The Cross of Christ

Traveling home from Saint Louis I came upon a crossroads of Effingham, Illinois. There stood a large cross. This cross was placed by donors in hopes that it would remind people of the importance of the Cross of Christ. It is a representation of the hope we have through the suffering of Christ and His death. It also stands to represent the resurrection of Christ. Christ is no longer on the cross! It stands as a crossroad for all of us!

The crossroad of life is that place where a decision is made on every journey. It is the space where we either go on our journey deliberately choosing which way to go. 

These crossroads may be moral choices. They may be career related. They may be daily challenges that we can have to choose the correct attitude of life. 

Crossroads are where Christ meets us, daily. With Christ helping us through the work of the Holy Spirit, the Truth of His Word, and the patterns of life the last honors God as creator. We have opportunities that await us when we arrive at these crossroads.

The Cross is where, for many we have found grace and the blessings of a relationship with Christ. The cross is where many are yet to find this hope. The cross is how we understand the work that Christ wants to do in us and through us. 

If you reading this and wonder how to have a personal relationship with Christ, please message me. 

While in Saint Louis, I attended a Presbyterian Church. The pastor and leader of the conference I attended shared a profound message. His statement (shown here) reads: “Too many people look to their weaknesses rather than their strength… God gives us hope we can count on!” - William  (Bill) McConkey. We can grow as a disciple only if we depend on Him. Yet, God has given us gifts and through the Spirit we also discover the Fruit of the Spirit. These are the strengths we inherit for God’s purpose. 

At the conference I attended a devotional was shared that reminded me that God has a purpose but we have an assignment! I get my assignment by knowing Christ!

If you have already found the grace the cross represents, celebrate and keep going as a disciple of Christ. The Bible is the only authority we have as we proclaim our testimony and life-change. 

Colossians 3:10 simply tells us to “put on the new nature…” This is the goal of every crossroad of life. The nature of God, through what Christ did in the cross, is meant to change us from within. 

Every crossroad should bear the reminder of the Cross. This should put us in the right path of The Way of salvation and the furtherance of grace! 

The Sheep Hear My Voice.

This morning, my friend, John Wood, missionary and Bible translator for Wycliffe Associates, shared a wonderful illustration. He compared a relationship he has with his pet dog. 

It’s an impressive analogy that he drew upon. He was finishing up his veterinary appointment with his dog at a local veterinarian hospital in which somebody commented about his relationship being likened to a parent and a child. He quickly drew exception, and said, “No, more accurately, it is the relationship between God and His creation.” He reminded us that in Genesis the responsibility that we have to God’s creation is to have dominion and care over it. It’s a delegated responsibility.

Further, he went on to explain that dogs are pack animals and it’s important that the animals know who the alpha is in the relationship. Animals respond through obedience, but also they develop trust much like humans do with God. To clarify, John shared that we although we do not understand fully our relationship with God, because He is infinite, but in some small way in our finite to finite relationship with our pet we can gain some understanding. 

John’s devotional gave way for me to reflect upon the scripture of the Good Shepherd. A while back, I preached several sermons related to the relationship that is talked about in the story of the Good Shepherd.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

Our son, Jon is a Deputy and K-9  handler for a county Sheriff Department. In recent years, we’ve had many discussions about his relationship to his canine partner.

One of those conversations that we shared related to how his K-9 is specifically trained to respond to the commands of his handler. This relationship is such a tight bond. No other person can give orders to the dog. My son said to me something that is very profound. He said, “My dog knows my voice and only responds to commands at the hearing of my voice.” He further illustrated and he said that “everything that I have on my body, including my weapon and my taser can be used against me. If a suspect were to take my dog from me however, my k-9 cannot be taken from me and used against me.”

This relationship is similar with the good Shepherd. Jesus indicated that the sheep know His voice. Sheep like dogs are pack animals. 

Our relationship with our heavenly father is easily illustrated through both what my friend John Wood shared in his devotional, the experience that my son has with his trained K-9 and The sheep and the God Shepherd.

This is the lesson for us today. We should have a relationship with our God who is the Alpha and Omega. Our relationship should be such that we know the voice of the good Shepherd. It is further convicting in that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for His sheep. Of course, we know that Jesus will be the gate that will protect the sheep who are within the shelter of the fence. It’s important to note the role of the Shepherd as provider and protector.

