The Christian Walk

As I was singing in church this morning this particular song rejoiced my heart. Its called, "marvelous light." It talkes about how death has lost its sting and how we are out of darkness, out of shame and into the light. As children of the king, our old nature was crucified on that cross and now we have risen with Christ and we have a new nature. We can rejoice because we have victory over the power and darkness of sin and death! Jesus saves, Jesus loves, Jesus is our victorious savior! Praise Him! 54But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinithians 15:54-57, NKJV) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAQJKZJ

Psalm 139:17 "How precious are your thoughts to me oh God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with you." (NAS) I was picturing in my mind a lighthouse. The lighthouse was on a high rock and surrounded by crashing waves. I was in that tower- this is my place of safety and security from the crashing waves of life. I wasn't alone- Jesus was with me in this tower. I was conversing with Him and I became more amazed of the fact that His love toward me is perfect. He can't make any mistakes concerning me, He knows every intimate part of me, He knows everything that is in my heart and soul, He knows my dreams- insecurities, failures, distress, and He addresses each one. He is gentle and kindhearted. He sticks up for me when I am down. He validates my feelings and He encourages me to keep going. He makes promises to me and He is faithful to bring them to pass. He lifts up my chin. He expects the best

God is so amazing that sometimes when He calls us to do His work He also lets us know why, tells us how to do it, and assures us of the results! For example, when He called Moses to lead the Isrealites out to the promised land- He said, "I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard thier cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of thier suffering. So I have come down to rescue them... (Exodus 3:7-8, NLT). " Then He tells Moses, " Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3: 10, NLT)." Then Moses is given specific instructions; 1. Go gather the elders and tell them, "the LORD, the God of your ancestors-the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-has appeared to me." (Ex. 3:16, NLT) 2. Tell them the reason for the visit; "I see how the Egyptians have been treating you.. I will rescue you.. and lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey. (Ex. 3:16-

I came across this today written from Oswald Chambers; "When we realize that Jesus Christ has served us to the end of our meanness, our selfishness, and sin, nothing that we meet with from others can exhaust our determination to serve men for His sake." This was a great reminder for me today as I am at my wits end in dealing with my children. I have one that snuck out the window, and another on her phone at three in the morning discussing her drunken exploits. This is heart wrenching for a mother who has continued to try to teach and instruct in the ways of Christ, but sometimes it seems, to no avail. I felt myself getting angry and having a feeling of distaste toward my daughters but then after reading this sentence I realized that Christ loved me at my most ugly point. He heard my cry and lifted me up out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock... and put a new song in my mouth- Praise Him for his forgiveness and long suffering toward me. So I have to learn