Ugly Picture

Yesterday, our bunnies had baby bunnies! Unfortunately, the momma bunny is never as excited as we are! She doesn’t care for her young. She neglects them, sits on them, and even eats them. It is a detestable sight, an ugly picture. Just the thought of seeing our baby bunnies with missing arms, legs, and ears, makes me cringe.

However, I know of a much uglier picture. The picture of our Savior, bruised, beaten, and bleeding to death on a cross. Though spotless and innocent, Jesus endured His Father’s full wrath. Ugly? Absolutely.

Why? Why would God choose such an inconceivable plan to rescue us? Because of His love! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.......

Below are two significant differences between the death of our bunnies and the death of Jesus:

First, where the mother bunny was selfish; God was unselfish. God hates sin, and someone spotless had to shed blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He chose His Son. Unbelievable!

Second, where the baby bunnies death is insignificant and had no effect on the world,
Jesus’ death totally transformed the world. He set us free from sin and death! We are now clothed in His righteousness and have an intimate relationship with the one, true God. The ugly picture of Christ dying on the cross is our glory. It’s our banner.

Galations 6:14
But may it be that I would boast,

except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let Your Light Shine

While sitting in the DFW airport, I was struck at the darkness surrounding us. Many of the travelers seemed weary, worn, and worldly. As I watched the “gay” crowd around us, fear and anxiety bombarded my thoughts. What will become of our nation? Only by God’s grace will our family escape the rebellion around us. More questions continued to enter my mind. Will our family ever be an effective light? Will our family ever be that city set on a hill so that others may come to know You?

As I boarded the plane, I whispered a prayer, “Lord, please show me just one Christian aboard this plane?” Deep down, I knew He would answer, although I immediately forgot I even prayed that prayer! Finally, after reaching our row, which was, of course, at the back :( I struggled to find a place for our multitude of carry-ons. Going from bin to bin, I became frustrated. Suddenly, a young man jumped up and asked to help. He immediately took control. After opening bins and rearranging people’s luggage, he created a home for our bags. Forever grateful, I returned to my seat.

Shortly after take off, I noticed this same man reading the Bible to his wife. He read and read and read. Then he read “Through Gates of Splendor” to his wife. He read and read and read. What a loving couple they were. The way they looked at each other and held one another, their love was clear and evident not only to us, but to a lost world.

Thank you, Lord. You answered my prayer. Another Christian aboard the plane (someone to pray with in case of emergency!), and a great example to my children.

To conclude, Laurie recently asked me about requirements for a husband. One of God's requirements for marriage, my beloveds, is that a Christian marry a Christian. Do it God’s way! Boys, seek to be the spiritual leaders like this man. What a servant! What a contrast he was to the many others in the airport! He was a city set on a hill. He was a light in the darkness. That is my prayer for you, my beloveds! By God’s grace will we mature and love Him in this way.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Request Denied

Beloveds, God’s answers to prayers are either yes, no, or wait. Of course, yes is what we desire to hear. However, we must learn to appreciate the answer no.

This morning, while rummaging through some past computer files, one file caught my eye. It was a special file of prayer requests I had written long ago. As I browsed through the list, I was amused. Almost all the answers were a resounding no.

Once again, God’s plans were different than mine! The good news is that I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Like a towering wave from the ocean, peace rushed over me knowing that “I can trust Him”.

Never forget that He is the Good Shepherd, whose love for you is DEEP. He will listen patiently to your requests, but He will answer prudently. Any request that is not His best for you will be denied.
Therefore, learn to give thanks when the answer is no. Always remember, He loves you when the answer is yes, and He loves you when the answer is no. You can trust Him!