He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”
Colossians 2:14-15 NLT
During this Lenten season, I paused again, with so many others in this holy time, to consider what the cross means to me. The gift of Jesus’ forgiveness has brought such freedom to me. But have I, in other ways, tried to carry a debt load that has already been lifted away from me? What kind of worship and prayers for our Lenten season could I offer to Him?
I contemplated the way that I have heard Jesus ask me to let Him carry my burden. And I thought about the many times that He has asked me to let Him sustain me in my weaknesses. It seemed to be a constant refrain that I forget to absorb.
If this disease that I carry is a result of this fallen world, then why do I act as if the fault remains with me? Have you felt that judgment concerning your own pain and weakness?
WHAT KIND OF VICTORY HAS JESUS WON FOR US?
As I looked at the Greek meanings of some of the words of this Scripture at Biblehub.com I was amazed at the intensity of those simple words that had seemed to slip past me:
- “disarmed” can mean to divest wholly, strip
- “shamed” can mean to expose them, (Satan’s rulers)
- “Victory” can mean to cause to triumph
If Jesus divested wholly and shamed the real cause of this diseased world, which is Satan, then why have I allowed my heart to act as if my own body is the cause of this disease? My Jesus carries me with such compassion to his father’s heart, and He views me as whole and complete. What a joy to know that He is not offended in any way by my pain and disease. While I wait for the full healing that is to come, either here or finally in Heaven, HE has taken every charge that has been racked up against me, and nailed it all to his own cross. What a wonderful realization of His love. We can thank Him through these prayers for our Lenten season
WHAT A SAVIOR! WHAT A GLORIOUS LORD WE HAVE!
Shuffling alone
I carried my illness
As a charge
Marked only for me
My lot in life.
But Jesus stepped in
Cancelled my debt
exposed the
True cause
Of this world’s pain.
Evil rulers now shamed
As Jesus nailed every charge
Onto His cross
And rose victorious
My burden to lift.
Oh, Praise His name
Rejoice with me, friend
Freedom is won
No longer ashamed
Our record is clean.
Jesus our Savior now carries us.
–bg
OFFER WORSHIP THROUGH PRAYERS FOR OUR LENTEN SEASON
Will you join me this week at Chronic Joy, as we pause with six Scriptures and Prayers for our Lenten season? Jesus carried every charge against us, and nailed it to his cross. And now we are freely carried by Him. Click here to listen and to pray together.
~~~~~~~~
This past week has been filled with medical tests for both myself and my husband. As I lay on the table for my most recent CT scan, I began to pray for my husband again, that he would know the comfort of Christ. But I heard the Lord ask me,
What about you, my daughter? I long to bring my comfort to you also.
But before I could receive His comfort, I knew I had to ask the question that had been burning in my heart all week.
Why Lord? Why must I face yet more illnesses that my Mother bore?
The answer He gave me surprised me. He pointed me back to the words of this post, and asked if I had borne my illnesses as my own fault, my own shame.
Yes, Lord, You know I have.
And then, He surprised me even more by asking what I thought my Mother felt about her illnesses. Did she also carry them as her fault?
The pause in my answering caused me to choke back sobs, and almost miss the instructions of the technician to “Take a deep breath now, and hold it.”
Yes, Lord, I know she did. I felt it for her.
And then the true state of my heart was revealed. He reminded me of how much I had carried for her, how much I had sought to serve her my whole life. And then He asked if I could do one more thing for her. She was with Him now, totally free of all responsibility and shame. But could I allow Him to release that shame for her off of my own shoulders now?
It is time for you to be free also, my daughter. I took EVERY charge marked against you, against your Mother, and nailed it to My cross.
I came home from that test shaking and unsure of what I had just heard. But God gave me a promise on the way home, with such an amazing sunset, one that neither I nor my husband had ever seen. And He confirmed it with the sunrise the next morning.
Is there a charge that you have been carrying, one marked against you or someone you love? Please join me at Chronic Joy, where I would love to pray with you this Lenten Season. And I would love to invite you to share your prayer request at the Prayer Pond there also. May God make us One in His love through Christ’s intercession at work in us
And if you are looking for a great book to read through during this Lenten Season, I would love to recommend my friend Joy Lenton’s new book to you. It is a refreshing gathering of daily reflections to look for His presence among us:
I am linking with: #RememberMeMonday
BettieGsRAseasons 
Beautiful. Thank you for your messages.
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Thank you for your dear support and encouragement Melissa. May the Lord be so near to you during this time of Lent.
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love this poem.
Your writing is always a blessing to me.
I prayed for you today.
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Dear Mandy,
I am so thankful that God let our paths cross. He knew how much we would need to be that encouragement to each other on this pathway. Your prayers and words are such blessings to me too. Love and hugs dear sister.xo
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So many good thoughts here!
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Thank you for your kind comments, dear Heather. We have been given such freedom and grace from our Savior! Blessings to you.
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The words of an old hymn came to me as I read your words.
“He took my sons and my sorrows, He made them His very own.
He bore my burden to Calvary, And suffered and died alone.
God marvelous, how wonderful … is my savior’s love for me!
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Oh, Lisa, I love that hymn. He truly took it all to Calvary for us! How marvelous and wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
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thank you for this beautiful message……..
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Thank you dear Wendi. Such a blessing to share in the freedom of Jesus together. Blessings and hugs dear friend.
