I was a guest this week on the Christ and Pop Culture podcast, #The25. I discuss Ava DuVernay’s Netflix documentary 13th on race and mass incarceration. #The25 is a great show, hope you'll take a listen!
13th and The 25 - Podcast Discussion
God's Grace, Sufficiency of Christ, Women
Jesus Paid It All was penned in 1865 by a very ordinary woman. Her name was Elvina M. Hall and she attended a church in Baltimore, Maryland. Mrs. Hall sat in the choir stand one Sunday, listening to the prayers of her pastor. The Rev. George W. Schrick extolled the beauty and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrificial death for sinners. He reminded his congregation, through his prayer, that Jesus paid it all. Overcome by the reminder of this truth, Mrs. Hall opened the flyleaf of her hymnbook and began to write. The words of this hymn were birthed in the pew of a church filled with ordinary Christians who looked to a strong God. Friends, Christians are free to admit our weakness because our salvation doesn’t rest in our strength—but in Christ. Jesus paid it all!
My husband and I have often marveled at God’s providence in our “chance” train encounter. That moment ultimately led to our marriage, our four children, our partnership in local church ministry, and so much more. “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Our sovereign God is writing a big story, and He’s pleased to weave our individual tales into a narrative that displays His wisdom and glory. God orders our steps; and there’s a quiet verse in the book of Ruth that screams of His providence!
Continue at The Daily Grace Co.
Bible Study
Lot’s wife belonged to a family with a great name and trust in God’s promises. She even had angels visit her home! God sent them to personally escort her from His coming wrath to His safety (Gen.19:1-22). Yet, she fell into eternal judgment because she looked back to her life in Sodom. She longed to preserve what she had and became a pillar of salt–a crystalline substance used for preservation (Gen. 19:26). Friends, Jesus is kind to warns us in Luke 17:32-33: “Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.”
