Tag: Calvary

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Don’t Worry About It!

Do you worry? Some of us worry about paying the monthly rent or mortgage. Some of us worry about the choices our children are making. Others are anxious about the big decisions we must make about our future. With all the concerns in life, can Jesus be serious when he tells us not to worry?

While we will never know a life without concern, Jesus assures us we can know without worry. He points out that worry—any manner of ‘pace-the-floor’, ‘can’t-sleep-at-night’ fretting—is not helpful, because it changes nothing. Worry doesn’t add a single hour to life; it doesn’t solve a single problem. Worry isn’t helpful because life is more than our worries make it out to be! Followers of Jesus are called to live for so much more than the fleeting things we worry about.

Jesus reminds us that worry isn’t necessary for a child of God. Your heavenly Father knows precisely what you need and when you need it. Your heavenly Father is good. The same God who paints the flowers of the field and tends the birds of the air, holds every part of your life in his nail-pierced hands. The same God who loved you so much that he went through the hell of Calvary for you, loves you too much to leave your life to chance. Don’t worry! God is in control!

“Do not worry about your life …” (Matthew 6:25).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, you hold the vastness of the universe and the intricacies of the smallest molecules in your hands. Please help me to trust in your perfect care for me, so that I may be free to build my life in you. In Christ’s name, Amen.

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Today We Have Relief From The Enemy

Our God has consistently defeated the enemy from Eden to Calvary and will continue to defeat the enemy till the second coming. One of those times was in the biblical story of Esther. The Jews had escaped Haman’s plot of destruction. Haman (the enemy) had fallen into the pit he had dug for others, and many of his followers were destroyed on the day decreed for the Jewish annihilation. That day was celebrated as the day of relief from the enemy. not just a one-time celebration, Purim was to continue through generations. Feasting, joy, gifts to one another and gifts to the poor marked this day every year, up to this very day among Jews. 

As Christians, we too observe a time each year when we remember the day the devil plotted Christ’s destruction and failed, and with great joy we celebrate the day of Christ’s victory over God’s enemy. As instructed by Christ we are to gather as often as possible at the Lord’s table to remember His gifts of body and blood, offered so all who believe in Him may live. Week by week and year by year, we, Christians are reminded to be joyful because death nor the enemy no longer has any power over us. 

Today, the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday, and Easter are celebrations of what God has done for us and continues to do through Christ our messiah. What a mighty God we serve! And because of calvary, the enemy has lost eternally. Today as Christians let’s begin to enjoy our eternal rest from the enemy, as we await the final return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

These days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews — nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants. — Esther 9:28 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I praise you, my God, for giving me relief and rest from the enemy. Hallelujah! Father, help me to be faithful and honour you by sharing this good news every­where I go. In Christ name Amen. 

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God Wants To Set You Free

What Would Jesus Do? Do You Really Want to Know?

It’s been a hard school year with the pandemic around. Finally, the school year has ended and the kids and teachers alike shouted “I’m free.” Freedom is something we all crave. Many people have been told that God wants to set them free, but yet they still walk around feeling defeated and carrying unnecessary burdens. But you don’t have to live that way when you embrace the freedom that Jesus paid for you at calvary. You are set free from the bondage of sin, fear, lack, sickness, worry and cares. Hallelujah!

Today, school may be over but in six weeks the cycle starts again. God wants to set you eternally free! Take a minute and think about it. How would you feel if you never had to worry about money, sickness, or fear about anything? God has a plan for you to be “free indeed” in every area of your life. He wants to direct your steps on the path of life, and give you His pleasures forevermore. Accept God’s peaceful, emotional and spiritual freedom, and follow His path, and live the burden free life He has for you!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your plan to set me free eternally, emotionally and spiritually. Father, I release every burden, fear and care to You today, because I know You care for me. God, please help me to understand Your goodness, and empower me to walk completely in Your freedom, no matter what’s happening around me, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Don’t Let Go Of Hope

Ray of Hope

A week ago today, satan thought he had won. Christ was in the grave, the disciple’s were hiding, and many followers of Christ had quit. It’s the same today, during our trials and hopeless situations he wants us to give up and quit so he can have the victory in our lives. But, just like Christ we can overcome him through the almighty power of God!  

