April 2017: Sacrifice by A Woman's Heart and Soul Magazine

HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS A PERSONAL PRAYER EXPERIENCE: “JESUS PRAYING” AND “ME PRAYING” BY

BARBARA ELKIN

Read Hebrews 7: 23-25: Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.

As you read this passage reflect on the fact that Jesus is your high priest and that He lives, and that He intercedes for you. Even though He already knows your needs and the desires of your heart, He still invites you to take this opportunity to tell Him about everything—your hopes and your heartaches. It’s OK to list your burdens before Him. He’s listening. As each thought comes to mind, make it an offering to the Lord and say, “I trust You, Jesus.” He is strong and willing to assume your load. Are you willing to let Him? The Holy Spirit can help with this.

According to Romans 8: 26-27: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Jesus can handle the good stuff, the bad stuff and the messy stuff, not only today but tomorrow and every single day. He cares about your requests. Philippians 4: 4-7 tells us:

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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

APRIL

IN THIS ISSUE The Ultimate Sacrifice By Wendy Templeton-Stone

Springtime in Colorado By Sandy McClaury

This is My Struggle By Haley Lowe

Beyond the Crucifixion By Donna L. Barr

Behold the Lamb By Michelle Granado

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

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by WENDY TEMPLETON-STONE

My spirit is leaping within me having been reminded in Hebrews 10 of what Christ has done for us! It contrasts the insufficiency of the Old Testament sacrifices to the complete sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. Verses 3-10 declare,

About the author Wendy is a missionary serving as a discipleship counselor and teacher for Exchanged Life Ministries, a non-profit, non-denominational counseling, discipleship and counselor-training center. We offer Christcentered, Biblical solutions for people who are hurting, and training for those who have been called to help others.

"But in these [Old Testament] sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, He said, 'Sacrifices and offerings You [God, the Father ] have not desired, but a body have You prepared for Me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings You have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God, as it is written of Me in the scroll of the book.' When He said above, 'You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings' (these are offered according to the law), then He added, 'Behold, I have come to do Your will.' He does away with the first in order to

establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Do you believe that? Are you living that truth? Though as a child I received Christ as my Savior and intellectually knew that He died to take away my sin, I continued to live as though I had to prove my goodness and worthiness to Him by striving to do more good things for Him and be less critical and judgmental toward others. The depth of my appreciation for His sacrifice was inexpressible and my efforts to somehow repay Him were meaningless as I continued to fall miles short of my perception of His expectations. Despair and Depression were my companions. I was like the priests referred to in verse 11, "And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins."

I had not received the revelation of the truth of the above verses nor that of verses 12-18. "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies would be made a footstool for His feet. For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord; I will put my laws on their hearts and write them on their minds,' then He adds, 'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.' Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin." I knew that I had a ticket to heaven; I confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in my heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans10:9). I had asked Christ to come into my heart to be my Savior, however, the reality of 2 Corinthians 5:21 had not taken root. "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." I was still trying to earn my righteousness, laying my sacrifices of service upon the altar. In so doing, I was in essence saying, "What You did on the cross, Jesus, didn't really matter." I played right into Satan's

scheme! John 10:10 says, "The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I [Jesus, the Good Shepherd] came that they may have life and have it abundantly." I was missing out on the abundant life because I was living under the lies of Satan, negating the work of the cross. I praise God that in His perfect way, He brought me to brokenness as I realized the futility of my self-effort to pay Him back. I was then able to receive and understand the fullness of His love expressed in Romans 5:8-10, "But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life." The realization of His Ultimate Sacrifice brought me to ABUNDANT LIFE!

I pray, dear reader, that this Easter you will know the reality of His Ultimate Sacrifice so that you can join me in experiencing His Abundant Life!

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Alive! Resurrected! Awake! Christ rose from the dead—no mistake! Every stronghold His power can break, And He makes all things new for love’s sake.

New!

by BARBARA ELKIN

Honest hope springs afresh at the cross Where evil bows down to its Boss. There the heart of Christ reckoned the cost And gave up His life for the lost. Hallelujah! The Savior forgave, Put Himself in my place, in my grave. No debt now remains. All is paid. I’m brand new! I am clean! I am saved. Shout aloud! Rejoice! Spread the news! It’s too precious a gift to refuse! Jesus’ grace is for all who will choose. Let your praises ring out loud and true.