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Amen………
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I am blessed by your words, Bettie, and also so happy to read how God lifted you more into the FREEDOM that He can only provide.
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Dear Lynn,
He is so good to take us deeper into His freedom, isn’t He? Thank you for your sweet encouragement dear sister. May we keep listening for His Words over us.
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Dear friend! My heart goes out to you so much. I read your precious email and will respond as soon as I possibly can. I want you to know I am lifting you and your husband to the Father’s throne and trusting Him to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or even think in both of your situations. Your tenderness towards Him is so inspiring to me, and I am so grateful for your Godly example to all of us here. Sending much love and many prayers your way.
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Dear Cheryl,
We appreciate your prayers so very much. He is so gracious to us, giving us so much, “exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or even think.” Thank you for reminding me of that precious Scripture. He is so mighty when I am so weak. What a precious Savior we have. Sending love and hugs and prayers for you too.
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Oh Bettie, it warms my heart how Jesus is so tenderly caring for you. How He is strengthening your relationship with Him and giving you more freedom. Your poem, testimony, the verses, and prayers comfort my heart. “Have you felt that judgment concerning your own pain and weakness?” Yes, so I needed this reminder that Jesus has taken every charge marked against us and nailed it to His cross. Thank you so much for encouraging my heart, my friend. Love and blessings of strength and peace for each moment!
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Dear Trudy,
I am so blessed that the Lord brought you HIS encouragement today. He truly is such a mighty and glorious Savior for us! In the background is playing a song of praise to Him–He is over all! Oh, may we remember that whenever the enemy tries to yoke us with that shame and condemnation again. We are carried by Jesus. Thank you for your precious blessings of strength and peace. May you be so blessed as well.
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Dear Bettie, it’s so good to hear how God has given you a renewed perspective about your own weakness, illness and pain, and helped you to see that the burden is not of your making and not yours to carry. What freeing thoughts you have shared here, coupled beautifully with the lovely poem and the affirming Lenten prayers over at Chronic Joy! During this naturally reflective season we need these timely reminders of Jesus having already paid the full price for it all at the cross. This line struck me as key for how we live with our weakness and pain, because “Jesus our Savior now carries us.” We are not left to our own devices but are tenderly held in the palm of God’s hand and surrounded by His love, mercy and grace, day after day. May you sense so much the inestimable comfort of being held and being gently cradled through these particularly hard and challenging circumstances you and your husband are both experiencing. Sending much love, blessings and prayers for encouragement and strengthening for the way ahead. xoxo ❤️ PS: Thank you for the mention, sweet friend! 😊
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Dear Joy,
Your prayers to know the “inestimable comfort of being held and being gently cradled through these particularly hard and challenging circumstances you and your husband are both experiencing” have blessed me so much today. It does feel like my days are spinning with something new added to the list every day. But we do have such a wonderful Savior full of grace and mercy for each one of us. I am so grateful to know that He has allowed us to join hands and hearts in prayer across the wide ocean! What a comfort to know that He never misses one detail in our care. May you and your husband be so blessed in all that you are being asked to walk through now too. Love & Hugs for you! P.S. I was so glad to mention your beautiful new book! xoxo
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Bettie, I am behind in my reading of my favorite blogs, and just landed here today. So glad I did, your posts are so inspired and I always leave feeling like I met Jesus right here. Today I know I did. Just yesterday as I drove to work, God spoke to me in a similar way, I was praying for others, and a specific personal need popped into my head, which I ignored. Then the Lord asked me so quietly, “why do you never pray for your own needs?” I was undone. I couldn’t answer that question until now. I know I feel my “problems”, my “sufferings” are my own fault, and I am not worthy of the Lords help. Thank you for helping me see that is not true, dear Friend you have blessed me beyond measure!
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Oh, Donna, I am so very blessed that the Lord confirmed His word to you today here! He has done that for me also, and it is such a comfort from His Spirit. What an amazing Savior we have who joins us together in His Body so sweetly. He truly knows what we need, even when we try to minimize or feel ashamed about our own needs. We each are so precious in His eyes. I am so thankful for you, dear friend, and so thankful for your sharing here. Blessings and love to you!
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Thank you for sharing how the Lord intimately met you in your feelings of shame. I’m so glad He is revealing things to you and showing you that you’re free from guilt and shame. I’m so glad he nailed all our shame and guilt to the cross…and triumphed over them! I pray He continues to heal you in all ways!
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Dear Amy,
Oh, amen! What a blessing to remember that “he nailed all our shame and guilt to the cross…and triumphed over them!” We do have such a precious Savior. Thank you so much for your prayers. They mean so much to me. Blessings and grace to you this week!
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Beautiful post, Bettie. It does have me thinking. I do blame myself for my illness and also wonder why I have to go through the same things my mother has had to go through.
Very interesting to see you link to Twyla Paris. I have not heard her in years!
God bless!!
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It is so easy to blame ourselves, isn’t it? I think it’s just become my default position, but I know that Jesus wants to change that in me. I’m so glad that HE is so persistent and loving with us! And I miss hearing Twyla Paris too! Blessings to you this week.
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Bettie, Your poetry shows the loving heart of a child run to her Father – scared, overwhelmed – and the Father takes the burden from Her – what magnificent love! What tender love you’ve revealed of our Father! Praying for you and your husband! Your post went straight to my heart! Shalom sweet friend! ~ Maryleigh
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