I Surrender All
GIVE IT ALL TO GOD We sang the great old hymn this morning I Surrender All, I was so convicted that I went forward to pray. Our pastor was convicted also to give an invitation at that time. I groaned in my spirit, I did not want to go forward. I struggled through the time and nearly stayed at my seat. But the Spirit of God was too overwhelming and I had to move. I prayed, "God I surrender all! Take this bondage of fleshly sin Lord God and cleanse it with your love and forgiveness. Lord God I am so weak, but I know what you may do with our lives. I lay it down now God here and give it to you. This is too much for me and I need your guidance, I need your hand leading me. God I surrender all to you, all to you I freely give. Let not my flesh stand in the way of your perfect ways, God take this flesh and remove the temptation of walking in my own ways, trying to please you by my flesh and pour your spirit on my life that I have no choice but to listen to you. God I know you are the provider and supplier of all our needs and I pray you give as you will, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen."
I gave it all to God this morning, the sin of the flesh, the worrying of raising support, the leadership of our ministries. It is up to Him and I am in it as His vessel waiting on His direction and ready to answer as Christ Jesus says go. Man what a few minutes at the altar does for the soul!
The songs listed I hope you all will listen to. They are so awesome in power. Of course I Surrender All is explained just by the title alone. Lead Me To The Cross you need to listen for the line ~~ Rid me of myself, Lord I come to you~~. That is my fervent prayer that God would "rid me of myself" and lead me daily to His cross where His love was poured out.
I Will Rise, an excellent song of the redemption of Christ being offered to us. I am so sinful, so full of flesh, yet Jesus died for me. And one day from repenting of my sin, Jesus is going to call me up, PRAISE GOD!
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour ask Him into your life. Ask Him to forgive you of your sin. Lay it all out before Him. Romans states "For all have sinned" it also says," But, God commended His love to us, in that we were yet sinners Christ died for us." The righteous for the unrighteous, Jesus said he had come to the world to call the lost to Him, John 3:17 that He came not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. He said," Whosoever comes to me I will in no wise cast out." My friend if you do not know Him that means you can call upon HIm and He will receive you.
Friends if you know Him, then work for Him. He did not save us to sit idly by. He has commissioned us to be ambassadors, ambassadors for the King of Glory. I see no greater call in life than to be a witness for the LORD JESUS CHRIST. It is our duty to speak His name. It is our heritage to give to others as we have received. Do you want a better nation for your children and grand children? Then it is time to speak up! It is time to take a stand for Christ, not lacking in our promise, not yielding to earthly men, but rejoicing in God that whatever comes our way we know God has planned our days. Our obedience in the bonds of the Gospel will prosper the nation we dearly love. Our commitment to share the Gospel will overthrow even the mightiest foe. My friends that foe is in our own backyards, its name is Apostasy. You and I on our knees in prayer, always before the throne of GOd will turn this nation back to the true King, back to the faithful Lord, back to the Way in which we are to live. I love my Jesus. I will live for my Jesus. I will speak for my Jesus. I will die for my Jesus if He wills. For my reward will be great, I will be with Him. Choose you this day whom ye will serve! As for me and my house we WILL SERVE the LORD!
I gave it all to God this morning, the sin of the flesh, the worrying of raising support, the leadership of our ministries. It is up to Him and I am in it as His vessel waiting on His direction and ready to answer as Christ Jesus says go. Man what a few minutes at the altar does for the soul!
The songs listed I hope you all will listen to. They are so awesome in power. Of course I Surrender All is explained just by the title alone. Lead Me To The Cross you need to listen for the line ~~ Rid me of myself, Lord I come to you~~. That is my fervent prayer that God would "rid me of myself" and lead me daily to His cross where His love was poured out.
I Will Rise, an excellent song of the redemption of Christ being offered to us. I am so sinful, so full of flesh, yet Jesus died for me. And one day from repenting of my sin, Jesus is going to call me up, PRAISE GOD!
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour ask Him into your life. Ask Him to forgive you of your sin. Lay it all out before Him. Romans states "For all have sinned" it also says," But, God commended His love to us, in that we were yet sinners Christ died for us." The righteous for the unrighteous, Jesus said he had come to the world to call the lost to Him, John 3:17 that He came not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. He said," Whosoever comes to me I will in no wise cast out." My friend if you do not know Him that means you can call upon HIm and He will receive you.
