The Cross Still Shines

For Christians, the Cross is a symbol of life. It is the symbol we wear around our necks as jewelry to adorn, on our ears to beautify and even hang on our walls to remind us. We sport the cross on our cars, on clothing, and ball caps. We look for this sign in the skies as clouds form shapes,

There is something so peaceful and calming about the cross, while at the same time a true reminder of the way Christians got their start. The cross shines light on the way Jesus loves the world and why we need to pick up our cross and follow Him.

Eight years ago this text became real to me. Following my baby brother's death, I was asked to read a Scripture passage at his memorial service. Now, if you knew my brother you would be familiar with his story - a true prodigal - who once was lost and then was found. Mark's story is testimony to the power of the cross.

I used my brother's Bible to read text which was marked on the pages that were found open. I could see Mark in the words of one of the thieves hanging next to Jesus. The criminal who rebuked his counterpart with the words, "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve."

I know that my brother was greeted by Jesus with, "today you will be with me in paradise." There is peace in these words, there is hope in these words, but mostly there is love.


Luke 23:32-43

Jesus Rebukes Little Faith

Matthew 8: 23-27

The sky slowly becomes an eerie gray color. A low humming sound in the distance methodically comes closer until you feel engulfed in the noise that nearly knocks you off your feet. You catch yourself, but can’t quite tell what’s going on. Unexpectedly the legs below you can no longer hold you upright and are swept out from under you. It is becoming difficult to breathe and nearly impossible to get your bearings. You then realize you are soaking wet, half floating and half being pushed.

You want help but don’t know how or who to ask. You feel you should be able to handle it on your own. You’re strong and intelligent. You grab the nearest object and hold on with an iron grip.

You reach for anything passing by that may be able to stop the turmoil, but nothing you can grasp is stable. You panic. You focus on the negative and how overwhelming it all is.

The storms of life can make us feel weak and helpless. They will grip us tightly as though we are suffocating in our own living room. As the gale force winds wage havoc in our minds we attempt to latch onto things we think will ease the pain. We hold fast to the tangible. We allow the evil one to invade and create unrest within us.

Even when inside the boat with Jesus, the disciples allowed themselves to weaken under the threat of a storm. They woke Jesus in fear for their lives and asked him to save them from drowning. Matthew 8:26 Jesus replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Jesus then calmed the storm.

How we choose to handle the situations we are in determines our level of inner peace. If we know God is with us and fix our eyes and heart on Him, though we will experience storms, we will not drown.

Lyrics from the song: Just Be Held by Casting Crowns:

 

“When your eyes are on the storm

You wonder if I love you still.

But when your eyes are on the cross

You know I always have and I always will.”

How will you take the bumps, bruises and scars of this life, focusing on the storm or fixing your eyes on the cross?

Watch/Listen to JustBe Held by Casting Crowns

Read/Listen to Matthew8:23-27

Indeed!

Matthew 28:2 (NIV)
 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 

The Miracle happened before the violent earthquake. Jesus came back to life, rose from the dead, before the earthquake. The quake merely opened the tomb so the followers could get in and look around not so Jesus could get out.  He had already risen and He stood outside the tomb!

Why is this important, what difference does it make? Perhaps not that much at first glance, but upon further consideration this is significant. The angel had nothing to do with Jesus' resurrection, the miracle took place before the angel's arrival.

The Heavenly Being was a messenger, an important part of the greatest and boldest announcement of all time.  "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6 (NIV)  

This angel was the first to share the Good News. We have an empty cross and an empty tomb! He is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!

Matthew 28:1-10

John 14: 1-7

The Way

The Holy Trinity is such a mystery. Though we may believe, it is not possible for us to understand how it can be that three are in one. We generally think from an earthly, 3-D perspective, and have no concept of the heavenly realm.

Jesus attempts to comfort his disciples, just as God’s Word through the bible is here to bring us peace. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1 Jesus goes on to tell them about preparing a place in his father's house and coming back for them so they will be where he is.

Thomas (the doubting one) inquired of Jesus when He told the disciples; “You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:4

Just as we would, Thomas was thinking of a pathway or road to get to the place Jesus referred to. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” John 14:5

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

As this story continues Philip also questions Jesus and asks to see the Father. Considering all the things the disciples saw and heard while in the company of Jesus, it’s hard to believe Jesus wasn’t a bit frustrated as he replied; “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9

Is belief in Jesus the only way to find salvation? Jesus’ answer is clear from this passage. Many may call Christians narrow-minded, yet as a true Christ follower there is only one passage way to the promise of eternal life. We lay down our doubt, and with faith we seek to understand something we likely will not be able to comprehend until we are no longer of this world.

By faith we believe that The Way of The Cross is the only way!

Prayers of Faith

James 5:13-16

I heard the term “Healing Ministry” and became rather nervous. How could I be part of a healing ministry? Only God heals. Jesus healed the sick when he walked the earth, but I surely cannot do that.

As I left my comfort zone with much doubt, I agreed to join the six week “Healing Ministry of Jesus Study Project.” With clammy palms and tightness in my shoulders I slowly entered the group room. There were some familiar faces, but I chose to sit alone and immerse myself in my discomfort.

Prior to this study project I thought I was praying faithfully, and when I told others I would pray for them, I did, but not in this way. As time went on, it began to make sense. We first studied each of the 26 healings Jesus performed in the Gospels. We analyzed specifically what the bible says without interpretation or personal opinion. Then we dug deeper into each encounter discovering their unique meaning.

