Tag: Cross

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Easter, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Passion Week, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

GOOD FRIDAY

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Now that Jesus had been arrested, the religious leaders wanted to try Him for His crimes. Jesus was tried six different times: the first three trials were before Jewish leadership, and the second three trials were before Roman officials. All six trials were expedited because the religious establishment wanted to arrive at the death sentence before the news of Jesus’ arrest got out among the people. Also, they needed the death sentence to be carried out before the Sabbath Day, which started Friday evening. The sixth and final trial takes place before Pilate. He renders his decision on the basis of expediency rather than truth or justice; he firmly believes Jesus to be an innocent man, but he also fears a riot and wants to satisfy the crowds who are yelling, “crucify Him!” In just a few hours, Jesus is tried six times and sentenced to death by crucifixion.

It’s almost 9 am as Jesus begins His journey to Golgotha by carrying His cross. At some point along the way, Roman soldiers force a man named Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross because He is too weak. The site of Jesus’ crucifixion was outside of the city in keeping with the Jewish law requirement for executions (Heb.13:12). None of the Gospel authors provide any details concerning the actual crucifixion; they simply note the fact that it happened. Jesus was crucified at the third hour of the day (Mark 15:25), which is 9 am. Even on the cross, Jesus’ enemies continue to mock Him to the very end, “…He saved others, but He cannot save Himself…” (Luke 23:35-38). The irony is that if Jesus had come down from the cross, He would have saved Himself but not others. At noon, darkness descends on the land (Mark 15:33), lasting for three hours. At 3 pm, Jesus died for the sins of humanity (Luke 23:46). Immediately, the earth shook, and the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom, signifying that God’s people will now have direct access to God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus was taken off the cross before sundown and placed in a tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea (Nicodemus assisted with the burial of the body). Two women, Mary Magdalene, and Mary (the mother of Joses) (Mark 15:47) observe Jesus’ burial location. They believe His body has not been sufficiently prepared because of the hasty nature of His burial; they plan to return after the Sabbath with additional spices and ointments.1

… Before we rush to Resurrection Sunday, let’s sit with the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice today. Let us sit with the pain of the Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), who endured the wrath of God at the cross. Let us ponder the injustice of the spotless Lamb of God punished for our sins. Let us marvel at the astounding death of the Creator of life. Let us worship the King of glory who let go of the splendor of heaven to become flesh and blood, to humble Himself, to hunger and thirst, to suffer and hurt, to be betrayed and rejected, mocked and humiliated — all for love.

For the Good Friday Devo, please click the button below – you won’t want to miss it!

Today’s Devo from P31
  1. EXCERPT FROM THE PASSION, BY DR JEREMY SHAFFER, CHILDREN AND FAMILY PASTOR AT LEWIS MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH  ↩︎

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Love, Quiet Time

A Look at True Love …

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Our next study, “Our God Who Pursues: Guiding Us Back to Him,” starts on March 3rd! Stay tuned for more details in the coming days – but for the remainder of February, we will be focusing on Love. Short and sweet treasures from some of my favorite bloggers and teachers/authors I follow. As always, I appreciate your feedback and welcome any questions. – 🦋

The first week of this two-week break between studies is from Michele Morin. I find myself encouraged by her words and her heart for God and her family. If you haven’t followed her from one of my past posts, I encourage you to do so. Today’s post is from five years back, during the season leading up to Easter – but it is fitting for everyday wisdom and living when our goal is to live and love like Jesus.

What Does Love Look Like?

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Life through His Crucifixion

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation, w3d2

Scripture and Observation:

Read: Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 3:18

But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53:5

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 Peter 3:18

Peter writes about the reality of Isaiah’s prophecy. A reality that is very much to our benefit and is the incredible testimony of our God’s mercy, love, and grace. Christ was crucified, suffered, and died so that we could be healed from our sins and shame. Why? Because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and the wages of those sins is death; but God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in HIm should not perish but have eternal life.

