Sunday, March 31, 2013
greater plans and why
Jesus does not protect those He loves from bad things happening but uses bad things to fulfill His greater plan. He is glad, not that we suffer, but that we have the opportunity to grow in our faith and display His glory, which is the fulfillment of the very purpose for our existence. Don't settle for less than more!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
because of the cross . . .
Several things have come to my attention in regards to the resurrection.....
one is that the chief Priests and Pharisees (teachers of the Law) mocked Jesus and said, so he could not save himself from the cruel torture and death on the cross.
BUT, I wonder what their response was when they learned the seal on the tomb had not been disturbed by man, the heavy stone had been rolled away...that their nemesis was not in the grave, only the grave clothes. That His prophesies of His own death and resurrection had indeed occurred.
We are not told of their response. I wonder how many fell to the knees in repentance?
It has been years since I have been at the foot of the cross during this weekend.
Seeing once again, in so many ways, the meaning of the cross in not just my life but in the lives of the world's creation, has stirred my heart and mind.
I seem to be aware of so many things in my own life. Sin. Righteousness. The nails. (His hands and feet) were held to the cross by God, so the nails could be forced. The mocking. His great love. The betrayal, both Peter and Judas (and my unrighteous deeds of sin ~ are they not betrayal?)
His prophesies (of His own death and resurrection fell on empty ears).
one is that the chief Priests and Pharisees (teachers of the Law) mocked Jesus and said, so he could not save himself from the cruel torture and death on the cross.
BUT, I wonder what their response was when they learned the seal on the tomb had not been disturbed by man, the heavy stone had been rolled away...that their nemesis was not in the grave, only the grave clothes. That His prophesies of His own death and resurrection had indeed occurred.
We are not told of their response. I wonder how many fell to the knees in repentance?
It has been years since I have been at the foot of the cross during this weekend.
Seeing once again, in so many ways, the meaning of the cross in not just my life but in the lives of the world's creation, has stirred my heart and mind.
I seem to be aware of so many things in my own life. Sin. Righteousness. The nails. (His hands and feet) were held to the cross by God, so the nails could be forced. The mocking. His great love. The betrayal, both Peter and Judas (and my unrighteous deeds of sin ~ are they not betrayal?)
His prophesies (of His own death and resurrection fell on empty ears).
When Jesus finally arrived at the place of execution around nine o'clock in the morning, if His treatment followed standard procedure in those days, He was stripped of all His clothes. Possibly He was allowed to retain a loincloth.
Yet because Jesus was stripped "naked," you and I can be clothed! The Bible tells us that all of our righteousness, including the very best things we ever do, are so permeated with sin and selfishness that they are like filthy rags in God's sight
(Isa. 64:6). But at the Cross, Jesus gave us His perfect, spotless robe of righteousness and took our filthy garments of sin in exchange (Phil. 3:9). On Judgment Day, you and I will be dressed in His righteousness before God because He wore the filthy garments of our sin. We will be clothed because He was stripped!
Do you know people who arrogantly insist that if their good works outweigh their bad works, God is somehow obligated to accept them?
Many people do not want to come to the place of sacrifice, the Cross of Jesus Christ, because it intensifies the conviction of their own sin and judgment and is a reminder that heaven's gate is closed to sinners.
Jesus' Obedience.
(Isa. 64:6). But at the Cross, Jesus gave us His perfect, spotless robe of righteousness and took our filthy garments of sin in exchange (Phil. 3:9). On Judgment Day, you and I will be dressed in His righteousness before God because He wore the filthy garments of our sin. We will be clothed because He was stripped!
Do you know people who arrogantly insist that if their good works outweigh their bad works, God is somehow obligated to accept them?
Many people do not want to come to the place of sacrifice, the Cross of Jesus Christ, because it intensifies the conviction of their own sin and judgment and is a reminder that heaven's gate is closed to sinners.
Jesus' Obedience.
Friday, March 29, 2013
true meaning of Black Friday, the 2nd Passover
I have been very aware at the Easter bunny, eggs and candy that represent to those who are perishing, and those also of the church, what there meaning is to this momentus weekend. It is NOT about the penalty of our sins being paid in full, but some easter bunny hoax. It has saddened me. Maybe this is what my Lord wants me to know. To know this in light of the burden He suffered and the grief He has toward those who have no understanding.
It is ugly; it is the darkest day in history. And yet we call it Good Friday. Watching Mel Gibson's movie was the closest I ever came to understanding the grisly suffering of the cross, but even the best Hollywood can put forward doesn't do the Passion justice. Walking in the very places Jesus may have stepped on His way to His death stirs wonder and awe in me, but I still cannot come close to knowing what it really was like.
Jesus died from cruel and unusual punishment. He died for me. He took on my sins and paid what I could never pay. He spilled His blood to make me pure and acceptable in His sight. The cross is the pivotal moment in history. The sky darkened, the earth quaked, and Jesus declared with His final breath, "It is finished."
It is my prayer that those I love, my family, will come to this realization before the Lord comes again. I would acknowledge and show those who have darkened hearts the true meaning of Sunday, Black Friday and the power of the Resurrection. Not the celebration that ensues because it is called a "holiday," when in actuality/reality, it is a H. O. L. Y. D. A. Y.
The LAMB of GOD, my Shepherd, is nailed to the cross to purchase my right to have Him in my life.
The second Passover.
It is ugly; it is the darkest day in history. And yet we call it Good Friday. Watching Mel Gibson's movie was the closest I ever came to understanding the grisly suffering of the cross, but even the best Hollywood can put forward doesn't do the Passion justice. Walking in the very places Jesus may have stepped on His way to His death stirs wonder and awe in me, but I still cannot come close to knowing what it really was like.
Jesus died from cruel and unusual punishment. He died for me. He took on my sins and paid what I could never pay. He spilled His blood to make me pure and acceptable in His sight. The cross is the pivotal moment in history. The sky darkened, the earth quaked, and Jesus declared with His final breath, "It is finished."
It is my prayer that those I love, my family, will come to this realization before the Lord comes again. I would acknowledge and show those who have darkened hearts the true meaning of Sunday, Black Friday and the power of the Resurrection. Not the celebration that ensues because it is called a "holiday," when in actuality/reality, it is a H. O. L. Y. D. A. Y.
The LAMB of GOD, my Shepherd, is nailed to the cross to purchase my right to have Him in my life.
The second Passover.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Isaiah 53
1 Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
teach my song to rise to You
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, you're my hope and stay
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, you're my hope and stay
Sunday, March 24, 2013
"Palm" Sunday
Though the expectation was for a conquering Messiah, this time He came on a mission to save. By which gate did He enter the royal city as the palm fronds and cloaks were spread and shouts of Hosanna went up? Did He enter by way of the Royal or Golden Gate - walled up by an Arab leader in the year 810 AD? Or did Jesus make a slight detour, coming down from the Mount of Olives, down through the Kidron Valley and up to the city walls? Indeed, He entered by way of the Sheep Gate in the northeast corner. This was the way of the Passover lambs, on their way for sacrifice, symbolic of the coming Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world! He was the Passover Lamb given for us! On His mission to save, He conquered death and hell.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
John 10
4 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
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