Category: Forgiveness

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Shameless

Some years back Billy Joel wrote a great song that Garth Brooks recorded, Shameless.

When I read the lyrics I make it the prayer of my heart, an expression of love to the Father and believe it or not, I can hear the Father singing those lyrics back to me. His love for me is Shameless.

“ Well I’m shameless When it comes to loving you, I’ll do anything you want me to, I’ll do anything at all…You see in all my life I’ve never found What I couldn’t resist, what I couldn’t turn down. I could walk away from anyone I ever knew, But I can’t walk away from you.    And I’m shameless…”

God is always there; when we succeed and when we fail. He doesn’t abandon or desert us in the rough times! He is always there to hold us close, pick us up when we fall and lift our burdens.  His love for us is Shameless.

When we’re embarrassed or have lost our way the Lord is the “lifter of my head”. Someone who is embarrassed finds themselves looking down, not making eye contact but God takes His loving hand, cups it under our chin and lifts our head.

“3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm 3:3

With head lifted  up, the first thing we do is look into the loving eyes of our Father. He, more than likely, has a smile on His face;  accepting, inviting, understanding and forgiving. He is there to be a shield for us.

“I come to you, Lord, for protection. Don’t let me be ashamed. Do as you have promised and rescue me. 2 Listen to my prayer and hurry to save me. Be my mighty rock  and the fortress where I am safe. 3 You, Lord God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.” Psalm 31:1-3

When we put our hope and trust in the Lord, depending upon Him for His direction and His protection we will have no need to be ashamed. We are secure in His love and it really won’t matter what anyone else says about us or thinks about us. We are the apple of His eye.

“I went to the Lord for help, and he listened. He saved me from all that I fear. 5 If you look to him for help, he will put a smile on your face. You will have no need to be ashamed. 6 As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord, and he heard me. He saved me from all my troubles.” Psalm 34:4-6 ERV

Take a look at the times that Jesus showed “shameless” love to folks in the Bible. The first one that comes to mind is the woman who was caught committing adultery. She was dragged by her accusers through the streets to Jesus. She was shamed publicly.

“The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses brought in a woman who had been caught in bed with a man who wasn’t her husband. They made her stand in the middle of the crowd. 4 Then they said, “Teacher, this woman was caught sleeping with a man who isn’t her husband. 5 The Law of Moses teaches that a woman like this should be stoned to death! What do you say?…

Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where is everyone? Isn’t there anyone left to accuse you?” 11 “No sir,” the woman answered. Then Jesus told her, “I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.” John 8:3-5, 10-11 CEV

Then there was the time when an  leper encountered Jesus and asked to be healed. This man’s life was void of human touch because the laws of the day prohibited him from having contact with anyone. He was unclean. It was shameful!

“As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. 2 Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.” 3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:1-3 CEV

Jesus was not ashamed to associate with this man, to touch him, to heal him. Jesus was shameless!

Just one more example – there are so many. But this is the story of a man who was a crooked “IRS” agent, a tax collector. He wanted to see Jesus but he was too short to see over the crowd so he climbed a tree to get a better look. He was hated by society. His action of climbing the tree opened him to even greater ridicule. It was shameful.

“Jesus was going through Jericho, 2 where a man named Zacchaeus lived. He was in charge of collecting taxes and was very rich. 3-4 Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree. When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today.” 6 Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus.

7 Everyone who saw this started grumbling, “This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.”

8 Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated.” 9 Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. 10 The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” Luke 19:1-10 CEV

The shameful actions of a tax collector were changed that day because of the SHAMELESS love of God’s Son!

Let’s take a close look at our lives. What things have we done that are shameful? What is it that has us looking down? Jesus came to lift our head – to provide forgiveness and restoration.

I’m going to close with one more verse.

“Everything belongs to God, and all things were created by his power. So God did the right thing when he made Jesus perfect by suffering, as Jesus led many of God’s children to be saved and to share in his glory. 11 Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn’t ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 2:10-11 CEV

God’s love for us is absolutely SHAMELESS!

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Green Stamp Redemption

A while back there were a number of “Do you Remember” items on FB posts. One of them was “green stamps”.

Do you remember green stamps or maybe it was gold stamps that you saved? Each time we went to the gas station or the grocery store, the attendant would give my folks green stamps and they would bring them home and we put them in a savings book.