Friends if you know Him, then work for Him. He did not save us to sit idly by. He has commissioned us to be ambassadors, ambassadors for the King of Glory. I see no greater call in life than to be a witness for the LORD JESUS CHRIST. It is our duty to speak His name. It is our heritage to give to others as we have received. Do you want a better nation for your children and grand children? Then it is time to speak up! It is time to take a stand for Christ, not lacking in our promise, not yielding to earthly men, but rejoicing in God that whatever comes our way we know God has planned our days. Our obedience in the bonds of the Gospel will prosper the nation we dearly love. Our commitment to share the Gospel will overthrow even the mightiest foe. My friends that foe is in our own backyards, its name is Apostasy. You and I on our knees in prayer, always before the throne of GOd will turn this nation back to the true King, back to the faithful Lord, back to the Way in which we are to live. I love my Jesus. I will live for my Jesus. I will speak for my Jesus. I will die for my Jesus if He wills. For my reward will be great, I will be with Him. Choose you this day whom ye will serve! As for me and my house we WILL SERVE the LORD!
The Day My King Wore a Crown
The day my King wore a crown
It was platted on His head in jest
If only on my head it were around
I could only be so blessed
I could not bear the authority
To save souls by giving my life
Christ left His throne of majesty
To heal me with His travail and strife
That crown tearing into His face
His blood running down
He bore it all to take my place
The day my KING wore a crown
A mock trial an angry crowd
A soldiers whip in hand he squeezed
Spoke a FATHER about a SON that made HIM proud
This is MY SON in WHOM I AM pleased
Led to a post they stripped Him down
Forty lashes save one they gave
The day my KING wore a crown
He endured the scourging strong and brave
The day my KING wore a crown
Shouldering His cross the hill he climbed
Led to suffer without the gate
Mockery and jeering all the crowd chimed
Is this brutality my KING's fate
I could not see His precious face
All I saw was the thorn filled crown
They nailed His hands and feet in place
The day my KING wore a crown
Six long hours of hanging on that cross
As the crowd gathered was about to begin
He died to redeem the lost
He took my place to forgive my sin
A soldier thrust a spear in His side
They laughed as they cut Him down
Strutting swords and spears with pride
The day my KING wore a crown
My JESUS I will follow
Even when men shall run me down
I will speak YOUR WORD as I go
And die for You if You allow
For it was for me You my KING wore a crown
It was platted on His head in jest
If only on my head it were around
I could only be so blessed
I could not bear the authority
To save souls by giving my life
Christ left His throne of majesty
To heal me with His travail and strife
That crown tearing into His face
His blood running down
He bore it all to take my place
The day my KING wore a crown
A mock trial an angry crowd
A soldiers whip in hand he squeezed
Spoke a FATHER about a SON that made HIM proud
This is MY SON in WHOM I AM pleased
Led to a post they stripped Him down
Forty lashes save one they gave
The day my KING wore a crown
He endured the scourging strong and brave
The day my KING wore a crown
Shouldering His cross the hill he climbed
Led to suffer without the gate
Mockery and jeering all the crowd chimed
Is this brutality my KING's fate
I could not see His precious face
All I saw was the thorn filled crown
They nailed His hands and feet in place
The day my KING wore a crown
Six long hours of hanging on that cross
As the crowd gathered was about to begin
He died to redeem the lost
He took my place to forgive my sin
A soldier thrust a spear in His side
They laughed as they cut Him down
Strutting swords and spears with pride
The day my KING wore a crown
My JESUS I will follow
Even when men shall run me down
I will speak YOUR WORD as I go
And die for You if You allow
For it was for me You my KING wore a crown
RESURRECTION
My Jesus is alive, brought back from the dead.
