From Shadow to Eternal Morning

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There was a great preacher once whose wife died. Their little girl didn’t fully understand all that had happened. But one day while she was in the car with her father, she saw the shadow of a truck passing by. The setting sun made the shadow huge, much bigger than the truck.

The little girl said, “Daddy, look at the big shadow.”

He said, “Sweetheart, would you rather be hit by the shadow of the truck or by the truck?”

“That's easy,” she said, “I'd much rather be hit by the shadow.”

He said, “That's right, darling. And it was only the shadow that hit Mama. The truck hit Jesus two thousand years ago at Calvary.”

That’s why David calls it “the valley of the shadow of death.” Jesus has taken the sting out of death, the dread out of the grave! He has become our victor!

ACTION POINT:

Many people fear death— a shadow looming over each of us, representing the unknown. Yet Jesus disarmed death and took away its power. The believer in Christ can have this assurance: beyond that shadow is the sunlight of the eternal morning. Speak with the Lord right now and share with Him something you fear. He already knows about it anyway. Picture yourself giving that fear over to Him. Place it in the nail-scarred Hand. It is a risen, victorious Hand.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Lamb of God—Your Substitute

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: 

Jesus Christ did not die as a martyr.  He was not a helpless victim.  Hce said, “I lay down my life, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.” (John 10:17-18) The cross was not an accident or an afterthought; it was in the heart and mind of God before the world was framed. Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross.  John the Baptist announced, “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.” The Lamb of God died on the same day as the Passover lambs were being slain on Mount Moriah, the very limestone ridge where long ago God had told Abraham, “God will provide Himself a lamb.” Jesus said, “Abraham saw My day, and was glad.” (John 8:56)

To the priests on Mount Moriah, Jesus Christ could say, “Your work is over.  Put away your knives. We need no more lambs, no more sacrifices. The Lamb has died and has paid in full.” 

ACTION POINT:

Take time today to meditate upon the price that was paid for your salvation. Read Matthew chapters 26 and 27. Thank Him for the price that was paid.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Eternal Promises

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2 believes in me shall never thirst. - John 6:35

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 

17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."  - 

Revelation 7:16-17

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."

28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"

29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." - John 6:27-29

What is the meaning of eternal?

Lasting forever, no beginning or ending

13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 

14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.  - Daniel 7:13-14

From everlasting to everlasting, God is!

He has made a way for you to be eternally with Him.

It is a gift through the blood of Christ which cleanses you so that you may be forgiven!

Will you confess, repent and fall before His throne of mercy?

The Place Of Calvary

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Luke 23:33

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Jesus carried our sin to the cross. The spot where that happened was Calvary, also called Golgotha—the same spot known as Mt. Moriah where in Genesis Abraham offered Isaac to God. Mt. Moriah, the temple mount, and Calvary are all on the same limestone ridge—all the same mountain.

Centuries before Christ was born, God told Abraham, the brightest star in the Hebrew heaven, “Abraham, I want you to take your son, your only son, the son that you love, the son of promise, to a place I will show you. Not just any place—a certain place. And there you are to offer your son.” That spot is the very spot where one day, centuries later, Jesus Christ would be crucified.

For Abraham and Isaac, a ram caught in a thicket provided the substitute. There was no such substitute for Jesus Christ—for He was our Substitute.

ACTION POINT:

Meditate today on what it cost God the Father to sacrifice His only Son on Calvary’s mountain and what it cost the Lord Jesus to be that “ram caught in the thicket” for us. Let what God the Father provided—and what His Son did for you—sink into the deepest part of your heart. “I will praise Him, Praise the lamb for sinners slain. Give Him glory, all ye people, for His blood can wash away each stain.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

I've Got You

9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; 

10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  - Isaiah 41:9-10

God has chosen you!

He will never leave you!

He will pursue you! 

His word will cut through your sin reaching your heart and bringing you to your knees!

Calling from the beginning to the end!

Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.  - Isaiah 41:4

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,

18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. - Revelation 1:17-18

My Soul Is Overwhelmed

 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” NIV Mark 14:34

This is the way of all human beings, our feelings of being overwhelmed, in an array of situations. These verses are Jesus showing human emotions as He is facing the depth of what He must do and what sinful man has done to Him. His rejection by men, impending betrayal by one of His own disciples and the coming crucifixion. 

  

35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." - Mark 14:35-36

Jesus identifies with us. He was overwhelmed, He was tempted, He felt the sting of death because of our sin, He was counted with thieves and murderers as He faced the Cross, He felt the separation from His Father God as the weight of our sin was poured out on Him, and He suffered knowing He was guiltless.

He willingly suffered in our place! According to His great mercy He was obedient even to the point of death. 

Do you understand the victory that was won for you? Have you counted the cost? Do you daily walk with Him? 

Our time is short! Repent! Know the gift of His life, His death, His resurrection, His salvation, His victory over death, Satan and Hell. Endlessly praise Him for He alone is worthy!

You can't know Him without grasping that you will die in sin and be forever lost unless you fall before Him for mercy. He will know your heart, He will give you forgiveness. You must intimately know Him by the study of His word, applying that word to your life, teaching it, sharing it and obeying it.

Will you humbly receive grace by faith through Christ alone?

Utterly Priceless

What price would you put on salvation?

It is so costly, so precious, and so powerful that it's worth can't be determined!

Definition of priceless-so precious that it's value can't be determined

Definition of propitiation-atonement or payment

Definition of omnipotent-able to do anything, having unlimited power 

Definition of wherewithal-necessary means

Salvation is priceless!

Salvation is the sweetest gift of forgiveness and unmerited eternal life.

That's right, it's was freely given by Christ to you!

Salvation can't be purchased!

Salvation can't be earned!

Salvation was a single selfless act, ordained by merciful Almighty God through His obedient Son, Jesus Christ!!!

Jesus, who knew no sin became your propitiation!

Without this free gift, you will go to Hell!

There is no other means by which you may receive eternal life except by the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus!

Our hope is faith in Christ!

Faith is professed in that Christ is God's only Son, that He died, that He is risen and is seated at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf.

Man will be without excuse because it is evident in what we see, human body forming from tiny cells, sun, moon, planets being held by nothing,!invisible air that supports life, etc. and that there is a God who is Creator of all things.

On are recent trip to the Gulf of Mexico, I stood overlooking the ocean and was reminded of  God's omnipotence. There is no way man with his many limitations, could  ever have the wherewithal to create the ocean. If you watch the waves that seemingly appear from nowhere crashing violently with such force and then they return to their unknown place only to do it all over again. I stand amazed in His presence and am utterly astounded by His creation!

To believe or not to believe is just not an option when your eyes are opened to the wonder that is God, His unlimited power, His unlimited glory, and His amazing unmerited mercy toward man.

If you are searching, if you are feeling lost and held captive by sin, just pray to Him for your eyes to be opened, read His word for conviction, read His word for life, go and sin no more, fall before His throne of grace and be amazed at His mercy!

Come as you are, He will change you!

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, - Ephesians 2:4-6

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. - 1 Timothy 2:5-6

8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, 9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, 11 and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'?  - Job 38:8-11

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. - Romans 1:19-20

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.  6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.  - Psalm 19:1-9

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." - Acts 17:30-31

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world." - John 11:25-27