Healing is in Your Hands
by Christi Nockels
No mountain, no valley, no gain or loss we know
could keep us from Your love
No sickness, no secret, no chain is strong enough
to keep us from Your love
to keep us from Your love
How high, how wide
No matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong,
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands
Our present, our future, our past is in Your hands
We're covered by Your blood
We're covered by Your blood
How high, How wide
no matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands
In all things, we know that.
We are more than conquerors.
You keep us by your love.
You keep us by your love.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Collision of God and Sin
This small devotional could be looked at in several ways depending on the day, depending on the struggle, depending on the circumstances. Some days, we might read this and easily pour out praise and smile in joy toward God with thanksgiving and delight. On other days, we might read this as a reminder and give God thanks for His mercy more out of obedience than childlike faith. And still on other days, it might go against everything in our being to say, "Yes," to God's way of salvation and truly just trust Him at His Word. But, no matter the day and no matter the circumstance, I like this small devotional because it captures the very essence of everything we're holding on to. And it's true. God's love has collided with our sin and by the blood of Jesus Christ (AMENNNN!), He did not devastate us. We were not ruined, because the blood covers us. It's all about the blood. It's all about the final sacrifice. It's all about God providing the way (though I don't know if I'll ever understand why He chose such a messy and painful way of all ways) to walk toward unity with Him again. What a merciful, faithful, loving God we serve...
So, enjoy this small devotional from "My Utmost for His Highest" with the understanding that the work on the Cross has in fact been finished and it very much so applies to us.
The Collision of God and Sin
"...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree..." (1 Peter 2:24)
The Cross of Christ is the revealed truth of God's judgement on sin. Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell. There is nothing in time or eternity more absolutely certain and irrefutable than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross--He made it possible for the entire human race to be brought back into a rightstanding relationship with God. He made redemption the foundation of human life; that is, He made a way for every person to have fellowship with God.
The Cross was not something that happened (italicized) to Jesus--He came to die; the Cross was His purpose in coming. He is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). The incarnation of Christ would have no meaning without the Cross. Beware of separating "God was manifested int he flesh..." from "...He made him...to be sin for us..." (1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The purpose of the incarnation was redemption. God came in the flesh to take sin away, not to accomplish something for Himself. The Cross is the central event in time and eternity, and the answer to all the problems of both.
The Cross is not the cross of a man, but the Cross of God, and it can never be fully comprehended through human experience. The Cross is God exhibiting His nature. It is the gate through which any and every individual can enter into oneness with God. But it is not a gate we pass right through; it is one where we abide in the life that is found there.
The heart of salvation is the Cross of Christ. The reason salvation is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much. The Cross was the place where God and sinful man merged with a tremendous collision and where the way to life was opened. But all the cost and all the pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God.
Oswald Chambers
So, enjoy this small devotional from "My Utmost for His Highest" with the understanding that the work on the Cross has in fact been finished and it very much so applies to us.
The Collision of God and Sin
"...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree..." (1 Peter 2:24)
The Cross of Christ is the revealed truth of God's judgement on sin. Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell. There is nothing in time or eternity more absolutely certain and irrefutable than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross--He made it possible for the entire human race to be brought back into a rightstanding relationship with God. He made redemption the foundation of human life; that is, He made a way for every person to have fellowship with God.
The Cross was not something that happened (italicized) to Jesus--He came to die; the Cross was His purpose in coming. He is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). The incarnation of Christ would have no meaning without the Cross. Beware of separating "God was manifested int he flesh..." from "...He made him...to be sin for us..." (1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The purpose of the incarnation was redemption. God came in the flesh to take sin away, not to accomplish something for Himself. The Cross is the central event in time and eternity, and the answer to all the problems of both.
The Cross is not the cross of a man, but the Cross of God, and it can never be fully comprehended through human experience. The Cross is God exhibiting His nature. It is the gate through which any and every individual can enter into oneness with God. But it is not a gate we pass right through; it is one where we abide in the life that is found there.
The heart of salvation is the Cross of Christ. The reason salvation is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much. The Cross was the place where God and sinful man merged with a tremendous collision and where the way to life was opened. But all the cost and all the pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God.
