Markers and Milestones, we see them along the highway to help guide our journey; to help identify important places along the way. If you think about it we need, as human beings, need to mark the significant passages along life's journey. From the celebration of a birth, birthdays, anniversaries, beginnings--such as the start of school or a job, or endings--such as graduation or retirement, and even the conclusion of a journey at death, we have this propensity to mark the important stops along the way.
Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. (Jeremiah 31:21)
This weekend is one those markers in my journey. 40 years ago, on Good Friday 1977, God intercepted my life as a 17 year-old kid who really didn't think he needed God in his life. I am still amazed by His love and grace that reached out to me, when I wasn't even looking for such kindness. God's word through the prophet Jeremiah still resonate in my heart: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)
One passage of Scripture was instrumental in my coming to know God's saving grace: Titus 3:4-7: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. When the kindness and love of God appeared to me, He saved me; not because of anything I had done, I wasn't even looking for God, but only out of His outrageous mercy and love.
I knew the truth about my own heart and when I heard the message of salvation; forgiveness through the cross, through the death of the Lord Jesus, I knew it was true. Even though I tried to walk away, God would not let me go! There is a love that will not let you go!
His love and grace have been a continual source of blessing and joy in my life; a constant through all the ups and downs of my journey. He has met me in the dark and scary places and brought me to a place of comfort and rest, and He has been with me on the mountaintop, sharing in the everyday joys that are mine in Christ.
He has truly been the anchor of my soul. (Hebrews 6:19)
It's no surprise that this weekend, Good Friday in particular is special to me. My mind travels back each year to that moment when God revealed Himself to me and drew me to Him; when Christ become my Savior and Lord. Though I have never followed perfectly, in fact, the longer I journey with God, the more I am aware of just how far short I fall, yet I have never wavered in the hope and faith I have in the One who has been so very good and faithful to me; who, in the words of the songwriter: Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood (Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Robert Robinson).
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) O to grace, how great a debtor!
After 40 years, I can still testify with the Psalmist: The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. (Jeremiah 31:21)
This weekend is one those markers in my journey. 40 years ago, on Good Friday 1977, God intercepted my life as a 17 year-old kid who really didn't think he needed God in his life. I am still amazed by His love and grace that reached out to me, when I wasn't even looking for such kindness. God's word through the prophet Jeremiah still resonate in my heart: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)
One passage of Scripture was instrumental in my coming to know God's saving grace: Titus 3:4-7: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. When the kindness and love of God appeared to me, He saved me; not because of anything I had done, I wasn't even looking for God, but only out of His outrageous mercy and love.
I knew the truth about my own heart and when I heard the message of salvation; forgiveness through the cross, through the death of the Lord Jesus, I knew it was true. Even though I tried to walk away, God would not let me go! There is a love that will not let you go!
His love and grace have been a continual source of blessing and joy in my life; a constant through all the ups and downs of my journey. He has met me in the dark and scary places and brought me to a place of comfort and rest, and He has been with me on the mountaintop, sharing in the everyday joys that are mine in Christ.
He has truly been the anchor of my soul. (Hebrews 6:19)
It's no surprise that this weekend, Good Friday in particular is special to me. My mind travels back each year to that moment when God revealed Himself to me and drew me to Him; when Christ become my Savior and Lord. Though I have never followed perfectly, in fact, the longer I journey with God, the more I am aware of just how far short I fall, yet I have never wavered in the hope and faith I have in the One who has been so very good and faithful to me; who, in the words of the songwriter: Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood (Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Robert Robinson).
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) O to grace, how great a debtor!
After 40 years, I can still testify with the Psalmist: The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
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