The Power of His Sacrifice

A blessed Easter weekend to you!  How grateful I am for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross - and how amazed I am at His awesome resurrection.  Sorrow and joy all rolled into 3 days.  We have much to be thankful for!

I’ve shared recently in my updates about enduring and persevering.  I was taken aback by the responses I received - from all over the world, young and old, male and female.  It broke my heart as I thought of so many going through trials and sufferings.  What probably impacted me the most was that quite a few people said they had felt like quitting.  I'm not even sure what that would mean to each one, but it touched me deeply. 

My encouragement to each one is - don't quit!  Instead press in more deeply to Jesus.  Keep your eyes on Him.  Let Him carry you and lift your burdens.  He has done that for me over and over and over again.  I wouldn't still be standing except for His grace, strength, help, mercy, and love.  He has carried me through the storms.  He has given me His strength when I've been so very weak.  He has comforted my heart when I've been overwhelmed with sorrow.  He has been by my side when I've been lonely.  He has provided when I've had times of need.  And the wonderful thing is that He'll do the same for you!!! 

I've realized that when I focus on the problems rather than on Him, the problems seem to be bigger.  When I focus on Him, the problems lessen.  I've had to learn to pour out my heart to Him, even when I'm low and weak.  He is my refuge.  I can turn to Him with whatever I am facing.  When I'm wrapped up in my need - whatever it may be - it takes an effort of my will to turn instead to look at Him......but as I do it over and over, it becomes instinctive.  I don't have to think about it - my heart just immediately turns to Him.  And He is always there. 

As we celebrate His death and resurrection this weekend, may each one of us feel the power of what He's done for us. There is victory because of what Jesus went through and endured for us.  I'm humbled every time I think about it.

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."  Ephesians 3:17,18 

"Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."  Isaiah 40:30 NASB

"A bruised reed He will NOT break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out." Isaiah 42:3

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."  Psalms 63:8

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."  Psalm 37:5

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go."  Genesis 28:15

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34

I find these scriptures - and sooo many more - to be "lifelines" that I hold on to when I'm going through a difficult time.  I speak them out as statements of faith and promise.  I pray them and ask the Lord to apply them to my situation.  He who has promised is faithful, and He will help each of us persevere and endure!!!

I was talking with a friend about how some had felt like quitting because of the hard times they were going through.  It reminded me of something that happened many years ago.  We were going through a stretching time in our ministry.  It was intense and very stressful.  One day I decided I was going to leave.  I went to the closet and got my suitcase out.  Then I stood and looked at it, and realized I had nowhere to go......and no money to get me anywhere.  I started laughing at the foolishness of it.  I laughed and laughed so hard.....until I felt better, and then put my suitcase back in the closet.  That deep laughter relieved the stress build up.  I thanked the Lord for it. 

As I thought about this, I thought of how Jesus many times "withdrew from the crowds" to spend time with the Father.  He wasn't quitting.  He was just strengthening Himself in the Lord to keep going.  He knew He needed some peace and quiet.  He needed to pour out His heart to the Father.  He needed fresh strength and grace to continue. 

This reminded me of another time in my life.  We were in Kabul, Afghanistan leading a community of hippies - many new Christians, and others who were on their way to meeting Jesus.  It was a 24/7 type of "job."  Our little daughter was a few weeks old.  I was feeling overwhelmed by everything, and just needed some peace and quiet.  I asked a friend, a fellow missionary, if I could spend the day at her house.  I bundled up my little baby, took my Bible, and a notepad to write down my thoughts - and off we went.

Miraculously, my little one slept most of the day - absolutely unheard of.  She was usually wide awake ready to see the world around her.  As she slept, I poured out my heart to the Lord - my tiredness, my feeling like I just couldn't do everything, my concerns about bringing up our little one in such an unusual environment - the list was long.  It was one of two times in my life where I've felt like the Lord "dictated" answers to me - and poured His soothing balm over my weary heart.  I went home that evening with a carefree heart.  Every burden had been lifted from my heart, and fresh strength and grace had been ministered into my body and spirit.

Perhaps when we're overwhelmed and feel like quitting - what we need is to just get away and pour out our hearts to the Lord.  Maybe to a quiet park or beach - or like me, to a friend's peaceful house.  Like Jesus, we need to "withdraw from the crowds" and let the Father minister His peace.  The Bible says Jesus understands everything we go through because He went through the same things.  He understands when we feel overwhelmed and burdened.  He showed us how to handle that!

"Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because He was tempted in every way that we are.  But He did not sin!  So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God.  There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.  Hebrews 4:15,16  CEV

"Jesus often withdrew to lonely place and prayed."  Luke 5:16

"After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray."  Matthew 14:23

"After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray."  Mark 6:46 

"Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."  Luke 5:16

Jesus withdrew to prepare for what was ahead. (Forty days in the wilderness to prepare for His public ministry.)  He spent time alone to deal with grief.  (After John the Baptist was beheaded.)  He went away to recover from exhaustion after giving out to the crowds of people.  He spent time with the Father when facing a big decision. (Before choosing His 12 disciples.)  When facing distress and hard times, He withdrew. (Right before He was arrested, He spent time in prayer receiving strength for what was ahead.)  He spent time alone in prayer many times during ministering to the crowds.  He understood the need for solitude and time alone with His Father.

We have His wonderful example to follow when we get overwhelmed with the cares of life.  We don't need to quit - we just need to withdraw and spend time with Him.