From His own power He conquered the grave
So my life He might save,
I don't know why He could love someone like me
let alone pay my debt and die for me
I was in the bowels of disgust and shame
Ridden in the horror of sin
Yet He loved me just the same
My sins so many so awful
Filled with pride and burdened with contempt
How could a Savior love me with the life I spent
Not caring about other men, fighting to be content
In despair my heart was searching
happiness could not be found
My life my pride stomped in the ground
Giving everything I had
But never changing to the Way
Straining to keep from losing my life
prying to survive the strife
Not listening to what the Master had to say
Yet the stripes dug into His back
The crown crammed on His head
The cross on which He bled
Were all given just for me
But it was never enough never enough
In my shame I finally cried, I am cut off
Oh dear LORD restore my Way
Break my blackened sin stained heart
with Your love in it impart
The stone was rolled away the earth did quake
The Savior my JESUS came from the grave
And renewing in my soul He gave
Oh my Jesus YOUR name I will praise
Through the unending of days
Since the tomb could not hold You in
Gone is all my pain and sin
I will worship YOUR name I will tell YOUR story
From here on earth to one day in Glory
From here on earth to one day in Glory
From His own power He conquered the grave
So my life He might save,
I don't know why He could love someone like me
let alone pay my debt and die for me
I was in the bowels of disgust and shame
Ridden in the horror of sin
Yet He loved me just the same
My sins so many so awful
Filled with pride and burdened with contempt
How could a Savior love me with the life I spent
Not caring about other men, fighting to be content
In despair my heart was searching
happiness could not be found
My life my pride stomped in the ground
Giving everything I had
But never changing to the Way
Straining to keep from losing my life
prying to survive the strife
Not listening to what the Master had to say
Yet the stripes dug into His back
The crown crammed on His head
The cross on which He bled
Were all given just for me
But it was never enough never enough
In my shame I finally cried, I am cut off
Oh dear LORD restore my Way
Break my blackened sin stained heart
with Your love in it impart
The stone was rolled away the earth did quake
The Savior my JESUS came from the grave
And renewing in my soul He gave
Oh my Jesus YOUR name I will praise
Through the unending of days
Since the tomb could not hold You in
Gone is all my pain and sin
I will worship YOUR name I will tell YOUR story
From here on earth to one day in Glory
From here on earth to one day in Glory
I Saw the Church Filled Today
I saw the church filled today
For some dear soul had passed away
cars parked in the lot and streets
People standing in the church for there were no seats
Friends came from far and near this way
to see their friend this one last day
For in a few hours he will lay in the grave
I saw the church filled today
a groom and his bride with vows to say
two families coming together a couple uniting forever
bridesmaids and groomsmen looking their best
a groom seeing his bride knowing he is blessed
Mothers smiling one dad sighing one daddy crying
I saw a church filled today
I smell the chicken grillin'
baked beans baking cole slaw chillin'
children playing by the trees
"come and get it" is yelled,"single file please"
Lord bless this meal the pastor prays
Keep us strong through our days
I went to church early today
I needed time alone to pray
I love seeing the church family each Sunday
And visitors that come our way
but the pews are slow to fill
Another Sunday slow and still
It's not Tuesday a funeral for a friend
Nor is it Saturday with a wedding in the wind
Neither a Sunday afternoon food to eat prizes to win
It is time to preach Jesus when will you come in
Are you waiting to be fed
or see a couple wed
or see a friend that is dead
when will you come in
will you wait 'till your life's end
What will it take to fill the church
To praise God the Father
God the Son
His Spirit
The Three in One
I saw the Church fill today
yes we filled the skies
Many were left behind in their lies
The Marriage Supper The Bride The Groom
Feasting in that Heavenly room
I saw THE CHURCH filled today
For some dear soul had passed away
cars parked in the lot and streets
People standing in the church for there were no seats
Friends came from far and near this way
to see their friend this one last day
For in a few hours he will lay in the grave
I saw the church filled today
a groom and his bride with vows to say
two families coming together a couple uniting forever
bridesmaids and groomsmen looking their best
a groom seeing his bride knowing he is blessed
Mothers smiling one dad sighing one daddy crying
I saw a church filled today
I smell the chicken grillin'
baked beans baking cole slaw chillin'
children playing by the trees
"come and get it" is yelled,"single file please"
Lord bless this meal the pastor prays
Keep us strong through our days
I went to church early today
I needed time alone to pray
I love seeing the church family each Sunday
And visitors that come our way
but the pews are slow to fill
Another Sunday slow and still
It's not Tuesday a funeral for a friend
Nor is it Saturday with a wedding in the wind
Neither a Sunday afternoon food to eat prizes to win
It is time to preach Jesus when will you come in
Are you waiting to be fed
or see a couple wed
or see a friend that is dead
when will you come in
will you wait 'till your life's end
What will it take to fill the church
To praise God the Father
God the Son
His Spirit
The Three in One
I saw the Church fill today
yes we filled the skies
Many were left behind in their lies
The Marriage Supper The Bride The Groom
Feasting in that Heavenly room
I saw THE CHURCH filled today
A Big Mac and a Sermon Please
Thank you for wearing that shirt
April 10, 2010 my wife and I were busy preparing a dinner for students that bring music to our church. We are a small local church growing and sharing the Gospel within our community. Our music has been provided by several dedicated wonderful young college students from Cedarville University. Once a month for the last 3 months we have fixed them a good home meal to show our appreciation for their loyalty to BridgeWay Baptist Church.
