Holy Week, Friday, At the Cross for You and Me

March 29, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

After His arrest Thursday night, Jesus endured 4 trials. He went before the religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, then Pilate who sent him to Herod, the Jewish head of state, then back to Pilate. The Jews wanted Jesus killed but they did not have the authority to execute Him. They demanded that Pilate, the Roman authority in Palestine, crucify Him. Pilate had Jesus flogged and beaten even though Pilate knew Jesus to be innocent. He had hoped this cruel treatment would pacify the Jews. However, the crowds pressed him and requested the release of the criminal Barabbas instead of Jesus since it was the custom to release one convicted person as a token of goodwill at the Jewish Passover. The crowds demanded that Jesus be crucified and Pilate agreed to appease the angry and vocal Jewish crowds. Jesus was then made to carry His own cross to the place of execution, Golgotha. Along the way Jesus stumbled and Simon of Cyrene was conscripted to carry the cross. Jesus was then nailed to a cross and hung to die. His clothes were stripped from Him and as He hung naked on the cross then soldiers gambled for his clothing underneath the cross.

I can not imagine the pain, anguish, humiliation and shame Jesus endured on my behalf. He took all the sins of the world, yours and mine, upon His pure, sinless and innocent body and the sin took him to a place he had never been before. The sins He took upon himself, our sins, separated him from God, His holy Father. He did this so that His sacrifice could atone for our sins. 1 Peter 2:24 explains what Jesus accomplished for you and me.

²⁴He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed. (NLT)

I never realized how sweet Jesus’ final words from the cross were until recently. “‘It is finished.’ With that, he lowered his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 He declared with His final breath that the work of redemption was complete, and He had accomplished what the Father had sent Him to do. Through His death He took the punishment, death, for the sins of all who would believe for all eternity. Having accomplished His work, He gave up His spirit. His life was not taken from Him, but He gave it up voluntarily at the time of His choosing. Only God can choose the time of His death. When we speak of someone dying, we say the person has life take from them. We don’t get to chose the hour or minute of our last breath, but Jesus chose when and where He was to die for you and me. I am staggered by His love and sacrifice that He would endure such punishment and isolation from God on my behalf. As you ponder the cross today, think of all Jesus gave up and all He did on your behalf.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I live redeemed from the penalty of sin, covered by His incredible sacrifice and will be able to stand before God sinless.

Prayer: Father, the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice and your love in sending Him to die for my sin is incomprehensible. ‘Your ways and not my ways’ Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 55:8. I am so thankful for your plan of redemption. I stand humbly before you because of Jesus, my Savior, covered by His righteousness. Praising you in Jesus name, Amen.

Linda

Humble John Puzzled the Crowds

October 9, 2023 nofearlindaLeave a comment

How would react to someone asking you, “Who are you?” We like to be recognized and known. But, when what we are doing is odd or out of place for a person with our background, do you react positively or defensively? In John 1:19-27, John was approached by the religious leaders and asked who he was? They were confused by his message for people to repentance and to be baptized.

“He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” ²¹They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²²Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” John was honest with them and told them plainly who he was and who he was NOT. He did not try to take any glory for himself but pay it forward to the one who was coming- Jesus.

²⁴Now the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” ²⁶“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John tried to clarify for them his purpose and place. Yes, he did call for people to repent and turn or return to God and whole hearted allegiance to Him, but he did not claim to be the Messiah. He knew the scriptures and why they were questioning him but he faithfully pointed them to the coming Messiah.

The picture I get from this passage is of a humble servant of God doing his part for the furtherance of the kingdom with great humility. He did not take credit or make claims. He wanted God to get all the glory and for the focus to be on the one who was to come, Jesus. What about you? When you are serving at church or work or in the community, do you serve with humility? Do you try to take credit for you achievements in a prideful or boasting manner? We need to take pride in our work and credit for those things we do, but not let it be pride filled. Scripture is filled with verses about humility. Here are a few to ponder:

Psalm 25:8 “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

May our actions be humble and bring Glory to God this week.

