Today,I followed through with a decision that I made several weeks ago. I finalized the decision and now I've changed my life. My best friend, love of my life, Glenn, is still with me. My two yorkies are alive and well. My kids are doing well. My best friend is still Karmae. I followed through with the decision because I really did personal reflection and soul searching after Mr. O was elected to President of the best country in the World. I promised God that I would speak to others about God' principles, lead by example, learn more scripture and prepare to defend my country in any way possible. Some of that defense rests in education and re-committing our lives to our Savior.
I read "The Wondrous Cross" by Keith A. Mathison recently and want to share it with you. Keith says, "I sometimes wonder how many Christians stop to think about how incredibly odd it is that crucifixes are used as works of art. Crucifixes adorn church architecture, classic paintings, sculpture, and even jewelry. But consider for a moment what the crucifix was originally. It was a means of execution. In fact, it was and is one of the most ghastly means of execution ever devised by man. So horrible was it that it was reserved for the lowest of the low: slaves, pirates and rebels. Roman citizens were exempt. What happened, then, to account for the change? We know Jesus was put to death on a Roman cross, but what was it about His death that transformed this symbol of horror into a symbol of hope? In the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion we read, for the most part, about what any observer on the hill that day would have seen. We do not read as much about the interpretation of what any observer on the hill that day would have seen. We do not read as much about the interpretation of what was going on until we get to the book of Acts and the Epistles. Where would Paul have gone in the Old Testament to prove that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer? There are a number of texts to which he could have turned but one of the most likely and most significant Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12."
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is one of Isaiah's "Servant Songs" In the first Servant Song (42:1-9), Isaiah describes the Servant's mission to establish justice and a kingdom across the earth. The second Servant Song (49:1-6 describes the Servant's mission to restore Israel. The third Servant Song (50:4-9) reveals the obedience of the Servant and the suffering he endures as a result. The fourth and final Servant Song then reveals how the Servant will redeem his people. It reveals that his suffering will be the means by which he delivers his people from sin. It reveals that he will take their sin upon himself. Isaiah writes (53:5):
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
This is what happened on the cross as Jesus was crucified. He was God's Servant. He was the one whom God revealed to Isaiah eight centuries before His death. On the cross, He took our sins upon Himself and bore God's wrath. His death was the atonement for all of our sins. We who have placed our faith in Jesus have forgiveness of sins and peace with God because of what was accomplished on the cross. Is it any wonder that Paul declares to the Corinthian church: "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (I Cor. 2:2)
Think on this. Let it sink in. Christ suffered and died on the cross because of sin. YOUR sin, MY sin. Since the fall, sin has been the problem in the world. WE do not think much of sin in our day and age. We are beyond such things and sin is an old fashioned and outdated concept, or so we think. If you want to know the true perspective on the seriousness of sin, however, look to the cross. Look at the extreme nature of the solution to this problem. If sin were "no big deal" would God have sent His only begotten Son to die a shameful death on a cross to deal with it? And what kind of love is this? What kind of love is displayed when God sends His only begotten Son to die for the sins we commit against Him? This is love of a kind and degree that we can hardly fathom. This is what changed the cross from a symbol of fear to a symbol of faith. This is what led Isaac Watts to write:
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His Blood.
See from His head, His Hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands myh soul, my life, my all.
What does this have to do with our commitment to stay strong in the "change" that is about to take place in our Country? We need to review our understanding of sin. We need to get our heart back into the reason God sent His son to sacrifice His life for sinners. We need to be bold, don't compromise on the Scripture and provide our love for our Lord and Savior in everything we do. Mr. O wants change and he wants to water down the word "SIN". Mr. O wants to ignore the screaming of unborn children that are set to die. We must never lose sight of our responsibility and always be ready to share God's word. It is vital at this time in our change, I mean lives.
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