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Calendar of Events Register for training opportunities at: www.elmco.org Conferences June 9-10 Trinity Baptist Church 1555 E. Quincy Ave. Aurora, CO 80015

Advanced Training Exchanged Life Ministries' Office 7350 E. Progress Pl. Ste. 206 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

August 4-5 New Covenant Community Church 6000 S. 84th St. Lincoln, NE 68516

Four Week June 19 - July 13 Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

September 15-16 Location TBD Workshops Exchanged Life Ministries' Office 7350 E. Progress Pl. Ste. 206 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Six-Day June 12-17 Monday thru Friday 6:30 p.m.-9:30.p.m, Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Four-Day September 21-24 Thursday & Friday 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m.-.6:30 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m. -.6:30 p.m.

Weekly Orientation: September 30 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Classes: October 5 - May 11 Thursday classes 6:30-9:30 p.m. "For me, learning these [Exchanged Life] truths was like putting on perfectly fitted prescription glasses after having walked around with blurry vision for the past 24 years. Though I was saved. I wasn't walking in God's truth and living my life through Jesus Christ living in me." - CM JOIN US! Come see how this new prescription for life changes everything!

Call the ELM office at 303-770-5433 for further details about the above events including discounts available for financial partners and those in full-time ministry.

SPRINGTIME IN COLORADO by SANDY MCCLAURY

Colorado sand dunes in spring. Photo credit: KN6KS via Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Hold on to your snow boots, folks. It’s springtime in Colorado! Ah, spring. The season of hope and renewal. Leaving behind the cold, dreary, sunless days of winter and emerging into a bright, warm growing season. Gone are the heavy duty blizzards, the ice cold winds and the treacherous driving conditions. It’s time to put away the flannel and fleece, the heating blanket and the slippers. As soon as the calendar says April you’re free to find all the scarves, hats and single mittens strewn about your house and store them for next winter. (Hopefully by then, you’ll find all the mitten mates.) No more drab, colorless days. Spring has blue skies and vibrant flowers.

“There is no such thing as breezes in the spring. Glacial gusts that take out trees and trash cans, maybe. Gentle breezes are reserved for autumn around here, and your commute was probably easier in December. ”

Except, wait. This is Colorado. In Colorado you have winter days where shorts are completely acceptable. Where else could you get away with flip flops almost every day, provided you’re not too particular about your piggies? There is nothing drab, dreary or colorless about this great state, even in the midst of winter. There are days in the “dead” of winter that are stunningly beautiful with deep blue skies, evergreen trees and snowy mountain views. Kids wear sweatshirts and sneakers and save the heavy coats and boots for playing in the snow. Winter isn’t as tedious as you might think. But still…spring, ah spring! Nothing is better than springtime! Except, wait. This is Colorado. In Colorado, the calendar says one thing but Mother Nature has a tendency to disagree – sometimes vehemently. You might feel the tug to put away the snow blower, the ice scraper and the shovel. Don’t do it! Think you might not need those snow boots? Guess again. Spring in Colorado is a happy rollercoaster of every season mixed into one. Where else can you break a record high and have a blizzard warning all in one day? Are there are other places where they recommend waiting to plant until after Mother’s day because that is the day you can be somewhat, relatively, slightly…um…sure(?) that it won’t snow again? Even the trees don’t learn. Some

bud early. Leaves and flowers mean weight and spring snow in CO is HEAVY. Providing more surface area is a recipe for disaster. Think spring means crisp breezes, gentle showers and easy commutes? There is no such thing as breezes in the spring. Glacial gusts that take out trees and trash cans, maybe. Gentle breezes are reserved for autumn around here, and your commute was probably easier in December. Spring brings the bees, the birds and the baby bunnies and also sends them right back into hibernation over and over again. Everything about spring in Colorado is mixed up, bi-polar and unexpected. Ah, spring. Or Sprinter. Wintring? Whatever you want to call it, it defines Colorado. From the weather to the flora and fauna, and even to the residents of this state you see hope and resilience, happiness and flexibility. One word that rarely describes spring, or winter, or Colorado in general? Predictable. Sorry weather forecasters!

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Instead of sweaters, bulky coats, and wool socks you can wear short sleeves and go barefoot. It’s time to trade in your hot cocoa for iced tea, your snow boots for sandals, your comfort food by the fire for salads on the patio.

THIS IS MY STRUGGLE

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by HALEY LOWE It's the season of Lent, a time to reflect on a God that stepped into our human flesh in order to save us.

possibility of pain? How do I continue to walk the path of vulnerability knowing that I can be hurt again?

I've been back in the states for about 4 months and back in California for a little over 3 months. I came back from Nicaragua with a heart that was hurting so the Lord is bringing me back to a place of wholeness.

But then I think of Jesus.

