Open it!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

When you receive a gift do you just let it sit there for days before you open it?  I mean really, it kills us to see presents under our tree and know we still have two more weeks or days before we can open them.  Well what do we do with the gift God has given us? Do we leave Him just sitting there for days, months, years or do we rush to open Him up?

God gave us the gift of Christ and inside Christ is love and joy. So why do we let Him sit, why do we push Him to the side?  Why do we wait for special occasions, death, tragedy, or sickness to open Him up?

God freely gave us this gift with complete expectations for us to receive it and open it immediately. Once we open up Christ in our hearts we then need to let Him out for the world to see. We need to embrace and cling to the gift of love and joy and not hold back from Him or others because we are afraid of being hurt, rejected, or disappointed. Those three things are inevitable they will happen, but with the gift of Christ’s love we can claim victory over them.

Just as we anticipate the worldly gifts we are given, as we frantically open them to see what is inside, full of excitement and wonder. We should be even more anxious and excited to open up Jesus every day and see what is inside of Him.

Maybe you have something coming up that you are looking forward to, or maybe you are going through a drought and feel like you have nothing exciting to look forward to. Can I encourage you to look forward to opening up Jesus’ love for you? Each day you wake up, be excited to open up Jesus and His Word and see what He has in store for you! There is one thing I know for sure about My Jesus, He never disappoints. He always goes above and beyond what we can imagine, He gives us daily gifts, and He is worth opening up!

God thank You for giving us the best gift-Jesus, Your Son! Jesus it is a wonderful pleasure to open You up every day and see what is inside awaiting me.  I look forward with complete anticipation and excitement of my future in You. Amen

Lavish!

“But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 5:10

Have you noticed our study on love has been of Christ’s love for us? It is essential that we take all of Him and His love and place it inside of us. The truth is, before we can begin to study how to love others, we have to study how we are loved and by whom we are loved. Jesus!

I must emphasis that it is a daily process and there will be times when we feel down in the dumps or we notice our love life is suffering (our love life with Christ) but we can overcome our blues by clinging to the cross, storing God’s word in our hearts, and letting Him lavish us with His love.

Do you know what it means to have Christ lavish us with His love? It means to have it in abundance, given generously and extravagantly. Jesus says I pour my love, I bestow my love, I smother you with my love, I cover you with my love, I load you up with my love, and I shower you with my love.

 There is not a stronger dose of love ever prescribed and it does not get any more fulfilling, satisfying, or rewarding than to be lavished with the love of Christ.

Jesus would You lavish each and every one of us with Your love today. What an amazing gift You have given us. Jesus we desire nothing more than to be completely smothered in Your love. Amen

Let Him O-U-T!

“For love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God-for God is love. 1 John 4:7

Over the last two weeks we have been learning of the greatest display of love! Christ’s death. It has been so wonderful spending time with the Lord and hearing Him retell the story of His love for you and me. It has been probably the most emotional couple of weeks for me, but so reassuring and wonderful as well.  God is love and He gives us the gift of His love daily. He holds His love from no one!

And here comes the tough part! We are the ones that hold our love from God and others. We keep our love in a container within our hearts and only allow it to come out when we feel loved. But now that we know love is not a feeling, but a choice and action, we can let it out! We also have seen and learned from the best, exactly how to do that, and that is by placing Christ and His love within us. Praise God He did not keep His love in a container!

“For love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God-for God is love.” 1 John 4:7 yes it is really that simple and good!

God is love and love comes from God. It does not come from us or anything else. We can try to love on our own and as we do, we will find it to be exhausting, draining, and honestly miserable. But my friends when we step aside and let God within us love-priceless!

Now understanding God’s love and being filled with God’s love are two completely different things. You see, Satan understands God’s love, but He is not filled with God’s love and his actions show that. Do your actions, thoughts and words show you have God within you? Just as our passage says, anyone who does not love does not know God. In other words with God in us it is impossible for us to not love. Isn’t that just amazing?

Put God inside of you and let His love fill you up and overflow out of you. Let it out, let Him out and share His love with the world.

Jesus as I was once told our weak mortal bodies cannot contain you, so today Jesus we are letting You and Your love out that is within us. We praise You Lord that You make all of Your characteristics available for us to reflect once we place You inside of our hearts. Forgive us for trying to contain You and for being stingy and selfish with Your love. Amen

Pardoned

“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.”1 Timothy 2:5-6

There is no better lawyer to plead our case then Jesus Himself, which makes receiving Him and accepting His love all that more important.