Linda

Be All that You can Be!

March 18, 2020April 16, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Ephesians Chapter 4 begins with an impassioned plea by Paul to the Ephesians to live a life worthy of being called a believer, one who in faith decides to follow Jesus.

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. ²Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3

Paul begins with ‘therefore’ as he wants his reader to remember all the points he has made so far in his letter about unity, love, the power of God and loving and serving each other. He sees himself as a slave or bond servant of Christ. Paul is totally committed to Christ and to them in love. He is willing to do what ever is need to tell other about Christ and the freedom available through faith in Him. Paul has experienced the transforming power of Christ in his life and sees the fruits of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is calling all those who follow Christ to step up and be followers in name and deed. Paul wants the Ephesians Christians to treat each other with love, patience, gentleness, humility, giving each other the benefit of the doubt, and walk and work together in unity. It is a tall order, but one that Paul knows they can live up to through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

What about you? Do you see yourself as one who serves others in humility with love and gentleness? When you are involved with other believers and unbelievers, do they see Christ in you? Lent is a time of reflection, a time to examine our lives, thoughts, deeds, motives and heart. Look at what Paul is asking through the lens of the cross. He is challenging you to be worthy believers, but not in your own power but through His. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, we are indwelt, empowered and enabled to act and be more and more like Jesus as we grow in Him.

‘Be all that you can be!’ is a slogan made famous by the Army. However, it is our commander, Jesus, who empowers us to be all in Him. Endeavor to live that way today as you seek to relate to others in Jesus’ name being all He has made you to be!

Linda

The Cross = a privilege to show others our Savior

March 13, 2020April 16, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s passage in Ephesians 3:7-11 gives us a glimpse into the true heart of Paul and his motivating character. Let these words soften your heart towards the hard working saint as you picture his struggle for Christ.

“By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Paul realizes that God chose him specifically on the Road to Damascus (see Acts 9). Through His might and power, he was transformed into one who professed and proclaimed the name and fame of Jesus instead of persecuting Him.

⁸Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. ⁹I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. Paul humbly professes that he feels unworthy of God’s grace and mercy and relishes the privilege of revealing God’s plan of redemption through Christ for all mankind.

¹⁰God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul sees that God intends that all believers are shown God’s wisdom and eternal plan through the knowledge and work of Christ. Then all believers, the church, will share that wisdom and knowledge with others.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we are privileged to show God’s love and the good news of Jesus to the world. Just like Paul, we will be humbled by the magnitude of this privilege when we realize we are God’s chosen messengers to the world. It is an amazing responsibility. Paul counted himself favored to be chosen by God to tell others.

What about you? Do you consider it a privilege to tell others about Jesus? Are you humbled by the fact that God chose you? Take a moment today and thank God for choosing you and empowering you with His Holy Spirit so you are able to do all He calls you to do.

Linda

Are you Seeing blessings in your life? Take a look!

March 5, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Being a blessed believer I’ve discovered has many layers. I began weeks ago with a definition of what blessing is in man’s eyes: a gift of divine favor, good wishes or approval, anything that gives happiness or prevents misfortune. Then I looked at scripture to see what God calls blessedness. All of God’s examples show divine favor towards us and His divine ways of having His blessings in our lives. Which ones have you seen, are seeing or hope to see in your life? When you do- you can count yourself blessed!