Without the suffering of Christ on the cross – pierced, crushed, and beaten – sinners/humanity – you and I would never know peace with God. You see, while Christ is sinless(righteous), we are sinful(unrighteous), which is why Peter wrote: “…the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God …”

Living Out the Journey: Application

The Love God Greatly journal entry for today explains that “The crucifixion was not just a tragic event; it was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Jesus willingly laid down His life, bearing the weight of our sins. This selfless act of love satisfied the justice of God, who cannot overlook sin. By carrying our sins, He willingly took on the punishment that you and I both deserve. Jesus made it possible for us to receive forgiveness and be restored to a right relationship with God.”

Friends, our sin rendered us lifeless and hopeless and destined for death, but in love, God made a way for us to come back into a right relationship with Him and enjoy eternal life in His presence. May we return His love and enter into that relationship wholeheartedly. May our faith rest firm in the foundation of His death and resurrection, through which we have new hearts, peace, and healing. May we live not as the sinners we were but as the new creations we’ve become – covered in the righteousness of Christ and filled with His Holy Spirit.

Prayer for the Journey

Father God, thank You for the crucifixion – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Thank You for sending Jesus to take our place on a cross of sin and shame and suffering – that we might be healed and receive Your free gift of salvation by grace through faith that leads to eternal life. This is the hope and joy we cling to and give You praise – now and forever more – Amen!

The More We Know

The crucifixion also reveals the incredible depth of God’s love for us that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son to save us. This act of grace is the foundation of our faith and the assurance of our salvation.

Love God Greatly, Firm Foundation/p97

Posted in Advent, Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Lent, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Importance of the Resurrection

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w6d5

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: John 20:1-18; and SOAP: 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 NLT

I love that Paul simply identifies and shares what is the most important information to pass on. He starts with the three things – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – one by one. Then he reminds his audience that these things, the hope on which our faith is built, happened just as they had been written about “in the Scriptures,” and were witnessed by many. The citing of Scripture and witnesses most likely was meant to emphasis and ensure the people that they do not have to depend on Paul’s word alone.

According to Bibleref.com, the truthfulness of the resurrection, or at least the resurrection of Christians, was being challenged or misunderstood by some in Corinth. Paul wants them to understand not only that the resurrection really took place, but that faith in that truth is essential in order to be saved.

For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

1 Corinthians 15:13-19 NLT
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Tell the story of Jesus, with your words or the Scriptures or by sharing the testimonies of other’s you have heard or seen God do a great work in. Share the truth of the cross and of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and of the love of God that brought Him down to man, and of the grace that says, “whosoever, Jew or gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free – whosoever may come and enjoy a new life in Jesus – not only here in this world but in the Kingdom yet to come.

20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NLT
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, even after all these thousands of years later – the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are still humbling and a bit overwhelming. Your gift of love come down, your sacrifice of Your only begotten Son, Your Word come true, Your detailed plan down to the witnesses before and after boggles my mind and yet fosters the hope of all my faith proclaims.

THE MORE WE KNOW

For more insight read today’s LGG Blog

Do you share in the hope of the resurrection? Do you want to?

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Lent, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Weight of Sin

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w5d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Psalm 30; SOAP verses 2-3

O Lord my God,
I cried out to you and you healed me.
3 O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol;
you rescued me from among those descending into the grave.

Psalm 30:2-3 NET

Sheol (in verse 3) is a place from which there is no escape. The gates are locked, the windows are barred, and the prison guard, death, is undefeatable …
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I hope you read the whole Psalm, for David’s words are moving and enlightening, and they give insight into the depth of his soul, his reflection on the weight and significance of his sin, and his great need for God. They also paint a beautiful awareness of who God is, what He can do, and what He has done. We are wise to pay attention to them and to pattern our reflections and prayers in such a manner.

This particular Psalm is one of dedication of the temple – or according to bibleref.com – most likely the ground where the temple would be built. It is not a private prayer between David and God but rather a Psalm that was for the people to hear and respond to.