Oswald Chambers
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Captivate Us
Your face is beautiful
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee
(chorus)
Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You
Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw me closer O my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee
Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of Your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I’m bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light
You’re full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye will see You
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee
(chorus)
Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You
Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw me closer O my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee
Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of Your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I’m bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light
You’re full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye will see You
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Immovable
This morning, I awoke in the likeness of the sunshine beaming through the blinds and onto my face: warm, chipper, and happy. The joy of the Lord was plenty, and I was loving it.
But just as quickly as praise escaped my lips this morning, I was shaken by a five second situation that truly wasn't of any real significance anyway. I went from joyful to devastated; warm to cold; steadfast to shaken. My circumstances dictated my demeanor, and I allowed my feelings to have a greater impact on my day than God.
All too often, we allow our circumstances to wound us, rule us, and change our disposition. One snide comment, harsh tone, bad grade, or the thoughtlessness of another: these things can definitely hurt, but they are entirely insignificant in comparison to the character and stability of our God. We are so quick to break our gaze with the Lord when something comes along to challenge our growth. We walk in contrast to the character of the One who is called Faithful and True.
It would be foolish and naive to expect every challenge, struggle, and threat to remain safely at bay. While our lives are in the hands of our Almighty Lord and His love is ours for the keeping, we live in a world who is under the power of one who is true to his name: father of lies, destroyer of unity, disruptor of peace. Satan hates the character of God, and he seeks to uproot it in the lives of God's surrendered. We are told in John that though we will have trouble in this world, Jesus has overcome the world! This is our hope!
Despite any especially challenging struggle or circumstance, we can walk in the victory of our Valiant Warrior who is Jesus Christ! We do not have to be battered by the pressures of social culture, bruised by the thoughtless comments of others, or fall victim to the ways of the enemy! We can take heart and walk in the peace that passes all understanding because our Beloved has overcome the world! A righteous [wo]man falls and rises again. She stands firm on the Word of God and allows her Lord to impart His might and His strength and His courage to her to stand blameless, humble, gentle, and joyful despite the elements set out to destroy the work of God in her life. The woman of God is being made ever immovable--able to bear the character of her stable God despite anyone's actions or any terrible circumstance. She is moved only to her knees by the Word of God; only to compassion in the face of injustice; only to love as she listens to the cries of her Lord's children; only to action; only to service; only to surrender. She is numb to the influence of media, the pressures of society, mockery of those who have yet to allow the love of God to restore them. These things only move her to pray, to love, and to serve. The woman of God is being made immovable.
And so I need the grace of my ever patient Jesus to restore me to His side and to brush me off and to help me stand again in His strength. For a few moments, I have succumbed to the threat upon my life today, but now I stand. I see the desire of God over my life, and I see the weakness and brittle power of the enemy. I take heart, because my Jesus has overcome the world.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand! All other ground is sinking sand!
But just as quickly as praise escaped my lips this morning, I was shaken by a five second situation that truly wasn't of any real significance anyway. I went from joyful to devastated; warm to cold; steadfast to shaken. My circumstances dictated my demeanor, and I allowed my feelings to have a greater impact on my day than God.
All too often, we allow our circumstances to wound us, rule us, and change our disposition. One snide comment, harsh tone, bad grade, or the thoughtlessness of another: these things can definitely hurt, but they are entirely insignificant in comparison to the character and stability of our God. We are so quick to break our gaze with the Lord when something comes along to challenge our growth. We walk in contrast to the character of the One who is called Faithful and True.
It would be foolish and naive to expect every challenge, struggle, and threat to remain safely at bay. While our lives are in the hands of our Almighty Lord and His love is ours for the keeping, we live in a world who is under the power of one who is true to his name: father of lies, destroyer of unity, disruptor of peace. Satan hates the character of God, and he seeks to uproot it in the lives of God's surrendered. We are told in John that though we will have trouble in this world, Jesus has overcome the world! This is our hope!
Despite any especially challenging struggle or circumstance, we can walk in the victory of our Valiant Warrior who is Jesus Christ! We do not have to be battered by the pressures of social culture, bruised by the thoughtless comments of others, or fall victim to the ways of the enemy! We can take heart and walk in the peace that passes all understanding because our Beloved has overcome the world! A righteous [wo]man falls and rises again. She stands firm on the Word of God and allows her Lord to impart His might and His strength and His courage to her to stand blameless, humble, gentle, and joyful despite the elements set out to destroy the work of God in her life. The woman of God is being made ever immovable--able to bear the character of her stable God despite anyone's actions or any terrible circumstance. She is moved only to her knees by the Word of God; only to compassion in the face of injustice; only to love as she listens to the cries of her Lord's children; only to action; only to service; only to surrender. She is numb to the influence of media, the pressures of society, mockery of those who have yet to allow the love of God to restore them. These things only move her to pray, to love, and to serve. The woman of God is being made immovable.
