Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV
On those mornings when we feel disappointed or discouraged and start to complain we have a choice. We can look around at our gloomy situation or we can look to Jesus. Maybe we will choose best by remembering how Jesus chose and then humbly following Him with joyful hearts! I loved this song and video by Eric Kilgore. It reminds me that Jesus was thinking more of me than of His gloomy situation as He carried the cross and it also reminds me of the joy of Jesus Christ. I pray that you will also be blessed and encouraged this Sunday wherever you are. It is always good to remember again that He remembered you and me!
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 ESV
Have you ever heard someone say, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?” Well I disagree and I learned why one winter when I was laid off from my landscaping job. My boss paid for a training workshop on irrigation systems and I went along, but since I hadn’t worked for weeks, I had only a few dollars in my pocket . At mid-day when the conference broke for lunch, I found a game room with an open pool table and I grabbed a stick, racked up the balls and started a game. My boss and a buddy of his came by asking me to eat with them but I waved them off. “No, I’m not really hungry guys.” I lied, though my stomach was growling. “I’m just going to hang around and grab something out of the vending machine.” “Suit yourself.” Al answered with a shrug as they headed off towards the snack bar. Once they left, I dug in my pocket and found enough change to buy a candy bar and a soda. Through the long afternoon I forced myself to concentrate on learning about sprinkler heads, control valves and pressure regulators while thinking about the hot meal waiting for me at home. At the end of the day I got in Al’s truck and we drove in silence until my he turned with a puzzled look asking, “Why didn’t come to eat with us? The food was great and it was all paid for!” Though I still laugh about missing out on lunch that day, it reminds me of another meal that is represented when we take the cup and the bread at communion. Why do we sometimes choose to live on the junk food of sin instead of accepting God’s free gift? Jesus has paid the full price for our salvation. By grace we are saved. He is inviting us to come. Why not join Him at the table?
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV
As I write this I am just one day away from returning to in-person singing with my friends at Watermark Assisted Living and another week from two other facilities. I can hardly wait to hear everyone’s voice and see their faces! Sometimes I joke about God’s top ten hits and I would wager dollars to donuts that “The Old Rugged Cross” is in the top five of everyone’s favorites. It has a special power to touch our hearts because it carries transforming God’s message to our hearts.
I sometimes wonder why Paul didn’t preach about the resurrection or the great life we could experience as Christians. But, God doesn’t change lives, by demanding that we be good or by amazing us with miracles. Instead He sent His Son Jesus to the cross to die in our place. People in Paul’s day thought that his preaching about the crucifixion of Jesus was foolish. Today is no different. Our society looks to the politically powerful, or the talented of Hollywood as examples of what life is all about. But the truth is that yesterday’s politicians are forgotten quicker than an ice cube on the sidewalk in July and that the beauty of the movie stars fades with the years. But the cross of Jesus and the message of His blood that was shed for us are still remembered after 2,000 years. Every time we receive the cup and the bread, they remind us that true change begins by only by confession of our sins and that lasting change starts by faith in the cross of Christ. As we start a new phase of life coming back from 13 months of Covid-19 shutdown, let’s go back to where it all began: the message of the cross of Jesus Christ! God bless you and maybe I’ll see you soon!
Considering the power and holiness of the Cross of Jesus I am sharing here a simple rendering from Lor of the song Holy Holy Holy and How Great Thou Art. I love the simplicity of her style. It slows me downs and helps me to remember all the words of these familiar hymns.
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