I Chose To Live

Prayer

hazeleyes77 — Mon, 09 May 2011 06:33:13 +0000

Lord, use me as Your instrument to minister life, hope, help and healing to others; especially to the non believers. I do not want to be so focused on my own life and overlook Your masterplan for me to minister to those around me. Empower the gift that You have planted in me, so that I can fully utilize them.

1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Living Near The Cross

hazeleyes77 — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:00:03 +0000

A 30-DAY GUIDE FOR NEW BELIEVERS by JOHN D. BECKETT DAY 28NEAR THE CROSS

Why is the cross Jesus endured so vital to me? As we near the end of our studies, I want to encourage you to “live near the Cross.” This means to live moment by moment in the reality of what Jesus provided for us through His sacrificial death. When I first heard someone urging that I “live near the cross,” it seemed strange. The Cross is where a terrible death took place. The Cross is where nearly everyone abandoned Jesus. Why would I want to live in such a place? The reason is that the Cross is the ultimate place of victory, and the nearer we are to the Cross, the closer we are to that triumph. As Isaiah prophesied, and Paul reiterated — at the Cross “Death is swallowed up in victory” (Isaiah 25:8, 1 Corinthians 15:54). The most helpful way I’ve found to understand the benefits of the cross in my life is to consider the exchanges that took place there (courtesy of a little booklet from Derek Prince Ministries). Through the punishment inflicted on Jesus, we were forgiven (Isaiah 53:4-5). Jesus was wounded at Calvary that we might be healed (Isaiah 53:4-5). Through Jesus’ death we are able to receive His life (Hebrews 2:9). Jesus endured our poverty that we might share His abundance (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus endured our rejection that we might have His acceptance with the Father (Ephesians 1:5-6). Jesus was made a curse that we might enter into blessing (Galatians 3:13). What came from these exchanges defines the contours of your new life in Christ. Consider each with care, for when your faith is tested, when you doubt, when you struggle in a particular area, you can appropriate all that came forth from Jesus’ finished work on the Cross. Jesus left nothing incomplete, nothing to be revisited at a future date. Still, you might ask, why is it important to live near the Cross? Think of it this way. The Cross is like the headwaters of a river. As the river flows out, it becomes less like the source. It picks up contaminants. It gets muddied. It is less pure. Is this not the problem of much of contemporary “religion”? Through time, neglect, and the influence of human methods, the central message becomes distorted, leaving only a “shadow,” not the “substance” (see Colossians 2:17). You need to go back to the Source, and that source is the Cross of Jesus Christ. How do you live near the cross? Suppose someone offends you. You may not feel the least bit forgiving. You say, “She was the one in the wrong.” Or, “He needs to come to me and apologize.” But as you come near the Cross you realize you are newly impacted by Jesus’ incredible forgiveness towards you when He took the full punishment you deserved. This gives you the capacity to forgive the one who has offended you, regardless of where the fault lies. Even though you may not feel forgiving (that will likely follow), you can, in fact, forgive. You can say, “I forgive my friend.” “I forgive my father or my mother.” So it is in other areas. Do you feel your life is cursed? At the Cross you realize Jesus actually became a curse for you so you could receive His blessings. Are you struggling with rejection? At the Cross, you encounter His amazing acceptance, even with all you’ve done wrong, or may do wrong in the future. Thank God your life is not designed for defeat, for despair, for destitution and degradation. Paul says that in Christ you are “more than [a] conqueror” (Romans 8:37). You are designed to “reign in life” (Romans 5:17). You are able to live victoriously for one and only one reason. It has nothing to do with doing good works or observing certain rituals. It’s not something you can do for yourself. It is solely because of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Live near the Cross. It is the gateway to freedom. Key Scripture[Jesus], for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). Key ThoughtI will live my life near the cross of Jesus. It’s my place of victory.

From meetingintheclouds’ blog

hazeleyes77 — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:33:15 +0000

This Blood is for YOU!

Posted on April 3, 2011 by meetingintheclouds

This Blood is for You

As we approach Easter, the time we set aside to remember in a special way the death, burial and glorious resurrection of Christ, I thought some might like to consider the words of a song by CARMAN.

THIS BLOOD IS FOR YOU

Violently they grabbed His arms, as they tightly strapped each wrist.
With a hellish look stood a strong armed soldier. Whip clenched in his fist,
Laced with chips of bone they beat Him hard from His shoulders to His feet,
And it sliced right through His olive skin: just like razors through a sheet,

Countless times the blood splattered as each inhuman lash was given;
Several times His knees gave way, and His flesh just hung in ribbons.
Then surprisingly He turned His head (the words He said were few)
The soldier’s face turned pale when He said “This blood is for you”

Uncaringly they tossed a garment across His weakened form;
And His blood pressure fell deathly low as the crowds began to swarm.
They forced Him to carry His cross up-hill; His face they punched and smacked.
And the splinters from the criss-cross beams dug deep into His back.

Through lack of sleep and dehydration, His tongue began to swell,
And weakened by His loss of blood, the prophet-teacher fell.
When He did, some blood splattered on the man named Simon’s shoe,
And as he bent to wipe it off, the prophet looked and said:
“Simon this blood is for you”

This blood can save the soul,
Heal the sick, mend the heart;
This blood can give you access,
To the very throne of God.
And it still can go the distance,
From the pain to where you are -
This blood is for you,
The atoning, cleansing blood of the Lamb -
This blood is for you

They pounded a spike through the bones of His hands,
bursting His arteries and veins.
And as they dropped the cross in the hole they dug,
His body convulsed in pain.
In an agony and a torment that never a soul shall find -
What does He do? -
He tilts His face towards heaven, in full control of His mind,
And with more love than any human heard (before that time or since)
He made a statement that to this day makes the strongest skeptic wince.
He cried “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
And as He gave His life for those lost in sin, He was saying
“This blood is for you!”

This blood can save the soul,
Heal the sick, mend the heart.
This blood can give you access,
To the very throne of God.
And it still can go the distance,
From the pain to where you are,
This blood is for you.
(If you’re lost and alone, and your mind is confused)
This blood is for you.
(If you feel like you have been hurt and abused)
This blood is for you.
The Atoning cleansing blood of the Lamb -
This blood is for YOU!

Ideas To Cheer You Up

hazeleyes77 — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:16:43 +0000

~Smile, Smile, Smile (even when you don’t feel like it)

~Make A List Of The Things You Are Thankful For

~Sing and Dance

~Do Something Nice For Someone Else

~Go For A Walk

~Find A Hobby

~Play A Silly Game

~Visit A Friend

~Volunteer

~Keep A Journal

~Rent A Funny Movie

Caveat Lector-Riven Skies Blog

hazeleyes77 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:02:03 +0000

Caveat Lector.

Caveat Lector
You shouldn’t be reading this. I didn’t write these words for anyone else to see; this is not a diary. If you read any further you may not like what you see but that’s your problem; I didn’t invite you and this is your last warning.

CAVEAT LECTOR

I’m eleven and I’ve put up with things that nobody understands, that nobody seems to care about.

Does it matter to you that I’ve been molested?
Does it matter to you that this happens every Saturday?
Does it matter to you that I cry long into the night?
Does it matter to you that I wet my bed every night?
Does anything matter?

Can anyone hear me screaming?
Why can’t you hear me?

I want it to stop
But nobody cares
As long as my marks
Are the best in school
Nobody asks questions
Nobody notices
The tears
The anger
The pain

Boys will be boys
Is your explanation
I have to fight my own battles
But I can’t
I don’t know how to fight
I never learned
I didn’t have a teacher