HE THOUGHT YOU WERE WORTH IT

Slowly, with purpose
He walked through the streets
Each step He was taking
Your life He could see

Breathing in pain
Sores on His back
He suffered the shame
But His heart was intact

He knew that His mission
It must be fulfilled
There was no other way
Except Calvary’s hill

Looking at faces
His mind must have swirled
He kept the joy before Him
Of saving the world

Strong and determined
As His life blood poured out
He knew it was worth it
He ignored hell’s loud shout

As He hung on the cross
He gave out a cry
As He paid for our sins
Tears streamed from His eyes

Love kept Him there
We’ll never know
How bad was His suffering
The three days He was gone

Paying our penalty
As He hung on the cross
He knew what it took
To redeem all the lost

So now it’s our choice
To believe and receive
The beautiful gift
For which He did bleed

 

copyright 2013 Jean Chamblee

Streams In The Desert

On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.” — Mark 4:35

Even when we go forth at Christ’s command, we need not expect to escape storms; for these disciples were going forth at Christ’s command, yet they encountered the fiercest storm and were in great danger of being overwhelmed, so that they cried out in their distress for Christ’s assistance.

Though Christ may delay His coming in our time of distress, it is only that our faith may be tried and strengthened, and that our prayers may be more intense, and that our desires for deliverance may be increased, so that when the deliverance does come we will appreciate it more fully.

Christ gave them a gentle rebuke, saying, “Where is your faith?” Why did you not shout victory in the very face of the storm, and say to the raging winds and rolling waves, “You can do no harm, for Christ, the mighty Savior is on board”?

It is much easier to trust when the sun is shining than when the storm is raging.

We never know how much real faith we have until it is put to the test in some fierce storm; and that is the reason why the Savior is on board.

If you are ever to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, your strength will be born in some storm.
–Selected

“With Christ in the vessel,
I smile at the storm.”

Christ said, “Let us go to the other side”—not to the middle of the lake to be drowned.
–Dan Crawford

From:  Streams In The Desert  (Cowman)  June 3  (devotional)

Unique

As we walk down this road called life, it’s important to remember that we are unique. God created us each with something in mind unlike any other. Sure we are alike in our humanity, but not in destiny. We may even be similar, but not exact. Our experiences, values and mindsets are different. Even where we grew up, our home and childhood surroundings set us apart and add to who we are. Remind yourself. “I am unique” and never let culture of societal expectations define you. You are a child made by God, to be you. His plans for you will not be exactly like another and that is a beautiful thing. We are each threads in a tapestry, God’s tapestry, and while we are part of a bigger picture, we remain individually unique.

HE WHISPERS

So today is an especially sweet day. I woke up this morning hearing in my head the phrase “I love you to the moon and back”. I wondered if that thought could have been from God? Would He use a common human phrase to communicate with me? And for Him the moon is not very far or big. Haha

Just waking up I wasn’t thinking with my spirit but was just in my head!! So I dismissed it without much thought. Then later I finally got around to doing something the Lord had asked me to do, and that was to mail my book to an old friend. I had been putting it off because I couldn’t find an envelope, but the Lord patiently waited. I put the dollar stamps on it which were in the shape of a moon and proceeded to the mailbox. I knew God was happy about my obeying Him and following through on this. Then I looked up and on the mailbox was a beautiful bluebird. I thought to myself “bluebird of happiness”,which was a phrase I had heard in a movie. Then it dawned on me that God had put the bluebird there as a sign to me that I was making Him happy by doing what He had asked.

Then quickly in my minds eye or spirits eye to be more accurate; I saw a visual of the Father picking me up and joyfully swinging me around in His arms like a little girl. Wow. I was really having a divine encounter all morning and it was so subtle I could have missed it, but thankful I didn’t. I knew God was communicating. Then I walked back in the house and picked up the stamps. The stamps were a picture of the moon! To the moon and back!! Right in my face. I love you to the moon and back! Then again, I looked out the kitchen window and the bluebird was sitting on the wire in the 20 plus wind gusts we’re having today and holding on as if to wait for me to see it, then it jumped off.

Wow again. I could have missed this all. It started with a subtle “I love you to the moon and back” thought as I woke up. How amazing is God!!! He truly does communicate with us . Are we listening? Do we miss the thoughts He sends our way? Are we awake enough to recognize Him. We certainly can be and He will help us if we ask! He has so much joy in us. We make Him happy! You make Him happy! He made you and has a dream for your life. I hope this inspires you to actively “listen” with your spiritual eyes and ears as well as the other. He whispers, but He is full of love for you. Receive it! Hope you have an awesome day!

Blessings, Jean

John 10:27

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.