Lent Day 36: Thankful for the cross

If you could relinquish some part of your life, what would you give over to death? Would you be willing to lay on the line your health, finances, relationships, or reputation? Christians emphasize the peace of God but we know living out that peace will cost us everything.

Jesus gave everything up for us. He was not called the Man of Sorrows without reason.

I'm thinking of the horrors and benefits of dying today, after listening to radio reports about the increasing persecution of Family members (Christian believers) in India. They are being driven from their villages, maimed, and killed for the sake of the gospel.

Are you and I willing to forsake all for our faith in Christ? That's always been the way of the cross. Following Jesus means identification with a bloody price that reconciles us to God but alienates us from those who hate Him.

Among all the parties and candy and Easter eggs, let's not forget the awful beauty of the cross. It point to the path of denying self to love God and others beyond reason, beyond human logic––because of faith and hope in the resurrection power.

Read more:

*The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:26

*And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

*I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:20-21 NIV

Moravian Prayer: May the Lord bless us and keep us, lift up his countenance upon us and give us the peace that surrounds us and emanates from our hearts. In the name of Jesus. Amen. 

31 days of Learning #13: A way where there is no way

Yesterday Kirsten called to say the insurer had asked if she wanted to appeal the denial of coverage she had received in a letter.

"What letter?" asked Kirsten. "I have not received a letter from you."

"We've sent a letter denying your insurance claim. I just wanted to know if you plan to appeal the denial."

Kirsten was upset, and so were W and I when we heard about it. Without coverage, how will she manage the surgeries booked for January? How would she pay rent? (You get the picture.)

There's no doubt Kirsten is disabled by the rheumatoid arthritis that has stalked her since she was 15. We continue to pray for healing. Times of stress aggravate the swelling, and she's in the middle of a flare. Many people agreed to pray with us on her behalf last night.

One friend said, "I'm going to pray that this just goes away." My heart leaped in agreement and was at peace.

This morning I got another call. "Mom, guess what? I called the company, and here's what happened." The gal had jumped the gun; the denial letter had been sent the day before. Hardly time to process it. And ...it was for a type of life insurance, not disability coverage. 

Lesson #13. God made a way through the prayers of our friends, dissolving this impossible situation in a manner like he blew the Red Sea into a dry walkway many years ago for a desperate tribe, running from their slave-masters. He set a table for our daughter where we sensed the presence of the Enemy.

Thank you all for appealing to God on Kirsten's behalf. God is able to act beyond our understanding and expectations. 

Waldemar preaches in chapel tonight at AGTS. I'm sure his heart will be lighter as well :-) Thanks be to God. 

Read more:

*Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!" Exodus 14:21–22 NLT

*God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.   

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:4-10 NIV