Our last dinner we decided to smoke some Boston Butts and have pulled pork. This is a long endeavor taking over 12 hours just to smoke. During the late afternoon we realized we hadn't taken time for ourselves to have lunch. Ah, McDonald's just a mile away I'll run over there real quick. Well, quick it was not! You see, I was wearing a shirt that said This shirt is illegal in 51 countries on the front, and Romans 1:16 on the back.For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.
In 51 countries around the world this message is illegal! In fact, you can be imprisoned or even killed for displaying or preaching the word of Jesus Christ the Savior .
I had ordered and was waiting when an old man, in at least his 80's, said,"Thank you".
I turned and looked at him and he repeated thank you to me. He proceeded to say he too spreads the Gospel and is not ashamed of Christ. Then he noticed the front of the shirt with a small red cross and the message of this shirt being illegal. Immediately he knew it is the message from The Voice of Martyrs. He continued to say how he had met the man who started VOM and what that had meant to him.
He asked if I were a preacher and what churched I pastored. No, I am not a pastor but I do preach the Gospel of Christ to the lost and dying world. I told him of the ministry my wife and I do and how we have committed our lives to evangelism and missionary work. I also said that this shirt may well be illegal here in the United States of America if things keep going as they are. I said we are in the greatest days of apostasy this country has ever known. Apostasy is the falling away from the Gospel, from the Bible, from God. I said how prayer has been taken out of our schools. How there is a movement to control our very thoughts making it illegal in a public place to even think of God. Our thoughts can you imagine? Our Christian beliefs and convictions are everyday being minimized for the sake of heretics. There is an out cry for them to be able to speak as they please but God forbid we speak the truth of the Risen Jesus. We as Christians are being made to silence our voices and have to let the godless to go out of control. We are to stand idly by as those that hate the Gospel slander our very Creator.
I went on, One day every knee shall bow every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, whether that be while they are alive on earth or in the bowels of Hell. I hope that all I can speak to make the decision to follow Christ before it is too late. I don't want to see friends and loved ones crying out from a place reserved for the devil and his followers. I want to see them confess Jesus as their Lord while they have the breath in them to do so.
The smiling old man looked in my eyes and said he liked my devotion to God and wished me well. I told him how we are preparing to go out and bring revival to America. I told him how this country was founded on the Bible and Godly morals and principles and that is where we need to return. We need to return. Going on I proclaimed how it is not too late. How America can stand once again in God's glory, if as a nation we humble ourselves and seek HIS face. Churches need to make that stand today, they need to say we are of God and no matter what any political group says we will serve God.
I told him I did not know how much longer Christ we tarry His coming but we need to win souls for HIM, we need to be vigilant in spreading the Good News that Jesus saves all who come to HIM, "For whosoever calls upon My name shall be saved". "He that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out". The old man just replied quietly and with a tear in his eye,"Amen".
This talk lasted nearly 15 minutes. The entire inside of McDonald's was at a stand still. All the inside customers had put down their meals, the wait staff had stopped working, until one did say the drive thru was backing up. You see this old man was very hard of hearing I had to speak loudly for him to hear. The end results were everyone in the restaurant heard the Good News of how Jesus saves. I learned I am truly not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation.
My prayer is someone there who heard had the conviction of God's Holy Spirit upon them and gave their life to Jesus Christ. I may be a criminal to some for promoting the Gospel, so be it, I will never quit! I love my King my Jesus.
April 10, 2010 my wife and I were busy preparing a dinner for students that bring music to our church. We are a small local church growing and sharing the Gospel within our community. Our music has been provided by several dedicated wonderful young college students from Cedarville University. Once a month for the last 3 months we have fixed them a good home meal to show our appreciation for their loyalty to BridgeWay Baptist Church.