We had a green stamp catalog and we would save our books until we had enough to go to the redemption center and get what we had been saving for. That was so much fun, we walked out with something we really wanted and then we would start collecting for the  new item that we wanted. 

Do you know that we have been “redeemed”? The word redeemed means to rescue or to ransom. Our lives have been redeemed; not by collecting our good works and sticking them in a book for all to see but by the precious blood of Jesus.

“You were rescued (redeemed) from the useless way of life that you learned from your ancestors. But you know that you were not rescued by such things as silver or gold that don’t last forever. 19 You were rescued by the precious blood of Christ, that spotless and innocent lamb.” I Peter 1:18-19

All our good deeds cannot begin to measure up to the price Jesus paid for our redemption. Can’t you see it now, Jesus walking into the redemption center and God the Father asking “what would you like to take home today”?

Jesus says, “I would like Kristi for my own”.

And the Father says, “Well, are you sure you wouldn’t like something better? She has done some pretty foolish things.”

“No,” Jesus says, “I would like her.”

“And what will you give for her redemption? It has to be something very valuable.” says the Father. And he shows Jesus all the charges of my shortcomings and sins.

Jesus stretches forth His hands revealing the nail prints and says, “I think this should cover it.”

“Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.” Colossians 2:14 Amplified Version

Hallelujah! I have been redeemed. I have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus. All my sins have been blotted out, covered by the blood of Jesus!

He’s done the same for you. He’s paid the price for your redemption.

 

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Made Special

I know we all want to feel special. There is something about us that “entitles” us to the little extras. A bigger piece of pie, an extra scoop of ice cream, more money per hour at work, the bigger bouquet, the nicer car, the corner office and the list goes on.

However, I’ve never been the one to win the trophy buckle, to graduate valedictorian, be promoted to executive team or even win the state championship. But there is one thing I’ve done that puts me in the top group every time!

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone (whosoever) who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. ” John 3:15 ERV

Yes, I’m a member of the world – I’m an everyone! That makes me a recipient of the Father’s love and a participant in life eternal. I’m one of millions/billions of people who lived but I am one in a million in God’s eyes! He knows the number of hairs on my head, He knows when I fall and He knows my name.

“Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too. 9 Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: 10 We hope in the living God, the Savior of all people. In particular, he is the Savior of all those who believe in him. This is why we work and struggle. 11 Command and teach these things.” I Timothy 4:8-11 CEV

Father God is the Savior of ALL but we have a part to play and that is we must BELIEVE in Him.

If I came to your house with a big box, wrapped in beautiful paper, tied up with a gorgeous ribbon and I had put your name on the box, would that present be yours? Well of course it would!

If you took that present and set it on the dining room table and looked at it, each day, admiring how pretty it was and how nice it was of me to bring it, would it benefit you? No, not really. It’s not until you open the gift, fully accept it, that it truly becomes yours and is a benefit to you.

Many people have seen the gift the Father brought them; the gift of forgiveness and restoration but for whatever reason have failed to open it and appropriate it for themselves.

“My dear children, I write this letter to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone sins, we have Jesus Christ to help us. He always did what was right, so he is able to defend us before God the Father. 2 Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.” I John 2:1-2 CEV

“no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13 All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 CEV

So you see if you are a whosoever, an everyone, an “all people”, the gift is yours! Accept it and take advantage of what is being given – it definitely makes you a winner!

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Warm Coals Bring Comfort

How many of you have been camping? Maybe you camp in a tent or just in a sleeping bag on the ground but one of the best parts of being out in nature is the campfire, right?

I have to admit that I enjoy the coals more than the fire. I always seem to sit on the wrong side and end up with my eyes filled with smoke. But once the fire has burned down and the embers are glowing that’s when I like to move in close. I find it warm and comforting.

These days fires like the ones I described are recreational. In the past 15-20 years fire pits have become common place in backyards. Kind of like bringing the camping experience home. But years ago fire was essential to every home’s well being.

Fires were needed for heat and for cooking. They gave light and provided a way to kill germs and sterilize wounds. Without fire, early settlers would be overcome by the cold.

There are a couple of Scriptures in the Bible that talk about coals of fire that I think have been misunderstood. They are basically the same verse, first written in the Old Testament and then repeated in the New.  These verses were used hundreds of years apart but both groups of people understood their meaning.

