"For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo. O Lord, thou knowest in altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." Psalm 139:4-6
Sometime ago I had the unique experience of conducting a Deeper Life Conference with teenagers at Mound Keswick in Minnesota. Each young person was already a believer in Jesus Christ. We were all there to go deeper. Or higher, as my dear friend, Dr. Walter Wilson, once corrected me.
In going "higher" we went deeply into the fact that only God, through the Holy Spirit, can re-form our unconscious depths. We spoke of the shadows and darkness and filth lurking there. And one young lady stopped listening at that point and came to me later trembling with fear at what might be in her subconscious!
She had shut her ears just when the glory part came.
Without the indwelling Holy Spirit at work in our depths, there is reason for panic. Psychiatry can bring up the twisted ugliness and just bringing it up "for air" relieves some tension and lessons the immediate danger. But the best psychiatry can do is to leave the complexes and neuroses there squirming on the table. Only the blood of Jesus Christ redeems. And there are no depths too dark nor too far down for His blood to cleanse.
These depths are unfathomable to the human mind. But not to God. He is there right now working in the depths of you and here working in the depths of me.
What a glorious relief! I can just go on. By faith.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Showing posts with label Share My Pleasant Stones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Share My Pleasant Stones. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
God Knows Me
"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways." Psalm 139:1-3
Read all of Psalm 139. And then read it again. And again. It is a study in depth psychology. It is a frightening study until we grasp the tremendous fact that God knows all of the unfathomable depths of our beings.
Our subconscious minds are like baskets. Into them has dropped everything we have ever heard, spoken or thought. And we cannot control them. But God knows all about subconscious minds as well as conscious minds. He created them in the first place. They are not too much for Him at all.
He knows.
That has come to be daily a greater relief to me.
He is "Acquainted with all my ways" and still He loves me.
Each time something frightening floats to the surface of my subconscious mind and registers its ugly self on my consciousness, I deliberately remind myself that God is not shocked by the things I am just now seeing about me. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He is unshockable and unshakable, and He is, in the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, constantly at work in the shadowy depths of our subconscious minds. This is His domain if we are Christians. Here we have no control and even when consciously we feel out of touch with God, we can absolutely rest on the fact that He is not out of touch with us. He is there in the depths right now working.
We have His own word for the fact that He is there:
. . . If any man . . . open the door, I will come in . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 1-2
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 32-33 & Hebrews 1
Historical: Matthew 27-28
Chronological: Matthew 22 & Mark 12
Blended: Nahum & Col. 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Read all of Psalm 139. And then read it again. And again. It is a study in depth psychology. It is a frightening study until we grasp the tremendous fact that God knows all of the unfathomable depths of our beings.
Our subconscious minds are like baskets. Into them has dropped everything we have ever heard, spoken or thought. And we cannot control them. But God knows all about subconscious minds as well as conscious minds. He created them in the first place. They are not too much for Him at all.
He knows.
That has come to be daily a greater relief to me.
He is "Acquainted with all my ways" and still He loves me.
Each time something frightening floats to the surface of my subconscious mind and registers its ugly self on my consciousness, I deliberately remind myself that God is not shocked by the things I am just now seeing about me. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He is unshockable and unshakable, and He is, in the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, constantly at work in the shadowy depths of our subconscious minds. This is His domain if we are Christians. Here we have no control and even when consciously we feel out of touch with God, we can absolutely rest on the fact that He is not out of touch with us. He is there in the depths right now working.
We have His own word for the fact that He is there:
. . . If any man . . . open the door, I will come in . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 1-2
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 32-33 & Hebrews 1
Historical: Matthew 27-28
Chronological: Matthew 22 & Mark 12
Blended: Nahum & Col. 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Dark Corner?
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Genesis 1:26-27
There is no such thing as a dark corner where anyone can be completely alone.
For many years, before I became a Christian, I sought an impossible state described by Lord Byron as "a life within itself that breathes without mankind." Any human being seeking a life completely shut off from mankind is simply illustrating the disposition of sin. Any human being who lives as though it's no-one's business but his own, is not only trying the impossible, but is stamping his foot and shaking his fist in God's face as he shouts his right to live his own life!
There is no such thing as a cozy corner where you and I can go to think ou own thoughts as we want to think them so that no-one will know. We are what we think. If we think ourselves to be humble, gifted, charming people, we will go right out of our "cozy corner" and act haughty and cold. If we think critical thoughts of someone while we are in our "corner," we will leave out corner to find our would-be polite phrases dripping acid.
Whether we like it or not we live in a world populated by other people who see us as we are. So does God. But we can thank this Creator God that He also sees us as we can be when our thoughts are taken captive by the One who died to redeem our minds as well as our souls.
. . . Be renewed in the spirit of your mind . . . casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Matthew 15-17
Old and New Testaments Together: Isaiah 30-31 & Phil. 4
Historical: Gal. 1-3
Chronological: John 5
Blended: Ezekiel 45-46 & John 19:23-42
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
There is no such thing as a dark corner where anyone can be completely alone.
For many years, before I became a Christian, I sought an impossible state described by Lord Byron as "a life within itself that breathes without mankind." Any human being seeking a life completely shut off from mankind is simply illustrating the disposition of sin. Any human being who lives as though it's no-one's business but his own, is not only trying the impossible, but is stamping his foot and shaking his fist in God's face as he shouts his right to live his own life!
There is no such thing as a cozy corner where you and I can go to think ou own thoughts as we want to think them so that no-one will know. We are what we think. If we think ourselves to be humble, gifted, charming people, we will go right out of our "cozy corner" and act haughty and cold. If we think critical thoughts of someone while we are in our "corner," we will leave out corner to find our would-be polite phrases dripping acid.
Whether we like it or not we live in a world populated by other people who see us as we are. So does God. But we can thank this Creator God that He also sees us as we can be when our thoughts are taken captive by the One who died to redeem our minds as well as our souls.
. . . Be renewed in the spirit of your mind . . . casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Matthew 15-17
Old and New Testaments Together: Isaiah 30-31 & Phil. 4
Historical: Gal. 1-3
Chronological: John 5
Blended: Ezekiel 45-46 & John 19:23-42
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Claim His Presence!
" . . . we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes; we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men." Isaiah 59:9b-10
How can this be if Jesus Christ has come a light into the world?
He has come. Make no mistake about that. He is here. Now. The Bible is filled with reports of His Presence. With guarantees of His Presence. But, as with everything else within the depth and height and breadth of this greatest Book, the promise of the lIght of His Presence is not ours until we take it by faith for ourselves. We do grope for the wall like the blind. We do grope as if we had no eyes. We do stumble at noon day as in the night. We are waiting for light as though Christ had not come.