Our last dinner we decided to smoke some Boston Butts and have pulled pork. This is a long endeavor taking over 12 hours just to smoke. During the late afternoon we realized we hadn't taken time for ourselves to have lunch. Ah, McDonald's just a mile away I'll run over there real quick. Well, quick it was not! You see, I was wearing a shirt that said This shirt is illegal in 51 countries on the front, and Romans 1:16 on the back.For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.
In 51 countries around the world this message is illegal! In fact, you can be imprisoned or even killed for displaying or preaching the word of Jesus Christ the Savior .
I had ordered and was waiting when an old man, in at least his 80's, said,"Thank you".
I turned and looked at him and he repeated thank you to me. He proceeded to say he too spreads the Gospel and is not ashamed of Christ. Then he noticed the front of the shirt with a small red cross and the message of this shirt being illegal. Immediately he knew it is the message from The Voice of Martyrs. He continued to say how he had met the man who started VOM and what that had meant to him.
He asked if I were a preacher and what churched I pastored. No, I am not a pastor but I do preach the Gospel of Christ to the lost and dying world. I told him of the ministry my wife and I do and how we have committed our lives to evangelism and missionary work. I also said that this shirt may well be illegal here in the United States of America if things keep going as they are. I said we are in the greatest days of apostasy this country has ever known. Apostasy is the falling away from the Gospel, from the Bible, from God. I said how prayer has been taken out of our schools. How there is a movement to control our very thoughts making it illegal in a public place to even think of God. Our thoughts can you imagine? Our Christian beliefs and convictions are everyday being minimized for the sake of heretics. There is an out cry for them to be able to speak as they please but God forbid we speak the truth of the Risen Jesus. We as Christians are being made to silence our voices and have to let the godless to go out of control. We are to stand idly by as those that hate the Gospel slander our very Creator.
I went on, One day every knee shall bow every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, whether that be while they are alive on earth or in the bowels of Hell. I hope that all I can speak to make the decision to follow Christ before it is too late. I don't want to see friends and loved ones crying out from a place reserved for the devil and his followers. I want to see them confess Jesus as their Lord while they have the breath in them to do so.
The smiling old man looked in my eyes and said he liked my devotion to God and wished me well. I told him how we are preparing to go out and bring revival to America. I told him how this country was founded on the Bible and Godly morals and principles and that is where we need to return. We need to return. Going on I proclaimed how it is not too late. How America can stand once again in God's glory, if as a nation we humble ourselves and seek HIS face. Churches need to make that stand today, they need to say we are of God and no matter what any political group says we will serve God.
I told him I did not know how much longer Christ we tarry His coming but we need to win souls for HIM, we need to be vigilant in spreading the Good News that Jesus saves all who come to HIM, "For whosoever calls upon My name shall be saved". "He that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out". The old man just replied quietly and with a tear in his eye,"Amen".
This talk lasted nearly 15 minutes. The entire inside of McDonald's was at a stand still. All the inside customers had put down their meals, the wait staff had stopped working, until one did say the drive thru was backing up. You see this old man was very hard of hearing I had to speak loudly for him to hear. The end results were everyone in the restaurant heard the Good News of how Jesus saves. I learned I am truly not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation.
My prayer is someone there who heard had the conviction of God's Holy Spirit upon them and gave their life to Jesus Christ. I may be a criminal to some for promoting the Gospel, so be it, I will never quit! I love my King my Jesus.
IF I Be Lifted Up
The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
John 3:14-15 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Jesus went on to say," for God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
Jesus looked through our blackened sin stained hearts and still loved us so much He came to die for our sins. He knew no matter what we did of ourselves it just would not be good enough to obtain merit with God.
What Jesus Did
John 19:17 " And He bearing HIS cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgatha: Where they crucified Him.
Jesus knew what was to come, He knew the pain and torture He would endure. But, my friend He loves you and me so much He knew this cruel death was planned before the very foundations of the world. How much love is that? An eternal glorious king looked down upon the foundations of Earth and said He will someday die to reclaim mankind. That He was not coming to condemn the world but to save it if we just call upon His name.
Cruelty of The Cross
The Romans were killers, bold cruel hateful despisers of men killers. To them crucifying a person was just a game and the worse they made it the more thrilled they were. BUT JESUS HAD A PLAN. The cross of calvary was to have the longest lasting affect on mankind the world has ever known. If He be lifted up He would draw all men unto Him. No, that does not mean every person ever to live will be saved. It does though mean some time in that life Christ would be presented to them. Some only one day before God will realize just when Jesus was presented to them. I Corinthians 1: 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. We need to carefully proclaim the Gospel so the lost sinner sees the cross. Not flowery like a lot of the television preachers but with words given by the Holy Spirit of God. Preaching Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sin.
