By the Way of the Cross

Scripture: 
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6



Thought:
I just finished reading a blog from a fellow believer, Jim, who reminded me that, "Your salvation does not hang in the balance because of your performance of good deeds." A few weeks ago our assistant pastor, spoke on Romans 7:14-20.We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.c For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 


I can identify with Paul. Even when I strive to live as Christ modeled, sometimes I fail. But you know, even if you make no mistakes, and you do many good deeds, it is as filthy rags in comparison to what Christ did for us. I am thankful for God's mercy and grace and that He gave His son to die in our place.


Knowing ahead of time that Pastor Rose would use this Romans passage for the message, I asked to share my testimony in song, I Have Come by the Way of the Cross. (I found a video clip of the same song by TaRanda Greene. Hope you enjoy it. )

Application:

1. Are there times when you feel you just cannot get it right?
2. Do you keep working to try and make up for the times you have failed?
3. Accept God's mercy and grace. Jesus died because, regardless how hard we try, we cannot save ourselves. The only way is by the cross.

Prayer:

Dear Father, forgive me for the times that I fail you. Help me to accept my gift of salvation and stop trying to earn it. Show me the things you want me to do. I want to serve you out of my love and gratitude for what you did for me.  In Jesus name. Amen

My Grace is Sufficient

Scripture:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Thoughts for the Day:

Do we really understand the depths of this promise? Not long ago I attended a spiritual retreat. I experienced a happening in my life that will forever be stamped on my mind. The second night there, fear struck me as never before. I went to two of the ladies and we prayed together. Not really understanding what all I had experienced, we decided that if God were showing me something, he would complete the work that he had started. I went about my day praying for an understanding. 

Then sometime during the third night I was awakened again. The same fear surrounded me. Rather than alarm anyone else, I decided to call upon God, for he promises that his grace is sufficient in time of need. Our power is made perfect in our weakness. Several hours passed as I held to the Word of God, the power of the Cross, the light of Jesus Christ in my life while lying there in my bunk. 

All along I have told individuals that God would give them strength to overcome or to enable them to do whatever they needed to do. False, we have no strength. We are all cowards when it comes to standing firm. I realized that I had no strength. It is only in the strength of God, only through Christ's power that rest in us, are we able, that we are able to do anything. 

Until we grasp this truth we will continue to wrestle within ourselves to be obedient in Christ, because there are just too many obstacles that seem like giants waiting to crash us under their feet.

What fear(s) do you face? What are you facing that absolutely shakes your foundation. Are you rooted in God grace. If not, your tree will be uprooted. By the power and grace of Jesus Christ I was able to stand firm.

God's grace is sufficient for all your needs. Call upon him today that his power and grace may rest on you. 

Application:

1) What is your greatest fear? 

2) Do you believe that God's power is made perfect in our weakness?

3) Do you act upon the power made available through Jesus?

Prayer: 

Dear Father, by your divine power you have provided us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Jesus Christ who called us by his own glory and goodness. In my weakness you are strong to enable me to be the person you designed me to be. Help me to be obedient in all your ways as I rest in the truth, that in your power all things can be accomplished. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

FAITH IS ABOUT GOD not OUR OWN STRENGTH

Has life been a bed of roses? Have you ever felt like Job? You are trying to walk the Christian walk and it seems like you are drowning in the world of circumstances while everyone else is floating around on wealth, health, and happiness, offering you no words or arms of encouragement?

Scripture:

Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Lesson:

The more I talk with people I find that life is no “happily ever after” situation. If you are alive and living, life gets hard, inspite of the prosperity messages, that if you are a Christian you will experience all the good things that life offers. I have given my life seeking God and yet I do feel like Job at times. Not only do I question my own faith, or lack of faith but I wrestle with God at times. I must say that He always wins, and I wind up learning a little more about him. I must say that situations and circumstances have always kept us looking to God for answers. Twice God brought my husband through two serious operations, an acoustic aroma, and triple bypass surgery. Then more recently, like last week, I was concerned with how God was going to orchestrate in my son and daughter-n-law’s lives as the Nashville flood "seemed" to be coming in all around them. When I pray, it is easy to ask God to respond as we see and want things to turn our, but harder as we pray, “God please protect them as you orchestrate your will in their lives.” It is so hard to actually release ourselves and those we love to His will and purpose.