One thing further that we can drop on in this analogy is that God is our protector from predators. The one defense that sheep have is that they can cluster together so that the wolves will see them as one large unit, but if you were to ever separate one from the group, they become vulnerable. 

Many times we feel that we do not need to be with others, but it is clear that we must remain in the fold, that is the fellowship of others, in order to find protection within the group

A Total Eclipse of the Heart

I know that this is a hit title of a song from the 80’s by Air Supply, Bonnie Tyler yet, I have chosen this title for this blog entry. In just a few day millions will witness a total eclipse. April 8 is one of the most anticipated dates in the 2024 calendar. 

In recent years, we have all seen highly promoted astronomical events. Along with these event has come with many prophetic interpretations. A fascination with the track of cosmos and biblical named cities will cross in the United States has raised doomsday warnings. 

This article is not about any of those prophecies.  It is about the prophecies that revealed the Christ thousands of years before the death of Christ. My article centers on Psalm 22 as well as a unique translation found in the New American translation of Luke 23:44-45. This is an account of the Crucifixion of Christ.  

One translation reads, "It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun."

The prophecy of Psalm 22 sheds a great deal more detail over 1,000 years before the Romans invented the cruelest form of execution, death on a cross. In just the first 22 versus of this passage of scripture we can learn of 17 prophecies being fulfilled. King David wrote this Psalm of the Suffering Savior while also writing of his on grief and suffering yet, this description goes beyond just David’s own experiences. It points to the death of Christ on the cross. 

In a recent sermon I shared at a community Pre-Easter Week I shared the details and the purpose of the Suffering Savior. Jesus suffered and God turned His back away from His Son (the Bible reads forsaken) so that we will not be rejected or forsaken but found in righteousness through His death on a cross. Our suffering is not in vain and our salvation is not for our vanity alone. God can redeem our suffering and give us a testimony of grace through forgiveness. Our suffering is not in vain. Neither is our salvation in vanity. It is not that we become better than others but that we are able to tell if God’s great love and others can experience this grace extended to all that believe. 

Although the sun was blocked but not darkened by an eclipse lasting more than 3 minutes, as darkness over the three hours that hung over the cross, yet we know that Jesus, we took on the sins of the world, experienced those hours of darkness while suffering the agony of the cross. He took on our sin so that he would be the perfect sacrifice that threw him alone we find redemption and forgiveness of our sins. Romans 6:8 reads that “…God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners He died for us.” (ESV) We also read with greatest clarity Romans 3:23, “…all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” (USCCB-Conference of Catholic Bishops)

There is hope for all who feel forsaken and need forgiven for the sin we are born in to and experience in our transgressions. 

Trust Be Like…

A bank is likened to trust. Though there are deposits and withdrawals that happened there, we have to believe that God is the holder of these resources. We hold loosely to that which is not ours because, as a believer in Jesus Christ, we believe that God owns everything. 

Today I have a new appreciation for time. Why? Well, we are given an extra 24 hours today, this being leap day. It is a sacred trust that has been given to all of us. Even though it is adjusting the calendar it is nevertheless an opportunity for us to never waste what has been given to us.

I hope that everyone can take advantage of this day, and not make too many withdrawals, but provide deposit into the lives of others more than ourselves.

We could always Google the history of this particular day and find interesting and fascinating nuggets of truth yet, I wanted to share how encouraging it is for me to be part of a team that is strengthening & trust in one another.

Not to sound like an old man, but I am trying to grow and develop even though I’m as old as the Super Bowl, but as young as the Ford Mustang. Each generation defines the strategy for building trust differently. My generation is rather old-school. We believe that trust is earned not given. But this generation today has flipped that idea on his head. While my generation peers skeptically into relationships, young people seem more open and vulnerable. Perhaps naïvely believing that trust is automatic, you have to respect the notion nonetheless. Life passes quickly so plant a tree of which you will not enjoy the shade of.

Trust is so essential for all of us. Communication is a tool that I think will further help us. I believe that trust is given, and not based on merit or earned.

Though tested at times we can believe that someone has our best interest in mind at whatever they are doing.

Stephen M. R. Covey, the son of the famous thinker wrote the book, The Speed of Trust. I read it often as I am reminded of the importance of trust. 