Dialogue

The Client: I have heard that you were the best lawyer in the world and I was hoping that you would defend me before the Judge. You see I am guilty of many sins and I am ready to come clean and be held accountable for the decisions I have made.

The Lawyer: You have come to the right place and I just so happen to be the very one who can defend you.

The Client: You can, really?

The Lawyer: Yes and I have a very good feeling that the judge will find you not guilty!

The Client: But how is that possible I have committed these sins?

The Lawyer: Yes I know you have, but, let’s just say I know the judge on a personal level! However, before we begin, I need to make sure you have complete faith in Me and that you know I am more than just your lawyer.

The Client: Okay! Who are you?

The Lawyer: I am the Son of God and it is My Father who just happens to be the judge. I was sent to earth to take upon Myself these very sins you bring before Me. In doing that, I was placed upon the cross and crucified. I am the perfect Lamb of God who was slain. It is my very blood that brings atonement and forgiveness. Are you aware of the Prosecutor?

The Client: No!

Jesus (The Lawyer): He is very persistent, conniving, sly, and good at twisting and turning My words around. He is going to try and do those very things today. He will even try and question you, but I just want you to stay silent I will handle him. I have already paid for you in full. Do you believe that I can and will save you from the death sentence of your sins?

The Client: Yes!

Jesus: You just stay seated I will speak on your behalf!

The Judge (God): Would the Councilmen please step forward? Counsel for the defendant what is your plea? 

Jesus: Not guilty Your honor!

The Judge: Prosecutor what do you have to say?

Satan (The Prosecutor): He is guilty and I can prove it!

Jesus: Your honor if I may?

The Judge (God): Go ahead!

Jesus: (Jesus places His nail scarred hands up for the Judge to see.) Your honor as You can see I stand before You today pleading the case for my client. He has come to me, Your honor and admitted the wrong he has done and as I stand before You today, I have proof that I have taken those sins upon myself. I have paid for them in full! It is my hands I hold out to You today, and it is the blood I have shed that is the perfect sacrifice.

Jesus: Your honor today I have entered into heaven itself to appear now before You as his/her advocate. (Hebrews 9:24) I love them Your honor. I love them so much, I now live forever to plead to You on their behalf.

The Judge looks over at you and says two life changing words, "NOT GUILTY!"

Jesus did more than just die, He rose again and sits in honor at the right hand of God and pleads for us daily. He is our Mediator, our Advocate, and He fills the gap between us and God. Draw a cross and place your name on the left side of it and place God’s name on the right side of it. Now put Jesus’ name in the middle. He is the bridge; it is through Him that brings reconciliation with God.

Jesus it is through You that we have life and receive love on a daily basis. It is You that pleads before Your Father on our behalf. Thank You for filling the gap! Amen

Let Me love you!

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8

He gets everything about you, your joy, your hurt, your anger, your sadness, He gets it all. No one on earth gets you the way He does. No one on earth knows your thoughts, but He does. No one can see past all the layers but Him. Those moments you feel like you have been so misunderstood-He gets! The needs you long for the most-He knows and supplies.

“Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus knows exactly how you want to be loved and because of that He went above and beyond the call of duty for you. All He asks for in return is that you accept, believe and cling tightly to Him who is love. 

You think you are the only one in the world facing the problems you are facing, you’re not, Jesus faced them too and overcame them. Not only that but it makes His love even more valuable. At some point in our lives we are going to have to stop focusing on the things of this world, we are going to have to stop whining about all of our problems and start trusting and claiming God’s love for us.

Life is hard, Jesus never said it would be easy, was it easy for Him? NO! But accepting and receiving His love is so easy! It is a gift given to each and every one of us. Jesus says in the passage above. I faced every temptation you have faced; I know every one of your weaknesses. I also know that I died for you and have more love to give you than your body is even able to contain. So come to me and let me pour my mercy upon you and let me show you my grace (agape love) that will help you when you need it.

I know what your childhood was like; I know how much that affair destroyed you and your marriage. I know that it left a hole in your heart and a wall taller than Mount Everest. I know the abuse you endured, wounded you. I know your divorce left you feeling alone and wanting to be loved. I know how the death of your loved one ripped your heart out. I know the illness you have and the battle you are fighting has taken all your strength. I know the addictions you have are stronger than you can fight. Please believe me I KNOW! I also know that I have the only love that can heal, restore, and bring a type of peace that will suffice until I bring you home.

