Author: Jennifer Armstrong

Pardon (verb) –  to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime; to allow (an offense) to pass without punishment; to relieve of a penalty improperly assessed (Merriam Webster).

The President of the United States has a virtually unlimited ability to pardon and commute sentences related to federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment.  Thanks to the checks and balances designed into our government, most presidential powers have limits. But the power to pardon is unlimited other than the President can’t pardon himself/herself.

Can you think of some high profile, controversial presidential pardons?  Gerald Ford pardoning Richard Nixon in 1974?  Jimmy Carter pardoning Vietnam draft dodgers in 1977?  If you live in IL, did you know Donald Trump recently pardoned former IL governor Rod Blagojevich for his federal corruption conviction related to the wheeling and dealing he did for President Obama’s senate seat?

In my opinion, the value of a pardon is directly related to the significance of the consequences and timing.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying a pardon after the sentence has been served or a posthumous pardon has no value.  There is something to be said about “clearing your name”.  But a pardon or commutation that cuts a prison term short or keeps someone from having to go to jail in the first place is much more valuable (just ask Rod B how good it felt to get out of jail 6 years early).

The attribute of God we are studying today is “pardoner”.  There is no better illustration than the gospel story.

We are all guilty – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

We all deserve death – For the wages of sin is death…(Romans 6:23).

As long as we accept Jesus as savior, God pardons us – …as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

...we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2, 1-2).

The value of this pardon is…

• The consequences of sin are significant – death is final
• Timing is ideal – we can avoid eternal death by declaring faith in Jesus Christ before we die
• It cannot be paid for or earned – it is a gift of God

…priceless.

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 6:9).

What comes to mind when you think of the word mighty?  I think of words like powerful, capable, strong and influential.  What kinds of people do you think of as mighty?  Political leaders?  Business leaders?  Religious leaders?  NFL players?  What about terrorists?  Some of these people/groups use their might for goodness while others use it for evil.  Whether through physical power, political power, financial influence or the ability to invoke pain and suffering, I think the adjective mighty can be used to accurately describe them all.

Mighty God is the name of Jesus we are studying today.  According to scripture, Jesus embodied all the characteristics listed above (powerful, capable, strong, influential).

…He is the head over every power and authority (Colossians 2:10).

…all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27).

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).

But Jesus’ might didn’t come from his political position, financial resources or physical strength.  Because everything in the world belongs to God, he could have used any of these avenues to express his dominion over the world, but he didn’t.  It wasn’t his plan.  Jesus’ power and might came from love, not winning.  From putting others’ needs ahead of his own, from serving.

Think of it this way – you can’t just give yourself the title of “mighty”.  This characteristic is only valid when others esteem you as such.  Its like being a leader – you aren’t a leader unless someone is following you.  Jesus had power, strength and capability based on his position as God’s son.  His influence, however, came from his love.  People followed Jesus because he loved them, he served them and he put their needs ahead of his own, even to the point of giving his life in exchange for theirs.

Do you want to be influential?  Do you want to be a leader?  Do you want to be regarded as mighty?  Try serving others, and putting their needs ahead of your own.

The greatest among you will be your servant (Matthew 23:11).

 

Today’s reading:  John 14

On the night before his crucifixion Jesus shared the passover meal with his disciples.  During the course of the evening he washed the disciples feet, he predicted Judas’ betrayal, he foreshadowed Peter’s denial, and he told them he was leaving.  Can you imagine the emotion in the room?  The person to whom these men had pledged their 100% allegiance, the one for whom they’d left jobs, left family…left EVERYTHING just announced he was checking out.  They were shocked, panicked, and had questions.  Where are you going?  How will we know the way?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Jesus heard their concerns and responded, not with the tactical answers they wanted, but with spiritual answers they needed.  His answer to all their questions was simply “me”.  Follow me and the rest will take care of itself.  I am all you will ever need.

The attribute of Jesus I was assigned to write about today is highlighted in the last two words of John 14:6 – the life.  As you may have noticed by the title of this post, I personalized the attribute and called it “My Life”.  I’ll get to that a little later.  Now back to the passover dinner.

After telling the disciples he was leaving, and then telling the he was the only thing they needed to know or have, Jesus had to convince the disciples that the life he was offering was better than any life they could possibly have living apart from him, on their own.  In verses 14-16 he references the analogy of the Good Shepherd and his sheep from a few chapters back in John 10.  In this passage, Jesus described himself as the good shepherd.  His sheep know him, they listen to his voice, and trust him to guide and protect them.  The payoff for doing this was not just to have life, but to have abundant life – life to the full.

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:9-10).

Jesus goes on to tell the disciples the father is sending a helper in his place.  The Holy Spirit was coming to serve as their advocate, to guide and protect them.  Finally in verse 30, Jesus gets to what I think is the most encouraging and convincing reason to choose the life he offers.  Jesus reminds the disciples that he has ultimate power over Satan, evil, sin and death.  He is telling them ultimate victory is guaranteed with him on their side.  How could they (or you) not choose Jesus when you know he wins in the end?

