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Respite For the Weary
All too often, we choose to keep our dirty clothes on. We're too comfortable; we're too guilty; we're too passive; we're too self-righteous; we're too afraid to take the risk. If we really knew what it meant to wear his robe we would not hesitate to have Jesus himself wrap us in it. He's holding it up for us to put one arm in, then the other. Will we?
Who needs grace, raise your hand.
My hand is up high. I need grace upon grace!
In my newly released children's book Christmas Morning, a little girl unwraps her final gift. She opens a box to find...a crimson red rode. It's velvety soft, and on the pocket, her name is monogrammed in white. After all the other gifts she has opened (see previous posts) she is humbled that this exquisite robe was hand-stitched, made uniquely for her. When the little girl puts the robe on, she feels like she is wearing love itself.
Symbolically, the name of this gift is the robe of amazing grace and it is meant for each one of us who knows Jesus as Savior.
Can you believe the King of kings took off his royal robe and gave it to you and me? But even before he did this act, he, in his lovingkindness, first took off our own filthy garments. All our sin was removed and placed on him at the cross. He dealt with it there completely. It is finished.
Then he robed us in his righteousness. Now that's amazing grace!
Here are a few verses that speak into this truth:
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness... Isaiah 61:10
Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” Zechariah 3:3-4
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9.
And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants,‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:21-24
All too often, we choose to keep our dirty clothes on. We're too comfortable; we're too guilty; we're too passive; we're too self-righteous; we're too afraid to take the risk. If we really knew what it meant to wear his robe we would not hesitate to have Jesus himself wrap us in it. He's holding it up for us to put one arm in, then the other. Will we?
In the story, I chose crimson red for the robe because it represents royalty. When we accept Christ, we belong to a kingdom that will out last and out shine anything this world has to offer.
Become the little girl in Christmas Morning. Marvel at his amazing grace and humbly wear his robe. It's yours--your name is monogrammed on the pocket.
You are his.
Tuesday
Picture: Bride (His pursuit)
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 2:14-15; Isaiah 41:9-10; Psalm 37:23-24
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Envision a man taking the woman he loves on dates, holding her hand, bringing her flowers, and writing her love notes. Likewise, God is chasing each one of us with His love! He longs to reassure us of His commitment to us day in and day out.
What are ways that can help you be aware of His daily loving presence?
What are some of your favorite worship songs that declare God’s love for you? Write the titles here and then consider listening them today.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Friday
Picture: Bride (our response, now and later)
Scripture: Psalm 27:8; Song of Solomon 3:4; Ruth 1:16-17; Phil. 3:7-11; Revelation 21:1-7
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Take a minute to think of a bride saying her vows to her husband on her wedding day. Hear her say these words of committed love as well as see her put a ring on the groom’s finger. In the same way, our response to God’s great love is to love Him back with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Of course we will not do it perfectly on this earth, but there again, our God is patient with our human-ness, and He honors our humble desire to please Him. Someday in heaven, we WILL be without sin, and it is in this state and place that we will experience the full reality of the long-awaited wedding feast.
In light of God’s great love and faithful commitment to you, write down some “vows” or responses that you want to tell Him concerning your part in this relationship (perfect on His part, imperfect on our part).
What are you looking most forward to when the final and perfect wedding feast occurs?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Monday
Picture: Bride (His initiation)
Scripture: Jeremiah 9:24; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 45:4-5; John 15:16; 1 John 4:10
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
In your mind’s eye, see a man making the first phone call to someone he is very interested in getting to know. On a much grander scale, it’s important to remember our God is the One who “first loved us”. We have done nothing (and can do nothing) to earn this love. He IS love; all He does is motivated from this unconditional source.
Are you convinced of God’s love? Why or why not?
Explain a time when God showed His love toward you in a very personal way.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Thursday
Picture: Bride (His vows)
Scripture: Hosea 2:19; Isaiah 54:4,10; Isaiah 62:5; 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Think of a wedding ceremony. See the groom making promises to his bride as he puts a ring on her finger to pledge a lifelong commitment. Much like this, but even better because of perfection, God vows His faithful love to His people. He loves His church! His promises to us are almost to good to be true, and yet they are ALL true and they will last forever. His Spirit now lives in us…His love lives IN US! He is 100% faithful and committed to this relationship. He promises to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b).
Which promise in the above verses speaks to you the most right now? Why?
Aside from today’s verses, are there any other promises in the Bible that you cling to concerning God’s great love for you? Write them here.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
art by: Celia VanMaarthSome of you are already aware of the March to the Cross on-line devotional study, but some are not, so I wanted to let you know...
I am a co-leader of a closed Facebook group called Soul Sisters. Our purpose is to encourage women in God's word and prayer. We have just started a scripture based study called MARCH TO THE CROSS: A JOURNEY WITH JESUS.
The study runs from March 1- April 1, Easter Sunday.
All you need is your Bible and journal.
Devotional posts will be provided M-F and Easter weekend.
If you are interested in joining Soul Sisters to be encouraged in God's word with an on-line community of women across the country, here is the link:https://m.facebook.com/groups/752566431555141
We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. I John 4:14
This year, I felt lead to read through the Bible. It may take me longer than a year, but I started at Genesis 1 and am slowly working my way through the living pages.A verse that has been stuck in my mind for weeks now is this: ...Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it (Genesis 4:7). I recently learned that the word crouching in this verse is much like that of a roaring lion. These words were spoken by the Lord to Cain, who was angry because the Lord accepted Abel's sacrifice and not his own. God graciously came to Cain and gave him a warning to repent and do what was right, but he ignored it. In the very next verse, Cain lead his brother Abel out into a field and killed him. Sin, because it was not mastered, had entered through the door. In this case, sin was: anger, jealousy, then murder.In contrast, I can't help but think of another scripture reference to Someone knocking at the door. Revelation 3:20 says: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Ahhh, the Master Jesus is knocking, the Prince of Peace, the Comforter, the Helper, the Encourager, the Overcomer. When He enters, a trustworthy and caring relationship enters with Him. This Master is the only Master that can master sin. No one can overcome sin alone.
So the way I see it, two are knocking, but only one can enter. When temptation comes (not if temptation comes, but when), will I let my enemy enter in "and dine with me"? Or, will I let the Master who conquered sin come in? I have a choice every time there is a knock, every time there is a temptation in thought, word, or deed. Who will I allow to invade my mind and heart, the spirit of sin, or the Holy Spirit that helps me conquer it?What about you, my friend? When temptation comes, who will you choose to cross the threshold of your heart? One brings havoc; he is the adversary that prowls around like aroaring lion seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8). The other brings peace, and He eagerly waits to do His marvelous work. Let's both choose the right One."Please Lord Jesus, help me to choose You! When the spirit of fear, discouragement, pride, anger, or deception comes knocking, help me also to hear Your knock as well. Your knock is inviting me toward Your love, the other is only luring me further away. Please come in; invade me with Your holy presence. I need your Spirit to overcome the temptation of my flesh, and I need your Truth to conquer the way of the Deceiver. Yes, come in, dine with me today, Lord Jesus, my Savior, my Friend...my Master." Amen.No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and detest the other. Matthew 6:24
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord; studied by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:1-2
Dear Lord,
Today we come to you with thankful hearts, acknowledging the great things you have done for us. We are full to overflowing with both your tangible and intangible blessings! We will name them one by one. In Jesus' Name, Amen.