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| Wretched joyous fool |
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“The higher one’s conception of God’s holiness, and the deeper his sense of human sin, the greater is his discernment of the riches of grace that were necessary to provide such a redemption.” (Homer A. Kent, Jr., Ephesians: The Glory of the Church)
I had to read this statement a couple of times this morning before fully comprehending the author’s point. Basically, he’s saying our appreciation of the salvation God accomplished for us at Calvary grows the more we understand how very very huge the gulf is between us and God (in terms of righteousness, holiness, goodness, justice, etc.).
Our pride diminishes this gulf. It drags God down toward our level, by seeking to raise ourselves closer to his. Pride brings God down, in the sense that the prideful person displays a low regard for the truth of God’s character. 119:25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.
But the one who cries out to God, “oh what a wretched man am I!!” at once accurately perceives the greatness of God in relation to himself!! He/she realizes that only with God are ALL hopes of being saved, of living acceptably before God and being swept into a joyous eternity with him. We bring NOTHING to God of any merit, NOTHING establishing ourselves as deserving of all that he has given us in Christ.
True and somewhat paradoxically, when we are regenerated (reborn spiritually), we are given a new identity in Christ, a glorious identity as an adopted child of God. But while we continue to live in this “body of sin” we must continually be aware that there is so much more to come. Furthermore, even after I’ve received my glorified body in heaven, I am certain that I will continue to perceive the infinite gap between the greatness of God Almighty and my lowliness as one who finds him so worthy of my praise and worship.
So, strangely enough, it brings me deepest joy to acknowledge my wretchedness before my Lord. He reached so far to save me, to bring me into intimate union with him. There simply are no words to describe the magnificence of this! In fact, as I write this, I feel as though I’m babbling like a fool. A giddy, overjoyed fool, consumed with the hope of what’s to come in my curious and amazing position in relation to my Lord!
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| To add a comment to "Wretched joyous fool" |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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Amazing Grace. I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.
Yes, Mike He Saved A Wrench Like Me.
My Transformation is Still Taking Place.
GOD BLESS MIKE N LAURA & FAMILY
HAVE A BLESSED HOLY WEEK.... ILY |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| It was only when I acknowledged my sins to God and what wretched person I am, that I was set free from the hold that satan had on me. God sees it anyway...we can't hide it. It is best to admit and then He can set you free and you can move past it to do the work God intends for you to do. |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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We bring nothing to God of ANY merit, nothing!!!
I am totally amazed and will be until the day I die at the goodness and mercy of my Father. He chose to accept me just as I am. He HEARD my cry, my pitiful excuses, He saw the unworthiness, yet He chose to accept me as His child.
I pray with all my heart that I am truly worthy of this most precious gift. You are so right, Mike THERE ARE NOT WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE MAGNIFICENCE OF HIS GRACE...... |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| HAHA Terry stole my comment..as I was reading this I started singing AMAZING GRACE. Great Post Mike! Luv, A WRETCH SAVED BY HIS AMAZING GRACE!!!!!! |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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I like what Terry said> I once was lost but now I'M FOUND! I was blind but now I SEE!
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound!
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 
finally after sooo many years of being so blind , He scooped me up and saved me from myself!
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| April 03, 2009 |
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"But the one who cries out to God, “oh what a wretched man am I!!” at once accurately perceives the greatness of God in relation to himself!!"