He has come. And we can stop "beholding obscurity" the very instant we lay hold of the fact of His Presence by faith.
He is here right now.
If you are still beholding only obscurity, realize that He said He would never leave us and as you go on about your day's activities, you will begin to realize (when you least expect it) that the "darkness is past and the true light now shineth."
Even if you don't feel anything, go on about your day, claiming His Presence every time a shadow crosses your mind. "By faith we are saved" from beholding "obscurity." "By faith are we saved" from the unnecessary moods of darkness. Take His Presence and begin to practice it - by faith. As always, we have His Word for it:
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Amos 1-5
Old and New Testaments Together: Eccles. 10-12 & Gal.1
Historical: I Chron. 24-25
Chronological: Zech. 8-14
Blended: Ezek 5-7 & John 9:24-41
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
How can this be if Jesus Christ has come a light into the world?
He has come. Make no mistake about that. He is here. Now. The Bible is filled with reports of His Presence. With guarantees of His Presence. But, as with everything else within the depth and height and breadth of this greatest Book, the promise of the lIght of His Presence is not ours until we take it by faith for ourselves. We do grope for the wall like the blind. We do grope as if we had no eyes. We do stumble at noon day as in the night. We are waiting for light as though Christ had not come.
He has come. And we can stop "beholding obscurity" the very instant we lay hold of the fact of His Presence by faith.
He is here right now.
If you are still beholding only obscurity, realize that He said He would never leave us and as you go on about your day's activities, you will begin to realize (when you least expect it) that the "darkness is past and the true light now shineth."
Even if you don't feel anything, go on about your day, claiming His Presence every time a shadow crosses your mind. "By faith we are saved" from beholding "obscurity." "By faith are we saved" from the unnecessary moods of darkness. Take His Presence and begin to practice it - by faith. As always, we have His Word for it:
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Amos 1-5
Old and New Testaments Together: Eccles. 10-12 & Gal.1
Historical: I Chron. 24-25
Chronological: Zech. 8-14
Blended: Ezek 5-7 & John 9:24-41
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Lord is the Light
". . . the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory." Isaiah 60:19b
An everlasting light exposing us as we are all the way to the very depths of our beings. Even the prodigal son had to "come to" himself before he has sense enough to go home to his father. We need to "come to" ourselves. To see us as we are. We cannot begin to explore the deep places until we have allowed the Light of Calvary to shine into the shallow corners first. We may cry out sincerely for oneness with Christ, for power in our Christian lives. But "the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light" and we need to look by the light of the Lord. We cannot plead lack of light. The light is the Lord.
We need to look at the thin, wiry streak of criticism twisted through our natures. We need to look at the unlove we feel toward that particular Christian brother or sister. We need to look at the blunt self-defense we try to disguise under the cape of intercession for someone else's shortcomings. We need to look at all this and more in the light of the One who is our everlasting light. If we do, we don't dare plead blindness or lack of illumination.
He has promised to be our everlasting light, and "in Him is no darkness at all."
" . . . I am the light of the world . . . The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth."
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Beginning to End: Jeremiah 49-50
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 119:89-176 & I Cor. 8
Historical: Esther 4-6
Chronological: Lam. 3:37-5:22
& Blended: Psalm 119:88-176 & 2 Cor. 5
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
An everlasting light exposing us as we are all the way to the very depths of our beings. Even the prodigal son had to "come to" himself before he has sense enough to go home to his father. We need to "come to" ourselves. To see us as we are. We cannot begin to explore the deep places until we have allowed the Light of Calvary to shine into the shallow corners first. We may cry out sincerely for oneness with Christ, for power in our Christian lives. But "the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light" and we need to look by the light of the Lord. We cannot plead lack of light. The light is the Lord.
We need to look at the thin, wiry streak of criticism twisted through our natures. We need to look at the unlove we feel toward that particular Christian brother or sister. We need to look at the blunt self-defense we try to disguise under the cape of intercession for someone else's shortcomings. We need to look at all this and more in the light of the One who is our everlasting light. If we do, we don't dare plead blindness or lack of illumination.
He has promised to be our everlasting light, and "in Him is no darkness at all."
" . . . I am the light of the world . . . The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth."
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Beginning to End: Jeremiah 49-50
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 119:89-176 & I Cor. 8
Historical: Esther 4-6
Chronological: Lam. 3:37-5:22
& Blended: Psalm 119:88-176 & 2 Cor. 5
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Thou Shalt See
"Then thou shalt see, and flow together . . ." Isaiah 60:5a
When the light is turned on we can see.
When it is dark we stumble and sometimes we fall, simply because we cannot see. We go this way and that, not knowing which is the way. We seem to go a dozen directions at once.
One direction, chosen in fear, only leads to more fear.
Another, chosen in confusion, leads to more confusion.
We are out of balance. Our of perspective. We are perplexed and divided and acting as tough we are several people instead of one. We confuse ourselves and those around us. wE are confusion.
It is dark.
Our roads leading to nowhere are all dead end streets.
Isaiah still cries to us, cleaving the "clear stone" again: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the lord is risen upon thee . . Then thou shalt see, and flow together."
Perplexities and stumblings and personality quirks and character contradictions and wrong directions and wasted efforts all "flow together" as we are brought into wholeness in Christ.
" . . . The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth."
Balance is back, perspective is clear. We are no longer a bundle of contradictions. We have been unified. The stray ends are tied.
"I am come a light into the world . . . "
We can see now. And we can flow together.
Then thou shalt see, and flow together.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 64-66
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 81-83 & Romans 11:19-36
Historical: Job 21-23
Chronological: Jeremiah 14-17
Blended: Psalm 81-83 & I Peter 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
When the light is turned on we can see.
When it is dark we stumble and sometimes we fall, simply because we cannot see. We go this way and that, not knowing which is the way. We seem to go a dozen directions at once.
One direction, chosen in fear, only leads to more fear.
Another, chosen in confusion, leads to more confusion.
We are out of balance. Our of perspective. We are perplexed and divided and acting as tough we are several people instead of one. We confuse ourselves and those around us. wE are confusion.
It is dark.
Our roads leading to nowhere are all dead end streets.
Isaiah still cries to us, cleaving the "clear stone" again: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the lord is risen upon thee . . Then thou shalt see, and flow together."
