“… In order to present the church to himself in all its beauty- pure and faultless, without spot or wrinkle, or any other imperfection”. Ephesians 5:27
Ironing… on a hot summer day? I wished not! But there I was, with a load of sparkling clean shirts before me, waiting to be ironed. My husband and sons needed their shirts ready, as we were to attend church early, the next morning. So without giving it much thought, I tackled the task. One by one, I carefully ironed the shirts; using steam as necessary, to smooth even the tiniest wrinkles away. Then, I hung them neatly in a rack. While I too was partaking of the heat and steam applied to the garments, I knew my family was worth it!
As I reached for a white shirt, carefully arranging it on the ironing board, I thought about our own spiritual garments. They certainly have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; for we have invited Jesus into our hearts and accepted His sacrifice in atonement for our transgressions. But that is only the beginning of our preparation. In order to be ready for his second coming, our garments must also be ironed; our characters, transformed.
Therefore, with the iron of the Holy Spirit, and through the heat and steam of trials, God carefully soothes away each and every wrinkle that our character might have. Diligently, he is preparing us for His kingdom. Every time heat is applied, a wrinkle is smoothed away. Each trial and heartache that we withstand says how important we are to our heavenly Father. He calls us to be “perfect- just as our Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:38).
Jesus himself holds the iron in his hand. He too is partaking of the heat, so that you and I can be ready, pure and faultless, without a wrinkle or any other imperfection!
Next time you feel the heat of trials or tribulation, praise God. Cry: "Yes, Lord… smooth all my wrinkles away!"
My prayer: Lord, thank you for your Holy Spirit, which prepares my character for your kingdom. Please help me, trustingly, endure the heat while you smooth all my wrinkles away! Amen
© Copyright, Rhodi Alers de López, 2004
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
So precious, yet, so scarce...
It doesn’t cost a cent but it’s worth millions,
It can bond two hearts forever into one.
It is easily received and, just as easy to give;
It brings smiles to young and old, alike.
It can save a life; it can dry your tears instantly.
It only takes a moment, but may be cherished eternally!
You need it, I need it, and everybody needs it.
Poor and rich desire it; many never had it.
It can warm the coldest heart and lighten any burden.
It brings joy, laughter and smiles to hearts longing understanding.
It’s a cure for loneliness, the nudge you need to carry on,
It’s light that shines on foggy nights, a soothing balm of love.
It heals better than medicine, it feels like heaven down on earth.
It casts away your fears, it helps you love and give and learn!
It builds bridges of understanding among those that are hurting,
Caressing the soul with friendship and caring.
Needless to say: it’s hardly seen, for hugs are just so scarce…
So please, receive a hug today, down from the bottom of my heart!
Yes! ...HUGS are coming your way today,
Wishing a blessed and very happy day!
© Copyright, Rhodi Alers de López, 2004
It can bond two hearts forever into one.
It is easily received and, just as easy to give;
It brings smiles to young and old, alike.
It can save a life; it can dry your tears instantly.
It only takes a moment, but may be cherished eternally!
You need it, I need it, and everybody needs it.
Poor and rich desire it; many never had it.
It can warm the coldest heart and lighten any burden.
It brings joy, laughter and smiles to hearts longing understanding.
It’s a cure for loneliness, the nudge you need to carry on,
It’s light that shines on foggy nights, a soothing balm of love.
It heals better than medicine, it feels like heaven down on earth.
It casts away your fears, it helps you love and give and learn!
It builds bridges of understanding among those that are hurting,
Caressing the soul with friendship and caring.
Needless to say: it’s hardly seen, for hugs are just so scarce…
So please, receive a hug today, down from the bottom of my heart!
Yes! ...HUGS are coming your way today,
Wishing a blessed and very happy day!
© Copyright, Rhodi Alers de López, 2004
Monday, June 28, 2004
You called my name
Thou I might never fully comprehend
Your endless love and precious saving grace
I come before you with a thankful heart,
And I adore you Master, Savior, Friend.
When I was bound, in sorrow and despair,
You broke the chains and gave my life new hope.
You gave my life a reason to believe.
You gave me joy and peace from up above.
You called my name, embraced me and restored
My troubled, weary, broken-hearted soul.
You called my name and gave me a new song.
You gave me love, most precious, lasting love.
And you chose me, oh Jesus, precious friend,
To love and cherish and to make me whole.
Make me a vessel of your love and joy,
Vessel of blessings, Lord, vessel of love!
