The Happiest Day of My Life.

 Sixty years ago today was the happiest of my life. Last Sat 27th I happened to go for a walk, down to the creek where I often go. As I looked across to the park around the creek, I saw a big familiar marquee. I knew immediately it was the annual beach mission set up for anther 10 days.

So of course I went across to see if anyone was there. I do this each year, find someone over there to see if I could encourage them with the story of the happiest day of my life. I did find a lad called Matthew from Sydney. "I'll be praying for your ministry," I said, "and its because of this ministry I know Jesus, it will be 60 years ago on January 4th! God has kept me true to Him."

I didn't tell Matthew the full story of how I encouraged my sister to learn the memory passage in January 1966 at the beach mission (an interdenominational group mainly from Sydney) so as we would earn the book prize. In those days books were valuable. On collecting the book prizes my sister's teacher asked where my sister was, "Back at the tent", I replied. As we walked up from the park to the tent Miss Gummerson began to ask me if I knew what the verses I learned meant. As a child I hadn't thought much about those beautiful words. 

"If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  

1 John 1: 7-9 

This Illuminated text I did years ago of my salvation verses, and it hangs in our loungeroom, testimony of God's saving work.

l learnt these verses simply to win a book prize, but I gained oh, so much more. Until this day in 1966 I'd never realised it was my sin that put Jesus on the cross, as He took my punishment. So under those trees I prayed for for forgiveness from sin, accepting Jesus as my Saviour. I passed from death to life, instead of eternal condemnation I now had eternal life, covered by the blood of Jesus. That dear teacher told me the verse that the angels are rejoicing in heaven..

 Luke 15:10
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." This filled my heart with wondrous joy! When we went back to our tent and I told my mother I'd just asked Jesus to be my Saviour. She burst into tears, something she rarely did. A long time later when I asked her why, her reply surprised me, "Because you looked so happy". And I was, I had a home in heaven, I'd made the angels rejoice, and I went down to the beach and sang with all my heart the beach mission songs I love even today.

Things that are eternal, like what I gained that day,  eternal life with our Saviour - they make life worth living. 

 To close I'd like to share this short video by Joni Eareckson Tada, or link here. 

 

The verse which Joni refers to is: 

1 Cor 2:2
For I determined (or resolved) not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. This is best daily resolution for 2026!

 

Thank you for popping over and thanks too if you are able to comment.

Prayer hugs in Him, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x 

 If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here 
- Who or What is a Christian?

PS. If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar 😊 thank you!

(Please if you've time to pop over my other blog sharing photo of today's beach mission and other details of this story link here).   

Emmanuel - "God with us" - Christmas 2025

Matthew 1:20-25
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

 [21] And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. 

[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 

[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 

[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Do you think we ever grasp the length, depth and breadth of our Saviour's name, given Him hundreds of years before.

.. they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is "God with us." Matt. 1:25

Or in Isaiah 7:14
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

 Isaiah wrote his prophecy over 700 years before the birth of Christ. As Matthew said: " Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet," Yes, the prophet Isaiah in 7:14. So many prophecies of Jesus made by Isaiah, the most well known perhaps apart from this prophecy of virgin birth, was Isaiah 53 and the Suffering Servant. 

The “Why” Christ came is the emphasis of Isaiah 53. 

Christ, born to die that we might live. "By Whose stripes we are healed". 

1 Peter 2:24
"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed." 

Christmas is dear to my heart, but just after Christmas on 4th January is my spiritual birthday. This Coming year 2026, it's my 60th spiritual birthday, how blessed am I to have known Jesus as my Saviour 60 years, and what a miracle it is that I am still here. Truly God's ways are past finding out.

 

I think this is my favourite card this year. It's simple and God's word is the highlight. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. Luke 2:11
 We worship a God of miracles, the virgin birth was a mighty miracle. It must have been extremely disconcerting to Joseph to have had such a dream:  "the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

Yes, this truly was the Immanuel "God with us", that we worship at Christmas time.

I pray God's blessing upon you and your loved ones this Christmas time. 

 May we all take time to remember the real reason for Christmas the LORD Jesus Who came to die for our sins that we might have a heavenly home by faith in Him. Love you, and THANK YOU, Lord Jesus!