Perplexities and stumblings and personality quirks and character contradictions and wrong directions and wasted efforts all "flow together" as we are brought into wholeness in Christ.
" . . . The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth."
Balance is back, perspective is clear. We are no longer a bundle of contradictions. We have been unified. The stray ends are tied.
"I am come a light into the world . . . "
We can see now. And we can flow together.
Then thou shalt see, and flow together.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 64-66
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 81-83 & Romans 11:19-36
Historical: Job 21-23
Chronological: Jeremiah 14-17
Blended: Psalm 81-83 & I Peter 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Walk as Children of Light
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but ow are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8
God makes it very plain to us that w were not only in darkness - that we were darkness. But He makes it just as plain that since "Christ indwells us, we actually are light.
Here the cutting edge of this "clear stone" truth cleaves right to the dark core of our unwillingness to act as though what God says is true. "Cuts right through" to the dark center of our refusal to be what God has said we are in Christ.
" . . . but now are ye light in the Lord . . . "
We are beginning this year with the Lord of Light Himself.
"I am come a light inot the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
Either Jesus Christ knew about Himself and spoke accurately of Himself or he did not. He has said He will never leave us nor forsake us. He has declared Himself to be the Light of the world. The diamond-clear words of Isaiah ring down through the ages, reaching us still diamond-clear: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee!"
The glory . . . the very character . . . the very Light of God HImself is risen upon us and we sit in the corner and clutch at the darkness of our pet iniquities and complain "humbly" that we have lost our touch with God. My life is full of problems too. Just like yours. I also feel at times that I have lost my touch with God.
What we feel is beside the point.
Jesus is the Light of the world and He has risen in our lives and no amount of darkness can ut Him out! This is fact:
. . . I am the light of the world . . In Him is no darkness at all.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share my Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 51-57
Old and New Testaments Together: Esther 9-10 & Acts 7:1-21
Historical: Zephaniah & Haggai
Chronological: I Kings 12-14
Blended: Jeremiah 48-49 & Phil. 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
God makes it very plain to us that w were not only in darkness - that we were darkness. But He makes it just as plain that since "Christ indwells us, we actually are light.
Here the cutting edge of this "clear stone" truth cleaves right to the dark core of our unwillingness to act as though what God says is true. "Cuts right through" to the dark center of our refusal to be what God has said we are in Christ.
" . . . but now are ye light in the Lord . . . "
We are beginning this year with the Lord of Light Himself.
"I am come a light inot the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
Either Jesus Christ knew about Himself and spoke accurately of Himself or he did not. He has said He will never leave us nor forsake us. He has declared Himself to be the Light of the world. The diamond-clear words of Isaiah ring down through the ages, reaching us still diamond-clear: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee!"
The glory . . . the very character . . . the very Light of God HImself is risen upon us and we sit in the corner and clutch at the darkness of our pet iniquities and complain "humbly" that we have lost our touch with God. My life is full of problems too. Just like yours. I also feel at times that I have lost my touch with God.
What we feel is beside the point.
Jesus is the Light of the world and He has risen in our lives and no amount of darkness can ut Him out! This is fact:
. . . I am the light of the world . . In Him is no darkness at all.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share my Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 51-57
Old and New Testaments Together: Esther 9-10 & Acts 7:1-21
Historical: Zephaniah & Haggai
Chronological: I Kings 12-14
Blended: Jeremiah 48-49 & Phil. 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, April 27, 2009
In the Beginning
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." John 1:1, 14a
There is only one place to begin. And that is in the beginning. And let our hearts rejoice that "In the beginning ws the Word" and that Word became flesh . . became a Man, in the person of Jesus Christ.
That is the greatest relief I know.
This is the greatest fact in all history. Tere is no other place to begin except to rest the central confidence of our lives in the fact htat God did reveal HImself in Jesus and that He is alive now. When we begin at any other point, we get lost. More accurately, we realize we are already lost. Only He is a Redeemer. Only He offers a way to make use of suffering.
Only Jesus Christ offers eternal Life, because only He is eternal Life.
We are beginning and there is no other place to begin except with the glorious fact of Jesus Christ, who Himself is the beginning and the end.
I am He that Liveth, and was dead; and . . . am alive for evermore. I am the beginning and the end.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Kings 18-19
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Kings 1-2 & Luke 19:28-48
Historical: 2 Kings 20-22
Chronological: I Chron. 7-10
Blended: Numbers 1-2 & Rev. 14
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
There is only one place to begin. And that is in the beginning. And let our hearts rejoice that "In the beginning ws the Word" and that Word became flesh . . became a Man, in the person of Jesus Christ.
That is the greatest relief I know.
This is the greatest fact in all history. Tere is no other place to begin except to rest the central confidence of our lives in the fact htat God did reveal HImself in Jesus and that He is alive now. When we begin at any other point, we get lost. More accurately, we realize we are already lost. Only He is a Redeemer. Only He offers a way to make use of suffering.
Only Jesus Christ offers eternal Life, because only He is eternal Life.
We are beginning and there is no other place to begin except with the glorious fact of Jesus Christ, who Himself is the beginning and the end.
I am He that Liveth, and was dead; and . . . am alive for evermore. I am the beginning and the end.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Kings 18-19
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Kings 1-2 & Luke 19:28-48
Historical: 2 Kings 20-22
Chronological: I Chron. 7-10
Blended: Numbers 1-2 & Rev. 14
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Lord Saves
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save . . . " Isaiah 59:1
In every other religion but Christianity, man is seeking God. Man is trying to earn his salvation. Trying to achieve his oneness with God as he understands Him. We have God's own word for it that we cannot earn our salvation, that we are saved by faith. We also have God's own word for it that His hand is not shortened. That He is the Savior.
Some weeks after my book "Discoveries" was published, a young college professor, who had grown dissatisfied with the cold orthodoxy upon which he had been fed, wrote asking a question which I shall never forget: "What is the important thing to believe?"
I made an appointment to meet him in a city near the college town where he taught, but in the interim I asked one after another of God's older saints whom I met along the way - "What is the important thing?" I received some penetrating answers. And then I received the one I knew was the answer: "The important thing to believe is that Jesus saves!"
No-one else. Only Jesus.
" . . . Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins."
The important thing is that we can begin with the One who Himself is our salvation. "Thou shalt call His name Jesus . . . " and this same Jesus who saves is not only the Saviour, He is also the Light which points out our sins.
There is no question but that His arm will reach all the way to where we are. There is no question about His power to save. There is no question bout the penetrating power of His light. The only question is will we open our eyes and look?
