Jesus: the perfect sacrifice

When I read the Jewish Scriptures, which we in Christendom refer to as the Old Testament, the home of the Old Covenant and the way people had to relate to God through the demands of the Law, I feel so grateful and blessed that God chose the New Covenant time following the writing of the Christian Scriptures, the New Testament, for me to be born into.

I am not under the unattainable demands of the Law, but under GRACE (Romans 6:14).

Whew! and Wow! Thank You, God.

As I read through the Bible and land in Leviticus, I am so grateful I do not have to know and remember all those hoops to jump through in order to worship God aright. But, I do like to look for glimmers of Jesus in it all.

All that HIStory leads to Him.

In reading Leviticus 3, the text said the sacrifice to be offered must be unblemished.

That got me to thinking about what we have to offer God on our own - only a blemished offering, sin-ridden and ugly at the core. So God fixed our problem for us so that we wouldn't have to be separate from Him and could live clean and close to Him, actually to be one with Him.

"But demonstrates His own love for us in this: 

while we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

He provided the perfect sacrifice to take ALL the punishment for our sins. 

Christ, the Unblemished One, died in our place, taking all the wrath of God for our sins onto Himself.

"For God has not destined us for wrath, 

but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 Who died for us so that 

whether we are awake or asleep 

we might live with Him" 

(1Thessalonians 5:9-10).

He accomplished what we never could or can on our own.

When we accept Him, taking His perfectly satisfying sacrifice as our own, He rebirths us as a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17). The old nature enslaved to sin is gone (Romans 6:6). We are unblemished and perfect in His sight (Ephesians 1:4). He died to wash away our sin (John 1:29). He rose again to give us new resurrection life (Romans 6:4)!

WE ARE NEW!!!

With His death, He took away our every sin (past, present, future). He cancels every record of our debt at our salvation or coming to belief in Him (Colossians 2:13-14). He remembers our sin no more (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17).

• He remakes us with a new heart set toward obedience to His will (Ezekiel 36:26, Hebrews 8:10, 10:16, Romans 6:17). 
• He set us free from sin and the Law to walk by His Spirit which indwells every believer helping us navigate life in a new and living way (Romans 7:4-6).
• We are sealed with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) and saved for eternity from the wrath of God which is reserved for the unrepentant sinner who rejects Jesus as Savior (Romans 1:18).
• We are saved to be His children who are zealous for good works which He prepared in advance for us to do (Titus 2:14, Ephesians 2:10).
• He is always at work in us, helping us to live out His purposes (Philippians 2:13) and making our behavior conform to Christ's character in us until our behavior matches up to the completeness of our identity in Him (Philippians 1:6; 1Thessalonians 5:23-24).

Jesus is the SOURCE, the Vine. Without Him, we can do nothing!

(John 15:5)

Loss

My dear uncle passed away yesterday evening. My heart hurts. This has been a year for heartache. This death is the 6th I've endured in a little less than a year, plus one crucial friendship moved to long distance.

My heart feels tenderized, like meat that has to be softened before it is good for eating. I never thought about how that would feel to the meat, but it is definitely not fun for the heart. Just when I think the blows are over and the muscle can begin to heal, wham, another blow. It stinks.

This is also my last year of homeschooling. So there are a great many happy-sad moments in store for me this year. And a lot more emptying of my life to come. I've been playing this gig for 15, going on 16, years. A whole way of life to say good-bye to. A whole piece of my identity. A good thing, but hard.

I'm sure this tenderizing serves the good purpose God has planned for me, but it is hard when what He chooses bruises.

Yet, the strength of the LORD is found at the end of my rope (a line from "O' Lord" by Lauren Daigle).





I'm grateful that, though what He chooses often bruises, He is right there to minister to me.

He is my comfort. He never leaves me or forsakes me. He empties my life to fill me up with Himself. He is everything. Anything else in my life is gravy or icing, depending on one's choice of the moment. He is my portion and my cup. He is enough.

So..."I will stand my ground where hope can be found..."

My Worldview: A Start

What is a worldview? 

A worldview is a person’s core attitudes, beliefs, and values. A worldview is a conceptual framework of our foundational beliefs through which we can filter all ideas, keeping or tossing them as we decide. We can either assimilate them into our worldview; or, if it is warranted, we can adjust our worldview to fit the new truth(s) that we have learned. We can also reject them.

