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The Cost of the Cross

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 26, 2016

“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

The death of Jesus on the cross was an event he shrank back from, so horrendous was the prospect. In Gethsemane, “horror and dismay overcame him, and he said…‘My heart is ready to break with grief’” (Mark 14:4 NEB). Three things brought on this horror, and one of them was not the physical suffering he would endure in being crucified.

First he was to become sin. The ugliness, the stench, the putridness, the repulsiveness of sin, these he would become. Think of being lowered into a pit of liquid cow manure, its surface roiling with maggots, the stench overwhelming; and as you go down into it, it gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, and then lungs, engulfing you in its terribleness. This is nothing compared to Christ’s becoming sin for us, the evil of it entering His very being as a human.

Then He was under the righteous wrath of God, which had been stored up from the beginning of time against all the sin ever committed and all that will be committed. This unimaginably immense weight of wrath came down on Jesus, crushing him.

And third, Jesus was torn out of the relationship of the Trinity, the perfect place of peace, the flawless unity, the beautiful balance, the wonderful warmth that had existed from eternity. As He became sin and had wrath poured out upon Him, He could not stay in that intimate relationship. His Father turned away and the fabric was ripped, the essence smashed, the unity destroyed. This separation brought the greatest suffering of all in His sacrifice, not only to Jesus, but to the Father and the Spirit as well.

The amount of horror for Jesus in this experience was immeasurably great. It is an infinite suffering borne by an infinite heart of love under an infinite wrath. And it brought about an infinite solution for finite beings. Only a God who is Love could do this. Only Jesus could be our Savior, both God and man, willing to go through such suffering, which is beyond the comprehension of even the angels who live in the presence of God. And He did this to save us, who are lower than angels, sin-warped rebels who fight viciously against Him, rejecting His way and serving Satan and self.  But now He has given us the possibility of being rescued from the dominion of darkness and becoming His children. Hallelujah!

Let us stand in ever-growing awe at the amazing, unbelievable, contra-conditional and compassionate sacrifice made by the Living God to save us who are captives of death, of the devil and of destruction. May this awe transform our mind, will and emotions so that we thirst after God and eagerly spend time with Him every day.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, forgive me for trivializing your immense sacrifice to redeem us, your evil enemies. I praise you for your great love, your deep commitment, your incomprehensible grace. Help me to live in the light of your mighty and infinite love and to love you back in consistent obedience. May your light and love shine out of my life today, bringing you ever-increasing glory. Amen.”

–from the devotional book EDIFIED

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Knowing Jesus IS enough for Joy

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 25, 2016
Praise be to you, Lord, for new life, for joy and peace, for hope and purpose, for your love and embrace. To know you is way beyond good–it is the deep desire of every human heart, to be enfolded in a rich relationship with the Creator of the universe–but sadly, most resist acknowledging it and are instead locked into the crushing embrace of the negative values of this fallen world.
 
To rest in your embrace of love, the warmth of your acceptance, the grace you exude at each moment, to rejoice in the lack of condemnation, the lack of accusation and conditional acceptance—these realities are so wonderfully edifying, strengthening, encouraging and empowering.
 
I can go out with you into today, Lord Jesus, knowing that you are not only with me, but within me, that you will never leave me. I can trust you fully to guide me through the obstacle course of today as we wend our way forward in this fallen world, leaving behind a trail that others can follow.
 
I praise you that you know every bend, every turn, every pitfall, as well as every ambush the enemy has set up. And you have prepared me for them. As I keep on the whole armor of God”, listening to your Spirit, I can respond to each ambush, stand against each attack and be more than a conqueror no matter what Satan may throw at me. “I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies” (Ps 18:3).
 
I may trip, fall or get knocked down, but remaining in your truth by confession and repentance, I can spring to my feet and continue on the path of righteousness you are leading me down for your name’s sake.
 
“I love you, O Lord, my strength.” You, LORD, “are my rock, my fortress and my deliverer… my shield and…my stronghold” (Ps. 18:2) and as I stay behind the shield of your love, in the stronghold of your holiness, and on the rock of your mercy, I am safe.
 
