Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

The Lord who created you says:
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters and
great trouble, I will be with you."
Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT


Two Margarets

Margaret MacLachlan and Margaret Wilson,
Covenanters in Wigtown, Scotland, were tried
for their faith on April 13, 1685, for refusing to
take the Oath of Abjuration, which stated that the
Church of God is a department of the State.
Found guilty of rebellion, attending field meetings,
and worshiping in places other than a church,
they were ordered to receive their sentences on
their knees. When they refused to bow before
anyone but God, they were forced down to their
knees and then were sentenced to death by
drowning.

On May 11, 1685, the two faithful Margarets
were tied to posts and staked in the sea as the
tide was rising. The older Margaret (MacLachlan)
was farther out. They were given many chances
to recant their beliefs, but they stood firm and
resolute.

Margaret MacLachlan remained silent, her eyes
closed throughout the ordeal, communing with
Christ until death. As the tide rose eighteen-year-
old Margaret Wilson began to sing a Covenanter
rendition of Psalm 25:7. Then, she recited from
Romans 8: "We are more than conquerors
through him that loves us.…"

After the waves washed over her head, the
soldiers pulled her out, pleading with her one
last time to "pray for the king!" She prayed,
but her pray was, "Lord, give him repentance,
forgiveness, and salvation, if it be Thy holy will.
" The angry soldiers threw her back into the water,
and she joined Margaret MacLachlan before the
throne.

We may never face the rising tide of the sea,
but the deep waters of trouble and loss can be
just as overwhelming. How do you react when
you feel you are about to drown in the rising tide
of your own troubles?

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Christian
History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten
(Tyndale, 2003), entry for May 11.

from Our Daily Bread

Scripture:

READ: Acts 1:1-11

While they watched, He was taken up,
and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Acts 1:9

Reflection:

When the husband of my longtime friend
and publishing colleague collapsed and
later died, there was no doubt that life had
slipped away from him. There were witnesses.
The same was true when Jesus died. But
three days later, Jesus was raised from the
dead! We have no doubt that this is true
because there were witnesses who later
saw Him alive.

When we gathered for Dave’s memorial
service, we read familiar passages of Scripture
that affirm our hope that he is now enjoying
new life in heaven. But we claimed these
promises by faith because none of us
witnessed Dave go to heaven. There was,
however, a witness who saw Jesus in heaven.
Not long after witnesses saw Jesus ascend
(Acts 1:9), Stephen saw the heavens open
“and the Son of Man standing at the right
hand of God!” (7:56). One of the reasons we
know that Jesus spoke the truth about going
to prepare a place for us (John 14:2) is that
He has been seen alive in heaven.

When a loved one goes ahead of us to heaven,
we feel as if we’re being pulled in the opposite
direction—down into an abyss of sadness. Yet,
because God kept His promise to raise Christ
and take Him to heaven, we can trust Him to
do the same for all who love and follow Him.  —
Julie Ackerman Link


The Lord has promised to prepare
A place in heaven above—
A home where we will always be
With Him and those we love. —Sper
.
THE PROMISE OF HEAVEN IS OUR ETERNAL
HOPE

So now I am giving you a new
commandment: Love each other.
Just as I have loved you, you
should love each other. Your love
for one another will prove to the
world that you are my disciples.
John 14:2 NLT


Reflection:

What's your definition of love.
Many people define love in
purely sexual terms.  I see a
lot of that kind definition.  Many
people define love as primarily
a feeling. Often they describe
love in purely emotional terms.
Actually the Bible is kind of an
expert on the definition of love. 
Mainly because love is the
central message of the Scriptures. 
The Bible teaches us that love is
a commitment. As a commitment
love is not dependent on good
feelings, but rather a constant
and very courageous decision to
give of yourself, to commit yourself,
to the well being of another.  This
applies to marrage, to family, to
friends, to neighbors, to all others.
You see this love, this commitment
produces good feelings not the other
way around.
You know you and I are fortunate
indeed, because we have Jesus
Christ.  Jesus became the perfect
demonstration of God's unconditional
love for us by laying down His life
for our benefit.