In Bible days the act of nailing or binding a person to a cross or tree was considered the cruelest and most shameful method of capital punishment. Anyone hanging on a tree according to Deuteronomy 21:23, is cursed by God. Because of the stigma and curse on anyone ‘hanged on a tree’ the idea of a crucified savior was foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews (I Corinthians 1:23). Yet Jesus willingly took the curse and humiliation of the law and as Galatians 3:13 tells us "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Thus He became the means of freeing people from the curse of Sin.
Jesus did not just ‘die’ in our place—He became a "Curse" of the worst kind, for you and for me. He received the total rejection by the Father so that we could be "accepted" in the beloved. He bore the utter darkness, died alone as the Father had to turn His back on His beloved and only Begotten Son so that we would not have to die alone.
"Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted Him to do, we are all purified from the sin by the offering that he made of His own body once and for all. Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. Christ however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then He sat down at the right side of God. There He now waits until God puts His enemies as a footstool under his feet. With one sacrifice, then, He has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin". Hebrews 10:10-14 (The Good News New Testament).
The work of the Cross was to atone for the sin of the world, our sin. Atonement itself is life changing. Yet redemption is free through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. All who accept His payment for their redemption become new creatures in Christ. This is the GLORY OF THE CROSS! Lives are altered and redirected by it!
But we cannot leave our Savior on the Cross. On the third day He rose, triumphant over sin, hell and death! Death has lost and Life has won! He lives, our Savior lives!
Have a Glorious Resurrection Day knowing we serve a Risen Savior! Praise God, He lives!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
My Lord Is---?
In Matthew 22:42 Jesus asked, "What do you think of Christ? In Matthew 16:15 He asked His disciples "Who do You say that I am?"
What does the Bible say about ‘who our Lord is?’ In Psalm 24 He is called the King of Glory. Verse 10 states "Who is (He then) this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory, Selah…" When He returns to set up His kingdom on earth, His name is written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Revelation 19:16).
II Samuel 22:2, 3 says "The Lord is our rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer…He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my refuge, my Savior." According to Psalm 28:7 He is my strength, and my shield. Psalm 59:9, He is my defense. Psalm 23, a familiar Psalm to many, the Lord is called ‘my Shepherd’. Also in I Peter 2:25 He is referred to as our Shepherd as well as our Bishop. Hebrews 7 and 8 calls Him our High Priest. Hebrews 8:1 "We have such a High Priest, One who is seated at the right hand of the majestic (God) in heaven."
Some nights when I have difficulty going to sleep, instead of counting sheep, I go through the alphabet using names describing my Lord. (Adoni, Bridegroom, Christ, Deliverer, Elohim…and on through the alphabet.) Not only does it help me fall asleep, but when I wake up, He is the first on my mind.
My Prayer: Lord, I love saying names for You. Throughout Scripture there are so many different names to describe You. You are my beloved and the One Whom my soul loves. You are worthy to be praised! You are precious to me, my Chief Cornerstone. Worthy are You O Lord, to receive Power, and Glory. You are all things; You created all things, and yet Your desire is to me. You know my name!! You know my every thought!! O Lord, How Great You are! Amen
*From the heart of CC
What does the Bible say about ‘who our Lord is?’ In Psalm 24 He is called the King of Glory. Verse 10 states "Who is (He then) this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory, Selah…" When He returns to set up His kingdom on earth, His name is written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Revelation 19:16).
II Samuel 22:2, 3 says "The Lord is our rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer…He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my refuge, my Savior." According to Psalm 28:7 He is my strength, and my shield. Psalm 59:9, He is my defense. Psalm 23, a familiar Psalm to many, the Lord is called ‘my Shepherd’. Also in I Peter 2:25 He is referred to as our Shepherd as well as our Bishop. Hebrews 7 and 8 calls Him our High Priest. Hebrews 8:1 "We have such a High Priest, One who is seated at the right hand of the majestic (God) in heaven."
Some nights when I have difficulty going to sleep, instead of counting sheep, I go through the alphabet using names describing my Lord. (Adoni, Bridegroom, Christ, Deliverer, Elohim…and on through the alphabet.) Not only does it help me fall asleep, but when I wake up, He is the first on my mind.
My Prayer: Lord, I love saying names for You. Throughout Scripture there are so many different names to describe You. You are my beloved and the One Whom my soul loves. You are worthy to be praised! You are precious to me, my Chief Cornerstone. Worthy are You O Lord, to receive Power, and Glory. You are all things; You created all things, and yet Your desire is to me. You know my name!! You know my every thought!! O Lord, How Great You are! Amen
*From the heart of CC
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
God is "Love"
Valentine's Day--a time when modern society talks about love. Everywhere one looks there are hearts, heart shaped candies and boxes of candies. Decorations everywhere in red and white and shaped as hearts, with "I Love You' on balloons, clothing, cards, etc.