That is where faith comes in. God is still working in my family to teach me that, faith is not trusting God to answer as I want Him to, but trusting Him to orchestrate His will in our lives regardless of the outcome. You know the sad thing is that during my hard times, were only been two individuals that took me to the scriptures and reminded me of this truth. As, I reflect, I thank God for Matthew and Mary who took me back and reminded me of the Creator, and Prince of Peace.

I thank God for voices of encouragement during hard times. We must learn to place our faith in the God who is faithful. We have been talking about our belief system. I am so glad that my faith resides on the strength and power of God Almighty and not within my own strength.

Application:

1. In whom does your faith reside?
2. We have no strength within ourselves, but God is all powerful. Then why do we find it so difficult to surrender ourselves into his care?
3. Faith cannot be a verbal belief, just saying that you are Christian. Does your life reflect a trust in Jesus, and if so what are some evidences of your obedience to faith?
4. Our faith encourages other people and they will draw strength and encouragement from it. How do you encourage and strengthen other people?
5.   How often do you pray for others in the church, missionaries, friends, or neighbors? Do you feel an obligation to reach all people with the gospel?

Prayer:

Dear Father, Thank you so much that can rest my faith in you. Help me to demonstrate my faith in you that others may draw strength and encouragement from it. Thank you, for those individuals that you have brought into my life that have encouraged me through the years. Bless them for their obedience. Fill me with a desire to reach all people for your kingdom. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Romans 1:5 DOES OBEDIENCE REFLECT YOUR FAITH?

does obedience reflect Your faith

What does obedient faith look like? We do a lot of things in the name of religion, but what about according to the gospel? Are we obedient to what God calls us to do? Does our faith make a difference in how we live our lives? In other words how does what we do align with God's purpose for us? How "love"ly are you today?

Scripture:

Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 

Lesson:

As followers of Christ we receive grace as a gift but with that grace comes the responsibility to go out and share the gospel. Paul is going to great lengths in this introductory chapter of Romans to make sure that we understand that the Gospel is universal and that as a follower of Christ, we have been sent forth by God on a mission, to bring about obedience of Faith. To know the fact of the gospel is not enough. Paul is saying here that we must have a faith that leads to obedience.We are to be about God's business of sharing the gospel for Christ's sake. In other words, our purpose is to be about glorifying God. As we think about obedience, one might wonder just why Paul would talk about obedience. But what kind of faith would one have if it did not result in obedience. As a kindergarten teacher I know the significance of teaching obedience, for obedience is the starting point of discipleship. As believers we start our walk with Christ beginning with obedience of our faith just as Christ began his ministry in obedience to the Father. 


With this said, Paul will continually see a thread throughout Romans that says that the gospel is about Christ, according to the scriptures, for all people, unto the obedience of faith and to glorify God.

Application:

1.     As believers, we have received grace and apostleship (a mission to go forth and spread the gospel). What are you going to do about this calling?
2.     Who is the object of your faith? The church, you, your cause, Christ?
3.     What are some evidences or your obedience of faith? Does your faith encourage others to obedience? 
4.     How often do you encourage others by praying or meeting their needs?
5.     Do you feel an obligation to reach all people? What evidence is there that you do?
6.     As you walk in obedience, how freely does love flow from your actions, or do you act and react out of necessity or the "have to" attitude? 

Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy in providing a way of salvation for all who will believe. Open doors of opportunity that I may go forward and spread the gospel. Help me to be open to all people and to extend your love to them. Help me to be an encourager. Forgive me of the time when I have not been obedient and even unpleasing to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.