NOT OUR GLORY
Galatians 6:14, " But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." We do not preach to obtain glory of men. If we do that then it is us seeking our own greatness and not the glory of the cross of Christ. One must never take the pulpit boldly for God will humble him as he comes down, rather take the pulpit humbled and let God give you the boldness to preach HIS Word. Go up humble come down bold, go up bold come down humbled. You see Christ humbled Himself even to death the death of the cross, Philippians 2:8. See those seeking glory in preaching the Gospel, their own glory are enemies of the cross. They are liked to the Scribes and Pharisees, and the Sadducees. Philippians 3:18
REDEMPTION
Christ redeemed us by going to the cross to die. He offered His very body beaten and bruised for our sins. He gave up the throne of heaven to come as a lowly man to be lifted up on the cross of calvary as our sacrificial lamb. He alone bore our sin and wiped our hearts clean by his cross. Colossians 1:20 "And having made peace through the blood of HIS cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him ", and if you are looking up each scripture keep reading in Colossians through verse 23. Paul tells us just what Jesus did for us. In the second chapter and verse 14, one of my favorite verses Paul exclaims," BLOTTING OUT THE HAND WRITING OF ORDINANCES THAT WAS AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US, AND TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS. Read this verse slowly, pause at each comma. How many times has the apostle Paul called it HIS cross? It was not a cross we could bear. It was not a sacrifice we could make. If we even tried we would still pay the penalty of our sins ,DEATH, eternal separation from God.
AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH
Jesus planned out faith, He planned for our redemption. He alone gave His own life that we may live, live forgiven and redeemed. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. See the finishing was Jesus going to the cross to die, was dead, buried and rose from the dead. He completed His work, He finished the plan of man's redemption. He DIED so you could live, He arose from death so you could live again. Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, My friend He knew we could not do it alone He took our place, despising the shame, the shame of the cross, a king crucified by the spiteful horrendous cross. And is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He is there for when you the believer dies, He tells God you are one of HIS.
WHAT IS YOUR PLAN
What is your plan? How do you figure to spend eternity? See John tells us we may know of our salvation in I John 5:11-13. What will you do today? Will you take Him and ask for your sins to be forgiven? They already are acknowledged by Jesus and nailed to His cross, you just have to now acknowledge Him and ask that your sin is forgiven. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, there is none righteous no not one, for the wages of sin is death, death by definition is eternal separation from God. Yes it sounds bleak, but, Romans 5:8 tells us,"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He died for you and me, will you accept Him now?
MY GOD I REST IN THEE
John 3:14-15 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Jesus went on to say," for God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
Jesus looked through our blackened sin stained hearts and still loved us so much He came to die for our sins. He knew no matter what we did of ourselves it just would not be good enough to obtain merit with God.
What Jesus Did
John 19:17 " And He bearing HIS cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgatha: Where they crucified Him.
Jesus knew what was to come, He knew the pain and torture He would endure. But, my friend He loves you and me so much He knew this cruel death was planned before the very foundations of the world. How much love is that? An eternal glorious king looked down upon the foundations of Earth and said He will someday die to reclaim mankind. That He was not coming to condemn the world but to save it if we just call upon His name.
Cruelty of The Cross
The Romans were killers, bold cruel hateful despisers of men killers. To them crucifying a person was just a game and the worse they made it the more thrilled they were. BUT JESUS HAD A PLAN. The cross of calvary was to have the longest lasting affect on mankind the world has ever known. If He be lifted up He would draw all men unto Him. No, that does not mean every person ever to live will be saved. It does though mean some time in that life Christ would be presented to them. Some only one day before God will realize just when Jesus was presented to them. I Corinthians 1: 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. We need to carefully proclaim the Gospel so the lost sinner sees the cross. Not flowery like a lot of the television preachers but with words given by the Holy Spirit of God. Preaching Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sin.
