A Crucified Life - - Makes Known The Word of God

 

    Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by The Word of God.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4102

Faith: belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness

From the Greek word 'pistis' (pronounced pis'-tis): divine persuasion, meaning a person can only get faith from God and not from anything we can do. 

    Faith is not the same as confidence. I am confident about very little in life. But I have faith that in every situation of my life, God is with me, for He has promised to never leave nor forsake His people, the people who love Him, of which I am one. 

    This measure of faith which God gives us He gives to us when we hear and believe The Word being spoken to us. It is not enough to hear, we must hear AND believe. 

    Many hear The Word but turn away because they are unable to believe such Good News. In their unbelief they turn to other gods and follow their imaginations instead. But imagination cannot save the soul for it has no such power to do so.

    Hear The Word of The Lord. Our hearts must be receptive to The Word of God, for it is the Seed of Salvation that grows within us. The ear of the hearing heart hears the word of the speaking heart and makes a decision either to embrace or deny the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

    Faith in God can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith is God revealing Himself on an individual basis. Denomination is not faith. Romans 3:22; 4:16 "the promise of righteousness comes by faith".

    Faith is the power of God opening up the written and heard Word of God that the heart of the hearer would open the door of their heart and receive Christ into it, for He is the Living Word of God Who longs to be with us and to bring us home to His Father's house. Revelation 3:20; John 14:1-3. 

    We tend to think it takes great faith to believe all of The Word but Jesus says to us that it takes only a little bit of faith to accomplish what God needs to do in us. 

Luke 17:6 "mustard seed faith"

Matthew 8:10 "faith that requires only the Word spoken by Jesus"

    Again, the question must be asked and answered by each person who hears The Word of God: "Do you believe?" Are you willing to accept the faith which God wants to birth into you that you might become His child?

Faith Comes By Hearing

Song of Ezekiel - Paul Wilbur

Days of Elijah - Robin Mark

Break Every Chain - Jesus Culture

Word of God Speak - Mercy Me

Creed - Rich Mullins

I Believe In A Hill Called Mt. Calvary - Gaither Vocal Band

The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference - Imus Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

In Christ Alone - CityAlight with Keith & Kristyn Getty, Alison Krauss

A Crucified Life - - Knows Rejection

 

    Romans 10:16

But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our Message?"

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 189

Message: inner (spiritual) hearing that goes with receiving faith from God; spiritual hearing (discerning God's voice)

From the Greek word 'akoé' (pronounced ak-o-ay'): instruction - the preaching of the gospel.

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps.

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

    Not everyone will be receptive to the teachings of the gospel. The newly saved Christian needs to understand this concept just as clearly as the longer saved Christian. As has been said before, "This is not a bed of roses we walk on. This is no easy path which we have chosen to walk." 

    Many will come against us as they came against Jesus. He even tells us so. Therefore, we should not be surprised when we are rejected for what we believe. We should actually be joyful. (Acts 5:41)

    When we preach the gospel, the first thing we do is pick up our cross. The cross is heavy and awkward to carry, but it is absolutely necessary if we want to follow Christ. As He was helped to carry His cross, so He will help us. 

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

    When we bring the good news of God's saving grace to someone, we need to be prepared in our hearts, our minds and our bodies to be attacked for what we believe and are speaking. 

 1 Peter 3:14-16

    Don't be shocked, be prepared to answer every question. Arm ourselves with the Word of God by studying it, praying it and praying over it. Always be ready to give an answer. Don't worry about it trying to memorize it. What we learn is not always at the top of our thoughts, but the Spirit draws it up out of us, as a body draws water out of a well. 

    As Christ was rejected, so, too, will His followers, His Christians. We read this in the parable of the wicked tenants (Matthew 21:33-46). First he sent his trusted servants. But they were rejected and killed. Then he sent a larger group of servants, who were also rejected and killed. Then he sent his son; but his son, too, was rejected and killed. 

    This is God sending out His prophets, whom the people rejected and killed because they refused to obey the Word which the prophets of God had brought. Then God sent His Son. But the people to whom the Son was sent, also rejected the message and killed the Son. 

    But the Son could not be kept down. He rose! He is risen! He is the living Word of God being breathed into every believer. He is our Hope of Salvation! Our Joy and Rejoicing!  He is the Light in the darkness, the shining Way to forgiveness and the redeeming grace of God the Father. 

    You think you've suffered already? Have you been rejected to the point of death? and persevered? I know I haven't. I've been ignored. I've been severed from family attachments. Friends have dropped me. I've been kicked and beaten for the Name of Christ. I'm still here. 