Let me love you, choose my love! Here I am, look up at me. Reach out and take my hand I want to place you under my wings of love and protection. “He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalm 91:4

Jesus thank you for helping me. I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings. I follow close behind you; your strong right hand holds me securely. (Psalm 63:7-8) Not even a sparrow worth only half a penny can fall to the ground without You knowing it. And the very hairs on my head are all numbered. Lord your love for me is greater and more valuable than a whole flock of sparrows. Thank You. Amen

I have a secret

“No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:11

(Whisper) Pssst, come here I have a secret to tell you! Did you know “God has actually given us his Spirit (not the worlds spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” 1 Corinthians 2:12

Jesus did not just ascend to Heaven and leave us here with nothing, He left us His Spirit. Do you know how wonderful that gift is? Do you know that Christ wants us to be so much like Him that He has given us every tool to do so? He gave us His Spirit, His Word, and are you ready for this, He gave us His deep secrets. “But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit and His Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets.”  I know, isn’t it awesome?

When we think about our deep secrets it makes us squirm and get queasy. But when Jesus thinks of His deep secrets He can’t wait to share them. Do you know why, because they are full of life, love, adventure, and heaven? They are juicy, full of detail, and mouth dropping news. But in order to be in the know, you have to be a part of the family.

 When you become part of the family you receive insight to Jesus’ life. You gain understanding to the words He speaks and if you listen you will even hear Him speaking to you. We even get to have the Mind of Christ! Its okay if you can’t contain yourself, I can’t either so go ahead and let out a woohoo!  Or you can be like me and start hoopin’ and a hollerin’ and scare your kids to death, leaving them thinking you are absolutely crazy. Then to hear your five year old say, “What mommy, what is it? And your two year old letting out a loud cry because he doesn’t know what in the world just happened”

I look at it as an opportunity to share the news with someone. I mean if you were to yell at your desk right now or wherever you are, people would look at you and some would ask if you were okay and then you could say, “Oh my goodness I just heard the best secret, do you want to hear it? Did you know that Jesus gave us His Spirit so that we could understand and know His deep secrets and know about Heaven?”

Jesus is exciting, personal, and intimate. Don’t be like those who don’t have the Spirit. “But people who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand these things, but others can’t understand us at all.” 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 don’t miss out, stop and let the Lord reveal the truth of your heart today.  

Jesus today I am throwing my hands around, hoopin’ and a hollerin’ over You. And I have not a care in the world who thinks I am crazy. I am in love with You!  Thank You for allowing me to know Your deep secrets through the Holy Spirit who lives within me.  Amen

Regardless

“He made their hearts and understands everything they do.” Psalm 33:15

God’s love for us was expressed through His creation, our existence, and through His Son Jesus Christ. Christ’s love for us was shown through His death, burial and resurrection, and not that we deserve or should even need any more proof; He gave it to us anyway by giving us the gift of mercy, grace, and by loving us despite what He knows about us.

Before we start I find it very important that you understand Jesus loves us no matter what, but He does not approve of our deliberate sinning. We will pay for the choices of our actions. Therefore, we must keep in mind that yes we are loved undoubtedly by the Lord, but that does not give us an excuse to sin, because sin is unacceptable to the Lord. 

A letter from Paul,

 When I followed the Jewish religion, I deliberately sought out Christians to violently persecute. I uttered every threat possible. I was eager to destroy the Lord’s followers. I was a Jewish law follower to the core and when that law was broke I was the first to make sure people were punished for it, especially those who followed Jesus.  I went to great lengths to follow the old traditions of my religion.

“But then something happened! For it pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!” Galatians 1:15

 He created our hearts and He understands everything we do. He knew my heart and He knew that I was blind to love. He also knew that I would surrender and follow hard after Him. And it would be Christ who would instill that within me. I just did my part and it began with understanding who Christ truly was, which opened my eyes to love, when I saw Christ I saw love.

I was rotten through and through but Christ saw something more. He sees something more in each of you. God, when He looks at you He sees Jesus, but only if you have asked Jesus to live within you. There is nothing more beautiful than Christ’s love and there is nothing greater than when our hearts experience and see His love first hand. I know that He has shown each of you His love in a special way and I hope that you have absorbed it and not pushed it aside. May the God of love and peace be with you.

