Author: Amy

Scripture is clear that forgiveness plays an active role in the lives of Christ followers.

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22).

I have been taught well what forgiveness does for relationships and the healing it brings to people, especially victims. I’ve known the usual blunders in relationships that cause both offering forgiveness and seeking it to be necessary. But within this past year, my lending forgiveness toward someone who had caused me great pain restored my heart to a resting place. Also recently, someone graciously granted me forgiveness for wrongs I had committed, and I have been humbly restored and brought back into the true peace of God.

Forgiveness is not some virtue that we are to casually explore when needed. It is a treasure of healing given to us by our Sovereign Creator, Who understands our needs in earthly relationships. We find the perfect example in Christ, for His forgiveness is given freely as He restores His own to the Father. If we need motivation to forgive one another, we need only to look at Jesus. Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you (Colossians 3:13).

Thank You, my precious Christ, for this incredible peace-giving, healing, restoring, rejuvenating, and God-glorifying gift to us: forgiveness.

In the Old Testament holiness is being separated from anything evil. Priests were considered holy to the Lord because they were set apart from ordinary duties and were dedicated to His special service. Objects or food could also be called holy by setting them apart from ordinary use and dedicating them to God. However, the holiness of God Himself cannot be compared to anything else.

 There is no one holy like the LORD,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God (1 Samuel 2:2).

When it comes to holiness, the Almighty God is in a class all by Himself. He is our standard for holiness. When I consider this, I could be easily overwhelmed with such a feat, if it were not for Christ.

I am marveling as I look upon my sin and feel its burden, and yet know that it was crucified with my Savior. He has defeated its power over me. I need not be enslaved to anything, but Him. This kind of slavery is absolute freedom. These are the chains I long to wear, united with the glorious Son of God.

I know my flesh is weak and warring with the Spirit (Gal 5:17). My job is to make war and stay in the fight, for He looks at me as holy. Unbelievable.

Here are some “I wills” to defeating pride and pursuing humility. Can you say each one with confidence?

I will remember that I am not God. He alone is self-existent and sovereign.
I will remember that I am a sinner by nature, depraved and flawed.
I will remember the horrors of Christ’s crucifixion and reflect with gratitude on His purchasing me.
I will daily meditate on scriptures that speak truth to my need for humility.
I will pray for unveiled eyes as to who I really am and who He really is.
I will receive constructive criticism with a heart that is ready to learn and grow and possibly change.
I will put my sin of pride into specific words and repent and change going forward.
I will resist the desire for praise and glory. When it is given, I will quickly reflect it back to Christ.
I will call self-glory what it is, pray to recognize it instantly, and then seek His forgiveness.
I will surrender my will unto His perfect plan.
I will make my life an offering of praise to Him.

I have one goal for 2014:
Honor my Creator

The dictionary defines thanksgiving as “the expression of gratitude, especially to God.” This is a perfect definition for what I feel in my heart this Thanksgiving holiday. We will gather with loved ones around tables of food, sharing the wonderful blessings in our lives and our expressions of gratitude. We will enjoy fellowship and the bounty of the harvest as we fill ourselves on love and nourishment.

However, I find myself wondering what my expression of gratitude, especially to God, truly looks like. I peer into the eyes of my daughters and see the magic there. I feel the warm embrace of my husband and know I am securely loved. I laugh with friends and soak in their kindnesses to me. I cherish the commonality with my brothers and sisters in Christ as we worship our Savior together. I enjoy fine clothes, shelter, food, heat, and plenty of unnecessary earthly treasures. I understand gratitude on many levels. But right now, my heart is revealing that what I am most thankful for is His generous mercy.

His hand of mercy has never left me, even when I have left Him. His mercy has covered me in my darkness, my need, my insecurity, my loss, and my sin. His forgiving grace is more abundant to me this Thanksgiving than I have ever understood it to be. My expression of gratitude is especially toward my God.

Do you need His mercy afresh? Don’t delay to run into His arms. He is offering it freely to you because of His Son.

Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost (Isaiah 55:1).

When a newborn baby draws its first breath, everything it once knew is no more. The darkness of the womb is replaced by the light. Nothing about its former life can or ever will be the same. Its entire existence–what it sees, hears, feels, and knows–has changed. New life is a precious gift and a miracle in every way.

The same is true for believers when we first learn of the glories of our Savior’s grace and forgiveness. When our eyes are opened to the truths of His gospel, we no longer are the same. The life we once led is absolutely void of fulfillment, for suddenly true worth has come and shone its light brilliantly in our hearts.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Jesus’ death and resurrection conquered triumphantly over sin and death. He delivered us from darkness and breathed new life into our dead souls. Our rescue is not a gradual process but a victorious, complete, powerful act. Therefore, we should live as those who have already been delivered. We are no longer enslaved to the powers of darkness, and we share confidently with Christ in His exaltation.

What a glorious King! And what a beautiful rescue!

The end of verse eleven in the third chapter of Colossians simply states this glorious truth: Christ is all and in all. He is Creator (Col. 1:16). He is Sustainer and He holds all things together (Col. 1:17). He is the Reconciler (Col. 1:20-22). He is reigning in His rightful place of authority (Col. 3:1). He is preeminent and He is the Head of the church (1:18). He is God (Col. 2:9).

