Message to the redeemed!

"I , even I am the Lord and apart from me there is no Savior" Isaiah 43:11

Being called out of dark places to behold a light that will break forth to show the faithfulness of God! Faith endures because there is a light at the end of the tunnel! However, on the journey, we get weary and sometimes discouraged. But Christ says endure! He says look at me! He wants to be the center of attention. "..fixing your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.." Hebrews 12:2 He gave the perfect example! He set you as a joy before Him and endured the cross! While in pain, He thought of YOU!

Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore since we have such great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2. fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart." (NASB)

Perfect example! What Jesus did...was for me! I am going to be selfish for a moment! He thought of ME! He thought of the sins I would commit and how I would need a Savior to forgive me! He thought of how He wanted me to be free from sin and free from condemnation when I messed up (again)! He knew I was going to sin. I was reminded one day during worship that God sees the blemish free and spotless blood of Jesus when He looks at me, He doesn't see the sin and shame I should feel when I sin. Oh what peace and joy covered my heart. I am covered in righteousness because Jesus took on my shame. I am the righteousness of God in Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man in in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (NASB)

2 Corinthians 5:21 "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (NASB)

Peace will grasp your soul when you realize the liberty you have because of Christ. Peace will rest on your heart when you take hold of the consistency of our God. The consistency of our God is that He is a very present help in time of trouble. The character of our God is to help His redeemed when we face trials. The fact is He knows we will face hardships and He actually told us several times in scripture that we would face various trials (James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:10, Philippians 1:29)! He knew that disheartening situations would come and fight to wear us down...but He reminds us I AM REDEEMED!

Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the Lord your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God The Holy One of Israel, your Savior...."

I am convinced...I have no question in mind that I the redeemed of the Lord will come out of the flood, fire, river or whatever I find myself in, whole and refined for the purpose of the Master! I wrote this for you! I wrote this for you to know that You are His no matter what! It is vividly obvious that you will pass through a great deal of trials but He says He will be with you. When you pass through the waters He WILL be with you, when you will pass through rivers theywill not overflow you, when you will pass through fire, You will not be scorched, and the flames will not burn you! God's love is a whole lot bigger than we understand! He says Hardships yes. Defeated NO! As you look to Him, You will see a picture of perfect love and endurance that says victory is a promise "... (Jesus) has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.." that my friend is VICTORY!

There is an old song that says " Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look straight in His wonderful face, and the things of this world will go strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace..."

"I encourage you...look straight to the cross, focus on your redemption through the power of the cross, all your shame, all the hardships will fade away..."

Grace and Peace to God's redeemed.


~Renee Jael