God’s Far-Reaching Redemption

God’s Far-Reaching Redemption

Have you recognized God’s redemptive power working in a specific situation in your life—other than your salvation? We could coin a new term and call it situational redemption.

I’ve seen it in others and experienced it in my own life. If you are born-again, you’re probably personally familiar with it as well.

There are many examples recorded in the Bible. One which comes to mind is God’s redemption after the sin of David and Bathsheba. They each experienced shame and drastic consequences as a result their sin of adultery. But through it all, they repented and allowed God to work things out for their good and the good of the nation of Israel.

We see evidence of God’s grace toward them when King David announced that Solomon would inherit his throne. Solomon’s mother was Bathsheba and he was not the heir apparent nor the heir presumptive. He was but one of many sons from David’s several wives.

Replica of Michelangelo's David
Photo by Connie Wohlford

This account is recorded in the first chapter of 1 Kings. In verse 28, David instructed, “Call Bathsheba to me.” She approached her husband, the king, and he proceeded to tell her of his decision to pass the throne to their son, Solomon. David’s decision was ordained of God and Solomon was soon crowned and went on to build a new Temple to Yahweh, the Lord God. 

Generations back, in the family tree, God had graciously shown redemption and favor. David’s great, great grandmother was a former harlot. She was Rahab, wife to Salmon and mother of Boaz, who married Ruth. Among these four people we find a couple more of my favorite redemption stories. The interweaving of God’s redeeming love and power is truly fascinating and a thing of great beauty.

By the grace of God, the very bloodline of Jesus Himself runs through this branch of the family tree.

God does not hold grudges. When we join His family by receiving Jesus, our Heavenly Father eradicates our sin. All consequences may not be erased though. As I mentioned, David and Bathsheba agonized through severe consequences.

 

In my own somewhat similar experience, the consequences of sin for my soon to be husband and me, were not removed. I was still pregnant and had to face the shame and embarrassment—not to mention subjecting my dear parents to that as well. To this day, I’m still embarrassed by my sin which could not be hidden for long.  I’d like to mention that I’m grateful, beyond words, that I did not get an abortion, as was suggested by a friend at the time. I honestly didn’t consider it, but the thought makes me shudder.

 

By the amazing grace of God, my husband and I have experienced God’s redeeming love and unmerited favor. I gave birth to our first son some months later. This son of ours is living proof of God’s redemption. He excelled in good character, academics, and sports in school. He graduated from the US Naval Academy, served our country for twenty years as an aviator in the Navy and Air Force, is currently a high school science teacher, and with his wife, has given us four amazing grandchildren, whom they are raising in a Christian home.

Our God loves to redeem—because He loves.

A definition of redeem is to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something.* Another definition is to reclaim and restore to the original state or even better than the original state. I have experienced this many times in my journey with God. I know other people can tell their own stories as well—many of which are much weightier than mine.

 

How about you? I’d love to hear about your own experiences in a comment below. If you prefer not to write it, at least talk to our Redeemer about it and express your gratitude to Him—again.

Special note: In the 45 years since our first son was born, this is just the second time I’ve publicly mentioned this sin of my past. Because of shame and guilt I have chosen not to talk about it but I believe the Lord wants me to open up and be more vulnerable. Perhaps, in doing so, someone will be encouraged or helped in some way.

Thanks for reading my post and may God richly bless you as you and I continue in His amazing grace.  

©Connie Wohlford 2016

*https://www.google.com/#q=define+redeem

An Invitation from a REAL Angel

An Invitation from a REAL Angel

Have you ever received an angelic invitation?

A couple thousand years ago, two women had an amazing encounter with an angel and were extended an invitation of cosmic proportions. They were naturally startled when they saw him, for they weren’t expecting to come across this messenger whose “countenance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow” (Matt. 28:3 NKJV). 

The sun was just beginning to filter through the trees, when Mary Magdalene and another Mary approached the tomb where Jesus had been buried. I’m sure they gasped when they saw the brilliant figure sitting there on the large stone that had previously closed the tomb of Jesus.

Then the angel spoke, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” (Matt. 28:6a NKJV).