I'd like to close with one of my favourite Christmas carols which the second verse ends with most aptly:

 "..pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel."

Or link here if it doesn't show. Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

 

Thank you for popping over and thanks too if you are able to comment.

Prayer hugs in Him, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x 

 If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here 
- Who or What is a Christian?

PS. If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar 😊 thank you! 

Vine chapter - the Importance of Abiding

(In part from Our Daily Bread)

 Fruit of Vine - John chapter 15

Jesus’ words in John 15:5, “Without Me, ye can do nothing,” are similar to Paul’s statements in Acts 17:28, “In Him we live and move and have our being,” and Col. 1:17, “by Him all things consist.” 

 

All of these verses emphasise the necessity that Christ is to our very existence.
This is the key. As John 14:5 says 
" Without Me ye can do NOTHING.".
In John 15, Jesus is speaking specifically to His followers. He’s talking about the fruit that comes from the branch connected to the vine.

When Jesus says that without Him we can do nothing, He means that without the source of life—the vine—the branch can’t even produce a leaf or a flower, let alone the fruit that brings God honour.

"I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, 

and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing." 

John 15:5 

The key word is abiding, abiding in our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Abiding is only accomplished as we commune with our beautiful Saviour in prayer... in a busy world full of Satan's distractions its difficult to abide, rest peacefully in those everlasting arms of our Jesus.
Yes, Christ is necessary to our very existence.
This is the key, abide, rest, trust then it will be accomplished in Him. 

For as John 14:5 concludes 
"Without Me ye can do NOTHING."

John, the beloved apostle, knew what it was to abide in Jesus. On the isle of Patmos John was truly abiding, see Revelation 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

John was truly abiding, with minimal distractions in the Isle of Patmos. I've read Revelation innumerable times as each time I finish the bible I read it 3 to 5 times. On the first or second time I'm slowly regrasping the flow of the book. BUT one thing is clear in that book, John is truly abiding in the Spirit in an amazing way (an excellent message specifically on Revelation is here). One day we will more fully grasp it, but with our limited finite minds we can't really understand what mighty servants have experienced.

Daniel was a mighty man of prayer, he knew deep communion and abiding in the Spirit. In Daniel 9:3 his prayer begins, then in v.23 it's interrupted by  Gabriel:

 Daniel 9:23 - "At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved:..."

Another servant in deep communion, abiding in the Spirit is the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor 12:4. 

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 

We could go all over the bible and see examples of faithfulness in prayer, abiding, truly resting in Jesus, those before were looking to Jesus' as the coming Messiah, we are now looking back, to the cross and Christ's Resurrection. 

We are so VERY blessed to have the indwelling Spirit to guide us, interceding for us, and we know the teachings of the Spirit through the WORD of God, teaching of the risen LORD Jesus! 

Let us remember that our prayers are in the eternal, they never die but are lifted continually as incense to heaven. We see them mentioned 3 times in tribulation - these are the references:

Revelation 5:8, 8:3, 8:4.

 Revelation 8:4
And the smoke of the incense, 

which came with the prayers

of the saints, 

ascended up before God 

out of the angel's hand.

 Isn't that wonderful?? our prayers, our urgent, fervent prayers are lifted continually in heaven. 

I often think of saints like Bro Mac who've gone before, he prayed for 8 hrs a day, he prayed for souls over maps of China, God is still hearing those prayers of that faithful saint, though he went to heaven long ago. 

BE ENCOURAGED! 

Prayer is the most important thing we can do, we are saved by it, yes - we and others are saved and kept by faithful prayers! how precious!

So let us walk in the Light

 as He is in the Light.

And continue keeping on.  

Thanks for reading this post, and especially commenting. I’m sorry I don’t post very often these days, health is the main reason, also these posts take a long time to write, and much prayer for wisdom.

May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be.🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz.x 

 

If you're not sure if you're a Christian , please read this post here Who or What is a Christian? 

 

 IF you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁

If you'd like to receive these posts in email to email link option on the sidebar there is a follow it box. 

If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version".