“If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat.  And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. 22 This will be the same
as piling burning coals on their heads.  And the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22 CEV

“Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.” 20 The Scriptures also say, “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.” Romans 12:19-21 CEV

Putting coals of fire on your head was a customary way of carrying your fire with you. Since fire was such a necessity for life and many peoples were nomadic they would take a few coals put them in a metal dish and transport them to the next location. Many times this meant wrapping the in container in cloth while they carried them on their heads.

What a wonderful example of how we are to treat those who are unkind to us. We are to feed them, give them water when they are thirsty and give them coals for warmth to sustain them when their fire has gone out.

Plain and simple we are to keep a loving and giving attitude even with our enemies and God will avenge any evil that has been done to us. I guarantee you He can do a much better job than we ever could.

We are to follow of the example of Jesus. He didn’t curse the Roman soldiers who were charged with His crucifixion nor did he condemn Judas for betraying Him. He even preached forgiveness to the thief hanging on the cross next to Him.

I encourage you today don’t speak evil of those who have wronged you. Don’t try to exact revenge. Let God handle your situation. Don’t be defeated by evil.

Is there someone you can give “coals of warmth” to today?

 

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The Final Word

I’m sure that at one point or another you have all watched a court proceeding either on television or in person. The symbol that brings order and conveys authority is the gavel.

When the judge bangs the gavel he calls for order and silences the gallery, the attorneys, the witness. It brings everything in to order. He has the authority to dismiss a case or to bring judgement. He reads the verdict and pronounces sentencing. He has the final word!

That reminds me so much of God our Father. He is the one who requires justice, justice for the sin that Adam brought into this world. God had created a perfect environment for Adam and Eve but they chose to disobey what God had said and so sin had to be dealt with. God provided that way through Jesus.

“This is what happened: Sin came into the world by one man, Adam. Sin brought death with it. Death spread to all men because all have sinned… .15 God’s free gift is not like the sin of Adam. Many people died because of the sin of this one man, Adam. But the loving-favor of God came to many people also. This gift came also by one Man Jesus Christ, God’s Son. 16 The free gift of God is not like Adam’s sin. God told Adam he was guilty because of his sin and through this one came sin and guilt. But the free gift makes men right with God. Through One, Christ, men’s sins are forgiven. 17 The power of death was over all men because of the sin of one man, Adam. But many people will receive His loving-favor and the gift of being made right with God. They will have power in life by Jesus Christ. 18 Through Adam’s sin, death and hell came to all men. But another Man, Christ, by His right act makes men free and gives them life.” Romans 5:12-18 NLV

You could say that this is the evidence that has been presented in heaven’s courtroom. Yes, we are all guilty of sin. There was only one person who was born on earth that was perfect. That person is Jesus. His birth was planned. He came to earth and provided the payment for sin and made us right with God once again.

“Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:21 NLV

As the prosecutor is presenting the evidence against us, things look bad, real bad. There’s a long list of transgressions that can be found in our lives. When asked, we have to admit that yes, we are guilty. It seems inevitable that a guilty verdict will be delivered and we will be condemned.

But wait…

“When you were dead in your sins, you were not set free from the sinful things of the world. But God forgave your sins and gave you new life through Christ. 14 We had broken the Law many ways. Those sins were held against us by the Law. That Law had writings which said we were sinners. But now He has destroyed that writing by nailing it to the cross. 15 God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLV

Jesus, our attorney for the defense, stands before the judge’s bench and says “Your honor, my client is guilty. They have transgressed the law. They have sinned. These charges are correct. However, Sir, the price for those sins has been paid on their behalf. I ask that you expunge their record. I paid the price. I gave my life in exchange for theirs.”

“God has shown His love to us by sending His only Son into the world. God did this so we might have life through Christ. 10 This is love! It is not that we loved God but that He loved us. For God sent His Son to pay for our sins with His own blood.” I John 4:9-10 NLV

To this testimony that Judge raises the gavel and says “I declare that payment has been met. Case dismiss. This is my final word!” And the gavel falls. We have been made right with God through the blood of Jesus.

There’s a song that was running through my mind this morning as I woke. The lyrics written by Cody Carnes go like this:

“The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Sorrow may come in the darkest night
But the cross has the final word

There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
There’s nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Evil may put up its strongest fight
But the cross has the final word

There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
Nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
The Savior has come with the morning light
The cross has the final word”

What’s your situation today? What are you facing that appears to condemn you? Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

“For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NLV

Just remember – The Cross of Jesus Has the Final Word!

