WOW "... BY HIS WOUNDS, WE ARE HEALED ..." ~ 3

WOW

Worship On Weds.

[image credit: Time of Grace]

which comes from 

ISAIAH 53

Today's portion of Isaiah 53 is verse 3


[image credit: FaithLife]

The Message puts it this way:

"... He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at Him and people turned away.     We looked down on Him, thought He was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains He carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought He brought it on Himself, that God was punishing Him for His own failures. But it was our sins that did that to Him, that ripped and tore and crushed Him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole.     Through His bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.     We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,on Him, on Him. (MSG)

Time of Grace's devotional for today with this verse is 
"Crowned"

"... King Jesus was given a crown to wear as well, but there was no velvet, platinum, or jewels. The “obeisance” he received from the Roman soldiers was mockery and jest. The “scepter” he was given was a reed, and his “crown” was a strip of thorns twisted into a circlet. As a gesture of total contempt, they beat it into his dear head, intensifying the humiliation and agony. The idea that he claimed to be the King of the Jews brought only resentment--they wanted no further claims on their accountability. Isaiah had said it would be like this: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). It is the paradox of the gospel that Jesus’ path to glory lay through humiliation, that his path to delight lay through pain, that his path to victory lay through suffering, and that the way in which he could crush Satan involved letting himself be crushed first. It is the paradox of the gospel that it is through the wounds of Christ that you and I are healed."

"By His Wounds"

As I take a Walk On Weds. and Worship On Weds., with this song, my thoughts reflect on another "garden" - the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (an olive grove) being "In the Garden" ... 
can you picture this?
... yet this crown that is placed on Our Lord Jesus Christ on Holy Friday at His Crucifixion, is not a crown at all, however, the day is coming when we will see Him, seated on His Throne, in His Crown as He rightly deserves with all of our praise, honor, homage, gratitude and glory ... once again, "I can only imagine"  

"...The same crown of righteousness will be given to all believers who love the appearing of Christ Jesus."~Larry M. Jaynes

 I can hardly believe this -

yet still I wait for this glorious day!

BELIEVING

in our

RISEN LORD

",,,And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. ..."

This is how I want to linger for this day

with

Jesus

walking and talking
praying
just
like He asked
His disciples that evening
 So I really should have saved this for Maundy Thursday
but I will tarry
reading and reflecting
on
"The Greatest Prayer"{fantastic article by John Piper}

"... BY HIS WOUNDS, WE ARE HEALED ..." ~ 2

[image credit: Time of Grace]

which comes from 

ISAIAH 53

Today's portion of Isaiah 53 is verse 10

"...Yet the Lord was willing To crush Him,causing Him to suffer; If He would give Himself as a guilt offering [an atonement for sin], He shall see His [spiritual] offspring, He shall prolong His days, And the will (good pleasure) of the Lord shall succeed and prosper in His hand." AMPLIFIED

Time of Grace's devotional for today with this verse is 
"Scourged"

" ... You can add God’s name to the list as well. What!? God caused Jesus’ suffering? Yes. Behind the lash of the scourge was the hand of God, who was pouring out the judgment, wrath, and punishment for the sins of the entire world upon the Son. Isaiah’s prophetic insights allow us to see what was really happening in Jerusalem on Good Friday: ... {insert today's Bible verse} ...

this is just a small portion of the brief devotional
the part that follows the above portion
describes the
"SCOURGING"
[image credit: Bible History]
even by the sound of the word, it sounds so awful
I really can't imagine such gruesome treatment!
especially on the Son of God
One who did nothing
and
certainly did not deserve it
{however, I have a hard time thinking that anyone does}
"It is hard to understand why God would crush His innocent Servant.  But it is in His suffering for sin that God deals decisively with sin  and its harmful effects."  taken from  The Voice version {added between verse 9 and 10}

"... BY HIS WOUNDS, WE ARE HEALED ..." ~ 1

I thought and planned, and then thought some more, reflecting on what I might post for this Holy Week ... because usually each Holy Week, I try to do a series on the themes throughout this week of PASSION, that is why I shared Wayne Stiles' Passion Week on Palm SONday {by the way Episode 2 is available today} ... yet my original plan was to share what I'm sharing today ... a reading plan from You Version (actually from Time of Grace) ... {and there are so many really wonderful ones to truly focus on Jesus} this one chosen before by me on this blog, but this year it fits with the One Word God has given me ... HEALING ...

[image credit: Time of Grace]

which comes from 

ISAIAH 53

" ...We all have wandered off, like  shepherdless sheep, scattered by our aimless striving and endless pursuits; The Eternal One laid on him, this silent sufferer, the sins of us all." The Voice

Today's portion of Isaiah 53 is verse 6

Time of Grace's devotional for today with this verse is "Condemned"
(just a snippet)

"... You know what’s really scary about the trials of Jesus? God took those unjust guilty verdicts and endorsed them! Seriously! He let those unworthy judges speak for him as they cried out, “He is worthy of death!” Isaiah revealed that God wasn’t just watching Jesus’ trial; He was joining in the condemnation: “The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6)."