Can you imagine the thoughts and emotions surging through those women? They had followed Jesus for the past two or three years and were even a part of His inner circle of friends. Just a couple days earlier, their hearts were broken as they witnessed the violent beating and crucifixion of their Lord and friend.

Then the invitation: “Come.”

The angel said, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Picture this: The two astonished women looked at one another, then rushed into the tomb. They had planned to find there, the dead body of Jesus. Their intention was to anoint His body with the traditional burial spices.

Isn’t it just like God to mess with our plan and tamper with our good intentions?!

 

As it was sinking in that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, the angel gave instructions to Mary and Mary: “‘Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed he is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.’ So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples       word” (Matt. 28:7-8 NKJV).


Matthew 28:5-71 NKJV

Those of us who are followers of Jesus have had a somewhat similar experience as the two Marys— though, for most of us, without the angel. At some point in our lives we received an invitation to come and see that Jesus hung on a cross to bear the punishment for our sins. He died there and was buried in a tomb. Then, by a supernatural work of God Almighty, Jesus rose from the dead. We may have been just as amazed as Mary and Mary when we realized it was really true—just as the Bible says.

So then what? Mary and Mary went out quickly to tell Jesus’ disciples. We too are to follow their example. We’re to go and tell others the incredible Good News about Jesus.

Jesus Himself told His followers to go and tell. Here are his instructions, known as The Great Commission, given before He ascended into Heaven:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV).

With Resurrection Sunday just a month ago, please consider:

Where are you regarding the angel’s four-step directive?

Come—See—Go—Tell

And where are each of us regarding The Great Commission of Jesus?

Someone’s eternal destination depends on it. Let’s just do it!

 

©Connie Wohlford 2016

How Could I NOT Go?

How Could I NOT Go?

It was a gorgeous bright sunshiny Easter morning. A couple hundred folks from our community gathered at our high school stadium at 6:00 A.M. to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior.

This Sunrise Service was, by far, the most memorable one I’ve ever attended. I sat there with my parents, my husband, and our two young sons. I don’t think I heard a word the speaker said. But I did pay attention to the words of the songs while trying hard to hold back tears.

The lyrics of Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (Charles Wesley 1739) and Up From the Grave He Arose (Robert Lowry 1874) struck a chord in my spirit and my emotions like never before.

You see, just two days prior to that, my 22 year old brother had died. It was on Good Friday. And yes, it was a good Friday because my brother, Tommy, had suffered from cancer for two and a half years. It was good that he was no longer in pain and it was good to know that he was a born-again believer in Jesus.

I remember looking at my parents on that bright morning and thinking about how brave they were. There they were, sitting through this service, right out in public. I knew their hearts were broken but I also knew they had fallen into the arms of their greatest Love, Jesus Himself.  

During those hard years they had cared for and prayed for their precious son—a son who had promise, hopes, and dreams.

Tommy knew where he was going when his mortal end came. He was ready to go and he knew it—and we knew it.

It was hard to comprehend that there we were, celebrating life—that is LIFE ETERNAL—LIFE at its fullest.

I sat there, as the sun dispelled the morning chill, thinking about the reality that was so surreal. Yesterday we were immersed in death—final funeral arrangements and such. Just a few days before that we were immersed in pain—watching Tommy battle physical pain and dealing with our own emotional pain.

When Mama asked me if I was going to the sunrise service I was dumfounded. I couldn’t image going to a public gathering of any kind before we even had Tommy’s funeral, which would be Monday, after Easter.

I just couldn’t see it. But then I thought, “How can I not go?”

This was what it was all about! How could I not go and honor my Lord? How could I not go and acknowledge His glorious resurrection? How could I not go and honor my brother, who was now risen with his Lord? I had to go!

I was excited to go—to go and bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While the speaker gave what I’m sure was an eloquent sermon, I didn’t hear a word. But in my mind, I could see my dear brother standing next to our risen Lord. There was Tommy, beaming with his most beautiful handsome smile.

He now knew many things that we will one day know. He was experiencing, first hand, many experiences that we look forward to in the sweet by-and-by. I knew, beyond any doubt that Tommy was in good hands, and he now possessed fullness of health, joy, peace, love, and on and on. 

 

That was 43 years ago and in all these years, it’s still my most memorable Easter. I thank God for such a memory.

