God's Grace is Priceless

"Christ the only saving,

the only satisfaction,

the sovereign God plucking the sinner

straight out of a sea of hopelessness."

Taken from

Because the Work's Done

by

Ann Voskamp

Peace - finally

Dying is scary, even as a believer in Jesus and the resurrection and life eternal, dying is scary because we do not know how we are going to die. How much pain we might have to suffer.

As a believer, my hope is in Him to be with me not only in this life, but in the moment of death as well. It will be a transition. It says in the Bible, To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and the day of ones death is better than the day of ones birth.

I am reading a book called The Chin Kiss King by Ana Veciama~Suarez. I just came to this passage that follows and felt like sharing it here.

This part in the book is about a man who died and his thoughts after he died. I know it is fiction, but there is some truth wonderful truth to take in.

Here is the excerpt:

"A little about myself: I was never old. I died thinking myself young. Died? Ah, such a useless word. An earth-word. A life-word. A word that must serve its purpose: to frame a concept, to make tangible what is intangible. I can explain it better. I passed to another world, another life, still thinking I was young. I crossed the boundary in my sleep, from one state to another, that easily. A massive heart attack. I faintly remember a sharp pain in my chest and then a sudden easing, floating away, a rush to light, music, angels, light light light so much light only light light light. And Peace. That peace is indescribable.

The peace. After the blinding, glorious light, that is what you notice. You are still seeing, but your sight is all-encompassing. You are still feeling, but your touch is not reluctant. You notice the peace before anything else. I believe, because it is so different. There is a starkness to it that mesmerizes, but a soft simplicity, too. You want it. It calls to you and more than anything else you desire it. The yearning drives you to move toward it, but of course you have no control. You cannot move as you once learned to move, with your legs, willing your muscles to do you bidding. No, you do not move, because it carries you like an ocean current. That peace, and you say, ah, ah, ah, that is what I have always been seeking, tranquilidad, this is what I have wanted, something that feels like silk but is warm like wool, and comforting, and serene, and all-knowing. Finally. Finally."

Jesus is that Light and He is that Peace.

******

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:17

Be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen your heart,
all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psa_31:24

Happy Easter/Resurrection Day

Good Easter/Resurrection morning Friends, Hope your day is a lovely one filled with love and joy.

You can read my Easter posting in my other blog here.

I found a fantastic rendition of Hallelujah, Christ Arose this morning on you tube. Enjoy.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Thoughts on my mind and heart

Lately I've been thinking a lot about Jesus coming return for those who believe in Him. There are so many signs pointing to this event, we just don't know when but we are to be watching and waiting, expectantly.

It's probably not politically correct now to even bring these things up, and I may lose some followers, but I have to speak this that is on my heart and mind.

The world is changing all around us. Those who believe in Jesus are being persecuted more and more, and it is even happening in our country which was founded on the belief of 'in God we trust.' Our religious freedoms are being stripped away, one by one.

These days it's more of 'in money we trust.' Yes, we do need money to get along in this world, but how much do we give our lives to it. Do we trust in it more that we do our loving God? Money is not even worth what it was just a short while ago, and when the NWO (New World Order) comes into power, there will be one money, and you will be handed an amount. Big Brother will have taken over. Our country has gone so far into debt that it is unimaginable. We normal citizens cannot even comprehend all that is going on in the government, not just in our country but all around the world.

The world has become a scary place. I am a happy, positive person for the most part, just trying to live my simple life, but I cannot, not think about what is going on. Yet, there is a hope that is in me, that strengthens me when I am weak, is the Light in my life.

My faith and hope are in Jesus,
who is the author and finisher of my faith.
He is God in the flesh.

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.


He is called Wonderful,
Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

***

As I was washing dishes I was pondering these things and came in here to my little space and got into my ESword program and the morning reading for today by Charles Spurgeon, was something meant for me to read today.

I am a sinner saved by God's grace. I see my need of God's grace each and every day.

We cannot make anyone else believe, God speaks to hearts. As I await His return, may I look daily to Him for guidance and be thankful for all that He has done for me. I can hardly wait to see Him face to face.

May all who read this feel the Love, Peace and Light of Jesus/God flowing through and surrounding you. No matter who we are, what we have done, He Loves us.

******

“Perfect in Christ Jesus.”
- Col_1:28

Do you not feel in your own soul that perfection is not in you?
Does not every day teach you that?
Every tear which trickles from your eye,
weeps “imperfection”;
every harsh word which proceeds from your lip, mutters “imperfection.”
You have too frequently had a view of your own heart
to dream for a moment of any perfection in yourself.

But amidst this sad consciousness of imperfection,
here is comfort for you
you are “perfect in Christ Jesus.”
In God’s sight, you are “complete in him;”
even now you are “accepted in the Beloved.”
But there is a second perfection, yet to be realized.
Is it not delightful to look forward to the time
when every stain of sin shall be removed from the believer,
and he shall be presented faultless before the throne,
without spot,
or wrinkle,
or any such thing?
The Church of Christ then will be so pure,
that not even the eye of Omniscience will see a spot or blemish in her.

Then shall we know, and taste, and feel
the happiness of this vast but short sentence,
“Complete in Christ.”
Not till then shall we fully comprehend
the heights and depths of the salvation of Jesus.
Doth not thy heart leap for joy at the thought of it?
Black as thou art, thou shalt be white one day;
filthy as thou art, thou shalt be clean.
Oh, it is a marvellous salvation this!
Christ takes a black and deformed thing
and makes it clean and matchless in his glory,
peerless in his beauty,
and fit to be the companion of seraphs.
O my soul, stand and admire this blessed truth
of perfection in Christ.

Charles Spurgeon 1834-1892
******

We will understand

Afterwards you will understand

by James Smith

"You do not understand now what I am doing
but afterwards you will understand."
John 13:7

***

We are to walk by faith
not by sight.

We are to trust His heart
when we cannot see His hand!

We are to believe Him
when we cannot understand His mysterious workings!

The Lord is now working in nature, providence, and grace
and He does many things which we do not understand at present.
But when His work is complete,
and it lies stretched out before us in the light of eternity
we shall then . . .
comprehend His design,
admire His wisdom, and
adore His divine workings!

Beloved, is God cleansing you by fiery trials,
or causing you to pass through deep waters?
Are you at a loss to know what His design is,
or where the present affliction will end?

Be still. Wait His time.

There is a divine working time
which is the present;
and there is a divine revealing time
which is to come.

The wisest Christians are often in the dark now
but the simplest Christians
will see all things clearly by and by.

A little more patience, a little more faith--and all will end well.

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:2

This was from Grace Gems.