Praise be to you, the God of goodness, the Lord of love, the King of kindness, the Giver of grace. Today I choose to live in the truth that “Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy,” following your example, Lord Jesus, as you, “for the joy that was set before you, endured the cross despising the shame and are set down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 12:2).
 
Help me to keep my eyes on you and the joy of knowing where I am going in life and death, for then the difficulties and pain of this life will fade in significance and power, so I can run with patience the race you have set before me.
 
 
 
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Psalm 20:4,5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 24, 2016
Psalm 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart”
 
[This echos the statement of Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the Lord and he will give you the desire of your heart.” As we find our delight in you, Lord, it is safe for you to answer our prayers, for you know that the answer will not become an idol.
 
Lord, you are my delight, my joy, my goodness, my God; help me to consistently focus my love on you, to reject the temptation to let events and people siphon off that love to lesser things. Praise you that as we delight in your character, putting you first in all our lives, you can safely grant us the desires of our hearts, for you have conformed our desires to yours, you have placed in our hearts the desires that are right.]
 
“and make all your plans succeed.”
 
[Lord, may only those plans that flow from your succeed. May you be glorified, honored and exalted by the success of any plans we seek to implement. May you come first, may you be praised, may you be lifted up in any success that comes. I commit to you all of today and ask that in my thoughts, motives, words and actions I may please you, give you honor and exalt your name.]
 
Psalm 20:5 “We will shout for joy when you are victorious”
 
[We will glorify you, Lord God, for any and all victories–for people being set free, coming to know you, overcoming temptation, maturing in you, sharing with unbelieving friends. You are the great Doer, the Bringer of good, the Victor and Ender in all.]
 
“and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.”
 
[It is your name that should be lifted up, magnified and glorified. Whatever results come from our efforts to obey you should result in honor for you, not for us. May the world see your power and purpose, your grace and goodness in whatever success comes into our lives through your hand.]
 
“May the LORD grant all your requests.”
 
[May you fulfill whatever requests line up with your will, Lord. May none of my requests that you know aren’t best be granted. I don’t want to be asking for a king as the Israelites did, or for a longer life when that is not your will, as King Hezekiah did. Protect me from myself and my own ideas. I surrender my all to you and ask that you lead, that I might follow and do what is your desire. May you be lifted up, exalted, glorified in my life today.]
 
 
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Psalm 20:1-3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 23, 2016

Psalm 20:1
For the director of music. A Psalm of David and a wonderful prayer for us:

“May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;”

[Praise you, Jehovah Yahweh, that you do answer: “I will call upon the Lord in the day of trouble, for he will answer me” (Ps. 86:7).]

“may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.”

[You, heavenly Father, are the strong and faithful One, and in your name is power. You kept on working with that rascal, Jacob the deceiver, persisting to the end and finally brought Jacob to surrender in worship on his death bed. And now, in spite of his ugly past, you are not ashamed to be called “The God of Jacob!”

You protected him all through his life, and in like manner, you, O Elohim, the powerful and faithful One, protect me in all times, in every place, in all circumstances. You are rock-solid-sure in your love and power.]

Psalm 20:2 “May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.”

[Praise you, Lord God, that we can enter your sanctuary any time and know that you will hear and accept us. Praise you that you always send help, just the right help, at just the right time—which may be much later than we want it, but then we have a chance to live by faith as we wait for your perfect and wise timing.]

Psalm 20:3 “May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.”

[Praise you, Lord Jesus, that in your name and by your grace, we are able to offer acceptable worship to you. We are able to give you honor and glory in ways that are pleasing to you. Only in you and by your sacrifice is this possible. Praise you for opening the way for us.]