. . . It is I; be not afraid.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Kings 4-5
Old and New Testaments Together: 2 Samuel 14-15 & Luke 17:1-19
Historical: 2 Kings 5-8
Chronological: Psalm 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, & 21
Blended: Daniel 11-12 & Revelation 9
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
In every other religion but Christianity, man is seeking God. Man is trying to earn his salvation. Trying to achieve his oneness with God as he understands Him. We have God's own word for it that we cannot earn our salvation, that we are saved by faith. We also have God's own word for it that His hand is not shortened. That He is the Savior.
Some weeks after my book "Discoveries" was published, a young college professor, who had grown dissatisfied with the cold orthodoxy upon which he had been fed, wrote asking a question which I shall never forget: "What is the important thing to believe?"
I made an appointment to meet him in a city near the college town where he taught, but in the interim I asked one after another of God's older saints whom I met along the way - "What is the important thing?" I received some penetrating answers. And then I received the one I knew was the answer: "The important thing to believe is that Jesus saves!"
No-one else. Only Jesus.
" . . . Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins."
The important thing is that we can begin with the One who Himself is our salvation. "Thou shalt call His name Jesus . . . " and this same Jesus who saves is not only the Saviour, He is also the Light which points out our sins.
There is no question but that His arm will reach all the way to where we are. There is no question about His power to save. There is no question bout the penetrating power of His light. The only question is will we open our eyes and look?
. . . It is I; be not afraid.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Kings 4-5
Old and New Testaments Together: 2 Samuel 14-15 & Luke 17:1-19
Historical: 2 Kings 5-8
Chronological: Psalm 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, & 21
Blended: Daniel 11-12 & Revelation 9
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, April 13, 2009
Our Why Questions
"So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." Matthew 27:66
They carefully selected a huge boulder. Rolled it against the open tomb, sealed it, and placed a hand-picked guard of soldiers to watch the grave of Jesus. They "made the sepulchre sure." They made sure, to their own satisfaction, that the body of Jesus would never be seen again. Jesus had said He would rise again and the chief priests and Pharisees urged Pilate to take all possible precautions to see that His disciples didn't steal His body and then spread the story that He had risen. So, they "made the sepulchre sure." Completely sure, they thought.
But, glory to God in the very highest, the only thing that was really sure was that Jesus was going to get up under the power of God and walk out of that sealed tomb! He didn't roll the stone away in order to get out. He didn't need to. The stone was not even rolled away until " . . . the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week . . ." The guards were still there, the stone was still in place, but Jesus was gone. The stone was merely rolled back so that when His disciples came they could see inside and know that He had told them the truth.
They "made the sepulchre sure" against themselves only. Jesus Christ Himself could not have been "sealed in" by a mere stone, because He Himself is Eternal Life.
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore . . . .
By Eugeina Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: I Kings 3-5
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 22-24 & Luke 12:1-31
Historical: I Kings 3-5
Chronological: 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 11, & Psalm 59
Blended: Lev. 19-20 & Hebrews 13
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
They carefully selected a huge boulder. Rolled it against the open tomb, sealed it, and placed a hand-picked guard of soldiers to watch the grave of Jesus. They "made the sepulchre sure." They made sure, to their own satisfaction, that the body of Jesus would never be seen again. Jesus had said He would rise again and the chief priests and Pharisees urged Pilate to take all possible precautions to see that His disciples didn't steal His body and then spread the story that He had risen. So, they "made the sepulchre sure." Completely sure, they thought.
But, glory to God in the very highest, the only thing that was really sure was that Jesus was going to get up under the power of God and walk out of that sealed tomb! He didn't roll the stone away in order to get out. He didn't need to. The stone was not even rolled away until " . . . the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week . . ." The guards were still there, the stone was still in place, but Jesus was gone. The stone was merely rolled back so that when His disciples came they could see inside and know that He had told them the truth.
They "made the sepulchre sure" against themselves only. Jesus Christ Himself could not have been "sealed in" by a mere stone, because He Himself is Eternal Life.
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore . . . .
By Eugeina Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: I Kings 3-5
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 22-24 & Luke 12:1-31
Historical: I Kings 3-5
Chronological: 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 11, & Psalm 59
Blended: Lev. 19-20 & Hebrews 13
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, April 10, 2009
When will you Believe?
"He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him." Matthew 27:42
Himself He cannot save . . . " Himself He could not afford to save! If He had saved Himself, He could not have saved us. If His prayer that the cup might pass from Him had been answered in the affirmative, our prayers could never be answered at all!
All His earthly life, Jesus had walked long, weary miles, pouring His humanity out to those who needed a shepherd. Healing, teaching, admonishing, showing His love. Now, some of the same lost sheep whom He had been giving of His strength and love were there beneath the Cross jeering at Him! In His deep love and concern for their eternal lives, "Jesus (had) stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." Now, those to whom He cried, jeered at Him, " . . . let Him come down from the cross, and (then) we will believe him."
Does this sound familiar to you? "If God will jsut do this thing which I want so much, then I'll believe Him."
He did not die to give us what we want. He died to give us eternal life. An exchange of lives. His for ours. An exchange of cries . . . his cry for ours! We cry for Him to do this and that and then we will begin to "believe." We will "condescend" to believe in the Son of God on our terms. This blessed Son of God, now alive forever, knew that sin prompts a cry like ours. And so when He died, He cried in response to our cry; "It is finished!" It is finished.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain . . . and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened . . and they that were with him, watching Jesus, . . . feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Precious Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 15-16 & Luke 10:25-42
Historical: 2 Samuel 19-21
Chronological: 1 Samuel 9-12
Blended: Lev. 14 & Hebrews 11:1-19
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Himself He cannot save . . . " Himself He could not afford to save! If He had saved Himself, He could not have saved us. If His prayer that the cup might pass from Him had been answered in the affirmative, our prayers could never be answered at all!
All His earthly life, Jesus had walked long, weary miles, pouring His humanity out to those who needed a shepherd. Healing, teaching, admonishing, showing His love. Now, some of the same lost sheep whom He had been giving of His strength and love were there beneath the Cross jeering at Him! In His deep love and concern for their eternal lives, "Jesus (had) stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." Now, those to whom He cried, jeered at Him, " . . . let Him come down from the cross, and (then) we will believe him."
Does this sound familiar to you? "If God will jsut do this thing which I want so much, then I'll believe Him."