I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me (John 14:30).  

Jesus obviously convinced the disciples to stay the course (except of course Judas, whose heart was already hardened, and who eventually took his own life out of remorse for his betrayal of Jesus).  My question for you today is this – are you convinced?  Have you chosen the life Jesus is offering?

I changed the name of today’s post to “My Life” because I am a Christfollower.  A life following Jesus isn’t trouble free, but it is better and more abundant than any life I could ever achieve on my own.  One day, the worries and cares of this world will be gone and I will spend my life eternal in glory with him.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:4).

Will I see you there?

I started my preparation for this post by typing the word “keeper” into Google to see what it returned.  My screen was quickly filled with links to the Keeper Password Manager.  Have you ever used this app?  I have not, but based on reviews it sounds pretty great.  Here is how users describe it:

• The world’s most trusted and downloaded password manager solution
• Protects your passwords and sensitive information
• Works on all popular platforms and browsers
• Offers unlimited password storage

I can see why, if they wanted their password manager to be the most relied on solution, developers named their software “Keeper”.  The Bible describes Jesus as our keeper.  Turns out the reviews above can also be used to describe God, the keeper of our lives.  Let’s take closer look at each one:

• He is trustworthy

Blessed be the Lord!  For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him (Psalm 28:6-7).

• He protects

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one” (John 10:28-30).

• He is available to anyone

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13)”

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

• His capacity is unlimited

Someone who is completely trustworthy, will protect me from evil, is always available and has a unlimited capacity to watch over my life is definitely someone I want on my side.  Jesus, my keeper.

 

For your Maker is your husband—
    the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
    he is called the God of all the earth (Isaiah 54:5).

The attribute of God we are studying today is husband.  I’ll admit, my husband of 25 1/2 years is generally pretty great.  But to think of God as my husband is a little weird (A little weird from my perspective at least…B.J. and my kids like to think he is the “boss of me” most of the time, so it probably isn’t so weird for them).  To really get what the Bible means when it refers to God as a husband, I found it insightful to review a few attributes of a godly husband, then consider how they reflect the character of God.

As I was preparing for today’s post, I came across an article from Charisma magazine that described attributes of a godly husband, with accompanying scripture references, in a catchy acrostic format.  Let’s dig into these a little more:

H – Honesty

The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace (Proverbs 13:5).

Honesty is foundational for a trust relationship. Without it, no marriage can survive.  But when I think about attributes of God, honesty doesn’t really come to mind.  Not because God wasn’t honest, but because describing God in this way just doesn’t seem adequate.  God is greater than just honest or truthful actions, he is truth itself.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

U – Understanding

…so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).

Growing in the knowledge of God leads to understanding. When we put our trust in God, he will direct our paths.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

S – Security

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8).

In 1 Timothy, husbands are called upon to provide for their family’s needs. In the same way, God provides for the needs of his followers.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

B – Blameless

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation” (Philippians 2:14-15).

The only way for humans to be blameless is to be covered by Jesus’ blood.  Though he was without sin (blameless), he took our sins upon himself so that through his death/burial/resurrection, they could be washed away presenting us worthy in God’s sight.

A – Authority

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior (Ephesians 5:23).

This verse isn’t really about “being the boss”, it is more about protection. Husbands are to protect their wives as Jesus protects the church, those for whom he died.

N – Nourish (to cherish and to tend to)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25).

Husbands are to love and invest in their wives’ well-being.  Jesus not only invested in our well-being, he gave his life as a sacrifice so we could have eternal life.

D – Devoted

…and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2).

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John15:15).

After considering the character of God through the lens of a godly husband, I see how it fits.  As great as my husband is, God is better.  He can be by my side 100% of the time – he never sleeps, is never traveling, and is never pre-occupied with something else.  I can always count on him to be there.

“I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging (Psalm 46:1-3).

When is the last time you remember getting in to trouble?  Not necessarily in trouble with someone who has authority over you, but “trouble” in terms of a situation or issue where you felt helpless and didn’t know how to easily resolve it on your own.  What did you do?

I had one of those situations on Monday.  I had thoroughly thought out a decision over the course of several months.  When I started to execute it, however, key factors started showing up differently than planned.  Red flags.  I was definitely in trouble.  I had to decide whether to continue on or reverse course.  The right direction was definitely unclear.

In the midst of a horrible, sick feeling in the pit of my belly, I struggled to even put words to the situation.  I got in my car and cried out to God for help.  He knew.  I didn’t have give a well-crafted explanation or even describe the issue, all I had to do was ask for his help.  My ever present help in times of trouble knew exactly what I needed.

Over the course Monday afternoon and evening, I met with a few advisors who not only talked through the issue with me, but also prayed for me to have discernment and peace.  By the end of the evening, I made a decision and began to take action.  It was by no means easy, but as I’m writing this two days later, I am at peace.  God answered our prayers.  He is my ever present help in times of trouble.

God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful
He’s always been faithful to me

(Sara Groves, 2010)

 

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:24-25).

