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