In this post, I will begin to build my written worldview statement by answering some questions asked of us in Chapter 2 of Homeschool Psych (Dr. Tim Rice, D.Min., LPC).

What do you believe about God? 

I believe God is the One and Only God, triune (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). I believe He created everything and sustains everything. I believe that He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent.  I believe His character is perfect and that, whatever He is, He is without limit (forgiving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, merciful, just, light, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, etc.). I believe He made us and, when man fell into sin, He provided a Way to restore us through the sacrifice of His Son. I believe He is our loving Father, has and will provide for our every need, and is our life. I believe His grace saved me and is working in me to bring my behavior into alignment with the new creation that He has made me to be since my salvation.

What do you believe about the nature of Mankind? 

I believe that, due to Adam and Eve’s disobedience, Mankind is born into sin, spiritually dead. He has a sinful nature that requires death as payment for his sin. Unless man is redeemed by Christ through repentance and belief in Him and is granted spiritual and eternal life, he will die in his sin and go to hell.

What do you believe about moral absolutes? 

I believe there are moral absolutes. I believe those absolutes are decided by God, not by man. I believe the Holy Word of God explains what God’s moral expectations are and that He expects obedience to them. I believe that those who are unredeemed will have eternal consequences for their disobedience to those God-ordained moral absolutes. I believe that every person will have earthly consequences for the same disobediences. I believe that Jesus came to save us and give us life to the full and that following God’s moral absolutes and all His ways leads to the experiencing of an abundant life because He is wise about the best way to live. 

What do you think causes mental pain and suffering? 

I believe our own wrongdoing or sin or rebellion against God’s moral absolutes results in earthly consequences (mental pain and suffering) and often eternal consequences (suffering in hell). Simply put, we make poor and, frequently, evil choices. I also believe mankind has an enemy who delights in orchestrating events in our lives that cause mental, emotional, and physical pain and suffering. For believers, he would see us in pain and suffering to keep us from being effective in ministering to and winning souls for Christ. For unbelievers, he hopes to keep people from accepting God’s free offer of salvation to all who repent and believe in the finished work of His Son on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, so that they will not accept God’s grace and will spend eternity in hell. (He hates God and wants to hit Him where it hurts the most. So, he goes after His most prized creation, His beloved children.) I believe that same enemy has servants in the realm of humanity who also enjoy causing others mental, emotional, and physical pain and suffering. In addition to all this, I believe some mental/emotional pain and suffering can be due to chemical imbalances in the brain that affect the way a person thinks, feels, and, therefore, acts. In these cases, it may be necessary for a person to take medication to correct this imbalance.

I believe God, in His sovereignty and grace, uses pain and suffering, no matter its origin, to grow our character and make us more like Jesus, while He also goes about working everything out for our good and His glory.

Describe the faith/science dichotomy. Do you believe there is a dichotomy between science and a Christian worldview? Explain your answer.

A)      The faith/science dichotomy is the argument that faith and science are diametrically opposed fields of study, with completely differing worldviews and have no active bearing upon one another. In other words, the Bible and science are enemies.

B)      I believe that there is no dichotomy between true faith and true science. God created all things. He fashioned this world and keeps it going. He knows exactly how it works because it is His invention. He is the designer. The Bible is all true and is His gift to us. It  explains how He operates as well as giving many clues about how the world He made operates.  Therefore, if I interpret His Word correctly and if the science is correct in its interpretation of the object being studied, there will be an agreement between the two.

Grace

When I created this blog, I thought I knew what grace was. But, I was SO far short of grasping it. I'm sure I still have far to go in my understanding. I am grateful that we are all in the process of growing in grace and knowledge.

Colossians 1:6 the gospel "which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth," (ESV)

2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (ESV)

Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God has appeared [Jesus], bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age," (ESV) 

Today, I revel in the grace of God everyday and am so grateful that it is His kindness that leads me to repentance (Romans 2:4). I am grateful that I am no longer under the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9) and that my sins are taken AWAY (John 1:29)! I am a beloved child of God, lavished in love (1 John 3:1) and grace (Ephesians 1:8). I have a brand new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17); I have a brand new heart (Ezekiel 36:26) with His laws written on it (Hebrews 10:16-17). I am complete in Him (Colossians 2:10); I am righteous in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:22). I am created with divine purpose for good works which He prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10). I get to participate in the divine nature and have been given everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4).

