Oh, How I Love Jesus

A reply to Rachels challenge from a few days ago. 

I’m really late at getting back to this as there has been a flurry of activity here as of late.  In fact, while I’m starting this in the afternoon of July 1, I’ll have to finish it later tonight.  (Or tomorrow)  In thinking of our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, who blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, nailing it to the cross, every aspect that comes to mind is worthy of a post unto itself.  This post comes at the urging of Rachels comment on the previous post and is a great thing to ponder; not only now, but at all times.

( 1 )  He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and nailed it to the cross.  By the sheer fact that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, each of us deserve eternal separation from God.  Jesus Christ; God manifest in the flesh, came into this world that was completely contrary to his holy nature, was tempted in all points as we are, lived a completely sinless life here, and paid for our sins with his own blood.  The more that we ponder our great salvation, the more incredible it is.  He steped out of eternity for us.  He endured the most humiliating and agonizing death imaginable for us.  He could have called ten thousand angels and destroyed the world, but he was obediant unto death.  For us! 

( 2 )  He is our high Priest forever and he ever lives to make intercession for us.  Because of our love for the Lord and gratefulness that he has redeemed us, we desire to live for him.  In fact, the changed heart and the fruit thereof is direct evidence that a person has truly been born again.  But we are certain to screw up occasionally and it’s great to know that when we do stumble, we can come to him for forgiveness.  We don’t desire to sin and we have been granted victory over sin.  But if we do slip, he’s always ready to forgive.  He will complete the good work that he has started in us.

( 3 )  Jesus is as close as the mention  of his name.  He is never afar off; he never takes holiday or goes off on a safari, leaving us to go it alone for a while.  He will place us into trying situations and oftentimes we may feel at our wits end.  But he will never ever leave us hanging.  Jesus truly is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. 

( 4 )  We shall forever be with the Lord.  He has promised us an everlasting habitation, with him, throughout the eons to come.  In other words, when we leave this world; be it through death or through an instantaneous putting on of incorruption, we will never again be absent from the presence of the Lord.  We will be in a state of perfection as every hint of the old fallen nature is forever gone.  We will be forever rejoicing in our great salvation and be in fellowship; both with the Lord Jesus and each other.

( 5a )  In him is no variance or turning.  He never changes. He’s the same today as he was in all of the eons past.  He will be the same in all of the eons to come as he is today.  Just imagine how terrifying it would be to wake up one morning and find out that God had changed.  We know that this will never happen as any alteration from perfection would be an imperfection.  He truly is eternally the same. 

( 5b )  His ways are past finding out.  We’ll never be able to “put him in a box” because he is simply awesome beyond our wildest thoughts or ability to comprehend.  Try as we may, we’ll never be able to wrap our minds around it in this present world.  We are ever learning of his incredible nature and without a doubt, he becomes more awesome daily.

( 5c )  He is King of kings and Lord of lords.  I was thinking on this a couple of nights ago.  Despite what we see take place in the physical realm, God really is all powerful and omnipotent.  This fallen world is but a small piece of all that is.  We know that this present heavens and earth will be dissolved and that there will be a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness.  The former things will be passed away. 

Well now for some links.  Since I tend to link to certain places on a regular basis, I’ll try to go to some different ones here.

( 1 )  www.redeemed1.blogspot.com  Rachels blog, the one who started the ball rolling on this post.  She’s preparing to take a group of youth to Africa and her posts are always encouraging. 

( 2a)  www.rjperalta.wordpress.com  Richards site.  Yesterday he placed a very needful post eneitled “And all the while, the kingdom of God lies in want.”  It’s a most needful post as we are to be laying treasures in heaven instead of this temporal world.  This is a must read.  The following is a link to the particular post.

( 2b ) www.rjperalta.wordpress.com/2007/06/30/and-all-the-while-the-kingdom-of-god-lies-in-want/ 

( 3 )  www.theagetocome.wordpress.com  Peters site.  I haven’t linked to it too often in the past although it always has needful information.  Here’s a chance to do so now.  (One of ther problems in doing links is that I know of so many good sites that placing them all down is almost impossible.) 

( 4 )  www.pasturescott.wordpress.com  Pastor Scott.  I learned of this site through Marie only recently and it is always timely. 

( 5a )  www.heaintthroughwithmeyet.wordpress.com  Andreas site.  She has a domestic situation that is not too unlike my own.  She really loves the Lord and her compassion for the lost should encourage us all to be mindful of those around us who are in the valley of decision.

( 5b )  www.johnmichaeltalbot.blogspot.com  An unexpected entry perhaps, but I really like his music and just this past week I learned that he has a blog.  The worship songs; primarily scripture set to music, are such a blessing that in listening to them, one is continuously reminded the incredible goodness of the Lord Jesus.    

There are so many more in the blogroll that are good to visit.  A thank you to Rachel for encouraging this post as it’s been a real blessing.  I’ve had to work at it in spurts today as things have been going on.  (It’s now almost 10:00 pm)  As mentioned before, I’ll probably be cutting back on some blogging activity because other things are needful at the moment.  How much I don’t know.  But other things are imperative at the moment.  I’ll strive to post and comment as much as possible without getting priorities out of order.  Until next time, I wish all a blessed evening in Jesus.