And so I need the grace of my ever patient Jesus to restore me to His side and to brush me off and to help me stand again in His strength. For a few moments, I have succumbed to the threat upon my life today, but now I stand. I see the desire of God over my life, and I see the weakness and brittle power of the enemy. I take heart, because my Jesus has overcome the world.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand! All other ground is sinking sand!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Psalm 139
Psalm 139
To the Creator. A psalm of His Lily
My gentle and intimate Lord, You have pursued me, desired me, and known me. You are well acquainted with all my ways, and You understand me even when no one else does. You guide me and correct me and care about everything I do. You know me perfectly, and this brings me so much comfort and assurance of Your love. You know even of the things which I have not done and the words which I have not spoken. You know these things, Beloved. Because of Your great knowledge, I do not have to walk in the dark in the fear of not knowing. You are ever before me, and in this I can walk securely. You are my safety. You are my stability. You are my comfort, my joy, my smile. Oh, Refuge, You protect me, and I have no reason to fear. I cannot be moved but by Your Word. Not a single thing can happen except by Your permission. My whole world is in Your hands, and in this I delight! I rejoice! I praise You! I seek You and I know You are found. Your hand holds me securely, and there I feel Your warmth and affection. I am dumbfounded by Your abundant lovingkindness. Your love toward me is so exceedingly extravagant. I lay back in a grove of affection as a carefree child supported by soft grass and wildflowers. You are with me, and You delight to stay. You know me. You know me. You know me... I reach for You, and I keep reaching.
I walk in confidence knowing that there is no where I can go and stray from Your presence. If I stay here, You know me. If I move to another state, You know me. If I travel far away from the ones I know, still yet, You know me. You know me. Oh, Refuge, oh Comfort, Oh Peace...You know me. In my wanderings and in my pursuits; in my fears and in my wonderings; in my joy and in my desire, You know me perfectly, thoroughly, intimately. I cannot escape from this joy, and here I stay. You will forever lead me and guide me, and always will you hold me close to Your side.
If I live to see my fear become reality, still there You know me and will be my light. Even in darkness, I am not hidden from You and this fear does not alarm You. God, You know every thing about me and desire to give good gifts to me as my gentle and generous heavenly Father. You were the One who made me the way I am. You understand my fear and my desire. You will not leave me to fear always and You will incline my heart to trust.
Your praise escapes my lips because it is You who knows me. You have made me, and You did not make a single mistake. I am Your creation, and Your creation is praiseworthy. Thank You for creating me in Your image and giving me the potential to walk in Your likeness. Oh, pour Your grace into me so that I may fulfill Your desire for creation! I understand why You've made me.
I can imagine Your face as you formed me in the secret place where I find You often. You beheld me with eager curiosity with such intricacy and precision and beauty. Oh, Your ability is amazing, Creator. You are perfect in all Your work. Take me to the place where You first created me, and create in me again a pure heart, a gentle and quiet spirit, a humble countenance, and a soul that burns brightly for You. Take me there, and help me know You.
You see me now Lord, so far from what You created Woman to be. You see me unformed, unrefined, misshapen, with strange affection toward things that are not You. You see me how You never intended to see Your creation: stained, bruised, cracked, dry. And You see all the days ahead of me, too. You see how You will redeem, restore, renew, and reshape me into one who is as the Lily who was trampled for my own selfishness. I see Your perfect patience and the longing grace in Your eyes, and I melt. I buckle. I crumble. You are so graceful, so beautiful, so generous.
You have such a high ideal of me, a wounded and broken sinner. You keep arms of love around me despite my unfaithfulness and inability to love You perfectly as You desire and deserve. You think well of me, You delight in me, You sing over me. Your mind is so rich and precious to me, and I do not understand You. I cannot comprehend Your love, but I know it is for me. You should look at me in regret, but You only see me, the one You love, the one You love perfectly.
I am among the wicked whom You should slay. I am among the men of blood who nailed You to a height of wood. I am among the unfaithful who forget Your Word and serve the self, living as if You are not God, the One who knows the depth of intricacy of man. I take Your name in vain. I am my own enemy.
