Luke 1:38
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
One Thousand Gifts-An Easter Prepared Heart
I read the most amazing line this morning from Ann and wanted to share it with you and that is also might set the tone for the blessings we ponder this week.
"The donkey carried her swollen frame into the house of bread, to birth The Bread our souls were starved for, and again, a donkey carried His willing body triumphant into the house of God, to bleed the perfect Lamb that all our sin stain ached for. The backs of the humble carry God."
The pictures her words paint in my heart and my mind are vivid and real. Only an image our True God could create in the minds of those He created in His image. For so long ago, so many years before my mind could even fathom what Mary would look like riding upon the donkey in that time, in that place, in that glorious humble moment yet still somehow, God allows my heart and my mind's eye to see Christ, so beautiful and radiant.
She reminds us in her Monday's blessings that the wine comes from the compression. That the sweetest victory came from Christ's crushing, that our most glorious reunion with God came from His most valuable sacrifice. Meditating over what this means and how to teach my children about the God that gave it all for them that they would live with Him...
The Path to the Cross
81. How rugged was and is the path to the Cross
82. Reunion with our maker and our heavenly Father
83. To bear fruit for Him that shed drops from His veins
84. To drink of the cup and remember
85. To break the bread to remember the Bread that was given to us in our desperation
86. To pray the prayer our hearts long to bellow to Him
87. Feeling to deeply the thorns in his head
88. Aching yet rejoicing as his Side was pierced as prophesied so many years before
89. An unchanging and unfallable God
90. Jesus
An Excerpt Concerning Passover
Jesus in the Passover Cup and Bread
The power and meaning of communion has its roots in the Passover feast. When Jesus met with His disciples for His last Passover meal, He took the Passover cup and said, “This is my blood of the new covenant.” When Jesus took the Passover bread he said, “This is my body broken for you.”
The redemptive work of Jesus is seen in the Passover Cup.
1. The first cup is the cup of Sanctification. Jesus is our sanctification.
“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—“ 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NKJV)
2. The second cup is the cup of Freedom. Jesus has set us free from our bondage and slavery to sin.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 (NKJV)
3. The third cup is the cup of Redemption. Jesus has obtained our redemption.
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:11-12 (NKJV)
4. The fourth cup is the cup of Praise. Jesus is worthy of all honor and praise.
“And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the
earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
"Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne
, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" Rev. 5:13 (NKJV)
When Jesus partook of the cup at Passover, He made this application regarding His death…
“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28 (NKJV)
The redemptive work of Jesus is seen in the Unleavened Bread.
1. The unleavened Matzah is striped. Jesus body received many stripes. “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)
2. The unleavened Matzah was pierced. Jesus body was pierced by a
Roman soldier’s spear after His death upon the cross.
“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately
blood and water came out.” John 19:34 (NKJV)
3. The prophet Isaiah makes these stirring statements about the coming
Messiah’s broken body…
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we
esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was
wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are
healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NKJV)
4. The Afikomen is a picture of Jesus’ redemptive work. The three pieces of Matzah speak to us of the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Passover service, the Afikomen (the middle piece of matzah) is taken, wrapped, buried, brought forth, broken, distributed and received. Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven, died upon the cross, was buried, rose from the dead and received by all who believe.
5. The meaning of the word Afikomen is “He who has come.” Jesus, God’s Son and the promised Messiah, left His home in heaven and came to earth. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death upon the cross. Three days later He rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. One day, He will come again and reign and rule in righteousness.
6. The bread was unleavened. Leaven, in the bible, is a type of sin. Jesus
was without sin.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21 (NKJV)
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the
form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made
Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in
the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the
death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given
Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and
those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philip. 2:6-11 (NKJV)
When Jesus partook of the unleavened bread at the Passover, He made this application regarding His body…
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Matthew 26:26 (NKJV)
Note: This is taken from my book "I Am Passover/Communion Collection" which brings together the meaning of Passover and the significance of communion. The book is available from DaySpring.com
Word Filled Wednesday
Preparing for Easter
As I've been reading and encouraged by so many women as they scribe about their Easter traditions and family longings to know Christ more, I've asked myself over and over how can I achieve making Easter more significant and important than even Christmas. Christmas is a marked holiday of cheer and celebration in which I feel my husband and I have done well to point towards Jesus' birth, in the glowing and overwhelming pressure to make it about ourselves.
