Jesus Lord and Savior

Some days  I forget what Jesus did for me on the cross but then I remember the importance of it.  I don't think I can grasp the pain and suffering that Jesus went through all so that I could be saved.  It's just so great to think about the fact that he loved me and everyone else to go through that.  Some times it almost doesn't seem real.  I surprises me sometimes when I realize that I have taken it for granted.

Grace

I am amazed at how many people still think that good works can get you into heaven.  The Bible does not teach that so there is no way that they are reading it.  The Bible says that God's grace is the only thing that can get a person to heaven.  It is by that you have been saved and through faith you will receive that grace.  All you have to do is believe that a gracious and loving God would send his son to die on the cross so that sin can be defeated and the cup of wrath poured upon Jesus.  Why is that so hard for people to do?  It seems like the best option for everyone.

"Fate"

Today I was reminded that God really does have everything under control.  I have a few friends that I am pretty close to that need some good guidance.  I did not have to be this good of friends with them but I really think that at the beginning of the year God had influence over me so that I could guide them and try and bring them back to Him.  And that is just such an encouragement.

Cup of Wrath

I recently realized what Christ was truly saving me from, other than my sin.  The wrath of God was so intense that Christ sweated blood while praying that it be passed on to someone else.  God hated sin and Jesus took on the whole sin of the world.  The Cup of Wrath is what Jesus drank in order to save to us from it.  The is what he meant when he said that "it is finished".  He meant that he drank the wrath that was intended for all of us.

The perfect example

Jesus Christ was the perfect example of love.  He humbled himself by becoming man and then willingly died a sinners death so that we can be saved.  His example is perfect.  1 John 3:16 says that through his example we should lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  That is how to follow Jesus's example and live out our lives for Christ.

Help

I have a friend who has become interested in helping those caught in human trafficking.  She has this book that follows the story of one girl in particular that she gave me to read and I feel so bad for these people.  Bad isn't even the right word.  I can't describe to you how I feel about this situation.  I was thinking about it last night and I caught myself wishing that the pimps and the people in control over these poor victims would not even hear about the Gospel because they don't deserve to be saved.  The main focus help organizations is to save those who are the victims but if we, in addition to saving the needy, we sought to witness to the traffickers and pimps then maybe the problem might go away.  They keep saying that for every pimp caught there is another that arises but if we gathered the courage found in Christ we might be able to slow the problem down with the power of the Gospel.

Trials of Life

James 1:12 says "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."  Nobody likes going through difficult times but they are inevitable in a world where there is evil.  As Christians we are suppose persevere with God's help.  We cannot do it on our own; only with the power of God.  I am just so glad that even if we have trials that a) God is on our side and he will help us through and b) that he will reward those who stay strong and stand firm for him through those trials.