Every day, I am amazed by the magnitude of God’s Love. How is it that One so Perfect can have so much mercy, love and kindness for me? Even more than usual, I am today reflecting on the sacrifice that was made so that we might have eternal life and life more abundantly. Jesus Christ died, surrendered His life, became sin for us then snatched away the power of sin and death and became the transformation that our souls needed to be saved.
I can barely type the words without breaking down. As tears are streaming down my face I think about the pain that I have chosen in my life. The things I did, fully aware of what the consequences might be, yet I decided to become sin in those moments.
I am reminded that Jesus, You didn’t die for me so that I could be complacent with my life. You didn’t become sin so that over 2000 years later I can choose to wallow in it and pick up all the illness, distress and misery that comes along the lust of the flesh. You didn’t die so that I could walk this life as if I wasn’t worthy of Your Love.
On my own I am not worthy, but You purchased my life with Your precious Blood. You redeemed me and brought me into Your Kingdom as Your child, not a slave. I would gladly be a slave for one so Loving, so Mighty, so Perfect As You. Yet you died so that I might be reconciled to You as your daughter. Not only did You die but You rose again with all power, allowing me to live victoriously in Your Name.
So many have given their lives for certain causes or simply departed when their life was over. So many laid down their lives for whatever reason, but Only You got up with the purpose of redeeming man.
You didn’t have to do it, but You did. You didn’t give up Your Life so that we could walk this earth without power, purpose or praise. Today I am returning to the full realization of who I am for You. I am someone that You loved enough to suffer through it all, the worst of the worse, the most terrible of fates. You saw all the horrible things that existed in this world and You chose to take all that upon Yourself so that I would not have to suffer. For this You are worthy of everything I have to give and more.
With all that I am, I worship You and I am fully Yours.
Luke 23:44-46 (New International Version)
Jesus’ Death
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Excuse me, I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Victory. I have been through the fire and I have been through the flood. I have been abused, scorned, ridiculed and neglected. I have been foolish, careless and just plain wrong. I have been so miserable that I wondered why I was even here.
But I stand before you today a new person. Sometimes I almost forget who I used to be because everything is so different now. God came in and performed a wonder in my life. My joy runs deep, my peace is sustained and I am full of hope for tomorrow.
Life is so miserable without hope. But Christ in us IS the hope of glory. Because I can see where He brought me from, I know that He is not finished with me yet. My struggles of today will not be my struggles tomorrow for I am being changed from glory to glory.
Be encouraged today that the Lord will fight your battles and bring you through victoriously. I see God’s hand in the lives of so many people. What has He done for you? How many times has your life been threatened but you are still here? Against what odds are you still breathing today? There is a reason why you are still here. Even if it seems the whole world is against you, God is on your side and yes, He still has a plan for you.
Believe Him for your victory and give Him the glory for the things He has already done!
Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)
28We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
Romans 8:36-40 (Amplified Bible)
36Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.
37Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
38For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
39Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If it’s not Christians judging other Christians then its non-believers calling Christians hypocrites or Christians condemning non-believers. Why are any of us arrogant enough to point a finger at anyone else for what we deem wrong? We are all human and all flawed, regardless of what we believe. Like Jesus said to the Pharisees who were ready to stone a woman for adultery, “if any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”( John 8:1-11)
They left the woman alone and Jesus told her she was free to go and sin no more. Some things happened that day. The woman’s accusers were humbled, even if forced, because they had to realize that even though they believed they were superior because of their knowledge or position, they were no better than the woman they were accusing. Also, had Jesus regarded the word of those so-called religious leaders, the Pharisees, that woman would have probably been stoned. But Jesus was not impressed with their status and position. Jesus saw the condition of their hearts and He knew that all of them, not just the woman needed a Savior.
Jesus recognized the brokenness in all but condemned no one.
The Bible says, when you are in Christ, you are free from condemnation. You are no longer a slave to sin, mindlessly bowing to it whenever it makes demands. In Christ, you become mindful of your actions and repentant because of your desire to please God. Relationship with the Father puts you on a path of growth where eventually the mistakes you used to make, are no longer a major part of your life. The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control become evident when you allow God to transform you from within (Gal 5:22-23). Now, when God looks at you, He sees Jesus, because you are covered by His blood.
Romans 8:1-2 (King James Version)
1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Let there be no confusion. When I speak of a Man who rescued me from the pit of hell and a life of misery, there is only One with the power to do such a thing. There is only One who freed my mind from the grips of insanity and emotional distress. There is only One who brought true peace and happiness. There is only One who saved my soul and forgave me of my sins. His Name is Jesus.
I fell in love with Him because He first Loved me. Without Him, there is no Love, for He is Love. If I never knew Him, I would never know how to Love. Without knowing His Love, it would be almost impossible for me to receive true Love.
Some people kick against the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God because they are afraid to relinquish control. Submitting to Him would mean departing from a dependence on man’s intellect and walking in faith. For some it’s fear of commitment – what if He’s not the One?
If that is you, I do not judge, for every man has to work out his own salvation. However, I do pray that you would come to know Jesus in an intimate way. You may have been introduced to Him before but never entered into full relationship with Him. If so, He is waiting for you to allow Him to come in and transform your life.
Those problems that you cannot seem to solve, He can fix. The love that you yearn for, He will bring. Your broken heart, He will mend. It does not matter how hard you have fought against Him. Nothing you have done in your past or ever will do can separate you from His Love – all you have to do is accept it.
If you want your life to change, if you need His Love to come in and make it right, pray this prayer today:
Lord Jesus, I believe that You died and rose again so that I can live. I need You and I no longer want my sin to separate me from Your Love. Please forgive me. Please come into my heart and rescue me today. Please show me how to live for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
John 3:16-17 (New International Version)
16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Michael Jackson, the legendary King of Pop passed away yesterday leaving the world to mourn his loss. His talent was such an amazing gift that has inspired and influenced generations of artists after him. Still, there is no one quite like MJ.
His life was marked by great success as well as great controversy. For as many people who are missing him today, unfortunately there are also many who are sneering and judging him.
Jesus warned against judging others, saying that while you point out the speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye you miss the plank in your own eye (Matt 7:2-4 NIV)!
Not one of us is perfect and therefore no one is in a position to judge.You may judge others because you feel powerless and alone when it comes to your own issues. However, you are not alone. God knows that sometimes our lives and the decisions we make are formed out of deep pain and brokenness. God’s desire is for you to be whole. Love and healing are available to all through Jesus Christ!
Since tomorrow is not promised, get help for the broken places in your life and surrender to God today. Rather than scorn others for their flaws, search your own heart and discover where you can make improvements.
I pray that you would look at Michael Jackson’s life and be inspired to use your God-given gifts to change the world. More importantly, I pray that you would be inspired to get to know the Creator, the One who placed those gifts within you and let Him make your life beautiful from the inside out.
John 10:9-11 (New King James Version)
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 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. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