A Servant of Christ,

Paul

Jesus You created our hearts and You love us regardless of what You see. Like Paul says ‘What undeserved mercy.’ Thank You for such tremendous love. Amen

It's here, there and everywhere.

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?”Romans 8:35

Today we are going to remove any thought and feeling of not being good enough, or feelings of abandonment. We are going to stop using our past failures as an excuse to not let our hearts be filled with Christ’s love. We are going to rise above our sickness’, home lives, our addictions, and our circumstances and allow the love of God to lift us up, consume us, and deliver us into victory.

 Today and from here on out we are going to listen to the words of the Lord, and be reassured that we ARE good enough! We without a doubt are loved and worthy of the gifts of salvation, mercy, grace, hope, love, and a future with Christ.

So Satan get behind us because we are filled with unending love by the Son of God whose blood covers us and has claimed victory over death.

“Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

No matter what hardship we face, no matter what persecution or sickness we face, Christ’s love is not going anywhere. I know right now you are reading over this quickly so you can move on to the next thing, but please stop,  let the Holy Spirit place these words in your heart and bring you complete clarity and comfort that no matter what we face here on earth, Christ’s love has and will always be here. “There are three things that will endure-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

9-11 Christ’s love was there!

Haiti- Christ’s love was and is there!

Cancer-Christ’s love will give you strength!

Loss of a loved one-Christ’s love will comfort!

Marriage on the brinks-Christ’s love will rebuild!

Stressful job-Christ’s love will re-duce the stress!

Suffering and Pain-Christ’s love will heal!

Loneliness- Christ’s love fulfills!

 It is hard, all these things, they are so hard, and so many times we struggle as we try to wrap our minds around them, but if we stopped looking at the situation and looked at Christ’s love that is right in the middle of it, no matter what the outcome, victory will be won when we live in Christ and His love.

Jesus help us to be able to comprehend that all things are temporary, but Lord You are NOT! Your love is not temporary. Your love will outlast the cancer; Your love will outlast the broken hearts, the persecution, hurt, and the tragedies. Your love, Jesus, is so powerful, so big, that even the powers of hell can’t keep it away. Your love cannot be contained. Praise You! Amen

All My Love Sealed in Blood!

“But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him.” Psalm 103:17

What an amazing week it has been learning how loved we are. The greatest part about the stories Christ shared with us, is that today He is alive and well and sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. He is active and involved in the lives of 7 billion people of whom He absolutely loves and adores. He sits right next to us pouring out His love and mercy. He does it individually, with complete intimacy, and has all the time in the world for us. I pray and hope your heart has been filled with His love. And I hope you have a new perspective on what it is like to be truly loved. In case you don’t, I have a few more love letters for you.

Dear __________ ,

   Please never forget the good things I have done for you. I forgive all your sins. I heal all your diseases, and I ransomed you from death. I surround you with love and tender mercies and fill your life with good things. Your youth is renewed like the eagles! I give you righteousness and justice when treated unfairly. I revealed My character to Moses and My deeds to the people of Israel. I am merciful and gracious; slow to anger and full of unfailing love. I will not constantly accuse you nor will I remain angry forever. I have not punished you for all your sins, nor have I dealt with you as you deserve. My unfailing love toward those who fear Me is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. I have removed your rebellious acts as far away as the east is from the west. I am a Father to all my children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Me. I understand how weak you are and I know you are only dust. Your days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, you bloom and die. The wind blows, and you are gone as though you have never been here. But My love remains forever with those who fear Me. My salvation extends to the children’s children of whom are faithful to My covenant, and who obey My commandments! I have made the heavens my throne; from there I rule over everything. (Psalm 103)  

    

All my love sealed in blood,

Jesus

No one on the face of the earth is capable of loving you that way. Nor are you able to love that way without Jesus in you. Jesus displayed real genuine love, and is our true “Soul” mate! He is the very one who acts and chooses to love no matter what “He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve.” Psalm 103:10 “Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone-as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever.” His love remains forever!!!!

Jesus thank You for loving us forever! Thank You that You gave us the gift of mercy and grace and that You don’t deal with us as we truly deserve. That is a gift Lord I pray we never take for granted. Father as we carry on about our day, I ask for Your love to fall afresh on the broken hearted, the lost, and those who question if Your love is even real. Teach us and show us what real love is and help us to be loving people. Amen

It is Finished!

