Rev. Ray and Pat Amos

Psalm 107:2

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy…”

A cartoon once showed a pastor visiting the home of one of his church members. Sitting in the living room was an embarrassed man and wife, while a little boy with a drum was standing in front of the pastor. The little boy was saying, “I brought my drum because daddy says every time you visit you toot your own horn.”

Don’t you dread those conversations that begin with, “I don’t mean to be bragging, but?” The Apostle Paul was never very good at bragging. When he did boast it was about his failures and weaknesses. He had learned a wonderful truth: that God’s power is strongest when we are weak. That is why he wrote, “So I will brag even more about my weakness in order that Christ’s power will live in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

If we have anything to brag about it is not what we have done, but what Christ has done. I am a “has been;” and if you are a Christian, then so are you. “I once was lost in sin, but Jesus took me in.” To be redeemed means that God saw my worth when others did not; and that He paid the price when I could not. If I boast, then let me tell you about my Redeemer.

“This is what the Lord says:
Don’t let wise people boast in their wisdom.
Don’t let strong people boast in their strength.
Don’t let rich people boast in their riches.
If they want to brag, they should brag that they understand and know me.
They should brag that I, the Lord, act out of love and righteousness, and justice on the earth. This kind of bragging pleases me, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23

The Gospel song says it well: “I boast not of works or tell of good deeds, for naught have I done to merit his grace. All glory and praise shall rest upon him, so willing to die in my place. I will glory in the cross, in the cross”

Grace and Peace, Rev Ray (2/19/2019)

“Link to YouTube Video – I Will Glory in the Cross”