John 1 // What I'm meditating on tonight

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John 1:1-4)

The Word. God from before time began. The Creator of all. Life. Light. . . .
All-sufficient, sovereign, supreme, glorious Lord.  Truly, apart from Him we are nothing and have nothing, for apart from Him there is no life, there is no light, there is no creation.

"That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him." (John 1:9-11)

The true Light came to the world He created and freely offered light to every man.  But what did He meet with?  Rejection.  Ignorance.  Indifference.  Ingratitude.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)

Blessing incomprehensible, joy unspeakable, to be called a child of God!  To be a child of the One who formed the earth, the Light of the world, the God who is Life.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."  (John 1:14) 

The Word became flesh.  He dwelt among us.  He walked this earth.  His glory is on display for all to see.  His grace and truth are evident.

What will our response be?  Will we believe?  Will we receive Him?  Will we worship?  Will we turn to Him as our sufficiency, our Light, our Life?  Will we rejoice in being His?

His love

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."                                                   ~Romans 5:6-8

How incredible is the love of God?  As I've been meditating on His love recently I've been struck by how unbelievable it is that He could love us in the first place, and then how astounding the greatness of His love is.  We are so unworthy, yet His love for us is not small and grudging; it's abounding and unending.  While we were still sinners, rebelling against the God who made us, loving and living for the very things that were killing us, Christ died for us.  He gave us life.  He drew us near.  He took away our shame.  He set us free from sin.  We are so far from perfection.  We will never be "good enough" for God.  We can't get our act together enough to deserve His love.  Yet He loves us anyway and transforms us by His love.  As you go about your day today, I pray that the love of God would overwhelm you in the most blessed and beautiful way.  Draw near to Him and allow Him to transform you by His love so amazing.   

Entertainment Generation

Very well said . . .

Reward

"God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up.  He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having--life with Himself."  
                                                                               ~ Oswald Chambers 
                                                                                                                                                        My Utmost For His Highest, January 8th

Children of God

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!"  (1 John 3:1)

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."  (Galatians 4:4-7)

Children of God . . . what an incredible thought, what an amazing reality, what extravagant love!  To cry out, 'Abba, Father!' to the Holy, Holy, Holy One, how can this be?  To know that He has brought us near and is watching over us, how precious is this truth?  Oh, how I need the depth of this reality to be etched into my heart.  How I need to be taught by my Abba Father what it means to be His child, humbly dependent on Him, to be held by Him, lead by Him, transformed by His love.

Adopted. His. Rescued. Given a hope and a future. At home. Called by His name. Secure. Loved. Washed clean. Unspeakable JOY. 

Sweet Conviction

"If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary Love.  For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted."                                                  ~Amy Carmichael

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

A favorite hymn and a favorite recording artist.  I hope you enjoy both as you find joy today in being simply His.  :)

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

by Joseph M. Scriven

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, 

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry 

Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful, 

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our Refuge,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield you;

You will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised

Thou wilt all our burdens bear.

May we ever, Lord, be bringing

All to Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright unclouded

There will be no need for prayer.

Rapture, praise, and endless worship

Will be our sweet portion there.

(I highly recommend both of Chelsea Moon's albums, Hymn Project, Volume 1 and Hymn Project, Volume 2.  I stumbled upon them a few months ago, and they quickly became my new favorite albums to listen to.)

The Beginning . . .

“Come, follow Me.  Know Me.  Know what it is to be Mine.”

I have heard Him whisper these words to my soul.  Will you join me in the adventure?  The adventure of being simply His?  Where and how He will lead, the stories He will write, the things He has in store along this road are yet unknown, but is there an adventure more beautiful, more thrilling, more joy-filled than the adventure we are called to by simply knowing Him?  Is there a privilege more sacred, more delightful, more mysterious, more precious than simply being His?  Is there a higher calling?

How good and how great is our God!  How unfathomable it is to be called not just to know about Him, but to know Him, personally, intimately.  How incredible that One so perfect, so matchless in every way, would give His life to save us, would redeem us and call us His own.

Words fall so short, but on the pages of this blog I desire to write as best I can the mere glimpses of His glory and goodness that I have seen, and to share testimonies of His grace as He continues to work in me.  My prayer is that He would be greatly glorified, that eyes and hearts would be drawn to Him, and that He would receive all the honor and praise.

“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.”  As we venture into this new year, it is my desire that this blog would be a place to encourage each other as we simply follow Him. I would love to hear from you.  Please feel free to comment and dialogue with me.

Humbly dependent, willingly yielded, wholeheartedly devoted, unreservedly loving, adoringly obedient, undividedly focused, joyfully pursuing, exquisitely delighting, worshipfully beholding . . .  Simply His.