My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me was My cry on the cross when all sin was heaped on Me. I took all that sin on Myself so you could be free from it. I chose the cross so you would escape the death sentence that was given you. I conquered death so you could live. Live My child. Live free. Live the life I died for you to have. Rejoice and be glad in Me. Let praise and worship be ever present in your heart and on your lips. Be joyful and overflowing with thankfulness. Life is what I have created you for. It is what I died for. Choose life.
Because I Love You So Much
We watched the Passion of the Christ for the second time last night. It’s hard to watch, but very appropriate for this time of Year. Good Friday is tomorrow. When I was watching him being brutally beaten and then crucified, I asked, Why would you knowingly put yourself through this torture? I heard in my spirit, “Because I love you so much.” What a good way to remember His body broken for us and His blood shed on the cross because He loves us so much.
Man Of Sorrows
He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Isaiah 53
A House Divided
A house divided cannot stand. Neither can a divided mind.
Thriving in a Sin-riddled World
What Christian doesn’t yearn to be free from the nagging presence of sin? In one degree or another, our humanity traps us in a repetitive cycle of failure—just the grinding reality of a redeemed life pitted against our self-serving flesh in a sin-riddled world. Thankfully, God has made provision for our sin! But what did He provide, really?
Many argue that in Christ we possess the power to become holy in our walk with God—by choosing obedience over sin. Well, shooting for holiness in this way is a noble pursuit, but the strategy is flawed. Why? Because the purpose of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice is to impart God’s own righteousness to us, in spite of our sinful nature.
Because we now belong to Him, we don’t need to earn God’s favor. We already have it! God showers His grace on us, and in so doing His righteousness becomes our own. By His grace alone we are given the unbridled capacity for intimacy with God, in spite of the weakness of our flesh.
From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself
A Load Too Heavy
My child, the things that you carry are burdensome. A load too heavy for your heart. Listen to Me, My child, even to your old age I will bear you. I have done it, and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4
Peace – Joy – Fulfillment – Life
My child, do not go after the things of this world. Do not get caught up in the culture. Those who love Me will stand for truth, even when the truth is not popular. My truth will set you free. My way will lead you to peace, joy, fulfillment and life. The world’s way ends in death.
Things Above
My child, I am able to do the impossible. There is no impossible with Me. I created the Universe and I created you. Set your mind on things above. Let Me take care of the things below. I am your Father who loves you with everlasting love.
I Will Strengthen You
My child, rest in the promises of My Word. Be at peace with the truth I have told you. Do not fear or look anxiously about you. I will strengthen you. I will help you. Surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Filled Up
My child, I open the eyes of the blind. I lead them in the truth. I rescue those who have been in bondage and set them free to live in peace. My joy is your strength. I pour out My Spirit on every open and willing heart. Come and let Me fill you to overflowing.