The name of God we are studying today is “God of Heaven and Earth”, a name that describes his sovereignty.  God has supreme power over EVERYTHING – everything on the earth and everything in the spiritual realm.

In this world, having power completely concentrated in one person is often a bad thing because it can be used for evil purposes.  It doesn’t take a lot of thought to come up with a list of dictators who’ve used their power for evil throughout history (Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot…).  One of the best things about the federal government of the United States is that it is designed to avoid this – by balancing power across three branches (executive, legislative, judicial) no branch can become too powerful and use it for bad purposes.

How can we have confidence the sovereignty of God is a good thing?  Consider these verses that give us insight into the nature of God –

• God is love

 

• God is good

 

• God is unchanging

 

We serve a sovereign God who is love, who is good, and who is unchanging.  In the face of the uncertainty and fear being caused by this pandemic, we can be confident God has it all under control.  He will work it all for good.  That’s who he is.

 

 

When you think about the characteristics you want in a friend, what comes to mind?  Honest, kind, fun-loving, witty… What about advocatory?  Is advocacy something you value and expect from a friend?

• Advocacy (noun) – the act or process of advocating for something or someone.
• Advocate (verb) – to support or argue for a cause.

Verbs are action words.  You can’t advocate for something or someone if you just believe it in your heart, but keep your opinions to yourself.  If you aren’t willing to take action, you are not an advocate.

Advocacy shows up in friendship when a friend is willing to have your back.  They are willing to go to bat for you even if is unpopular or could be a personal risk for them.  In my own life, I’ve found this to be a pivotal characteristic that has helped me separate those I consider true friends from people with whom I just have similar interests or simply like to spend time with.  Unfortunately my list of true friends gets much shorter when I look at it this way.

Do you consider Jesus your friend?  Take a look at the passage below from John 15. Jesus considers us his friends.  There is no greater example of advocating for your friends that that of Jesus laying down his life for us.  If we subscribe to the principle that we should be following Jesus’ example, then advocacy is absolutely something we should expect from our friends.  More importantly, it is how we should be treating our friends.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:12-15).

Last week I was listening to Matthew West’s song, God Who Stays, on my way to the office.  My heart was moved by the phrase “you’re the one who runs in my direction when the whole world walks away”.  This perfectly describes advocacy.

You’re the God who stays
You’re the God who stays
You’re the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You’re the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

Jesus is our friend, our advocate, someone who runs in our direction when everyone else walks away.  Even when advocacy cost him his life, Jesus stuck by our side.  This is a true friend.

 

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple (Isaiah 6:1).

Exalted – elevated in rank, power, or character; held in high estimation, glorified or praised; raised high (Merriam-Webster).

When you think of the world exalted, who comes to mind?  Are there people you hold in high esteem?  I can think of a handful of people who “rank” in my book – a few family members, a friend, a couple of mentors.  When I reflect on why I hold these people in high esteem, it is generally because of something they’ve done.  Even if they are on my list because of their character, I know or have confidence in the strength of their character because of their actions (or inaction).  Most often, this is something that benefits me or supports something I believe in.

Exalted as an attribute of God the father, son and holy spirit couldn’t be more different.  In chapter 2 of his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul encourages believers to be united in Christ.  He further instructs them to follow Christ’s example by avoiding selfish ambition and valuing others as more important than themselves.

[Jesus] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:6-7).

Jesus was (and is) exalted because of who he is.  Not because of what he has done, and not because of something that benefits him, and not because of a position he supports. Just because of who he is.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

Jesus, we exalt you.  Be the Lord of our lives today.  Amen.

A crown is a form of headwear worn by a monarch or by a deity. Traditionally, crowns have represented power, legitimacy, victory, triumph, honor, and glory, as well as immortality, righteousness, and resurrection. Based on this description, it is no surprise that the prophet Isaiah describes Jesus as a glorious crown in the following passage.

In that day the Lord Almighty
will be a glorious crown,
a beautiful wreath
for the remnant of his people.
He will be a spirit of justice
to the one who sits in judgment,
a source of strength
to those who turn back the battle at the gate (Isaiah 28:5-6)

Throughout the Bible, Jesus physically and figuratively wore several different crowns. Consider the significance of the following:

Crown of thorns

The crown of thorns placed upon Jesus’ head before his crucifixion symbolized Israel’s rejection of her King. To the Roman soldiers, the crown of thorns was meant to mock Jesus’ as the King of the Jews. In reality, it was truly a symbol of power. Only Jesus had the ability to ultimately conquer sin and death through his death, burial and resurrection.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isa. 53:5-6).

Crown of glory and honor

Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. He has been crowned with glory and honor as he sits the Father’s right hand.

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool (Matthew 22:44).

Crowned of triumph

The final chapters of Revelation record Jesus’ return to earth and his final triumph over sin and death. Immortality.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:11-16).

Jesus Christ – glorious crown, King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s.

“Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne. Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns, All music but its own! Awake, my soul and sing, Of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King, Thro’ all eternity.”

Matthew Bridges (1851)