Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10.
It is the mystery of God in the flesh, God in Christ, and divinity in humanity. Christ bowed down in unparalleled humility, that in His exaltation to the throne of God, He might also exalt those who believe in Him, to a seat with Him upon His throne. All who look upon Jesus in faith that the wounds and bruises that sin has made will be healed in Him, shall be made whole.
The themes of redemption are momentous themes, and only those who are spiritually minded can discern their depth and significance…. Faith and prayer are necessary in order that we may behold the deep things of God. Our minds are so bound about with narrow ideas, that we catch but limited views of the experience it is our privilege to have. How little do we comprehend what is meant by the prayer of the apostle, when he says, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge….” Jesus beheld the human race, ignorant, apostate from God, standing under the penalty of the broken law; and He came to bring deliverance, to offer a complete pardon, signed by the Majesty of heaven. If man will accept this pardon, he may be saved; if he rejects it, he will be lost.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 180.
With God at Dawn p. 57
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Prayer Requests
—-Praise—My friend responded very well to treatment and got to come home from the hospital Friday evening. She wasn’t even there a week! Thank you so much for your prayers! I know all the prayers that were going up made the difference for her! Martha
—-Update on Buddy – He has been having a fever every day and not seeming to get better. He was admitted to the hospital last evening and will be having tests done today. Please pray that they will find the source of his illness and be able to help him quickly recover his strength. Thank you all for your prayers. Kay
—-Please pray for my cousin Fay and her husband Arnie! He had a heart attack last night and he is in a induced coma!! Sherrie
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Dear Friends,
Many years ago, my great-great aunt, Aletha Phillips-Spoor, wrote a little poem book. I was able to find a copy online a few years ago and ordered it. Here is one of the poems called The Music of Life that I thought I’d share with you today.
If you ask me what is music of life,
I would say it’s the children we love,
I would say it’s the birds and the sunshine
And the beautiful blue above.
I wouldn’t forget the babbling brooks
Nor the fields of waving grain,
I wouldn’t foget the April showers
That freshen the earth again.
So all that is grand in nature,
Coupled with friendship sweet,
Forms the music of our existence
Which makes each life complete.
As I read it, I thought of my own dear children and my grandchildren and my love for them. I thought of the pleasure the many beautiful places we have had the privilege of seeing over the years have given us. My mind went back to the friends I’ve had in the past and the enjoyment friendship brings, yet I realized that she left out the most important aspect of a person’s life, the one that gives us the most comfort and joy, namely, a close relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Truly “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Prov 18:24 Jesus assures us of His friendship. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:13-15 Think of it! The One Who made us, the One Who gave His life for us calls us His friends. Our Best Friend loves us far more than we love our earthly friends, far deeper than we love our children. His love is an everlasting love that is beyond comprehension. (Jer 31:3)
May we give ourselves totally, unreservedly to the One Who loves us so. May we take notice of all His blessings. May we serve the Lord with gladness and sing His praises both now and throughout all eternity is my prayer. (Ps 100:2)
Rose