Christian Reflection and Prayer

Though our hearts are filled with sins, you
forgive them all.
Psalm 65:3 NLT

Romans 8:32 (New International Version)

32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave
him up for us all—how will he not also, along
with him, graciously give us all things?

Isaiah 43:25 (New International Version)

25 "I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.

Reflection:

As I read Romans 8:32, I am reminded that
God gave up His only Son for you and me.
If God can love me and forgive me this much,
I can't picture Him ever holding back His
forgiveness from me. It seems to me, since
God did not spare even His own Son but gave
Him for all of us, won't God also give us
everything else?
God's forgiveness is different than our (human)
forgiveness. He not only forgives sin, but
according to Isaiah 43:25, He forgets our sin
forever.  This is certainly different than human
forgiveness with all it's hidden strings.  We say
we forgive, but later, at a crucial time, we yank
the string and pull the offense back into view.
You see it's one thing to say you forgive
somebody, but truly forgiving and forgetting
is much, much more difficult.  It seems like we
always hold on to past offenses and we always
seem to hold grudges.  For some we assume that
God does the same.
This is not true God forgives us, He never thinks of that
sin again.  MAYBE WE SHOULD TRY A LITTLE BIT
OF THAT KIND OF FORGIVENESS.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen

(From God's Daily Promises)

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

Think about this when things get
tough for you.  God Bless You

Two Margarets

Margaret MacLachlan and
Margaret Wilson, Covenanters
in Wigtown, Scotland, were
tried for their faith on April 13,
1865, 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.

Scripture:

15"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed
is he who stays awake and keeps his
clothes with him, so that he may not go
naked and be shamefully exposed."
Revelation 16:15 (New International Version)

Reflection:

If you throw a frog in a pan of hot water
and it will quickly leap to safety. The
danger is quit obvious. But place the same
frog in a pan of cold water, and slowly raise
the temperature. The frog will not realize
the danger until he is on the verge of being
boiled alive.
It is the same way with the devil.
Christians easily recognize Satan's frontal
assaults, those are not hard to see. But
the devil doesn't usually use frontal assaults.
Satan has very subtle ways of attacking from
the blind side.
C.S. Lewis once said, "The safest road to hell
is the gradual one- gentle slope, without
sudden turnings, without milestones without
signposts."
The best way for Christians to safeguard
against evil is to abide in our Savior Jesus
Christ and remain alert! Please don't let
yourself be deceived, evil is there often
quietly working. The fire is hot and many are
in danger! Remember there is a reward
awaiting those who are alert. WAKE UP
BE ON GUARD!!!!!

Prayer:

Oh Father, when the works of the
devil surround me please make me aware.
Deepen my understanding of the victory
You won on the Cross. Help me to
experience the Cross so that I can face
evil and partake in Your victory. Give me
strength and confidence in You so that
I will overcome evil in my life. In Jesus
Name AMEN!