You have been healed

The comfort that comes with knowing Christ as my shepherd gives me unspeakable peace. Think with me about some of my favorite verses in Scripture:

 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:23-25

Becoming Christ-like has never seemed an easy task, but the more I read the Word, the more aware I become of how far I have to go!! I am constantly asking for more grace to die to sin and live to righteousness, and pray that when I fall I will be contrite and truly repentant. "By his wounds you have been healed." I love that the language here is past tense, as if to remind us that the Lord has restored us, and to help us recount of his marvelous redemption in our lives. It is refreshing to know that the Shepherd of my soul will continue to bring me back into the fold, and that He never tires of fixing me when I wander into pain or trouble.

I am thoroughly enjoying Elisabeth Elliot's "Keep a Quiet Heart", and have been praying this prayer I found tucked away in the pages:

Grant, O Lord my God, that I may never fall away in success or in failure; that I may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity. Let me rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in what separates us. May I strive to please no one of fear to displease anyone except Yourself. May I seek always the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal. May I shun any joy that is without You and never seek any that is beside You. O Lord, may I delight in any work I do for you and tire of any rest that is apart from You. My God, let me direct my heart towards You, and in my failings, always repent with a purpose of amendment. St. Thomas Aquinas

That you would keep Christ your first love,
Amber



If you are unsure who this Jesus guy is, need prayer, or would like to talk about Christianity - please don't hesitate to email me. anminden@gmail.com

 

The Gospel at breakfast

This semester has been filled with refining from the Lord. Something I have experienced that is refreshing my mindset and encouraging my heart is the idea that the Gospel is new every morning to me. That the Gospel of Christ is for me every day and every moment, that it wasn't only for when I prayed the prayer and responded to Christ. His mercies are rich and new every morning, and when Christ died he died for my sin yesterday today and forever. Not that this freedom is for the flesh - "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13

God calls us to rest in Him, to be still and acknowledge that He is always sovereign (Psalm 46:10). I am thankful that we can cast our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He is still working on me, and convicting me when my pride pushes Him away. Look at 1 Peter 5 - verse 6. I don't believe that humility is a one-time-altar-kind of humility, but to continually acknowledge our flesh and crucify it with Christ (Galatians 2:20), to each seek to put others before ourselves (Phil 2) - remembering that God becoming man as Jesus was the ultimate example of humility.

That you would welcome His grace,

Amber

A few words for a thousand thoughts

Man. James 1, the whole book is rather fantastic. If you are called to ministry or missions of any capacity, it is a great book in the Bible to keep you going and help you stay grounded.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV

As I grow closer to the Lord, He constantly is reminding me that it is a true reward to be counted worthy to suffer for the gospel. Now, mind you, when the apostles suffered they were literally preaching the gospel in various countries and cities. But, no matter where we are, we can live out the gospel in the way that we love those who are in Christ, and those who are far from Him. Jesus said "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

I think we all can use a healthy dose of reality from time to time, remembering that we are not of this world but we are called to be salt and light (Matt 5:13-14). It's my hope that we will continue to shed light on darkness, to dispel lies with truth found in His Word.

That we would be salt and light,

Amber

Breaking Free

If you haven't read Breaking Free by Beth Moore, I strongly recommend it. It's fantastic. My favorite part is she has you memorize Isaiah 61:1-4.

Isaiah 61

The Year of the LORD's Favor

 ¹ The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, 
   because the LORD has anointed me 
to bring good news to the poor;^[a] 
   he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 
to proclaim liberty to the captives, 
   and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;^[b] 
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, 
   and the day of vengeance of our God; 
   to comfort all who mourn; 
³ to grant to those who mourn in Zion— 
   to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, 
the oil of gladness instead of mourning, 
   the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; 
that they may be called oaks of righteousness, 
   the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.^[c] 
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; 
   they shall raise up the former devastations; 
they shall repair the ruined cities, 
   the devastations of many generations.

Oh, thank you Jesus! Not only that you saved me in my sin, but that you proclaim liberty, that you comfort all who mourn!

That He would be glorified,

Amber