"Now a leper came to HIM, imploring HIM, kneeling down to HIM and saying to HIM, "If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean." Then JESUS moved with compassion, stretched out HIS hand and said to him, "I am willing, be cleansed." As soon as HE spoke immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed." Mark 1:40-42
Dear Praying Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for your prayers for my friend Shirley, and her daughter, Mishel and family. I went by to see Shirley yesterday, and was so blessed by the love of her family surrounding her. Todd, Mishel's husband is here from Nebraska to be with his bride and help her in any way that he can. Mishel's friend, Beth, is here from Virginia, taking time away from her husband and six children, being a help and strength to Mishel as she helps her Mom. When i went into Shirley's room, Beth, was holding Shirley's hand and talking with her in soothing tones. Mishel was doing all she could to make her Mom comfortable, adjusting her covers, giving her pain meds and turning her on her side. Her Mom was always petite, and is more so now, but I was surprised when Mishel picked her up in her arms and turned her over as she adjusted her to a more comfortable position. We all had prayer together, and sat and talked and laughed together a few minutes, reminiscing about some old times, til the homehealth care nurse came..and I quietly excused myself to go.
Mishel has cared so faithfully for her Mom day in and day out for the past couple of months. Mishel took off work and came and took her Mom to radiation treatments and cared for her Mom. A week after Mishel got married, she was on the plane to come and care for her Mom and has been here for a couple of months now, putting her life in Nebraska on hold to take care of her little Momma, Shirley. Mishel's family has been so great flying in and driving from Colorado and Nebraska to be with their Mom and wife, and "Grammy" as they call Shirley, on the weekends as they can. GOD has really blessed in giving Mishel's son a job at the Denver Airport so they could fly back and forth, for the most part at no charge... GOD is so good to provide that job for Zach during this time of their lives. HE has provided so many things for Mishel, including a new husband, after her world fell apart a couple of years ago, to love her and care for her and support her during this time while she's been caring for her Mom. HE's also provided an understanding boss for Mishel at work to keep her job for her when she returns. So many blessings...so much grace of the LORD. I have been so blessed to watch this family love and care for their Mom and Grammy...and know that GOD is honored and lifted up in their sorrow and suffering. Please continue to remember my friend Shirley, her daughter Mishel, and their family in your prayers in the coming days. Thank you so much...
Last Saturday morning, after I had sent out the Friday email about "A Willing Heart," I was having my time with JESUS on my little couch in our "JOY" room (i got the idea from Barbara Johnson, i think, who had a "Joy" room in her home). The thought came to me, GOD has "A Willing Heart." We get our willing hearts from HIM. I thought, why didn't i think of that the day before? GOD knows HIS reasons to give me the thoughts HE does at just the right time. HE knew last Friday's email couldn't hold the thoughts HE's shared with me this week about our FATHER's Willing and loving heart towards HIS children. Guess what? This Friday's email can't hold all the thoughts and Scriptures HE's shown me either. Don't worry, i'm not planning to write it all:)...I can't. HE continues to show me now every time I open the Scriptures how very willing HIS heart is towards us...in fact, "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think." As I was thinking about that thought, the HOLY SPIRIT brought the verse to my mind..."Lord, if you are willing." I didn't take time to look it up, and didn't know exactly where it was, but started reading my Daily Bible reading. Would you believe, that exact passage, was in my Scripture reading for that morning?
"Now a leper came to HIM, imploring HIM, kneeling down to HIM and saying to HIM, "If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean." Then JESUS moved with compassion, stretched out HIS hand and said to him, "I am willing, be cleansed." As soon as HE spoke immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed." Mark 1:40-42
As I continued to reflect on that Scripture and that GOD has a Willing Heart to heal us and cleanse us from all our sin and do the impossible in our lives and loved ones ...the verse from II Peter 3:9 came to me:
"The Lord is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Then immediately after that GOD brought the verse to my mind from John 3:16 that shows all of us how very much GOD wills for us not to perish:
"For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believeth in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life."
As I sit here and reflect on what GOD has been teaching me this week, i am reminded that the whole Bible, is about GOD's willing heart towards us to save us from the destruction of sin that came into the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience. That is the bottom line, chapter after chapter, verse after verse in the Bible is about GOD's willing heart to save us from eternal punishment for our sins. Words from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, this morning, and GOD's WORD, remind us of The Coming Wrath for all those who aren't in CHRIST JESUS and why GOD wills to save us....HE loves us so very much and paid the price for our redemption.
The Coming Wrath
"The wrath to come."
--Matthew 3:7
It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself; to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note the drops while they glisten like purest diamonds in the sunlight. That is the position of a Christian. He is going through a land where the storm has spent itself upon His Saviour's head, and if there be a few drops of sorrow falling, they distil from clouds of mercy, and Jesus cheers him by the assurance that they are not for his destruction. But how terrible is it to witness the approach of a tempest: to note the forewarnings of the storm; to mark the birds of heaven as they droop their wings; to see the cattle as they lay their heads low in terror; to discern the face of the sky as it groweth black, and look to the sun which shineth not, and the heavens which are angry and frowning!
How terrible to await the dread advance of a hurricane--such as occurs, sometimes, in the tropics--to wait in terrible apprehension till the wind shall rush forth in fury, tearing up trees from their roots, forcing rocks from their pedestals, and hurling down all the dwelling-places of man! And yet, sinner, this is your present position. No hot drops have as yet fallen, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you, but God's tempest is gathering its dread artillery. As yet the water-floods are dammed up by mercy, but the flood-gates shall soon be opened: the thunderbolts of God are yet in His storehouse, but lo! the tempest hastens, and how awful shall that moment be when God, robed in vengeance, shall march forth in fury! Where, where, where, O sinner, wilt thou hide thy head, or whither wilt thou flee? O that the hand of mercy may now lead you to Christ! He is freely set before you in the gospel: His riven side is the rock of shelter. Thou knowest thy need of Him; believe in Him, cast thyself upon Him, and then the fury shall be overpast for ever.
