over means "The Lord's will be done" We need not just sit there, start over!
Faith God Knows Our Pain 11:58 PM Pain is temporary, glory is eternal. -Unknown God Knows Our Pain I often forget that. Remember: despite what Jesus gave to the people; despite serving and healing them, despite performing miracles in their midst, feeding them, changing their lives and forgiving their sins, He was treated umjustly. He was abandoned by those He called friends. He was criticized and people fabricated stories about Him. He was looked down upon and called names. He was "bullied". Big time. He was humiliated. Sounds familiar? We may not have performed miracles and made a major change to the world (yet) the way Jesus did but we have loved. We have offered a part of ourselves to someone. We have sacrificed for others. We have served. Sometimes, despite our goodness, generosity and kindness, we are beaten emotionally. We've been betrayed. We've been abandoned when we were in need. We were treated unjustly at one point in our lives. This is how Jesus could comfort us. Because He Himself experienced all these when He was on earth---only worst! God knows our pain and He showed us that despite the pain, everything will be alright in the end. He showed us that our enemy may think they succeeded in putting us down, but they actually propelled us to our destiny. They have provided us a stepping stone, a break. Jesus showed us that pain is temporary, but the glory that awaits us is eternal. God knows our pain and He sure knows how to get us through it. You may be tired of hearing this but "Keep the faith." Keep holding on because today you may be going through a painful Friday. a deafening silent and abrupt halt in your Satruday, but always, always Sunday will come. That old adage, "The night is always darkest just before the dawn" holds true. I've experienced nights that are starless it's so pitch black it's suffocating. It feels like the darkness has consumed me and no matter where I run, it's hopeless. I am trapped. Even if I shout for help, no one could hear me. God hears even our sighs. And that has been comforting to me. He feels my pain even when I don't have to try describing it to Him. I can just be in total silence in His presence and He understands. He knows. I hope that is comforting enough for you. Even when you don't see the end of the tunnel yet. Even when you haven't made a plan yet on how to get out there. Just know that it will pass. Just take one painful step at a time and you'll get to where you should be. You won't be walking alone. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
