I Then Shall Live

     I have been praying and asking God to help me with many things this New Year.  I was so touched by a song we are to sing at church in the morning that I wanted to share it.  The Word says that we are to worship "in spirit and in truth". John 4:24.  Sometimes when we sing songs, when I sing songs, I wonder if we really get the true meaning.  As I list the words to this faithful hymn, see what you think.  

"I then shall live as one who's been forgiven.  I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.  I know my name is clear before the Father.  I am His child and I am not afraid.  So greatly pardoned I will forgive my brother.  The law of love I gladly will obey." 

     Already this song had my attention.  I knew I'd sung it before, but the words had such new meaning today.  Do we know our name is clear before the Father?  Jesus paid our debts.  We are forgiven and there is no condemnation for us.  "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus".  Romans 8:1 So, if we have unconfessed sin in our life, we repent, turn from it back to God.  God doesn't recognize our sin historically-as in when we mess us He pulls our file and adds our sin up...NO!  "As far as the east is from the west, [So] far has He removed our transgressions from us". Psalm 103:12.  He chooses not to remember our sins.  Thank You, God, for that!  And did you know that if we know that we are loved we have no reason to be afraid?  "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18.  And since you know this depth of love and forgiveness, can you forgive someone who does not?  Even if it hurts?  Even if it's hard?  May God give you, us, the strength to let go of unforgiveness, hurt and hate this year so that you may increase in love and Godliness.

"I then shall live as one who'd learned compassion.  I've been so loved that I'll risk loving too.  I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges.  I'll dare to see anothers' point of view.  And when relationships demand commitment, then I'll be there to care and follow through." 

     By this time I was in tears.  Do I really know how to love?  Do I put my heart out there for folks to stomp on for Christ's sake or do I love the ones it's "safe" to love?  Do I love my enemies?  Do we love our enemies?  Their hatred of Christ sometimes makes me shy away from them because it is directed at me.  Jesus told us, ""If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." John 15:18 In fact, "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." John 15:20.  Can we dare to listen to them?  Could we, could I, listen so that we can understand where their pain originates so that we can apply the balm of the Gospel to their wounded soul?  Not as a spiritual band aid but to truly love them enough to reveal to them where their help will really come from?  It is hard!  It is uncomfortable! But Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life!  If we love our enemies we will pray for their salvation and commit to it. We may even have to "endure" them as they "endure" us for the sake of Christ.  I know I can be a pain though I try not to be but I try to be real.  Let them see your witness lived out!  Your walk speaks louder than your words at times.

"Your Kingdom come around and though and in me.  Your power and glory, let them shine
through me.  Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor and may Your living Kingdom come in me.  The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor.  And may You feed a hungry world through me." 

     We are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice.  Romans 12:1.  When we get out of the way, more of Christ can move in and out of us!  When we are filled with Christ we are living out the power of Him.  Christ in you is the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27.  May we walk in a manner worthy of Him so as not to tarnish our testimony. Then people may receive our words as God softens their hearts to receive it.  What an awesome thing to serve the Most High God and serve Him well.  How incredible to be privileged to share the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. Lord, bring in the harvest!

     Could you sing this song and mean it?  My prayer is that this year you will.  That we will.

To God be the Glory,
Jamie

The Fire Shut Up In Our Bones

There are several young men and a few young women that God has placed in my life who refresh my soul.  In 2005 when God started Mercy Abounds with the very first Bible Study known as The Next Door Bible Study, He blessed me in ways I couldn't imagine.  I had never been a teacher and somewhere around twenty young men and women attended this brand new Bible Study which began in my one bedroom apartment.  Over the next 5 years I would have the privilege of teaching these wonderful teens.  Some came to know Christ.  Some grew in wisdom and depth of relationship with  Christ and some left never to return.  However, of those that remained, most are continuing in their walk in faith and most of them are ministering to others somehow.  Many times they return to help me minister to those who are just beginning their encounter with Christ.

Jeremy, who attended the Bible study toward the end of it's days is teaching the Friday Night LIGHT boys.  Greg comes back to help with his UTurn crew.  ReNee is a faithful leader of the Friday Night LIGHT girls and has helped with the Mercy Abounds outreaches and Easter Egg Hunts.  Marcus leads a Bible Study at college, makes evangelistic videos on you tube and is a beginning minister of college age students at Faithpoint Community Church. He comes back to help with Mercy Abounds outreaches and Easter Egg Hunts.  Alec who attended toward the very end of the Bible Study is also making evangelistic videos on you tube and coming back to help with Mercy Abounds outreaches.  Michael who attended was a faithful leader of the Saturday Bible Study we held in my home for our neighborhood and has faithfully helped with Mercy Abounds outreaches.  Michael recently returned home from The World Race which is young missionaries who travel to 11 different countries in 11 months.  I am so glad to have had the privilege of seeing these young men and women grow in their relationships with Christ.

I enjoy when we talk and they tell me, with such passion and excitement, what they are learning from the scriptures, especially if they are about to teach or witness.  I love to hear them describe our God and His faithfulness, goodness and provision.  I am encouraged when I hear them exhort others to stand up in their faith for God and to accept the challenges God gives us!  My heart swells within my chest and my smile widens and I just want to shout praises to the Most High God when I hear them confirm decisions and see them plant their feet for Jesus!  I know about the fire that is shut up in their bones and compels them to tell the world about You.  I am so fortunate, so truly blessed to know this incredible group of young people.  It is an honor to be called Aunt Jamie.  It is an honor to get to participate in their lives. 

I hope, with all my heart, that you will invest in some people around you, young or old!  I pray you will share Jesus with them!  You have no idea the blessing God holds for you if you will tell of His goodness and grace.  I urge you to plant seeds of the Gospel.  Some may never hear you.  Some will never speak to you again.  Some may even curse you for it.  Oh, but some will hear. Some will believe.  Some will even be saved.  And some, I dearly hope, will be added to your quiver, empty or full, and you will feel as I do.  Simply, completely, overwhelmingly loved and blessed and proud to be so.  Thank God for His unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ who gives returns we do not deserve.  Thank you, Jesus, for my kids.  The ones I didn't mention also, who I am just as proud of, no matter what.  I praise You for each of them and what they are to me.  I love You, Jesus, for giving me what I did not deserve and what I can never repay.  Thank You so much!

And thank You, Jesus, for my leaders.  May You make us ever stronger and more committed to serving them so they may come to a saving knowledge of You.  So they may grow strong in Your Word to be able to stand in the armor of God against this wicked age.  Amen.

To God be every glory!
Jamie