Thursday, June 4, 2009

In Christ Alone

Dear One, you belong to the Lord; you are His own. The place you are now is not the place you will always be. He is bringing you out! Deliverance does not depend upon you, but upon Him. If you do not turn, He will place His strong hand upon you and you WILL change direction, not by your own choice but by His. Would you risk falling into the hands of the living God? Scripture says that this is a "dreadful thing" (see Hebrews 10:31). When God moves powerfully, the vain thoughts and plans of sinful human beings topple like a child's block tower. God is able to change you in a way that reveals without doubt that the glory belongs to Him and Him alone!

Pray that the Lord will enable you to turn. Pray to keep the memory of the fact that it is His power and not your own that enables you to hold to the path that will lead you to the glory of His presence.

Humble yourself before Him and He will have mercy. He remembers how you are made, He knows your frailty, He remembers your suffering, and He has collected all your tears. You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book (Psalm 56:8 New Living Translation).

And yet it is not your travail, but Christ's that has ushered you into the Holy Presence. You have partaken of grace; of the Holy bread and cleansing blood of the Savior. Humble yourself before Him, plead His mercy, abide in His grace, and when you have been delivered do not take credit unto yourself. Freedom from the confines of sin has been accomplished for you solely by the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: "It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them" (Psalm 44:3).

"When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery" (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

1 comment:

Melody Milbrandt said...

This is so wonderful and critical to remember, too. Thank you for this Holy Spirit reminder Aunt Linda. In every area, in every thing, in every relationship... it is through Him, not me! He is pleased with my obedience, heart, effort, faith, perseverance... but it is not those that accomplish it. It is always in Him. Oh this is good. I am so glad, so thankful you posted this. Hugs!