Is Your Appreciation Of The Cross Seasonal?
By Tanya James
This week's topic: The Cross
There was a time when I was naïve enough to believe that every time I saw someone with a cross on their neck, that they were a Christian. For me, it was a symbol that reminded me of the incredible sacrifice that God made for each and everyone of us when He gave His only begotten son to die on the cross so that we may be saved.
However it took some time for me to learn that for some, wearing a cross was just another accessory to their outfit. It had no meaning and it didn’t symbolize anything of importance to them. It was simply another object in their jewelry boxes that they occasionally pulled out.
If truth be told, many of us are the same way … the cross is something we just “occasionally” think about. For some, the ONLY time we think about it is March or April when Easter Sunday rolls around.
This year like every other year, the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection will be told. Many churches will display crosses at their entrances as a reminder of the season. But what happens when the “holiday” has passed? Why does the cross seem to lose its value? Why is it in most cases, we only hear about that amazing sacrifice God made once a year? Has it simply become a yearly sermon topic?
It’s my belief that God sacrificing His only begotten son is so amazing and loving that we should constantly be giving Him praise for it. Who else do you know willing to bestow such a gift of life? I know as a mother, I often hold my daughter in my arms and think to myself, “I could never have done it.” I find it hard, even impossible to consider sacrificing my child even for someone that has always been kind, and gentle and loving towards me. Yet God did it for a people that were sinful, prideful, even conniving … a people that often don’t even appreciate His sacrifice.
I encourage you to change that occasional mindset concerning the cross… instead regularly mediate on the magnitude of what it really represents. Make it your motivation to be a better person, a better Christian. Share God’s self-less act with others that may not know how awesome the God you serve really is.
Let’s go a step further, the next time God asks you to sacrifice something … your time, your money, your talents … don’t even think about complaining or saying no. Remember that no sacrifice He asks of you could come close to comparing to the ultimate sacrifice that He already made for you and for me.
And no you don’t have to run out and buy a cross to wear around your neck … if the cross is in your heart, it will show through your words and actions making you a better representation of the Christ we love and serve.
Founder and president of The Master Plan, Tanya James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality. For more information about Tanya, log onto http://www.armedanddangerous.biz or http://www.themasterplan.biz.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Constrained
2010
Wednesday
31
March
Daily Devotional
Constrained
By Robin May
This week's topic: The Cross
Recently I found myself humming an old, but familiar song. I’m sure you’ll remember it: “I am persuaded; Lord to love you; I have been changed to bless Your Name; I am constrained, by this great gospel, Forever to worship Thee…”.
As I eventually began to sing the song out loud (I refuse to accept that singing is not one of my gifts), I couldn’t help but think about the words. “I am constrained by this great gospel.” That line surely isn’t popular in this new decade.
Think about it. Words like…
Sacrifice
Self Control
Submission to a higher authority
Saying ‘no’ when everything and everyone else says yes
…in the culture that we live in, these virtues are not only unpopular, they are almost obsolete. As a matter of fact, someone living their life by a moral compass is often criticized and laughed at by people in their social circle.
Let me give you an example. Have you heard of the popular pop singing group the “Jonas Brothers?” Although I am not completely familiar with their music, I remember hearing that these young men had committed themselves to staying abstinent until marriage. Whether or not they are sticking to their commitment is irrelevant. What is interesting to me is the fact that these young men were the ongoing fodder for many comedians for quite a while. As a matter of fact, a popular comedian went so far as to suggest that these young men were impotent because “why else would someone wait until marriage to have sex?”
In other words, why on earth would someone exercise self restraint by choice?
Can I be transparent with you? One of my biggest concerns is that in my effort to stay culturally sensitive, I might risk becoming spiritually distant and watered down. Am I alone?
I feel a special connection to people that probably won’t walk into the church doors. And many of those persons, to be frank, can’t understand most church folk.
To be honest, I am what someone would consider ‘church folk’ and at times I can’t understand us.
Sometimes we can be so spiritually minded that we are no earthly good. Do you know what I’m talking about? Some of us can’t hold a conversation about anything unless it has ‘thus’ and ‘thou’ included. But at the same time, as I obey my life calling, to reach those persons disconnected to the church, I can’t compromise the Way of the Lord. I have to remember that principles of self denial are crucial to our walk with Christ, regardless of what messages we are being bombarded with daily.
I have several mentors in the Word of God, and the Apostle Paul is near the top of the list. He addresses this very issue (for me at least) in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. This is what I hear when I read it “Robin, just because the culture tells you that it’s okay for you to do it, doesn’t mean you have to do it. Girl you were purchased with a price and the price wasn’t cheap. Act like it!”.