About the author Haley Lowe is a recent graduate of Colorado Christian University. She currently resides in Northern California, where she does behavioral therapy with kids on the autism spectrum. Haley is a big fan of social enterprises, green tea lattes, olive oil, and hiking and she has a heart for missions. You can learn more about her and support her next endeavor by going to: haleylowe.theworldrace.org

I find myself undergoing a process that has more to do with my heart and less to do with this transition (although that doesn't make it any easier). Past friendships and recent experiences have hardened my heart to any attempt at vulnerability. The word vulnerability actually comes from the Latin word vulnerare which means "to wound, injure, or harm." Vulnerability is what makes us open to being wounded. It is essentially taking off your armor. My fear is that there are arrows already pointing at me. This is my struggle. How can I open myself up with the

I imagine that Jesus' life was filled with pain. He should've been killed as a baby. It's likely that rumors were spread about his mother's premarital purity. He most likely lost his father at a young age. His disciples betrayed and denied him. Yet, "Jesus still welcomed Judas to the communion table, knowing that betrayal was in his heart" (40 Days of Decrease, Alicia Britt Chole). This is our Saviour. The same people that yell Hosanna also yell crucify him (Matthew 21:9, John 19:15). He died and was resurrected 3 days later only for Thomas to doubt him (John 20:24-29). All that, and many still won't honor his sacrifice or come to know his love so he must come back and judge that which he created and administer eternal justice.

Yet, he pours himself out for our sake and he knows that there is future glory (Philippians 2:711). Even now, he his interceding on behalf of his church (Romans 8:34), that we will be protected from the world (John 17:11)--a world that this same Christ once called good (Genesis 1:31). What a bittersweet prayer indeed. "In short, Jesus did not emotionally self-protect. His love did not shrink back even when His love— for a moment or, sadly, for a lifetime—would ultimately be rejected" (40 Days of Decrease, Alicia Britt Chole).

Elation by Barbara Elkin

This is our example as Christians. Yes, the Christian life is a continuous journey of taking steps of vulnerability and letting go of fear. Although we should not do this haphazardly, with vulnerability comes the opportunity for pain and hurt. However, our only other option is to allow fear to dwell on the throne of our hearts--to worship it instead of Christ. "Crazily enough, favor is not what frees us from self-protection: suffering is. Not suffering itself, but the choice within suffering to trust, to hope , and to love" (40 Days of Decrease, Alicia Britt Chole). Maybe vulnerability isn't a mere choice in the Christian life. Maybe it's a necessity. Maybe this is what it looks like to continually pick up your cross in 21st century suburban America, to choose to love regardless of reciprocity. I leave you with this quote from Brene Brown's book Daring Greatly:

Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed! Death is defeated! The captives are freed! The empty tomb echoes: Christ rose from the grave! Honor God! Give Him glory! He is mighty to save! Hallelujahs resound! Ransomed children rejoice! Saints sing and make music in jubilant voice! Hearts worship the Savior whose love conquered sin! Heaven’s door is wide open. Jesus welcomes us in! The Lamb is found worthy! Our hope is assured! Christ’s blood is victorious, our future secure! So dance for the Lord! Shout aloud to the King! Strike a clamorous chord! Sound the bells! Let them ring! O give thanks to God’s Son for such love and such grace! Exalt Him! Adore Him! Raise a radiant face! Celebrate! Clap your hands! Blaze a banner! Believe! For the Savior is risen! He is risen indeed!

Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path... Love is uncertain. It’s incredibly risky. And loving someone leaves us emotionally exposed. Yes, it’s scary and yes, we’re open to being hurt, but can you imagine your life without love or being loved” (p. 34). Risk it. Share your heart and love relentlessly.

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BEYOND THE CRUCIFIXION by DONNA L. BARR

rowing up, I attended a Tenebrae Service, or Service of Darkness, at my church on Good Friday. The events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion were read from scripture and candles, representing Jesus’ increasing sorrow, were extinguished one by one until the room was left in complete darkness. It was a somber yet worshipful service and we left the church in reflective silence and with a renewed awareness of the sufferings of Jesus on our behalf. More recently, however, my mind has wandered beyond the horrific details of Jesus’ physical death of which there is much commentary, to other aspects of His unique emotional and spiritual turmoil: What was it like for the One who was perfect and holy and never knew any sin to take upon Himself the sins of the world? And what was it like for Jesus, who had always been one with the Father, to be forsaken by Him?

Evangelists, “Christ’s mind was seized by a terror to which he had not been accustomed.” Isaiah 53:4 tells us, “He bore our griefs, carried our sorrows and was smitten by God and afflicted.” As Sin-bearer he was “liable to emotions ‘which never would have invaded his soul in the purity of his humanity save as he stood under the curse incurred for his people’s sins’,” stated B. B. Warfield in Donald Macleod’s book The Person of Christ Contours of Christian Theology.

