The Necessity of the Cross..... Dr. Charles Stanley

The Necessity of the Cross

Dr. Charles Stanley

Colossians 2:13-15

What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.

Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.

But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.

Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.

Made for Relationship..... Craig Denison

 Made for Relationship

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

So often we view God as an enforcer of religious rules. We see the commands of Scripture as a list of to-dos rather than a path leading to abundant life. But those perceptions aren’t the truth of Scripture. Those beliefs are founded on misguided notions of God’s character. God is after the heart. More than he wants us to do right, he wants us to see him rightly. He wants going to church, reading the Bible, worshipping, serving the poor, and living righteously to come from a heart filled with a true revelation of his loving-kindness. May your heart be wholly God’s this week.

Scripture:

“I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” Jeremiah 24:7

Devotional:    

We were made for relationship with our heavenly Father. We were made to know and be known by him. That one fact is meant to define both our identity and our actions. It’s meant to lay the foundation on which we live, think, feel, and do. And it’s only in living with relationship with God as our chief and central pursuit that our lives reflect his unceasing love and devotion.

For a long time I’ve lived with wrong things at the center of my life. I’ve allowed earthly success, admiration of others, identity in my works, and an image of perfection to be the things that drove me moment by moment. And in those pursuits I only found disappointment, exhaustion, and unfulfilled longings. Even within the context of Christianity there is temptation to be led by that which is worldly, that which will never satisfy.

Living in Light of Your Inheritance..... By: Rachael Adams

 Living in Light of Your Inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14)

By: Rachael Adams

Today’s Bible Verse: “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.” - Ephesians 1:13-14

Imagine for a moment you receive a sizable inheritance from a rich relative. When you first receive this news you are overjoyed, to say the least. Now you have millions of dollars in the bank at your disposal, but you choose to withdraw only a small amount. Despite the wealth at your fingertips, you are still living like you are poor. You accept and have knowledge of this incredible gift and yet your lifestyle has not changed at all. Why are you not living out of the riches you have been afforded?

This scenario seems strange, but if we are honest, it depicts our reaction to the spiritual inheritance we have received in Christ (Ephesians 1:11). While many of us have an understanding of salvation and the forgiveness we receive when we make the decision to believe in Jesus, we fail to live in the light of our inheritance now. We keep the money in the bank, so to speak, waiting to obtain the eternal riches one day in heaven with Him. We allow ourselves to be rescued by the gospel and rest in the security of heaven, but don’t know who we are and what we have been given as His children.

As God’s family, we are heirs to our Father’s estate. Because God knew we would need His help living as His heirs, He sent the Holy Spirit as the deposit to help us (Ephesians 1:14). Each time the Holy Spirit reminds us of His teachings, convicts us of sin, restrains us from selfish behavior, and prompts us to love, we see the evidence of His presence in us. The realization that we are empowered by a supernatural source confirms we can be fruitful now because of the fruit of the Spirit living inside of us (Galatians 5:22).

Living in light of our inheritance means we receive and respond to God’s generous gift. I pray we never take these treasures and privileges for granted because we did nothing to earn or deserve them, while also realizing the responsibilities that come along with being a part of His family.

God has important work for us to do. The purpose of His will is that all people come to know Him and receive this inheritance (Ephesians 1:11). These riches are to share, not to hoard. There is a never-ending supply of God’s great blessings, so we can be generous to others as He has been generous to us. We are tasked with giving away this inheritance so others might also become heirs and a part of His family. We can only be effective and fulfill this mission by relying on His power through us.

With this mindset guiding our attitudes and actions, may we realize what Jesus meant when He prayed, “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).” Because we know at the point of salvation our eternity began. Let us not leave our inheritance for heaven, but live in the light of all we’ve been given now so that as many others can too. And may all of it be done to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:14).

Prayer:

Lord,

Thank you for all you have given me. Your Son, the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternity. Help me to grasp the magnitude of the riches you have lavished upon me as your child both now and for all of eternity. Reveal what keeps me from remembering who I am and what I have. Remind me that it was never anything I earned or deserved, but your gracious and generous gift to me. Help me to steward what you have given me well and share it cheerfully because it was never about me, but always about you and for you.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Consistently Inconsistent..... By Shawn McEvoy

 Consistently Inconsistent

By Shawn McEvoy

But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe - some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them - then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong. - Romans 14:23, The Message

Never brag on a four-and-a-half year-old.

This past Saturday, my wife and I could not have been more proud of our son, Jordan. He had been invited to a good friend's birthday party at a local YMCA, where they have a rock climbing wall, and the party was going to be Jordan's first chance to try it out. He'd been gearing up for it all week, even telling the stylists at the hair salon that he was going to get to climb a wall - just like Spider-Man. He also opted out of a post-haircut lollipop, completely on his own, rationalizing that because he'd be eating cake and ice cream later that day, he didn't want to have too many sweets.

Anyway, his mom had in her mind that the party was from 3:00 to 5:00 on Saturday afternoon. But as Valerie drove into the parking lot, she saw people leaving. Uh-oh. Yep... the cake was mostly eaten, the presents were being packed, and Nathan's birthday party had actually been from 1:00 to 3:00.

