Whatever Is Pure
Easter 2011
From the Daily Christian Quotes
Archive: March 10, 2003
If I am perturbed by the reproach and misunderstanding that may follow action taken for the good of souls for whom I must give account; if I cannot commit the matter and go on in peace and in silence, remembering Gethsemane and the cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy Carmichael
Christians are met with false accusations, and misunderstandings of our intents and personal motivations. For many in ministry or local church ministry, such attacks are commonplace. Pastors find their sermons twisted and taken out of context, elders find that an innocent hug given to a hurting member of the church is misinterpreted by prying eyes and rumours of infidelity soon follow. A pastor's wife takes an active role in church life and she is labelled as a usurper of authority. If she takes a less active role, she is considered by many to be a cold, unsupportive helpmate to her husband. A kind word of encouragement is taken as a patronizing insult. Such is the life of many in ministry.
It is natural to wince against the sting of injustice and God encourages us to present our aching, wounded hearts to him so he can apply his healing salve to our hearts and our emotions. However, he calls us to follow the example set by his Son, even in the midst of betrayal, false accusations and slander. Jesus did not attempt to defend himself before his accusers by pointing the finger or by protesting his innocence. When demanded by his accusers to defend himself, he did not speak to refute the lies spoke against him; he chose only to confirm the truth that was spoken about him.
Matthew 26:62-64 (New International Version)
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.""Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
And then... Jesus took it one impossible step further. Nailed upon the cross, his body bruised and battered, his accusers mocking him at his feet, Jesus did not call down legions from Heaven to smite them all in one final act of revenge. Instead, he cried out to his heavenly Father to forgive them and relinquished his rights, his position, his future and his life into the same Father's hands.
God has promised to be our defender. He will not leave us defenceless; he only asks that we relinquish our self-defence so he can truly be our advocate. By following Christ's example of forgiveness and relinquishment, we also follow him into resurrection and eternal triumph.
Until next week,
©2008 Katherine Walden
Oh, love Divine that teaches
“Take up Your cross for me!”
Upon the tree, You gave Your life
For souls to be set free.
Oh, suffering Savior, I follow!
My burdens, You gladly bear;
You formed and carved each cross
Within Your Sovereign care.
My times are in Your precious hands,
You blend the bitter with the sweet.
You carry my crosses as Your load,
Pouring treasures at my feet.
Make me trust with confidence
As I draw strength from You;
Break me of my sin and pride
And teach me Your Will to do.
Oh, loving Master, I want to change
And bear my crosses, myself to deny;
In my attitudes, my pain, my losses,
Becoming like You, who sanctify.
Wise Counselor, my Hope in Glory,
To You, for refuge, I run;
Teach me Your mission in my cross
Until Your work is done.
Oh Perfect Love, to know You more
Is my burning heart’s desire;
While tested in the furnace heat,
Keep my soul aflame, on fire.
Standing at the foot of the cross,
Sufficient grace to find;
Make me content to lay at Your feet;
Cleanse and renew my mind.
Without the cross, my heart is dark,
But You bore the sorrow and night;
Peace and victory overflow;
Shine through me, my Christ, my Light.
Oh, Love Triumphant, Oh empty grave;
Such mysteries, no mind can comprehend!
Continue to mold and shape to reveal,
Building my faith until the end.
Oh, love eternal, secured by Your cross,
Sustain me when cast down;
Remind me as I serve and endure,
That the cross leads to my crown!
© 2011 Lynne Patterson
Contact Lynne for permission to use. Please do not use this poem in any format, email, blog, message board, community, printed or electronic form without first seeking permission.
Born into a world of anger
The rich and greedy ran
You came to help the leper
The poorest kind of man
Brought light into the darkness
And lived a simple life
You suffered, oh so greatly
In Your walk of toil and strife.
Upset the laws of hypocrites
The pharisees and their kind
And taught about The Father
To people who were blind
You ridiculed the system
By changing all the rules
Angering the mighty
Demoting them to fools.
No wonder they got angry
And plotted out Your death
Searching for a loophole
So they could cut Your breath
Then they finally got You
Betrayed by Judas, friend
It brought about a promise
That You kept until the end.
The agonizing, pain filled walk
To where Your victory lay
Was made for us and everyone
Whose price You want to pay
Defeating death and satan
We need no longer fear
You are our intercessor
With the Father we hold dear.
So thank You, dear Lord Jesus
For all You've done for me
I'm with You for a lifetime
Past that, ETERNITY.
©2011 Mike
Contact Mike for permission to use. Please do not use this devotional in any format, email, blog, message board, community, printed or electronic form without first seeking permission.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colosians 1:19 -20 (NIV)
One Sunday morning, a woman, who had not been attending our church for very long, sat directly in front of me. We had reached the communion segment of our worship service. Our church uses trays of little individual plastic communion cups. As this woman took a cup, it slipped from her hand spilling the contents on her clothing. She appeared quite embarrassed as she passed the tray to the person next to her and attempted to wipe the stain with a tissue. I felt so sorry for her. I wanted to tap her on the shoulder and tell her that it was okay. I knew that would most likely make things worse.
“Why did that have to happen to her, Lord?” I silently prayed.
It was as if the Lord Jesus were sitting right next to me whispering in my ear.
“As a lesson for you my dear one… a reminder of my plan. Don’t you see? My blood was never spilled. Spilled blood would have been an accident. My blood was poured out intentionally. Spilled blood would have left the stain of sin. My shed blood washes away all stains and leaves you righteous in my sight… white and pure as snow.”
I silently bowed my head and thanked the Lord for the lesson learned that morning from that tiny cup that was spilled and the precious blood of Christ that was poured out, both for me.
Blood shed, not spilled
Your love outpoured
Redeeming me forevermore
Life given, not taken
By choice you died
A cleansing stream ran from your side
I see your eyes with love gaze down
I see on your head, the cruel crown
Of thorns that cut your holy brow
I hear your words, ‘Forgive her now’
No condemnation do I fear
As to your cross I draw near
‘Twas meant to be
Blood shed for me
Humbly I bow
In remembrance now
©2011 Mary Bell
Contact Mary for permission to use. Please do not use this devotional in any format, email, blog, message board, community, printed or electronic form without first seeking permission.
As of May 2012, "WHATEVER IS PURE" ARCHIVES will no longer be seeking submissions. As most authors and poets now have their own blogs, we noticed a significant drop in submissions over the past year and felt it was best to move on to other endeavors.
Please note: All graphics and articles within this site are ©2012 Katherine Walden unless otherwise stated.
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