Healed by My Wounds.....

Isaiah, chapter 53, speaks of the Messiah, Jesus, who would suffer for the sins of all people. Such a prophecy is astounding! Who would believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble, suffering servant rather than a glorious king? The idea is contrary to human pride and worldly ways. But God often works in ways we don't expect - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways, declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). The Messiah's strength is shown by humility, suffering and mercy.

Let's look at the description of Christ and His suffering from the following verses in Isaiah 53:

• Despised and rejected, a man of sorrows - "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem." v. 3


• Bore our grief and sorrows - "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted." v. 4


• Wounded, bruised and beaten for our transgressions - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." v. 5.


• Bore the guilt and sin of all - "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." v. 6.


• Like a lamb brought to the slaughter - "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." v. 7.


• Tried and led away to His death - " By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished." v. 8


• Died with the wicked but buried with the rich - "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth." v. 9


• Suffered according to God's good plan - "Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand." v. 10


• Poured out His soul unto death and was counted as a sinner - "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." v. 12

From the devotional, Heaven Calling: "When Isaiah wrote this prophecy, he did not understand the scope of what I would one day do through my Son. But, beloved, this is how deeply I love you. I sent Jesus to take the weight of sin. He was afflicted and pierced. The punishment that would bring peace and forgiveness to you landed with full force on Him.

When He took all sin upon Him, I had to look away, for my holiness could not tolerate the sight of evil. Separated from me, my Son died. This was the weight that He bore for you, child. It was the only way I could rescue you; the only way I could bring you life and hope and healing.

Now go ahead and celebrate - for you are free!! Free indeed!"

Song of Solomon - Not Just Another Silly Love Song

Song of Solomon is a little book tucked away in the middle of your Bible, but contains a big story of love and passion with beautiful imagery mixed throughout. The book's purpose is three-fold: 1) to tell of the love between a bridegroom (King Solomon) and his bride 2) to affirm the sanctity of marriage and 3) to give us a visual of God's love for His bride, the Church.

Written by King Solomon during his youth, the Song of Solomon describes his love for and marriage to a beautiful country girl called the "Shulamite woman". It is a collection of love poems between a husband and wife, with occasional sections attributed to friends who shared in the couple's happiness.

One of the most misunderstood and least read books of God's Word, I challenge you today to take a minute and follow along as I share a devotion from Elizabeth George's book, Women Who Loved God, as we note the stages of Solomon's growing and deepening relationship with his bride:

Knowing - "Getting to know you" is the all-important first step in any relationship. An individual's values, character, and personality are revealed over time. Time spent together also gives one person the opportunity to observe another's love and commitment to God (Song 1:1-3:5).

Marrying- A wedding marks the beginning of two lives becoming one and the blesssing of sex and greater intimacy between partners (Song 3:6-5:1).

Cleaving - Count on it: Every marriage will be tested! As challenges and afflictions come, both partners must follow through on their commitment to the Lord and to the commitment of marriage. Properly handled with God's wisdom and grace, problems will press a couple more closely to one another and to their heavenly Father (Song 5:2-8:4).

Journeying - Hand in hand, a husband and wife who love and honor both God and one another can face the trials and tribulations of life (Song 8:5-14).

Even today, some 3000 years after it was written, Jews around the world read this exquisite love song every year at their Passover celebration.

No BLOG Question this week - Just spend time reading God's love poem and sense the same passion He has for you as the bride and groom had for each other.

Ecclesiastes....Chasing After the Wind

The chocolate bunny lies in the basket, surrounded by green "grass." With Easter morning eyes wide with anticipation, the little boy carefully lifts the candy figure and bites into one of the long ears. But the sweet taste fades quickly, and the child looks again at the candy in his hand. It is hollow! Empty, futile, hollow, nothing - the words have a ring of disappointment and disillusionment. Yet this is the life experience of many people. Grasping the sweet things - possessions, positions, power and pleasure - they find nothing inside. Life is empty, meaningless and they sink into despair.

The book of Ecclesiastes is a autobiography by King Solomon at the end of his life after he strayed away from God. His honest words relate his findings that life without God is a long and fruitless search for enjoyment, meaning and fulfillment. He hopes to spare his listeners/readers the bitterness of learning through personal experience that carrying out life's pursuits apart from God is empty, hollow and meaningless. (From The NIV Life Application Study Bible)

I want us to ponder this statement today: There is much less that you can depend on than you might think! How many people (yourself included) have been searching for meaning and fulfillment in life only to find themselves feeling empty, disappointed and disillusioned. They are depending on things and people, other than God, to bring them happiness, love, acceptance, appreciation, respect, success, etc. Solomon describes this as a "chasing after the wind." A futile action with no lasting results. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 1:14).