Lord, help us to be humble. Take pride from our hearts. |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| I remind myself of my wretchedness all the time. It sounds gross and degrading, but then the miraculous thing occurs. I see myself from a realistic position and I can to a degree perceive God's Power and Glory and Mercy. When I am laid low in the dust, I am at my best. It is a struggle to keep humbling myself even though I am naturally inclined toward humility. I feel compassion for the proud and high-minded, because they have a greater struggle and may not ever taste and choke on the dust that is always stirrng around me. Remember "Pigpen" among Schultz' Charlie Brown characters? His image comes to my mind when I think on this. |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Amen! |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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Thanks Craig! Neil, what an awesome comment. When we see ourselves laid low, we really see God where he really is... on high!! Destiny, we need his help just to be humble. I'll step up first in that line! Donna, Angela AND Terry....I was blind but now I SEE!! How beautiful to see together! Deb, when you have nothing to lose then you are free from this world! (dontcha think?) Thanks sister, great comment! Mary, I know I'll never be worthy of the gifts he gives....that's why it is called grace! I'm in awe!! Steve, brother you are far too kind :) |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Mike and Laura, You make perfect sense to me. Pride and a haughty spirit precedes a fall. There is nothing we can bring or give God to insure our salvation: EXcept to receive his unconditional love and unmerited grace by faith. This was a stumbling block to the Jews but also foolishnes to confound the Greeks. Paul says I count all things as rubish that I mght gain Christ. What seems foolish to the world is to God's children, the power of God unto Salvation: Only received and undeerstood through the regenerated soul, heart, and mind of the believer. Great blog as usual. Love, Bro Chuck |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Mike, you are a Proclaimer! I love your heart, it makes me check mine. Thank you Lord for Mike's faith. Thank you Lord for giving him revelation's to share with us who are seeking your face today. Please bless Mike and his family and those whom he loves dearly. Bless those who bless him and bless those who he blesses. In Jesus name. Amen. |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| I have felt God's presence so thick at times, I could scarcly breathe & my heart raced & I wanted to just fall on my face to the ground in worship. This is a great blog. I don't know what else to say....it happens sometimes...lol |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Great lesson in HUMILITY!!! So necessary for our walk with the Lord. God bless you, Mike. |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Thanks for telling me about this blog post, Mike. I am convinced that the reason our Western Christianity is so weak, is because we don't realize what wretches we are and what a tremendous amount of forgiveness we have individually received. |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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From time to time I sit and wonder about Angels (the ones who didn't get prideful and evil) the humble servants of God. The word says that they praise God all the time and I wile I can only imagine (and even then its definitely not even close) how wonderful they must feel to do God's will day and night and be in His presence and humble themselves always.... Use their power for God 100% of the time. They might even be sad sometimes for God to see how WE the Children He chose Treat Him. Because they know They see His Greatness all the time. I dont know if thats right but thats what your blog triggered in my head... LOL... |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| amen and amen and amen loved it totally mike n laura |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| The apostle Paul said, in my flesh there dwells no good thing. O' wretched man that I am who will deliver me from this body of death? Of course, we know that we have victory over sin through the Holy Spirit within us and the blood of Jesus but we still are sinners by nature and it is that realization that I am "prone to wander, prone to leave the one I love" (from a hymn) causes me to want to be near God, in God, with God whatever you want to say because He is the only one that can deliever me from this body of death. I think of what Jesus said to Simon the Pharisee, "He who has been forgiven much loves much." I like the Apostle Paul feel like I am the chiefest of sinners and to think that God loves me still and wants to bless me with every spiritual blessing int he heavenly places in Christ Jesus is almost incomprehensible, but I sing Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!" |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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Thank you for reminding us of the love of God that He would come down here just for us humans. Wow!
What is so sad Mike is that many do not even know this Savior. |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Excellent blog, Mike!!!!!! "There's no other Grace, but Amazing. No other explanation will do. Unmerited favor, the song that I sing......There's no other Grace, but Amazing!" Ya broke me out into song with this one.......thanks! |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| When I truthfully understood this is when He allowed me to see myself for what I really was, through His Word. First, His Word slayed me. Secondly, His Word "Jesus" saved me!! |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Well said Mike. This was great. God bless |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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Thanks Maureen! (Your profile pic always reminds me of Laura's aunt, who loves huskies and moved to Alaska so she could race a team.) I too know about being slayed, Cathy (forgiven). Cindy....no other grace, amen! I'm still in the wow phase, Marcia! Isn't it great when we can get stuck there? Todd, I love it when you quote scripture like that, as in a naturally worded response (conversationally). I like the one you started with, Paul saying "O' wretched man that I am". He did indeed say that! I guess he wasn't so caught up in his new position in Christ that he forgot just who God really is. Rebekah, I