Tag: Romans 8:29-30

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Enduring Joy From Our Immutable Father

My dear sister,

This past month I have been using my quiet time to pray through the attributes of God. (Praying the Attributes of God by Rosemary Jensen) One of my most cherished attributes of God is that He is immutable. It is not a word used much in our modern English language, but for some odd reason I really like the way it sounds when saying it. It means unchanging! Our God is unchanging! What a profound truth in a day and age where life’s pace is constantly changing. Staying up to date with the latest technology is just one example of this constant state of flux.

I want to share with you how deeper still my thoughts go when I stop to consider that my Heavenly Father, who never changes (James 1:17), has purposed me to be saved. And not just saved but sanctified as well. In fact; God’s plan for saving me was set in motion (determined) before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The whole purpose for saving me was so that God would change me (Romans 8:29-30)! I’m not sure about you, but I need to repeat that.

God is unchanging (the same today as yesterday and for all eternity) and His whole purpose for my salvation (as is for all who trust in His Son’s perfect sacrifice) is to change me more and more into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Sometimes that is hard to swallow. However, my point in writing to you sweet sister in Christ, is not to confuse you but to encourage you. My hope is that the beauty, indeed the completeness, of this truth is sinking in to your heart as you read this.

This truth of who God is; and what He has purposed for you and I in light of that Truth, is what brings us enduring peace and joy. Knowing that our immutable God has an unchanging plan- to save us and to sanctify us (change us- set us apart from the rest of the world) so that when we arrive in heaven with Him we will bear the image of His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior!

Your joy, like Christ’s (Hebrews 12:2) is set before you! Can your heart see it? Can you taste it? Your joy is complete and everlasting. Nothing has happened since the foundation of the world that has changed His plan to save you. Nothing has happened or will happen to undo your salvation. Nothing can happen that will change His plan to sanctify you until He brings you to glory.

Can you sense the fullness of this Truth? Is it filling up your soul as you contemplate it? Does not your heart overflow with joy in the knowledge that you belong to this Immutable God? This joy is everlasting because it comes from your everlasting Father. This joy will always remain despite your circumstances, despite your problems, trials or errors of judgement on your part. Take courage in that; Today, your joy is complete and it will remain for eternity!

My prayer for you as I close this letter, is that the joy of your salvation will shine brightly into your world, that all men may see it and Praise God’s Holy name. (Matthew 5:16)

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
Psalm 51:12

Your sister,
Susan

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Majesty’s Mercy

My Dear Sister,

Recently my Bible study took me to the book of Hebrews where I read from chapter one, in particular from verses 2-4.  How wonderful it was to take some time and to move the focus off of myself (my needs) and to instead gaze into the wonder of who my Jesus Christ is.  Let me share it with you:

(God) “…has spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds: who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power; when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

Sometimes I am forgetful of how great and majestic our Holy God is.  Just now admitting that caused my heart to lurch with sadness.  Because, I have also found that when I prayerfully consider how great and awesome God the Father is I am humbled by the Truth that the One True Living God, who created all things and upholds them (keeps them in place) and that includes every soul which has ever been created; I am unashamedly in awe of His mercy towards me!!!  These truths of how great and Majestic God is and how small and in need I am gives me a greater perspective which in turn causes my heart to tremble.  I want to fall before my King with a grateful heart that He who is so great would bestow upon me who is so lowly His Majesty’s Mercy.  Sister, it gets even better.  He does not just dribble a little bit of mercy my way as  I pass quickly by with the masses.  No, He has and continues to pour out His mercy towards me everyday and He knows my name and He calls be me by my name until my heart overflows with joy.

David understood this perspective which is why he so often wrote about the greatness of God, His loving kindnesses and our need for Him.  I am in awe of how the above passage speaks of how great and beautiful Jesus is and yet He is at the right hand of “Majesty”.  Majesty being God and Jesus is the express image of God, the brightness of His glory! Wow! Again, I can feel my knees trembling.  God has chosen me to be His own, He has called me and justified me and He is sanctifying me.(Romans 8:29)  Why? If I continue on in the book of Romans it says that it is because He wants to conform me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.  But Jesus Christ is the express image of God!!? Whoa!  I become speechless, except to say; Mercy me!

So, I am writing to you today to encourage you to take the time to prayerfully consider the Beauty and the Holiness of our God.  So that in turn your heart would recognize His Majesty’s Mercy toward you and that praises would fill your heart today for your Wonderful Savior by which ALL of this is possible. Do not miss this opportunity dear sister!  Here are some passages that will help you consider your Father in heaven (Majesty) and His mercy:

Psalms 19; 21;23;24;29

My prayer for you is that upon this consideration that you will rejoice with Thanksgiving and that His mercy will overflow from your heart into the lives of those around you.  Be blessed by the knowledge of His mercy, and go bless another along the way today (after all when it is received it is required to be given as Kayla and Colleen wrote to us about)! May His goodness and Mercy follow you all the days of your life (Psalm 23).

Blessings upon blessings from our King,

Susan