There is a love that goes way beyond this human love, and that is God's love. I can't explain it, but I would like to tell about it. When we say ‘God is Love’ this is not giving a definition of God. To say, "God is Love," means that this is an Attribute of God, a fact about Him just as the facts that He is Good, Holy, and Faithful. His love had no beginning and will have no end. He loves as much at one moment as He does another, because as God He does not change. Because He is God and without limits, His love has no limits.
We cannot really define "Love’, but we know about love by how it is revealed to the one that is loved. I Corinthians 13 is a chapter given entirely to an attempt to define love. Specifically: Love is patient, love is kind; not envious; not boastful or haughty; Love is not self-seeking or resentful. Love never fails. Love is uncaused and undeserved.
Love shows itself by how it takes pleasure in what is loved, and God enjoys and loves us as His own creation. John 3:16 states that God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us. And here is a wonderful thing about God’s love; when we become His children, nothing can separate us from that love. Paul states in Romans 8:38 and 39 (from the Amplified Version)
There is so much to learn about God’s Love; it is so vast and we can never understand it, any more than understanding God. Ephesians 2:4-5 gives a small view of how God expresses His love to us:
The love of God is measureless, and we cannot be separated from it! Praise God!
There is a love that goes way beyond this human love, and that is God's love. I can't explain it, but I would like to tell about it. When we say ‘God is Love’ this is not giving a definition of God. To say, "God is Love," means that this is an Attribute of God, a fact about Him just as the facts that He is Good, Holy, and Faithful. His love had no beginning and will have no end. He loves as much at one moment as He does another, because as God He does not change. Because He is God and without limits, His love has no limits.
We cannot really define "Love’, but we know about love by how it is revealed to the one that is loved. I Corinthians 13 is a chapter given entirely to an attempt to define love. Specifically: Love is patient, love is kind; not envious; not boastful or haughty; Love is not self-seeking or resentful. Love never fails. Love is uncaused and undeserved.
Love shows itself by how it takes pleasure in what is loved, and God enjoys and loves us as His own creation. John 3:16 states that God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us. And here is a wonderful thing about God’s love; when we become His children, nothing can separate us from that love. Paul states in Romans 8:38 and 39 (from the Amplified Version)
"For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor things impending or threatening;
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
There is so much to learn about God’s Love; it is so vast and we can never understand it, any more than understanding God. Ephesians 2:4-5 gives a small view of how God expresses His love to us:
"But God—so rich is He is His mercy! Because of and in order to
satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,
Even when we were dead (slain) by (our own) shortcomings and trespasses,
He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ;
[He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life
with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace
(His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved
(delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).
The love of God is measureless, and we cannot be separated from it! Praise God!
- From The Holy Bible (Amplified Version)
- The Knowledge of the Holy
- by A.W.Tozer
- The heart of CC
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Little Foxes
Am I the only one, or have others noticed how its the little things that can set off anger, cause frustrations, erode marriages?
I find I can handle big things pretty well. Perhaps because I know I need God’s presence, His guidance with me. When my husband had Cancer Surgery, I was calm. When the doctor came in and told me his findings, I was still calm. When my sister was dying of Cancer, I felt I needed to be strong, as I was now the family ‘matriarch’. But give me a few little trials, a stubbed toe, a burned meal, a leaky faucet, a bunch of ‘little foxes’ and I may fly apart.
In Song of Solomon 2:15 it says: "catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vine…" Perhaps this is what it is speaking of in this verse. Give me some big problems, I willingly take them to the Father and lay them at His feet. But the everyday little nuisances, I often think ‘I can do it myself’. Then I get stuck in the mire, or as the verse says, I have had my vines spoiled.
My Prayer: O Lord, may we not forget, You are not only the God of the big things, the storms, and the bends in the road, but You are the God of the everyday nuisances, the little frets that come on ordinary days. Forgive me, Lord, and I give You now my day with its little trials and ‘little foxes’ and lay them at Your feet. You are such a great and awesome God, yet You care for my smallest needs. Thank You, Father, You are so good. Amen
I find I can handle big things pretty well. Perhaps because I know I need God’s presence, His guidance with me. When my husband had Cancer Surgery, I was calm. When the doctor came in and told me his findings, I was still calm. When my sister was dying of Cancer, I felt I needed to be strong, as I was now the family ‘matriarch’. But give me a few little trials, a stubbed toe, a burned meal, a leaky faucet, a bunch of ‘little foxes’ and I may fly apart.
In Song of Solomon 2:15 it says: "catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vine…" Perhaps this is what it is speaking of in this verse. Give me some big problems, I willingly take them to the Father and lay them at His feet. But the everyday little nuisances, I often think ‘I can do it myself’. Then I get stuck in the mire, or as the verse says, I have had my vines spoiled.