NOT OUR GLORY
Galatians 6:14, " But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." We do not preach to obtain glory of men. If we do that then it is us seeking our own greatness and not the glory of the cross of Christ. One must never take the pulpit boldly for God will humble him as he comes down, rather take the pulpit humbled and let God give you the boldness to preach HIS Word. Go up humble come down bold, go up bold come down humbled. You see Christ humbled Himself even to death the death of the cross, Philippians 2:8. See those seeking glory in preaching the Gospel, their own glory are enemies of the cross. They are liked to the Scribes and Pharisees, and the Sadducees. Philippians 3:18
REDEMPTION
Christ redeemed us by going to the cross to die. He offered His very body beaten and bruised for our sins. He gave up the throne of heaven to come as a lowly man to be lifted up on the cross of calvary as our sacrificial lamb. He alone bore our sin and wiped our hearts clean by his cross. Colossians 1:20 "And having made peace through the blood of HIS cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him ", and if you are looking up each scripture keep reading in Colossians through verse 23. Paul tells us just what Jesus did for us. In the second chapter and verse 14, one of my favorite verses Paul exclaims," BLOTTING OUT THE HAND WRITING OF ORDINANCES THAT WAS AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US, AND TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS. Read this verse slowly, pause at each comma. How many times has the apostle Paul called it HIS cross? It was not a cross we could bear. It was not a sacrifice we could make. If we even tried we would still pay the penalty of our sins ,DEATH, eternal separation from God.
AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH
Jesus planned out faith, He planned for our redemption. He alone gave His own life that we may live, live forgiven and redeemed. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. See the finishing was Jesus going to the cross to die, was dead, buried and rose from the dead. He completed His work, He finished the plan of man's redemption. He DIED so you could live, He arose from death so you could live again. Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, My friend He knew we could not do it alone He took our place, despising the shame, the shame of the cross, a king crucified by the spiteful horrendous cross. And is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He is there for when you the believer dies, He tells God you are one of HIS.
WHAT IS YOUR PLAN
What is your plan? How do you figure to spend eternity? See John tells us we may know of our salvation in I John 5:11-13. What will you do today? Will you take Him and ask for your sins to be forgiven? They already are acknowledged by Jesus and nailed to His cross, you just have to now acknowledge Him and ask that your sin is forgiven. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, there is none righteous no not one, for the wages of sin is death, death by definition is eternal separation from God. Yes it sounds bleak, but, Romans 5:8 tells us,"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He died for you and me, will you accept Him now?
MY GOD I REST IN THEE
Blessed Are Ye
I saw a crowd gathered, sitting along the hills. In the midst of them a man sat who spoke. His voice echoed as thunder, as the sounds of a 1,000 trumpets, yet it was gentle to the ear, with a tenderness and a passion, no reason to fear. He spoke in words piercing to the heart, yet gentle to the soul.He spoke with passion and grace, He spoke with pure love to every face.
I had to see, I had to listen if I dare. It must of been over 5,000 there, all I could do was stand and stare.
Repeatedly He said,"Blessed are ye", of every kind of man as if He had a special plan.
He said," Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of God".
The poor in spirit, that could be us all!
He said,"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted".
I have mourned alone from sorrow in my past, will He take these pains and them off cast?
He said,"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth".
Is this the Christ to reign on earth, to set us free from bondage since birth?
He said," Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled".
Is this the coming KING, told of from old, the prophets words foretold, to be fulfilled ?
He said,"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy".
So if I show mercy then mercy shall I obtain? I guess what I sow that I shall reap?
He said,"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God".
Children are really the only ones I know pure in heart, is He saying we need to be child like at heart?
He said,"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God".
God please grant us peace.
His words were striking and convicting, my heart began to race as I glanced over each amazed person listening in his place.
He spoke with authority and grace and left a message that changed my life.
Standing and stretching out HIs arms, lifting His voice He proclaimed,"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven".
Twice He said this,"theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven", why why would He repeat His words?
He talked as though we are all to follow Him and warned us what may happen if we do, but HIs words were of power and assurance.
And this was the last I heard, He said,"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and shall persecute you and shall say all manners of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Is this Him? Is this the one of whom Isaiah spoke? Is this the baby called Immanuel, from the seed of Jesse? Is He The Alpha and Omega, The Rose of Sharon, The Lilly of the Valley, The Bright and Morning Star? Is this my Jesus The Word, The Way?
We listened to His words, some as much as three days, we were all astonished all amazed. He knew people were hungry and asked His men to gather all they can, some said it was just 5 loaves and 2 fishes, yet He blessed it and the food did not stop, everyone ate, we were filled in our bellies and in our spirit.
