Lately

I was blessed to be able to watch the live stream of Beth Moore's sermon at Passion 2013.  I've been pondering her message ever since.  Without getting into the details (mostly because I think I need to study it a little more for myself since the first commentary I read after hearing this talk contradicted most of the details she gave), I wanted to share the biggest takeaway for me personally, given that my word for the year is Gratitude.

After the last supper, Jesus and his disciples went away singing a hymn....and Beth says that the hymn is found in Psalm 118, verses that are familiar to me as they are inscribed in my parents' wedding bands.

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.

This was THE DAY of our SALVATION!

The rest of the psalm talks about....you guessed....gratitude and thanksgiving.  "I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me...I will not die but live, and proclaim what the Lord has done...I will give you thanks, for you answered me, you have become my salvation."

The gospel.  I've heard it my whole life.  It means good news.  Beth used a different word to describe it that day.  The news is good.  But it should make us GLAD.  This good news -- our glad tidings.

We have not outsinned his ability to forgive....and I am GLAD about that.

The evil one will not have the last say....and I am GLAD about that.

God will come back and claim His people...and I am GLAD about that.

He has done great things for me...and I AM GLAD!

Cue the Doxology, people. Amen, and amen.