He did not die to give us what we want. He died to give us eternal life. An exchange of lives. His for ours. An exchange of cries . . . his cry for ours! We cry for Him to do this and that and then we will begin to "believe." We will "condescend" to believe in the Son of God on our terms. This blessed Son of God, now alive forever, knew that sin prompts a cry like ours. And so when He died, He cried in response to our cry; "It is finished!" It is finished.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain . . . and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened . . and they that were with him, watching Jesus, . . . feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Precious Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 15-16 & Luke 10:25-42
Historical: 2 Samuel 19-21
Chronological: 1 Samuel 9-12
Blended: Lev. 14 & Hebrews 11:1-19
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, April 09, 2009
As Jesus looked at Them
"And sitting down they watched Him there." Matthew 27:36
It is almost inconceivable to think that people like us sat down around the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ and just "watched Him there." But that's what some of them did.
How must they have looked to Jesus as He watched their ugly, amused, fiendish, upturned faces - watched them through the blood running down into His own eyes. What must He have scene in their eyes?
I carry around in my purse a picture of myself taken when I was only twenty-six years old and successful and "happy." It is a causal snapshot and it is a smiling picture, but cover up the mouth and the look in the eyes will forces your attention to the foot of the Cross of Christ and those other eyes which "watched Him there." The look in my eyes holds nothing of a smile in it. It is utterly selfish. It is utterly sinful.
It couldn't have been any other way because I was one of the sinners Jesus came to call. And when the picture was taken I hadn't even heard His voice. This verse reminds me that the worse they treated HIm that day as they sat there and watched Him die, the more love He poured down upon them. Why? Because He could tell by the look in their eyes how much they needed His love. He knew htey didn't know what they were doing. That they were in the prison of sin. Jesus knew this. And He also knew He had been anointed "to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound . . " That's why He could say as He poured down His love on those who watched Him there:
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 13-14 & Luke 10:1-24
Historical: 2 Samuel 16-18
Chronological: 1 Samuel 4-8
Blended: Lev. 13 & Hebrews 10:19-39
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
It is almost inconceivable to think that people like us sat down around the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ and just "watched Him there." But that's what some of them did.
How must they have looked to Jesus as He watched their ugly, amused, fiendish, upturned faces - watched them through the blood running down into His own eyes. What must He have scene in their eyes?
I carry around in my purse a picture of myself taken when I was only twenty-six years old and successful and "happy." It is a causal snapshot and it is a smiling picture, but cover up the mouth and the look in the eyes will forces your attention to the foot of the Cross of Christ and those other eyes which "watched Him there." The look in my eyes holds nothing of a smile in it. It is utterly selfish. It is utterly sinful.
It couldn't have been any other way because I was one of the sinners Jesus came to call. And when the picture was taken I hadn't even heard His voice. This verse reminds me that the worse they treated HIm that day as they sat there and watched Him die, the more love He poured down upon them. Why? Because He could tell by the look in their eyes how much they needed His love. He knew htey didn't know what they were doing. That they were in the prison of sin. Jesus knew this. And He also knew He had been anointed "to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound . . " That's why He could say as He poured down His love on those who watched Him there:
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 13-14 & Luke 10:1-24
Historical: 2 Samuel 16-18
Chronological: 1 Samuel 4-8
Blended: Lev. 13 & Hebrews 10:19-39
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Being exposed to the Light
"He then having received the sop when immediately out: and it was night." John 13:30
Judas had been exposed to the heart of God. He had lived and talked and eaten with Jesus. He had watched Him heal. He had never seen Him lose His patience. He knew His compassion had no end. Judas had experienced the love of the One he was about to betray with a mocking symbol of "love."
Judas had been exposed to the Lord's love. He had been affected by it as is anyone who is ever exposed to it. He would not have killed himself for what he did, if he had been utterly untouched by the love of Christ. And since Judas had been exposed to His love, he had also been exposed to His light. Because Jesus is "the light of the world."
I shudder when I attempt to imagine the violent turmoil in the heart of Judas as those gentle fingers handed him the bite of bread at their last supper. Even in letting him know He knew the evil intention of Judas' heart, the Lord handed him something to eat. He didn't point His finger at Judas. He gave him bread. Not knowing what else to do, Judas apparently ate the little piece of bread. and the, driven by the fury of fear and guilt and evil which raged within him, he ran from the room.
"And it was night."
It was dark out there without Jesus. It is always darker to those who consciously betray Him; who have been touched by His love and who have seen by His light. We are more aware of the darkness once we have known light. Turn off a bright light and you see nothing. The contrast is so great and the darkness so sudden, panic can come. But the Heart of love will follow you and He, HImself, will be waiting for you to "return." It is night out there away from Jesus.
. . . Return unto me, for I have redeemed thee . . . I am the light of the world . . .
By Eugeina Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 13-15
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 10-12 & Luke 9:37-62
Historical: 2 Samuel 14-15
Chronological: 1 Samuel 1-3
Blended: Lev. 11-12 & Hebrews 10:1-18
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Judas had been exposed to the heart of God. He had lived and talked and eaten with Jesus. He had watched Him heal. He had never seen Him lose His patience. He knew His compassion had no end. Judas had experienced the love of the One he was about to betray with a mocking symbol of "love."
Judas had been exposed to the Lord's love. He had been affected by it as is anyone who is ever exposed to it. He would not have killed himself for what he did, if he had been utterly untouched by the love of Christ. And since Judas had been exposed to His love, he had also been exposed to His light. Because Jesus is "the light of the world."
I shudder when I attempt to imagine the violent turmoil in the heart of Judas as those gentle fingers handed him the bite of bread at their last supper. Even in letting him know He knew the evil intention of Judas' heart, the Lord handed him something to eat. He didn't point His finger at Judas. He gave him bread. Not knowing what else to do, Judas apparently ate the little piece of bread. and the, driven by the fury of fear and guilt and evil which raged within him, he ran from the room.
"And it was night."
It was dark out there without Jesus. It is always darker to those who consciously betray Him; who have been touched by His love and who have seen by His light. We are more aware of the darkness once we have known light. Turn off a bright light and you see nothing. The contrast is so great and the darkness so sudden, panic can come. But the Heart of love will follow you and He, HImself, will be waiting for you to "return." It is night out there away from Jesus.
. . . Return unto me, for I have redeemed thee . . . I am the light of the world . . .
By Eugeina Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 13-15
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 10-12 & Luke 9:37-62
Historical: 2 Samuel 14-15
Chronological: 1 Samuel 1-3
Blended: Lev. 11-12 & Hebrews 10:1-18
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Whose feed did Jesus wash?
