Jesus is Worthy!

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by the blood out of thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation: Revelation 5:9

Today was hard, Goodbyes are never easy.

Mom and Dad slowly approached the airport security check. Moments later, they were turning back for one last glimpse. My four year old daughter Faith waved goodbye from my shoulders... With that, they were gone.... How many more missed holidays, birthdays, and ball games will come and go until they return?

Each day together was a treasure as Mom and Dad came back from the Teen Missions base in Zambia for a short visit. We enjoyed our first Christmas as a family in 25 years. Grandma and Grandpa attended Timothy's flag football games, attended Faith's fourth birthday... we even celebrated by going to our first pro basketball game in Orlando with Grandpa! Dad and I evaluated the state of our country, our family, our ministry, and our faith... we even tried to resolve the faults of the Denver Broncos.

Now we are back to email, letters, and the occasional phone call.

"Lord, do you see the great price we are paying? They won't see my children passing major milestones, growing taller... I'll miss my most trusted advisor, my dad. I'll miss my mom... so patient, so funny, such a godly example. Timothy and Faith have lost so much of the godly influence and treasured memories that grandparents are to provide..."

Jesus is worthy.

"Jesus is worthy!" The last words I spoke to Mom and Dad as they left.

He left his throne at the right hand of God, his glory, honor, power, his place of intimate fellowship with the Father. What could be worth all that? To be born in a small barn... a place for animals. He took on this body of flesh. He suffered rejection, insult, betrayal, beating... for no wrong of his own.

He loved the unlovely. He is worthy

He mended the broken. He is worthy

He healed the sick. He is worthy

He fed the hungry. He is worthy

He forgave the sinner He is worthy

He raised the dead He is worthy

YOU are worth ALL that! He died on a cross for your sin and mine, in our place... the perfect, spotless sacrifice... the Creator of the Universe, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Jesus is worthy

What a small loss compared to the great amount He gave for me.

Our loss is gain for the hundreds of Zambian youth being trained.... for the Bible students being taught and sent out... for the 3,400+ orphans being loved and cared for in remote Zambian villages.

Our loss? God has blessed us in abundance with many dear friends for my wife Gay and me... dear 'grandparents' for Timothy and Faith. We are blessed beyond belief. Only gain.

What a great God we serve! Help me to serve You more!

What price is God asking you to pay?

Jesus is worthy!

If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice is too great for me to make for Him. -CT Studd

Resolutions

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

-I Corinthians 2:2 NIV

I am hereby completing one of my 'New Year's resolutions'... to start a blog.  Why a blog? Well, I was amazed, and even overwhelmed, when I first ventured into the world of Facebook and realized how many people are there regularly reading 'status updates', viewing photos, and instant messaging. I was also shocked to learn how some dear friends seem to have fallen away from the Lord or become lost in their convictions. At first, I was at a loss how to react but it's really simple. Paul 'resolved' to know just 'one thing' in his ministry and that was knowing and sharing Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, it is your commission to be a 'light set on a hill' for all to see... pointing the way to forgiveness, healing, and restoration. As believers we must be earnest in our pursuit of an intimate daily relationship with Jesus. One that is growing... contagious... profound and powerful. I am convinced we are living in the last days before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ and as 2009 arrives I've never felt greater urgency to 'be about my Father's business'.

If someone 'bumps' into me in cyberspace in 2009, I want my light shining brightly for my Savior... a light that causes sinners to feel exposed, the broken and lost to see a way to forgiveness, and a light that causes the body of Christ to be spurred to a deeper walk that includes meaningful ministry to those in need.

This photo was taken by Carol Bray, a dear friend and coworker, at our Russian  Boot Camp commissioning service last summer. The candlelight was shining bright even as the day was fading in the background. I hope my light does the same as the 'Day of Salvation' comes to a close.

One resolution is now complete. This blog has begun. Now for a tougher and more significant resolution. Is anyone willing to join me in 2009, in resolving to pray for a fresh touch of God's anointing, for boldness and courage to testify about Jesus to everyone we meet... both in person AND in cyberspace?

I am getting desperately afraid of going to heaven for I have had the vision of the shame I shall suffer as I get my first glimpse of the Lord Jesus: His majesty, power and marvellous love for me, who treated Him so meanly and shabbily on earth, and acted as though I did Him a favour in serving Him! No wonder God shall wipe away the tears off all our faces, for we shall be broken-hearted when we see the depth of His love and the shallowness of ours.    

-CT Studd