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