The older and older I get, the more I truly see the need to remind myself of the Gospel everyday. Every morning when I wake up, it is not only a good idea to preach the Gospel to myself… it is a necessity! Every day throughout the day we should dwell on the Good News of Jesus Christ. Not simply a raking of the surface. As John Piper has said, “If you rake the surface, you get leaves. If you dig deep, you get gold.” Here is the treasure that we seek: The holy, righteous, and just God of the universe became a perfect man in Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life for us, and went to the cross, bearing our sins. On the cross, He suffered in agony under the holy and powerful wrath of God, our sins being punished in Him. On the third day, He rose again showing the perfection of His sacrifice, and now He sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for His people. Now, through faith, we become united to Christ. We are saved…”There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” -Romans 8:1. That is good news. That is beautiful news!! And it is very practical news… It seeps into every aspect of our lives… When we sleep, when we wake, when we get ready for the day, when we eat, when we work, when we talk…everything is affected by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So often there are days where I just seem separated from God. There are days that I just don’t feel right. My heart seems hard… And then I immediately think back on how often I have thought of Jesus that day. How much have I dwelt on the Gospel today? It never fails… Almost always in those days I have neglected this great and glorious news. How can I feel separated from God when He already went through that separation in my place? How can I have a hard heart when He has lavished His love on me through the cross? All I have is grace upon grace. Brothers, let us dwell on these amazing verses that get me through the day:
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:31-32
July 8, 2008 at 8:48 pm |
A beautiful story, that makes Christ beautiful.
July 10, 2008 at 1:27 pm |
This reminds me of an old hymn, “Come Thou Fount”, one of the bridges says “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” It is true that our flesh is so weak, but Christ’s grace is so much greater. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world, I John 4:4. Take comfort in knowing this truth. I agree with brother Aaron in saying be refreshed today by the Fount that never runs dry, namely, Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, Hebrews 13:8.
July 23, 2008 at 3:28 pm |
Just to let everyone know… I greatly love Uncle Shane aka Shane-erade…
September 9, 2008 at 5:04 pm |
How many times have I felt that… I have learned in the past that I can’t even hit the floor in the morning without first talking with my Savior. Although I am not perfect… There are days where I am running late and I just jump out of bed and start my day forgetting to even say good morning to my Father. I find that things will go wrong and I am feeling down and all I have to do is think about what I have done that day. I usually find that I have not spent any time with my Father… I can’t go through one day without talking to Him and praising His name. It’s just good to know that I am not the only one that makes that mistake from time to time.
January 5, 2009 at 6:44 am |
great pain reliever…. it’s hard to explain, but Jesus is my joy and my salvation……..
January 5, 2009 at 6:46 am |
it gives hope