"After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet . . . " John 13:5a
Whose feet did Jesus wash? He washed the feet of His disciples. His twelve disciples.
Because this took place before Judas ran outside to do what he did to his Master. Judas was there too. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, stooped down and lovingly washed the dirt from the feet of the man who had already sold Him for a few dollars! This didn't bother Jesus at all. At least, not in the way it would bother us. "He loved them unto the end." Judas too. Even though He knew, all the time He was on His knees before Judas, all that was in Judas' heart! What must Jesus have thought as He knelt there doing this lowly thing for His disciple who would betray Him with a kiss in just a few hours from that moment? What would we think? My opinion is that we wouldn't be there washing the feet of someone whom we knew had sold us for a few pieces of money. we might if we didn't know about what was going to happen, but Jesus knew. Things don't happen only in sequence for Him as they do for us. He knew. And still He knelt before Judas and with the same hands which Judas' treachery had condemned to be nailed to the Cross, He lovingly and carefully "washed the disciples' feet." You see, Jesus not only knew what Judas had done and would do a little later on that evening, He also knew that it was not Judas alone who condemned Him to His Cross. It was sin in Judas and in us. It was our need that condemned Him to die. And to the Cross, He could show the same love to the disciple who had sold Him for thirty pieces of silver. We can "sell" Him right now, but He has already paid a much bigger price than we will get.
God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share my Precious Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 8-12
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 7-9 & Luke 9:18-36
Historical: 2 Samuel 11-13
Chronological: Ruth
Blended: Lev. 8-10 & Hebrews 9
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Whose feet did Jesus wash? He washed the feet of His disciples. His twelve disciples.
Because this took place before Judas ran outside to do what he did to his Master. Judas was there too. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, stooped down and lovingly washed the dirt from the feet of the man who had already sold Him for a few dollars! This didn't bother Jesus at all. At least, not in the way it would bother us. "He loved them unto the end." Judas too. Even though He knew, all the time He was on His knees before Judas, all that was in Judas' heart! What must Jesus have thought as He knelt there doing this lowly thing for His disciple who would betray Him with a kiss in just a few hours from that moment? What would we think? My opinion is that we wouldn't be there washing the feet of someone whom we knew had sold us for a few pieces of money. we might if we didn't know about what was going to happen, but Jesus knew. Things don't happen only in sequence for Him as they do for us. He knew. And still He knelt before Judas and with the same hands which Judas' treachery had condemned to be nailed to the Cross, He lovingly and carefully "washed the disciples' feet." You see, Jesus not only knew what Judas had done and would do a little later on that evening, He also knew that it was not Judas alone who condemned Him to His Cross. It was sin in Judas and in us. It was our need that condemned Him to die. And to the Cross, He could show the same love to the disciple who had sold Him for thirty pieces of silver. We can "sell" Him right now, but He has already paid a much bigger price than we will get.
God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share my Precious Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 8-12
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 7-9 & Luke 9:18-36
Historical: 2 Samuel 11-13
Chronological: Ruth
Blended: Lev. 8-10 & Hebrews 9
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, April 06, 2009
Jesus took the Towel
"Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girdeth Himself." John 13:3-4
It is not by a psychological trick, but by "knowing" as Jesus knew the night He "took a towel and girded Himself" and began to wash His disciples' feet.
He did it all to the glory of His Father.
If we wash dishes and iron clothes and type letters and repair automobiles and sell merchandise all to the glory of God, our daily drudgery is "deified" and we are surrounded with glory, simply as a result of our making a sacrament of the dreariest thing. But we can't do this unless we do know.
And what is it that we must know?
Just what Jesus knew when He took the towel. We must know who He is. "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God . . "Jesus knew He had come from God and was going to God. That was enough. He was freed from the usual humiliation of menial tasks. How could He have an inferiority complex knowing that He is the Son of God? What does that have to do with us? Just this: If we know who He is, and that He lives in us and that we are His own, we are also free. The Son Himself has made us free. Because of who He is. We must simply know it. We must be conscious of it at all times. Dr. Verkuyl in his excellent Berkeley translation of this passage uses the word, "conscious." " . . . Jesus, conscious that the Father placed everything into His hands and that He came from God and was going to God, rose from the table, put away His robe and, taking a towel, girded Himself." We must develop the consciousness of who it is who has come to live within us.
I myself will come to you.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 4-7
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 4-5 & Luke 9:1-17
Historical: 2 Samuel 7-10
Chronological: Judges 19-21
Blended: Lev. 6-7 & Hebrews 8
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
It is not by a psychological trick, but by "knowing" as Jesus knew the night He "took a towel and girded Himself" and began to wash His disciples' feet.
He did it all to the glory of His Father.
If we wash dishes and iron clothes and type letters and repair automobiles and sell merchandise all to the glory of God, our daily drudgery is "deified" and we are surrounded with glory, simply as a result of our making a sacrament of the dreariest thing. But we can't do this unless we do know.
And what is it that we must know?
Just what Jesus knew when He took the towel. We must know who He is. "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God . . "Jesus knew He had come from God and was going to God. That was enough. He was freed from the usual humiliation of menial tasks. How could He have an inferiority complex knowing that He is the Son of God? What does that have to do with us? Just this: If we know who He is, and that He lives in us and that we are His own, we are also free. The Son Himself has made us free. Because of who He is. We must simply know it. We must be conscious of it at all times. Dr. Verkuyl in his excellent Berkeley translation of this passage uses the word, "conscious." " . . . Jesus, conscious that the Father placed everything into His hands and that He came from God and was going to God, rose from the table, put away His robe and, taking a towel, girded Himself." We must develop the consciousness of who it is who has come to live within us.
I myself will come to you.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 2 Samuel 4-7
Old and New Testaments Together: 1 Samuel 4-5 & Luke 9:1-17
Historical: 2 Samuel 7-10
Chronological: Judges 19-21
Blended: Lev. 6-7 & Hebrews 8
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, April 03, 2009
Jesus Waited
"Now . . . when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end. And supper being ended . . . " John 13:1-2
Jesus waited until after supper.
Because being God, He understands us fully. He told them things when He was here on earth, only as they could receive them. He had the poise and the strength to wait. He never blurted out more than the wondering disciples could cope with. Even on the day when He "Knew that His hour was come," He still waited until after supper. He is not only merciful, He is all mercy.
And He is all love.