© Copyright, Rhodi Alers de López, 2003
Your endless love and precious saving grace
I come before you with a thankful heart,
And I adore you Master, Savior, Friend.
When I was bound, in sorrow and despair,
You broke the chains and gave my life new hope.
You gave my life a reason to believe.
You gave me joy and peace from up above.
You called my name, embraced me and restored
My troubled, weary, broken-hearted soul.
You called my name and gave me a new song.
You gave me love, most precious, lasting love.
And you chose me, oh Jesus, precious friend,
To love and cherish and to make me whole.
Make me a vessel of your love and joy,
Vessel of blessings, Lord, vessel of love!
© Copyright, Rhodi Alers de López, 2003
Sunday, June 27, 2004
In the Garden
“Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and said, in Hebrew, “Raboni!” (This means “Teacher.”) John 20:16
I woke up tired and worried one morning, after a long, sleepless night. I said a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for the new day and the opportunity to serve Him. Having a positive attitude and singing praises to God while doing chores helped. But my heart was aching, burdened with questions without answers, longing for assurance that the Lord was in control of each member of my family. My husband’s words were no comfort. When my family left, I sought refuge in my Friend. At last, alone with Him, I needed not be strong anymore. So I knelt, wept and poured my soul before Him.
Mary was anguished. Tears streamed down her cheeks; her heart broken by the death of her Master. And now… his body was not in the grave! Immersed in her sorrow, she was unable to recognize the voice she heard. “It must be the gardener”, she thought. Mary was in the very presence of Jesus, without perceiving it! But Christ, who notices every teardrop and understands the longings of our hearts, saw her anguish and suffering. He spoke and called her name! When Mary realized she was in the presence of her beloved Master everything changed. He turned her tears into joy and new hope.
Like Mary, often times and for many reasons, comfortless, we cry. Although in the presence of our Master, our soul groans in pain and suffering. But the moment when we hear his voice and listen to his words he fills our heart with peace, assurance and joy! There is power in His words!
That morning, in the midst of my tears, wonderful promises from God’s Word came to me, bringing the much needed assurance of his guidance. I lay all my burdens in his hands and felt great comfort and peace.
If in the midst of sorrow we learn to listen to His voice, everything will change. We have a loving Savior who weeps with us. But also offers us his grace, his strength and his peace. Even when we don’t perceive him, He is always by our side. Every day he calls our name, longing to comfort us. No matter the reason for our sorrow and anguish, when we seek Him in the garden He wipes our tears. What a wonderful Savior!
Prayer: I praise you, Lord, for You are my Comfort in time of need! May I seek you in the garden at the start of every day so that we may walk hand in hand along life's narrow way. Amen
© Copyright Rhodi Alers de López, 2003
I woke up tired and worried one morning, after a long, sleepless night. I said a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for the new day and the opportunity to serve Him. Having a positive attitude and singing praises to God while doing chores helped. But my heart was aching, burdened with questions without answers, longing for assurance that the Lord was in control of each member of my family. My husband’s words were no comfort. When my family left, I sought refuge in my Friend. At last, alone with Him, I needed not be strong anymore. So I knelt, wept and poured my soul before Him.
Mary was anguished. Tears streamed down her cheeks; her heart broken by the death of her Master. And now… his body was not in the grave! Immersed in her sorrow, she was unable to recognize the voice she heard. “It must be the gardener”, she thought. Mary was in the very presence of Jesus, without perceiving it! But Christ, who notices every teardrop and understands the longings of our hearts, saw her anguish and suffering. He spoke and called her name! When Mary realized she was in the presence of her beloved Master everything changed. He turned her tears into joy and new hope.
Like Mary, often times and for many reasons, comfortless, we cry. Although in the presence of our Master, our soul groans in pain and suffering. But the moment when we hear his voice and listen to his words he fills our heart with peace, assurance and joy! There is power in His words!
That morning, in the midst of my tears, wonderful promises from God’s Word came to me, bringing the much needed assurance of his guidance. I lay all my burdens in his hands and felt great comfort and peace.
If in the midst of sorrow we learn to listen to His voice, everything will change. We have a loving Savior who weeps with us. But also offers us his grace, his strength and his peace. Even when we don’t perceive him, He is always by our side. Every day he calls our name, longing to comfort us. No matter the reason for our sorrow and anguish, when we seek Him in the garden He wipes our tears. What a wonderful Savior!
Prayer: I praise you, Lord, for You are my Comfort in time of need! May I seek you in the garden at the start of every day so that we may walk hand in hand along life's narrow way. Amen
© Copyright Rhodi Alers de López, 2003
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