 

 

 

 

©Connie Wohlford 2016

The Miracle of the Veil

The Miracle of the Veil

How can it be—that a massive curtain can rip from top to bottom without the help of a tool—perhaps a chainsaw or a machete or—something?  

By massive, I mean—we’re looking at a curtain about the thickness of a man’s hand, according to the Jewish historian, Josephus. That’s about four inches thick! And this curtain, known as the veil, was thought to be 60 feet high. It was colossal!  

The veil was the dividing wall between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, often called the Holy of Holies, in the Temple (Ex. 26:33). The Holy of Holies was the place where God dwelt. The veil provided a separation between Holy God and sinful man.

Only the high priest was permitted to go beyond it and only once a year—on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16). On this sacred day, after much preparation, the high priest would go into the Holy of Holies to make a blood sacrifice to atone for sins the people had committed in ignorance (Heb. 9:7).

At the very moment Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the Temple was torn from the top, down. The Gospel writer says, “And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:37-38 NKJV).

This veil could not have been torn at the hands of men. Nor could it have been a result of the ensuing earthquake. God Himself tore the veil. God Himself provided the once for all blood sacrifice that atoned for the sins of all mankind.

God the Father, provided His Son, Jesus, to be the sacrifice. Thus when Jesus breathed His last breath, the separation veil was torn and the way was made for us—anyone willing—to access our Heavenly Father.

The writer of Hebrews declares, “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NASB).

 SO—the rending of the separation veil, which blocked access to the presence of God, was a physical occurrence, done by the hand of God, with celestial significance. In essence, Jesus’ death enacted the tearing of the veil so that we, who put our trust in Him, may have access to our Creator—our Heavenly Father. We may now be in His Heavenly Kingdom, as His own child “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:16-17). We may now have a personal relationship with God through Jesus and enjoy its benefits.  

SO—the rending of the separation veil, which blocked access to the presence of God, was a physical occurrence, done by the hand of God, with celestial significance. In essence, Jesus’ death enacted the tearing of the veil so that we, who put our trust in Him, may have access to our Creator—our Heavenly Father. We may now be in His Heavenly Kingdom, as His own child “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:16-17). We may now have a personal relationship with God through Jesus and enjoy its benefits.

 

 

Thank you, Jesus, for following through to the finish and thank you God for tearing the veil.

Let us rejoice for the work that was done on that Good Friday 2000 years ago. And let us glorify God for raising Jesus back to life three days later, conquering death so we too can have Eternal Life.

 

Happy Resurrection Day to you and your loved ones.

©Connie Wohlford 2016  

DEATH—Fear No More

DEATH—Fear No More

Do you fear death? If so, why?

Many people fear death because of the universal fear of the unknown. We each know we’ll die one day, but don’t know how, when, or where. For many, this fear is rooted in the fact that they don’t know what will happen to them after they take their last breath.

The ultimate purpose in Christ Jesus coming to earth was to conquer death, and in doing so, remove it’s fear from anyone who will follow Him. We read that, “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” In Galatians 5:1, Paul instructed, Christ followers to stand firm in the freedom Christ provided and then not get tangled up in any kind of fear-bondage.

As children, from the point in time when we learned about death, some degree of fear was set in motion in the heart of each of us.

Do you remember your first encounter with death as a child? For most of us it probably involved the passing of an older relative or maybe a pet. For some of us, it was a shocking, abrupt, life-altering experience.

The writer of Hebrews speaks of Jesus crucifixion saying, “That through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14b-15).

In other words, through one’s lifetime, we’re each subject to a bondage to the fear of dying. But Jesus’ overpowering His own death destroyed the devil’s power in death and therefore has set us free from slavery to that fear.

We can rejoice in the words found in 1 Corinthians 15:54,55:   So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (KJV)

  

 

 

 It’s because Jesus died on the cross, taking on Himself the punishment for sin we each deserved, and then, after being buried and His body lying in a grave for three days, He rose—alive again. Because Jesus is the Son of the God of the universe, He had power to overthrow death. 


Cross of Our Lord Ministry, Groom, TX
 Connie Wohlford Photo

In this, He made a way for His followers to do the same. Thus, He is called the firstfruits of the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20).  

