Will You Let Me Be Your Savior?

Rebekah L. Holt

“Why Me?" is the question

We can feverishly pause to ask

When trials do overtake us,

Sorrows choke, smother, mask.

Our Gentle Savior answers

Why not you, My child?

You said I am your Savior

This is part of “reconciled.”

O lamb of Mine, Why Not you?

I picked you for My Flock,

To lead and guide you all the way,

If you will but only Walk.

I lead you but gently now,

My yoke easy, My burden light.

Abide in My perfect direction;

Trust Me despite the day’s night.

I drew you from death.

I wanted you for Mine.

I gave the greatest cost.

The nail prints, see the sign?

Will you let Me help you?

Will you let Me lead?

Will you trust Me wholly?

Or will you reject Me?

I made you for this life.

A new of You I’ll create,

From pieces of you now broken,

A perfected image, just wait!

A beautiful, growing Christian,

A Bride for Me, you’ll be;

A reflection of My glory,

Submit and you will see.

I am your God and Master.

I knew you before your birth.

I have not finished your story;

This is but a thorn that hurts.

Pain was not the plan I had

Nor weeping, grief, strife.

I offer you the Only Way

To purposeful, joy filled life.

Lean on Me and ask Me.

Depend on Me to Heal.

I will not reject you ever.

Rest and prayerfully kneel.

Circumstances aren’t lasting

But righteousness will endure.

Walk the path with Me;

You’ll find it straight and pure.

I’ll carry you through the waters.

I’ll walk with you through fires.

Forsake you I will never;

My promise does not retire.

My real Comfort is waiting

Like a refuge in a storm.

I was never absent;

All things I can transform.

Hope and Wait on Me

This is only “now” of today.

Give Me your heart, it’s safe.

You must trust and obey.

Keep focused on the Bible.

Keep eating the Living Bread.

Keep drinking Living Water.

Keep relying to be spiritually fed.

“O my Savior,” I answered,

“I do not deserve all Your care.

You have always been faithful

Even when I was not aware.”

“Thank you for picking me,

For drawing me to Yourself.

Help my unbelief and weakness;

Help me forget myself.”

“Help me to stay tender,

Contrite for You to form

The image You are fashioning;

A redeemed “me”, please transform.”

“Let me keep on loving;

Help me guard my ways.

Strengthen me for service;

I want be yours, always.”

“Take my deepest longings,

I give them back to You.

I want focus on Your provision

No good “idol” to rob what is true.”

“Thank you Jesus for remaining

My Anchor, Support and Friend;

My Tower, Defender, Provider;

The Beginning and the End.”

Thanks for Mr. Keith Neds' beautiful calligraphy for inspiring today's poem - "Rise Up O Men of God." (To purchase his beautiful, inspiring calligraphy, be sure to visit www.calligraphyforchrist.com) 

In the passages of scripture, Abraham, David, Solomon, Samuel and Daniel called themselves servants of God. These were all men that were of great use to the Lord. They didn't first identify themselves as men of wealth or intellectual ability. Nor did they worry first to verbalize the size of their ministry and work for the Lord.  They didn't necessarily feel qualified or adequate for their calling. But, they simply understood first and foremost they were God's men, servants that were being called upon Him to do their duty.  They recognized that God was the giver of ability, wisdom, an "understanding heart" and salvation. They knew to serve Him meant action, dedication and focus.

With Father's Day advancing, it's a good time to honor all Christian men. As God's women, we find do ourselves so much more capable of fulfilling our God given role as women when men will step up and obey God in fulfilling their role. God's faithful, obedient men are worth honoring, supporting, and celebrating! May we be the kind of women that will help Christ's obedient men to rise up as valiant men God intended them to be. 

Rise Up O Men of God

Rebekah L. Holt

Rise up O Men of God

Faithful, Strong and Pure!

Fulfill your God given role,

In Christ anchored, be secure.

Rise Up O Men of Valor

The time is now to act!

 Stand armored in Christ Jesus,

 Through Him, evil counteract.

Rise up O Humble Men

Set aside foolish pride.