I always felt my Lord was nigh as one day I wandered back by, only to see a cross atop a hill pointed to the sky.
As I walked closer I could see it was Him hanging about to die.
Once again I heard Him speak, but this time beaten and weak, Roman soldiers mocked Him, others just dropped and shook their heads as they passed by.
Then He spoke,"Father forgive: for they know not what they do".
I now know it's true, He is The King of Kings The Lord of Lords, for in all His travail He looked to a thief hanging by His side and said to him," Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise".
Even as the blood ran from His face He had time for grace, I wondered where the grace and love was for Him? Nearly all His followers left HIm except His mother and one disciple. He said other words as He was about to die,
He simply said,"I thirst', He said,"My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me?
"Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit".
Then finally,"It is finished" and He died!
The One so true,that spoke the words of power and authority to me and you, was lifeless hung from a tree. He said He is coming back again that death will not hold Him in the ground.
I want to see His face and hold HIs nailed scarred hands, I want to put my hand to His side where the spear was thrust, I want to see His home prepared for the just.
Surely this is The Son of God, I long to know Him as He knows me, to live in Heaven's victory.
Lord God forgive me,
Lord Jesus hear me,
Through Your Holy Spirit feed me,
that I may teach others of what I have seen from You,
In the name of JESUS Amen!
I had to see, I had to listen if I dare. It must of been over 5,000 there, all I could do was stand and stare.
Repeatedly He said,"Blessed are ye", of every kind of man as if He had a special plan.
He said," Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of God".
The poor in spirit, that could be us all!
He said,"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted".
I have mourned alone from sorrow in my past, will He take these pains and them off cast?
He said,"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth".
Is this the Christ to reign on earth, to set us free from bondage since birth?
He said," Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled".
Is this the coming KING, told of from old, the prophets words foretold, to be fulfilled ?
He said,"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy".
So if I show mercy then mercy shall I obtain? I guess what I sow that I shall reap?
He said,"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God".
Children are really the only ones I know pure in heart, is He saying we need to be child like at heart?
He said,"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God".
God please grant us peace.
His words were striking and convicting, my heart began to race as I glanced over each amazed person listening in his place.
He spoke with authority and grace and left a message that changed my life.
Standing and stretching out HIs arms, lifting His voice He proclaimed,"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven".
Twice He said this,"theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven", why why would He repeat His words?
He talked as though we are all to follow Him and warned us what may happen if we do, but HIs words were of power and assurance.
And this was the last I heard, He said,"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and shall persecute you and shall say all manners of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Is this Him? Is this the one of whom Isaiah spoke? Is this the baby called Immanuel, from the seed of Jesse? Is He The Alpha and Omega, The Rose of Sharon, The Lilly of the Valley, The Bright and Morning Star? Is this my Jesus The Word, The Way?
We listened to His words, some as much as three days, we were all astonished all amazed. He knew people were hungry and asked His men to gather all they can, some said it was just 5 loaves and 2 fishes, yet He blessed it and the food did not stop, everyone ate, we were filled in our bellies and in our spirit.
I always felt my Lord was nigh as one day I wandered back by, only to see a cross atop a hill pointed to the sky.
As I walked closer I could see it was Him hanging about to die.
Once again I heard Him speak, but this time beaten and weak, Roman soldiers mocked Him, others just dropped and shook their heads as they passed by.
Then He spoke,"Father forgive: for they know not what they do".
I now know it's true, He is The King of Kings The Lord of Lords, for in all His travail He looked to a thief hanging by His side and said to him," Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise".
Even as the blood ran from His face He had time for grace, I wondered where the grace and love was for Him? Nearly all His followers left HIm except His mother and one disciple. He said other words as He was about to die,
He simply said,"I thirst', He said,"My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me?
"Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit".
Then finally,"It is finished" and He died!
The One so true,that spoke the words of power and authority to me and you, was lifeless hung from a tree. He said He is coming back again that death will not hold Him in the ground.
I want to see His face and hold HIs nailed scarred hands, I want to put my hand to His side where the spear was thrust, I want to see His home prepared for the just.
Surely this is The Son of God, I long to know Him as He knows me, to live in Heaven's victory.
Lord God forgive me,
Lord Jesus hear me,
Through Your Holy Spirit feed me,
that I may teach others of what I have seen from You,
In the name of JESUS Amen!