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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Word Wednesday by KM Wilsher PG-13

This post may be a little heavy. Thus the PG-13 label :)
Word Wednesday is back!
What are you reading in the bible this week?
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A few days after I was baptized, I heard the following story:

Angie loved Jesus, and after she gave her life to Him, she apprised her family about His infinite love. Her parents did not want to have anything to do with religion. In fact, they soon got a divorce and went their separate ways.
Angie graduated from high school and got her own apartment. Dad was never around, but mom stayed close by her. Angie loved her mom and wanted her to discover Jesus, that He was good, that He wanted Mom to spend eternity with Him.
Angie prayed, “Jesus, I don’t care what happens to me, but I will go through anything you deem necessary that will allow Mom to see the truth.”
A month later, on a cold beach at night, Angie was raped and killed. Her mother is now a believer.
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This story traumatized me in the early days of my faith journey. It invited horrible events from my past to haunt me. It deposited a constant fear within me. I used to babysit overnight for a single mom at church, and they lived in a very dark area. I remember being petrified that it was “my turn.”
My faith has grown.
I can’t imagine why someone would have told a new believer this story, but I imagine they might have had their own horrible events in their past. I don’t know. However, I think the story is not true --an urban ghost story that Satan uses to his benefit, not to ours. The way I see it, the bottom line is that Jesus is the sacrifice. He would not “allow evil to happen to one” in order for another to be saved.
Like I said, my Faith has grown.
Here is what I read this week that reminded me of this abominable story. These verses bring truths that are the exact opposite of what the above story is designed to deliver. I have seen the following lines from the Word come true in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters. This is not to say that bad things do not happen. It’s just to say: The only sacrifice is Jesus. He died for you and me -and Angie. If you haven't already, give Him a chance to show you.

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This is the truth of how God loves:
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

3Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge—
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation
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What are you reading this week?

9 comments:

Tracy said...

Wow, that was powerful. When I think back, I too am shocked at the things 'seasoned' Christians said to me, or asked me, when I first got saved. Oddly, what I read this morning that hit me really powerfully is from Psalms as well. It made me think of our current economic crisis and reminded me that God is our source.

Psalm 112
1 Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.
2Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
8 They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly.
9 They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

KM Wilsher said...

Oh yeah, Tracy! Great! I'm putting the economic crises in His hands. Thank you for the comments and the great verses!
You are the best!

Billy Coffey said...

There are very few chapters in the Bible that I rely on as much as Psalm 91. I think a lot of us would do well to pause and read that over again.

Great job!

Kathryn Hupp-Harris said...

Psalm 91 is part of the basis for my favorite hymn -- On Eagle's Wings.

It fills me with peace.

KM Wilsher said...

Billy~I think you are right. 91 should be a monthly ritual :) Thank you for the comments!

Kat~I'll have to look for that hymn. I probably know it and don't know it LOL :) Thank you for sharing!

Brandon Barr said...

It's so good to know God is our shelter. To live is Christ and to die is gain. We do not have to fear man, or what man can do to us, because they can never take away our salvation.

Your post made me think of those Christians around the world who are tortured and/or killed for their faith.

God is still their refuge even in death. They're with him, in unapproachable light, engulfed in eternity, in the intimate presence of God.

Travis said...

I have heard stories such as the one you mentioned many times through my 30+ years as a Christian. One version was a football player, another was a little girl whose daddy overheard her pray.

I think anyone of us would willingly die if it made a difference for the Kingdom. Fortunately, God doesn't demand that of us. I do know of some missionaries who were martyred for their faith, but that's a little different scenario.

Good post, KM. I like to think about such things!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I agree with Tracy. Very powerful.

I'm reading Conversations with Jesus. Today we read about the being born again with Nicodemus. Great reminder John 3:1-7.

Thanks for the post, Gzusfreek.

KM Wilsher said...

Great comments guys! Thank you for stopping by!
Brandon, Travis, Lynn, words of wisdom! Thanks for your comments. You made the post!