Put on the attitude of Christ;

His meekness real strength abides.

Rise Up O Men of Strength

Focus on building your spirit.

God’s Word is the Source.

Eat it. Apply it. Live it.

Rise Up O Leading Men

In a role God has created;

Leaders for home and country,

A duty too often vacated.

Rise Up O Masculine Men

Be vigilant, diligent as intended!

Hard working, Providing, Strong!

Sweating is recommended.

Rise Up O Gentle Men

Be gracious, loving, kind.

Lay down your life for others

As Christ did for all mankind.

Rise Up O Servant Men

Even Christ fed them fish and bread.

He washed feet and tended needs.

If you do, you too will be fed.

Rise Up O Brothers True

Be faithful in a chaste vow.

Guard the Eyes. Thoughts. Actions!

In Christ, It is possible even now.

Rise Up O Faithful Husbands

God has granted you a gift

A wife, a help meet, a friend.

One wife love for life—she’s it!

Rise Up O Teaching Fathers

Train children in His Narrow Way.

Draw from God’s free, abundant wisdom.

Reject the world. The price, do pay.

Rise Up O Committed Men

Seek God and make the decision.

Have faith. Don’t over think!

Trust in His promised, overflowing provision!

Rise Up O Women of God

Pray for, reverence, support these men.

By their obedience, sacrifice and service,

They help us to be what God did intend.

Christ – Our Hope Fulfilled!

Rebekah L. Holt

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Pe. 1:3-4

Resurrection Sunday approaches.

It is a Biblical celebration we commemorate as a time to rejoice in Salvation and Life in Jesus!  Christ died the vicarious death—yet He arose triumphant and victorious over death and the grave.  As the hymn speaks “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” “What can wash my sins away? Nothing but the blood of Jesus…” “Hallelujah…Christ arose!”

Recently, someone told me they hoped 2016 was my year of fulfilled hopes. It was a touching statement. As I was thinking of what to send out to my eQuest For Truth friends for this Resurrection season—that was it. Fulfilled hopes –yes, Christ is the Fulfillment of our Hopes—every day, every week and every year. That’s just one way to encapsulate what the Resurrection Sunday means to Christians.

As we grow in our Christianity – we find that Christ fills our voids and is a bulwark to run to. It was through His life we have a real example of “how to do it”. It is through belief in Jesus Christ and profession of Him, we become heirs with Him and children of God (Ro. 8:17; Gal. 3:26). It is through Jesus we are filled with the living Spirit of God that enlivens us and gives us understanding. It is through His Word we find our Daily Bread and can drink from Living Water (John 6:35; John 4:14). Our spiritual needs are met. Our eternity is secured. Our lives are given meaning and worth. But that’s not all—Christ works in the day-to-day. As the Mediator between God and Man – Christ gives us direct communication with God. We can talk to Him, cast our cares, desires, worries, confessions, sorrows, joys on Someone Who truly loves us, is interested and will provide. He knows our earthly needs. With His Christians in mind, God conducts a symphony of Divine orchestration to strategically provide for our physical necessities. Solutions come forth to worth through tough situations. Money is funded to pay bills. All things work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to His purpose (Ro. 8:28). People come forth to assume their position in our lives. Joy permeates the day and spills over the brim.

Our hopes in life are generally thought of as something in the distance. Some “hopes” we don’t know if they will be “realized”. But for the Christian—Christ is our fulfilled hope. It’s not ethereal—this is a hope that maketh us not ashamed because it is sure and something we can count on (Ro. 5:5).  Why can we count on it? The basis of that Hope is the Resurrection—what we celebrate this coming Sunday. It all happened exactly as God said it would. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever (He. 13:8). He paid the price for us to release us from the bondage of a sinful life and to be the Way to God (Ro. 3:24).  His innocent blood was shed to pay the ransom of souls (1 Pe 1:18-19; 1 Ti. 2:6). Yet, the grave could not hold Him and He AROSE! “Hallelujah—what a Savior!” He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—No man cometh unto the Father but by Him (John 14:6). And we know Him!

