The Power of the Blood

...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

If there ever was an author I LOVE it is Andrew Murray. His writings speak to my soul and touch the depths of my awareness and knowledge of God while urging me on to dive so much deeper and experience more of my Lord. Murray's connection with God had to be completely intertwined with his every step in life. No man can know the ways and dealings of God like he relates them without having spent a life in complete abandon to the Spirit of God.

It has been his writings that have spoken to and stirred places in my heart I didn't know could be described in words. His intimacy with the living Lord makes me hungry to know Him better and to give Him more of myself.

So I'm reading back through "The Power of the Blood of Jesus" for the umpteenth time. This little paperback book is so marked up, highlighted, and flagged it hardly resembles a book anymore. YET, I wrote in my prayer journal this week, "Have I ever read this book before now?"

How is it possible I am so dull of hearing! Every time I read it I am blown away and undone in my spirit all at once. His words about the blood of our Lord being the ultimate sacrifice that was poured out for our eternal redemption stirs so many thoughts in me about the missing elements in our modern culture.

Here are just a few thoughts that strike me to the core each time as if I've never heard them before.
"The blood must have the same place in our hearts which it has with God. Our heart will never rest, nor find salvation, till we too learn to walk and glory in the power of that blood." p. 21

"The precious blood of Christ has opened the way for the believer into God's presence;and intimacy with Him is a deep, spiritual reality. He who knows the full power of the blood is brought SO NIGH that he can always live in the immediate presence of God and in the enjoyment of the unspeakable blessings attached to it. THERE, the child of God has the ASSURANCE OF GOD'S LOVE; he experiences and enjoys it. God himself imparts it. He lives daily in the friendship and fellowship of God. In this intimacy with God, he possesses all that he needs; he wants no good thing. His soul is kept in perfect rest and peace, because God is with him. He receives all requisite direction and teaching. God's eye is ever upon him, guiding him. In INTIMACY WITH GOD, he is able to hear the SOFTEST WHISPERS of the Holy Spirit. He learns to understand the slightest sign of his Father's will and to follow it. His STRENGTH continually increases, for God is his strength; and God is ever with him." p95-96 (emphasis mine)

See what I mean? In the above quote Murray has to be speaking from his own experiences with God and God's dealings with himself. One cannot know these things without a living revelation ~ by experience of them.

How many Christians WISH/PRAY to hear softest whispers of the Holy Spirit! It isn't a hard thing but it is a thing reserved for those children of God who view it as a high privilege and are willing to draw near to God by His blood... the way has been opened. We must "give the blood the same prominent place in our hearts which it has with God."

I'm undone... again.

Ransomed by Love Himself

...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Like Paul, I am less than the least of all the saints, I am chief among sinners, I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious. Once I was dead, doomed forever because of my many sins. I used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan,  following the passions and desires of my evil nature.

But GOD is so rich in His mercy! AND He loved me so very much, that even while I was dead because of my sins He gave me LIFE when he raised me from that death along with Jesus Christ. It was His kindness and the wealth of His favor that saved me when I believed! I take no credit for this. It is not a reward for the good things I've done so I have nothing to boast about.

This mercy, grace, and salvation is a GIFT from God. (adapted from Eph 2)

Sin is a lurking and ever present power always ready to pounce and capture. In my flesh dwells NO GOOD THING. It is necessary to be aware and on alert for the sin that so easily besets. For me, it is necessary to know the triggers that lure me into sin.

While I do not major on sin it is the knowledge and deep appreciation for God's grace and how He saved me from sin that compels me to lean into His grace and it kindles my desire to please Him alone. Staying ever mindful of God's grace is what causes me to crumple before Him in utter dependence on His love. It is the presence of His sweetness, His tenderness, His infilling, and impartation of His own nature that gives me the power to shun the life, the practices, and habits of the life I once lived in sin.

I cannot hold on to any part of it. I don't want to. If I am honest, I know what does and doesn't please my Lord. Sure, it is up to me to be that honest with myself and Him. But ~~when I am~~ I know that if I want the fullness of His presence and power in my life then I also want to walk this walk without those things of the flesh I once indulged in that drew me into the world.

He has not punished me for all my sins, nor does He deal with me as I deserve. He understands how weak I am. But His love remains forever for those who fear Him. (adapted from Ps 103)

He is merciful and gracious. He is slow to get angry. He is full of unfailing love.

I want my life to represent Him well.

Happy Valentine's Day!