Oh how merciful and generous You are. You know me and still You love me. Oh how merciful and generous You are.
Oh search me. Know me. Know my heart--and still love me. Give me opportunities to prove my love to You and see my intentions when I fail. See how I strive. See how I reach. See how I long to love You. See that I am my own enemy in desiring You.
Welcome me into Your arms when I've found You in that secret place where You made me and where You make me. Let the warmth of Your embrace rise affection within me, and take away everything You hate. You must let me stay, and You must make me new.
Give me victory over my enemy. Give me victory over myself.
I am in Your grip.
To the Creator. A psalm of His Lily
My gentle and intimate Lord, You have pursued me, desired me, and known me. You are well acquainted with all my ways, and You understand me even when no one else does. You guide me and correct me and care about everything I do. You know me perfectly, and this brings me so much comfort and assurance of Your love. You know even of the things which I have not done and the words which I have not spoken. You know these things, Beloved. Because of Your great knowledge, I do not have to walk in the dark in the fear of not knowing. You are ever before me, and in this I can walk securely. You are my safety. You are my stability. You are my comfort, my joy, my smile. Oh, Refuge, You protect me, and I have no reason to fear. I cannot be moved but by Your Word. Not a single thing can happen except by Your permission. My whole world is in Your hands, and in this I delight! I rejoice! I praise You! I seek You and I know You are found. Your hand holds me securely, and there I feel Your warmth and affection. I am dumbfounded by Your abundant lovingkindness. Your love toward me is so exceedingly extravagant. I lay back in a grove of affection as a carefree child supported by soft grass and wildflowers. You are with me, and You delight to stay. You know me. You know me. You know me... I reach for You, and I keep reaching.
I walk in confidence knowing that there is no where I can go and stray from Your presence. If I stay here, You know me. If I move to another state, You know me. If I travel far away from the ones I know, still yet, You know me. You know me. Oh, Refuge, oh Comfort, Oh Peace...You know me. In my wanderings and in my pursuits; in my fears and in my wonderings; in my joy and in my desire, You know me perfectly, thoroughly, intimately. I cannot escape from this joy, and here I stay. You will forever lead me and guide me, and always will you hold me close to Your side.
If I live to see my fear become reality, still there You know me and will be my light. Even in darkness, I am not hidden from You and this fear does not alarm You. God, You know every thing about me and desire to give good gifts to me as my gentle and generous heavenly Father. You were the One who made me the way I am. You understand my fear and my desire. You will not leave me to fear always and You will incline my heart to trust.
Your praise escapes my lips because it is You who knows me. You have made me, and You did not make a single mistake. I am Your creation, and Your creation is praiseworthy. Thank You for creating me in Your image and giving me the potential to walk in Your likeness. Oh, pour Your grace into me so that I may fulfill Your desire for creation! I understand why You've made me.
I can imagine Your face as you formed me in the secret place where I find You often. You beheld me with eager curiosity with such intricacy and precision and beauty. Oh, Your ability is amazing, Creator. You are perfect in all Your work. Take me to the place where You first created me, and create in me again a pure heart, a gentle and quiet spirit, a humble countenance, and a soul that burns brightly for You. Take me there, and help me know You.
You see me now Lord, so far from what You created Woman to be. You see me unformed, unrefined, misshapen, with strange affection toward things that are not You. You see me how You never intended to see Your creation: stained, bruised, cracked, dry. And You see all the days ahead of me, too. You see how You will redeem, restore, renew, and reshape me into one who is as the Lily who was trampled for my own selfishness. I see Your perfect patience and the longing grace in Your eyes, and I melt. I buckle. I crumble. You are so graceful, so beautiful, so generous.
You have such a high ideal of me, a wounded and broken sinner. You keep arms of love around me despite my unfaithfulness and inability to love You perfectly as You desire and deserve. You think well of me, You delight in me, You sing over me. Your mind is so rich and precious to me, and I do not understand You. I cannot comprehend Your love, but I know it is for me. You should look at me in regret, but You only see me, the one You love, the one You love perfectly.
I am among the wicked whom You should slay. I am among the men of blood who nailed You to a height of wood. I am among the unfaithful who forget Your Word and serve the self, living as if You are not God, the One who knows the depth of intricacy of man. I take Your name in vain. I am my own enemy.