" . . . having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." He loves us exactly the same way. And He still knows just how much we can take. Long before I became a follower of Jesus Christ, I would sit Sunday night after Sunday night listening to a marvelous African American choir, and my heart longed most intently when they sang, "He Know Just How Much We Can Bear!" I was "bearing" it all alone in those days. And I was being broken by it. And I longed to be "simple enough" to believe that someone else knew about me. My life was so much too much for me most of the time that it seemed as though it would be "just like heaven" if someone else really understood about it.
Now I know that He knew all along and was just waiting for me to be ready to give my burden to Him. Now, I also know that "having loved His own," He will love me to the end. He will love you to the end. And He Himself is the end.
Let it o, whatever it is that is "too much" for you right now. Let it go over onto the shoulders of the Son of God, who will never rush you into any action you cannot bear. He knows all about you. No matter what is up ahead, He ill wait for you, "until after supper."
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Precious Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 25-27
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 19-21 & Luke 7:31-50
Historical: I Samuel 28-31
Chronological: Judges 10-12
Blended: Proverbs 30-31 & Hebrews 5
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Biblegg
Jesus waited until after supper.
Because being God, He understands us fully. He told them things when He was here on earth, only as they could receive them. He had the poise and the strength to wait. He never blurted out more than the wondering disciples could cope with. Even on the day when He "Knew that His hour was come," He still waited until after supper. He is not only merciful, He is all mercy.
And He is all love.
" . . . having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." He loves us exactly the same way. And He still knows just how much we can take. Long before I became a follower of Jesus Christ, I would sit Sunday night after Sunday night listening to a marvelous African American choir, and my heart longed most intently when they sang, "He Know Just How Much We Can Bear!" I was "bearing" it all alone in those days. And I was being broken by it. And I longed to be "simple enough" to believe that someone else knew about me. My life was so much too much for me most of the time that it seemed as though it would be "just like heaven" if someone else really understood about it.
Now I know that He knew all along and was just waiting for me to be ready to give my burden to Him. Now, I also know that "having loved His own," He will love me to the end. He will love you to the end. And He Himself is the end.
Let it o, whatever it is that is "too much" for you right now. Let it go over onto the shoulders of the Son of God, who will never rush you into any action you cannot bear. He knows all about you. No matter what is up ahead, He ill wait for you, "until after supper."
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Precious Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 25-27
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 19-21 & Luke 7:31-50
Historical: I Samuel 28-31
Chronological: Judges 10-12
Blended: Proverbs 30-31 & Hebrews 5
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Biblegg
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Follow Me!
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." John 21:22
Peter was afraid John would get something he missed. He doubted the love of Jesus for a moment, as he learns from the Master Himself about his own (Peter's) death, and wants to be sure John gets no less.
"If I will that he (John) tarry till I come, what is that to thee (Peter)? Follow thou me." Peter's predicament is so human and so understandable. Jesus understood it, too. That's why He went straight to the only point that would help Peter: Complete and uncomplaining obedience to Himself.
How often have you attempted to inquire of the Lord about some Christian brother or sister whose lot seems to be better than yours? How often have we carefully told the Lord everything that is wrong in the attitudes and conducts of our brothers and sisters? And how often have we heard the Lord Jesus gently, but firmly reply, as He did to Peter: "What is that to thee? follow thou me."
Once in particular did He prompt me with this verse. In my prayer, I was explaining in colorful terms, the shortcomings of a Christian brother. Then came the word: "What is that to thee? follow thou me!" And more yet: "If you see his failings, it is only because I have given you the insight to see them. Your part is to turn your criticism to true intercession." There was still more to come: "And even after you have prayed in love for this brother, he may still go on behaving in the same way. but your only concern is to see to it that you increase your own value to me to help make up for his defects!"
The Lord Jesus is not being hard here.
He is showing His need for us, and He is showing His love.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 1-2
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 32-34 & Mark 15:26-47
Historical: Judges 1-2
Chronological: Deut. 21-22
Blended: Job 32-33 & I Cor. 11:1-16
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Peter was afraid John would get something he missed. He doubted the love of Jesus for a moment, as he learns from the Master Himself about his own (Peter's) death, and wants to be sure John gets no less.
"If I will that he (John) tarry till I come, what is that to thee (Peter)? Follow thou me." Peter's predicament is so human and so understandable. Jesus understood it, too. That's why He went straight to the only point that would help Peter: Complete and uncomplaining obedience to Himself.
How often have you attempted to inquire of the Lord about some Christian brother or sister whose lot seems to be better than yours? How often have we carefully told the Lord everything that is wrong in the attitudes and conducts of our brothers and sisters? And how often have we heard the Lord Jesus gently, but firmly reply, as He did to Peter: "What is that to thee? follow thou me."
Once in particular did He prompt me with this verse. In my prayer, I was explaining in colorful terms, the shortcomings of a Christian brother. Then came the word: "What is that to thee? follow thou me!" And more yet: "If you see his failings, it is only because I have given you the insight to see them. Your part is to turn your criticism to true intercession." There was still more to come: "And even after you have prayed in love for this brother, he may still go on behaving in the same way. but your only concern is to see to it that you increase your own value to me to help make up for his defects!"
The Lord Jesus is not being hard here.
He is showing His need for us, and He is showing His love.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 1-2
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 32-34 & Mark 15:26-47
Historical: Judges 1-2
Chronological: Deut. 21-22
Blended: Job 32-33 & I Cor. 11:1-16
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
My Eye Are Toward the Lord
"Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net." Psalm 25:15
When God invites every one to come, as surely He does through the open arms of His Son, Jesus Christ, He does not invite us to attend a meeting or to read a book or to observe a rite. He does not even invite us to embrace a religion.
He invites us clearly and plainly to enter into a relationship with a Person.
"Come unto me . . ."
"Look unto me . . . "
God invites us to come to Him in time of trouble and find out for ourselves that His is a shepherd heart. Throughout the Old Testament we find God's people calling on Him in times of trouble and heartbreak and loss. And God replied; "Comfort ye, my people . . . I am the Lord . . . that is my name." God knows we all get our feet tangled up in the "nets" of trouble and snap judgements and failure. He knows the "nets" of sorrow and heartache and sudden tragedy snarl around our feet, and He knows we would surely fall without Him to set us free. Certainly, it is completely true that God is a deliverer. That we can depend upon Him to get us out of our predicament. But, there is a subtle trap here also. We are too prone to depend upon the fact of His deliverance, rather than upon God Himself. I am coming to believe that He does not even want us to depend upon His promises to deliver us, but upon Himself. That is why David wrote about the Lord first in this verse and then about the net. Our tendency is to look at our feet tangled up in the net and try to quote Scripture verses that suit our special trouble. But David, the man after God's own heart, says: "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net." Toward the Lord - not the net.