Praise the name of Jesus—every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Ph. 2:10-11). Let’s not wait until we meet Him face to face – let’s bow together now, confess and praise the Name of Jesus!  Christ - Our Hope fulfilled!

It is Enough!
Luke 19:13
Rebekah L. Holt

With the recent Texas Elections--it's been both positive and disappointing to see the results! Some of 'em made it and some of 'em didn't.

Despite trusting fully in the Lord's raising up righteous leadership in every generation--I'm always challenged with the feelings of dashed hopes after every election! Well--the "good guys" don't always get elected and we end up getting stuck with less effective or perhaps, horrible leadership (though we did have some great wins in our district!). It can be depressing when seeing people who really lie and cheat and tell half-truths actually get enough votes! It baffles me when some people I know cannot circumspectly consider the long reaching, destructive impact some candidates bring to the table if elected! Just consider our Presidential elections...

At times like these, I tend to be thoughtful if not morose. It becomes a need to take every thought captive and bring it before the throne of grace. The Lord does speak and those scriptures set to memory issue forth. Lyrics and melodic notes harmonize cognitively, materializing in a swirl, and finally spill forth in an audible anthem. Yes, I find myself being renewed in the Lord's grace, rehearsing the very core of meaningful humanity and the purpose of the Christian life.

This past week, I was confronted with a conversation where a man expressed his anger toward our government. Quite a bit of his reasoning I could rationalize. It was possible to confirm his complaint as viable. Yet, the basis of his argument missed an important component and thus, his solution was warped. He wouldn't vote for anyone because of their party affiliation--so therefore, he rationalized by not voting in what he considered a corrupt party, he was doing his part and we needed to instead set up a completely different party.

As I sorted through this man's comments and philosophies, trying to see the relevance, know what to respond to and how to use this opportunity to speak any words of truth--it did come clear to point toward Christ's life as the example.

Government was broken then in Christ's day. There was BAD leadership. There were murderers and even immoral incestuous adulterers on the throne. And those men are remembered today for carrying out the events that led to the vicarious death of our Savior. Yet, God still was sovereign and His plan for mankind came to pass. Christ's purpose was not repressed. Sure, the whole of the outcome of the Messiah's coming was different than what the zealots wanted. They wanted a new form of government. Yet, Christ's kingdom was not of this world. A perfect earthly form of government was not the fix He provided. But what God did provide, the solution was effective to mankind's need and filled all the voids. He gave us streams in a desert and manna in the wilderness--the provision and sustenance to work with what we've got and where we are today. His ultimate plan gave us an eternal and rich glorious gift of Salvation that gives the everyday man real answers and true life for today and an eternity with Jesus. We have been told this world is going to end. But we have also been told to remain faithful, to be equipped, to obey authority, to occupy until He comes again, to make disciples of all nations and to get after it--time is short. Live a life that counts in Jesus and be fishers of men.

Government is not our hope for today or tomorrow. What God has established is the "where it starts" for Christians. Bottom line, period--unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain. If man or a man-made form of government is the what we build our lives upon, the foundations will certainly crumble and we will crater. It is only the men that submit themselves unto the Lord that can possibly fulfill righteous actions and have righteous judgement. It remains that regardless of our parties or American government--our nation's moral health is only as strong as the moral heartbeat--we the people at home, we the people at work, we the people at play. The "How" of how we conduct our lives. Our worldview is not a personal affair - it has far reaching repercussions that radiate, impacting a generation and culture. Silence and non-action is an active voice. Choosing not to be politically responsible and doing what we CAN at a grassroots level or higher up if opportunity allows could be considered equivalent to endorsing the wrong side. In America, we can do something--it may be a small deed, but remember the mustard seed.

