Thinking-about-Jesus Shoes

"The believer can say, 'I have a Brother in heaven; I may be poor, but I have a Brother who is rich, and is a King, and will He suffer me to want while He is on His throne? Oh no! He loves me; He is my brother.' Believer, wear this blessed thought, like a necklace of diamonds, around the neck of thy memory; put it, as a golden ring, on the finger of recollection, and use it as the King's own seal, stamping the petitions of thy faith with the confidence of success. He is a brother born for adversity, treat him as such." (Charles Spurgeon in Morning & Evening)

In recent weeks I noticed a very clear trend in my devotional and personal readings. Over and over the readings pointed me clearly to Jesus - not in subtle ways but with bell-tone clarity. First, there were the eloquent words of Charles Spurgeon. The quote above is one of many  jewels that I have gathered from reading Spurgeon's daily devotional book entitled Morning and Evening   . Spurgeon consistently encourages and challenges the believer to understand the magnitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on our behalf. As we understand, we can begin to grasp how deep is the love of Christ for us.

A second book that I have been reading for the third time (yes, it's that good) is entitled Stepping Heavenward  by Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss, herself a PK and a PW. The book is a fictional journal of a young woman's journey to maturity in Christ. Mrs. Prentiss teaches profound spiritual truths in an easy to read style. In the passage below, the fictional journal writer Katy initially is struck with the truth of God's love for her. She writes of what she was told by an older preacher:

" ' You may be sure of it,' he said solemnly. 'I, His minister, bring the gospel to you today. Go home and say over and over to yourself, 'I am a wayward, foolish child. But He loves me! I have disobeyed and grieved Him ten thousand times. But He loves me! I have lost faith in some of my friends and am very desolate. But He loves me! I do not love Him; I am even angry with Him! But He loves me!' " (Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E. Prentiss)

Katy's understanding of Christ's love and how she should live in response to that love grows and develops as she grows and matures as a woman.

Dear Sisters, have you taken time recently to think about Jesus? Have you given time to meditate on the great love poured out to you? You may be hurting, perhaps even by a situation within your church. Never forget: Jesus loves YOU! Grasp onto that truth and never let go.

"...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17b - 19)