Jesus suffered on multiple fronts simultaneously. As if His physical pain and the indescribable experience of taking on sin were not enough, Jesus was forsaken, abandoned, by His Father. In the last three hours of darkness as Jesus hung on the cross He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthews 27:46) He stood, “before that God answering for the sin of the world . . . becoming as Luther said ‘the greatest sinner that ever was’. . . totally exposed to God’s Scripture gives limited details regard- abhorrence of sin . . . deprived of the ing the unfathomable emotions Jesus one solace and the one resource experienced when He took on that sin which had always been and was forsaken by His Father. A viv- there.” (Donald Macleod) “God id picture of Jesus’ torment is painted placed the sins of the world on His in the Garden of Gethsemane where Son, and Jesus for a time felt the desowe find Him “deeply dislation of being unconscious of His Fatressed” (Matthew 26), “exceedingly ther’s presence.” sorrowful” (Mark 14), and “in ago(www.gotquestions.org) ny” (Luke 22). John Calvin said in his Commentary on a Harmony of the

Taking on sin and being forsaken cannot be separated if we understand the character and role of both God the Father and Jesus the Son. As the eternal Word, Jesus had always been with God His Father; they were One (John 1:1,10:30). Yet because “God is holy” (Rev. 4:8, 15:4) and “there is no unrighteousness in Him” (Psalm 92:15), He cannot be in the presence of sin. Isaiah told the Jews, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you” (Isaiah 59:2). Therefore, when our sin was transferred to Jesus that separation between God and sin was transferred as well. To be true to His nature, God had to separate Himself for a short time from His Son while Jesus took on that sin! My daughter reminded me that this had to be excruciating for God as well! God’s love for Jesus did not change; He had a glorious plan awaiting Him in just three days!

Similarly, Jesus willingly took the submissive role of a servant and humbled Himself becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross (Philip. 2:58). “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus became that “one sacrifice for sins forever” (Hebrews 10:12) for “without the shedding of blood there is no remission” of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

Sin separates us from a loving God who longs for a relationship with us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sin always brings separation, and the fact that God hates sin means that He hates being separated from us. His love demands restorationâ&#x20AC;? (www.gotquestions.org). This Dynamic Duo had a purpose and plan that could not be thwarted because they loved us that much! (John 3:16). Jesus conquered sin and death when He rose from the grave making a way for His dearly loved children to never have to feel abandoned. God promises He will never, ever, ever forsake us! (Hebrews 13:5)

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Behold the Lamb by MICHELLE GRANADO As the celebration of Passover coincides with the Easter season this year, I am reminded of the Scripture Ephesians 2:13-17 which talks about Jew and Gentile becoming one through the blood of Christ Jesus: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. To fully grasp that the feast of Passover gives us the context for Jesus as the “Lamb of God”. In Exodus chapter 12, God gives Moses the prescription for being saved from the last plague—the plague of

death. The Israelites were to take a lamb for each household, slay it, and put its blood on the doorposts of the houses, then eat the lamb, wasting none of it. God himself passed through Egypt to execute the judgement, but when He saw the blood He passed over the house, thus sparing the people from the plague. The Israelites would keep the feast as a memorial of what God had done on their behalf. This is described in the Bible in detail. As they would continue to celebrate the Passover through the generations in the Old Testament, the high priest would sacrifice a lamb without blemish as the atonement for sin, once a year, for all people.

So when John the Baptist sees Jesus coming toward him, this is the context from which he proclaims it in John 1:29: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, God himself intervened to provide the ram to be sacrificed. So too God has intervened to provide the necessary sacrifice for us—Jesus, a Lamb without stain or

blemish.

Whereas under the old covenant, the blood of an animal as an atonement would only be sufficient for one year at a time, under the new covenant, Jesus’ blood is sufficient for all eternity. We have confirmation of this in Revelation chapter 5. When the angel asks who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals, it is said that no man was found in heaven, on earth, or under the earth. John. (the writer of Revelation) was distraught when he heard this, but then Revelation 5:6 says:

ken of Jesus was true:

"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" As you celebrate Easter and beyond – behold the Lamb of God!

“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…” The scripture further says the Lamb took the scroll from the right hand of the One who was seated on the throne – God – and that when he did, the elders fell down before the Lamb and sang a new song: “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…” (Revelation 5:9) The elders and the angels understood and do understand what Jesus —the Lamb of God—has done. Do we? Are we living now as though we have been ransomed, as though a high price has been paid for us, for our sins, our fear, and our sickness? Are we living as though that price was and is enough? Isaiah says it this way: But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) God our Father—in great detail—fulfilled The Passover in the crucifixion of Christ Jesus – confirming to the disciples and to us that what had been spo-

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