Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Thief

THE THIEF I find myself on a cross on Calvary Hill. I am here justly, for I am a thief and a robber. I have sinned, and must pay sins’ wages with my life. My partner in crime is here also, for we went in together to steal and to plunder. There is another here also, between my partner and I, they say He is the Son of God! It is said that even Pilate found no fault in Him, yet He hangs here with thieves and criminals. Many rumors reach my ears as people wander by, talking loudly to one another. They seem to be referring to this one called Jesus. Oh, how they mock Him, laughing and jeering at Him. “If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us,” I hear my partner’s voice booming sneeringly. Does he actually believe that this is indeed the Son of the living God? The passers-by go, nodding their heads, saying “He saved others, Himself He cannot save”. They jeer at Him, the Innocent One, when I should be the one they jeer at and scorn. I am the thief, and not Him. So many are laughing, mocking, rebuking Him, that I find myself caught up in their folly. I hear my own mouth speak railing accusations against Him, along with my partner also. Oh how I hate myself for it, why did I do it? My heart is suddenly beating wildly as I realize the rage that has built up within me, at those who rail at Him. I feel the helplessness that He must feel, the pain and rejection. Many of our own laws were broken to put Jesus here, (it seems I am not the only criminal here), but still I hear Him utter “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Who, but God Himself, could have such compassion on those who hate Him? Such love I have never seen! My friend continues to mock Him. How ashamed he makes me, to think that I chose him as a friend. He complains all the while, yet this Jesus is silent, watching with tender, tearful eyes, the hustle and bustle of the crowd that has gathered. My “friend” still mockingly requests to be freed, “If thou be the Son of God...” I can bear it no longer, and almost shout in my anger “Doest thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing amiss.” Jesus has turned His teary eyes upon me now, such tenderness in His stare, I can’t restrain my words, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”. A faint smile has formed on His lips, breaking the gloom of the moment, an unusual expression for one so condemned, the smile remained as He said “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” Oh, the joy that floods my soul; here in the midst of death, I’ve found peace at last! As the sky darkens, I hear Jesus say rather faintly, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” I would love to comfort Him, but am helpless to do so. I am growing weaker and weaker. The last words I hear from Him are “It is finished”. What could He be referring to? Had He accomplished some great feat for mankind? Soon I will ask Him in Paradise I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal. 2:20

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Names and Titles of Jesus

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (Acts 8:35) Names and Titles of Jesus The Advocate (1 John 2:11) The Almighty (Rev. 19:15) The Alpha and Omega (Rev. 21:6) The Anointed (Psa. 2:2) (Heb. 1:9) The Beloved (Eph. 1:6) The Bishop of our Souls (1 Peter 2:25) The Branch (Zech. 3:8) The Bread of Life (John 6:35) The Bridegroom (John 3:29) The Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4) The Chiefest among ten thousand (Song 5:10) The Christ (John 1:41) Christ the Lord (Lk. 2:11) The Counselor (Isa. 9:6) Day Star (2 Peter 1:19) Deliverer (Rom. 11:26) Emmanuel (Mt. 1:23) (Isa. 7:14) Elect (1 Peter 2:6) Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6) Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5) First Begotten (Heb. 1:6) First Fruits (1 Cor. 15:23) First and Last (Rev. 22:13) Glorious Lord (Isa. 33:21) God (John 20:28) Good Master (Mk. 10:17) Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14) Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20) Habitation of God (Col. 2:9) Head of All (Col. 2:10) Heir of All (Heb. 1:2) Holy One (1 John 2:20) Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27) Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4) Judge of Israel (Micah 5:1) Judge of the quick and the dead (Acts 10:42) Judge of all the Earth (Gen. 18:25) King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17) King of Glory (Psa. 24:7) King of Kings (1 Tim. 6:15) Lamb of God (John 1:36) Light of the Gentiles (Acts 13:47) Light of the World (John 9:5) Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5) Lily of the Valley (Song 2:1) Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4) Lord (2Peter 1:2) Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8) Lord of Hosts (Isa. 54:5) Man of Sorrows (Isa. 53:3) Master (Mk. 12:14) Mediator (Heb. 12:24) Messias (Messiah) (John 1:41) The Mighty God (Isa. 9:6) Most Holy (Dan. 9:24) Nazarene (Mat. 2:23) Only Begotten (John 1:18) Only wise God (1 Tim. 1:17) (Jude 1:25) Our Peace (Eph. 2:14) Our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 2:11) Physician (Lk. 4:23) Potentate (1 Tim. 6:15) Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24) Precious (1 Peter 2:6) Priest (Heb. 5:6) Prince (Acts 5:31) Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) Prophet (Deut. 18: 15, 18) Rabbi (John 6:25) Redeemer (Isa. 59:20) (Job 19:25) Rock (1 Cor. 10:4) Root of Jesse (Isa. 11:10) Rose of Sharon (Song 2:1) Savior (1 Tim. 4:6) Shepherd of Souls (1 Peter 2:25) Son of God (Heb. 6:14) Son of Man (Acts 7:56) Star of Jacob (Num. 24:17) Sun (MalachI 4:2) True Vine (John 15:1) Truth (John 14:6) Unspeakable Gift (2 Cor. 9:15) Very Christ (Acts 9:22) The Way (John 14:6) Wonderful (Isa. 9:6) The Word (John 1;1) The Word of Life (1 John 1;1)

