5.25.2017

Ascension Day!

Ascension Day occurs 39 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven. 

Over the last couple of years, I have been reminded of the importance of this aspect of Jesus' life and ministry.

I want to share some things that I have been reminded of, and am learning about Jesus' ascension.
Then I want to share some life lessons God has been teaching me in this.

Right before his ascension, Jesus said: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  




Jesus ascended so that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the one who would give His followers the power to be His witnesses around the world.


Hebrews 8:1, 2 says "Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man."


In his article "4 Results of Christ's Ascension," Tim Challies shares some of the great results of Christ's ascension:

  1. Glorification
  2. Coronation
  3. the gift of the Comforter
  4. the ministry of the High Priest
Now, the life lesson that has been challenging.

Before he ascended Jesus promised the disciples a Comforter and power (Acts 1:8).

Since his ascension, we have a high priest who is seated at God's hand that we look to (Hebrews 12:1, 2).

With everything my family has going on right now, I am so thankful 

for God the Holy Spirit who comforts and gives power, 
for God the Son who is the founder and perfecter of my faith, and 
for God the Father who is sovereign over everything and on HJis throne. 

We are not sure what ministry God has for us in the future.

We are not sure what God has planned for our house.
We are not sure what God has planned for the ministries and people we love at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

At the same time,

I am sure that God is in control.
I am sure that Jesus has saved me.
I am sure that the Holy Spirit will give me and EBC the strength and power to do what God has planned next. 

These truths don't make what is next easy.
There are definitely struggles and difficulties. 

but I choose to say blessed be God's name and I am not alone.
Here are two online resources that have been extremely helpful.
We would greatly appreciate your prayers for our family, for Emmanuel Baptist Church, and for whatever God has us doing next.


5.23.2017

As Long As You Are Glorified

One of my favorite Sovereign Grace albums is 
Here is a description.

Scripture assures us that God is sovereignly using our difficulties as tools to make us more like his Son. “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Ro 5:3–5) While we know these things are true, in the midst of our hardships we can lose perspective. Problems can loom large, and our hopes can grow dim.
Come Weary Saints is an invitation to redirect your focus to the God whose love has been forever demonstrated at the cross of Calvary. As you listen to these songs, may your faith and joy in the Savior be strengthened for the challenges you face, now or in the future.
One of my favorite songs is
"As Long As You Are Glorified"


VERSE 1
Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain?
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain?
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought?
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt?
CHORUS
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
VERSE 2
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled?
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well?
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
BRIDGE
So quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in You