He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
— Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
I don't know how Jesus could stand up under its weight. He had my sin, your sin, our sin. He allowed it to be placed upon him so that we would not have to bear the ultimate consequences of it at all. But in that sacrifice, as horrible as it was, we find ourselves healed -- cured of the most awful disease a person can have, a sin-sick soul. He was pierced, crushed, and punished for our sins. In their place, he has left us his transforming peace and a place to belong.
My Prayer...
God of peace, fill my soul with the wonder of your grace. Let me not forget the cost of your love. Stir in me the constant and abiding memory of your redemptive grace. Thank you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Thankful for:
- birds singing in the morning
- green grass to lay in
- wonderful meals with friends
- beautiful trees blooming
- time with family
- another birthday celebrated with Poppy
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and he carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
— Isaiah 53:3-4 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Jesus was everything and became nothing for us. Yet most of the people alive on earth with him when he came, even his very own people, didn't know him or accept him even though he came to save them. The crowds just assumed he deserved what he got. Most did not repent. But there was something about that sacrificial story that has grabbed hearts over the years and called God's lost children home. In our journey home, we find him to not only be a Savior, but a servant who lived and died for our salvation as well.
My Prayer...
God Almighty, your plan to redeem me takes my breath away. Why you chose to take your precious son and expose him to such public disgrace while he was on earth I will never comprehend. But this I do know: you love me with an everlasting love and I will serve you with all of my strength in thanks for his great sacrifice. Thank you for your love. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I pray. Amen.
Today, I thankful for:
- God's love
- Jesus' sacrifice
- friends that are there when the going gets tough
- answered prayers
- healing solutions
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
— 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Righteousness! That's what we are. We are not righteous. No, it is much bigger than that. We are God's righteousness. We are the testimony of how holy, just and gracious he truly is because, in Jesus, we are his righteousness!
My Prayer...
Almighty God, thank you for making me righteous in the blood of your son's death. May people see in me a reflection of your holiness, justice, and mercy as I try to share your grace with them. Through Jesus, your sacrifice for my sins I pray. Amen.
Thankful for:
- fun weekends
- good phone conversations
- lots of good laughs
- sunshiny forecast
- good deals at Good Will
- hugs from my niece and nephews
- others patience
- the things I take for granted
- Sunday morning worship
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.— Philippians 1:29 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
When we read the book of Acts, we find the disciples overjoyed at suffering "for the sake of the name." Since Jesus has already victoriously passed through that kind of ordeal, we should consider it a privilege, not a hardship, to share in his sufferings, not just a hardship. The truth of our commitment is often best shown to the skeptical when we are "under fire." So let's keep our character when under attack and rejoice, because we've seen in Jesus what happens when God's children are faithful even at the cost of their lives.
My Prayer...
What a precious name you have given to your son, O Lord. May it be exalted in all the earth and throughout all the heavens, until every heart knows that he is truly Lord. In Jesus name, and for his glory, I pray. Amen.
Today, I am thankful for:
- sufferings of Christ for me!
- that I can suffer for him to show Him how much I appreciate it
- Sunny Saturdays
- leaps of faith
- payday
- great friendships
- fun photo shoot days
- a break from the same ole same ole
- caring people
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
— 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We can be forgiven of our sins! That's great, but there's even better news. We can be purified of any stain from sin!! That's incredible: not only am I forgiven, but I'm also made clean and new again! But only because of God's grace and perfect sacrifice for our sins.
My Prayer...
Forgiving Father, please forgive me today for my lack of passion to love and forgive others in the way you have so graciously forgiven me. Create in me a heart like your own: faithful, forgiving, and gracious. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
I'M FORGIVEN by Sanctus Real
Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget
In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am
[chorus]
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven
My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry
In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am
[back to chorus]
When I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause
[back to chorus]
Today, I am thankful for:
- wonderful friends
- perspective on how really blessed I am
- the power of time to heal
- great conversations with a friend who can relate
- understanding, when things don't make sense
- laughter
- good food
- flowers in bloom
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
— Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
If we receive death as our payment for sin, we're only being paid what we're owed -- sin is rebellion against the God who loves us and gave us his most precious gift to redeem us from sin! But God's gift is free -- eternal life in Jesus Christ. We could not earn it, deserve it, or demand it. So God offered it by grace.
My Prayer...
Thank you God for loving me when no one else could or would. Thank you for sacrificing the most precious gift of heaven so I could join you there. Of all the gifts I've ever received, yours is the best. I offer this praise in the name of one whose gift has given me life! Amen.
Thankful for:
- time with my sister and her kids
- Bible time with friends
- Morning Star and all the things it does to help those in need
- generous people
- smiles in morning
- love of friends and family
- good health insurance