The day with dianne Louise

The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him— our sins ! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him. Isaiah 53:2‭-‬6 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.53.2-6.MSG Those of us who despare at our aging visage, or wrinkles and ...

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:5 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.53.5.NLT All that Jesus suffered we deserved. We are the ones caught in sin and needing a saviour. He became that for me. He was beaten, bruised, scourged, pierced and nailed to a cross. He was abused so that I could be free of the cost of my sin. I know there are times I deserve a beating, but know I can repent and accept the forgiveness given in Christ. I must walk in forgiveness, knowing that He is enough. Enough for me and enough for others. Amen!

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.5.19.NLT Jesus was the Father's way of bringing reconcilliation between us and Himself. Reconcilliation through forgiveness of sin, and an atoning sacrifice that covered sin, once and for all. We who have been forgiven, and walk in forgiveness, are then given the role of reconciling those in our world to Him. We do not have to shed our blood for others but rather shed our fleshly ways. This is the call, this is the challenge. Amen

He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.5.15.NLT This scripture is at odds with our culture which pushes us to live for ourselves. Only of late have I recognised in myself an individualism that is at odds with this gospel. I live for the gospel but because I have had so much conflict with family I have set myself apart and carved a world out that did not require interactions with them. I have come to see a defensive self reliant attitude in me that needs to be broken. As I am compelled to sit in my son's home and be waited upon, because of broken ribs, I am being challenged. All my defenses are having to come down. It is good! A new phase begins!

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.13.34.NLT   How has Jesus loved me? He gave Himself for me when I was still a sinner. Nothing I do can make me worthy, yet faith in all He did makes me His. He gave His all for me, this is what He wants me to do for others, give my all. May I learn how to do this well. Amen!

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.13.34.NLT Last night, as my daughter in law was running her children to Hapkido and returning, I thought to put on noodles to complement the bolognaise already made and to warm up rhe bolognaise. It was not appreciated because I have two broken ribs and the effort was considered too great. Always, in healing I have pushed myself. I find I heal quicker this way, and I have invariably been left to heal alone anyway. Being made play the invalid whilst in someone else's home is a challenge to me. Yet, my grandchildren have been wonderful and attentive. To love my daughter in law I must allow them to wait on me. It can't be all bad. A valuable lesson to learn in responding to love. I am grateful!

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.53.6.NLT This scripture tells us that going our own way causes us to be deemed sinners requiring a saviour. The prophesy around the end times is: they will be lovers of self instead of lovers of God. 2 Tim 3:2. Loving ourselves to the point of idolatry has come. Everything we do is centered on satisfying ourselves. The Old Testament shows us how much God despises idolatry. Even though Jesus paid for our sins, judgement day is coming. We will be judged according to how we lived as Christians. Jesus Himself said: "on that day many of you will say, 'but Lord, Lord, we prophesied in Your name' and I will say, be gone from Me for I never knew you." Sobering truth! Let us walk in the light as He is in the light. Amen!