FINISHED

 

FINISHED

“It is finished.” John 19:39

Jesus did what He came to do. He knew long before He ever came to earth that His earthly life would end up on the cross. He knew all the pain, suffering, and mockery He would endure. He knew the ingratitude of most for His sacrifice for our sins. He knew that He would have to be left all alone to become our sin sacrifice. He knew that for a little while, His family and closest friends would all be unwilling or able to stop Him from being crucified. He had come to the end of His life. He had completed His God-given talk. The power of sin had been eternally broken. He spoke, “It is finished”, signifying the completion of His task. It was a statement of triumph, not defeat.

It ought to be the goal of every believer to come to the ending of their life and be able to say with satisfaction that they had completed the task that God had given them. It ought to be our goal to know what God wants us to do and do it for as long as we are able. It ought to be our goal to step into eternity knowing that Jesus will be waiting at heaven’s door to greet us with a warm welcome, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter now into the Kingdom of thy Lord.”

How are you doing? Are you doing your best to do what God has created you for? Are you serving the Lord in what you are doing with your life? Are you giving the Lord your best effort? Are working towards that day when you will breathe your last and face the Lord? Have you given Him your life’s ambitions? Are you eternally minded or does this life on earth consume you?

One day your life on earth will be finished. Only God knows when that will be. No matter if it’s today or years away, it will happen to you. Your life will be finished as well as the opportunities you have been given to live for Jesus. Live to put a smile on Jesus’ face when you step into eternity and not a frown.

THIRSTY

 

THIRSTY

“I am thirsty.” John 19:28

Have you ever been thirsty, I mean really thirsty? A thirst where your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth? A thirst so severe that you would give anything for something to quench it? The Bible describes this type of thirst in many different ways; a deer panting for water, a people willing to drink their own urine, a people in the wilderness complaining that they were dying thirst because there was no water to drink, a parched and barren land where people literally died from thirst, etc.

Jesus was thirsty. His body was batter and beaten to a pulp. He was put through a grueling trial and forced to carry a cross to His certain death until He could carry it no more. He was nailed to a cross by the Roman soldiers who could care less about His thirst. He was hung on the cross under a scorching sun. Jesus finally spoke out of His desperate need, “I am thirsty.”

My mind goes out to our souls. When was the last time you cried out to the Lord, “I am thirsty.” Have you been so dried up and parched in your soul that you knew you needed God’s help you quench your thirst? Maybe you have been so caught up in your living that you have neglected your soul. Maybe you have let other things crowd the Lord out of your mind and heart. Maybe you have drunk from resources that have done nothing to satisfy your soul’s need. Maybe you have struggled to find some sense of peace and satisfaction in life but to no avail. Maybe you have been led to believe that money or the things it can buy will give you what you long for but find that it doesn’t. Perhaps you have sought after fame or popularity but have found them unable to satisfy the longing of your soul for peace and contentment.

Only Jesus can quench the longings of the thirsty soul. Only Jesus can give you what you are searching for. Only Jesus can not only satisfy your thirst, He can forever satisfy it for He is the living water. He alone can give you peace of soul, not something that is here today and gone tomorrow, but a peace that is forever. He alone can make you so contented that you will never look elsewhere for something to quench your thirst. He alone can set you free from the bondage of a thirsty soul.

Jesus invites you to draw near to Him and drink from His bountiful supply of living water. He is waiting with loving arms to embrace you and satisfy your thirst. Drink from His come of salvation daily and you will thirst no more.

LONELINESS

 

LONELINESS

“My God, my God,…..” Matt. 27:46:30

Have you ever been to the point where all you can do is cry out to God? Have things piled up to the point where you think you just can’t handle it anymore? Have you ever in a frame of mind where you felt like things were so bad that you just can’t do it anymore?

Jesus, came out of the darkness of the cross and cry out to God. He had taken upon himself our sins with all its guilt and shame. He met up with Satan on his turf and fought and won the battle for our souls. He broke the chains of bondage that forced humanity to feel compelled to sin against God. He gave us access to God in way no one had ever known before. Jesus felt all alone. God could not help Him for Jesus became sin for us. Never before in all of eternity past had Jesus ever been out of touch with God. It was for just three hours, but three hours felt like an eternity for Jesus at that moment. He felt like God was not near. Yet, God was not far away. He could not look on his Son, but He was but a heart cry away.