Take this quote as an example:

“In a high-trust relationship, you can say the wrong thing, and people will still get your meaning. In a low-trust relationship, you can be very measured, even precise, and they'll still misinterpret you. The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today.”

See what I mean? Even Stephen Covey, the father, made sure we understood that true leadership is based on the ability to inspire others to do what they don’t have to do. 

Trust is a key component of every relationship! 

So, God has trusted us to give us this additional day, so make the best use of it! In fact, the day, after mankind was created, God gave a day of rest. Perhaps it could be said that even before we do anything that proves ourselves, God blesses us with a day off.

So extend trust as you can, and especially knowing that God has given us this day. Make the most of it because this particular day will not show up again for another four years.

I love the devotional that my friend Pastor Gene Rohrer shared recently through email.

"Leap day a gift of 24 hours that only comes every four years. Picture a child standing anxiously at the edge of a swimming pool, trying to muster the courage to jump into his father's arms. That child is you.

What leap of faith will you take to show that you trust God? What is holding you back?" (Missy Buchanan)

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?" --Matthew 14:31

- Pastor Gene E. Rohrer

What are three things that you can do today that can provide for somebody else’s tomorrow?

What’s In A Name?

 This past week I had the opportunity to share The Word with a local church. They sent me the passages of scripture for me to speak from. It wasn’t long before I knew the theme and direction I was to share from. 

This blog entry comes as a summary result of those thoughts. 

Too often we try to make a name for ourselves The Bible makes it clear that this kind of lifestyle is vanity. The Bible offer an alternative to self-centered living to a life that both receives blessings and those which we can also give!

We are not to live for self but for the Glory of God. 

As I sit at a local café, I watch all the people that come and go. I can quickly observe that people need a blessing; that being a blessing that only God can give!

Last Sunday I read Mark 8:34-38. It records that those that live for themselves alone will lose their own lives. 

Mark 8:35

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Again we find this Truth in the life and Calling of Abraham. (Genesis 17) It was through this relationship with God that he is given a new name. From Abram to Abraham we find the theme that he did not feel like he was measuring up. He didn’t feel that he was enough! 

His birth name, Abram means exhaled father. Well, as he was approaching 90 he still didn’t have even a child. He was no living up to the earthly expectations. Yet God, (and I love that phrase, yet God) Abram was going to be challenged to trust God’s plan; receive God’s blessing. While God wanted to bless him, he added to expectations by saying that he would be called, Abraham. This means, father of the nations! Wow! 

In the midst of already feeling like he wasn’t enough, God challenged him to consider that with God, nothing is impossible. From nothing and no where we can experience God in a way that takes us from no where to some place and from nothing to everything! (As long as it is in God’s Will.) 

Recently, traveling to Florida with our Youth of Christ team I realized how essential it is to have your name match your ID. When I arrived to the airport, I quickly learned that the spelling of my name was wrong. Consequently, it meant that I could not board the plane unless they can figure out a way to correct the error. Who would’ve thought that having a T in your name rather than a D in your name would make a difference? CarTer :: CarDer. I ultimately did get to Florida and back and didn’t have to walk. Names are important! 

God wants to bless us! It is in His nature to bless! Abraham made a covenant with God! This agreement means obedience and a journey that provided for his Blessing!

We can also learn from this lesson that God wants to use us to bless others! Abraham made mistakes yet God brought him into a relationship that blessed others. Consider what he did for Ishmael or even his nephew Lot. These were opportunities that helped others! By His own hand (and as a result of God’s blessing) we can see how others received, while unworthy yet God made a way possible! 

We have opportunities each and every day to represent the name of Christ and everything we do. Whether at the grocery store or at a restaurant. Perhaps even among friends and family, we can make a difference. We can bless others in the Name of Christ! I love how we can impact the lives of others! 

Psalms 22:30-31 reads; Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.

His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything He has done.

I am listening to a new book. In the context of the global impact, I am reminded of a book I have recently been reading: “Where Am I Eating?” by my new friend, Kelsey Timmerman.

Where does your coffee come from? The book tells the stories of local farmers in Columbia, Brazil…. Within this book I am discovering the origins of community :: Where my food comes from. My consumerism must be informed by the original origins of families and communities in far away places.

We have the opportunity to bless others all over the world just by paying attention and knowing where our food comes from. 

