The Cross

January 16th – Isaiah 6:8

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Isaiah 6:8

Have you ever thought you washed a window to crystal clear perfection only to find it full of streaks when the rays of the sun shined on it? That’s how it is with us. No matter how hard we try, or how clean we think our lives are, they are nothing more than dirty, streaky windows compared to the perfect goodness of God. But because of His boundless love, just like He did for Isaiah, God provides a way for our iniquity to be taken away and our sin forgiven. That way is Jesus Christ. Through His work on the Cross and the shedding of His precious blood the minute we receive Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit goes to work. First he humbles and convicts us about the filthiness of our lives, then begins transforming, cleansing, and getting us ready for God’s service. No longer unworthy, and like the prophets before us, we can be eagerly obedient to God’s calling. And after our own life changing encounter with the Lord, with a thankful heart we too can say to God, “Here am I. send Me!”

January 16th – Isaiah 6:8 Read More »

January 5th – Psalm 31:14-15

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Psalm 31:14-15

Sadly, as long as there is sin there will be suffering. And this side of heaven we may not understand the reason behind God letting it in our lives. But like David, we can trust that no matter what we endure, God always has a purpose for our pain. I think of Jesus. Satan appeared before Him in the wilderness and offered Christ the crown without the Cross. (Matthew 4:8) Jesus could have walked away from the cup of agony He was about to drink. But instead He chose to His Father’s will done, no matter the cost. And because of what Jesus endured, we are now blessed with the gift of eternal life. We will all have painful times. But our future is held securely in the hands of the One who controls the storms. And God will be there as our impenetrable fortress every step of the way. So trust in His perfect wisdom. And cling to His beautiful promise to, “Comfort all who mourn, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called oaks of righteousness.” (Is. 61:3)

January 5th – Psalm 31:14-15 Read More »

December 7th – John 13:35

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John 13:35

As one of His last acts before His sacrifice on the Cross, the Lord performed a task usually reserved for the lowest slaves in the house. He knelt and began to cleanse the feet of the disciples. Such an expression of self sacrifice, Jesus did as an example of humble love. Throughout His life on earth, everything Jesus did He did in love. And He made it perfectly clear that we are to do the same. But such a calling isn’t easy. For undoubtedly as soon as you make a commitment to love others, along a person will come as a test to your resolve. But the goal of the Christian walk is to become transformed into the image of Christ. And God never calls us to go it alone, nor to do what He asks in our own strength. Our strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirt. And through His power we can walk like Jesus and serve others joyfully and humbly. Our strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirt. And through His power we walk like Jesus and serve others joyfully and humbly.

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November 24th – 1 Peter 2:24

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1 Peter 2:24

I am thankful Jesus paid the sin debt of every person who has ever lived 

Knowing full well the agony He would endure, the Lord willingly and lovingly left His glorious place at the Father’s side. All to pay a debt He did not owe, and to give us a gift we do not deserve. And it is only through His great love and sacrifice that we can have eternal life. I love the quote by D.A. Carson which says, “It was not nails that held Jesus to that wretched cross; it was His unqualified resolution, out of love for his Father, to do his Father’s will—and it was His love for sinners like me.” Jesus suffered for us. He suffered for you, for me, and for all who receive Him as their Savior. He was beaten, flogged, spit upon, ridiculed, and nailed to a Cross to die an excruciating death. And It is by those wounds, that shed precious blood, in which we are healed. On this day of thanksgiving, may we praise the Lord above, who died to give us life, and who removed the penalty of our sins forevermore!

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April 26th – Luke 23:32-43

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Luke 23: 32-43

Luke tells us as Jesus hung on the Cross, He wasn’t alone. Because two other men, each a criminal, hung on either side of Him. Have you ever wondered why there were three crosses that fateful day and the significance of each? The answer is redemption, repentance, and rejection. The cross which bore our Savior is one of redemption. Jesus our Redeemer died for the sins of the world. And with His blood we are reconciled with the Father. The other two crosses, the thieves which hung to His left and right, represent the choice we must make.

On one side of Christ was a thief hurling insults at Him, taunting the Lord to save them if He could. His is the cross of rejection. He didn’t receive Jesus as His Savior, nor was he sorry for all he had done. Instead he was simply searching for a way out of his predicament. On the other side was a man whose cross represents one of repentance. In faith and reverence he requests, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Christ’s answer? “Assuredly, I say to you today you will be with Me in Paradise.” So which cross will you choose? Eternal separation from God, or paradise with Jesus?

