Does the old rugged cross, so despised by the world, still have a wondrous attraction for you? How often do you ponder the passion of our Savior?
If our meditation on the cross is meager, can our love for the Savior be great?
We are justified at the cross.
Romans 5:1,6 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
I love salvation testimonies.
Years I spent in vanity and pride
Caring not my Lord was crucified
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.
Mercy there was great and grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary
William R. Newell 1895
Our conversations, habits, relationships, business deals, vacations, books we read, films we watch or music we listen to honors or dishonors God. They build us up or tear us down.
If you want to please God, consider what Jesus would do if He were with you 24/7.
Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
As believers, we aren't perfect, but we are to strive to be what God wants us to be. Ask God to reveal His will in everything you do.
Jesus met with some hopeless cases. He calmed the storm with a simple command when the disciples thought they were about to die. No one could tame the demoniac (wild demon-possessed man), but Jesus set him free from his bondage with a simple command.
There are no hopeless situations with The Lord. The sooner you come to realize that Jesus is the only person who can help you, the sooner you can get the help you need.
Whether it is salvation, trauma, depression or other overwhelming obstacles, you need to reach out to Jesus by simple faith.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
A believer's life may be truly Christian and yet far from fully Christian. In some, Christ is just present, in others He is prominent, and in others He is pre-eminent.
Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breath, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
We can never hope to have an absolute and complete understanding of the breadth, length, depth, and height of God's love, but we can explore its measureless riches. Paul prayed that we may be filled with God's presence and power.
The Holy Spirit helps the inner man to live the Christian life so that we can grow in God's grace and develop into full Christian maturity.
Some believers with an urge to do great things for God lay out plans, call it God's will, and eagerly dive in. God may put their commitment to the test.
There is no way we can -- in our own strength, knowledge or wisdom -- accomplish God's will. It's when we let go of it that God is free to express His workmanship in our lives.
If we could accomplish it on our own we would. Then we would take the glory. But if we turn it over to Jesus, He brings it to pass and He gets the glory.
When we let Him accomplish His will, we become less anxious, less discouraged, and have peace.
Psalm 5:4,5 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation: on thee do I wait all the day.
Don't be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The good news is the message of God's redemptive love. The word of God and the Holy Spirit living within us powers us to stand tall for jesus and His message.
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
While in jail, the apostle Paul wrote of his life commitment to Jesus and loyalty to the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
Knowing God keeps your redeemed soul is the assurance of heaven. Oh that we could leave a testimony like Paul.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;
One morning during the Civil War, bands of North and South armies were camped on opposite sides of the Rappahonnack River. Each played their national song and cheered. After a little time, one band started playing "Home Sweet Home", and the other band picked up the tune. At the end, both sides joined each other cheering with tears. They had a common bond -- wanting to be at home.
No matter what our national allegiance is, all the Redeemed call Heaven home.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Tears, death, sorrow, crying, pain, crime, hate, and jealousy will be missing from our Heavenly Home. The glory of God will replace light from the sun and the moon.
The beauty and wonder of Heaven is beyond our imagination. Can we grasp streets of pure gold clear as crystal, walls of jasper and gates of pearl?
