Periodically, this page will contain Scripture selections along with a few short thoughts to keep us all thinking and focused on Christ.
22 August 2006
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." --Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." --Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." --1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." --Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
"For I am the Lord, your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" --Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
All of us have felt that uncomfortable sensation known as fear/anxiety at some time or another in some form. Jesus Himself experienced great uneasiness as He prepared for what would become the ultimate sacrifice of all time--His death on the cross at Calvary. What are we to do then when we are faced with difficult circumstances in this life? Do we fall to the ground in despair and allow the Devil to defeat us, or do we flee to the Son of God Whose arms are ready to pick us up and hold us close? Even though it is often easier said than done, we need to have faith that God is going to be there for us. After all, He loved us enough to give His life for us--why wouldn't He want to take care of us?
11 August 2006
"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 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 her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away. And who can speak of His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people He was stricken. 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." --Isaiah 53: 2b-9 (NIV)
This passage presents an incredible picture of what Jesus went through for us. Meditate upon these verses prayerfully, and hopefully, you will gain a fresh perspective or reminder of the love that God has for us all--an unconditional love that is present regardless of what we've ever done or ever could do.