When it comes to leaving a legacy, not just a blessing, we can consider the impact our lives can make and leave a legacy for others! Like Abraham, we can impact the lives of all who find us faithful. It is an incredible reminder that we need to plant tree of which we will not enjoy the shade of. In Gen. 21, we find that Abraham build an altar to God by planting a tree for generations to benefit! He planted a Tamarisk tree. A tree that takes 400 years to grow! 

Those who have been martyred for their faith — so that we can enjoy the freedom of faith yet, we may be asked to sacrifice for the sake of others! 

Though we may not be tested in the same way, yet, we have a message to deliver. 

The message is that of an amazing grace that we have received through Jesus Christ. As we close this blog let us consider God’s Amazing Grace.  Let us thank God for the incredible blessing that is ours that we can give away yet today, and commit to invest into future tomorrows of generations to come!

If interested in the message I shared at Church click this link to listen. 

 

Fear & Pride

What removes fear and pride from our lives? Discovering the Will of God certainly makes sense. Of course, since there would be human emotions we can become distracted from God’s perfect Will. Yet, finding God ‘s Will, though not easy to know, we can find deeper dependence upon Him. We may wander from God’s Will or even miss it all together. Like knowing joy, it is only truly found by abiding with God, in Christ. 

My prayer, “Lord, help me to not operate or proceed in doing anything with fear and pride.” As we surrender to God’s plan we come to learn what He wants and we want to abide with Him. It may be a daily journey but as the Holy Spirit gives lead, we find the Fruit of the Spirit being fulfilled in our spiritual walk. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Today, in my devotions, these two words (fear and pride) popped out at me as if to be glaring right at me. Too often, I can operate through issues that include my work and concern for my family by leading with pride and fear. It these moments I find myself repentant and asking God for His strength!

I live the sign I saw at a local church in Huntington that reads, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”  Wow! That is a great reminder! 

I hope you can relate. Spiritual maturity is an ongoing journey for most of us. Those that believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, fully equipped, and develop with him, the journey leads to the destination of holiness. 

As I submit to the plan of God, I believe that God will reveal more of Himself to us! What we do is for God’s Glory! 

So, take time right now to list all the ways that God is showing you His plan for your life. Also, list the ways that you would like God to work in your life. 

Also, list any changes that you know that God is wanting to change in you so that you can make an impact for God’s Glory.

Next, spend time in prayer. Ask God to show you more of Himself to you. Ask God to guide you in how He wants you to be. 

Finally, thank God for any way that He is using you as well as any way that has used you in the past. Give God Glory for anyway that He is using you! 

As for fear and pride, what do you need to submit to God? What scares you? What do you take pride in? Ask God to strengthen your spirit. Ask God to fill you with His presence. 

Listening to God!

Reading the Bible is a movement. Bill Hwang is one of the founders of the movement of public reading of scripture. Watch this! This is life! It is not just a program!! 

Across the world this movement is a spiritual meal that many are participating in! Check this out for yourself at PRSI.org (download the App and listen.)

YFC participates every Monday morning. They do this as part of their national movement! 

Bible-centric people are always an exciting group to be a part of. Letting the Word of God speak into the lives of each generation. A favorite verse of mine, and theme of my current activities comes from Psalm 78.

Psalms 78:4

We will not hide these truths from our children;

we will tell the next generation

about the glorious deeds of the LORD,

about his power and his mighty wonders.

As I get-to serve Youth for Christ, I get-to tell the story of those serving in the front lines, loving young people in Christ.   

CEO of the National Movement makes clear the mission we get-to be a part of. Jacob Bland is leading with a clear focus on seeing God at work in the lives of young people. 

At the recent National Leadership Conference he made it clear that the goal of ministry is to young people. Sharing the 3Story model is not just what we do but who we are. 

It is a worthy mission. It is clear to its purpose. It is certain in its pursuit of loving young people in Christ. It is direct to its core set of values. 

Jacob Bland shared his heart now summarized here:

“We stand on the shoulders of giants, now at a critical convergence point: A 77-year history of innovative youth ministry; combined with thousands of creative, diverse, and faithful volunteers who are building relationships with kids who need hope.

“The Gospel of Christ is as powerful and as effective as ever. Kids need to know that the God of the universe loves them, that He Cares for them, and that He wants to offer them eternal and abundant life through His son Jesus.