In each instance of Jesus making people well Genuine Faith is what allowed the healing, and though physical healing often occurred, it was the spiritual wellness that made their lives different for eternity. Often that Faith came through someone other than the one with the ailment, perhaps a parent or friend.

It seems to me, no matter what we are praying for, it is a form of healing; physical, emotional, relational or spiritual. We may not always know what words to pray, but our God understands what is in our hearts. When we pray let us remember;

God the Father, The Son, and Holy Spirit are One

Focus on God first

Faith and power heal (God’s power not ours)

Relationship with God is key to healing

We can pray by faith on behalf of others

Pray without doubt

Pray for God’s love and peace to be clearly felt

Pray for the awareness of the presence of God’s Holy Spirit

God meets us in the pain; we need not run from it

Go to the foot of the cross

Father, we praise you and worship all that you are. Your love and mercy wrap around us like a blanket of protection. You are always here for us. Please Lord, help us to feel the gentle presence and security of your spirit, and heal our hearts from the pain with your great power. We kneel before the cross as children in waiting for our blessing of peace to touch our hearts and remain with us always. Amen 

James 5:13-16 

1 John 5: 1-12

The Cross

The Lord knows our heart, whether those in the world have that same understanding does not matter. It is He we will answer to.

1 John 5:11-12 states “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. “

Is it possible for people to know for sure they have eternal life? John’s answer is unquestionably, “yes.” He states this truth positively and then negatively. If we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead to basically save us from ourselves, we are assured this promise of eternity. Those who do not believe this is so, do not have an infinite life with God to look forward to. That is pretty straight forward.

Deep within our heart we know what we believe, but there is no one else who does except God. It is a type of intimate secret that only two are privileged to know.  We in the world may judge the intentions of others by our view of their actions, yet cannot know their true heart.

My husband came home one day with a half smile on his face telling me of a bumper sticker he had seen that day. It read; “Jesus may love you, but I think you’re a ____ . I had to laugh because it is so true, and in all honesty many people think my husband is that _____ because they do not know his heart or his true intentions. I thank God that He does.

If eternal life were something we earned by our good deeds, none of us could ever be sure that we’ve done enough. John 3:16 is frequently use to help people understand God’s intentions and guide them to earthly peace and freedom in Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Our creator made each of us who and what we are in His image. We were placed in our own unique environment and given experiences to shape and mold us. Through no fault or credit of our own, we are who we are.  God knew this world would challenge and beat us up, therefore he has offered us a happy ending. No matter what we’ve done or been through, the cross is what we need.

        "No mater the bumps, no matter the bruises, no mater the scars still the truth is.                                                           The cross has made, the cross has made you flawless."

These lyrics by Mercy Me in the song “Flawless” remind us of the significance of the cross and God’s Amazing Grace.

Watch band member Bart Millard's Story behind the song; Flawless

Read/Listen to 1 John 5:1-12

1 John 3:11-24

Confidence Before God

The world is fallen and broken, walking in darkness, and ever hostile to God’s will and God’s way. It was that way in the beginning, it will be that way in the end. It was that way for Jesus, it will be that way for us. Knowing this, how do we carry on?

                                                    1 John 3:11 “We should love one another.” 

                                                     

1 John 16: This is how we know what love is; Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

John tells us not to love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth in 1 John 18.

         A true heart for God feels and behaves differently than a heart of the world.

We can tell who is who by the way they live. “By their fruits you shall know them” said Jesus (Matt. 7:20)

But what about the times when we do not walk in His ways? When we sin does it mean we are no longer a child of God? Will God turn away? Absolutely not!

Whenever you doubt God’s love for you, look to the Cross. Whenever you feel sin dragging you down, look to the Cross. Whenever you’ve convinced yourself that you’re not worth it, look to the Cross.

1 John 3:24 concludes with:                                           

Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

We all lose our way from time to time, yet knowing the Spirit is within us is all we need. The Holy Spirit was sent to give us hope and strength to fight for what is right and true and love unconditionally as Jesus did, giving us all the confidence we need before God.

Read/Listen to 1 John3:11-24

You Rebel

Mark 8:34 (NIV)
  Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

What does it mean, he must deny himself?  Deny myself of what? My worldly comforts, my financial security, my loving friends and family?  What must I deny myself of? I believe the clue is in the next few words, and take up his cross and follow me. 

In our self-centered society it is not popular to deny ourselves of anything within reach. If we cannot afford to buy it outright, there is always the credit card option. There is no need to wait or decide not to pursue the desired object, just put it on credit...pay for it later.

Perhaps I am to deny my pursuit of self-satisfaction and go after what truly matters. Just maybe I am to deny me while accepting you [Jesus] and my neighbor whom you love and I'd rather just ignore him. 

Is stepping outside my comfort zone, my perfect world, the way I am to take up my cross and follow? It seems that my obsession with my comfort zone is just another way of showing I am lazy, fearful, and disobedient. The words tell the tale of one who would rather maintain the status quo and live a safe life.

Did Jesus do this?  Did Jesus tell us to be careful and not upset things?  No, Jesus was a rebel and He expects us to be rebels too.  We are to rebel against living a safe life and step out in faith. There is excitement and adventure ahead for those of us who are willing to take up that cross. The cross we carry will bear witness to the salvation Jesus gives. 

Mark 8:34-38