Our Redeemer

Modern Western philosophy, or at least modern American philosophy, in the post-Christian world often calls people to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” and “find your own truth” all while touting every “self” strategy imaginable: self-help, self-promotion, and self-esteem.  

Mercifully, as Christians we don’t have to resort to such tactics or thought patterns. When we are at the end of ourselves, when everything else is gone, when we have nothing – we have all we ever need in Christ Jesus.  When our marriage has failed, our health is gone, and our bank accounts are empty, Jesus meets us in the darkness and in the brokenness.  He doesn’t just meet us there.  He loves us there. And He restores.  When all hope seems gone; When the fires of life have ravaged our souls, God begins restoration.  He begins redemption.  The Refiner’s fire burns off the dross and we loathe the flames, but the sweetness, the tenderness, and the love of The Refiner’s heart bring us to our knees in incredulous thanksgiving for His work.

Isaiah’s words that a shoot will come from the stump of Jesse are echoed throughout the Bible: in Sarah’s pregnancy, in Ruth’s marriage, in Gideon’s victory, in the widow’s oil,  in Elizabeth's pregnancy, and in the manger.  Our God heals.  Our God reigns.

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—
    yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He will delight in obeying the Lord.
    He will not judge by appearance
    nor make a decision based on hearsay.
He will give justice to the poor
    and make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word,
    and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
He will wear righteousness like a belt
    and truth like an undergarment.


Grace Discipleship: Pray for the needs of others, the hungry & oppressed


Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see what you see— the poor among us who not only lack monetary means, but those poor in spirit who see themselves as ones having no hope. Help us to see the oppression throughout the world and in our own land that is so rampant — from bullying of children and adults to those who have lost lives because of their beliefs in you. We pray for those whose employers do not allow them to be off to attend worship on Sunday, and for those who take a stand for what is right and yet must suffer consequences from those who disagree. Lord, there are so many needs among us. Help us to see ways we can make life better for those around us, remembering that you said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me”.  All this we ask in the precious name of Jesus.  Amen. – Marcilla Heath