1) Education - People are depending on wisdom and learning to fill the emptiness in their life. Knowledge is good - when gained and used in the proper perspective. Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 1:17).

2) Career - People are depending on their work to guarantee a lifetime of comfort and success. We all know people who have learned the hard way that their careers cannot provide security forever. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun (Ecc. 2:11).

3) Others - People are depending on the approval and acceptance from others to give their lives meaning. If the right people love them, show them attention and make them feel special, then all is good. They will never feel alone or abandoned ever again. They are constantly in a battle to win the approval of others. And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 4:4).

4) Self - People are convinced they don't need God; "religion" is a crutch for weak people who can't provide wealth and emotional well-being for themselves. We are a self absorbed society and yet a very depressed group of people. Something must not be working for those who ignore and avoid their need for God in order to find meaning and fulfillment in life. To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 2:26).

5) Dreaming - People who spend their life dreaming of what could be; what would make them happy; if only they had more money, more material possessions, more respect, more opportunities, etc. They need to heed Solomon's advice. Six times in the book of Ecclesiastes he advises us to enjoy life now and be grateful for God's gifts. Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 6:9).

God wants us to depend on Him for meaning in life. He wants us to realize that true happiness comes from obeying Him. He wants us to know that He will always be there for us. He wants us to stop chasing after the wind and everything else we think will bring us purpose and fulfillment in life.

BLOG COMMENT: Have you searched for meaning in things other than God? Can you relate to the frustration of chasing after the wind? Share with us!

Proverbs Challenge

Are you up to joining us as we read through the book of wisdom - Proverbs - this month? I don't know about you but I need more wisdom in my life. I need more guidance as I strive to be a better wife, mother, teacher, speaker and friend. I need wisdom to make better choices and decisions. To recognize what's important and wise versus what seems urgent and foolish.

Take the challenge with us and see what God shows you this month. You can download a reading chart - simply click on the Proverbs link on the right side of the page and record what God's Word is teaching you through the many practical insights in the book of Proverbs.

Then, share with us by posting a comment below! We can all gain from each other's input. I look forward to learning from you :) Tonia

A Committed Woman - Who Can Find?

Have you been looking for a guide book for successful living? Are you wondering where you can find practical advice on issues such as work, money, temptation, discipline, parenting, etc? Have you looked at the book of Proverbs? Proverbs does not have a specific story line - it's simply a collection of practical tips for daily living. A proverb is described as a brief statement that offers a meaningful observation.

Written mostly by King Solomon, during his early reign, Proverbs' theme is practical wisdom. Knowledge is good, but there's a big difference between "knowledge" (having facts) and "wisdom" (applying those facts to life). We may gain all the knowledge available to us, but without wisdom, it is useless. We must learn how to live out what we know.

How can we look at the book of Proverbs and not take a peek into the most avoided and sometimes dreaded chapter by women - Proverbs 31. Unfortunately this chapter has been used by many as a measuring stick to the "virtuous-ness" of Christian women. What I want us to look at today is her wisdom and commitment and see how we compare with these more reasonable and attainable virtues! If you are not familiar with this passage, please take a minute to read verses 10-31 of Proverbs 31. Be reminded that this is advice from a mother to her son on what kind of woman he should look for in a wife.

* She is committed to her husband and marriage (31:11-12,23). She showed wisdom by respecting her husband and his position. Her husband in turn appreicated her and had full confidence in her. If you are married, does this describe your relationship?

* She is committed to her work (31:13-14,16,24). This woman is described as being a manufacturer, importer, manager, realtor, farmer, seamstress, upholsterer and merchant! Are you committed to the jobs you have inside and outside the home?

* She is committed to her family (31:15,21,28). Seeing that their needs are met is one of her highest priorities. Where does your family rank in the things you value?

* She is committed to time management (31:17-18,27). She uses her time wisely and makes the most of her day - not falling into the trap of idleness. How are you managing your time - wisely or wastefully?

* She is committed to helping others (31:20). She is concerned with the needs of others. She manages her time well in meeting the needs of her family and work, that she has opportunity to reach out to the less fortunate. What are you doing to help others? Are you even aware of the needs of those around you?

* She is committed to her well-being (31:22,25). She knows it's important to take care of herself as well as others. Are you too busy taking care of others that you are neglecting your own health and well-being?

* She is committed to her spiritual growth (31:26). Not only does she care for her physical health, she takes time to gain knowledge and turn that into wisdom. She chooses her words wisely and knows what words to say, when to say them and how they will be most beneficial to others. Are you gaining spiritual knowledge and applying it to your everyday life?