Note:

  • David realized not only the depth of God’s goodness but his own depth of need for God to rescue him and to spare him what he deserved and he cried out to God according to his knowledge/belief.
  • Not only does David praise God but he calls all followers of God to give thanks
  • The praise is a life-long practice of the one who turns to God and who realizes His immense goodness and power.

David obviously understood the ‘But God principle” – which says despite the odds of any given situation, despite the reality of what I deserve, despite where I am or what I have done or any obstacles that are in my way- GOD can defy the odds, change the reality, and overcome the seemingly inevitable! mefromthensideout 🦋

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

We must take time daily to reflect on the weight and significance of our sin to truly appreciate the gravity of who God is and what He has done and promised to do. If we do not understand the danger and weight of sin we will not seek God’s forgiveness nor see the need for repentance. Likewise, if we do not understand the depth of God’s love and the height of His power we will not pray accordingly.

Because he turned from arrogance to humility, David was forgiven, and God turned his grief into joy. Rather than being trapped in misery and shame, David was able to embrace the joy of God’s forgiveness. For that, David intends to offer unending thanks

bibleref.com / Ps 30:8-12
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, thank You for all the ways you rescued David and Your people. Thank You for the encouragement that this brings to us and for all the ways we have seen it in our own lives. We are blessed to be Your children and to know the greatness of Your goodness and the faithfulness of Your character. Help us to daily reflect on the weight and significance of our sin – now as we prepare for Easter – and always, so that we do not fail to remember the greatness of Your love and sacrifice on our behalf. If there are those reading this Father, who do not understand the immensity of Your goodness and the depth of their sin and need for Your salvation open their minds to understand that their hearts might yield to the promise of new life through faith in Christ Jesus, who sacrificed His life for the sins of the world. There is no hope of life apart from You and there is no sin too great for Your grace and mercy to cover. We pray and praise You in Jesus’ mighty name and power – Amen and hallelujah!

THE MORE WE KNOW

Insight to Psalm chapter 30

Be sure and check out today’s today’s LGG Blog for more insight

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The 12th Day of Christmas … 

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Originally posted January 2019

Day 12: Scripture – 1 John 4:14-15 / Name of Jesus – Savior / Ornament – The Cross

The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  —

1 John 4:14-15

When the day is over, just before I crawl into bed, I write in my prayer journal. I write in it of the mornings as well, but the day’s end is reserved for Thank you prayers … Prayers that flow from reflection on the good and bad and mundane things of the day … Reflections that bring realization of God’s presence, protection, correction, provision and most often an awareness of His LOVE. It’s easy to thank God for all the good things He’s done or ways that I’ve witnessed His goodness; the challenge comes in seeing His goodness in the bad and mundane things of the day – but even then – when my focus is on Him thanksgiving flows free and pure. 

Occasionally, however, these bedtime prayers are not from the reflections of the day but reflections of a passage of Scripture or a lesson learned … Tonight’s prayer was an overflow of the 12th day of Christmas. On this final day the symbol we focus on is the CROSS and the name of Jesus is SAVIOR. 

On the 12th day of Christmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me … A Savior who is Christ the Lord. 

So, from tonight’s page in my journal, on this 12th and final day of Christmas, may you be encouraged to thank God for His LOVE …

Father, Thank You for LOVE even when I fail You. In love you sent YOUR ONLY Begotten Son to be my Savior – the Savior of all who believe and confess that Jesus is YOUR SON. Your’s is a love that hung on a cross that I might KNOW forgiveness and freedom. It is a love that sent YOUR SPIRIT to abide in me that I might abide in/with You. It is a love that redeems and pardons — and shows mercy and grace — a LOVE that never leaves. It is  a LOVE that comforts and heals and encourages and hears my prayers even when they are whispered from my bed or spoken in a car or thought in my mind and not journaled here on these pages. Thank you for Your LOVE Father — I LOVE YOU TOO! ❤️

MefromtheNsideout

*Christ, no longer on the cross –
yet, dare I never picture Him there
I may forget the cost
of this most treasured gift of God –
my Savior, Christ The Lord!

