Winning Words

On the heels of my previous post I've been reminded of the words that should be part of every Christian believer's vocabulary. The list is certainly not definitive in any way. Just a few words to came to mind as I thought about the Incarnation. Could you define these glorious words and the accompanying truths if asked?

A partial list:

Redemption
Justification
Salvation
Humiliation
Incarnation
Propitiation
Substitutionary Atonement
Vicarious Suffering

"Redeemed how I love to proclaim it,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb."

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" - Ephesians 1:7 (KJV)

Be encouraged today! God has done mighty things to accomplish our salvation without one iota of help from us. It's all of Him! It's all by grace! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

'Neath the Shadow of the Cross

My good friend Paul Mackay is a boarder in my mother's home, the ol' homestead where I spent my childhood.

Precious memories!

Recently Paul captured the imprint of the cross on his Bible as the bright sunshine cascaded across his bedroom...my parents' bedroom when I was growing up. He posted the photo on his blog, Still Rambling.

Oh that the cross would be at the center of all that we do. The main focus of our lives. "But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Galatians 6:14) It was on the cross that our redemption was purchased by the blood of the Lamb. Redemption is the grand theme of the Bible from cover to cover. May we never forget the impact of the cross, the import of the cross and may we ever bear, in our lives, the imprint of the cross.

Finnish Friend

Good morning, dear friends! Thanks for stopping by for a visit! Writing and maintaining "the Barnabas Blog" over the last week and a half has been such a blessing to me. Your comments have been so encouraging. Over the years I've often been asked, "Where does 'the Encourager' receive his encouragement?" Well, like David of old, I trust that I will "encourage myself in the Lord, my God." He is our Ultimate Source of encouragement and blessing. But, like has often been said, "We want a God with skin on". That's what you are, my friends. No, you're NOT God but you are His children, His agents of reconciliation, His ambassadors, His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs to know Him and experience His salvation and redemption.

So, having said all this, I want to share a "post" from across the Atlantic in Finland. My (our) new friend Eija from The Invisible wrote the following on her blog recently. I read it this morning and I was refreshed and encouraged. I trust that you will find a quiet place today where you can hear God's voice, feel His touch and sense His amazing love and grace. Be encouraged today, dear friends!

Eija writes:

"Today I feel dry, tired, exhausted and anxious. I’ve let all kinds of worries take the best out of me lately. And it’s taking its toll. But God is faithful. I just came across a new blog. The author is David Warren Fisher - the same who writes over at Pilgrim Scribblings and a couple of other blogs, too.

His new one - the Barnabas Blog - has a fresh feeling in it. And I find it oozing serenity, peace and God’s love. The exact things I needed just this morning. So maybe it’s just because of where I am today - but go ahead and check it out - it might do the same for you! "

Eija


Friends, we want "the Barnabas Blog" to be an oasis during the wilderness experiences of life. A place of refreshment!

And, before I say "goodbye" let me share a verse of Scripture with you. That's part of the mandate (and requirement) of "the Barnabas Blog". I MUST post a verse from God's Word within each post. His Word brings life, hope and peace.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior". - Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)