* She is committed to her God (31: 29-31). She is a woman who "fears the Lord" by showing God respect, honor, obedience and love by the way she lives her life. They praise her in the city gate, not for her beauty and charm, but for her faithfulness to her God. Are others praising you for the things you do or for the woman you are?

Proverbs 31 opens with the question - a woman of noble character who can find? Her worth is far above rubies. Is that your goal today - to be a woman of noble character? A woman, regardless of your age or stage of life, who is loved, respected and honored by those who know you? I hope so! Learn the valuable knowledge from God's Word and apply it as wisdom to your life today!

BLOG COMMENT: How are you doing with your Word for the Year? See if you can find some words of wisdom from Proverbs that you can claim to help you continue to strengthen this area of your life. Share with us your insights!

Psalms of Praise!

As we continue our look at Psalms, let's focus on prayer. Many of the Psalms can be described as song-prayers with the most striking feature being their unedited honesty. God wants our openness, honesty and sincerity when we pray to Him. He's not afraid of our emotions and wants us to share our fears and frustrations, doubts and delights and our needs and not-so-pretty feelings with Him! By making the psalms our prayers we can learn a great deal about how God wants us to communicate with Him.

Do you know the shortest chapter of the Bible is Psalm 117 with only two verses. It is also the exact middle of the Bible with 594 chapters before it and 594 chapters after it...just a bit of trivia for you! Even though it only has two verses, it says a great deal about praising God: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Have you ever said, "I can't think of anything God has done for me. How can I praise Him?" This psalm gives two reasons for praising God:

1) His great love toward us - the world; the ungrateful, the unworthy, and undeserving us. How great was His love - so great that He chose to send His only Son to die on the cruel cross for our sins (John 3:16). Romans 5:8 reminds us that.."God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This fact alone should be enough for us to praise Him! I challenge you to read Psalm 136 if you need reminding that not only is God's love for us great, it also endures forever.

2) His faithfulness also endures forever. Can we say that about ourselves? When we get hurt or offended, ignored or rejected, someone sits in our seat or takes our parking spot at church, do we remain faithful? How silly that sounds, but how many people have moved on to another place of worship because of weak-faith (fulness)? Just think if God gave up on us as easily as we give up on others? We'd clearly all be left in the dust!

Take time this week to read some of the psalms of praise - here's a few to get you started: 8, 97, 100, 103, 107, 113, 145 and 150.

One of my favorite old hymns is Great Is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas O. Chisholm (1923). If you know it, sing it as a prayer back to God today. If you're not familar with it, here it is:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest. Sun, moon and stars in their courses above. Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see.All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

BLOG COMMENT: Share with us your favorite psalm of praise and how you are able to turn it into a prayer of praise back to God.

Songs of Joy

This week we start the book of Psalms. The 150 individual psalms cover the poetic expressions of human and religious feeling and are divided into five books. They consist of a wide variety of styles, purposes and emotions, such as lament, thanksgiving, praise, worship, pilgrimage, petition and penitence.

The theme of Psalms is praise and worship. David, the author of 73 of the 150 psalms, shares with us his love and ever deepening relationship with God through his writings. He is a song-writer and provides for us a model of praise and worship.

Today let's look at one of David's songs - Psalm 65. It's theme is because God provides abundantly, we can be thankful to Him for His many blessings. Here's Psalm 65:5-8:

You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.

God blesses us so we may:

1) Bless others - Proverbs 3:27 tells us - "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act."

2) Tell others - People are more open to listening to the Gospel if you can share a real-life experience of how God has blessed you. Not necessarily in terms of money and material things, but in the everyday things that matter most.

3) Bless Him - Our songs of joy are a sweet sound to God's ears - day and night (v. 8).

Here's a great devotional from the book Heaven Calling: "The work of an artist always points back to its creator. Do you remember the last breathtaking sunset you watched? I (God) shared it with you because I love you. The beauty you see in the sky, or the sea, or the forest, or across the plain - all of it points to me. Every good thing in this world is designed to praise me. Even the rocks testify of my works.

Child, the witness of the world around you affirms that I love your worship in any form - your songs, your gratitude, your talents and treasures, even your stumbling words of praise and your sighs of amazement when words fail. In heaven's language, a sigh can be high praise when my Spirit inspires you.

Take time to look around, beloved. Let the beauty of my creation bring forth songs of joy from your heart and life!"

When's the last time you truly worshiped God with songs of joy? You put aside your "to-do" list for God and just praised Him for who is He, what He's done and what He continues to do for and in you.

BLOG COMMENT: The most well-known psalm of praise is Psalm 100. Take time this week to read, reflect and then respond. Share with us a praise or two back to God for His goodness, His faithfulness and His abundant blessings.