344 And Can It Be

Jesus suffered and died that man might live a life of righteousness. In power He shows the way, in grace He gives the ability, in gentleness He makes the call. In life and in death, Jesus’ purpose: infinite love, reuniting man and God so man would know endless love, joy, and peace. He took upon Himself the wrath of God under the heavy load of the cross so man could live forever with Him in glory. He became prisoner of man so man could live free in Him. He was treated as if He had been a sinner so the sinner might be treated as if he had not sinned. Just as there can be no bride without a groom, neither can man know true love apart from Jesus’ spilled blood at Calvary. When the Christian unites his heart with God, he finds himself accepted in the beloved, the object of divine delight, able to live a new life that is peaceful and blessed. Though it may seem impossible today, it is possible for all things are possible to him who believes (Mk. 9:23).

Today may be filled with hope and tomorrow we may be lost in despair. Either way, we can look to the cross and know by faith that Jesus’ blood has pardoned us, making us righteous in the Father’s eyes, heirs to His eternal Kingdom where despair and sorrow have no place. If today we are downcast, we can look up in faith and hope knowing that one day all sin and pain and sorrow will be left behind us and we will know only His amazing love when we walk the streets of gold, illuminated by the glory of God (Rev. 21:23).

As a believer, you have been judged righteous by the Divine Judge. Are you in sin’s sinking sand? When you look to your Heavenly Father, you need never despair of His lovingkindness toward you. He wants to lead you to victory and conform you to His image. Won’t you rely on His unfailing goodness this day? Look to Him, the One Whose love is perfect. Faith in the crucified Savior will lift you out of the sickness of sin and into the health of righteousness where you can live a blessed life, a holy life in Him, through Him, and for Him. Let the truth of these words penetrate the depths of your soul today as you think on them: “Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”

Baby Steps Toward Living a Blessed Life

I love the Japanese word, “Kaizen”. It means small (baby) steps or continuous improvements. This is the Japanese mindset for business and life in general. A prominent Japanese calligraphy instructor made a traditional wall hanging of the word “kaizen” that is hanging in my living room. It is a reminder that God doesn’t expect me to make major changes overnight. His love is patient and kind. Though my love for Him is weak, when I look back to last year at this time, it becomes clear that it is growing, evidenced by my choices to more willingly accept His ways which are not my ways.

Your Turn: Find a felt-tip marker and write “kaizen” in Japanese or in English. If you want to make a wall-hanging like this one, you will need to write it on a piece of cloth and hang it from a bamboo stick or a branch. You may prefer to write it on a page in your journal. If you choose to write it in your journal, be sure to include the definition: Small (baby) steps or continuous improvements; one degree at a time.