Are you like me? Is your heart turned towards those that for whatever reason aren’t turned towards the church?
If so, stand with me as I recommit to being…
…culturally sensitive, yet spiritually transformed.
…Relevant and spiritually sound.
…real while spiritually submitted.
Because what would it matter if we gained the world, but lost our souls? (Matthew 15:26)
Robin May is the creator of Virtue Speaks (http://www.virtuespeaks.com), a site focused on spiritual and relational empowerment. Robin is the author of the brand new book, Before You Take His Name. Robin treasures her roles as wife to husband, Lee May, and mother to their daughters Ryann and Reagan.
Wednesday
31
March
Daily Devotional
Constrained
By Robin May
This week's topic: The Cross
Recently I found myself humming an old, but familiar song. I’m sure you’ll remember it: “I am persuaded; Lord to love you; I have been changed to bless Your Name; I am constrained, by this great gospel, Forever to worship Thee…”.
As I eventually began to sing the song out loud (I refuse to accept that singing is not one of my gifts), I couldn’t help but think about the words. “I am constrained by this great gospel.” That line surely isn’t popular in this new decade.
Think about it. Words like…
Sacrifice
Self Control
Submission to a higher authority
Saying ‘no’ when everything and everyone else says yes
…in the culture that we live in, these virtues are not only unpopular, they are almost obsolete. As a matter of fact, someone living their life by a moral compass is often criticized and laughed at by people in their social circle.
Let me give you an example. Have you heard of the popular pop singing group the “Jonas Brothers?” Although I am not completely familiar with their music, I remember hearing that these young men had committed themselves to staying abstinent until marriage. Whether or not they are sticking to their commitment is irrelevant. What is interesting to me is the fact that these young men were the ongoing fodder for many comedians for quite a while. As a matter of fact, a popular comedian went so far as to suggest that these young men were impotent because “why else would someone wait until marriage to have sex?”
In other words, why on earth would someone exercise self restraint by choice?
Can I be transparent with you? One of my biggest concerns is that in my effort to stay culturally sensitive, I might risk becoming spiritually distant and watered down. Am I alone?
I feel a special connection to people that probably won’t walk into the church doors. And many of those persons, to be frank, can’t understand most church folk.
To be honest, I am what someone would consider ‘church folk’ and at times I can’t understand us.
Sometimes we can be so spiritually minded that we are no earthly good. Do you know what I’m talking about? Some of us can’t hold a conversation about anything unless it has ‘thus’ and ‘thou’ included. But at the same time, as I obey my life calling, to reach those persons disconnected to the church, I can’t compromise the Way of the Lord. I have to remember that principles of self denial are crucial to our walk with Christ, regardless of what messages we are being bombarded with daily.
I have several mentors in the Word of God, and the Apostle Paul is near the top of the list. He addresses this very issue (for me at least) in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. This is what I hear when I read it “Robin, just because the culture tells you that it’s okay for you to do it, doesn’t mean you have to do it. Girl you were purchased with a price and the price wasn’t cheap. Act like it!”.
Are you like me? Is your heart turned towards those that for whatever reason aren’t turned towards the church?
If so, stand with me as I recommit to being…
…culturally sensitive, yet spiritually transformed.
…Relevant and spiritually sound.
…real while spiritually submitted.
Because what would it matter if we gained the world, but lost our souls? (Matthew 15:26)
Robin May is the creator of Virtue Speaks (http://www.virtuespeaks.com), a site focused on spiritual and relational empowerment. Robin is the author of the brand new book, Before You Take His Name. Robin treasures her roles as wife to husband, Lee May, and mother to their daughters Ryann and Reagan.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Cross At Any Cost
March 29, 2010
The Cross At Any Cost
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
All of us have had our moments on a cross - the crucifying experiences in our lives that we do not ever wish to repeat in life. A horrifying moment when our enemies prevailed, the ground beneath us shook, and the sun refused to shine. The fact that we lived to tell the story is a story in itself. It is a story we wouldn’t volunteer to repeat.
It makes it all the more amazing that Jesus volunteered for the cross experience. It was not an accident, but a part of God’s plan of salvation. Cicero called the cross, a cruel and horrifying means of death. Kausner, a Jewish scholar, called it a most terrible death, which man has ever devised for taking vengeance on humankind. Tacitus said it was simply despicable.
The cross was the fundamental point of the ministry of Jesus Christ. He was born with a cross in his future. He came to be our Savior on a cross. He came to give his life‘s blood on a cross to settle a debt that we owed for sins that we committed.
The cross was the destiny of Jesus. It was the reason for his coming, the culmination of his earthly ministry. It was also the capstone of his mission where he would reconcile Creator with the created. It was for him, the cross at any cost.