This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you.😄

The Immediacy of Answered Prayer

There is a verse in scripture line upon line precept upon precept... its rote learning. Yes, rote learning is scripture based even if the world ignores it.

 

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little.

 We Ignore God and His word at our own peril, God wants us to heed his Word and to “pray without ceasing”, as we grow in LORD, prayer becomes as natural as breathing and then we truly do pray without ceasing. 

 

It has occurred to me that the prayer realm is separate from the earthly and heavenly realms (these two have subdivisions eg paradise, Sheol, place of dead, and hell lake of fire  (Luke 16) in OT and “heaven” - first and second heaven mentioned in Rev 21 and third in 2 Cor 12 so three in NT.

Heaven and earth created in Gen 1:1 

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

 Recreated in Rev 21

[1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Paul in 2 Cor 12:2 speaks of being caught up into the 3rd heaven, he was in prayer when this occurred and it has happened too in many places to various NT and OT saints. 

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

 So there is much to contemplated upon, however another day perhaps.

Truly, LORD, this is the current situation… against hope we are believing in HOPE! 

Today it often looks like TOTALLY like a lost situation in the prayer realm.. compare this to the occasion when the Angel, Gabriel said to Zacharias re birth of a son “.. the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard;”

Zacharias was literally dumbfounded at the angel’s words! He and his wife were aged, I suspect he’d obviously not prayed this prayer for a good while.

Yet this was our Eternal Father God in HIS immediacy of the reply.

God is not in our time zone, not in our limited human mind, the LORD of Glory can see what we cannot.

Let’s believe that we have a HEARING, prayer-answering God, .. against hope believing IN HOPE.. and “hope that is seen is NOT HOPE…. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with PATIENCE wait for it. “ Rom. 8:24, 25

Dear loving Father, no matter how dumb it might seem to keep on praying, striving re so many things in prayer I’m going to keep on praying, pleading, interceding on these things, especially the two main aspects, salvation of all everywhere, and that Thy RIGHTEOUSNESS and TRUTH will prevail the world over.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1 Cor 3:19

 

And Faithful Father please work this moment, this day for Thy glory, in our nations, in all judicial ruling decrees legal processes to protect the little people from loosing theirlivelihoods! Mercy abounding please for Jesus sake, Amen.

Thanks for reading this post, and especially commenting. I’m sorry I don’t post very often these days, health is the main reason, also these posts take a long time to write, and for some reason the formatting on this post is all over the place.  I'm sorry. I do post a little more regularly on my craft blog. 

May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be.🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz.x 

 

If you're not sure if you're a Christian , please read this post here Who or What is a Christian? 

 

 IF you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁

If you'd like to receive these posts in email to email link option on the sidebar there is a follow it box. 

If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version".

This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you. 😃

Resurrection Day - .."He is risen as He said."

 Well, today is the most important day on the Christian calendar when we remember and celebrate the day our Saviour the LORD Jesus Christ defeated Satan and death by His resurrection from dead. We worship a living Saviour, no other religion worships a living God.

How do we know Jesus was truly raised from the dead, seeing as we aren't from 1st Century history? It's verified not simply by the bible, but by historical research from that era like Josephus a Jewish historian, etc. Jesus had forecast both His death and His resurrection prior to the event, as Luke reminds us.. 

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
⁵ And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
⁶ He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
⁷ Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
⁸ And they remembered his words," Luke 24:1-8 (emphases mine)

"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2 Peter 1:16

 The disciples, or apostles, themselves were eyewitnesses to this event and Jesus after His resurrection appeared to over 500 people at once.

As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas (Peter), then of the twelve:

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

And last of all he was seen of me (Paul) also, as of one born out of due time."
1 Corinthians 15:3-8  

Closing with a hymn I love - "Because  He lives I can face tomorrow" or link here

(Lyrics to hymn)

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither

 
Praying earnestly - may the real reason of Easter shine brightly in your heart and home.

May God richly bless your day wherever you maybe,

Shaz in Oz.x

 

 If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here 

- Who or What is a Christian?

PS. If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar. 😊 thank you! 

Good Friday - He .."must suffer many things and be rejected"...