As we pray this prayer, help us to see your answers in our lives today. Thank you for how you will respond, O Lord, our God.
Selah

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The God of Provision

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 22, 2016

You, Lord, are the God of provision, flooding our lives with  your gracious goodness, your constant kindness, your wide wisdom, your penetrating insight, boundless strength and great grace. Truly, our cup overflows, you have brought us into a spacious place, your have rescued us because you delight in us. What goodness you have poured out on us:

–the great and glorious privilege of being your child, the sons and daughters of the Most High King;

–the grace of  knowing and living ever more intimately with you, the Great and Glorious God;

–the vision-shifting truth that whatever comes into our lives is part of your plan to work good, to give opportunity for us to fulfill the purpose of our lives (giving you glory) and to give us significant parts in moving history to its conclusion;

–the powerful possibility to rewrite every hurt from your point of view and to forgive the offender as you have forgiven us, thereby freeing ourselves from the cruel bonds of resentment;

–the wonder of your love lavished on us in undeserved richness, in marvelous breadth and length and depth;

–the joy of belonging, of having worth, of being competent in you;

–the security of knowing where we are going;

–the anticipated joy of spending eternity with you.

With these shining, beautiful and powerful truths, I can enter this day at your side, joining you in the adventure you have for me, the work you have for me to do in partnership with you.

There may be disappointments, hurts, troubles and difficulties, but each one is a fine tool you will use to shape me more into the image of Christ. And each one will be an opportunity to be weak in myself but strong in you, to praise, to rise on wings of eagles, to see things from on high and to give you glory. What a life you’ve given what joy you share with us, what a God you are!

May you be glorified in my life today by the working of your Spirit and Word on my will to bring me to quick, eager, loving obedience in each situation.

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Great Possibilities With Jesus

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 21, 2016

Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, my Shepherd and King, as I woke to find myself with you. My dreams were not very pleasant, having  one obstacle after another. Kind of like real life, but without your presence, so it was good to come back to reality with you!

Thank you for the wonder of knowing you, Lord Jesus, of having your grace, goodness and greatness in my life, of being continually offered rest and hope, a partnership of purpose and power in prayer, of being able to join you in what you are doing.

Thank you that this day before me will be filled with multiple possibilities of honoring you with faith, responding to disappointments, interruptions, problems and challenges with thanksgiving and the chance to thereby defeat frustration, impatience, selfishness, fear and worry.

To respond with faith is to do something that has eternal value, to fulfill the purpose you have given me in life of honoring you rather than focusing on myself and what is visible. Thank you that you have made faith the primary means of joining you, for anyone can do that: young and old, illiterate and highly educated, rich and poor, powerful and weak, new believer or old.

This is an exciting truth, for it shows how everyone in the spectrum of maturity, from the newest believer to the most seasoned saint, can all give you glory at each moment in time, simply by responding in faith, getting up the shield of faith by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

I praise you for what you have before me today; help me to partner with you, knowing that all will flow from your hand of goodness, from your heart of wisdom and grace, from you desire for me to join you in your great plans. Help me to see each negative as a positive possibility to offer you honor through thanksgiving, to grow spiritually and to be a light to those around me. What a privilege! Thank you for it and for what you will do in and through me today.

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Quote from Tim Keller

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 20, 2016

We “are so lost and flawed, so sinful that Jesus had to die for us, but we are also so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for us. Now we are fully accepted and delighted in by the Father, not because we deserve it, but only by free grace.”

–The Meaning of Marriage, by Tim and Kathy Keller, pages 55,56

 

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Rest and Surrender for Today

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 19, 2016

I praise you, Lord, for what will come today: the planned and the unexpected, the accomplishments and the interruptions, the painful and the pleasant. You, Lord God, are my shield, my strength and my stronghold, always there to protect, provide and carry me through whatever challenges you allow. You are all I need for today. You will do what is best in your faithfulness, in your goodness, in your wisdom, in your love, in your righteousness, in your grace and in your power.

I praise you for the privilege of being weak, of resting in your might—there is so much out of my control, while all is within yours. You know what you are doing, you have a plan, you are moving all to a conclusion, bringing it down to an end, from which all will expand into eternity, filling the universe with good, righteous, godly and gracious beings, acts, and events. Because you are the All-mighty One, no one can stop you, no one can thwart you.

I praise you for your Word and for the wonder of meditating on it, having it trickle down into my being to bring cleansing, insight, transformation and joy. You are the infinite One, always having more to reveal to us of your Great and Gracious character.

