The Cross

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)

 

 

April 15th – Hebrews 12:12 Read More »

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!

April 14th – 1 Peter 2:24-25 Read More »

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 »

August 23rd – 1 Peter 4:1

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1 Peter 4:1

The days are growing shorter until the day of the Lord. And until that glorious day, troubles and adversities will increase not only for Christians, but the entire world. But while we wait for the return of our Savior, Peter gives us some encouragement. He urges us to share the same attitude as Jesus when it comes to suffering. The agony Christ endured to give us eternal life should bring each of us to our knees in thankfulness. And so for us to suffer in the flesh like our Lord is not just a privilege, but a testimony of our faith. Because suffering in the flesh means we have made a commitment to turn away from worldly living. To forsake the pleasures of sin and the path of self indulgence. And instead be willing to experience hardships, trials, and afflictions for the sake of Jesus. To follow the example of our Lord and suffer for the glory of God and His will to be done.

August 23rd – 1 Peter 4:1 Read More »

July 4th – John 8:36

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John 8:36

Jesus said that everyone who believes and abides in Him would know the truth, and the truth would set them free. (John 8:31-32) Each of us is born into the bondage of sin, dead in our trespasses, and separated from God. And the only way we can gain freedom, eternal life, and liberty, is through the blood of Christ. Jesus came to set us free. Free from the slavery of sin, the curse of the Law, and death. Because of His great sacrifice, we have the freedom of life eternal. And that is the greatest freedom of all. A freedom no person, no government, nor even Satan himself can take away. There is no other freedom like what we have in Jesus. No money can buy it, no status can obtain it, no works can earn it, and nothing can match it. It is a gift offered by God through His Son. And a gift no one can take from us. For if Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed!

July 4th – John 8:36 Read More »

His Never Ending Love – John 18-19

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John 18-19

No matter how many times I read about what Christ endured on our behalf, I can never get through it with a dry eye. His life here on earth was a perfect, shining testimony to the unconditional and selfless love He freely offers to all. Hanging on a Cross in excruciating pain, Jesus continued His ministry; demonstrating grace, mercy, and love until the end. …

His Never Ending Love – John 18-19Read More »

His Never Ending Love – John 18-19 Read More »

April 13th – John 10:17

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John 10:17

When Jesus died on the Cross, His enemies thought they had won. But instead, the victory is Christ’s alone. For our Savior willingly laid down His life to pay the sin debt we owe and to offer us the gift of eternal life. Fully God and fully man, the Lord had all power and authority at His command. Yet in His awesome love for both us and the Father, Jesus died and remained in the grave for three days before His glorious resurrection! Now the sting of death is gone, scripture is fulfilled, and Jesus is once again at His rightful place at he right hand of God as our great Intercessor!

April 13th – John 10:17 Read More »

April 2nd – 1 John 4:19

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1 John 4:19

Born sinners and enemies of the Lord, once we had hearts of stone. But because God seeks a close, personal, relationship with us, He gave us the gift of love. Now not only can we love others, but we can love God with all of our hearts, minds and souls. And nowhere is God’s deep affection more evident, than in His love gift of Jesus Christ. Who, because of His death on the Cross, made it possible for us to offer in joy and gratitude to God a now acceptable love. A love made clean by faith in Christ and His righteousness.

April 2nd – 1 John 4:19 Read More »