We are not without a 
SHEPHERD
and  in fact
we are not without a
LAMB
the perfect sacrifice
the only
ONE
that
was blameless and could carry
the weight of our sin
each one
plus
as
Our Shepherd
He even carries us
when we're 
tired
weary
wounded
He picks us up
places us tenderly in His arms or
over His shoulders He carries us
until
WE ARE HEALED
and even while
WE ARE HEALING!
{I am - how about you?}
Lay it all down and receive His Healing
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Be sure not to miss Episode 2 of
[image credit: Wayne Stiles]

EPISODE 2 – Available NOW! HERE

In Episode 2, our journey through the Passion Week explores the events that occurred from Wednesday through Friday. In addition to seeing some archaeological finds related to Jesus, we'll experience the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' arrest, trials, crucifixion, and burial. Our challenge: How do we keep going when we have blown it with God?

SOS ~ "YOU ARE FREE" 3 (now also 4, 5, 6)

 UPDATE (4-23-17) now WEEK 6 (scroll to below) {right now this is here, but it will be moved back to 4-9-17}


... when I published this back on 4-9-17 and knew it was Holy Week, I should have also let you know that I would not be finishing this along with the current Faith Gateway Online Bible Study group, but at a later date - because I know that I need to, that I still am not FREE in any stretch of the imagination as I should be, but know the freedom I am so richly blessed with, comes only through Jesus Christ, and actually right where we are in this study, is right where the 'rubber meets the road' and I should be digging in deeper, pressing into this study even more, not just this week, but the next and probably the rest. 
However, as I've mentioned after Resurrection SONday, I had already planned and signed up for "REDEEMED..." by Angela Thomas-Pharr with LifeWay Women - it just seemed to be so timely, when I started 2017 with the 40 days of Prayer that was part of this, and what could be better than being "Redeemed" after celebrating Christ's Resurrection ... so, for this study, "You are Free", I will just be adding the links for each week to FaithGateway OBS and returning to finish the rest of the book, study guide and excellent, personal videos with Rebekah, at a later date, through Study Gateway. Weeks 4-6 are at the end. My apologies for dropping this midway! This is such a great study to not complete so I will!


Continuing with  Session 3
WEEK 3 April 9-15
"FREE TO BEGIN AGAIN" Chapter 7

READING Chapters 7 and 8 in the book Study Guide p. 51-56 after viewing video Group discussion p.57-59   Personal Study p. 61-70

and
"Free to Wait" Chapter 8

you can catch it all over at Faith Gateway
Online Bible Studies with Laurie McClure and Rebekah Lyons and her newest book (above)

Scripture of the Week “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” - Psalms 139:9-10 Psalm 139:7-10, John 14:23, Genesis 12:1-9, Isaiah 40:10-11

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS to Reflect and Comment if you choose:
Q1. Tell us about a time when you had to begin again- either in a relationship or a job or another city, or something else. What do these verses say about God’s presence during such times? 
Q2. Where in your life is God asking you to begin again now?



Prayer for the Week (by Laurie McClure at FaithGateway OBS)

Jesus, You are the One who ordains new seasons for us. You appoint the new beginnings. And, You come with us and You even make Your home  with us when we choose to love You and live in obedience. We believe You. Help us in our unbelief. Help us to lean on You through struggles and through seasons of blessing. We love You, Jesus! Amen.

<><><>

Previous Schedule:

• Week One: Mar. 26-Apr. 1
• Week Two: Apr. 2-8
• Week Three: Apr. 9-15 "Free to Begin Again" (above)

Session 4

"Free to Rest"

• Week Four: Apr. 16-22

Session 5

"Free to Celebrate"

• Week Five: Apr. 23-29

SPOT ON

You Are Free Study Guide on pages 89-97
Read Chapters 11-12 optional in hard copy of "You are Free" book

Scriptures for this Week

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” - Psalms 126:5

Other Scripture Readings: 

2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 126:2-6, Ecclesiastes 3, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

CURRENT

Session 6

"Free to Set Free"

• Week Six: Apr. 30-May 6

[image credit: Faith Gateway]

once again

Laurie McClure

has covered this so well

Scriptures this Week

• 1 Corinthians 13
• Galatians 5:1
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• John 8:36
• Matthew 20:29-34
• Revelation 12:11
• Isaiah 51:15-16

Prayer for the Week

Jesus, thank You for the freedom that You came to bring. Thank You that You woo us out of the damage we cause ourselves and the wreckage done to us. Thank You that You put friends in our path who love You and who have been through it before. Thank You that You put friends in our lives who need to hear what we’ve learned about You along the way and need to be loved on by us. What a privilege! We love You, Jesus! Amen.