Me – from the Inside-Out 🦋
The More You Know

The Bible says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) If you do not know Jesus as your Savior I would love to introduce you to Him. Check out the following link and/or message me – we aren’t promised tomorrow, so why not today?

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 13:10-14:35; SOAP / Luke 14:27

Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple

Luke 14:27 NET

I believe to fully appreciate, understand, and determine to carry our “own cross” we must first have an understanding of what carrying one’s cross means. The Holman Christian Standard commentary defines it like this:

To take up one’s cross daily is to expect painful situations everyday because of allegiance to Christ.

HCSB Commentary

Knowing this helps, but we will find even more help if we read the verse in the context of the verses that surround it, namely verses 26 and 28 where Christ tells the crowd of listeners a very perplexing, if not disturbing statement. He tells them they cannot be His followers if they do not hate their own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even their own life. Since we know from far too many other Scriptures, words spoken by Christ Himself, that we are to love and honor our parents, that we are to love others as ourselves, that we are to love even our enemies – we surely know that Christ is not telling us to hate others. but rather to understand that loving Him above all else, even at the cost of everything else (v28), is a must when we choose to follow Him.

Count the Cost

This is why He talks to the people (and by extension, us) about “counting the cost”, giving them examples of what can happen if the cost isn’t accurately computed. He doubles down on the emphasis in verse 33, with yet another statement that not one of them (not one of us) can be His disciple if they are not willing to renounce all they own – or anything that seeks to take lordship over them.

My pastor said it like this, this morning, “not everyone who follows Christ is a true disciple”; and this is what Christ knew and was teaching in this passage. While large crowds may have gathered and followed Him wherever He went – He knew what the coming days and years would bring and He wanted/needed them to understand that those who were “true disciples” would need to be willing to forsake all others and anything they held dear for the sake of following Him.

Carrying Your Own Cross

As I was rereading verse 27, the phrase, “carry his own cross”, jumped out to me. No one is exempt from carrying their own cross, salvation is not corporate but personal – and it’s important that we understand this. We are certainly called to help bear one another’s burdens and to help those in need – but our salvation is a personal relationship with God, the Father-Son-and Holy Spirit. It is based on a personal faith in Christ. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, Romans 10:17 – Thus to place faith in Christ is to understand the cost and still choose Him above all else – be it people, situations in life, possessions, money, earthly desires, and self – Christ must be first to be Lord of our life.

How DO We Do This?

Seek God’s Word for understanding about what it means to follow truly Christ. Regularly review and evaluate yourself in the light of His words in this passage. Ask yourself, is there anything or anyone keeping you from being a fully engaged disciple of Christ? Remember, there are benefits as well as costs. The list I made looked something like this:

Count the Cost
  • Selflessness
  • Daily struggles
  • Hardships
  • Loneliness
  • Weariness
Consider the Benefits
  • Forgiveness
  • God’s provision and protection
  • The power of His Spirit
  • The 24/7 presence of His Spirit
  • Eternal Life

Both of these lists may look different for each of us, for the benefits of following Christ are as endless as the costs that each new day may hold. However, the benefits will always and forever far outweigh the costs. Thus, I – and I pray you – are left with the obvious conclusion to take up our cross daily. Knowing we may face painful and challenging situations every day – but choosing to trust that He will carry us and give us the strength to follow Him despite our cross.

“Whatever cross we’re carrying grows light when we let Jesus carry us.”

Ann VosKamp
Response to God’s Word

Father, thank you for making Jesus, The Way – The Truth – and The Life, known to us through Your Word, so that we might choose The way of Christ – forsaking our own self and desires and other loves to follow Him. Help us to be faithful followers, to stand firm in the face of painful or difficult situations and choices – knowing You are with us. Blessed be Your Name O Lord! Blessed be your Holy Name!

Want More?

Check out today’s LGG Blog post