April 2023 – Page 2 – Godinterest

April 6, 2023July 8, 2023

No Bones

One of our preachers travelled to Greece to retrace the footsteps of the apostle Paul. Near Philippi our guide pointed out a tumulus—a burial mound disguised to look like a hill. After years of effort, the archaeologist discovered the tumulus of Phillip II, ruler of Macedon in that region. As he held the golden chest containing the bones of that famous king, he said, “I can hardly believe it!”

I’ve got good news, you could spend ten lifetimes trying to find Jesus’ bones, but you would never succeed. Jesus was crucified and buried, but he did not stay in the grave. He arose! By his resurrection, he frees us from the guilt of sin and even from the power of death. Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.

Joe Moser while in a prison during World War II, recalled how a tank roared toward the main gate and tore through barbed wire on the day of his liberation. He writes, “There was a stunned moment … then a roar went up from the camp that rolled through the acres down the narrow muddy corridor.” Only those who have been set free can know that roar of relief, joy, and exhilaration.

Today and throughout this season let the roar of freedom fill your heart and home and all the corridors of your community. Let it wash over the sin and brokenness of life with healing and restoration. Why? Because Christ the Lord is risen!

Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, may the joy I received through your gift of freedom at Calvary be evident to all. Father, thank you for your selfless sacrifice just for me, in Jesus’ Name Amen.

April 5, 2023July 8, 2023

The Middle Man

The picture at Golgotha is quite striking. There were three crosses, with Jesus in the middle. Our salvation could have been accomplished if Jesus had died alone. But that’s not how God designed it.

Scripture says, Jesus died between two criminals. They died as punishment for their crimes. Like us all, they had sinned against God. These two criminals portray our condition. They picture what all of us deserve apart from faith in Jesus.

Today there is Jesus. He too died under God’s curse and judgment, but he was innocent. He had no sin or guilt. Several times Pilate had declared him innocent. The sign that hung above Jesus’ head listed no crimes. Even one of the criminals who died with him testified that Jesus had done nothing wrong, and Jesus forgave him. Jesus’ cross proclaims salvation. It shows us the one who carried our sins.

It’s important that Jesus’ cross was in the middle. The cross is at the center of God’s work of salvation. We can’t avoid the cross; it forces the question “What will you do with Jesus?”

There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:18

Let’s pray

Yahweh, thank you for giving your Son so that “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I receive it, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let’s Reflect

1) During this Holy Week where do you stand in relationship to Jesus, your Saviour?

2) Do you know that he has died for your sins? Have you accepted him as your Saviour and Lord?

April 4, 2023July 8, 2023

Saved By The Blood

Did you know that the firstborn sons of Israel were spared from death on Passover night? Not because they were better than the children of the Egyptians. The Israelites were no less sinful or depraved than the Egyptians. The Israelite firstborn was spared only because of the blood of the lamb.

Scripture says, when the angel passed through Egypt and saw the blood on the doorframes of Israelites’ houses, he passed over those houses and did not allow the destroyer (death) to enter there. It was not enough for the lamb to die. It was also necessary that the lamb’s blood be applied to the doorframe as a sign of God’s protection.

Today, like the lamb that died in the wilderness and its blood applied to the doorpost, it is not enough to know that Jesus the lamb died. It is necessary to receive and apply the blood by faith, then we will see the benefit of his death. Christ died for our sins and rose again for our justification. Now we must receive Him as our personal Saviour. He is our Passover Lamb!

“When the Lord goes through the land . . . he will see the blood . . . and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter. . . .” Exodus 12:23.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I thank you for the reminder that I am saved not because of who I am or what I have done, but because of your grace through the blood of Christ. Father, guide me to accept, receive, and trust Him as my one and only Saviour. God thank you for your saving grace! In Christ’s name, Amen.

April 4, 2023July 8, 2023

The Passion Week Devotionals

As we enter this passion week we are told that each day we should reflect on the closing moments that led up to the surrendering of our Lords life to the cross. The cross was the most humiliating and cruel way to die at that time. HE TOOK THE SHAME and LAID DOWN HIS LIFE for me, for you, for us.

Surrender requires giving up something in exchange for something else. Our Lord surrendered His life so that we might have an opportunity to taste the life of abundance in Him.

The abundance of peace, wisdom, health of body, mind and spirit, renewed hope, unwavering faith, a forward focused healthy appreciation and respect of life found in our Lord – his method, his plan, his way.

Take time to reflect, review, recount as many times as you need to this week and just remember we all have our “FRIDAYS” that feel hopeless yet do not forget, that “RESURRECTION SUNDAY” is on its way! GOD BLESS – Gail Masondo