• Recap Week: May 7-13

{some links may not work if it no longer is that week, but may during recap week}

Make "A Spectacle of Glory ..."

your must

READ
for this season or this year
(or your chosen devotional for next year)

[I have two really excellent books that I've been reading and need to review for they both are long overdue. This is one of the two that I'm reviewing now because I believe it would make a perfect gift - for (Easter) Resurrection SONday for yourself or someone special - or for anytime of the year, all year.]

<>

A Spectacle of Glory

God's Light Shining through Me Every Day
by Joni Eareckson Tada with Larry Libby 

... is truly a "spectacle" of God's glory daily, as a 365 day devotional in a compact, small sized book, with just the right amount of reading each day, written by an inspirational author and person that could not be better suited to share "God's Glory" - Joni Eareckson Tada, whose very life shines the glory of God and she gives us uplifting encouragement each day in how we too can reflect "God's Light Shining through ..." us. (if you don't know Joni Eareckson Tada, you could read a brief bio or just this part of the book description says enough to more than qualify her): 

"After nearly 50 years of living as a quadriplegic, and dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis, Joni has learned firsthand the importance of glorifying God through the toughest of situations." 

Yet not once have I ever read anything where Joni writes with any sense of self-pity and truly does minister through her devastating tragedy to so many others, able and not-so-abled earthly bodies, are touched through "Joni & Friends" - her ministries. Joni has moved positively to change what might have destroyed her, into many ways to glorify God, even when the days have been extremely challenging ... check out Joni's Corner to sample this or read on her blog. So this book is written from someone who truly understands what suffering is and how to seek God and stay close in the midst of hard times.

In this new book, each day's short devotional lesson is packed with godly wisdom through living experiences, starting out with a snippet of what to read in God's Word (recommended to have your Bible nearby to read in context and completely) - yet at times, this scripture is shared within her one page devotional, ending the devotional with a beautiful prayer (or prompt to further pray), which is always my favorite kind of daily devotional, when they contain prayers - a big reason for me to choose a devotional as well as the topics covered and this one covers many but the primary one being this:

"... The Bible spells it out plainly: God created you to showcase His glory—to enjoy it, display it, and demonstrate it every day to all those you encounter." ~ from the Book Description

In this day of high accessibility to having a book immediately as an e-book, I encourage you in this case (as I chose to review this book for this reason) to acquire the actual hard copy ... because it's one of those "treasures" to behold in your hands. From the moment it arrived, I appreciated this gift daily! The precious cover, [not just the glorious image chosen for this cover - the one above hardly does it justice] is one of those soft textured matte finish that you just love to hold. The 400 pages are compact, and so this (4 X 6 X 1 in.) book would fit nicely in most purses, making it easy to take with you daily, and have with you for those moments you can catch a little to read as you wait, or when you're in need of some encouragement.

Joni has a wonderful way of writing to inspire and encourage you! Her insights are practical, real and meaningful. I kept reading through this, as you would a daily devotional, hoping that I might find one day that would stand out to share as my favorite, or the best, however I found that each day was, for that particular day - the best, and that devotion truly did make any ordinary life or maybe complicated one, not too small or big, not so insignificant for that one day - more, setting the stage for you to glorify God, with a new how-to-motivation. If Joni Eareckson Tada can remain and face each day positively as one more opportunity to be "a spectacle of glory" chosen by God, then reading these devotionals daily will further me and enable me to focus on just how much our Heavenly Father cares and loves me and you too, showing us that we can live as a "spectacle of His Glory", being a light that draws others out of their darkness, or even us - out of our dark moments into God's Light and Glory - even if it's just for the short time we read a page in this sweet, glorious daily dose of this book. "A Spectacle of Glory..." does lift your spirit to new heights of confidence in our wonderfully sovereign God," which is Joni and Ken, her husband's prayer.

I will continue reading this treasure daily and highly recommend (with 5 stars) as a choice for a yearly devotional, a sweet gift for someone dear (even yourself) or especially for someone dealing with hard times in need of an encouraging daily word - just the right morsel for each day. The only drawback may be that you may like to have a Bible accessible while reading the devotion daily since only the scripture text is named above with the date. It would also have been nice to have had all those scriptures indexed in the back of the book also with the date (which is what I am doing as I read). I find it a simple delight to reach for this book each day and receive a glimpse of God's Glory knowing that God's purpose is for me to "showcase His Glory" —to enjoy it, display it, and demonstrate it every day to all those you encounter."

Disclosure: I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan, in return for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the  FTCommission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

   YOU KNOW I CHOOSE THE BEST BOOKS TO REVIEW and I'M SO THANKFUL to RECEIVE  EACH ONE!

They are gifts to myself and I appreciate so much being given them. Receiving them when I'm doing Online Bible Studies however some times prevents them from being read and reviewed in due time but I do hope this is in enough time for you to get and enjoy.

My YouVersion reading plan for this full year had this prayer for Day 93 of 365 that goes with this book and this day that I chose to finally post this:  "Jesus, I cannot in my wildest imaginings know what glory You have in store for Your followers. I can only thank You for Your gracious generosity. Amen.