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Don’t Waste Your Mind

The Mind is a terrible thing to waste!  Each day we are bombarded with so much information and it’s all competing for a place in our minds.  We are the ones who decide what downloads we accept and we are the ones who decide what data to delete.
Think about this. What is the difference between the Apostle Paul and Hitler?  Both spent a great deal of time destroying the Jews and Christians and feeling they were justified in doing so.  Paul was a part of the first lynch mob, or stoning party, that destroyed the life of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. After that he did everything he could to track down the Christians, have them arrested and killed. Hitler rounded up the Jews and tried to annihilate them. The difference – repentance!
Paul’s message of God’s unconditional love and his understanding of grace were born out of his past. But what’s that got to do with your mind – plenty. Your mind has been telling you, you’re unworthy – God can’t or won’t love you; He won’t forgive you; He won’t use you! You’re a disgrace – if people knew who you were or what you did, they wouldn’t want anything to do with you. Such a waste!
“All the other apostles are greater than I am. I say this because I persecuted the church of God. That is why I am not even good enough to be called an apostle. 10 But, because of God’s grace, that is what I am. And his grace that he gave me was not wasted. I worked harder than all the other apostles. (But I was not really the one working. It was God’s grace that was with me.)” I Corinthians 15:9-10 ERV
Paul knows how it feels to deal with feelings of unworthiness but instead of wallowing in it he downloaded an overwhelming dose of God’s grace and stepped into the acceptance of God’s unconditional love.
“8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:8 ERV (written by Paul)
There is also a comparison that can be drawn between Peter and Judas. They both denied Christ. Peter repented. Judas was overwhelmed with guilt and shame and hung himself.  Forgiveness and restoration were available to both of them but only one appropriated it.
Then there was a young man who lived a life of drunkenness, greed, self gratification and immoral living. He chose to walk a path that went against everything he had been raised to believe in. He had no concern on how this affected his family – he just didn’t care! But in desperation he returned home. He had run out of money, had no place to stay and there was a famine and recession going on.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ Luke 15:17-19 NKJV
Do you see where his mind was? “I’m not worthy”. The son underestimated the love of His father.
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:20-24 NJKV
Repentance -> forgiveness -> restoration = GRACE.
I heard this testimony of a pastor who is very well known in our nation. His wife was asked why she felt her husband had such a generous, giving heart. Her reply brought tears to his eyes. She said she felt it was because he had never lost sight of his salvation. He had lived a life much like that of the prodigal – sex, drugs. This pastor has always been “mind-filled” with God’s great love. God’s great gift have always been at the forefront in his thinking. He gives generously because he has been forgiven so much.
As I said at the beginning, a mind is a terrible thing to waste – so don’t! Don’t waste it looking at the unworthiness of your past, instead look at God’s grace and love and then touch the lives of others. Don’t let your past hold you in bondage but instead let God’s grace free you to love others.
I leave you with the words of Paul
“So, as a prisoner for the Lord, I beg you to live the way God’s people should live, because he chose you to be his. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. 3 You are joined together with peace through the Spirit. Do all you can to continue as you are, letting peace hold you together.” Ephesians 4:1-3 ERV
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He Lives

You all know how I feel about the old hymns. There is so much truth and power in those songs but because I sang them over and over again as a child I didn’t realize the value of the words. Also, sad to say, the message of those songs didn’t line up with the message that many times was being preached from the pulpit.

 

I often heard “this life down here will always be a struggle BUT when we get to heaven it will all be worth it”. I agree with the fact the heaven will be so much greater, not even comparable, with the life we live here but we are called to be victorious, world overcomers, living the abundant life of Christ while we are here. So many times Christians live as if they were saved and stuck.

 

Jesus didn’t live a substandard life and He hasn’t forgotten us. When he died, rose and ascended to the Father He did it for us.  Jesus lives to make intercession for us. He is our source of strength and our example of victory.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV

“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 NKJV

Jesus message to all of us is this.

“He said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!” John 20:26-29 ERV

I’m one of those – those who have not seen Jesus with my nature eye but I believe. I see Him with my heart of faith.

This is the song I woke up singing.  It was written by a man named Alfred Ackley.

I serve a risen Savior

He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living,

Whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy;

I hear His voice of cheer;

And just the time I need Him

He’s always near.

• He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

•  In all the world around me

I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary,

I never will despair;

I know that He is leading,

Through all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing

Will come at last.

•  Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,

Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs

To Jesus Christ the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him,

The Help of all who find,

None other is so loving,

So good and kind.