I was a sinner who was saved by grace to give glory to God and to be zealous for good works. Now I am a saint who sometimes sins, but my overall want to is orchestrated by Him for Him and His purposes (Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13). I am a part of His body which is the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:23)!

I am all of this because HE did all the work necessary to save me from myself. IT IS FINISHED!!!

He loved me before I even knew Him and drew me to Him through Christ.

He provided eternal salvation by sacrificing His One and Only Son to torture.

He grows me in and by His grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, my sweet Counselor and Comforter. "That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead..." (Ephesians 1:19-20). This resurrection power makes me more and more like Jesus all the time!

He has marked me 'with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession, to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Jesus, plus nothing else! He did all the work, and I'm giving Him all the glory.

A Christian Worldview

A worldview is a system of core attitudes, beliefs and values. Another word for FAITH.

Everyone has a worldview. Some agree on some points. Some are diametrically opposed.

The Holy Word of God is my worldview. All my philosophies and assumptions rest at its tried and trusted feet. "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7).

We are homeschoolers. My youngest son, who is 16, and I are studying psychology from a Christian worldview perspective this school year. We are on Chapter 2, A Christian Worldview of Homeschool Psych by Tim Rice, D. Min, LPC. So far, the book is an interesting read (if you don't let typos get to you). Rice points out that many basic assumptions in Christianity and psychology are diametrically opposed.

The author is very firm about every person thinking through their worldview, their faith-filter, for life. We hear all kinds of information and ideas every day. We must sort them, keeping or tossing them as they measure up or fail to. Our framework for answering all the big questions helps us through all these decisions. If you have a worldview based on wisdom, you will, most likely, make wiser decisions.

I know the wisest One of all. He has allowed me to know Him by revealing Himself through His written Word with the illumination and understanding provided by the working of His Holy Spirit in my heart and mind. He has motivated me and helped me to memorize some of His written wisdom. Now He uses all this wisdom implanted in my heart and mind to weave together into guidance in all my ponderings, if I will but choose to consult with Him. What a privilege and an honor!

5 crucial questions I need to think through to begin formulating my written statement of worldview are:

*What do you believe about God?
*What is the nature of Mankind?
*How can we know things with certainty?
*Are there moral absolutes?
*What are the causes of and the cures for abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors?

Somewhat of a daunting task. But, I can do it over time. I pretty much know what I think in my head. I just need to put it all down in writing to form more coherent responses when asked to give the reason for the hope that I have (1 Peter 3:15).

Knowing precisely what I believe is one way I will be able to more readily take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

This is our final year of homeschooling. My final year to be the main input in my boys' education. I'm trying to pack it with as much Truth as possible. Because, "Truth is not merely a personal preference. It is objective and absolute and can be diligently searched out" (Tim Rice, Homeschool Psych, p. 11). I want them to know they can know the Truth and stand on it and be set free by it. Because Jesus is the Truth, and we can stand on Him; He is the Rock of our salvation.

Z

Grace Journey

The Lord is re-decorating my brain big time right now.  He revealed to me how legalistic I have been, mostly with myself, I think. He is tearing down wrong thoughts and pasting in right ones.  My main problem was not understanding how deeply grace effects my life.  I kept hearing double-speak from Christian teaching that fogged over the golden grace road.  He is opening my eyes and setting me free! I'm so grateful and excited.

The main vehicle of this journey toward grace living has been the teaching ministry of Dr. Andrew Farley of Church without Religion.  He has the gift of sloughing off all contradictory teaching and shining a clear light on God's Gospel of Grace toward us. So many teachings and Bible passages that I have been confused about are being illuminated while false teachings are being rejected.

I'm OK!  And I'm excited about that.

Jesus plus nothing!!!

Z

The Confession from Beth Moore's Children of the Day Study

The Confession

by Beth Moore

I am not in control.

I cannot control all my people.

I cannot control our situation.

Even when I want what is best,

I cannot control the outcome.

I cannot make people behave.

I cannot make people believe.

I cannot make people be strong.

BECAUSE I AM NOT GOD!!!

He alone knows the end from the beginning.

He alone knows how this thing will turn out.

I HEREBY FIRE MYSELF from His job.

And I agree to see my fight for control as what it really is:

a screaming testament to my distrust,

because I'm saying to God,

'You are not controlling this.'