“The more terrible the storm, the more necessary the anchor.”
William S. Plumer
The Purpose of the Cross
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—
of whom I am the worst.
I Timothy 1:15
Jesus left His throne in Heaven to come to this earth in human form for one purpose – to save sinners. Paul humbly adds, “Of whom I am the worst.” The great and powerful apostle Paul recognized his own sin and his own desperate need for a savior. This is the beginning step for each of us in coming to Christ. If we do not recognize our sin, we do not recognize our need for a savior. He came to save sinners, not perfect people.
The Bible reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We cannot enter Heaven and live with a holy God unless our sin problem is redeemed. This is the purpose of the cross. God sent a way for sinners to be saved from eternal punishment through His beloved Son, Jesus. The very name of Jesus – Yeshua – means “Jehovah is salvation.”
Father, this Good Friday, we praise you for sending Jesus to save us. We confess our sin and recognize our need for Him. Thank you, that He is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all who place their faith in Him. Put us in the path today of someone who needs to know this good news, and give us the words to share it.
Questions to Ponder:
Why did Jesus need to die on the cross?
Why is today considered Good Friday?
Who needs to know the good news that we are forgiven through faith in Christ?
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
A Forever Friend
I no longer call you servants…Instead, I have called you friends,
for everything that I learned from my Father
I have made known to you.
John 15:15
How can it be that our Lord calls us His friends? It is an overwhelming thought to realize that through faith in Christ, we not only have a Savior, but a faithful friend who will never leave us or forsake us. He loved us so much that He gave his life for us. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Certainly we have the greatest friend of all in Christ. What a privilege to know that we can fellowship with Him anytime. We can go to Him with our cares and concerns as well as our joy and thankfulness.
Jesus commanded us as His followers to love each other in the same way we are loved by Him. Christ loves us with a sacrificial and forgiving love. Because we have been loved with such undeserved yet unending faithful love, we in turn can freely and sacrificially love others. Relish the grace-filled love Jesus has for you today, and reflect His love as you live and deal with others.
Questions to Ponder:
What difference does it make in your life to know that Jesus is your friend?
In what ways are you reflecting Christ’s love in the relationships around you?
He Revives the Heart
I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15
Perhaps you have felt unworthy, unaccepted, discouraged, or low. God is able to revive your spirit and strengthen your heart. He cares about the deepest hurts of your heart. He dwells not only in the high and holy place – He is also with those who are humble in spirit.
A lowly heart reflects one who recognizes their need for God. Often, it is our brokenness that leads us back to a place of depending on God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The opposite of a lowly and contrite heart is a prideful one. When we come to God with a contrite heart, repenting of our sins, He revives us and renews us. Don’t let pride keep you from the renewal and refreshment God wants to bring to your life. Come humbly to Him and allow Him to revive your heart.
Questions to Ponder:
- Do I recognize my need for God?
- Are there areas in my life that I need to give over to God or confess to Him?
- How does it help you to know that God is with those who humbly come to Him?
This devotional can be found in my book, Pursuing God in the Quiet Places
In His Hands
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hand. Isaiah 49:16
Hundreds of years before Jesus’ hands were pierced by the nails of the cross, God declared, “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” God knew what He would do to demonstrate His love for us from the beginning. It was a part of His plan. The word “engraved” means indelibly imprinted or tattooed. Open up your hands right now and look at your palms. Now imagine God’s hands with your name engraved at the very center.
Do you sense the love He has for us? What tender care to place us in the palms of His hands! As the hand of God reaches forth to do His work, He has us in mind. We are ever before Him. What a wonderful place to be – in the palm of His hand! Thank you, Father, for loving us so much that you sent Jesus to offer His life as a sacrifice for our sins. Thank you that His hands were pierced on our behalf. Thank you for your everlasting love for us.
Questions to Ponder:
How does Isaiah 49:16 reassure you of God’s love?
In what ways does this passage encourage you not to worry, but rather to be filled with peace?
Is there a load that you are carrying that needs to be placed in His hands?
This is an excerpt from my book, Pursuing God in the Quiet Places https://a.co/d/0fsERkro
Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash
He Satisfies Our Thirst
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you
And who you are speaking to, you would ask me,
and I would give you living water.”
John 4:10
Have you ever eaten something salty and then for the next few hours you can’t get enough water? Figuratively speaking, there are many salty things in this world. Interests and desires that make us thirsty for acceptance and fulfillment. We try to satisfy the thirst in a variety of unsatisfying ways, through people, or things or addictions. There is only one who can quench the thirsts that this salty world creates, and that is Christ alone. He is the Living Water. When we look to Him to quench our desire, we thirst no more.
The woman at the well tried to find fulfillment in husband after husband. Jesus knew her deepest needs and told her, “Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Oh the joy and satisfaction Jesus brings to our thirsty hearts! Take your thirsts to Him.
Questions to Ponder:
What does your heart long for today?
How can Jesus satisfy that desire?
Have you taken it to Him in prayer?
This is an except from my book, Pursuing God in the Quiet Places
Photo by Alex Perez on Unsplash
Positive Woman Connection 