Mar. 10, 2008 - What were you saved from??
I just had a quick thought last week, that really penetrated my soul. One of those things that occasionally happens when God speaks to you in the shower...before your brain has had it's morning requirement of coffee.
I have a good friend that has adopted a few children from an orphanage. They look just like their biological kids and are all really sweet. I recently spent the day with them and the next day was just thinking about the whole subject of adoption and how I'd love to adopt if God showed us it was time or His plan....I was thinking about what it would be like to have adopted from an orphanage. Would I ever feel like saying in a moment of frustration, "Do you know what I saved you from?"
It wasn't 2 seconds later that God spoke to my heart and said in a very gentle voice, "Do you know what I saved you from?" It really hit me. You know, being raised in a Christian home and being a "good girl" all my life, it's easy to believe the lies that I'm not as bad as other people. It's hard to realize sometimes that cute little girls with ribbons in their hair are just as depraved and evil and bound for hell as Saddam Hussein or Hitler. We are all sinners in desperate need of a Savior.
We are all on our way to hell, unless we ask Jesus to be our Savior and accept that when He died on the cross 2000 years ago, he took all my sins upon Him and paid the price for them so that I don't have to. ...IF I accept his payment for my sin and trust that HE is all I need.
No, I wasn't saved from a life of drugs, sex and partying, but yet I WAS saved from all that because I never had to go there! I'm thankful for my testimony......but at the same time realize, that my prideful self would like to convince me that I'm not "as bad" as some other people, but the fact is, I was just as bound for hell as a "Sweet" little 6yo until I gave my life to Jesus as the next serial killer is right now.
God loves me as much as He loves Billy Graham and also loves me as much as He loves Bill Clinton. (grin) Amazing concept huh?
"For God so loved THE WORLD, that He gave His only Son that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have EVERLASTING Life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17"
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. "
We are studying Isaiah right now in school. God showed me this week just exactly what Isaiah was talking about in Chapter 6 When he experienced God's glory and the seraphim shouting "Holy holy holy is the Lord God almighty, The whole earth is full of HIs glory."
He said, "Woe is me, I am undone I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." After that the angel touched his lips with a burning coal which represented his cleaning .....as happens when we accept salvation through Jesus...and immediately all of Isaiah's iniquities were taken away. And God says to Isaiah "Whom shall I send, who will go for Us?"
Isaiah says, "Here am I send me."
I just love that whole story. The more clearly that Isaiah saw God the more aware Isaiah became of his own inadequacy to do anything of value apart from God.
Let me encourage you to compare yourselves to nobody except our Lord Jesus. It will take away all pride and feeling that we somehow deserve anything and make us realize that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ...all who were and are in need of a Savior.
PS...I actually only drink decaf....but somehow that just helps me with my day....Esp with a squirt of whipping cream on top....SHHHHHHH.......It's probably more a sugar addiction than a pseudo caffeine one. (grin)
Comments
Mar. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by momanna98
What a great thought. It's a good one to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing.
Mar. 25, 2008 - Same thoughts...
Posted by Anonymous
Early in 2007, I had the same 'awareness'. I woke up in the morning saying ok today I am going to make all the 'right' choices. After I failed day after day, I realized that the "wretch" in Amazing Grace was me... prior to this experience it was hard to call myself a wretch. At the same time, the 'weight' of the cross became so much more real... so much heavier. I'll keep praying for you... will you for me?
Apr. 13, 2008 - Forgiven!
Posted by mtnmamaof4
You know, I just needed to read this post today. I have the opposite problem sometimes. I worry that I am unforgivable, that my sins are too great for Him to overlook. But He does not overlook them; He took them onto Himself and carried them to the cross. He knew how many times I'd forget, how many times I'd mess up. He knew ALL my sins (past, present and future) and died for them ALL! I especially like this quote from William Cowper: "There is no stain so deep that His blood cannot remove it!" Oh, glory to God! What a gift is His grace!