Easter I have been contemplating, meditating, challenged, and defeated. My children are small, no older than 4 and still struggling to conceptualize Jesus' death. I believe to their ability they do know what it means. They tell me often that they know He died for them, that they love Him for it, and long to be with Him in heaven. It has meaning to them which I can only give gracious gratitude to the Lord for that because it it not my part that has instilled in them a LOVE so deep for the savior. I often feel Satan telling me I do not tell them enough about our Savior, speak of Him often enough, bring enough back to Him when the moments are thick with frustration and noise.
Today I was challenged by Ann to read more often the Word of our Lord to them and my husband was wise long ago to buy them a childrens bible in which they Love. We save those stories for bedtime most often but why? Those stories are far better than any others I could bare to them. So today, unexpectedly I open God's word and shared with them excitedly a new story. Right in line with their God given grain, those boy boys, was Samson and his mighty strength. Part way through the reading my littlest and only daughter (13 mos) began crying loudly and clamoring to be on my lap. I felt Satan telling me once again it was not worth the trouble. It was so distracting. This is only one small example of the times I feel my efforts to draw my children close to Him are interrupted or go without impression on their hearts.
I've decided this year, even with being out of town for Easter, much to my shagrin (I like to be home for holidays making it easier to focus) that this year we will do Resurrection Rolls, Passover Meal and model for our children Communion as I ordered Passover items from Day Spring.
I love to draw my children nearer to Him and feel as though it would be easier to do if they were only a little older. But I don't want them to grow up, I like them little and I want it not to go faster than it already does. Lord help me to know what Path to take that they would seek you, meditate upon you and LOVE you more!
That even I would be a better reflection of your Love, Grace, Hope, Mercy and undying, unconditional Sacrifice.
Easter I have been contemplating, meditating, challenged, and defeated. My children are small, no older than 4 and still struggling to conceptualize Jesus' death. I believe to their ability they do know what it means. They tell me often that they know He died for them, that they love Him for it, and long to be with Him in heaven. It has meaning to them which I can only give gracious gratitude to the Lord for that because it it not my part that has instilled in them a LOVE so deep for the savior. I often feel Satan telling me I do not tell them enough about our Savior, speak of Him often enough, bring enough back to Him when the moments are thick with frustration and noise.
Today I was challenged by Ann to read more often the Word of our Lord to them and my husband was wise long ago to buy them a childrens bible in which they Love. We save those stories for bedtime most often but why? Those stories are far better than any others I could bare to them. So today, unexpectedly I open God's word and shared with them excitedly a new story. Right in line with their God given grain, those boy boys, was Samson and his mighty strength. Part way through the reading my littlest and only daughter (13 mos) began crying loudly and clamoring to be on my lap. I felt Satan telling me once again it was not worth the trouble. It was so distracting. This is only one small example of the times I feel my efforts to draw my children close to Him are interrupted or go without impression on their hearts.
I've decided this year, even with being out of town for Easter, much to my shagrin (I like to be home for holidays making it easier to focus) that this year we will do Resurrection Rolls, Passover Meal and model for our children Communion as I ordered Passover items from Day Spring.
I love to draw my children nearer to Him and feel as though it would be easier to do if they were only a little older. But I don't want them to grow up, I like them little and I want it not to go faster than it already does. Lord help me to know what Path to take that they would seek you, meditate upon you and LOVE you more!
That even I would be a better reflection of your Love, Grace, Hope, Mercy and undying, unconditional Sacrifice.
An Excerpt Concerning Passover
Jesus in the Passover Cup and Bread
The power and meaning of communion has its roots in the Passover feast. When Jesus met with His disciples for His last Passover meal, He took the Passover cup and said, “This is my blood of the new covenant.” When Jesus took the Passover bread he said, “This is my body broken for you.”
The redemptive work of Jesus is seen in the Passover Cup.
1. The first cup is the cup of Sanctification. Jesus is our sanctification.
“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—“ 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NKJV)
2. The second cup is the cup of Freedom. Jesus has set us free from our bondage and slavery to sin.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 (NKJV)
3. The third cup is the cup of Redemption. Jesus has obtained our redemption.
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:11-12 (NKJV)
4. The fourth cup is the cup of Praise. Jesus is worthy of all honor and praise.
“And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the
earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
"Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne
, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" Rev. 5:13 (NKJV)
When Jesus partook of the cup at Passover, He made this application regarding His death…
“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28 (NKJV)
The redemptive work of Jesus is seen in the Unleavened Bread.