My Prayer: O Lord, may we not forget, You are not only the God of the big things, the storms, and the bends in the road, but You are the God of the everyday nuisances, the little frets that come on ordinary days. Forgive me, Lord, and I give You now my day with its little trials and ‘little foxes’ and lay them at Your feet. You are such a great and awesome God, yet You care for my smallest needs. Thank You, Father, You are so good. Amen
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
Some comforting words from God's Word, to start our New Year. These are from The Message,
Psalm 91:1-13.
"God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right--he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you--
under them you're perfectly safe;
His arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing--not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refusge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
Psalm 91:1-13.
"God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right--he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you--
under them you're perfectly safe;
His arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing--not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refusge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Gift of God
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.." (II Corinthians 9:15)
God’s ‘unspeakable’ gift to us was His Son, Jesus. Of Himself, Jesus said, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10)
Because of God’s wonderful gift, we can have other gifts such as a ‘gift of a relationship with God’. John 1:12 states that all who receive Him, those who believe in His name, He gives the right to be called the sons and daughters of God.
He also gives the ‘gift of His Grace’. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by Grace you have been saved…" We have received the ‘gift of Eternal Life’, as according to Romans 6:23 "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
One reason I think of God’s gift as being unspeakable, and perhaps part of Paul’s thinking in II Corinthians 9:15, is that it is greater than we can grasp with our finite minds. Jesus is God, 2nd person in the Trinity, totally God. Yet in order to become the propitiation for man’s sin, He had to take on a human body. In doing so He had to become a human being. Now we have something beyond our imagination, something incredible, beyond words, unspeakable. He was still God, just as though He had never been man; yet He was man as though He had never been God.
And He did this as a gift to each of us. "For God so loved the world that He gave (this Unspeakable Gift) His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him will have eternal life." (John 3:16)
So at this Christmas season as we open our gifts from those we love, let us remember the most indescribable, most unspeakably amazing gift of all, ours just for the taking. This gift is Jesus, all wrapped up in love!
God’s ‘unspeakable’ gift to us was His Son, Jesus. Of Himself, Jesus said, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10)
Because of God’s wonderful gift, we can have other gifts such as a ‘gift of a relationship with God’. John 1:12 states that all who receive Him, those who believe in His name, He gives the right to be called the sons and daughters of God.
He also gives the ‘gift of His Grace’. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by Grace you have been saved…" We have received the ‘gift of Eternal Life’, as according to Romans 6:23 "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
One reason I think of God’s gift as being unspeakable, and perhaps part of Paul’s thinking in II Corinthians 9:15, is that it is greater than we can grasp with our finite minds. Jesus is God, 2nd person in the Trinity, totally God. Yet in order to become the propitiation for man’s sin, He had to take on a human body. In doing so He had to become a human being. Now we have something beyond our imagination, something incredible, beyond words, unspeakable. He was still God, just as though He had never been man; yet He was man as though He had never been God.
And He did this as a gift to each of us. "For God so loved the world that He gave (this Unspeakable Gift) His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him will have eternal life." (John 3:16)
So at this Christmas season as we open our gifts from those we love, let us remember the most indescribable, most unspeakably amazing gift of all, ours just for the taking. This gift is Jesus, all wrapped up in love!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tea Cups
They mostly just sit in my cabinet gathering dust, but a few years ago I used them every week for awhile. It was after I had retired, and during the day I was home alone most of the time. As I had my devotions one day, I was impressed with the well known verse from Revelation 3:20 that states Jesus said He would come in and ‘sup’ with me; so I decided to provide a place for this. I would set out a couple of my special teacups, fill them with coffee or tea and imagine my Lord sitting with me, to ‘sup’ with me. It was very easy to just tell Him my heart as we had our ‘tea party’.
This brings to mind ‘cups’ that our Savior mentioned in the Scripture. The first one, which stands out to me, was in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before He was crucified. He prayed "O Father if it be possible, let this ‘cup’ pass away from me." I have read different thoughts on this; some say He was afraid of the physical part. I do not believe it was physical at all. I believe it was my sin and your sin that He knew He would bear. He was not to just carry it as a load, He would drink this ‘cup’ of sin, and it would become a part of Him. He knew it was at this point of time when sin and God would clash, and God would have to turn away from His Son. Oh, what a bitter cup!
Jesus accepted that first ‘cup’, and now He can offer us a ‘cup’, the cup of communion as He says "this is my blood which was shed for you, drink ye all of it." Are you ready to drink of that cup? Am I ready to accept what He did on Calvary and give Him my life, and my all? Are you?
When we have given Him our life, we will then be able to do as He asks in Matthew 10:42: "whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is my disciple, surely I declare to you he shall not lose his reward."
I may have some lovely bone china teacups, probably valuable only to me, but He provides the blessings to fill my spiritual cup, to last for all eternity.
"Fill my cup, Lord,
I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more—
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
(By Richard Blanchard)
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