As we look to another Good Friday I have in March read through the four gospels colour coding a new bible (a present for someone, it's such a blessing). It struck me as I read the gospels how many times the LORD Jesus prophesied or taught his disciples that His death and suffering was coming and would be a fulfilment of God's words. Here are two of them. The disciples were clearly forewarned, yet it went over their heads, as it does with us so often.

Mark 8:31

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Luke 9:22
Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. 

If Jesus had not died there'd be no salvation bought for us, as sinner's needing a Saviour. How empty and meaningless our life would be!  a living death.

*Seven sayings of Jesus on the cross appear in the four gospels but no book has them all.

They show His compassion, His humanity and His suffering. 

"Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

Luke 23:34
"Then said Jesus, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.."

"I thirst". John 19:28

"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst."

"My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me". 

Matthew 27:46
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

"Into Thy hands, I commit my Spirit." 

Luke 23:46
"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

"It is finished."

Salvation's price was paid in the full.

John 19:30
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

So today is Good Friday, and it's called GOOD Friday because Salvation's price was paid in full on that day. May we remember, and be grateful and look to the happy end to this salvation story. Satan was defeated on this day, although he thought he had won in killing the LORD Jesus. Yet in reality Christ gave up His own life, for it said clearly .."He gave up the ghost." Satan was never in control it was all in the pattern God had planned.

Praying God's blessing on your and yours, may many seek the LORD while He maybe found.

Prayer hugs, 🙏🏻🤗

Shaz in Oz.x

Published early due to visitors 😀

* the other two sayings were His care for His mother who He entrusted to the care of the apostle John. John 19:27

Christ our LORD and Saviour is born, born to die for us that we might LIVE with Him

This is a beautiful encouraging video by Joni Eareckson Tada. Carols of our beautiful LORD Jesus Christ.

I just had to share, see below.

                  Or link here

The best day of my life on earth was when I became Jesus' servant, the best moment in heaven will be meeting Him face to face.This is a few days early but I'm not sure if I'll make it if I don't do it now.

In Aust it's summer ☀️ and beautiful weather where I live. God willing, Christmas day will be with family. I want to share (below) this very Christmassy bird in our garden yesterday - a red and green King Parrot. I think he was eye-ing off the tomatoes growing among the roses, but their thorns protect the fruit. 😉

We don't really know when Jesus was born, but He was around 3BC, and for an eternal purpose. I learned this at 12yrs old, the dear LORD Jesus died for my sins. That I might live with Him in heaven,  free from my sin. My mother and father are there with Him, I really look forward to being there too. If you're wondering why I'm quiet, it's because I'm not well. Sickness is part of the curse from the fall of man's sin. One glorious day the crooked shall be made straight. 

Perhaps this coming year, 2025 will be the year Jesus calls us home. May we be ready if it is.

Amen even so come LORD Jesus. King of Kings and LORD of Lords. 

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x
❤️❤️❤️

“He is not here: for He is Risen, as He said.”

 First of all, thanks to all who care enough to pop over  and say Hi. Things are very topsy turvy health wise this past month and look like being that way for a while. Sorry I won't perhaps be as active at returning comments.

  

Dear Ones, well today is a day of great rejoicing as my title shares.

Can you imagine the great sorrow of the women and disciples upon the first day of the week? 

They thought all was lost - Jesus was dead upon the cross of Cavalry, and buried in a stone tomb!

 "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 

² And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
³ And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
⁴ And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
⁵ And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
⁶ He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
⁷ Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
⁸ And they remembered his words," Luke 24:1-8 (emphases mine)

I think this image of an empty tomb encapsulates the work of the cross the death, burial and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of God our sin-bearer on the cruel tree at Calvary - there the LORD Jesus died for you and me!
How rich we are in Jesus if we truly know Him as our own Saviour from sin and love and serve Him.. 
A hymn came to mind as I think upon today, Resurrection Sunday, and as verse 2 says the day of Hus appearing will come at last - one glorious day He’s coming back again! for He promised (John 14: 1-6)! I so look forward to His coming AGAIN!