1. The unleavened Matzah is striped. Jesus body received many stripes. “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)
2. The unleavened Matzah was pierced. Jesus body was pierced by a
Roman soldier’s spear after His death upon the cross.
“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately
blood and water came out.” John 19:34 (NKJV)
3. The prophet Isaiah makes these stirring statements about the coming
Messiah’s broken body…
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we
esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was
wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are
healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NKJV)
4. The Afikomen is a picture of Jesus’ redemptive work. The three pieces of Matzah speak to us of the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Passover service, the Afikomen (the middle piece of matzah) is taken, wrapped, buried, brought forth, broken, distributed and received. Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven, died upon the cross, was buried, rose from the dead and received by all who believe.
5. The meaning of the word Afikomen is “He who has come.” Jesus, God’s Son and the promised Messiah, left His home in heaven and came to earth. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death upon the cross. Three days later He rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. One day, He will come again and reign and rule in righteousness.
6. The bread was unleavened. Leaven, in the bible, is a type of sin. Jesus
was without sin.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21 (NKJV)
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the
form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made
Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in
the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the
death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given
Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and
those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philip. 2:6-11 (NKJV)
When Jesus partook of the unleavened bread at the Passover, He made this application regarding His body…
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Matthew 26:26 (NKJV)
Note: This is taken from my book "I Am Passover/Communion Collection" which brings together the meaning of Passover and the significance of communion. The book is available from DaySpring.com
Thursday Favorites
We've managed to make a wonderful week out of a potentially difficult week. My husband has been gone, working out of town since Tuesday, and I generally expect it to be a little challenging. The kids tend to get a little more fussy when he is away. Oh to be loved and adored like the dad!!! But, this week has been great. We have spent some wonderful time together me and the kids with some friends and my parents. Today we went to Enchanted Island and rode some carnival rides, ate a picnic lunch, and played on the playground. I'm pooped! With all my children now napping the house is still and quiet and I have some time to reflect on the week and days events.
Mom Time
1. Sweet smiles as we participate in something FUN
2. Finding adventures to go on even in our own backyard
3. Quiet prayers at night (usually my husband prays with them)
4. Cuddling in my bed with my oldest
5. Wonderful Springish weather as we gather at the park with friends
6. Catching food on the Go because I didn't quite get lunch prepared
7. Stopping for a treat on the way home from the YMCA
8. Precious brother hugs and girlie kisses when they LOVE each other
9. Building masterpieces with Blocks and preparing for battle
10. A late night movie with the little people I love
Am I allowed to say a few things I do not favorite while my husband is away:
1. I lose my patience faster because I get a little tired
2. I worry at night when the house is dark and I should be lifting it to the Lord instead of holding it in my heart
3. Feeling a little chaotic when we try to get out the door, why do timeouts happen the most at this time sometimes?
4. Missing an adult to talk to, my best friend, about even the littlest things!
We love our daddy so much and couldn't imagine another day without him. But even in these solo days I want to find the things I love the most!
Baby #5
It is official and we are oh so incredibly blessed. We are expecting baby #5 in November which for the first time doesn't feel like forever away. This will be my first pregnancy in which I will be pregnant and giving birth in the same calendar year. I was a little surprised to be pregnant this time... Not because getting pregnant is challenging but rather because it has come so easily in the past I wondered if God would allow us to conceive again in the same way.
I am still nursing and this is the first time I've conceived with a nursing child. We've also done much more talking about Quiverfull and what God's will was for us. I somewhat expected that maybe this time, having resolved that God is supreme in this area of our lives as well that maybe God would say No to another baby. I had prepared my heart for this to be His answer.
Joyfully, God sees fit that we raise another precious baby into a Christ following, passionate young person in this world. If we could only be as fit for that Calling as we feel we ought to be.
I must devote much time to my children now as their number are growing, their age quickly accelerating in number and their hearts so welcoming to formation. It takes much diligence, one I can often say I do not give the way I ought to give. It is my hearts desire that Justin and I can commit ourselves to further diligence, love, patience, unwavering standards amidst unrelenting relationship. Be praying with us if you can.