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith . . .
By Eugenia Price taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Numbers 16-17
Old and New Testaments Together: Leviticus 23-24 & Mark 1:1-22
Historical: Numbers 16-17
Chronological: Leviticus 16-18
Blended: Exodus 4-6 & Mark 15:26-47
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
When God invites every one to come, as surely He does through the open arms of His Son, Jesus Christ, He does not invite us to attend a meeting or to read a book or to observe a rite. He does not even invite us to embrace a religion.
He invites us clearly and plainly to enter into a relationship with a Person.
"Come unto me . . ."
"Look unto me . . . "
God invites us to come to Him in time of trouble and find out for ourselves that His is a shepherd heart. Throughout the Old Testament we find God's people calling on Him in times of trouble and heartbreak and loss. And God replied; "Comfort ye, my people . . . I am the Lord . . . that is my name." God knows we all get our feet tangled up in the "nets" of trouble and snap judgements and failure. He knows the "nets" of sorrow and heartache and sudden tragedy snarl around our feet, and He knows we would surely fall without Him to set us free. Certainly, it is completely true that God is a deliverer. That we can depend upon Him to get us out of our predicament. But, there is a subtle trap here also. We are too prone to depend upon the fact of His deliverance, rather than upon God Himself. I am coming to believe that He does not even want us to depend upon His promises to deliver us, but upon Himself. That is why David wrote about the Lord first in this verse and then about the net. Our tendency is to look at our feet tangled up in the net and try to quote Scripture verses that suit our special trouble. But David, the man after God's own heart, says: "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net." Toward the Lord - not the net.
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith . . .
By Eugenia Price taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Numbers 16-17
Old and New Testaments Together: Leviticus 23-24 & Mark 1:1-22
Historical: Numbers 16-17
Chronological: Leviticus 16-18
Blended: Exodus 4-6 & Mark 15:26-47
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Faith and Failure
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1
Our collection of "pleasant stones" is composed of "green stone" verses which ring with the victory cry of God's redeemed ones. this "blue stone" verse above could rest easily among the green ones. But I have put it here among our verses pertaining to faith because it is so sure. In chapter 7 of Romans, Paul has described the depths of us all. He has laid his finger on every weakness and he has cried out in despair for every man and woman and young person who has ever tried to be consistently good under his or her own power:
"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
And then Paul sighs deeply, relieved for all eternity to be able to say quietly and surely that he thanks God that Jesus Christ has delivered him from that "on-again, off-again" battle of ever-failing faith. And now the above verser reminds us that "there is therefore now no condemnation (no need to fail) to them which are in Christ Jesus." I'm glad, knowing how true is the description of myself in chapter 7 of Romans, that Paul adds here: " . . . to them . . . who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." We always choose. We can choose to walk after our own desires, or after the desires of the Spirit within us. If you and I choose to walk our way, we both know sooner or later, we'll stumble and fall. If we walk His way, we will get there. he is the way.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Our collection of "pleasant stones" is composed of "green stone" verses which ring with the victory cry of God's redeemed ones. this "blue stone" verse above could rest easily among the green ones. But I have put it here among our verses pertaining to faith because it is so sure. In chapter 7 of Romans, Paul has described the depths of us all. He has laid his finger on every weakness and he has cried out in despair for every man and woman and young person who has ever tried to be consistently good under his or her own power:
"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
And then Paul sighs deeply, relieved for all eternity to be able to say quietly and surely that he thanks God that Jesus Christ has delivered him from that "on-again, off-again" battle of ever-failing faith. And now the above verser reminds us that "there is therefore now no condemnation (no need to fail) to them which are in Christ Jesus." I'm glad, knowing how true is the description of myself in chapter 7 of Romans, that Paul adds here: " . . . to them . . . who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." We always choose. We can choose to walk after our own desires, or after the desires of the Spirit within us. If you and I choose to walk our way, we both know sooner or later, we'll stumble and fall. If we walk His way, we will get there. he is the way.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Staying out of Christ's Way
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." II Peter 1:5-7
These are the things we are to add, "giving all diligence" to the doing. When I look at this list, I still see a list of important moral choices we are to make. But now, I also see a rather vivid description of the very character of Jesus Christ!
If this is true, then aren't these traits all a part of me already? If He has come to live within me, why do I have to add them, "giving all diligence"? Isn't this self-effort/ Isn't this trying to tie fruits onto my own tree? No. It is simplest letting yourself see what amazing characteristics are available to you when you begin to partake of this life of God within you. It is not imitation. It is realization. God comes in with all that He is. But we must let this life show forth. We must "work it out" in our daily lives. We must let Him be Himself under all circumstances. Even when it causes us great inconvenience.
"Add" means to "give diligence" in staying out of Christ's way as He lives these characteristics out through our humdrum daily lives. We must "give diligence" to doing this too. It is not natural. It is supernatural. In short, we must obey. When we really find out what He is like, then we will be watching for an impulse within us to abide by this amazing list of character traits. The impulse within you will be the pressure of the very life of God within you. Daily you will know more about Jesus. Daily, the supernatural life will become more familiar to you. Daily, you'll feel more at home with Christ.
"For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
By Eugenia Price, "Share My Pleasant Stones"
These are the things we are to add, "giving all diligence" to the doing. When I look at this list, I still see a list of important moral choices we are to make. But now, I also see a rather vivid description of the very character of Jesus Christ!
If this is true, then aren't these traits all a part of me already? If He has come to live within me, why do I have to add them, "giving all diligence"? Isn't this self-effort/ Isn't this trying to tie fruits onto my own tree? No. It is simplest letting yourself see what amazing characteristics are available to you when you begin to partake of this life of God within you. It is not imitation. It is realization. God comes in with all that He is. But we must let this life show forth. We must "work it out" in our daily lives. We must let Him be Himself under all circumstances. Even when it causes us great inconvenience.
"Add" means to "give diligence" in staying out of Christ's way as He lives these characteristics out through our humdrum daily lives. We must "give diligence" to doing this too. It is not natural. It is supernatural. In short, we must obey. When we really find out what He is like, then we will be watching for an impulse within us to abide by this amazing list of character traits. The impulse within you will be the pressure of the very life of God within you. Daily you will know more about Jesus. Daily, the supernatural life will become more familiar to you. Daily, you'll feel more at home with Christ.
"For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
By Eugenia Price, "Share My Pleasant Stones"
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