125 - When God clearly acts (even in little things)

I love it when something happens to remind me just how real and alive and wonderful God is. To remember He's there in heaven, He's here in me and He loves us so, so much.

These reminders can be big - like when prayer is answered and someone is saved - or little.

Let me give such an example.

Recently, I was reading of Jesus' resurrection during my quiet time. It made me think of Keith and Kristyn Getty's song 'Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed.'

(Here's a link for those who haven't heard it - shame on you...just joking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4E9s_W0sos )

Anyway, I wrote a few of the lyrics from this song down in my notebook.

Seconds later, the song started playing on my ipod (which was on shuffle).

My mouth really did drop open. I was laughing and amazed.

It was as if Jesus was watching from heaven, grinning and saying 'Oh, so you're reading about my resurrection? You're glad I'm alive? Well, let me show you just how alive I am!'

Who says He's serious? Who says He doesn't have a sense of humour?

Thank you God for the reminders that you are the one true Lord, that you are. 

124 - Spider's webs

Let me make it clear - I HATE spiders. I'm not thankful for them (even if they eat flies).

I saw a link to a video about a huge jumping spider the other day, and almost had a panic attack. I did not need to know that!

However...

I can't deny that their webs are quite amazing. Their design, their strength, the way they can be built in a few minutes. It takes us years to build our houses!

And when they're covered in frost or dew - they're beautiful to look at.

Thank you Lord for something lovely coming from something scary :)

123 - The Holiness of Christ

And Pilate said to them '...What evil has he done?' (Mark 15:14) 

The answer to Pilate's question?

Nothing. He'd done no evil at all. Even the crowd couldn't come up with a reply. They could only continue their furious cries of 'Crucify Him!' 

I think we can forget just how incredible Jesus' holiness was. He was a man like us, yet He:

• Always loved God with His heart, soul, mind and strength. All of Him. His whole being was consumed with the Lord; everything about Him was obsessed with His Father.

• Always loved his neighbour as Himself. He put others first, ALL THE TIME. He never gave into selfish desires to look out for Himself, not once. Even though this love cost Him His life. 

• He never had idols - popularity, money, power - none of that enticed Him. 

• He was never irritated - even with His disciples! 

• Never selfish

• Never lazy or greedy. 

He was perfect. 

And yet...

That perfect man had to die in the cruellest way possible - all so that the ones who really had done evil - again and again - and who continue to do evil - you and me - could be forgiven. Could be saved. 

Now, when we stand before the throne and Satan yells 'Destroy them! Kill them!' God looks at us, sees the holy perfection of His son, and says, 

'What evil have they done?' 

And He is making us truly like His son every day. One day, we will be perfect too. 

Thank you God for the holiness of Your Son - and that that holiness is attributed to us. 

Thank you for making us like Him!