"The wrath to come."
--Matthew 3:7
It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself; to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note the drops while they glisten like purest diamonds in the sunlight. That is the position of a Christian. He is going through a land where the storm has spent itself upon His Saviour's head, and if there be a few drops of sorrow falling, they distil from clouds of mercy, and Jesus cheers him by the assurance that they are not for his destruction. But how terrible is it to witness the approach of a tempest: to note the forewarnings of the storm; to mark the birds of heaven as they droop their wings; to see the cattle as they lay their heads low in terror; to discern the face of the sky as it groweth black, and look to the sun which shineth not, and the heavens which are angry and frowning!
How terrible to await the dread advance of a hurricane--such as occurs, sometimes, in the tropics--to wait in terrible apprehension till the wind shall rush forth in fury, tearing up trees from their roots, forcing rocks from their pedestals, and hurling down all the dwelling-places of man! And yet, sinner, this is your present position. No hot drops have as yet fallen, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you, but God's tempest is gathering its dread artillery. As yet the water-floods are dammed up by mercy, but the flood-gates shall soon be opened: the thunderbolts of God are yet in His storehouse, but lo! the tempest hastens, and how awful shall that moment be when God, robed in vengeance, shall march forth in fury! Where, where, where, O sinner, wilt thou hide thy head, or whither wilt thou flee? O that the hand of mercy may now lead you to Christ! He is freely set before you in the gospel: His riven side is the rock of shelter. Thou knowest thy need of Him; believe in Him, cast thyself upon Him, and then the fury shall be overpast for ever.
HIS willing heart desires us, longs for us to be set free from the bondage of our sins here on earth and to flee THE WRATH to COME. HIS willing heart longs for us to enjoy HIS fellowship forever and ever where we are going to rule and reign with HIM on the new earth HE establishes when HE returns with HIS bride, the church.
I was reading some verses today that mean the world to me...they are verses that I pray often for those I love who don't CHRIST as their LORD and SAVIOR.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36:26-27
As i sat on my couch looking at the index card with those verses written on it I thought:
Purchased:
A heart transplant to remove stone heart and replace with heart of flesh
A new Spirit to move us to follow HIS decrees and keep HIS laws
Total cost to us: Free Gift
Total cost to GOD: The life and blood of HIS precious sinless SON, JESUS CHRIST
Made Alive in Christ
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful naturea and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
"Because of HIS great love for us..."
Because of GOD's great willing heart, HE gave HIS SON that we might be made ALIVE with CHRIST, no longer dead in our transgressions and sins. Being made ALIVE with CHRIST, came at an unbelievable high cost. I read a passage in Leviticus yesterday that reminds us that without the shedding of blood there is no atonement for sin:
"For the life of the flesh of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."
The sacrifices in the Old Testament were a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of the perfect LAMB of GOD WHO would make atonement for our sins once and for all:
Hebrews 10:1-23
Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All
1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”[a]
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”[a]
8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time He waits for his enemies to be made His footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”[b]
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”[b]
17 Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”[c]
I will remember no more.”[c]
18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. "I stand, i stand in awe of YOU, I stand, I stand in awe of YOU...http://www.youtube.com/
JESUS told Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to HIM by night: "Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." John 3:3. Family and friends, have you been born again? Do you have "a new heart of flesh and a new spirit, the HOLY SPIRIT, that moves you to obey HIS decrees and laws?" GOD is willing for you too, so much that HE gave HIS SON for you. HE has already paid the price, HE offers you the free gift as you come to HIM with a childlike faith and repent of your sins.
I also stand in awe at how GOD led me to write this week's email. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the verses HE showed me about HIS willing heart towards us in every area that we can imagine. As you have your daily quiet time with the LORD, ask HIM to show you HIS willing heart, show you the passages that contain the word "will" and you will be amazed at the passages that reveal GOD's will...they are too numerous to share because that is what the whole Bible is about...GOD's willing heart towards us! HE loves us so very much.
As i close, the LORD laid a beautiful song on my heart this week. Earlier this week, as i realized that my friend Shirley was getting closer to going home to be with JESUS, I began playing this song on you tube by Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Matt Maher; and Jessie Reeves "I Will Rise." http://www.youtube.com/
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
Shirley won't wrestle with that "tent" anymore, because she has trusted in the LORD JESUS as her SAVIOR. Shirley, along with all who have accepted GOD's gift of HIS SON, will have a new body one day, a glorified body with "no more sorrow, no more pain." GOD's willing heart, is for all of us to receive HIM as our LORD and SAVIOR..". and to be with HIM forever and ever. "It is not HIS will that any should perish."
You have honored me and blessed me by spending this time with me...thank you so much. Thank you for remembering Shirley and her family in your prayers. JESUS loves you so much,and I do too...
With all HIS love,
mitzi
"I Will Rise"
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[x2]
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[x2]
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
"There is any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Cor. 5:17
"Our LORD's confidence in GOD and what HIS grace could do for any man, was so perfect that HE despaired of no one." Oswald Chambers
--
""Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience." Hebrews 10:22
"The purity which GOD demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is what JESUS has undertaken to do by HIS Redemption." Oswald Chambers
"I Will Rise" Chris Tomlin
"The great thing about faith in God is that it keeps a man undisturbed in the midst of disturbance."
Oswald Chambers
--
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