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Why did God save us?

God  crushed  His Son; Christ  relinquished  His majesty; then  gave  Himself up for us so that we might be His people—holy and righteous (1 Thess 2:10), full of mercy and grace (James 3:17), and to proclaim His excellencies to the world (Ps 9:1-2, 40:5, 116:12-14; 1 Peter 2:9). God didn't save us so we could be free to do whatever we want, knowing we're forgiven of all sins: past, present and future. Neither did the Father do this so that we could haphazardly wander around this earth, mooning over all we want and don't have (like the rest of this world). Just as the honor of being assigned as an ambassador of an earthly country should not be taken lightly, so we also, who are in Christ, should not take our high calling as children of the Most High God lightly. An earthly ambassador is chosen to live in a foreign land to represent their country, while maintaining every attribute and character of their homeland. An ambassador does not lose or...
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When Jesus is not my Lord

Devotional: Mornings with Tozer Christ, The Blessed One Matt 11:29-30 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden light." I feel great sorrow for those who read the Sermon on the Mount and then conclude that Jesus was providing a word picture of men and women comprising the human race. In this world, we find nothing approaching the virtues of which Jesus spoke in the Beatitudes. Instead of poverty of spirit, we find the rankest kind of pride. Instead of mourners, we find pleasure seekers. Instead of meekness, we find only arrogance, and instead of hunger after righteousness, we hear men saying, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Thank You, Father, for Your open-armed invitation for Your children to cast all of their worldly cares upon You. Lord, teach me now to trust You more deeply. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How...
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My article published at (in)courage today!

Hello beloved friends! Just a quick note to let you know that my article My heart, Christ's garden has been published at DaySpring's women's devotional site, (in)courage. Here's an excerpt: “The genuine Christian must seek to be more excellent in his life than the best moralist, because Christ’s garden ought to produce the best flowers in the world.” ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon I want my heart to be this way. I want my heart to produce the most beautiful and luscious flowers! I want my life to flow with the love of God and the magnificence of His grace and mercy! I want my life to shout, “I am holy, set apart; unto the LORD!” I want my heart to hold a reservation only for One, my Lord Jesus. I want to be singularly focused and eternally inclined. I want to be like the flowers in my garden. I want to only face the Son. I want to stretch my faith and strain my efforts to have a leaning only towards the One who gave His life for mine.... To read the entire ar...
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What's In a Word?

Do words really matter? Does the true meaning of words really matter? Does it matter how we use words, when we say them, and to whom we attribute them? The Holy Spirit of God inspired King David to write: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD , my Rock and my Redeemer." ~ Psalm 19:14 Our Savior Jesus Christ, when He was here, said: "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." ~ Matthew 12:36-37 It is apparent that according to God, words are very important; how we use them, what we mean by them, when we say them and to whom we attribute them. After all, it is also written in Scripture through the Apostle John that: "In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 Jesus Himself is the Word of God. God chose to r...
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I am rebellious...

...independent ...lazy ...hateful and judgmental I am also one who has been saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not of myself, so that I may never boast. My salvation is a gift from God that was never imparted to me based on who I am or what I have ever done or will ever do [Ephesians 2:-9]. God saved my wretched and utterly sinful soul based on His righteousness alone, by His grace, His abounding compassion and unending mercy. God saved me, not because it made Him feel better or would bring any benefit to Him. For what has man ever given to God that God should owe him anything [Job 41:11]? God is God. He is fulfilled in Himself. We are not God and cannot satisfy ourselves with anything; although all of us have tried and at times; and still do [Isaiah 55:2-3]. But because I am saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, because God has granted me the gift of repentance that leads to salvation [2 Corinthians 7:10]; I am now someone I could've never m...
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WFW - Walk in Love ~ Fragrant Offering

What does it mean for us to "walk in love"? Does it mean that we should all walk around as if we were floating on cloud 9, filled with romantic and idealistic thoughts about our lives and relationships? What does it mean for us to be a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."? Does it mean that we are to abstain from anything and everything that brings us pleasure; wear drab clothes and a permanent expression on our faces that tell the world how miserable we are being children of the Most High God, living in a sin infested world? Short answer to both these questions are assuredly in Christ - NO! When I read Ephesians 5:1-2, one of the first things that come to mind is the tabernacle and the altar of incense that was placed on the west side of the Holy Place, and stood in front of the curtain/veil of the Most Holy Place (or the Holy of Holies). The LORD said to Moses, "Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankince...
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