The Preaching Of The Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

In the First Century ritual Jews and philosophical Greeks thought the preaching of Christ crucified  was foolish. In the Twenty-first Century songs like  “Power In The Blood”, “Are You Washed In The Blood?” and “There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood” still offend many---a too bloody religion.

To the believer the cross represents the power of God unto salvation. The Bible says: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Our greatest challenge is to convince people that their sin is against a Holy God, but Jesus will save them if they believe in Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28.

Seeing Jesus

Nothing hinders my walk with the Lord like I do. Attitudes, fears, sins, greeds, grudges and wonderings seem to obstruct my vision. I can’t see Jesus in all His glory.

When I humble myself and repent, the sins clouding my vision flee. I see Jesus as my Savior, my Lord, my Master, and my God. I can see clearly now, and my soul longs for Him.

Psalm 119:18  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Examine Me, Lord

It’s natural to want the approval of certain people around us, but Jesus is the one we must seek to please first. His acceptance and approval rises above all others.

It’s humbling that the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows the desires of our hearts, our motives and passions. He understands our weaknesses and strengths. Psalm 26:2  Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 

Thanksgiving

Psalm 116:17  I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the Lord .

Tomorrow we carry out a tradition that’s as old as America. Thanksgiving should be a spontaneous response from our hearts, giving thanks for what God has done for us.

As you stuff your face and enjoy your family, thank the Lord for the many blessings He bestowed on you and your loved ones, for His tender mercies, His love, and His care.

Grateful Hearts

The wife of a missionary told me how hungry children run with open palms to meet her husband as He  enters their tribe in an outlying thicket of Africa. Bro. Larry carries goodies in his pockets. Suddenly, I felt guilty about the food I throw out every day. We are so blessed.

Psalm 34:8  O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

How do we say thanks for material and spiritual blessings from God--- for answered prayers--- for healing? I like the words Greg Nelson and Bob Farrell penned about grateful hearts: “For refuge from the darkening storm, and rest beneath Your wings; we worship You with grateful hearts, O God for all these things”.

The God Of The Impossible

Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Jeremiah knew how to approach God. In his great prayer he finds hope in a desperate time. Believers can rest in the same hope today. The great Creator declares the mighty power and Person of God. He is the God of the impossible.

"Got any rivers you think are uncrossable---Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through---God specializes in things thought impossible---He’ll do for you what no other one can do."

Count Your Many Blessings

Psalm 106:1  Praise ye the Lord . O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

This time of year is a good time to examine our praise life. Are we praising God the way He deserves? Are we as thankful for His grace and blessings as we should be?

Maybe so. Praise is proclaimed through out the Bible as a duty, no less than a natural impulse and a delight. God is good, for His mercy endures for ever. Count your many blessings.