God sees you as Pure.

The cross remains barren of our past stories.

Jesus on the cross, before God at the judgement seat, in the grave, resurrected from the depth of weight and loss and past and sorrow. Jesus.

Yet today we look at our irritations and search for an answer.

Today, we examine our marriages and read all the books looking for an answer.

Today, our flesh battles with our past stories, and we cling to solutions in hopes of conquering the flesh “one more time.”

Jesus.

Oversimplified?

Yes, in that, Jesus’ love is a constant presence around us because of His demonstration on that cross. He fought for your relationship with God Almighty. He conquered. He won. Done.

No, in that, we need to purpose to remember the power of Jesus’ love.

We need to accept the purity that is us. Jesus’ love made you pure. Do you see that? God sees you as pure. You are washed. You are clean. You are pure! Do you feel that?

We need to accept that.

We need to see ourselves as pure. If we do not, oh friend, that is how the past creeps in, and Satan uses that as an open door to pull us down.

And when we are down, we look for an answer. And when we look for an answer, we start the cycle again.

  • What if we believe Jesus?

  • What if we write our problem, issue, and/or struggle on a piece of paper?

  • What if we read Jesus’ written words and find what He says about it?

  • What if we write His words on our piece of paper covering our words with His?

  • What if we tape that paper on our bathroom mirror, our car dash (not over the speedometer, you may end up with another problem), our kitchen cabinet, our television, our iPad, our area of battle.

  • And what if, Friend, what if we declare His words each and every time our flesh cries out with our past stories?!

  • What would happen if we believe in Jesus?

It’s On Our Cue Card

Don’t you love singing classic “Lord, I need You” and new lyrics like “I hear your song of victory ring over me?”

Lord, sitting here with these two songs overwhelming my heart, I see it.

I see our cry of hourly need, and I hear your song of victory, and, in that, I see the meticulously stitched fabric of comfort and protection.

Oh, my God, how great thou art! That each hour we call, your presence is there! And, and the devil flees!

It’s one grand play in which the stage is set, the lines are rehearsed, the end is known. It’s at the ready; it’s always a standing ovation.

If (Lord, if) the cue is heard.

The cry that starts the scene.

The plea that notifies the cast that “It’s Time.”

The cue. Lord, that’s our cue.

Father, why do we, your children, forget our lines? Why do we forget our voice? Oh, Father, why do we forget your presence?

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, that we will speak our need boldly before the throne of Grace this moment. I pray that your song of victory will ring over the heart in prayer. I pray, Lord Jesus, that in your Name satan will flee from the presence of your child this very minute. I pray victory, Lord, your standing, ever-present victory will reign!

Filled Up and Spilled Out

Filled up and spilled out. Do you ever feel this way? Is that a dumb question? An obvious one? It’s the beauty of our individuality. We all favor an area in which we fill up, Right? It could be technology, maps, beauty tips, education, news, general knowledge, sports…the list is endless.

Then we get that opportunity when somebody cares about our “specialty.” And we spill it all out. We are passionate about what we fill up on; we are primed and ready to engage in discourse!

I love it. It is the beauty of our individuality and an easy source of conversational connection. To share what we know and to learn from others. It’s awesome.

Jesus knew God. That’s an obvious statement. A deep theological one, but we are going to stick with the Simple Truth of it all.

Jesus knew God; God knew and loved Jesus before the foundation of creation. When Jesus entered into humanity, he was filled up with the love of God.

Oh, how he spilled out that love!

What catches my breath as I read the conclusion to His prayer over us are these words, “And I will continue to make it (God’s name) known.”

He will continue! Friend, he left this time of prayer and walked into the garden of Gethsemane. He prayed again in this garden. Not his will, but God’s… Then He was escorted out of Gethsemane betrayed and alone.

Trials. Abuse. Beatings. Hatred. Betrayal. Mocking. Heaviness. Forgiveness. Pain. Love. Acceptance. Thirst. Completion. Darkness. Sin. Sorrow. Death. The Grave. Victory! Oh, Sweet Victory!!

And STILL (above all that) Jesus is not done making God’s name known! Jesus is alive. Forevermore! God’s name is forever being proclaimed!

Oh, that you and I fill up on His Name and spill it out, so the world will know that God sent Jesus to be the Savior.

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

– Jesus

John 17:24-26 (ESV)