     However, the day is coming, and is already on the horizon, when taking a stand for the gospel of Christ will cost us our lives. Mere physical strength will not be enough to withstand the onslaught of hate coming our way.

    We need to be prayed up, filled up and studied up.  

BELIEVE THE MESSAGE 

I Know Whom I Have Believed - Redeemer Church of The Shoals

God Be Merciful to Me - Jars of Clay

In Christ Alone - Adrienne Liesching

Greater Is The Blood - Mark & Sarah Tillman

Can't Keep A Good Man Down - Newsong

Lose My Soul - TobyMac

Rise Again - Dallas Holm

Grace Wins - Matthew West

Glorious Day - Casting Crowns 

    

    

The Lord Is ---May 2023

 

YHVH NISSI

(pronounced  yeh-ho-vaw'  nis-see')

THE LORD MY BANNER 

Exodus 17:15

And Moses built an altar and named it, “The LORD Is My Banner.”

    Moses declares not only Who is his Ruler, but Who he chooses to be ruled by. This, too, is my declaration: The Lord Is MY Banner.

    The Lord is my Standard. Not only do I set my sights on Him and follow His lead, but He is my Way of Life: my Standard of living. His banner over me is Love, the divine love of God goes before me, is raised above me; fills me with courage to persevere and accomplish His purposes in me, through me. 

     Psalm 60:4

You have raised a banner for those who fear You, that they may flee the bow. Selah

    Psalm 20:5

May we shout for joy at your victory and raise a banner in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your petitions.

    Song of Solomon 2:4

He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.

IESOUS ARCHEGOS TELEIOTES PISTIS

(pronounced ee-ay-sooce' ar-khay-gos' tel-i-o-tace' pis'-tis))

JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of Our Faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

        Psalm 110:1

The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet."

    Mark 16:19

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

    1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

    Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

RHIZA IESSAI

(pronounced hrid'-zah es-es-sah'-ee)

ROOT OF JESSE

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4491

Root: descendant, progeny, source

From the Greek word 'rhiza): that which like a root springs from a root.

Romans 15:12

And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”

Isaiah 11:10

On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.

MASHIACH

(pronounced maw-shee'-akh)

MY ANOINTED ONE

1 Samuel 2:35

Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My Anointed One for all time.

John 1:41

He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ). 

Both the Greek word "Christ" and the Hebrew word "Messiah" translate as Anointed One. 

A Crucified Life - - Preaches The Gospel of Peace

 

    Romans 10:15

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of Peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!"

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2097 & 1515

Preach the Gospel: to announce good news

From the Greek word 'euaggelizó' (pronounced yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo): sharing the Full Gospel of Christ. 

This is the word from which we get 'evangelize', which literally means all of the above in addition to how to live a saved life in Christ. 

    Peace: one, quietness, rest

From the Greek word 'eiréné' (pronounced i-ray'-nay): God's gift of wholeness; to join or tie together.

GOSPEL OF PEACE 

    This gospel of peace through and in Jesus Christ is what separates the born again Christian from all other religions. Only in Christ are we able to turn from the wickedness of our selfishness and turn to God for His forgiveness, which He grants when we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

    Only in Christ can we begin to live a holy life, as becoming holy is a process which begins when we confess that Jesus Christ is not only Lord of All, but our LORD! He's MY Lord. He's MY God. He's MY Savior. He's MY Redeemer. 

    Though the salvation of all is given through God's only begotten Son Jesus Christ, it must be received and believed on an individual basis. You and you and yes, even you must make a decision regarding Christ. And, hopefully, prayerfully, your decision is Yes.  

PEACE of GOD

    Christ died to bring us to God, for there was no other way for our sins to be atoned, paid for, permanently until the Holy Lamb of God laid down His own life for our lives. What a gift! Such grace which God covers us with! He loves us that much.

    John 3:16 

    For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

    John 6:40

"For it is My Father's will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

    Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

    2 Corinthians 5:18,19

All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

    1 John 4:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be The Propitiation for our sins. [propitiation: atoning sacrifice, atoning blood].

    Did you catch that in Romans 5:8? "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"?  God sees our wretchedness, our loneliness; He hears the cries of our hearts to be rescued and loved. So He sent His Son to pay the ultimate price to deliver us from the darkness of this world and bring us into the light of His love. 

    God loves us and wants us to be with Him, but without holiness that is impossible. Jesus died to save us and bring us near to God, beginning the process of holiness. We need to be a holy people and for that we need God's Holy Lamb to save us and God's Holy Spirit to mold us into Holy people. We need transforming grace which only comes from a right relationship in Christ. 