We must be responsible citizens. If we can vote against a vile candidate, let's do it. Individually, we're going to have to submit ourselves to the Lord for His guidance on what that is. As followers of Christ, it is important for us to seek the Lord on how we can vote and what candidates He desires us to support at every level of government. Jesus Christ recognized the leaders while on earth and their position. He paid his taxes. Scripture tells us that God uses and works through the present authorities--even if they don't want or recognize His rule. God can give us wisdom how to effectively combat corrupt leadership and to hopefully and appropriately overturn the evil "kings" of our day. Just "throwing it off" is not the answer. As Christ's followers we can be resolved and do our part--yet stay focused on the fact that this is not all there is. Our greatest responsibility must be on serving Christ first. By identifying ourselves in His leadership, our efforts, our outlooks and our understanding of how to effect change can come into a perfect balance in an imperfect world.

Others may be stronger in this, but God often uses my discouragements to draw me deeper into His embrace. There's so much to distract us from the Lord's blessings today. Casting all care on Christ releases us to put on all His intended joy. Life is tough and draining at times. It's real. But it does come that upon renewing our minds in Christ, we can fill our minds with the realization that our foundation and security in the Lord truly is enough and it satisfies the hungering soul with peace. Such an anchor is ours through the storm, to face what is required of us as we carry on. Only through trusting and obeying Jesus Christ can we fully approach the future without a fear or dread. We can instead stride forward in an eternal, victorious, redeemed, proactive, effective perspective.

Join me in singing one of my favorites:
My faith has found a resting place, not in device nor creed. I trust the Ever-living One, His wounds for me shall plead! I need no other argument, I need no other plea, It is enough that Jesus died and that He died for Me.

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A New Article Just Posted on Quest For Christ - Read Exerpts below. To Read the Full Article: A Christian's Work Ethic

You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. Ps. 119:4

According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, ethics are “rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad.”

Christianity offers the foundation of ethics. By becoming familiar with the Bible and what the world teaches as ethics – you’ll find that even the world borrows ground from what God has established.  The teachings of morality, were God’s idea. The differences between good and evil are defined and given meaning in the Bible. Justice, honesty, wisdom, prudence, diligence, integrity, moral conduct, fair dealings, laboring with good work, respecting superiors, structure of rank and leadership, restraint in conduct, etc. – all of these attributes defining an excellent workman are based in God’s moral law and the bedrock of Christianity.

The work place is a Christian’s daily boot-camp for being renewed in the mind of Christ and having to apply Christian ethics. Looking at the reality of some job situations, what can stretch our fortitude? Real dilemmas, difficult co-workers, stressful encounters with the public, personal mistakes, frustrations of “red tape,” low wages for work performed, unjust misunderstandings, management breakdowns, lack of support, having to work with people that don’t have good ethics, fielding complaints, fixing other people’s mistakes, having to do the “dirty work” – the list goes on.   The common response to the on-going of such challenges is demoralization, an apathetic attitude, bitterness, giving up, finding relief in “drinking it off,” a belligerent, complaining spirit and a “me” attitude.  This is consistent with 2 Timothy 3:1-5 concerning the last days: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

God’s standard of ethics are much higher, tried and successful than what the world tries to enforce. As Christians, our lives are to be ruled by Christ’s Holy Spirit. We are not alone in our efforts, though surrounded by a sea of people that don’t usually share our same high standards.  It’s not because we’re “super humans” or can achieve this in our own effort.  Our ability to work with Christ’s ethics is because He enables us through His Spirit to achieve His standard and to even strengthen our areas of weakness. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Eph. 2:20

The Christian should be a “stand out,” a gleaming bright light providing an example of Christ by the way we work and conduct day-to-day business.   ^“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16

When governed by Christ, we make the best workmen, provide the highest standards of ethics and give the most diligent effort in whatever task presented—because we reflect Christ’s life in application, not just profess it.

The Bible’s Code of Ethics

Here’s a few characters traits that are the definition of a Christian’s ethics according to God’s word:

Hard Working: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” Ec. 9:10

 ^“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3: 23-24

“The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.” Prov. 10:16

Diligent: Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Prov. 22: 29

 “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor.” Prov. 12: 24

Just in Business/Wages: “A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.” Prov. 11:1

 ^“Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.” 2 Kings 12:15

Not a Man Pleaser: “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” James 2:9 

“But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Col. 3:25 

“For there is no respect of persons with God.” Rom. 2:11

Read More: A Christian's Work Ethic