Have You Seen the Lord?
Have you seen the Lord?
Is He the King of your life?
Have others noticed the change
since you’ve trusted in Christ?
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Have you seen the Lord?
Is He your Pearl of Great Price?
Are seekers drawn to you
since you’ve trusted in Christ?
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Have you seen the Lord?
and knelt at His cross?
For Christ cannot fill a heart
until He’s cleaned out the dross.
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Wendy/2016
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While reading the Easter Story, in preparation for a lesson I was to share with some young children at my church, I was drawn to Mary Magdalene’s words: “I have seen the Lord!” The author, John, used an exclamation mark because they had witnessed Christ’s crucifixion three days prior.
They’d also been astonished to find the tomb Jesus had been placed in empty.
It was confusing to them because the Romans wouldn’t have been careless in the way they watched over the body. The guards own lives were at stake.
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All the disciples deserted the Lord when He was arrested by the guards, beaten and nailed to the cross. Peter, who’d sworn he’d never leave the Lord’s side, denied he knew Him three times.
Yet, these same cowardly disciples became bold witnesses of the gospel of Jesus Christ once they’d seen the resurrected Lord and been filled with His Spirit at Pentecost. These once frightened men and women courageously and lovingly spread the Good News until death or martyrdom claimed their own lives.
God had transformed them.
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God still does transforming work in the lives of His people today. And it’s the Amazing Power (the Holy Spirit) behind these transformations Who makes His followers fools for the Gospel. I, for one, remember who I was before I saw the Lord. I was worldly, lost, and in need of healing. And now, like Mary Magdalene, I’m not afraid to say, “I have seen Him!”
Are you?
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I consider it an honor when I’m rejected because of my faith (including by family members). Recently someone I met while I was hiking mentioned the term evangelical Christian in a derogatory tone as she criticized a person who has been in the news a lot lately (someone who hasn’t shone good light on the name of Christ). Instead of just nodding my head and listening to her well-found condemnations of the person’s behavior, I let her know I’m also an evangelical Christian.
I filled the ensuing silence with my own words. I said not all Christians treat the planet like a paper plate to be used, abused and discarded. But, sadly, the conservatives in politics tend to be known for not caring much about the conservation of the earth—shame, shame—for God asked us to exercise dominion—not destruction.
I also consider it an honor to share my faith with those who are seeking. They aren’t repulsed by believers, they are hungry for the Truth. I don’t know where this lady stood, but I didn’t blame her one bit for her bitterness towards certain political parties and personalities.
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However, we still shouldn’t judge a group, such as Christians or Muslims or anyone, by the actions of a few.
I have seen the Lord Blessings ~ Wendy
Have you seen the Lord?
I’m nosy-to-know.
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I’m imperfect, but I know perfectly well whose I am and where I’m going.
~ Amazing Love <3 ~
Here’s a link to a post (on my other site) I did on Good Friday:
What’s so Good about Good Friday?
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Thank you, Wendy, for ministering to my heart this morning. I, too, have seen the Lord! I have heard Him speak to my heart, felt His touch on my soul, and seen what His transforming power can do in our lives. We are so quickly shut up and readily doubt what He once said to us. Thank you for reminding me this morning that our greatest enemy is our pride and fear of looking foolish. But, like you said, His first followers indeed became fools for the greatest cause this world has ever seen, namely redemption through God’s own Son.
I pray we will be bold today in proclaiming HIm in Truth and in Love.
Amen to “in Truth and in Love”, Heidi. More and more I’m grasping how important a foundation of Love is in the Kingdom of God. We are “rooted and established in love”—not religion—but Christ. Gotta love that. <3 Blessings on your beautiful family.
You take some pretty impressive photographs Wendy!
With so many lousy witnesses for Christ running around out there today, I think its important to show those who criticize our faith an example of a true Christ Follower. We do that by making a soft start in our response: “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” (Proverbs 15:1 NLT) We should project a gentle, loving, and confident image of Christ to those who have been given the wrong impression of Christianity. I can’t imagine you acting in any other way.
