Sometimes it is useful for us to stop and think about all Jesus went through during his arrest and crucifixion (Isa 52:14-53:12; Matt 26:47-27:56; Mark 14:43-15:41; Luke 22:47-23:49; John 18:1-19:37). One of his very own disciples betrayed him with a kiss, he was abandoned and many turned their backs on him. One of his disciples denied 3 times that he even knew Jesus. He was arrested, bound, blasphemed and given no fair trial. The leaders of the nation he belonged to brought false accusations against him and in envy and hatred stirred up the people to demand his crucifixion. He was slapped, beaten, spat upon, mocked and treated with contempt. Our Jesus was scourged, with flesh torn from his back, his blood shed and his head pierced with thorns. He was condemned to death by a Roman leader that ignored his conscience and yielded his decision to Jesus’ accusers. Finally, he was stripped, nailed to a cross and pierced with a roman spear that caused blood and water to flow out of his side.
But for Jesus the greatest agony was caused by two things: (1) becoming sin for us; bearing our sins, and paying the price for our sins. Our sins marred his face almost beyond recognition (Isa 52:14). (2) Being separated from his Father by sin. Jesus cried out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34; WEB). Jesus endured all of this: “for the joy that was set before him” (Heb 12:2; KJV); for the knowledge of the victory and salvation he would win for us, you and me.  

Facing a challenge? Just remember that: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jer 32:17);
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt 19:26).

 Because of those words from God we can say that: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

 And in case you wondered If this all still applies today, it does!!!  “For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Mal 3:6)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Mal 13:8).

 Now that’s good news.

All scriptures NKJV, used with permission.

Christian living                                                                  

In Romans 12:9-21, the apostle Paul, in writing to Christians, gives some guidelines for Christian living. Please read these verses for yourself, but this is what I take away from Paul’s discourse.

We are to love unconditionally and let our love be expressed in tender affection. Our love should be demonstrated actively in meeting the needs of and being hospitable to others. This should be directed to fellow Christians first but also to strangers and even those who treat us badly or hurt us. We should be focused on good and hate anything evil. Patience is needed when pressures and afflictions come against us and we should respond with rejoicing, standing firm in trust of our loving heavenly Father. Try to be a blessing to and love anyone who acts as an enemy; avoid anger and never seek revenge. Let’s avoid opinions and criticism and leave any judgement to God. Walk in peace and seek unity, even if others refuse to.

Be an encourager; praise God for the success of others and show great compassion and sympathy when others suffer hurt and loss. Be a friend to all and put others first. Don’t elevate yourself as a know it all, or the bee’s knees, or the cat’s meow, but be humble. Be spiritually on fire for God, sold out to his commands, completely focused on serving and pleasing him.

I don’t know about you but there were some places where I felt an ouch and was convicted in this passage from Romans. This is one of those sets of verses that we need to prayerfully read and re-read and re-read. We need to read with an open heart and allow the Holy Spirit to chasten and encourage us. Let’s sit quietly and ask the Lord to show us where we need to grow and where we may have blind spots.

This excites me as I am sure it does you. Let’s dig in with renewed fervency and diligence to grow in Christ, and be his beacon of light on the earth. Heaven knows that light is needed. 

This came to me one morning in my prayer time. Our role is to be living witnesses for Christ, our lives should shine. We should share Him boldly but in love. Let God's love rule our lives. We need to press in to Him, his word, and pray in faith for all things and people as the Spirit leads. Let God do the changing in others but let’s be open for him to change us; humble and teachable. Let us think, speak and act as He directs. Let us be emptied of self but filled with Him, vessels fit for the masters service, living sacrifices. Amen. 

Living in Saskatchewan, with our vast farmlands, we are all familiar with sowing and reaping. But do we realize that this principle is throughout the bible and affects every aspect of our lives? “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him” (Gen 26:12; KJV). That’s a good crop!

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38; KJV).

It’s Interesting that how we give affects how we receive.

In Galatians 6:7, we read that God is not deceived, we reap what we sow. Sowing and reaping affect every aspect of our lives not just farming and financial or material giving. Job lamented that: “they that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same (Job 4:8; KJV). Hosea observed that those who have: “sown the wind”; “reap the whirlwind” (Hos 8:7; KJV). In Proverbs 18:24, we read that to have a friend we must be a friend. We also know that our words can reap a harvest of good or evil (Prov 15:1).

Have you noticed that everything reproduces after its own kind? I think a pig would be surprised if it produced chickens. Let’s meditate on our giving and receiving; sowing and reaping today. Let’s do a checkup today; we need to be reminded that how we give, in every aspect of our lives determines what we will receive, good or evil. Is that an amen or an ouch?

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