Cross

Appointment With a Thief

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. Matthew 27:38 KJV

The day Jesus was crucified was the most horrible day of our Savior’s life. He had prayed and released Himself to the Father’s will, now, soldiers, guards and corrupt leaders seemingly were in control. Yet before He was led away, Jesus wanted to make one thing clear to His disciples:

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. John 10:17‭-‬18a ESV

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing and He knew who He would meet that day. He was keeping an appointment with a thief. Neither nails nor a crown of thorns stopped the thief from seeing who Jesus was. Where soldiers saw a victim and the other thief pitiful person worthy of mockery, he saw a merciful King. Because of his faith and his humble appeal to be remembered, the thief received a guarantee of heaven better that anyone else in the Bible “Today you will be with Me. In paradise!”

Are you feeling defeated and forgotten by God? Has tragedy or failure unexpectedly struck your life leaving you helpless to respond? Do not give up or give in to despair. Nothing happens to us by accident and we are never beyond the reach of the hands of Jesus. If He willingly took the nails, and the cross to reach one thief He will not abandon you today. He is near and willing to receive you if you are ready to keep your appointment with the Savior today!

All Justice Fulfilled

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

I have been struck by both the simplicity and power of Micah 6:8 since I first heard it read by President Jimmy Carter during his inauguration. Today I see more in this passage than I did then, though the depths and beauty of any of God’s word is far beyond what I can fully understand or possibly communicate in this short poem today. Have a blessed day all!

When did you show us to do what is just
And how did you teach us to walk where we must?
Was it in Bethlehem in the hay of a barn
There in the wonder our Savior was born?

Or when we saw your mercy
When you heard a man’s cries?
How you called Him to come
And you opened His eyes

Or could it be maybe 
We learned to walk by your side
 When You carried  Your cross
To the place where You died


Or was it when they laid you now silent and still
In the tomb before the night at the top of that hill?
Until on the day before dawn when you rose
In the garden you showed us all justice fulfilled 


All Justice Fulfilled by Peter Caligiuri
copyright 2021 all rights reserved

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 NKJV

Remembering

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments 
Remembering

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.          Luke 22:19 ESV

At His table in Springtime
He comes as seed for open hearts 
Remembering that He gave Himself 
 While we lay still and cold and dark

Then in Summer we remember
He’s the true Vine growing strong
Grafted in Him we are branches
Through His blood we each belong

 We remember when the Fall comes
That He brings our Harvest in
By His kindness and His loving hands
He gathers us to Him

Now in Wintertime remembering
That His promises still stand
Forever at His table 
We will feast with Him again 

Remembering by Peter Caligiuri © 2021 All rights reserved