Would You?

As the days edge closer to Easter I have begun to think about those who crucified our savior. I think that many of us think if we were only there we would have stopped it, or I wouldn't have yelled "Crucify Him." Yet, to believe such is arrogance or ignorance. The apostle Peter denied Christ and he had been with Christ many places seeing and experiencing His glory. For example he was on the mountain top with Christ shining in glory with Moses and Elijah next to Him. If Peter who had seen the glory of Christ Himself and denied Christ in the time He was destined to suffer and die for Christ what then makes you think that you could have done different. 


In the business world there are those that reach their peak and cannot go any higher in a company, but there a few that do not reach a peak they are great at what they do in every aspect, but those who are near the top but have peaked out are threatened by those that succeed in all they do, and the higher ups will do whatever it takes to keep those at lower levels. 


How much more so when the perfect being of Christ came to Earth that the all the political powers were extremely threatened by Him. They wanted Him out of the way because He threatened there power and control. so they crucified Him. The sinful human cannot stand the presence of the holy, it is death to them. It is only in our salvation that we can love God, for we are now righteous by the blood of Christ, but to assume if you were there you wouldn't have cried "Crucify Him" with the rest is folly. 


We are a fallen people and Christ is the resurrected lamb worthy of all praise and honor and glory. How is it that we don't give Him our all, for He deserves much more than that? It was MY sin upon His shoulders.


How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Make Disciples

This weekend I was fortunate enough to hear from Don Stubbs, the executive director of Off The Wall Ministries which is a literal 24/7 discipleship ministry. I have actually had Don and part of his team in my house and got to spend time with them and learn their passion. What Off The Wall Ministries is, is  a house of all guys that Don and his partner Travis pour into. Don's Passion for sharing the word is contagious and rightfully so.

While listening to him speak on Discipleship I was convicted of something that I think American Christians are falling into. Not practicing what they preach. He explained that the great commission we think is meant for others, pastors, elders, missionaries, but when Christ said go make disciples he obviously didn't know you were going to have a job or a family. Umm reality check I think He did. We are so caught up in our own comfort in this country that we will give up our savior before we give up our job or our home. "What is so good about the world that it makes it better than Jesus," "Our fundamental problem is we think too highly of ourselves" Don Stubbs.

Our goals in following God are never to not do something, it is to love God, and we do that by obeying his commands. Why is it called the great commission when there are so few that actually follow it. Are you a Christian because of Christ, or the security he brings. We all need to examine ourselves and see how hypocritical we are myself included if not more than most. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, will you be content to live a life of comfort, because I'm not.

The Cup

Have you ever felt the weight of your sin as it brings you to your knees before a holy God. Imagine what it must have been like to have the weight of the WORLD'S sin upon his shoulders. The righteous lamb taking the full wrath of God. "This is how serious your sin is." CJ Mahaney

It Is Well

The old hymn "It is Well With my Soul" by Horatio Spafford is considered to be an "oldie but goody" yet many people don't know the story behind the song which whenever I think about it, it really helps me to see the priorities of life. 


The story begins with Spafford and his family going on a vacation to The first was the death of his only son in at the age of four, shortly followed by the great Chicago fire. Then, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business. 


Days later Spafford received a telegram from his wife that said "Saved alone." All four of Spafford's daughters had died as their ship was sunk and only his wife survived. 


As Spafford was journeying to meet back up with his wife he had the captain of the ship let him know when they were over the spot where the ship sunk and his daughters died. And at that moment he wrote this song

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,It is well, it is well, with my soul....

This story helps me to see where my priorities should be, and that is on God and not on the things of this world. John Piper said "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him, in the midst of loss." Thank God for men such as Horatio Spafford.

G.O.S.P.E.L.

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