Oh how merciful and generous You are. You know me and still You love me. Oh how merciful and generous You are.
Oh search me. Know me. Know my heart--and still love me. Give me opportunities to prove my love to You and see my intentions when I fail. See how I strive. See how I reach. See how I long to love You. See that I am my own enemy in desiring You.
Welcome me into Your arms when I've found You in that secret place where You made me and where You make me. Let the warmth of Your embrace rise affection within me, and take away everything You hate. You must let me stay, and You must make me new.
Give me victory over my enemy. Give me victory over myself.
I am in Your grip.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
God Did WHAT???
I’m not quite sure we’ve truly believed God at His Word since the days of flannel grams, Nilla Wafers, and Dixie cups. We didn’t doubt our Sunday school teachers when they told us about how God created the entire world in six days flat, Adam and Eve knew God face to face and lived in the most beautiful place ever created or how Noah and his family were the only ones to survive the first rain the world had seen. We didn’t second guess the words of our teachers when they told us about how God supremely confused the mouths of the people of Babel or how Sarah had a baby when she was pushing one-hundred-years old. Most of us do not listen with anticipation at the Word of God like we probably did as children anymore. Instead, we are more likely to rationalize every last drop of mystery or overlook it entirely. What happened since our childhood to make us try and understand God or cram Him into a comfortable box?
There are a lot of weird things in the Bible, and they only grow weirder after Genesis. As I have been reading through the Old Testament, I have caught glimpses of God that I had forgotten about or attempted to rationalize with logic. He has given me a deeper understanding of His original plan for creation and His heart to see it restored once again. He has opened my heart to receive His Word with the type of faith with which only “foolish and naive” children believe. Am I ridiculous for believing God at His Word? I mean...He said it, and I mean, He can’t lie...Call me crazy, but I think I’m really onto something...
There are a lot of weird things in the Bible, and they only grow weirder after Genesis. As I have been reading through the Old Testament, I have caught glimpses of God that I had forgotten about or attempted to rationalize with logic. He has given me a deeper understanding of His original plan for creation and His heart to see it restored once again. He has opened my heart to receive His Word with the type of faith with which only “foolish and naive” children believe. Am I ridiculous for believing God at His Word? I mean...He said it, and I mean, He can’t lie...Call me crazy, but I think I’m really onto something...
Lessons of Obedience from the Old Testament
The same lesson keeps sweeping in and out of my attention: trust God! He says to me, “Trust My Word, trust My promises, trust that I am ALL who I say I am. I cannot lie. I do not want to lie to you. I desire to give you good gifts because you are My child!”
This very wonderful and difficult lesson grew especially evident when I first began to read through the old testament this past summer. Now in Joshua, I have read countless accounts marking God’s desire for His people to only take Him at His Word and love Him fervently! Every word of instruction and commandment, every seemingly indefeatable battle, every tired step through the dessert: God was on His toes and increasingly ready to be ALL He said He’d be and do ALL He said He’d do. But there was only one condition: His people must heed to His Word and obey...
Did He ask for the obedience of His children out of spite or desire to oppress? I cannot hardly think so without remembering the character of my God. He longs to give us His blessings, otherwise He would not have voiced them! And God was not shy in talking about blessings. As anyone who has read through the early books in the old testament would know, God mentions these things rather often! To me, this shows His pressing desire to give generously. But unlike His love, I do not believe the blessings of God are conditional.
Again, we must obey. And what is our obedience to Him? Love.
This very wonderful and difficult lesson grew especially evident when I first began to read through the old testament this past summer. Now in Joshua, I have read countless accounts marking God’s desire for His people to only take Him at His Word and love Him fervently! Every word of instruction and commandment, every seemingly indefeatable battle, every tired step through the dessert: God was on His toes and increasingly ready to be ALL He said He’d be and do ALL He said He’d do. But there was only one condition: His people must heed to His Word and obey...
Did He ask for the obedience of His children out of spite or desire to oppress? I cannot hardly think so without remembering the character of my God. He longs to give us His blessings, otherwise He would not have voiced them! And God was not shy in talking about blessings. As anyone who has read through the early books in the old testament would know, God mentions these things rather often! To me, this shows His pressing desire to give generously. But unlike His love, I do not believe the blessings of God are conditional.
Again, we must obey. And what is our obedience to Him? Love.
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