How would you expect the typical four-year-old boy to react to the news that he had just missed the whole party?

Well, when Val got down on her knees and looked him in the eyes and told him what had happened, he threw his arms around her neck and hugged her. He said, "I love you even when you mess up, Mommy." Nathan's mom invted Jordan over to their home to watch Nathan open his presents (they hadn't done this at the party) and play. Jordan eagerly accepted. To my knowledge, he didn't even have any cake. But when he came home, he told me this had been, "the best day ever," as it had also included going to the gym and to get a haircut with daddy that morning, and now he was going to get to watch some football.

It was his mom who was beating herself up, but the boy was as calm and pleasant and forgiving and full of joy as ever.

That night, at a fellowship for our Adult Bible class from church, some friends asked about the kids, and we told the story of Jordan's day. Jaws dropped. I went to bed feeling like the world's most blessed dad.

Then came Sunday morning.

First, Jordan decided he wanted neither a shower nor a bath, though he needed one. This may sound normal to you, but this boy generally loves getting clean. After we got him dressed he was fine. In the car, he informed me he didn't want to go to church. This wasn't unusual, as it was just a statement, one he has made before. But when we got to the church parking lot... he WOULD NOT get out of the car. When we finally got into the education building... he WOULD NOT go into his class. He was in between crying and screaming. Where did this come from?!

We pulled out every prayer and parenting trick we know. Ultimately, we presented our son a choice, and made it clear: go into the class, which would be fun (it always is! He always has loved it and participated and knows the Bible stories), or - go home with Daddy and face not only a spanking but an entire day in his room, without watching football with Dad, without his toys, without his games. He said he couldn't choose. We told him he had to. He chose option B, one that would literally be, for a boy of his age (and for his parents to carry out as well), Hell on earth for a day. My son, the same one who had mused to me the day before, "I think Heaven is going to be just great," the same one who had wowed us with a positive attitude and forgiveness beyond his years, was choosing, essentially, Hell, the worst possible day we could give him.

But we did give him one more chance. And another. Valerie went into class with him. He screamed. The teacher tried to soothe him with "Mommy's coming back" talk, but this was no separation anxiety issue. This was, for whatever reason, the day my boy decided to exert his will at any or all costs.

I honestly feel bad in some way that we still put him in the class - not only for disrupting it but because we so didn't want to see him suffer the consequences of a choice we WOULD have carried out because HE had chosen it. We just knew he'd be happier going forward with class.

So that's where I am right now - in my own Sunday School classroom in the same building as Jordan, at 9:23 a.m., writing this on my laptop (which I only have with me because I take the notes for our class) since I was too bothered to go sit in the service. Nobody else is here yet. But even before I have actually "had church" this Sunday, I have learned two huge lessons:

1) Inconsistency, thy name is humanity. Jordan sure is his father's son. If there were one thing I lack that I would prize above all other things in my life it would be consistency - of actions, thoughts, behavior, character. To not go lax on a health plan the moment people start to notice and give me praise. To not raise my voice or let the wrong word slip a day or two after studying how the man of God should speak. To act like I believe the things I say.

A good friend in college was once asked by a young friend what he thought it was most important for the Christian to achieve. "Consistency," he said. I overheard that... and it has stung like a barb in my brain ever since, as I knew the only thing I was consistent about was being inconsistent. Honestly, it's what I sympathize for my wife most about - that I am not sure she can count on my action or reaction to ever be what she expects, or the same from one situation to another. And oh Lord if that doesn't sting again seeing the same potential in my son. But then there's the flip side: is Jordan really behaving like me, or have I for too long behaved like him? I think that's more likely. And eye-opening. Perfect Christian with spot-on answers one day, sheer rebellion the next. Great in a crisis, raging at petty things. I've been living like an almost-five-year-old for most of my life.

2) That age-old theological question about free will and Heaven and Hell and God's role in sending people to one place or the other? It plays itself out all the time, I see now, in people of all ages. I love my son to no end, but no matter how we tried to "share the good news" with him, he was "hell-bent" to choose utter torment... almost just because he could. At the same time, we loved him so much that we were determined to: make sure he knew the consequences of his choices and actions, give him extra chance after extra chance, and in the end help him find the right way.

I didn't relish what I was willing to let happen if my son had willed it. But let it happen I would have. And rightly, so will our Father, if his children - who are by nature completely inconsistent - insist on their own way.

Jesus was marvelously, amazingly consistent. No wonder He is the model, He is the way, He is life, and the only hope we have to avoid a hellish eternity.

Intersecting Faith & Life: What action can you do today that would show someone important in your life that you are taking steps to be more dependable, consistent, trustworthy, or more grown-up? 