“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands! And with those words he breathed his last.” Luke 23:46

Place Number 8-Skull Hill (Golgotha) Jesus’ death

“By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Luke 23:44 “Then, at that time Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’Mark 15:34 “Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, “I am thirsty. A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. John 19:28-29 “When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

Around nine Jesus was placed on the cross and breathed His last breath around three o’clock. That is 6 hours-6 hours that Jesus hung on the cross bearing the sin of the world and separation from His Father. 

Before all of that He was arrested, bound up, punched, spit on, mocked, laughed at, and flogged.

The moment when Jesus cried out,  "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Why have You left me? Why have You abandoned me? (My paraphrase)  Yet I know God's response, “Because You, my Son, have the sin of the world placed upon You and I cannot look at sin.” (Again my paraphrase)

For us it is the suffering Jesus faced that is unbelievable, for Jesus it was the separation from God that was unbearable. But my brethren Jesus Christ loved you and me so much that He suffered the unbearable separation and suffering so we could have everlasting life. Love-true love at that, is the ultimate expression of God’s loyalty, purity, and mercy extended toward His people through the death of His Son.

The very next day was the Sabbath (the Passover Sabbath at that) the Jewish leaders did not want Jesus and the other two still hanging there so they asked Pilate if they could hurry up their deaths by ordering for their legs to be broke. Thus allowing their bodies to be taken down. Pilate agreed, so the soldiers broke the legs of the two men, but when they go to Jesus, “They saw that he was dead already, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out.”  John19:34. This is where the most amazing love is; right here in the flowing of His blood. Let it flow over you my brothers and sisters and receive the gift of forgiveness. Jesus the perfect sacrifice, the perfect Lamb of God has just showered you with His love.

Jesus as I lift my eyes up to heaven, throw my head back, and stretch my arms out wide. I ask that You open the flood gates of heaven and let Your blood, mercy, and love pour down all over me. Jesus right now only You can feel and see all that my heart is feeling. The love, the thankfulness, the awe, the excitement, oh just every emotion of joy. Jesus what you have placed in my heart I can’t contain it.  Amen

Which one do you want, the Nail or the Hammer?

“This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Matthew 27:37

Place Number 7-Skull Hill (Golgotha)- The Crucifixion

“It was nine o’clock in the morning when the crucifixion took place.” Mark 15:25. They stripped Jesus down and placed Him on the cross. Then they stretched out His weak and beaten arms opened His hand placed a nail in it and began to hammer, and hammer, making sure to get the nail all the way through the cross. First the right then the left (my paraphrase) and with every strike of the hammer you could hear and feel the severity of His pain. They then moved from His hands to His feet. Placing one foot on top of the other, they positioned the nail, ensuring it would go through both of His feet. Then strike after strike they hammered the nail through both of His feet and out the other side of the cross. Once finished they nailed a sign right above His, that read the charge placed against Him. “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Matthew 27:37

Then a group of Soldiers picked up the cross with Jesus nailed to it and placed it in the ground. The heaviness of His body plus the weight of our sin magnified the pain in His body.  

There, our Savior hung, while down below the soldiers gambled for His clothes, the leaders laughed and scoffed saying, “He saved others…let him save himself if he is really God’s Chosen One, the Messiah.” Luke 23:35

Do you get it? Jesus could have saved Himself, but because of His love for us, He carried through, clear to His death. And to top it off, as Jesus hung there He spoke these words, “…Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing.”

He did not say, “Father save me.” He said, “Father I love these people, I love the very ones who hung me here. I love them so much I have taken their sin and placed it upon me. Please Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.”

LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-LOVE! The most selfless, pure, beautiful love ever displayed by choice and action!

Jesus You chose and acted on Your love for us. It was never based off of Your feelings and for that we are so grateful. Our words will never be able to express it. Jesus help us grasp the meaning of what You said as You hung upon that cross. In the midst of all Your suffering and pain You were so full of love You cried out for all to be forgiven. Lord let this never escape my mind let it penetrate to the deepest part of me. Amen

It was not the heaviness of the Cross; it was the heaviness of the sin

 “So they took Jesus and led him away. Carrying the cross by himself, Jesus went to the place called Skull Hill (in Hebrew, Golgotha) John 19:16-17

Place Number 6-The streets of Jerusalem to Skull Hill (Golgotha)

Criminals had to carry their own cross down through the streets of Jerusalem to Skull Hill. The crowds would make a path for the criminal to walk, and as a warning to the people they would have them walk the longest route to Golgotha.

