Monday Memories: Total Surrender

From Romans 6:4:  “Therefore we have been buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

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Are we truly walking in Christ?

With a new life, born again

Follow Jesus, He paid our price

 

True sanctification will come

Only from burial of an old life

Known as “white funeral” to some

 

Baptized into Christ, the Holy Son

Baptized into His death

With His death, victory is won

 

Through the confirmed Resurrection

We humbly come to a Holy God

His defining purpose, brings reflection

 

God is leading, always out front

Facing trying times of adversity

Our duty shall be, always to confront

 

Come to almighty and loving God

Sanctify a promise with the Father

God’s will be done, by His rod

 

When Christ forever defeats the Cross

His lasting, living Resurrection offers

“Walking in newness of life,” without loss

 

To Jesus, surrender these sinful ways

Hear Him, accept Him, follow Him

Ask for His forgiveness, without delay

 

Mighty God of angel armies leads

His righteousness marches with us

Filling a hungry soul, His Word feeds

 

Freed from sin, obedient to God

Wages of sin only bring death

Accept Jesus, He overcomes all odds

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From the words of Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher Oswald Chambers:  “No one enters the experience of entire sanctification without going through a “white funeral”–the burial of the old life.” 

Originally published February, 2020.

Forever’s Light (Elfchen Series #132)

Emmanuel

Hallelujah!

Wonderful, Counselor

God with us

Hallowed Prince of Peace

Everlasting

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Greatest Love

Hallelujah!

Blessed Savior

Eternal life’s gift

Journey away from darkness

Inexhaustible

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Resurrection Lives

Hallelujah!

God’s goodness

Peace and grace

Kneeling at one cross

Undefeated

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Called to March

From Luke 23:44-46:  “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Then Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.’  Having said this, He breathed his last.”

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Darkness surrounds solemn ground

Bloodied cross witnesses death

Son of Man’s reign ending now

His journey, now out of breath

 

Heartless enemy praises

Night sky covers grave of death

Disciples fleeing . . . hiding

But grace, never out of breath

 

Son of God shall rise, be seen

Morning light erases death

Praising over vacant tomb

Alleluia fills each breath

 

Called to march with our Savior

Love forever conquers death

Crown beloved Christ, our King

Mercy’s everlasting breath

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From Matthew 28:5-6:  “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for He has been raised, as He said.  Come, see the place where He lay.'”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper down, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him.

From John 16:29-31:  “His disciples said, ‘Yes, now You are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech!  Now we know that You know all things and do not need to have anyone question You; by this we believe that You came from God.’  Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe?'”

Monday Memories: Mercy Sends Love

From Hebrews 8:18:  “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

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Darkness cannot hide from His light

Our merciful God, filled with might

Walking above His creation, God choreographs

From early morning to eventual nightfall

 

Climbing to mountaintops, above life’s battleground

With every step, God’s always present

Witnessing just how far we’ve come

Every victory is earned through Him

 

We carry scars from numerous struggles

Our hearts always feel God’s presence

Receiving joy-filled Grace, always free

Truly, we never feel left alone

 

Almighty God comes in three persons

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit alive

Pure, perfect, faithful, and with love

God’s creation reflects His Holy plan

 

God sends a champion, His Son

From a cruel Cross, comes love

A dark, empty tomb brings hope

Mercy sends love in Jesus Christ

 

Coming to Christ, dead in sin

Christ’s eternal love washes over us

Releasing us from shackles of sin

We are redeemed, forever set free

 

Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior

Our new life begins through Him

Resurrection’s light, Christ has our backs

His endless love walks with us

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John Stott Quote

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Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the Resurrection.

From Acts 3:13-14:  “The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified His servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him.  But you rejected the holy and righteous one and asked to have a murderer given to you.”

John Stott (1921-2011) was an English preacher and Christian theologian.  During his years in the ministry, he was one of the leaders of the worldwide evangelical movement.

Salvation’s Grace

From 1 Peter 1:3:  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

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Suffering endless trials

Resulting from earthly sin

Why does God permit such pain?

Allowing His glory to win

 

Testing character by fire

Sharing His perfect design

Dependence grows upon God

Sending redemption’s lifeline

 

Fostering genuine trust

Sowing faithful repentance

Salvation’s grace rises up

Freeing from hell-fired sentence

 

Kneeling at Calvary’s cross

Witnessing death’s empty tomb

Now accepting God’s mercy

Saving sinners, new hope blooms

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From 1 Peter 1:8-9:  “Although you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was–an instrument of execution.  Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.

From Colossians 2:13-14:  “And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him, when He forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands.  He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.”

Gospel’s Road (Elfchen Series #104)

Greatest Gift

Mercy’s

Morning star

Father’s glowing truth

Victorious resurrection at dawn

Jesus

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Bible’s Truth

Life’s

Deepest questions

Searching for answers

God’s divine Word teaches

Lessons

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Blessed Opportunity

Conversation

With Father

Intimate and precious

Drawing near to Him

Prayer

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Pursuing Christ

From Psalm 119:1-3:  “Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LordHappy are those who keep His decrees, who seek Him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong but walk in His ways.”

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Happiness comes to those

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Walking in righteousness

His grace brings us on board

 

Heart’s treasured devotion

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Following His teachings

Peace sings harmony’s chords

 

Soul’s consuming passion

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Hearing His sacred Word

Faith breathes, fully restored

 

Future hope lights each day

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Praying darkness shall fade

Trust grows, mercy’s accord

 

Empty tomb now proclaims

Pursuing Christ, our Lord

Opening heaven’s gate

Resurrection awards

 

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From Psalm 119:159-160:  “Consider how I love Your precepts; be gracious to me according to Your steadfast love.  The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever.”