I praise you now for what you will show today, do today, provide today. May I give you glory all through this day, Lord, by choosing to obey what I know to be true, by trusting you, praising you in and for all things, delighting in my weaknesses, rejoicing in your strength and exalting in your righteousness, wisdom and power.

I bow before you now in worship, I will rise up in surrender, wanting to walk with you in obedience and godly fear, desiring to bring you glory before the seen and unseen hosts. Help me to do this consistently through the day, choosing in each event to trust you by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in all that comes. Amen.

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Psalm 19:14

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 18, 2016
Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,”
 
Yes, Lord, may both my inner and outer speech please you, for out of the heart flow the words of my mouth. Lord, bring the continual transformation I need to please you in my thought life so my public life may honor you before others.
 
Help me to consistently meditate on your Word, think your thoughts, respond with your wisdom and speak your Truth. And may you be greatly pleased with that obedience growing in my being, the result of your good work.]
 
“O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
 
[You are my LORD, that is, Yahweh, Jehovah, the Holy God, pure and sinless, separate and other, who hates sin and will judge it, while somehow you love sinners and provide for us a way of escape from your just wrath.
 
You are the God of wondrous qualities, of gracious goodness, of seeming paradoxes, able to join together what looks contradictory from our limited perspective: justice and mercy, truth and grace, judgment and love.
 
As my Rock, you are the stability of my life, the only solid source of rest, of shade, of protection, of hope. In you alone I can take refuge, for you will never be shaken, changed, fail or be defeated.
 
You are my Redeemer, the purchaser of trash so you can turn it into treasure. You are the One who took upon yourself the sins of the world because you want each person in creation to come to you, to believe, to become your child, to be dearly loved, deeply cared for, eternally doted on, doubly cherished and delighted in.
 
You, the great Savior have brought us out into a spacious place, before your throne, before your face, before the hosts of heaven and there you delight in us, your unfinished and cherished children.
 
Praise be to you for your lavish love, your wild wisdom, your glorious grace. You are worthy of our worship today and through all eternity. I bow before you, O King of the universe, Lord of time, Ruler of all creation. To you be honor, glory, praise and exaltation in my life today. Amen.]
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Psalm 19:12,13

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 17, 2016
Psalm 19:12 “Who can discern his errors?”
 
[My inner being is, to a large part, inscrutable and opaque, below the conscious. In there I unknowingly sin with wrong motives, wrong attitudes and wrong desires. These sins are from my flesh, from the inherited residue of sin from past generations, from the subtle working of the devil, from input from the world–and from my giving in to them. These sins are there—but their penalty has been paid in Christ’s death and resurrection, praise be to you, so we can pray:
 
“Forgive my hidden faults.”
 
And know that we are forgiven. As I spend time in worship (giving you honor for who you are), you are slowly increasing the depth of understanding of my inner being, showing me more and more of these hidden faults. Then I can knowing confess and reject them so I can obey you in these areas. Praise you for your persistent, patient and powerful work in my life.]
 
Psalm 19:13 “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.”
 
[This is where I am fully responsible and where I very much need your grace, your help and guidance, Lord Jesus, my great Shepherd. I thank you that you have prepared me for this struggle, as it says in 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” I have to learn to take up and use what you have provided.
 
Praise you for the continual upward progress of your transformational work in us that I see daily within and without: the help of the Holy Spirit in warning me, giving conviction, giving insight and protection. You make it possible to give a biblical response to the pressures that push me towards personal sin. As I obey, you are making supernatural responses (praise, denying self, patience and mercy) more natural for me.
 
You are at work: you are my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my Shield, my Strength, my Stronghold. In you alone is the needed help in the battle with sin, self and Satan, with you alone is there hope, power and victory.]
 
“Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”
 
[Only in you, Lord, only in you is there the possibility of being blameless, without reproach, innocent of great sin. Praise be to you for your unwarranted desire to help, your unearned love, your undeserved grace.
 
You are marvelous in your Might, great in your Grace and wonderful in your Wisdom as you usher us farther up and further into the freedom, growth and grace of your Kingdom. Glory be to you. Help us to follow you wholeheartedly in this journey.]
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