On this particular day the person bearing the cross was Jesus. Beaten, bloody, and weak they practically threw the cross upon Him and kicked Him to get going. He was so weak that half way to Golgotha Jesus collapsed and was not able to carry His cross. “A man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the country just then, and they forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.” Mark 15:21

I have no idea the weight of the cross, but, I do know the weight of my cross is heavy. So I can only imagine the weight of Jesus’ cross plus the weight of the world’s sin He alone carried would have crushed us. Not only that, but, He walked through the streets of Jerusalem hearing people yell, laugh, and mock Him.

This thought is so much for me, and as I think about Simon from Cyrene being called out “You, carry His cross” I wonder what was going through his mind, how fast was his heart racing? What was that moment like when he walked over and looked at Jesus all bloody and disfigured straight in the eyes? When he bent down to pick up Jesus and His cross what feelings flooded his heart?

The emotion that is stirring within me as I place myself in Simon’s shoes leaves me paralyzed. To look at the face of Jesus in rare form and know that He is doing it all for me-how could I be anymore loved? Right now, standing in Simon’s shoes I am on my knees weeping not even able to look at Jesus anymore, because of the sickness and shame of knowing that it is my sin He is carrying.  I am loved, you are loved!

They are now approaching Skull Hill (Golgotha) and Simon knows very well what happens next and so does Jesus.  I can’t help but to think at this point Jesus is thinking, “It is almost done, it is almost done. This suffering is almost over!” Simon drops the cross, looks at Jesus one last time and their eyes meet sending chills down Simon’s spine as he walks away.

Jesus how crazy am I to think for one minute I am not loved. What You did for me …there are just no words.  Jesus thank You for the mercy You gave through God’s love. There has never been a more beautiful or greater love displayed. Nor will there ever be! Thank You Jesus. Amen

Crown of Love

“They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, ‘Hail! King of the Jews!” Matthew 27:28-29

Place Number 5-The headquarters of the Roman Soldiers

I have read this passage over and over and each time I come across the crown of thorns it stops me. In Revelation it says Jesus wore many crowns because He is more than any name could describe. And in the case of His death He wore the crown of our sin. This crown that the Roman soldiers placed upon Him was more than the mocking they used it for. The pain of the thorns represents the pain of our sin and the crown represents the unending love of Jesus.

It is and was more than a crown of pain it was a crown of selfless love wore by the King of Kings. Jesus is standing in front of us taking all that we deserve upon Himself and I can’t help but to see and hear Him saying with such deep agony “I love you, do you see that I love you. I am taking on your sin and the sin of the world so that you can be with me forever. I am the only pure and perfect sacrifice. I bought you with my blood. I placed the crown of thorns upon my head to show you that I am the King of Kings who wore your sin. Today I wear many crowns! Lift your eyes up to me, look at me_______ (put your name), stop looking everywhere else. Look at Me the one who really, truly loves you and will love you forever no matter what.”

“And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and beat him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again.” Matthew 27:30-31

It does anger me when I read this and not just at the ugliness of these people who crucified my Savior but because I too so many times have grabbed that stick and beat Him on the head. And no matter how many times I have done it, do it, or will do it, Jesus says I still love you, I will not tolerate it but I love you, I bought you. He looks at me and sees me just as He looked at all those who persecuted Him-with complete, unconditional, never ending love that is saturated with His blood.

Jesus today I ask that we will truly grasp Your love. Help us to see through Your eyes the love You have for us. Jesus these are not just words in a book they are a description of You, Your love. Jesus open up the very core of every heart and pour Your love within them. Jesus I ask with a deep burden that every person will see how loved they are. Jesus my heartaches for those who overlook all that You have done, my heart breaks for those who have no clue who You are. Whatever has to be done Jesus I am ready and willing send me wherever to share Your love, Your name! Amen

Serious Issues!

“Very early in the morning, the leading priests and other leaders met again to discuss how to persuade the Roman government to sentence Jesus to death. Then they bound him and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.” Matthew 27:1-2

Brothers and sisters there is so much description of love through the death and resurrection of Christ. The Word is God-breathed and used for the specific purpose to show us how loved we are. I hope that your hearts are being softened and that you are experiencing true love.

Place Number 4- The headquarters of the Roman governor-Pilate

Jesus is now standing trial before Pilate and at this point Jesus has been beat up, His face is bloody and His hands and feet are bound up. There in the midst of complete hate and jealousy Jesus is having accusations made about Him that are not even true. The more Pilate refuses to do what the leaders say the angrier they become and the more they charge Jesus for doing.

