The Precious Blood of Christ

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. — 1 Peter 1:18-19 

We were redeemed from the empty way of life.

From the life handed down to us from our ancestors.

We were not purchased with silver or gold.

We were saved by the precious blood of Christ.

He gave himself just like a lamb without blemish or defect.

Led to the altar as our sacrificial lamb.

Praise Be to the Lord

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), — Luke 1:67-68 

God has come to us as a baby.

Praise be to our Lord!

He has redeemed us with the blood of His Son, Jesus.

He had opened the door of salvation to us.

Just as He promised through His prophets long ago.

At that time, people were skeptical, just as they are today.

But God always keeps His promises, and He fulfilled this one in His only Son.

God Has Redeemed His People

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), — Luke 1:68-70

Praise be to the Lord!

He has come to us in the form of His Son, Jesus.

Redeeming us through the blood of Christ's sacrifice.

God has raised up a horn of salvation for us.

He promised this long ago through the prophets.

Out of the house of David, Jesus has come. Our Messiah!

We sing His praises.

You Were Redeemed from the Empty Way of Life

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. — 1 Peter 1:18-19

We were not bought with silver or gold.

Rather, God purchased us with the blood of His Son, Jesus.

He redeemed me from my empty way of life.

I had no way to purchase my salvation.

My sin was handed down to me from my ancestors.

Jesus served as the lamb without blemish or defect.

He was the perfect sacrifice for me.

Not perishable things, but with His precious blood.

He Is Born

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. — Luke 1:68

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours.

The joy of the Lord has come to earth.

And has been born in a manger.

Silent night, holy night.

Sleep in heavenly peace.

He has redeemed us with His blood.

We rejoice and give Him the glory.

Praise Be to the Lord

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. — Luke 1:68

I am praising God today for a wonderful visit with my physical therapist.

The slight swelling that I've experienced in my arm should get better as I continue to wear my compression sleeve.

My other symptoms are held in check by the exercises she gave me after my radiation.

I am praising God for His healing power and His care for me.

He has surrounded me with His love and upheld me with His strong right arm.

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel!

Precious Blood as of a Lamb

Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. — 1 Peter 1:18-19

We were redeemed with precious blood.

Jesus had no blemish - He was spotlesss.

The perfect sacrifice in our place.

His blood shed once and for always for me.

Iwas not redeemed with things of this world.

Those things will pass away, but the love of Jesus will last forever.

Thank You, Lord.

 

He Has Come to His People

 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. — Luke 1:68

December 17 was Gary's birthday, and He is now in heaven with our Lord.

But we miss him each day.

And we are grateful that he was such a huge part of our lives.

God has come to His people.

He has redeemed us.

We praise His name,

He is our Lord.

And the God of Israel.

Burst Into Song

Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel. — Isaiah 44:23

Palm Desert

This is another gorgeous view from our room while we were on vacation last week.

The mountains in the background looked as if they were ready to burst into song.

The palm trees stood tall, proclaiming the greatness of the Lord.

God has redeemed Jacob and has redeemed me.

He displays His glory in the beautiful world around us.

It is an overwhelming showcase for the majesty and glory of the Lord our God.

Shout for Joy

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You — I, whom You have redeemed! — Psalm 71:23

We are planning for Gary's memorial service, trying to decide which foods to have afterward, who will read Scripture, which hymns to sing, and how many people to expect.

Again, we are blessed with friends who offer to help with the flowers, food, music, service, reception, and whatever we need.

Thanks to you all.

We shout for joy with praise to our God for family and wonderful memories.

For new experiences we will share together this year.

We are thankful.

My Heart Rejoices

I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me. — Psalm 13:5-6

My Bible study book has a great quote, "The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that the worst day is not the last day."

Even my most agonizing loss, my worst day, will be cast in the light of shalam — redeemed and restored as all things are made new.

Jesus' death and resurrection redeems, renews, restores, and revives me.

So I can tell my past hurts and worries that they are not the boss of me.

God will shalam — literally He will help me make peace with my past and the hard days of my present.

Thank goodness.

My heart rejoices in God's salvation.

Singing Praise

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You — I, whom  you have redeemed. — Psalm 71:23

I enjoy singing, and God has given us music so we can praise Him with our words and our music.

One songwriter said that when we sing, we pray twice!

I like that thought.

God has redeemed us, we are His.

He has called us by name, and I can shout for joy and sing praise to Him day and night.

God Has Called Me By Name

This is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  — Isaiah 43:1-2

Yesterday I was reading Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, and I was struck by his insight.

"If we keep true to God, God will take us through an ordeal that will bring us out into a better knowledge of Himself."

He continued, "If you will remain true to God, God will lead you straight through every barrier into the inner chamber of the knowledge of Himself.

But there is always this point of giving up our convictions and traditional beliefs."

It is really tough at times to give up my own beliefs and convictions and to rely completely on God.

I am blessed that God is patient with me. He has called me by name. I am His!