30 Days of Blessings: The Cross

Today I feel very bit of the words from Jeremiah 17:9 “the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick, who can understand it?”

There are moments I can feel overwhelmed by the sinfulness that my flesh can desire. Sin and the flesh rises up strong demanding it’s own way. I cry out to God, it’s not who I want to be! I want to be a follower after YOUR heart, YOUR ways, Your truth.

Oh that which I desire I do not do! And that very thing I do not want to do is what I do!! O wretched woman that I am!! What possible hope is there? How can I even think I can change and be obedient to my God?

Thanks be to GOD who provided a way through Jesus Christ!! (Romans 7:19-25)

The cross. A thing of torment, pain and suffering becomes beautiful because my Jesus carried it and was nailed upon it for my sin. He died in my place, was raised in three day so that I might be resurrected with Him on the last day, living forever with Him.

And because of the cross …

Ephesians 2:1-6
Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms -- all because we are one with Christ Jesus. NLT

While I was unlovely and sick in my sinfulness God called me BELOVED!

Romans 9:25
As He says also in Hosea,
“I will call those who were not my people, ‘My people,’
and her who was not Beloved, ‘Beloved.’”
And then this song kept playing in my head.

Because of the cross God calls me beloved!

 

Once Again by Matt Redman
Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing
Poured out to death
Many times, I've wondered at your gift of life
I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You,
Once again I pour out my life
Now You are exalted to the highest place
King of the Heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now, I'll marvel at Your saving grace
I'm full of praise once again
Oh I'm full of praise once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross, my friend
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life

Jesus I am humbled and broken and I thank you for bringing me to this place, again. You have shown me just how unlovely I was and am- apart from you. You have reminded me that even in that unlovely place, even though my heart is vile and wicked you came to earth to die for me. I am your BELOVED (agapao-to love, finding ones joy in.)

I AM YOUR BELOVED! Thank Jesus, thank your for the cross my friend.

I am a GREAT sinner
I have a GREAT SAVIOR

What a blessing!!