Good Friday always brings mixed emotions for me. On the one hand, I know it is the beginning of a celebration that at its very core is the basis of who I am. Good Friday leads to Easter Sunday. The day of resurrection. The day that death was overcome, Satan was defeated, and victory was proclaimed forevermore. But in order for that to occur, a sacrifice had to be made.

Jesus died for me. He shed His precious blood. He sacrificed Himself. He was mocked. He was tortured. All so that I would not have to die. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NIV)

I deserve to die. I am a sinner. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NIV)

And yet, if you look again at Romans 6:23, it says that rather than death, I receive a gift. The gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. But the gift is not just in Christ Jesus; it is because of Christ Jesus.

God required a sacrifice. He is holy and righteous and just. He cannot look upon me in my sin. Jesus said that He would be that sacrifice. He who was perfect and sinless, who had done nothing wrong. Because He loves me that much.

Yes, today I am filled with mixed emotions. My heart is grieved that He had to suffer so horribly because of me, but at the same time, my heart is filled to overflowing with love and gratitude for the One who is my Savior.

Thank You, Lord Jesus. I love You!

Blessings,

Yesterday we talked about how God commands us 365 different times in the Bible that we are not to be afraid.

What do you fear?

I find that most of my fears revolve around my own feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. I fear failing. I fear not being “good” enough…whatever that means. I fear being rejected. I fear not being able to realize my dreams because I am too afraid to step out and move forward.

God and I have been dealing with these issues for sometime now.

I have always known that we are not saved by our “works” but by God’s grace. ⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) There are many things in my past for which I have had to ask for forgiveness, and I have done so and accepted that God has forgiven me.

However, I think I have believed there was some sort of standard for being a Christian woman, wife, and mother to which I have never been able to reach.

Recently, during a morning quiet time, God spoke to my heart. He told me that the standard for which I was striving was not His standard. It was a standard I had set for myself based on what I believed others thought I should be.

And I said, “But Lord. You created the Proverbs 31 woman. You put her in the Bible. She must be in there for a reason. You would not have put her in there otherwise. She is our model, and I.Am.Not.Like.Her! Why?”

Ever so gently, He whispered to me, “My child, the Proverbs 31 woman looks different for each woman. I have called you to specific purposes, and you can not compare your purposes to that of another. More than that, though, I love you UNCONDITIONALLY, regardless of what you do or do not do.”

How freeing. He loves me. Just for me. Faults and all. I do not have to be perfect. I never will be perfect. Most importantly, His opinion is the only one that matters. His standard is the one on which I need to set my sights.

I find when I focus on that, the fear fades away. May your fear do the same.

Blessings,

I was listening to an inspirational CD the other day by Linda Toupin, National Sales Director with Mary Kay, and heard her use the following acrostic:

F alse
E vidence
A ppearing
R eal

Things that make you go “hmmmm…”

Do you struggle with fear? I do. I know in today’s repressed and, for some, downright DEpressing economy, it is hard not to be fearful.

The issues that cause me to be fearful may be the same, or perhaps are different, than those that cause you to be afraid, have doubt, or to worry.

Do you know that God commanded 365 different times in the Bible, “Do not be afraid.” It was not a suggestion or something that sounded like a good idea if you felt like doing it. It was a COMMAND…365 different times. He was, and is, serious about it.

Let’s look at a few of the verses.

Isaiah 41:10…”So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 14:27…But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Isaiah 43:1…But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Let’s go ahead and look at verse 2 of that same chapter. I just love the picture it paints.

Isaiah 43:2…When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Ponder these verses today, and please take a moment to let me know what causes you to be fearful. I will be back tomorrow to talk more about this and to relate some of my own fears.

Wishing you a peaceful day knowing He is walking with you.

Blessings,