No matter how much you may sometimes feel like you are all alone, that God has forsaken you, He hasn’t. Cry out to Him, He will hear you. Even if everyone else has left you all alone to struggle with your life, God hasn’t. He is but a heart cry away. He will not condone your sins, but He will forgive you for them if you cry out to Him. He may not take you out of your struggles, but He will help you through them.

If you cry out to Him, God will hear you. If you are His child, never forget His promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Don’t let your feelings or mindset overrule your confidence in His promise. God cannot lie. He will draw near to your soul and give you peace in the midst of your storms. Satan wants you to focus on your struggles and feelings. Satan is the father of lies, and God is truth. God wants you to trust Him and his Word. Who will you put your trust in today?

FAMILY

 

FAMILY

“Dear woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” John 19:26. 27

Among those gathered at the cross watching the crucifixion was Mary, Jesus’ mother. We don’t know how many of His siblings were there, but we know Mary was. By this time Joseph, His father, was probably dead. Jesus looked down from the cross and saw Mary and a disciple who was dear to His heart, John. Instead of focusing on His obvious suffering, Jesus thought of His mother.

Can you imagine the emotional pain she was going through? Jesus was Her son. She had given birth to Him. She had poured her love into Him as He grew up in her home. She knew that many had tried to make life miserable for Him. She knew that many thought He was out of His mJeind for saying the things He did. She knew of His passion for God and had witnessed some of the miracles He had performed. And now, here He was, hanging on a cross, battered, beaten to a pulp, and mocked by most. How her heart must have been grieved.

Jesus looked down at Mary, and felt a deep love for her. He knew that she would need much support and love as things moved forward. He knew that she would need someone to lean on as she dealt with her grief. So, He turned to John and knew that she would be in good hands.

Also, Jesus knew that John would need Mary to lean on as they navigated life without Him in it. Both Mary and John knew that Jesus identified himself as the Messiah, the promised Son of God, the Savior of the world. They would need to figure things out in the days ahead and would be of help to each other.

Family relationships matter to God. He chose to come to earth in a family unit, and when He died, He made sure that Mary was entrusted to a family man. Now, I understand that many families are dysfunctional and leaving is the best option for health of body, mind, and soul. Yet, when a family is stable and supportive, it is important to keep them in your life and not take them for granted. Thank the Lord for them, and strive to provide a good family environment for your children to grow up in.

LESSONS FROM CALVARY: CONFESSION AND FAITH

 

CONFESSION AND FAITH

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Jesus died alone for our sins, yet He was not totally alone. He was crucified between two thieves. They were there because their lives warranted it. They were caught and found guilty of crimes deemed worthy of death by the Roman law. Scriptures tells us that they had joined in with those who mocked Jesus, taunting Him to come down off the cross and save himself and everyone else.

Yet, Luke records an encounter one of the thieves had with Jesus as they were dying. Instead of being defiant on his deathbed like the other thief was, He turned to Jesus for mercy. He came to the conclusion in his waning moments of life that Jesus indeed was the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

During the course of their conversation, Jesus looked deep into his soul and assured him that he would be with Jesus in Paradise that very day. Much has been said about his conversion experience. He did not have a chance to “prove” that he was indeed saved. He was not baptized, did not join up with a church, did not have a chance to change his ways, nor was he able to witness to others of his salvation. Yet, Jesus knew his heart. He knew that he had indeed believed in his heart in Jesus and had sought Jesus’ forgiveness for the life he had lived.

What an encouraging lesson for us to learn! Although it never is a good idea to wait until you are on your deathbed to turn to Jesus, as long as there is breath, there is hope. Sometimes people reach out to the Lord at the very last second and are saved. We will be very pleasantly surprised to spend eternity with some we may have given up all hope for.

If you are not ready to die and meet up with God on Judgment Day, don’t be foolish and assume you will have opportunity to do so before you die. No one is guaranteed a deathbed opportunity. Death is but one breath away for all of us. The moment you are in may be your last moment on earth. Can you say with absolute confidence that Jesus is your Savior today? If not, you will never have a better opportunity than right now to confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you.

If you know someone who needs Jesus in their life right now, why not pause and ask the Lord to convict them of their sins?