Jesus took the worst that life had to offer and dealt with it on the cross. He didn’t condone it, nor did he compromise his standard. He didn’t ignore our rebellion, nor did he dismiss his demands. He, who knew no sin, became sin for our sakes.
Jesus became the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He bore them boldly on the cross so that we could be redeemed. His blood covered our sins and God’s wrath was turned away.
Jesus took on death on the cross. The Bible declares that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Jesus would rather go to hell for us than to go to heaven without us having traveling options. He put heaven, eternal life, within our reach with his death and resurrection.
What a joy that Jesus was willing to go through hell, take what hell had to offer by defeating sin, death and hell just for us! God is so touched by what God sees in us that instead of turning away, God would pay any price to save his children.
It is like the old story often told about a mother in a war torn country. The insurgents were coming close to the house that served as a sanctuary for her children and herself. She knew that all of them could not be saved so she told her children at her signal they were to run out the back door. Don’t look back, she admonished them.
When the soldiers neared her house, she gave the signal. As her children ran out the back door, she ran out the front door to distract the soldiers. The mother died a horrible death at the hands of the enemy, but her children were able to run to safety. The mother sacrificed her life so that those whom she loved would live. She gave up her life so her children could be saved.
That’s what Jesus does for us on the cross. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died on a cross for us. He took the worst our enemies offered, turning something bad into something good.
“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.” AMEC Hymnal
As presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. Her messages can be heard online daily at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com. For more information about Bishop Vashti McKenzie, log onto www.13thame.com
The Cross At Any Cost
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
All of us have had our moments on a cross - the crucifying experiences in our lives that we do not ever wish to repeat in life. A horrifying moment when our enemies prevailed, the ground beneath us shook, and the sun refused to shine. The fact that we lived to tell the story is a story in itself. It is a story we wouldn’t volunteer to repeat.
It makes it all the more amazing that Jesus volunteered for the cross experience. It was not an accident, but a part of God’s plan of salvation. Cicero called the cross, a cruel and horrifying means of death. Kausner, a Jewish scholar, called it a most terrible death, which man has ever devised for taking vengeance on humankind. Tacitus said it was simply despicable.
The cross was the fundamental point of the ministry of Jesus Christ. He was born with a cross in his future. He came to be our Savior on a cross. He came to give his life‘s blood on a cross to settle a debt that we owed for sins that we committed.
The cross was the destiny of Jesus. It was the reason for his coming, the culmination of his earthly ministry. It was also the capstone of his mission where he would reconcile Creator with the created. It was for him, the cross at any cost.
Jesus took the worst that life had to offer and dealt with it on the cross. He didn’t condone it, nor did he compromise his standard. He didn’t ignore our rebellion, nor did he dismiss his demands. He, who knew no sin, became sin for our sakes.
Jesus became the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He bore them boldly on the cross so that we could be redeemed. His blood covered our sins and God’s wrath was turned away.
Jesus took on death on the cross. The Bible declares that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Jesus would rather go to hell for us than to go to heaven without us having traveling options. He put heaven, eternal life, within our reach with his death and resurrection.
What a joy that Jesus was willing to go through hell, take what hell had to offer by defeating sin, death and hell just for us! God is so touched by what God sees in us that instead of turning away, God would pay any price to save his children.
It is like the old story often told about a mother in a war torn country. The insurgents were coming close to the house that served as a sanctuary for her children and herself. She knew that all of them could not be saved so she told her children at her signal they were to run out the back door. Don’t look back, she admonished them.
When the soldiers neared her house, she gave the signal. As her children ran out the back door, she ran out the front door to distract the soldiers. The mother died a horrible death at the hands of the enemy, but her children were able to run to safety. The mother sacrificed her life so that those whom she loved would live. She gave up her life so her children could be saved.
That’s what Jesus does for us on the cross. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died on a cross for us. He took the worst our enemies offered, turning something bad into something good.
“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.” AMEC Hymnal
As presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. Her messages can be heard online daily at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com. For more information about Bishop Vashti McKenzie, log onto www.13thame.com
He Did That For Me
Monday, March 28, 2010 Print Article
Leave a Comment
He Did That For Me
Alan Riley
Theologians have a fancy phrase for it... they call it "Substitutionary Atonement." What it means in plain English is that Jesus died on the cross paying the penalty for sin. From the beginning of the church, there has been a clear understanding of what Christ's death on the cross meant. It was not simply the unjust murder of an influential if somewhat unorthodox Jewish teacher on a Passover weekend. It was the only begotten Son of God willingly giving up His life to pay the price for sin. Your sin. My sin.