    This peace of God is our assurance that He will never leave us, that He won't change His mind about having us near Him. This peace of God is steadfast within us, anchoring us to Him. 

PRAISING THE GOD OF PEACE

    Surrendering our lives to Christ is the least and the most we can give back to Him. We do so with Joy, abandoning what we thought would bring us peace to embrace the Peace of God which passes all understanding. 

    It is beyond our ken to have full knowledge of all that God is and does. It is enough that we have faith to believe that all that God is and all that God does is for the embetterment of all who believe in Him and His Son. 

    So we raise our hands and voices in worship to our God. We praise His Name in song. We glorify Him with our lives. We are enriched because God has shared His riches with us: Jesus Christ.

    

Anointed to Preach Peace 

Spirit of The Sovereign Lord - Lindell Cooley

His Name Is Jesus - Jeremy Riddle 

How He Loves Us - Crowder

Lord I Need You - Chris Tomlin

He Knows My Name - Maranatha Singers

There Is None Like You - Lindell Cooley (written by Lenny LeBlanc)

Take My Life/Holiness - Scott Underwood

Living Hope - Phil Wickham

Majesty - Michael W. Smith

He Is - Crowder

I Am Your Beloved - Bethel Music

Blessed Assurance - Elevation Worship

A Crucified Life - - Has A Heart for The Lost

 

    Romans 10:14

How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No.

They Have Not Believed: non-directional not-yet-believing faith, not yet persuaded to believe

From the Greek word 'pisteuó' (pronounced pist-yoo'-o): I believe, have faith in, trust in; pass: I am entrusted with. 

    In order to believe in the One God and One Savior, a person must first hear of God and Christ. IF I had not heard of the life-giving, soul-saving Christ from a faithful preacher of the full gospel Word, I could not have come to the cross to see Jesus and believe that He is God's only begotten Son Who died for me. 

    Now I am compelled in my spirit by God's Spirit to share the good news that I have received. There is an urgency in my spirit to reach as many as I can with the gospel of Saving Grace through Jesus Christ. 

    Though many call themselves Christians, not everyone who states thus is a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. They are still lost in the darkness of this world; they refuse to recognize that sin is sin, and so continue on their foolish ways. But a day of reckoning is coming.  

    We want to see everyone in heaven. But heaven is not everyone's destination, though we strive to bring them all with us. Unbelief keeps the Door closed, the Gate locked. 

Matthew 7:23; Matthew 25:41

    I'm here to let you know that I want you in heaven with me. Though I email this to but a few, many more are reached whom I will never meet in my lifetime or theirs. My hope is that I will see them all in heaven one day. We will rejoice together. 

    I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who encourage me by their faithful faith: my believing family members, my believing friends, the solid gospel preachers of whom I read and listen to, the expressive worshipers whom I have been encouraged by when I listen(ed) to their music and songs.

    The U.S. Army had a saying back in the day, "I want you!" with Uncle Sam pointing his finger at whoever saw the poster with this imprint. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever (you) believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life." Then Jesus Christ stretched out His arms and died with the weight of our sins on Him. 

    More than a pointing finger, the Spirit of God directs our gaze to the cross to see, really see, Jesus. It is up to us to decide if we believe and then what we will do with that belief. We need to make a decision for Christ, not against Christ. 

    Not believing that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son and that He died on the cross for you will be the worst decision you will ever make. And you will have only yourself to blame. Please come to Jesus and be made new, changed, clean. 

    Let us go to The Book of Romans and see what God wants to make known:

Righteousness Comes From God Through Faith in Jesus Christ

Romans 3:22-23

22. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 

23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

No One Is Righteous On Their Own

Romans 3:10, 18

10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. 

18. “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Wages of Sin=Death, Gift of God=Eternal Life in Christ

Romans 6:23

23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

While We Were Yet Sinners, Christ Died For Us

Romans 5:8

8. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Everyone Who Calls On His Name Receives Salvation

Romans 10:13

13. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

No Condemnation In Christ

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

    Hear the Word of The Lord. Let us turn our hearts to God and tell Him we believe in the Name of His only begotten Son for our salvation. Let us repent (acknowledge and turn away from) the sins we have committed against God's Word. Let us confess out loud that which we have believed in our hearts: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.

