I Stand Amazed

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Holley, this post brought tears of recognition and joy to my eyes, because it is true. I am seeing the fruit of small steps I started years ago. Now I am blogging, which for me came as a call to minister to those with chronic illnesses, and I am see what God is doing with amazement. Do you know the old hymn, “I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene?” That is how I feel sometimes, as this often in pain, fatigued sinner saved by Grace shares my heart. Glory to God in the Highest! He is absolutely awesome and amazing. 

The above was my response to Holley Gerth's January 16, blog post, and I just wanted to share my joy with you;  which is in my heart because of Jesus.  Usually, I share scripture with you, but see the words penned by Charles H. Gabriel, in Praises, by Edwin O. Excell (Chicago, Illinois:  1905).  

"I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

Refrain

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

Refrain

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

Refrain

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Refrain"

Reading Through the Bible

 "Prayer" courtesy of graur razvan ionut/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yikes!  I just looked at the last date I wrote a devotional for this blog, and I can hardly believe I have waited so long.  I have to admit to feeling ashamed of myself for I should have plenty to write, since I am planning on reading through the Bible this year.  That means I am starting all over, because I want to try to do it according to the plan our church is using.  In fact, it is the same plan my husband is using.

The bad thing is I am already behind, which I don't like admitting.  However, I had the thought today that is exactly where The Enemy would like me to be, so I will feel guilty;  then, I just might give up.  And it is absolutely not worth it to let myself be ramrodded into guilt.  Reading God's word is fulfilling:  it is a wonderful experience to hear God speak to me through the Bible.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (KJV, 1 Timothy 3:16-17).

One Year Bible OnLine has a good plan for reading through the Bible:   I'm using the One Year Bible Weekly Reading plan.  I hope I do it in one year, but doing a Bible marathon is not the point.  The point is getting to know God better through His word.  I'm not boasting.  I'm not promising to finish reading it in the time allotted, but it is a worthy goal;  and now that I have shared with you,  I am looking forward to it even more.

God bless you in 2013.