Friday, April 20, 2012

Calvary

Calvary From man’s perspective: Judgment over death hell, and sin. Calvary was a judgment in which the entire world is judged. The Devil Himself fought with Christ for dominion: The powers of darkness were shaken; The earth spewed forth her wrath; The world mocked and turned from Him. It appeared to be a victory for the forces of evil. Christ submitted Himself to a seeming defeat! It had a solid impact on the apostles, He appeared as just another “savior”. A time of sorrow for mankind. Christ died while women cried; He was buried while the apostles tarried; He rose from the grave, the sinner to save; He’s alive evermore on that golden shore. From God’s perspective: The Judgment of the law which condemned man. Judgment for death, hell, and the grave. The Devil did fight with Jesus--Jesus won! A humiliated Savior; A victorious conqueror; A faithful servant; He arose a victor over all! He submitted to the will of God; He restored the apostles; He introduced salvation to the world. Christ died in shame, but rose in glory; He walked with sinners, but lived with angels; He was buried in darkness, but raised in the Light.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Christ our all and in all.

He is:
Our strength (Neh. 8:10);
Our rejoicing (Phil. 4:4);
Our help (Psa. 46:1);
A great peace )Psa. 119:165);
Our provision (Prov. 3:5,6);
Our sustenance (Mt. 6:28-34);
Our Father (Mt. 6:9);
Our Shepherd (Psa. 23:1);
Our armor (Eph. 6:11);
Our counselor (isa. 9:6);
Our Comforter (John 14: 16-18);
Our refuge (Psa. 46:1);
Our everything, and more!

Now, who/what do you run to when trials come? Does the Government meet your financial needs? Does sleeping with a gun under the pillow bring you security against crime? Do you go to friends or family when needs arise, or do you run to God? These questions are imperative to your faith.
In whom do you trust?

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Jesus acrostic

JESUS

The name of our beloved Savior serves as an outline for my brief message in an acrostic.

J Justified freely. Someone has said that “justified” means “Just as if I’d never sinned”. It focuses on our sins but, but particularly on guilt. Justification is a legal term that pardons us from the legality; the punishment; and the penalty of sin. We need not feel guilty about our sin any longer, but confident that the Lord has removed us from it, and it from us, and declared us free from sin and guilt.

E Eternally secure. Never having to worry about the reproaches of sin again; no “double jeopardy” in the court of our Lord. We are not called to account any longer “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

S Saved by the blood of Christ, and the grace of God through faith in Jesus. A God-given grace given to us in measure, as a free gift to every man, according to the capacity that the Lord allows us. We are to focus this faith on Christ, and not on self or the worldly provisions available to us. Faith grows through exercise, and though we cannot initially produce faith on our own, we can allow it to grow within us, by adding to it. We are saved to the utmost degree “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)


U Unconditionally saved. No stipulations; all men are saved the same way, and all begin at the same point, as lost and dead in trespass and sin. Nothing can be done by us to merit faith, and no one can “help” faith save us but the Holy Spirit of God.

S Sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Set aside for a special duty--that being to glorify the Father, and the edification of man. A call to service which is earmarked by obedience to the faith, making us a “peculiar people”.

Recap:

Justified
Eternally;
Saved
Unconditionally, and
Sanctified.

Indeed, “Just as if I’d never sinned”.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Pray for America!

“And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Mal. 3:12)

How long will the Lord put up with the Muslims proclaiming their false god? Oh, how ala makes a mockery of our Lord, and seems to get the victory over God’s people, but his day is coming. In the meanwhile, we must pray; we must pray that the Lord would bless our nation, and destroy the altars of Baal that boast themselves against Him.
The name of the Lord is become a reproach in our society today. God forbid! The Almighty, one and only true God of all creation is slighted for the sake of a powerless god that doesn’t even live today, and evil prevails. Terrorism is at its peak, and we, as children of the Lord, must call upon Him in prayer to show Himself strong, and defeat the giant of Muslimism. His arm is strong against His enemies, and surely the end is near for them, but let us do what the Lord would have us to do, and remember 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” We desperately need the Lord to heal our land. Are you praying for your country, my friend? That is our sole duty toward society--to pray; anything else in inconsequential. Look with me at Psa. 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” He has chosen those that have chosen Him; we need to get back to God. To obtain the blessing of the Lord on our nation, we need to draw nigh unto Him, and pray for our country. It is up to God’s people, not the politicians; not the laws; but the Christians--we are they which will make a difference by humble prayer coupled with righteous living. We must seek God’s face. It’s never too late to pray, with God all things are possible.