 It is I serve a Risen Saviour... may it bless your heart as it did mine.
I serve a Risen Saviour by A J Ackley 
I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

Refrain:
He lives, He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

2 In all the world around me I see His loving care;
And tho' my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing will come at last. [Refrain]
 

3 Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind. [Refrain]

To Him alone be all the glory, honour and praise, with much thanksgiving for Resurrection day!

Shaz in Oz.x

Hymn sung below by Mennonite Youth choir link HERE if not showing 

Why is Good Friday Good?

Hullo there everyone! 

Hanging on my bedroom wall is a printed Illuminated text. A lot of my texts are similar to it as  is the book I learnt from see - here it is. 

Isn't it a beautiful verse? 

It is the true reflection of what occurred on Good Friday all those years ago. On a rocky hillside, in sorrow and pain, a young Man shed His blood on a cross - a shameful, sinful death.

WHY?

Years ago (over 50) I well remember my sister's teacher and I were on a beach hillside near where I live now, and she asked if I knew why Jesus had died? 

I said, " No."

.. and so she told me He had died for my sin, and the sins of everyone. 

Now I was a child.. and you may wonder - how a child can have sinned?

.. but believe you me, there was not argument at all from me on that point.

I knew I had done wrong.. and that was sin.. but that Jesus had died to take away my sin totally blew me away. 

That memorable day, when I saw Jesus on the cross for my sin, has lived evermore for me in these words of this hymn.

 There Is A Green Hill Far Away

There is a green hill far away, without a city wall,

Where the dear LORD was crucified, Who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell what pains He had to bear,

But we believe it was for us He hung & suffered there.  

 

He died that we might be forgiven, He died to make us good,

That we might go at last to Heaven, saved by His precious blood.

There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin,

He only could unlock the gate of Heaven, and let us in.

Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved, & we must love Him too, 

And trust in His redeeming blood & try His works to do. 

By C.F. Alexander

 

Link here to video or see below

 

Jesus is our Living Redeemer, Saviour and Friend - if we have sought salvation in Him, the Lord Jesus.

"God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him."
1 John 4:9

This is why Good Friday is Good.

By faith in Him we have the certain hope of life forevermore with Him. 

For more see here - Who or What is a Christian? or see sidebar.

The Easter story. The gift of His transforming love. The reminder of what Jesus has done for us.

His sacrifice brought us life.

Taken from a Dayspring e-card

There is sadness in the story. There is pain in the story. There is death. But there is more. The whole story includes the beauty of Easter. 
The triumph. 
The joy.

I would dearly love that all who read this might know that Beauty, Triumph, and Joy.. in Jesus.

I would like to close with a very early Illuminated text done in the early 1990's. 

(sorry, it is very poor "best-can-do" enhanced image - bad flare from old camera, etc. not digital.)

 The observant among you will realise it's the verse done on the header of my craft blog. 

It is also on the very first post I did on my craft blog, back here, better photo there too of different one.

(I have done it four times now, three different colours, and one was duplicate of one on the header.

This, the original is the one and only one done in Aluminum leaf - very hard to work with but will not tarnish like silver leaf.)

May we all take time to ponder the importance of these words of the Lord Jesus, as He speaks to each of us - it will help to keep life with a real perspective. 

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?"  

Mark 8:36

Zip, zero, zilch is the answer... 

The whole world will profit us nothing.

This is the whole key to Easter... Eternity... and what counts for eternity. 
May we live this truth.

 May God richly bless you wherever you maybe and thank you SO much for  making my day - being real encouragers!
Shaz in Oz.x

 

Personal update:

This post was originally done here here on my other blog, I'm not well so I'm not up to writing new posts at the moment. When I am quiet that is the usual reason. 

 

 However when we look at what Jesus suffered for us at Calvary, none of our suffering, though severe at times, can compare to those moments when (in the garden of Gethsemane) Jesus "sweated as it were great drops of blood, saying, "If it were possible ley this cup pass from me, nevertheless not My will but Thine be done." 

 

AND when Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, WHY hast Thou forsaken Me". 

 

It was at that moment our sins were on Jesus on the cross, and God the Father turned His back on God the Son. 

Depths of spiritual and physical suffering none but Jesus know.(see Isaiah 53 for prophecy of all this)

All for us!