Kloster "Sunrise Devotion" — Our Perfect High Priest

The following devotion by Deneen Kloster is reprinted with her permission. Deneen's husband, John, received a very serious cancer diagnosis in October. To follow Deneen's "Sunrise Devotions," go tohttp://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnkloster. Pray for miracles and God's glory revealed!
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HEBREWS 5:7-9 "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be High Priest in the order of Melchizedek."

What a model we have in Christ, fully human, fully God, submitting to God's will in all circumstances. He has the full ability to take His cup of suffering (Matt 26:42) and dash it to pieces. Instead, in loving submission, with complete trust and obedience He participates in His Father's perfect plan.

That doesn't mean the fully man Jesus doesn't cry out and shed tears for His own life and that of the people. He is our fully empathetic and feeling Savior who hates sin and death more than we do. He created us and calls us by name. He adopted us as His children of faith. He will not stop interceeding and crying out on our behalf (Heb 7:25).

Lacking faith and fearing the worst is meant to be, I hesitate to fully cry out for myself and my husband. I fear disappointment in the outcome and of appearing to be a disobedient or greedy child, not submitting to the Father's will. I am wrong. I need to follow Jesus' example and fully go to the loving Father with all my loud cries and tears.

In what area of your life are you fearing the worst, so you hesitate to go fully to God for your need...finances, health, broken relationships...will you join me today by following Christ's example as our Perfect High Priest and "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Heb 4:16)?

Are We Living the "Good" Life?

ROMANS 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Has this verse ever challenged you as it has me? I can see logic there — if we are living within the will of God who is perfect, pure, and holy, then things will work out for our good. But what does "good" really mean if life clearly doesn't always bring health, prosperity, happiness, comfort, or pleasure?

One thing I know for sure — it's not possible for God to be cruel. So the key lies in having an eternal Kingdom perspective of things. God's idea of "good" is different than mine BUT BETTER. God's ultimate purpose is to refine us in relationship to Himself. Our ultimate good involves being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. My life, like yours, isn't always smooth sailing but I am seeing profound examples proving that God brings beauty out of ashes because my heart is inclined toward Him.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Released!

It's a crazy busy week here getting ready for the launch of the "Finding Glory in the Thorns: GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE" next week!

Here is what a friend of ours from Canada wrote on Amazon recently:

"I have watched Larry and Lisa journey through the trials and triumphs of raising a child with Angelman Syndrome. God has truly transformed them and the community of people who have supported them along the way. Their story is powerful, but more than that, their transparency as they reflect on how God led and taught them through many difficult decisions is truly inspirational. Each of us at one time or another find ourselves living in the thorns, but the Jamiesons show us how we can live in the power of a loving God despite the challenges we face. I started reading this book, believing I knew their story. I had read their weekly prayer updates for years as they worked with their daughter Carly. I was wrong. The spiritual truths with which they frame their story challenged and inspired me beyond all expectations. Their honesty brought me to tears. Ultimately, their story equips each reader to face life's challenges confident in the power of a loving God."

I hope this will inspire you to READ and TELL OTHERS about the original book as well as the new Bible Study which releases on Monday for $6.99!

You can also refer people to this link which shows highlights from a national television interview Larry and I did on Canada's "100 Huntley Street" last year. The highlight link below is only six and a half minutes long. Easy! (The complete original live interview is also on YouTube in two parts totaling about 25 minutes.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnArTDQ0nrs&feature=related

PLEASE pray with us that hearts are softened by the Holy Spirit, encouraged in Christ, and drawn into intimate personal relationship with God through these resources!