Esther Chaplin, Blackwood

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:3-8

I have always struggled with assurance of salvation. Even before I was saved my one question to which no one could give me an answer that I found helpful was, "how will I know?" I was told by some that I would just know; that wasn't good enough for me because I didn't know and sometimes now I still don't know. My problem was and still is looking within for feelings of assurance. The phrases throughout this passage remind me that salvation is all of God and nothing of me. He chose us...He predestined us...He has freely given us...He lavished on us... I need to take my eyes off myself and keep them on Him. 

For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

I went to a Welsh speaking conference in 2016 called Llanw. The main speaker was John Treharne and as I listened to him through the translation headset he spoke of how Jesus came out of the Fathers love. I had never "heard" this before although had heard it many many times throughout my life. Out of the Fathers love! I realised that my view of the Father being the stern one and Jesus the gentle one is not true. It all began with God!

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, with prayer and Thanksgiving, put your requests to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers and sisters whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

This verse has helped me in times of depression and anxiety. From the age of 18 I started to experience anxiety episodes. It was a really difficult time and I didn't understand what was happening and why I felt so low a lot of the time. The anxiety attacks would really distress me.  My dad was so supportive at this time and he would talk me through how what I was feeling was like wearing dark coloured glasses. I could not see properly through these glasses and they made everything seem bleak. My Dad would say this verse to me and encourage me to occupy my mind by not dwelling on myself and my circumstances. The way we think affects the way we feel and the promise at the end of the verse is that the peace of God will be with you.

Do not be afraid, I am your God, let nothing terrify you. I will make you strong and help you, I will protect you and save you. Isaiah 41:10

Again, in times of distress, God tells me not to let anything terrify me. So comforting! I would quite often at low times repeat this verse to myself over and over. I specifically remember doing that in work, in private, when I felt that I couldn't get through the day. I had a small pocket book of verses and this was one I thought about a lot. 

Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

I've never known a steady assurance. I still spend a lot of time wondering am I really saved, what if I'm not? Even doing this blog brought the question to my mind. It can be quite scary. Lots of people have encouraged me to believe I am because they see that I am. But I want to see it and I want to feel it. It is my one desire, to have an assurance. This verse reminds me of God's promise; that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. And so my prayer is that of the man in Mark 9: Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!

Who would you like to find on the island for company?

                                                                                                              The dying thief. He never had the chance to earn his salvation...his faith amazes me! He had to fully lean on Jesus. He couldn't go to church, couldn't have a quiet time, couldn't do anything but trust! That is all that is needed though. God doesn't love me more because I go to church or read my bible etc. He didn't love the dying thief any less because he didn't do these things. He has loved his people with an everlasting love!

Which song would you take to the island?

There is a day
That all creation's waiting for,
A day of freedom and liberation for the earth.
And on that day
The Lord will come to meet His bride,
And when we see Him
In an instant we'll be changed

The trumpet sounds
And the dead will then be raised
By His power,
Never to perish again.
Once only flesh,
Now clothed with immortality,
Death has now been
Swallowed up in victory

We will meet Him in the air
And then we will be like Him
For we will see Him, as He is
Oh yeah!
Then all hurt and pain will cease
And we'll be with Him forever
And in His glory we will live
Oh yeah! Oh yeah!

So lift your eyes
To the things as yet unseen,
That will remain now
For all eternity.
Though trouble's hard,
It's only momentary
And it's achieving
Our future glory.