This is why freedom in Christ is true freedom. This is why His followers need not fear anyone who can kill their mortal bodies. It’s why Christians, in places where Christianity is forbidden, have the wherewithal stand firm and refuse to renounce their faith even in the face of persecution and death. They also have the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
This is also why we who follow Christ need not fear death. Death has no power over us and it’s why Paul could stand firm and say, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21 NKJV).

We glory in the cross of our Lord, for it is the catalyst for our own victory over death and the fear of it. As Resurrection Sunday (Easter) approaches, let’s rejoice in this freedom for which Christ has set us free!

The Resurrection Carl Heinrich Bloch 1834-1890

Oh, Hallelujah!
He is risen, indeed!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©Connie Wohlford 2016

Restoration and The Cross of Christ

Restoration and The Cross of Christ 

What does the word restoration mean to you? Perhaps having eyesight restored after surgery or the restoration of a historic home to its original beauty.

Restoration that comes from God actually restores a person to a condition far better than his or her former state. In God’s economy, restoration is about life—abundant life—every aspect of life. Moses said of the Lord, “He is your life” (Deut. 30:20).

“I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it           more abundantly.”  <> Words of Jesus—John 10:10b NKJV

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“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  <> Words of Jesus—John 14:6 NKJV

When Jesus went to the cross, He became the once-for-all (1 Cor. 5:7) Paschal Lamb (Ex. 12)—the Passover Lamb (Mark 14:12)—The Lamb of God (John 1:29).  

On Passover, in ancient Israel, a spotless male lamb was sacrificed to atone for sin—for the deliverance (salvation)—of the Jews. Jesus was the spotless Lamb sacrificed on the cross to atone for the sins of all mankind, once and for all.

John the Baptist recognized Jesus and announced, “Behold! The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NKJV).

It was from the moment in time*, when Jesus died, that anyone who believes and receives Him may have abundant life for the rest of their days on earth and Eternal Life with Jesus in Heaven. Notice, I didn’t say a trouble-free life. Followers of Jesus have access to the attributes of Christ which can enrich life and give hope and peace even during earthly trials.

Anyone who will follow Christ will be restored to a right relationship with their Creator, God the Father. This cosmic restoration allows that person to enjoy the same fellowship with God that Adam and Eve knew before their fall. This restoration gives the follower of Jesus access to the abundant life spoken of in John 10.

It doesn’t mean we won’t ever sin again either. It means that when we do, we have an advocate with the Father. Jesus Christ, Himself will plead our case and help us return back to right relationship (1 John 2:1).  

God’s restoration means the spiritual death brought about by sin is replaced with spiritual life (Ezekiel 36:26, 27); that we will be one with Jesus (John 17:22); that we can live by the Spirit rather than by our flesh (Rom. 8:13); and that we can know God’s mystery, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col. 1:26, 27).

SO, let’s rejoice in this amazing restoration to which we have access because of the cross of Christ. The crucifixion of our Lord made the way for each of us to receive the gift of Salvation—that’s being saved from our sin debt. At the cross He took the punishment you and I deserved. He paid our debt!

When Jesus rose from the dead, He overcame—He conquered death, hell, and the grave. In His own words: “I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hates and of Death” (Rev. 1:19 NKJV).

As Good Friday approaches, let us look with gratitude, to the cross of Christ and then let's celebrate, with great rejoicing, Resurrection Sunday, for we have been redeemed from sin's penalties and restored to a right relationship with God for all Eternity. Oh, Hallelujah!  

*Some researchers have suggested April 3, 33AD as the date of Jesus’ crucifixion. They say that geological evidence of an earthquake on that date and that location indicates this possibility. –Interesting!   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/25/jesus-crucifixion-date-possible_n_1546351.html

©Connie Wohlford 2016

For nearly 30 years I had wondered.

For nearly 30 years I had wondered.               

I just didn’t get it. I didn’t understand. I had asked myself this question for nearly 30 years. You may have wondered the same thing. I even stated the question, out loud, to my pastor in a church meeting and he went on to the next question. I later decided he didn’t know the answer!