God blessings,
Chelsea
One Thousand Gifts
I know today is Tuesday but in my head it is Monday because we went on a mini vacation this weekend. My husband went back to work today (and not just to work but to work for 3 days) so it feels like Monday. I would normally let this week pass because I missed Monday but I've told myself I've got to stop making it about the days and just recognize Christ in Praise.
This is an especially joyous week to praise our God because He has chosen to Bless us with another Child! We are expecting baby #5!
61. Perfect Timing for all things in His plan
62. Rediscovering Baby Bliss in the quiet of the night
63. Loving, happy children and a home filled with noise
64. Warm Naps with my oldest beside me
65. The sparkle in his blue eyes
66. A dedicated and hard working husband
67. Quiet and Stillness amidst the LOUD
68. Remarkable friends to travel with
69. The Miracle of conceiving a baby, miraculous every time!
70. Sunny winter days filled with God's energy coming from the Sun
71. Hard Work and rough hands
72. Green, green grass
73. My children giving each other hugs
74. Girlie Kisses
75. Blue eyed brothers
76. God's peace
77. Healthy Bodies
78. Quiet Mornings
79. Spring on the Horizon
80. Date night with the hubs
God Who Are You and what can You do for Me?
Discussion Questions:
How have you dealt with your “wounds” up until now?
Have these “wounds” become a part of who you are?
Do you desperately want to get rid of them?
1.What's funny is the first thing that came to mind when I read the study guide and then the discussion question are the wounds I've inflicted upon myself. Of course they've always involved others but I tend to "regret" my own actions and self inflicted pains the most. I suppose that is because the are things God reveals to us as we mature and grow. They become stepping stones towards a better life with Christ. But, how easily satan uses them to discourage us and develop roots of self pitty, regret, unforgiveness, etc. I tend to think about these things too often or when I do think about them I still have emotional feelings about them.
I also realize that apart from my own personal wounds, the ones people do to me, tend to make me feel like I've done something wrong. I would describe myself as someone who is quick to forgive in most cases or I will part ways from a hurtful party if I think it will continue. Usually if I can't resolve the situation through proper forgiveness or parting ways I will get angry with them in my heart. This brings out in me a very cynical side!
2. I would like to say no, but I'm sure in some ways the wounds have become part of who I am. Either I'm better from them, growing and maturing through them, learning to forgive and model Christ's love. Or, I've developed a method of avoidance!
3. Of course. I'd love to forget them all but I know this isn't even possible. I do know I can hang them on the Cross and only allow them to be something positive in my life. I'm working on that one...
Overall I truly love my life and I can honestly say there aren't many wounds to really even speak of. God has protected me a lot in my life and I've been sheltered from a lot of pains I think others experience. Haven't we all considering we live in America! To some my "wounds" would seem silly and irrelevant. I want to keep a pure perspective about the wounds in my life and not let my mind ponder on them too often. As I said, I brought most of them upon myself! :)
All of my wounds become His wounds and that I want to consider daily.
God Who Are You and what can You do for Me?
This is for Session 4 which I missed by a long shot this week due to preparations for a big event I'm planning this weekend. But, I did finally get to the session and would love to answer the discussion question!
Who is master of your life? Who are you allowing to rule over you? Your job? Baggage from the past? Unforgiveness? Hatred? Anger? Unhappiness? Your children?
1. I want to say Jesus Christ is the master of my life but I also know that often times my children, my husband, my at home work take precedence over Christ as my master. They become small idols that I define myself by even when I know not to. Our pastor talks a lot about idolatry b/c it is the thing we do most often when we replace Christ with something else in our life. We begin to define our value by what those things say rather than what Jesus says about us and did for us.
2. My children often rule over me. Not in the sense that they are disobedient or defiant but that I spend so much of who I am with them, about them, for them, etc. I know all mommies get that! I pour myself into them and raising them and often not even as much as I would like to or as much as I think I should. I hear the devil tell me I'm not good enough, I'm failing, etc. Truth is I know that I can handle all things God has given to us and although at times I might fall short, I'm doing my best through Christ who strengthens me.
Perfectionism is my other Lord and although I have made much progress I know I have a long way to go with this. It is the perfect opportunity for the Devil to tell me I'm not good enough. I hope to someday make this weakness a strength! :)
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