just love those pink comments! Thanks! I'm always glad to see you. There really is a lot of good going on around 'ere, ya know? :) |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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Amy, it's funny what others' words can trigger. Some pretty interesting thoughts! And as powerful as angels are, the bible actually ranks us above them in importance in the kingdom! (Angels aren't referred to as God's own children!) You're welcome Steve! Didn't you once write a blog entitled "O' wretched man that I am" after the words of Paul? I seem to remember you caught some flak for that one. I actually remembered that blog even as I wrote this one. Panda, somehow, if every single one of my blogs somehow weaves humility into the theme, I'd consider that a huge success! Laura, I hear ya. Happens to me on many a Sunday. Jewlz, better a proclaimer than a preacher, I say. Not that there's anything wrong w/preachers, I just don't feel called to preach. In fact, seems to me there are quite a few folks who should try proclaiming rather than preaching. Funny what that one word you used triggered in my mind! |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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Pastor Chuck, your validation means an awful lot in my book! Thanks!! Mama Strout, you seem to be worshiping God even when you aren't exactly worshiping God. I find that beautiful! |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Awsome Blo love that Loving Grace! |
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| April 03, 2009 |
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| Fool for Christ!!!!! |
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| April 04, 2009 |
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Yes I am Joey. But then, some ppl just leave off the "for Christ" part. :) Sister you are wonderful! Doyle, I see you are blogging again. Great joy!! |
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| April 05, 2009 |
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Wonderful blog Daddy, great insights. Keep them coming! :-)
-Sherlock |
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| April 05, 2009 |
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| As I sit here checkin my blog, I turn to the right, and who do I see? My dear Sherlock! =) |
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| April 05, 2009 |
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Great one Mike and God bless ya for sharing it. |
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| April 06, 2009 |
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| I love you, Mike and Laura!!! |
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| April 06, 2009 |
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Found this in song book
Once I was lost, I had nowhere to go,My life was just a lonely round of sin.
Till Jesus said to me.
"By My blood shed on a tree
I've paid the price
brought you back
you are Mine"
Oh what a friend |
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| April 06, 2009 |
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Liz, that is beautiful! Beautiful!! Joey, love you too. Missing you and many others here while we're on vacation...the Outer Banks are pretty in April! Hi Megan! |
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| April 07, 2009 |
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Thanks again, Mike- I've been off and just got to read this and the one on Exceeding the Expected- both excellent, thanks. Stir us and build us up, bro!
I only recently came to get it that this is what Jesus meant by "the meek shall inherit the earth". When we realize we really don't come offering anything of value to God in and of ourselves, recognizing that it's all from Him, we get it all! Hallelujah! |
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| April 07, 2009 |
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WOW! I'm also excited about what's ahead for us!!! I know my dad will be experiencing it soon. I got to say good-bye to him this weekend. I said, "Dad, you've been the best daddy a girl could ask for. You're my hero. I will see you in two weeks...if not, then I'll see you in Heaven." He had tears in his eyes as he said he loved me, too. He's so frail and week right now...he's on hospice. The last words he said to me as I prepared to leave the room were..."I can't wait to get there..." then he fell back asleep. I left it at that. I know where he's going and I KNOW I will see him again!!! Praise be to GOD!
Leigh |
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| April 07, 2009 |
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| Okay Mike, the gig is up. You gotta give me the truth. Where do you come up with all this stuff? Do you have a daily comprehensive study program? Are you doing some kind of systematic program? Come on bro, gimme the scoop! |
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| April 15, 2009 |
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| Very Nice! Soli Deo Gloria |
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| April 15, 2009 |
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Thank you Byron! Wow, I missed a few comments... Jonathan, sorry, no info to give. Not that I don't want to, I just don't have any. The quote came from the commentary on Ephesians I am using to supplement my daily bible study. The rest came from...the Holy Spirit I s'pose. Or from my heart, in which the Spirit resides. If the thoughts I wrote are godly, then thank God. He could have given them to anybody! Thanks for your encouragement bro, love you! Mike, it seems you are very much like me...the more my knowledge about God grows, the smaller I feel. |
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| April 15, 2009 |
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Leigh, I'm sorry about your dad (I prayed for Bill, until recently). And yes, there is much ahead for us that will blow our minds!! "our present sufferings are not (even) worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Belief in God means believing these words are true!! MaryBeth, I'm so glad you "get it" now....It really is a joy-filled perspective, to realize that our salvation is 100% originated and dependent on God....except maybe for the words "I believe". Thanks for your comment! |
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| April 15, 2009 |
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| 5803 :) |
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