Today, remember we still have resurrection miracle working power, which always confuses the enemy. Christ’s power today is the same yesterday, today and forever. No matter what weapon the enemy may throw at you, it cannot penetrate the blood defence that Christ has put around you! Guard your hope, your joy and your victory in Christ, because they are God-given blessings that He wants you to enjoy each day. Hallelujah! 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for hope, resurrection power and the blood defence of Calvary. Father, please do not allow the enemy to overcome me. Help me to guard my joy, my hope and my victories in Christ, which are gifts from You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

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Just Do It For God

KEEPING GOD in OUR DAILY LIVES

At this time of year we think about the sacrifice Christ made on Calvary, even when He seemed like He was under massive pressure. He could have said I don’t feel like it today, I’m tired from a long night. You can probably think of many times in which you simply did not give your best effort, or didn’t really try very hard, or you felt too tired to give your best. Every person, because of our human imperfections, sometimes chooses to be lazy and not try.  

The example given by Christ, and the one mentioned in Colossians 3, is completely the opposite. Christians are to be the best at whatever they do, because they are to do everything as if they were doing it for God alone! 

Today, when you put your whole heart into whatever it is you are doing, God will recognise that and bless you for it. You should strive for and pursue excellence in all you do for God’s sake. Rebuke mediocrity, laziness and self-centredness and give of your best for God, He blesses excellence! 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” 

(Colossians 3:23, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for the reminder that I should always pursue excellence at all times. Father, help me because I want to do my work and everything else to please You. Please remove laziness, mediocritiy, and selfishness from my thinking. God, give me Your power to be an example of Christ to those around me. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Breaking News – We Have A Vaccine

The search for the last 11 months has been to find an antidote against the Covid-19 pandemic. In early December there were shouts of celebration when a vaccine was found, and fear began to dissipate and faith got stronger. Do you know we have a vaccine, an antidote against sin and fear? The first thing many people would say is faith; however, the Scripture tells us that it’s love, for perfect love is what drives out all fear. Hallelujah! 

When we truly comprehend how much God loves us, what can we possibly be afraid of? For God is love. When we are one with God through a relationship with His Son, we are wrapped in perfect love where we can find strength and security. We can find peace. We can find refuge, provision, and hope in His love. His love knows no limits. It has no boundaries. His love never changes. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you any more or any less. So let’s celebrate this breaking news Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

Today, open your heart and receive the vaccine of God’s love made at Calvary. Don’t go into 2021 without it, you will be vulnerable to the pandemic of sin. Daily meditate on His goodness and faithfulness. As you do, those old fears will melt away. Sin will cease, and you will move confidently into the life of victory He has prepared for you. 

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Oh, Yahweh, I come before You with a humble heart, begging for the vaccine of Your love. Father, please show me Your love and fill me with Your peace and hope, and remove the pandemic of sin and fear. God, help me to be an example of Your love for the people I come into contact with. I bless Your Name today that I have the victory over sin through faith in You, not just now but forever, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1?(NIV)

Reflection
Have you ever noticed the prominent role that trees play in the Bible? The creation account in Genesis begins with God planting two very special trees in the Garden of Eden: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. After our first parent’s disobedience, we were banned from access the Tree of Life. But the amazing, good news of the Bible is that at the end of the book, in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation, God restores our access to the Tree of Life (Revelations 22:1-5). 

In a very real sense the Bible is a story about trees.

Here in the very first Psalm, the life of the righteous is compared to a fruit-bearing tree, flourishing by streams of water. The psalmist presents a picture of tranquil beauty. Is that a picture of my life, or am I caught up in busyness? Sometimes I feel more like windblown chaff–rather worthless and lacking a sense of direction.

But that’s where the other tree at the heart of the Bible comes into play. It stands on a hill called Calvary. There my Saviour bled and died. There he showed me my true worth. There my sins were washed away, never to be remembered again. That’s where I became righteous, not by works that I had done, but by the grace and forgiveness of Christ.

What a beautiful tree! The tree on Mount Calvary isn’t tbeautiful because of its leaves. It’s beautiful because of its fruit–the fruit of redemption purchased by the blood of Jesus. My righteousness is solely due to him.

Response: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Help me to always remember that you are the true source of my righteousness. At your prompting help me to rid myself of the worthless chaff in my life. Wind of God, blow on me. Water of life, refresh my soul. May I be fruitful, Lord, for you. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you knelt before the tree on Mount Calvary? 

 

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