 

No matter what type of celebration you have today I hope your heart is filled with this

HE LIVES!

 

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He Knew

JESUS KNEW!!!

He knew what was going to happen to him and He didn’t open his mouth to defend Himself! He knew and he didn’t destroy the soldiers who came to arrest Him in the garden. He knew and he didn’t demand that His disciples die with Him or come to His aide, He simply asked them to pray with Him that He would stand strong to face the trial that was ahead. He knew He would be separated from God. This was probably the greatest struggle for Him because He and God the Father had never been separated. He knew the torture that He would face, the rejection, the ridicule, the scorn.

It was all recorded in the Old Testament hundreds of years before Jesus was born – Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. He knew all this but He loved us so much that He chose to face this awful death.

HE KNEW!!

“My God, my God, why have you deserted me? Why are you so far away? Won’t you listen to my groans and come to my rescue? 2 I cry out day and night, but you don’t answer, and I can never rest…6 But I am merely a worm, far less than human, and I am hated and rejected by people everywhere. 7 Everyone who sees me makes fun and sneers. They shake their heads, 8 and say, “Trust the LORD! If you are his favorite, let him protect you and keep you safe.” 9 You, LORD, brought me safely through birth, and you protected me when I was a baby at my mother’s breast. 10 From the day I was born, I have been in your care, and from the time of my birth, you have been my God…14 I have no more strength than a few drops of water. All my bones are out of joint; my heart is like melted wax. 15 My strength has dried up like a broken clay pot, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You, God, have left me to die in the dirt. 16 Brutal enemies attack me like a pack of dogs, tearing at my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones, and my enemies just stare and sneer at me. 18 They took my clothes and gambled for them. 19 Don’t stay far away, LORD! My strength comes from you, so hurry and help…31 People not yet born will be told, “The Lord has saved us!” Psalm 22

Then the eyewitness account in Matthew 27.
“At noon the whole country became dark. The darkness continued for three hours. 46 About three o’clock Jesus cried out loudly, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you left me alone?” 47 Some of the people standing there heard this. They said, “He is calling Elijah.” 48 Quickly, one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled the sponge with sour wine and tied the sponge to a stick. Then he used the stick to give the sponge to Jesus to get a drink from it. 49 But the others said, “Don’t bother him. We want to see if Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Again Jesus cried out loudly and then died. 51 When Jesus died, the curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces. The tear started at the top and tore all the way to the bottom. Also, the earth shook and rocks were broken. 52 The graves opened, and many of God’s people who had died were raised from death. 53 They came out of the graves. And after Jesus was raised from death, they went into the holy city, and many people saw them. 54 The army officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus saw this earthquake and everything that happened. They were very afraid and said, “He really was the Son of God!” 55 Many women were standing away from the cross, watching. These were the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for him. 56 Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of James and John were there.” Matthew 27:45-56

He really was the Son of God, the soldiers said. Yes, He knew!!

He endured all this to be our Savior and our example.

“Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God.3 Sinful men spoke words of hate against Christ. He was willing to take such shame from sinners. Think of this so you will not get tired and give up. ” Hebrews 12:2&3 ERV

HE LOVED – HE KNEW – HE CAME – HE DIED – HE ROSE – HE LIVES!

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Everything We Say

“Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting. 12 Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.” Proverbs 25:11-12 ERV

Jesus had three years to tell the world of God’s love and His plan for restoration. He had taught on a mountain side, at the seashore, in the center of town, at a wedding, a well where locals gathered and even in the Temple.

People followed him everywhere He went. Sometimes His words were hard to swallow. They made an impact and brought conviction, they also brought comfort and healing. When it came down to the final days of his earthly life he was still reaching out, making a difference and impacting His world.

Let me recall a few of the events that comprised Jesus last week before the crucifixion. He had ridden into Jerusalem on a colt before a worshipping crowd, he chased the dishonest merchants out of the Temple, healed the blind and the lame, and gave a lesson on faith to his disciples.

Now here He is again, back in the Temple. He’s making the most of every minute He has left to minister to the people and share God’s amazing gift of love and restoration. He knows the end is in sight and He wants to make sure he has done all the Father has asked Him to do.

Cue the villain music because here they come.

