The Day is His

I was reading in my daily devotional this morning, "Echos of Eternity" by Hal Helms, and felt compelled to share. I love when the Lord settles my soul with the knowledge of His utter control over this entire universe. Hope you enjoy.

April Sixteenth
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Job 38:4,7

The day is Mine. It is a gift of My love to My creation. The sun shines at My behest, and light goes forth according to My will. My creation does not understand, and takes it all for granted. But a few souls can see and know. Be one of them, My child, and enter into the secret joy of thankfulness. Take nothing for granted any more. Praise and gratitude carry their own reward. You cannot become what I created you to be by any other path.

The Wonderful Cross

I am especially thankful this Easter for the wonderful cross. Life is overwhelming, our country is in crisis, the world seems to be spinning off its axis and the future is unsure. I cannot describe the peace I find in the cross of Christ. I felt it flood my heart and soul last night as we sang the old hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, at church. I've said it before that hymns have a way of beautifully describing the truth of our faith. This one brings me to my knees in adoration of the One who holds the whole universe in His hands. I encourage you, as I have before, take time this Easter to meditate on the following words. Let your mind attempt to wrap itself around their meaning. Let your soul take a weary breath inward and be filled with peace.


When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to his blood

Oh the Wonderful Cross
Oh the Wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live

Oh the Wonderful Cross
Oh the Wonderful Cross
All who gather here
By grace draw near and bless your name

See, from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Oh the Wonderful Cross
Oh the Wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live

Oh the Wonderful Cross
Oh the Wonderful Cross
All who gather near
By grace draw near and bless your name.



Colossians 1: 13, 16-17 says this:

"For He (the Father) delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son...For by Him (Christ) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Our pastor pointed out last night that it's a little weird to sing, "oh the wonderful cross". You wouldn't hear people singing, "Oh the wonderful guillotine" or "the wonderful gas chamber". But the cross is so good because it did what no man could ever do. It reconciled us back to our creator. Christianity is different from any other religion in that no other object of worship took the penalty of sin on his own shoulders. Our savior did that. And because He did that, because He rose from the dead, is seated at the right-hand of his father, and still holds the whole world together, we can rejoice and rest in peace.

Oh the Wonderful Cross...bids me come and die, and find that I may truly live. I sure needed a reminder to lay down all the things in my life that occupy my mind and stress me out. Lay them at the wonderful cross...and find that you may truly live.