But for any truth to be a life-changing one, we must come to the place where it moves from being simple fact to being a truth that we embrace with our entire being. It is one thing to know that Jesus died for you, but another thing altogether for the full weight of that truth to become painfully clear to you. Someone once said this process involves making the 18-inch journey from your head to your heart.
I remember when I was 17 years old and a brand new Christian, so excited about my new-found faith. It was the Easter season, so the old movie "King of Kings" was on TV. When the movie showed the crucifixion, I was deeply moved as I saw Him beaten and mocked. As Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," tears began to roll down my face. How could they have done this to Jesus? Why would they want to crucify Him? Why didn't He call down angels to destroy them all and save Him?
It was then for the first time in my walk with the Lord I clearly sensed the Holy Spirit speak to my heart, as clearly as if I had heard it audibly. Just five simple words that pieced my heart like a knife: "I did this for you."
For the first time the full weight of that truth hit me like a ton of bricks. It was my sin that put Him there. He suffered and He died in my place. He did that for me.
Many years later I was reminded of that experience again, as I saw someone else experience the same thing. We went with a group from church to see the film "The Passion of the Christ." I wept along with most everyone in the theatre as I watched a much more true to life depiction of Jesus' suffering and death. As we were leaving the theatre, I noticed a member of our church - a 92 year-old retired physician who walked with two canes - make his way to a seat in the lobby and begin sobbing loudly. Several of us walked over to him. No one said anything for a few moments. The doctor struggled to regain enough composure to speak. When he finally did, he cried out through his tears, "That was for me!"
How long has it been since the reality of God's grace and forgiveness reduced you to tears? When was the last time you wept over your sin and what it cost the Lord Jesus? For most of us it has been way too long.
I encourage you to get caught up - again, as if for the first time - in the awe and wonder of the fact that the only begotten Son of God would give His life for you.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life... my all.
Rev. Alan Riley is the Director of Web Operations for Streaming Faith and serves as the Managing Editor of StreamingFaith.com. He is an ordained Baptist Minister and a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional. His personal blog can be found at www.alansblog.com.
© Streaming Faith all rights reserved.
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He Did That For Me
Alan Riley
Theologians have a fancy phrase for it... they call it "Substitutionary Atonement." What it means in plain English is that Jesus died on the cross paying the penalty for sin. From the beginning of the church, there has been a clear understanding of what Christ's death on the cross meant. It was not simply the unjust murder of an influential if somewhat unorthodox Jewish teacher on a Passover weekend. It was the only begotten Son of God willingly giving up His life to pay the price for sin. Your sin. My sin.
But for any truth to be a life-changing one, we must come to the place where it moves from being simple fact to being a truth that we embrace with our entire being. It is one thing to know that Jesus died for you, but another thing altogether for the full weight of that truth to become painfully clear to you. Someone once said this process involves making the 18-inch journey from your head to your heart.
I remember when I was 17 years old and a brand new Christian, so excited about my new-found faith. It was the Easter season, so the old movie "King of Kings" was on TV. When the movie showed the crucifixion, I was deeply moved as I saw Him beaten and mocked. As Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," tears began to roll down my face. How could they have done this to Jesus? Why would they want to crucify Him? Why didn't He call down angels to destroy them all and save Him?
It was then for the first time in my walk with the Lord I clearly sensed the Holy Spirit speak to my heart, as clearly as if I had heard it audibly. Just five simple words that pieced my heart like a knife: "I did this for you."
For the first time the full weight of that truth hit me like a ton of bricks. It was my sin that put Him there. He suffered and He died in my place. He did that for me.
Many years later I was reminded of that experience again, as I saw someone else experience the same thing. We went with a group from church to see the film "The Passion of the Christ." I wept along with most everyone in the theatre as I watched a much more true to life depiction of Jesus' suffering and death. As we were leaving the theatre, I noticed a member of our church - a 92 year-old retired physician who walked with two canes - make his way to a seat in the lobby and begin sobbing loudly. Several of us walked over to him. No one said anything for a few moments. The doctor struggled to regain enough composure to speak. When he finally did, he cried out through his tears, "That was for me!"
How long has it been since the reality of God's grace and forgiveness reduced you to tears? When was the last time you wept over your sin and what it cost the Lord Jesus? For most of us it has been way too long.
I encourage you to get caught up - again, as if for the first time - in the awe and wonder of the fact that the only begotten Son of God would give His life for you.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life... my all.
Rev. Alan Riley is the Director of Web Operations for Streaming Faith and serves as the Managing Editor of StreamingFaith.com. He is an ordained Baptist Minister and a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional. His personal blog can be found at www.alansblog.com.
© Streaming Faith all rights reserved.
Share this devotional on: Facebook MySpace del.icio.us Digg
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