“Jesus had gone into the temple and was teaching when the chief priests and the leaders of the people came up to him. They asked, “What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus answered, “I have just one question to ask you. If you answer it, I will tell you where I got the right to do these things. 25 Who gave John the right to baptize? Was it God in heaven or merely some human being?”
They thought it over and said to each other, “We can’t say that God gave John this right. Jesus will ask us why we didn’t believe John. 26 On the other hand, these people think that John was a prophet, and we are afraid of what they might do to us. That’s why we can’t say that it was merely some human who gave John the right to baptize.” 27 So they told Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Then I won’t tell you who gave me the right to do what I do.” Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus was ministering to people and changing lives and the leaders were jealous that he didn’t seek their approval or permission. Even though they hated Jesus and were constantly trying to trip Him up, Jesus never said one untrue thing about them or to them.  His heart was always loving.

A good example for us, isn’t it? Our Father has a plan designed for us as well. Before we leave the house, at the start of our day, we should ask God to show us how to love  those  that would like to see us fail.

Our words need to be loving and truthful.  Let’s give Him the attitude of our hearts – if  repentance is needed, we should do it quickly. We can draw on the loving power that He has placed within us.

The Apostle Paul said that we should be imitators of Christ and he also said that our words and our actions should honor the Lord.

“Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:16-17 ERV

Everything, did you see that? Everything we say or do should be done for the Lord. I’m certainly not there yet but I’m working toward that end.

How about you?

“Show me your faithful love this morning.
    I trust in you.
Show me what I should do.
    I put my life in your hands!
9 Lord, I come to you for protection.
    Save me from my enemies.
10 Show me what you want me to do.
    You are my God.
Let your good Spirit lead me over level ground.” Psalm 143:8-10 ERV

 

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A Donkey’s Tale

Thousands of years ago a donkey and her colt were tied in a village near Jerusalem. The owner had left them there as he went about his business.

Two men came to the village looking for this particular pair. They were on a mission. A mission that would be memorable and quite possibly the most frightening thing this young colt would ever do.

Matthew 21 tells the story of Jesus instructing his disciples on where to find a donkey that He would ride into town.

The Pharisees and temple leaders were seeking to kill Jesus. The common folk who heard that he was coming went to out to find him. Strangers who didn’t know about Jesus were caught up in the excitement and joined in.

Jesus wasn’t going to hide from those who wanted to destroyed him. He came out in public to be recognized by all those who wanted to honor him and praise Him as God’s Son!

“The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. 7 They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on. 8 Many people spread clothes in the road, while others put down branches which they had cut from trees. 9 Some people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shouting,
“Hooray for the Son of David! God bless the one who comes
in the name of the Lord. Hooray for God in heaven above!”
10 When Jesus came to Jerusalem, everyone in the city was excited and asked, “Who can this be?” 11 The crowd answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:6-11 ERV

In all of the excitement, Jesus was the only one who really knew what was going to happen in the next few days.  It was almost time for the Jewish feast of Passover, the commemoration of their deliverance from Egypt. Passover was a time when all the families in Israel offered a sacrifice of a spotless lamb as the substitute for the forgiveness of their sins.

And now here was Jesus. He would be offered as the sinless sacrifice, the Lamb of God, to take away the sins of the world. Jesus was and is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb!

The Jews were looking for the Messiah and felt that he would come and save them from the political tyranny that was holding them down. The crowd came to the streets waving palm branches, shouting, throwing their coats to the ground in front of the donkey.

They were wanting someone to liberate them from Caesar and his rule but Jesus came for a much greater purpose – He came to set all men free from a life of separation from God the Father.

“The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. 3 The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin. God used Christ’s body to condemn sin. 4 He did this, so that we would do what the Law commands by obeying the Spirit instead of our own desires.” Romans 8:2-4

Many overlook the natural circumstances of this event and focus  on the spiritual. The young donkey would have been terribly frightened by all the noise and the coats and the palm branches. He would have been hesitant to go forward but Jesus urged him on with calm assurance. Jesus brought peace to a turbulent situation.

Have you been in a situation that made you want to turn around and run? You just didn’t want to go forward; the fight or flight instinct was weighing in heavily on the “flight”.  Then take courage as our little donkey did. Trust the One who is leading you forward.

I don’t know if you see yourself as one of the disciples who went to retrieve the colt, a member of the crowd who was there to praise the Lord or the colt who was used to carry the Savior. All had their part in the celebration.

Palm Sunday is just a few days away. Join in. Cut down some palm branches, throw your coat before the King and lift up your hands and praise Him!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!!

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