The Apple Tree

Just yesterday as I listened to some CDs that had been stored away for some time. And I was filled with joy and peace as I heard an old gospel song that has meant so much to me over the years. A song of invitation and reconciliation. A song of surrender to the Lord. A song that the Lord used to speak to me to prompt me to "come home"  and into His arms of love.

Coming home means so much to an individual. Maybe having spent time away on a trip, studying away from home. Coming home has a feeling of comfort and a sense of being. A place where one can be just who they are meant to be. 

In a spiritual sense, coming home is a feeling of joy and peace. A feeling of being completely surrendered to Jesus and His will for my life. No matter what I may have done, He is standing there with open arms, waiting for me. Waiting for you. 

Day after day I would listen to this song and I sensed a feeling of conviction. The Spirit continued to nudge my soul until one Sunday morning, the Lord called and I answered. I came home! Oh, the feeling of peace and joy that flooded my soul that morning, as I recognized the love of God for a soul such as mine. 

Four years later as I dealt with issues and struggles in my personal life, inwardly I slipped away from serving God and being completely surrendered to Him. At a meeting, the Lord used the song leader to lead this invitational song at the close of revivals, calling me back to Him.

And just as He saved my soul that first day, He was waiting for me with open arms, willing me back to Him. And He is waiting with arms outstretched for you! He loves you with an immeasurable love! 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Just like Ma and Pa were waiting for their son with open arms, Jesus is waiting for you. His arms are wide open, calling you home to Him, fully surrendered to Him, filled with peace and joy that only He can give.

Daily seek Him! Daily surrender your life to Him! Lord, I'm coming home to the peace and joy that only you can give!

Come home my child, come home! Find rest in the arms of Jesus. He is waiting for you!

Finding rest. Part of a series of "Finding Spiritual Whitespace Blog Tour." Find more out here.

Consider Him...

"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Hebrews 12:3 (KJV)

Consider Him...

He who was betrayed by one of the twelve

He who was denied by his disciple

He whom they spat upon

He whom was scourged and smote

He whom they mocked

He whose clothes they parted by lots

He who endured public shame

HE WHO WAS CRUCIFIED FOR MY SINS!

"...by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities...because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors  and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:11b, 12b (KJV)

Commemorating the sacrifice that Christ has paid for you, for me. 

Recognizing that far too often, I take for granted the price that has been paid.

Thank you Jesus...Hallelujah, thank you Lord for what you done for me!

Blessings to all,

Andrea

A Cross Still Stands

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, changes take place each day. Children grow up, teenagers become adults, young adults seek a career and/or life partner. Change is a part of our daily life, but there is one thing that does not change and that is the love that hung on the Cross. 2000+ years since the crucifixion and that Cross still stand high for each and every sinner. The love of Jesus is still extended to many a soul that tonight is calling out for help.

John 3:16 says "for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He sent His Son for you and me and because of the sacrifice that Jesus paid on Calvary, the Cross still stands as a symbol of the price that has been paid.

I am thankful that the Cross still stands tonight!

Blessings!

Andrea

He Is Risen!

"And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not." Mark 16: 1-11

He is not here, but has risen! My Lord did not stay in the tomb, but He conquered death.

We see the young man commanding the women to go and tell what they had seen. Some of them were frightened and told no one, but Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples. Her Lord had risen and she couldn't contain herself! How am I? Does the glory of the empty tomb and the reality of my risen Lord prompt me to tell others about Him?

Or do I hide in the corner, scared to share? Or am I like the disciples, full of unbelief?

My Jesus has risen! There is an empty tomb, with graveclothes inside to prove His power of conquering death. He is alive! Someday I will see Him face to face! What a promise for the Christian!

Do you know the Jesus who not only paid my price, but also conquered death and the grave?

Serving My Risen Saviour!

Andrea