Monday, July 7, 2014

"My Stretch Marks...His Scars...'They were worth it!'"

The other day my wife and I were in the car heading on a short day trip with our kids. Praise the Lord
our car didn't break down. With our windows down (because the air conditioner doesn't work), kids sleeping, and simply enjoying each other we had a good talk.

My wife who has birthed our two kids began talking and dreaming about our upcoming move to Texas. We talked about much, but one of the things that stuck out to me was when she talked about how her body looked after birthing two kids. She said this, and it really spoke to me:

"...Yes my stomach may have stretch marks, but when I look at our kids my heart grows with joy, and I say that ‘it was all worth it’..."

I had to stop her right there. And share these thoughts with her, just as I am sharing them with you now.

Isn't that what our Lord Jesus does with us? Though we may act a fool sometimes. Completely walk in our flesh and do right the opposite of what He tells us. He looks at His birthing scars and says "I love them... they are completely worth it."

How can I say this? Because Christ on that cross, born our sins, shame, guilt, and took on the full wrath of God so that we would not have too! And allowed us to become His children! Just look at this:

Gal 4:5 ESV  to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Eph 1:5 ESV  he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

As He took our sin and shame on the cross, paying and making the way for us to become adopted sons of God, He was still filled with joy over us!...

Just look:

Heb 12:2 ESV  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

While He hung there on the cross enduring all that He had too for us, He saw us and had joy... and even now when He looks to His scars He says "They were worth it!"....

So let us praise the Lord that:

Rom 5:8 ESV  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There is no real end to this writing, but one of encouragement! Know that today as you come to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, that they three in one look at Jesus bears and says:

"He was worth it!"

Please feel free to share any thoughts.

Your Brother in Christ
Grace and Peace be with you
Nate Cook, Setting Captives Free Team Member

And Jesus said to me:

Eze 3:10b-11a  "...Receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears, and go, get to the captives..."

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