LIFE LESSONS FROM CALVARY: FORGIVENESS

 

LIFE LESSONS FROM CALVARY:FORGIVENESS

The Gospel writers recorded different things Jesus said at Calvary that we learn from today. May the Spirit challenge us as we consider them today.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

Jesus asked God to forgive those who were driving nail into His hands and feet to put Him on the cross. Is there someone who has hurt you so badly that you just won’t forgive them? Instead of compassion for them, do you have bitter, even hatred towards them? Do you find yourself unable to even see them or think about them without negative feelings gripping your heart? Have your feelings about them affected your living? If so, I would challenge you to think about what Jesus did.

Jesus, though God in Spirit, was human in the flesh. He had been beaten to a pulp by the very ones who were nailing Him to the cross. His body was battered to the point where He was scarcely recognizable. A crown of thorns was on His head, jammed in tight causing His head to ooze blood. He was already in enormous pain and now the nails. If anyone had a just cause to hate, it was Jesus. But, He would not, He could not? Why? Because of His love for them. He was more concerned about their souls than He . was His pain.

Harboring unforgiveness can so embitter the soul that it can cause the body to suffer. Emotional pain is very real, but if we won’t let it go, it can ruin one’s ability to live life peacefully. It can keep us from enjoying the life we have. It robs us of fellowshp with God and others. It keeps us from hearing from God when we pray.

How can we possibly forgive someone who has treated us so badly? How can we forgive those who have hurt us, scarred us for life? On our own, we can’t. But, when we give our bitterness, hatred, and hurts over to the Lord, He can. In place of our negative feelings, He can give us hearts full of compassion for them. It doesn’t always come easily. We sometimes have to keep asking the Lord to give us forgiving hearts, but if we don’t give up and keep on asking, we will discover that our hearts do change. If we are willing to be changed, change will happen.

Freedom from bitterness and hatred begins and ends at Calvary. Fix your gaze upon Christ who died to set us free. May our Lord’s prayer be our prayer, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” If we won’t forgive others, the Lord won’t forgive us for our sins.

“Father, please take away our feelings of bitterness and hatred. Please give us in their place a genuine forgiving heart. We know it won’t be easy to let these things go, but, Lord, you made it possible for us to do when you died on the cross for our sins. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

THE KING IS COMING: THE PREDICTION

 

THE KING IS COMING: THE PREDICTION

Isaiah 9:6; Acts 1:11; etc.

All throughout the Scriptures, God made very clear that Jesus, the promised Messiah would come to set His children free. No one well-versed in the Scriptures could miss the message if their hearts were open to the Lord. After the resurrection two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus discussing the recent events of the past couple of days when Jesus suddenly appeared and walked with them. They did not recognize Him as the Lord and He began to show them through the Scriptures that He was indeed the promised Messiah who came to set people free. Luke 24:13-35

Although there was much confusion about Jesus’ coming as the Messiah, Jesus slowly made it clear to His disciples that He came to set us free from our sins, not political powers that rule over us.

The Scriptures also make it clear that Jesus is coming again. God makes it clear that Jesus is coming back to take the true church out of this world home to heaven. The New Testament writers believed in it so strongly that they were looking for Him to come during their lifetime. Although Jesus still has not come in fulfillment of their predictions, He is coming. As we read the Scriptures and observe what is happening in the world around us, I believe it’s going to be very soon.

God always keeps His word. He would not have told us that it was going to happen if it weren’t. Although we often wonder why it hasn’t happened it, I believe that it’s because there are still souls to be saved, and the Lord wants to give all the people He can opportunity to be saved. Peter reminds us that God is not willing that anyone would perish, but that all would come to a saving knowledge of Him.

God is doing everything He can to give us opportunity to be ready for Christ’s return. He makes it clear that only those who are righteous and holy before Him will be taken home to heaven. He admonishes us to be personally ready at all times and to tell as many others as we can to get ready. Whether we are alive on earth at the time of His coming or not we don’t know, but if we are living in Christ as long as we have breath, we will be ushered into heaven with the church when He comes.

What we must never forget is that death, or the Lord’s coming, is but a breath away for all of us. We have no guarantees about life on earth. We will be here only as long as God permits it. We dare not assume anything about our lives. Now is the day, now is the time, of our salvation.

Are you ready for the Lord’s return? Are you certain you are ready to die? All who aren’t will spend eternity in hell when they take their last breath on earth.