Every year during Passover Pilate releases a prisoner of their choice. It just so happens that the prisoner is a notorious criminal named Barabbas. Pilate comes out and says, “Which one do you want me to release to you-Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah? …the crowd shouted back their reply: Barabbas! But if I release Barabbas, Pilate asked them, what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah? And they all shouted, Crucify him! Why? Pilate demanded. What crime has he committed? But the crowd only roared the louder, Crucify him... I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is yours! And all the people yelled back, EW will take responsibility for his death-we and our children! So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him.”

Place yourself somewhere in the crowd, a place where you can see all that is going on and where you have a clear view of Jesus. Then listen to the crowd yelling “Crucify Him” and Pilate saying the words, “have Him flogged with a lead-tipped whip, and then turn Him over to the Romans soldiers to crucify Him.”

Now I want you to walk over to Jesus and take His hand and follow Him as He is led away to be flogged. (In Deuteronomy 25:3 “No more than forty lashes may ever be given; more than forty lashes would publicly humiliate your neighbor.”) I want you to stand there as Jesus is being flogged 40 times with a three pronged whip that has lead in the prongs. And if you can stand there and not feel loved we have serious issues. We should be so overwhelmed with emotion every time we think of Christ’s display of love that it brings us to our knees. I know it is rough, but guys it was real and Jesus felt every whip, every punch, and every person’s spit that hit His face. He did it for us! He did it out of love! Oh, we are loved, we are loved, we are so, so loved!

Jesus I cannot even begin to imagine what You felt and not only from the physical pain but from the verbal pain of hearing the ones You created yelling for You to be crucified. Jesus as I place myself next to You I can’t help but to hit my knees in adoration and thankfulness. Only You right now can see and feel all that my heart is saying. Amen

Stop Reading and Take It In!

“Jesus replied, ‘Yes it is as you say. And in the future you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God’s right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64

I hope over the last two days you have been learning and experiencing more of God’s love for you. We have a few more places to go so let the Holy Spirit take control as He opens our hearts and our eyes and reveals just how loved we are.

Place Number 3-House of Caiaphas

After the arrest of Jesus, He was led away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and other leaders had gathered. “Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would testify against Jesus, so they could put him to death.  But their efforts were in vain. Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other.” Mark 14:55-56

Does it anger you that these men gathered together and tried to make up false accusations about Jesus? Do you know what stands out to me the most? One, they could not come up with anything so they twisted His words around. Two, Jesus stood there and said nothing. He stood and listened to these men laugh at Him and mock Him, and to top it off after they finished their evil scheming they did this. “Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and hit his face with their fists. ‘Who hit you that time, you prophet?’ they jeered. And even the guards were hitting him as they led him away.” Mark 14:65

Are you absorbing all of this or are you just reading over it? Jesus our lover, our biggest fan, our Creator has not only cried His guts out in the garden, but He was then betrayed by one of His disciples, arrested, and brought before a group of selfish, worldly men who falsely accused Him, mocked Him, spit in His face and punched Him. And the whole time Jesus stood quietly full of love!

You are loved! We are loved! We are so loved we have no stinkin’ idea how much we are loved! Jesus loves us so much He gave us His word and said read this and let me share with you just how much I suffered for you!

Jesus today I stand in silence of Your love for me. It is more than I can even begin to comprehend, but what I do comprehend is bigger than what my heart can hold.  Amen

Sealed with a Kiss

“Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went over to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.” Luke 22:3-4

Place Number 2-a grove of olive trees (Jesus is betrayed and arrested)

Jesus had just finished praying and went to His disciples and said, “…Look, the time has come, I, the Son of Man, am betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. See, my betrayer is here! (Matthew 26:45-46) After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had gone there many times with his disciples.” John 18:1-2

 Accompanied by a battalion of Roman soldiers and Temple guards (armed with swords and clubs) Judas led them to Jesus. He said you will know which one to arrest when I go over and give Him the kiss of greeting. “So Judas came straight to Jesus. ‘Greetings, Teacher!’ he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.” “Jesus said, ‘My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.’ Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.” Matthew 26:50

The very ones God created were the very ones that betrayed and arrested Him. And it would be them and us that He would go on and finish doing what He was called to do. Die for us! When we get offended or hurt we become angry and act out according to how we feel. Jesus does the very opposite, He chose love and acted on it. If He would have acted the way we do, He would have killed everyone who upset Him. There is no deeper love for people than the love of Christ!