Blessings,

Sue

 

April 26th – Luke 23:32-43 Read More »

April 21st – John 19:25-27

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John 19:25-27

Jesus is in a terrible agony, with a deep concern in his heart. Concern not for Himself, but for His mother Mary and His devoted followers. Because He sees how they’re suffering at the feet of His cross. The Lord wants His loved ones to be cared for as only a family can. So as one of His last gifts, He asks His beloved John to care for Mary, accepting her as his own mother. And in turn, asking Mary to accept John as her own son. Of this gift of family John Piper once said, “ One of the gifts Jesus gave to us from the cross was the church. A loving, caring, sustaining, encouraging family beyond family. And it is a great encouragement to our faith that He illustrates the meaning of the church the way He did in the relationship between John and Mary. If Jesus could provide for the needs of His own in the moment of His greatest weakness and humiliation, how much more can He provide for your need in His present wealth of power and exaltation!” A great encouragement indeed!

Blessings,

Mari

April 21st – John 19:25-27 Read More »

April 15th – Hebrews 12:12

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Hebrews 12:2

“I love you.” “How much?” “SO much.” “How much is so?” “Way, Way more than you know.” This comes from a book I used to read to my son entitled, “I Love You So…” by Marianne Richmond. It’s a beautiful story about the unconditional love a parent feels for a child. It perfectly expresses the height and depth of the love I have for my son, and reminds me of that same love Jesus has for us. His entire life here on earth from birth to death, was a perfect, shining testimony to the selfless love He so freely offers to all. Even while hanging on a Cross in excruciating pain, and until He breathed His last, He demonstrated grace, mercy, and love until the end.

Tortured and nailed to a cross, no one would blame Jesus for being so overwhelmed by His pain and suffering, that He could think of nothing else. Yet instead He repeatedly demonstrated His incredible love for others; never wavering in His grace and mercy. And Christ endured all of this; the wounds, humiliation, and shame for the “joy set before Him.” What is this joy? It’s you, it’s me, and all who would be saved through His death and resurrection. With His never ending love He gave His life, and with His dying breath He gave us life. Never again will we find condemnation, for as Jesus cried, “It is finished!” (John 19:30)

 

 

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April 14th – 1 Peter 2:24-25

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1 Peter 2:24-25

With each strike of the whip, the flesh of Jesus was savagely ripped open. Bruised, bloody, and beaten beyond recognition, the suffering Christ endured was beyond compare. Only to be followed by an agonizing, criminal’s death on the Cross. And Jesus suffered all of this for us. He willingly took our flogging, beating, and death. He bore our sins and paid our debt, so we could be free. Because of the Lord’s shed blood, no longer are we condemned, dead in our trespasses, and trapped in the bondage of sin. By His wounds we have been healed from the penalty, poison, and price of sin. Because with every stripe our Savior endured, He paid in full every sin we have or will commit. Through His glorious death and resurrection, we are free to live a righteous life that glorifies Christ and His amazing sacrifice!

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April 2nd – 1 Peter 1:3

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1 Peter 1:3

Did you know Peter is often called the apostle of hope? Even as he watched his beloved Master, Friend, and Teacher, hang upon a Cross, he didn’t despair. Because through the blood of Jesus, Peter knew that now everyone who received Christ as their Savior can experience hope. And not just a wishful hope. But a living, confident, expectation through the resurrection of Jesus. Because of His great mercy, God doesn’t want us to remain dead in our sins. And so He offers us a grace we don’t deserve, and can never earn. A grace through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And because of Christ’s great sacrifice, we now can be born again. Our heavenly Father chooses, sanctifies, and gives us great purpose. And our lips should offer continue praise and blessings to Him for all He is, and does!

April 2nd – 1 Peter 1:3 Read More »

November 7th – Psalm 118:24

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Psalm 118:24

With the dawn of each morning, comes the gift of another day on this earth. Another day to spend with those that we love, and to work for God’s glory. And although we may not know what the day ahead holds, God does. So we can give thanks knowing whether it is one filled with joy and laughter, or tears and pain, we won’t face it alone. But there is another day for which we should rejoice. The glorious day the Lord made when He gave His life on the Cross. On that glorious day, Jesus claimed victory over His enemies, defeated death forever, and fulfilled perfectly the Law of God. So now, as children of the most high God, every day is day the Lord has made. And we will rejoice and be glad in it. Because God has redeemed, rescued, and saved us. And each day He gives us is filled with His never ending love!

November 7th – Psalm 118:24 Read More »