My question: How is it that Jesus’ death on the cross saved me from my sins? I knew He had done it. I was certain I had been redeemed. But, I wanted to know how. How did that work? What was it that took place that gave me Salvation?

I finally got my answer. My husband and I, with our two sons, eventually started attending a church strong in teaching biblical truths. I’ll call it a word church. [I don’t mean to say that the answer had never fallen on my ears before. Perhaps I just wasn’t listening.]

Somewhere along the way, through good teaching and personal Bible study I found my answer. I realized how Jesus’ death on the cross, coupled with my belief that it’s true and receiving Him into my heart, gave me the gift of salvation.

This is how it works:

God the Father—Creator of the universe—is holy. In other words, there is no evil—not even a smidgen—of evil or sinfulness in Him. And, He will not, in any way, tolerate sin.

Keep in mind that before Adam and Eve’s original sin, everything was perfect. The Garden of Eden was true paradise, in the fullest extent of the word. It will be so again in the future, after the return of Jesus.

When Adam and Eve sinned, God expelled them from the garden and from that point on mankind was bent toward sin. This first couple had, of their own free well, broken their relationship with God.

From that point on, sickness, hardship and death became part of the human condition. And for a limited time, Satan is allowed to have certain power and authority on the earth.

So, now man’s (men & women) relationship with God is severed and Satan continues to tempt every human to sin against God. God and Satan are cosmic enemies, each one desiring every person to be in his respective kingdom. In the end, we know God wins. God’s ultimate victory is prophesied throughout Scripture and is described in detail in the Book of Revelation.

Meanwhile, God still loved Adam and Eve, as well as all subsequent people born on the earth. (All people conceived, I should say, given that some people didn’t actually get born due to miscarriage or abortion.) God wants everyone to be in fellowship with Him and He desires that all live with Him in Paradise (Heaven) when their life on earth ends.

But God will not go against His nature. And an important characteristic of His nature is that He does not, and never will, tolerate sin. Given the fact that every human ever born sins, we have a serious dilemma.

AND—God wants a family. We were each created in the image of our Heavenly Father (Gen. 1:27) for the purpose of being in fellowship with him. He wants each of us in His eternal family.

So what was God to do? He loved everyone and wanted to have a relationship with each of His children.

Well, God had a plan all along, because He knows the end from the beginning (1 Pet. 1:18-20). His Son, Jesus, who was there all along in eternity past, was the answer to the cosmic dilemma.

Because of God’s love and mercy for mankind He decided to send Jesus to earth (John 3:16-17). This Messiah would be born of a virgin for the purpose of restoring mankind to a right relationship with God.

Justice had to be served. That’s why everyone who is born will eventually die. But if we die without having paid for the many sins we’ve committed in our entire lifetimes, we’ll receive the eternal punishment of Hell. We’re not capable of saving ourselves because we’re tainted with sin. But Jesus lived on earth as a man for 33 years and never sinned. He was pure and spotless in every way.

The requirement for justifying our debt of sin was the sacrificial death of a sinless, flawless, spotless man. Only one man ever walked on the earth who could meet this requirement. That one man was Jesus the Christ—Son of God—Son of man.

He is God and He was a man. His life and death perfectly encapsulates the justice and mercy of God. God’s justice and mercy merged at the cross of Christ.

Because Jesus became a man, he could die in our place. We each owe a debt we cannot pay and He paid a debt He did not owe. He took the punishment we deserved.

He is our Deliverer—our Savior—our Messiah! He took the punishment for all mankind, but only those who believe and receive Him will actually get His salvation and experience eternal life in Heaven with Him.

A lot more could be said to answer the question. God’s Word, the Bible, explains it thoroughly. I recommend that all read the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—to learn more about Jesus.

I’m grateful to finally come to some degree of understanding of how it is that Jesus’ death on the cross saved me from my sins. I know I, and we who are followers of Jesus, will have perfect understanding when we reach Heaven.

Meanwhile, with assurance and joy I am gratefully redeemed to full relationship with my Heavenly Father through the One who took my punishment, Jesus, God’s Son.

I hope you are too. And, if not, I invite you to believe and receive Jesus as your Savior too. Pray and tell God, your Creator, of your decision. May God richly bless you.

Your comments are welcome.

©Connie Wohlford 2016