A friend of mine who is outside of Christ recently told me that she prays to a “higher power” in a less specific form than my God. I’m struggling with so many things about this statement. Why would anyone want a god without specifics? What is desirous about being vague or mystical, especially if we are to put our trust in such a being? And if something like this actually exists, how does it claim its power, its worth or its place in our lives? Christ, however, is all in all. He is the answer to every question of mankind. He is fullness of the Deity in bodily form. He has triumphed over the powers of darkness, death, and unbelief. He is Who He is whether we believe or not. He does not depend upon us. His is all-sufficient and all-knowing. He is the perfect Lamb of God Who has taken our sin and nailed it to a cross in completion of our purchase and redemption (Col. 2:14).

Every knee will eventually bow before the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:10-11). Those of us bending the knee now find great joy, fulfillment, contentment and satisfaction that is eluding the world around us. We rest even in the difficult decisions of life. We resist empty pursuits and instead, seek the one true treasure (Col. 2:3). We are captive no longer to the bondage of human philosophies and regulations, but are fully soaked in the grace and mercies and rich blessings of a Savior Who is all and in all (Col. 2:23). He has a specific form. He has a throne. He has a purpose. He has a name. He is Jesus Christ, the Exalted Lord.

In an effort to pursue growth, we can find ourselves running full speed down a rabbit trail. These little tangents are either well-traveled roads where others have chased the same frivolous pursuits, or they are territory where few have gone before us. As we venture out, we may gain knowledge in some respects or even recognize road signs of needed repentance. The Lord is gracious to use each circumstance in our lives as a teaching tool, a lesson to be learned, a wound to be healed, a battle to be fought, or even a victory to be won. He ordains the steps of His children in order to transform us into the likeness of His Son. Our sin nature, however, drives us to make turns in the road that may not be the best choice. How thankful I am for His protection on these threatening journeys.

There is but one road to travel in our Christian faith. There is only one Truth to set our feet upon. The Word was. The Word is. The Word will be. It is timeless. It is an endless well of nourishment. It is a healing balm. It speaks to the heart of every matter. When I am tossed and torn, it refocuses my mind. When I am weak and worn, it strengthens my resolve. When I am accused and shamed, it clarifies my purpose and restores my hope. The Word shows me where to walk and when to flee. I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart (Psalm 119:32).

His love letter is God’s beautiful gift to us. May we never set it aside or make it out to be less than it is. Too often, attempts are made to place our experience upon it, instead of letting its truths speak to our experience. Your testimonies also are my delight. They are my counselors (Psalm 119:24). Once we understand the counsel of the Word, our right knowledge will lead to our right behavior, and thus our staying on the correct path. (Col. 1:9-10)

In this world of flashing lights, I pray the Word of God will be the only one that illumines my path as the Spirit guides me to living a life for the glory of my King.

I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way (Psalm 119:101-104).

Jesus was our ultimate example of how to live. He showed us how to love and serve one another. He gave us a clear picture of the Father. He taught us how to weigh our motives, how to pray, and how to manage an earthbound life. But what is making a dent in my heart these days is His example of setting aside His rights. His ability to let Himself be misunderstood astounds me.

We live in a culture that puts great emphasis on speaking our minds and claiming our “rights,” and yet I am learning that surrendering them is needed in my service to others through Christ.

While He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed (Matthew 27:12-14).

Jesus displayed no need to defend Himself, even though He understood the horrific outcome. This in and of itself is remarkable, but what has me marveling is His ability and willingness to take our sins upon Himself. He knew no sin. His body had never known its darkness. And still, in His greatest hours of physical torture and loss, He bore every sin of His people for all of time. The weight of my personal sin is rottenness in my wee bones. How did He take all of the wicked acts we have ever committed upon Himself? How?! Talk about injustice! Talk about being misunderstood! Yet, willingly He endured it all for His bride.

I struggle greatly when I am misunderstood. I have a strong desire to set the record straight and make sure everyone is not only on the same page, but especially that they are okay with me! As I battle with letting go of this self-focused need, I picture my Savior in His torment. His humble submission served a bigger purpose. As I commune with His sufferings, which are mine in abundance, this small task of letting go doesn’t seem so grandiose. I don’t need to push my agenda. I can relax in His authority to handle the situation. I can surrender to His plan and perfect will. Not only can He manage these moments with truth and clarity far better than I could, but I am then given the tremendous gift of rest.

When John saw Jesus coming toward him, he cried out, “Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!” The next time I am unnecessarily desiring to clear up the muddy waters, this shall be my shout of victory.

What does it mean to have joy in the morning? For me, I’ve come to realize my joy is based on many a thing. For example, did I rest well? Am I emotionally spent before my feet even hit the floor? Do I dread some part of the day ahead? Do I reach for my iPhone before my Bible? Do I focus on difficult circumstances instead of on His goodness and His mercies, which are new every morning? (Lam. 3:23)

I am quite confident that these temporal thoughts and things surrounding me are joy robbers. They have a way of stealing not only my focus, but my time, my energy, and even my happiness in the Savior. Christ is my source of strength, my love abounding, my peace of mind, and my daily rest. He will sustain me in every way as I allow more room for Him and His joy in my life.

Regardless of the emotion that hits me as I open my eyes from sleep, may I declare with the psalmist, “But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress” (Psalm 59:16).

Here is portion of a song I wrote this week proclaiming this desire of my heart. May He always be my One and Only Song of Praise.

MY SONG OF PRAISE
Amy Branson Fata
© 2013 Portion Music

Your sweep of mercy reaches
And in the trial teaches
That I may find new hope afresh
Your pruning hand is faithful
So loving and so able
And in my spirit, I say yes

You are the One and Only
Companion when I’m lonely
You cover me with streams of grace
You are the One Who knows me
My Father Who adores me
You are my endless Song of Praise