Further Reading

Hebrews 13:7-8

A Prayer When You Don’t Have Enough..... By Betsy de Cruz

 A Prayer When You Don’t Have Enough

By Betsy de Cruz

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.” – Mark 6:41, NIV

I never worried about money until my kids went to college. As we hunkered down to help pay for their studies, unexpected extra expenses always cropped up and made my heart lurch. During our son’s sophomore year, we had a medical situation, a broken refrigerator, and a paycheck problem all in the same month. I wondered if our bank account would stretch far enough.

I’m sure you also have times when the money in the bank seems too small for your whopping bills. Or maybe you feel like you don’t have enough time and strength for the job, or enough wisdom for the decision.

When resources are in short supply, we start to focus on our lack.

That’s what the disciples were doing when Jesus asked them to feed the 5,000 people. “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said (Luke 9:13). Jesus, however, took the little they had, lifted it to heaven and gave thanks. Then he put what they had to use. Man’s scarcity turned to God’s abundance as they broke the loaves to feed 5,000 people and later gathered 12 baskets of leftovers.

What resource are you lacking today?

Is your bank account shrinking, your refrigerator empty, or your closet looking sparse? Maybe you don’t have enough time to get all the things done. Maybe you lack strength to get through your latest challenge. You ran out of patience for your kids. Will you join me in taking 3 steps?

1. Bring what you have to Jesus and entrust it to His care. 

The disciples brought what they had to Jesus. Even Jesus himself lifted up the two fish and five loaves to His Heavenly Father. Let’s bring our small resources to Jesus, so He can multiply them.

2. Give thanks for God’s supplies.

After Jesus lifted up the small meal to heaven, He gave thanks. Rather than focus on what we don’t have, let’s give God thanks for what He has already supplied us.

3. Focus on God’s abundance rather than your lack.

Trust God to supply what you need out of His abundant resources. Praise Him for His love, power, and faithfulness.

Let’s develop a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. God has more than enough to supply every need.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, you know my needs.  My time is little and my strength is small, but I bring them to you. Sometimes it seems like the money in the bank is never enough, but I bring what I have to you, and I entrust it into your care. All I have is yours, and I know you will supply all I need.

Lord, forgive me for focusing on the things I lack, and open my eyes to the riches I already possess. Thank you for what you have given me already. Help me trust you to meet all my needs.

Lord, I praise you because you are the God of abundance. Your love never runs out. Your wisdom never fails. Your strength never runs short. Your blessings overflow in my life and bring joy to my heart.

Help me to rest in your sufficiency when I lack resources. I praise you because you have the power to work miracles when my supplies run short. Open my eyes to the table of blessing you have laid out before me and help me trust in your abundant supply.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Resurrected..... by Sarah Phillips

 Resurrected

by Sarah Phillips

I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Psalms 118:17-23

Most of you will celebrate the Lord's resurrection this month. For many, it will be a glorious day of rejoicing in the miraculous, a day where you reflect not only on the event 2,000 years ago, but on the resurrections in your own life. The day you accepted Christ. The day a long-awaited prayer was answered. The day sickness was healed or sorrow wiped away.

For others, Easter will only serve as a reminder of your cross. You'll feel like you got left at Good Friday, weeping, while the rest of the world moves on to Easter Sunday. You wish you could celebrate, but you don't know how. You may even apologize to God for your somberness.

You're not alone, I assure you.

In the past few months I've watched several Good Fridays and Easters play out in the lives of those around me. Engagements and babies ushered in cries of rejoicing and praises to God. Yet, cancer, infidelity, and financial hardship occurred uncomfortably close to these joyful events.

Most of life is like this. Happiness, unmixed, is not easy to come by.

So how do we deal with this reality? How do we deal with Good Friday and Easter coexisting?

I think we start with recognizing that the first Easter, the real Easter, was not just one event in time that occurred long ago. Christ's resurrection spanned the ages and has eternal consequences. It applies to you and me today just as much as it did to Christ's followers on Easter morning. It also applies to the future. Our hope, no matter where we may be today, is in the transforming truth of Easter.

Second, I think we need to remember that true faith in God does not rely on our emotions. If you cry on Easter morning because life has been wearing you down, God still accepts you. In fact, he died and rose for you so that he could more closely walk with you through these hard times. He knows, more than anyone, the heaviness of the cross.

Third, I think we need to remember that as awe-struck as Christ's first followers felt after his resurrection, they still didn't know what it fully meant… for humanity or for their personal lives. While the resurrection brought their beloved Rabbi back to them, he was different now. The resurrection simultaneously healed some wounds while opening a new can of questions, insecurities, fears, and even pain - at least temporarily.

Ultimately, all Good Fridays will lead to joyful Easter mornings if we cling to Christ. Whether you are in a season of hardship, rejoicing, or a mix of both, the key is to keep walking in faith one step at a time. Only the risen Christ can guide us through the foggy path of life. And when our final Easter morning arrives, we'll finally see with clarity that the journey was worth it.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Reflect on the "little resurrections" in your life - the times God answered a prayer in a very tangible way, the blessings in your life, and the miracles you've witnessed. All these serve as reminders of the great work God will continue to do in your life.

Further Reading

Acts 2:14, 22-33
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Matthew 28:8-15