Blessed is the believer who: walks in His ways. Psalm 1 *whose’s sins are forgiven. Psalm 32:1-2 *who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8 *who trusts in the Lord. Psalm 40:4 *who wisely listens, obeys and accepts the Father’s discipline and instruction Psalm 94:12 *who fears (reveres) the Lord and delights in His Commandments. Psalm 112:1 *who is blessed through his children (physical or spiritual). Psalm 127:5 *who fears God and walks in His ways. Psalm 128:1-2 *who does what is right based in His righteousness. Isaiah 56:1-2 *who is deep rooted in Him, standing firm in all seasons of life. Jeremiah 17:4 *whose sins are forgiven, dependent upon God for His righteousness in Christ. Romans 4:6-8 *who is steadfast, persevering and awaiting reward. James 1:12 *who is humble, sorrows over his sin and dependent upon God for forgiveness, hungers after God’s Word, merciful, has a clean heart before God, is a peacemaker, is persecuted for His sake. Matthew 5:3-10

What a list to take to heart and meditate upon. If you are not seeing some of the blessings God provides for believers, take that to heart, pray about it, search scripture and ask God what He would have you do so that you might partake in His divine blessings!

Linda

Which attitudes are you ‘Be-ing’?

March 1, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

The longest list of blessings for the blessed man/woman is in Matthew. They are commonly known as the Beatitudes. Each one points to a blessing from God that will come to the person who lives a life of faith. Reflect as you read each one and ask yourself- which of these do I see evidences of in my life? Remember that blessed means-a gift of divine favor, happiness or something that will prevent misfortune. Matthew 5:3-10

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (This refers to being humble- a blessed attitude, not proud or arrogant)

⁴“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (This mourning is over our sins, and we are comforted in our salvation and redemption by Jesus. Mourning or sadness will also be comforted by God.)

⁵“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Here again our meekness is before God, as in humility.)

⁶“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (I know this one to be true in my own life. Studying God’s Word creates a hunger within me that only He can satisfy. I pray that others will be blessed with this same hunger and receive the satisfaction only God can give.)

⁷“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (This is promised compassion or mercy when we give or act mercifully. God’s Kingdom does not operate the same way the world does and in His kingdom showing compassion or mercy will be returned in kind. This is a wonderful assurance to believers.)

⁸“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Those who have clean hearts and attitudes will be able to see God, know God and walk with Him daily. David prayed in Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” God desires us to have an attitude of holiness, purity and cleanness in our hearts so we can see Him clearly.)

⁹“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (This applies to all believers as through Christ we are adopted into God’s family and are His sons and daughters. Through our redemption, we are made peacemakers as ones who love Jesus and desire others to have His peace too.)

¹⁰“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Because of our faith in Jesus, the world will persecute us. John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” As believers we are encouraged by the conclusion of this verse-ours is the kingdom of heaven. Praise God!)

Which resonated with you today? Thank God for His gift of divine favor and presence in your life!

Linda

God’s desires for our Hearts

July 27, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

My heart search in Psalms continues today with new aspects of our hearts and our heart attitudes towards God. God desires that we have a bold, trusting, seeking and contrite heart in our interactions/responses to Him.

God desires that we take a ‘No Fear’ stance in life that depends upon God and not ourselves. Psalm 112:7 “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

God desires that we are open to teaching and examination of our motives. Psalm 26:2 “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;” Psalm 139:23 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

God desires I have a seeking heart towards Him. Psalm 119:10 “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” Psalm 22:26 “The afflicted (meek) shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!”

God desires a repentant heart, one that is sorrowing over sin, which the Bible describes as contrite. Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.  You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”   Isaiah also speaks of our need to have a contrite heart in Isaiah 57:15 ”  The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,  the Holy One, says this:
“I live in the high and holy place
    with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
    and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.” God desires us to be repentant so He can restore and dwell with us. We have to come humbly before Him. Since living with Him is not just when we die, we need to deal with the sin]]c in our lives. God living with us is being indwelt by His Holy Spirit when Jesus enters our hearts and lives. Jesus gives cleansing of sin when we come before Him with a contrite heart and ask for forgiveness and restoration.

What is the temperature of your heart today? Are you trusting, open to teaching, seeking but most of all repentance? Would God describe your heart as contrite? Do you sorrow over your sins and desire to walk with Jesus each day? The opposite of each of the above would be one who is fearful, close-minded, rejecting, proud and arrogant over their sins. I pray that none of those describe your heart and that you seek to please God. micah God requries Micah describes it this way: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8