Thank you, Gene. God has created some impressive stuff to photograph. 🙂 I wish with all my heart I had always been gentle. But even in our weakness He can shine as we ask for forgiveness from others. I’m amazed how much a sincere apology can melt the heart of someone who may rarely have received one before. Yes, “may our gentleness be evident to all”.
I’m 27,000 words into a first draft of my memoir and it’s the most humbling thing I’ve ever written. But God.
Someone asked me the other day if I was going to write another book. I have a hard time answering that question because it is a very humbling experience to say the least. I also don’t consider myself a writer, I just tell stories, my book is my story and I don’t think I have another one in me. But I write short stories for my blog because I enjoy it. Who knows maybe someday I’ll consider giving it a shot.
I am looking forward to your memoir. Not to put any pressure on you…but I’m expecting big things 😉
Thanks, Gene. I can say this much: A BIG God rescued me from the deep; I would have drowned otherwise.
I always enjoy your story telling, and I’ll be one of the first in line if you write a second book. Your memoir was one of several that stirred the desire in me to write my story.
Gene, after my non-fiction, I didn’t think I had another book in me either. But I’ve written three novels since then. I discovered that I had fallen in love with writing … and I was suffering withdrawals. 🙂
What are the titles
“However, we still shouldn’t judge a group, such as Christians or Muslims or anyone, by the actions of a few.” Wise words, Wendy.
Thank you, dear Susan. My heart goes out to moderate Muslims. They need our compassion and kindness.
I agree with you completely, Wendy.
Great thoughts, great truth Wendy. I hope to see the Lord Jesus everyday. When I first saw Him, I believe it was a glance. Walking with Him caused me to look deeper. Then I saw Him in the Word…I now stare drooling at His majesty. I cannot imagine how Mary stared resurrection morning other than she wanted to latch on to Jesus but could not. I read in seminary that Jesus didn’t say “touch me not” to her, but “let me go,” The prior being a bad interpretation.
I work with some men that use the word hypocrite directed at any and every believer. I don’t disagree with them. I do try to ease their animosity in a kind way. I let them know all of us fail, only Christ was perfect. But I also add how close the lowest believer is to God if they stand between he/she and God. Make em think. Luther said, “always preach the gospel, when necessary use words.” Love, and live faith…that is undeniably attractive to the dying. Blessings dear Wendy!
Keith, I agree it must have been difficult for Mary to “let go”. She’d have wanted to cling to Him. I look forward to the day we see Christ with our new eyes.
Yes, I agree we’re all hypocrites compared to the Perfect One, and in Heaven we won’t miss sin one single bit. 🙂
By the way, I’m enjoying reading your devotional. Blessings on your weekend, dear brother.
Gorgeous photos and great post Wendy. I hope and pray that people see the Lord in me. I can’t wait to come face to face with Him in Glory one day. 🙂 <3
Natalie, I see Christ’s love in you, and I don’t doubt it’s visible to all who visit your lovely blog. <3 "face to face"–"What a day of rejoicing that will be."
Thank you Wendy! What a glorious day indeed it will be!!! 👍😊❤️
Amen to this, Wendy. Integrity is doing what you say you believe. And not hiding when others make derogatory remarks about people and beliefs you hold dear. There are many believers in God who are “in hiding” because they fear criticism. It does take courage to stand up, but so we must.
Thank you, dear Cynthia. Integrity is ignoring fear and listening to Love. It’s so easy to cave in to pride, but the reward of joy and peace of mind are worth it. I’m thankful for a God who delights in giving us second chances.
Well said.
Beautiful, Wendy. Yes, yes … I have seen the Lord! Glory to God! 🙂 <3
His love shines in and through you, dear Shelli. <3
Well, I’d say we cannot make a step without being blessed.
So true, Inese. We must walk in the Spirit of Love. <3
I’m so thankful He doesn’t give up on me…there are so many times when I wonder how He would even want to hang in there with me, but He does. His love is all around me, and He blesses me beyond what I could ever deserve. Thank you for your post Wendy…and the reminder that God specializes in transformations.
Thank you, dear Susan. I can relate to being blessed “beyond what I could ever deserve”. Today I came across Hebrews 12:2 which reminds us He will indeed “hang in there with (us)”: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” We’re in good hands. <3
So true…Bless you Wendy:)