The Real Gift

This world is cruel, creation is groaning beneath the surface and crying out to be saved from its pain. Our ancestors since the Fall of humanity have suffered greatly, but we tend to get so lost in our own selfish world sometimes and forget that our Savior suffered just as we do.

Like a sheep he was led to slaughter,
and like a lamb before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
-Isaiah

Jesus saw the JOY in the midst of the pain–He could see that when it was finished the whole world would have access to His Father again–he kept enduring for our sake. Jesus died so that we might have life in Him.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be visible in our bodies.
So death is at work in us, but life in YOU.
-2 Corinthians 4

While sometimes we may feel as though God has abandoned us and doubt has shadowed our faith, His Grace sustains and strengthens us and we must have the courage to seek the JOY beyond the shadows even when you cannot visibly see it.

May we allow God to isolate us, it is in this experience of isolation that the Lord develops an independence of life and faith so that the soul no longer depends on the continual help, prayer, faith and care of others. God allows these difficulties to come upon you in order to bring you closer to Himself. Even though we do not understand it, we can be assured Jesus has not come to separate us from Himself, but to cause you to cling to Him more faithfully, firmly and simply.

Let us enjoy His light and comfort when it is His pleasure to give it to us, but may we have the faith and steady determination not to attach ourselves to his gifts.

Superman

Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy, but more than that he stood before a nation and represented a man of humility. I feel so blessed to be a part of such a great accomplishment, but I am also proud to call him a brother in Christ. RG was so humbled by this award and represented Baylor so well. I pray today not only for his humility and awareness of God's grace, but for our own as a body of believers who love our Lord beyond the trophies of the world. Thank you, Robert for your obedience and may we take your example and follow it. Thank you, Jesus, for where you have brought us and for where we are going. May we have the faith to follow, the wisdom to know, and the humility to receive.
"For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light." Psalm 36:9

If you are in Christ these all apply, so rest, accept, and live in light of them.

You are loved | Ephesians 2:4

You are forgiven | 1st John 2:12

You are healed | Isaiah 53:5

You are new | 2nd Corinthians 5:17

You are secure | Hebrews 6:19-20

You are no longer under condemnation | Romans 8:1

You have the Holy Spirit | Ephesians 1:13

You have every spiritual blessing in Christ | Ephesians 1:3

You will never be abandoned | Matthew 28:20

You are partakers of the divine nature | 2nd Peter 1:4

You are pursued | 1st John 4:10

You are clean | 1st Corinthians 6:11

You are holy | Colossians 1:22

You are blameless | Ephesians 1:4

You are His | Titus 2:14

You are made in His image | Genesis 1:27

You are written on the palm of His hand | Isaiah 49:16

You are free | Galatians 5:1

You are filled with a Spirit of power, not of fear | 2nd Timothy 1:7

You have Jesus as your advocate | 1st John 2:1

You are justified | Romans 5:1

You are not on trial anymore | Colossians 2:14

You have a Father that graciously gives all things | Romans 8:32

You have Him interceding for you at all times | Romans 8:34

You are a Child of Him | 1st John 3:1

You are His bride | Ephesians 5:31-32

You are His friend | John 15:15

Your old self is buried with Him | Romans 6:3

You are raised to new life | Romans 6:4

You are dead to sin | Romans 6:7

You are in union with Jesus | Galatians 2:20

You are a member of His body | Romans 12:5

You are chosen | Ephesians 1:4

You are hidden with Christ in God | Colossians 3:3

You are a branch of Jesus | John 15:5

You have perfect access to Him at all times because of the blood | Ephesians 3:12

You are God’s poetry/workmanship | Ephesians 2:10