HE IS RISEN!

MAJESTY

by Lola Cain

“A King who ruled in majesty”

That’s what people wanted him to be!

No crown of thorns or whip of shame

No cross on which to bear our blame

No nails, no spear, no agony

No death upon a criminal’s tree

No burial in a borrowed grave

…No resurrection power to save!

Thank God for his eternal plan

for justifying fallen man

By providing the atoning sacrifice –

Sending his Son to pay the price.

Coming incarnate to earth to die

He redeemed His created from Satan’s lie

Thank you, Sacrificial Lamb

…for overriding the will of man.

The veil was rent!  God’s plan complete!

We now can worship at his feet!

We enter his presence unafraid

by the blood that Jesus shed to save!

Thank the LORD, he rose again

victory over death to win

Thank Father, Son and Holy Ghost

…the anthem sung by the heavenly host!

“He’s risen,” we shout.  “HE’S RISEN INDEED!

The cornerstone of our Christian creed

And coming once, he’ll come again

God’s promised victory over sin

“It’s finished,” his final words on the cross

Our redemption sealed.   Our salvation bought.

Now he reigns eternally

…what both God and man wanted him to be…

“A KING WHO RULES IN MAJESTY!”

Thank You, LORD!  Love, Lola

AWAITING RESURRECTION

I just went back and read my Lenten blog entries from 2010 and 2011 for the Sabbath day when Jesus' body lay on a stone-cold slab encased in spices and burial cloths in the  cave-like tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea.  I am sooooo grateful for Joseph - - that someone was there in the midst of the pain and rejection to honor Jesus as He should be honored.  What Joseph did took courage.  I want that kind of courage!

I've missed not writing a Lenten journey blog this year....  My entries from the past are a reminder of the amazing spiritual journey where studying, thinking and writing took me in prior years....  On our recent road trip I was in the desert physically and 'in the wilderness spiritually' while in the desert.  I'm grateful for the lessons learned - - but I am ready for a new beginning!

The reminder of what Jesus did, and where He was at specific times has come to mind multiple times over the past few days.  I'm ready for the Resurrection!  I'm ready for His victory!  I'm so grateful we know the end of the story!

Hosea & Peter

In our 'small group' - - which is in reality an adult Sunday School Class called Understanding the Times, we just started a study of the book of Hosea.

It had never occurred to me before how reluctant Hosea might have been to obey God's command - - or how he would look to his friends in his obedience.  What a hard thing - - to marry someone who had all of the makings for being unfaithful; then name your children birthed by her such horrific names as messages to the people he prophesied to - - the chosen, the children of Israel.

Because of having just read the names of 2 of his children:  translated "No Mercy" and "Not my people", yesterday when I was sorting through the plethora of emails which accumulated during our 6-week absence, I found one of the "Love Notes From God" that quoted 1 Peter 2:10 in the KJV:  "Which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God:  which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

My interest was immediately piqued!  Peter was writing very specifically to the people who had been mentioned in Hosea - - those who once were "No mercy" and "Not my children" who were now children of God - - His people!  And now recipients of His mercy!  I loved the timing of the connection.  I love God's WORD!