Just as He goes on to say, “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” Matthew 26:53-54

Who on earth could ever receive the kiss of betrayal and then look into the face of all those who came to arrest them and still go forth with love. Jesus! Are you starting to see the amazing love Christ has for you? He didn’t fight back, He didn’t yell and say ugly things, He didn’t say you ignorant people I am doing this for you and this is how you are going to treat me? He went and willingly at that, knowing that it was only going to get worse, that, my brother and sister is agape love to its fullest.

Jesus for me this is one of the true examples of love You have shown. You knew all that was going to happen down to the minute and You knew exactly how You would be betrayed and why. Yet You went on because of Your love for us. You know today who will betray You, who will refuse You, who will mock You and yet You love them anyway! Jesus may I see all people through Your eyes. Thank You Jesus for the gift of life that we are unworthy of, but that is given freely because of Your love. Amen

We are Crazy!

“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death. And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God.” Hebrews 5:7

How much do I love thee let me count the ways!

Number 2-Christ- “You are my Son of whom I love and there is no one who compares with You. You are the only one who can rescue these people from death. Because of that I am sending You into the world. You will be the visible image of Me.”

Over the next couple of days I am going to take you to several places. So I want you to imagine yourselves standing at each place. Open your heart and your mind, I don’t want you to miss this display of love that was shown for you and me.

Place number 1-The Olive Grove called Gethsemane

“He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me. He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by,’ Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” Mark 14:32-36 Listen to how Luke describes this same moment. ”Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” Luke 22:42-44

The very hour was approaching and Jesus went and cried out expressing His true feelings to the Lord. Jesus did not in any way want to be separated from God; He did not want to face the unbelievable agony and pain He was about to. He was in so much agony His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. We should be in that same state for those who are lost and even for ourselves if we have not accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, or if we are living in sin. (Sin separates us from God)

Jesus was so selfless that in the midst of His deepest agony He wanted the Lord’s will to be done, even if that meant suffering and separation! I cannot even express in words right now how much impact Jesus’ prayer has on me. Just hearing Him crying out with so much grief and desperation and knowing that He was doing it all for you and me. How crazy am I to think for one minute I am not loved!

Jesus this very place in Gethsemane where You cried out showing Your truest feelings leaves me speechless. As I picture myself in this place I am left completely humbled and clueless at what this moment must have been like for You. Jesus it is a place where You showed us just how real and supernatural You are. In Your deepest agony Your love for me came out loud and clear. Jesus fill me with that same suffering for those who do not know You. Amen

The Very Fact We Exist!

“Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.” Genesis 1:26

My friend’s do you know that you are loved, I mean really truly loved? If you are saying yes to this question do you believe it? I am not talking about loved by another human, humans have nothing on love. I am talking about being loved by the Creator!

If we want to reflect Christ’s love we must first know that we are loved. Lift your eyes to heaven and let the very God who created you shower you with His love. Do you know the poem, How do I love thee let me count the ways? Let’s look at the first two ways Jesus loves us.

Number 1-Our existence- The very fact that you and I are here today is because of God’s love. Our existence is of such importance to the Lord. He loves you and I so much that before we were even conceived He knew us by name. Not only that but He created us in His own image, to be like Him. He even says, “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.” He was pleased with exactly how He made us. God makes nothing ugly, worthless, or of no value. He is not capable of that! There is just something about hearing that, that makes my heart overwhelmed with emotion. It is a deep emotion that leaves me humbled, hopeful, and so extremely thankful.

Our existence is important to Jesus! We were created for Jesus. We were knitted together by His own two hands in the darkness of our mother’s womb. We were held and are still held in the palm of His hands. Would you just let these words penetrate deep into your heart, place your name in the blanks. _________ I loved you before the world even existed. You were made in My own image, you were patterned after Me, the God of love, perfection, and beauty.  For nine months I held you and made every part of you. __________ you are unique and made with purpose.  I make all things beautiful and you My child are beautiful. There is nothing that will separate My love from you. _______I breathed life into you and every breath you take is given by Me. I love you, Me, the Father of heaven and earth is madly in love with you!

Would you stop what you are doing for just a second and praise God for how much you are loved.  Praise Him for showing you how much you are loved? No matter who you are or what you have done you are loved and that in itself is enough to rejoice about!

Prayer: We are loved, we are loved, God we praise You for daily showing us Your love. Amen