    Reaching The Lost

Rooftops - Jesus Culture

I Speak Jesus - Here Be Lions

First Things First - Consumed by Fire

Run To The Father - Cody Carnes

O Come To The Altar - Elevation Worship

Come To The Well - Casting Crowns

Yes I Know - Gaither Vocal Band

I Have Decided To Follow Jesus - Lydia Walker

The River - Brian Doerksen

Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross

Softly & Tenderly 

Alive In You - Jesus Culture

Only Trust Him - Alan Jackson

A Crucified Life - - Calls On The Name of The Lord

 

    Romans 10:12,13

For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1941

Calls: appeals to, invoke the name of, worship, adore

From the Greek word 'epikaleó' (pronounced ep-ee kal-eh'-o).

    The Promise 

Joel 2:32

    And everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.

    Acts 2:21

And everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.'

        The Promise Fulfilled

    The Promise of Salvation to all was fulfilled when Christ died on the cross. The Promise of Salvation to each is fulfilled when an individual acknowledges that Jesus Christ is Lord and lives a Christ-founded life. The hymnist Edward Mote wrote, On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand for a reason: he realized that only Jesus Christ could be the solid foundation for building one's life on. 

    A crucified life recognizes Jesus Christ as Lord of its life and Savior of its soul. Having come to Jesus for salvation from damnation, the crucified life must continually crucify the flesh according to the Word of God. 

    Paul wrote that he was crucified with Christ. [Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.] This is the crucified life. The life I now live I live by faith In Christ Alone.

        The Promise Instilled

    No longer does the crucified life concern itself with the politics and religious structures of this world; nor does the crucified life live for itself: that's sand. Having been born again into the kingdom of God, we have a King, a Shepherd, a Confidante.

    We serve our King. We follow our Shepherd. We rely on, trust, our Confidante. We are a holy nation that is not of this world. [1 Peter 2:9 and John 18:36]. 

    We are the sheep of His pasture and He leads us like a Good Shepherd should. [Psalm 100:3, Psalm 23, John 10:11,14]. We trust Him to meet our needs and give us the desires of our heart. [Psalm 37:3,5,7; Psalm 115:9-11; Proverbs 3:5; Proverbs 28:26; Isaiah 26:4; Matthew 6:25-34]. 

    The crucified life calls on the Name of the Lord for everything after calling on Him for Salvation. We rejoice in His Name, for His Name is Love, Life, Light, Strength, Peace, Hope, and many, many more Wonderful descriptive titles. 

LOVE: 1 John 4:16

LIFE: John 14:6

LIGHT: John 8:12

STRENGTH:  Psalm 118:14

PEACE:  Isaiah 9:6

HOPE:  Jeremiah 14:8       

    The Lord is My Portion. The Lord is My Provider. The Lord is mine and I am His.         

A Crucified Life - - Is Unashamed of The Gospel

 

    Romans 10:11

For the Scripture says, "Everyone who Believes in Him will not be put to shame."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2617

[not] Shamed: does not disappoint

From the Greek word 'kataischuno' (pronounced kat-ahee-skhoo'-no): put to utter confusion, disgrace, frustrate.

    Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

    1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

    Shame is what the faithless unbeliever is covered in, but even this covering cannot prevent the death and destruction that awaits them after death. The unbelieving state of their hearts causes them to stumble in the dark, bumping into whatever doctrine of philosophy they prefer to embrace, when they refuse to believe that Jesus Christ Is Lord. 

    Utter confusion dwells in a chaotic atmosphere. Here the lonely heart cries out to be rescued from its chains of despair and depression, but refuses to lay hold of the Cross and the gospel of salvation. That which brings joy to the faithful faith-filled believer brings only condemnation to the unbelieving soul. 

     Not under my own power do I believe, but within the realm of the power of God, who planted a seed of faith in my heart, when I first believed in the His only begotten Son Jesus Christ as Lord. Though many weeds sprang up to torment this seed of faith as it grew within me, they did not manage to destroy my faith. And my faith grew.

    The Bible clearly states it is the Power of God which brings about salvation to the believer. I do not need to fully understand how or why at this point. I believe there is One:

One God, One Gospel, One Holy Spirit. 

One Creator of Salvation. One Redeemer Who Saves. One Spirit of Wisdom Who Calls us to Salvation. 

    And I love Him. I am not ashamed of the gospel. I am not confused. I am not deluded. I am not disappointed. I am not condemned. 

    Now, Today, is your opportunity, your chance, your turn to believe that God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross in your place; to carry the weight of your sins upon His shoulders. Today is your day of salvation, to have the saving grace of the blood of God's Lamb wash away the stench and make clean the darkness of your hearts. 

    Now, Today, it's your turn to believe that Christ is here to redeem you to Himself. Today is not a day for condemnation, for He came not for that reason but to bring you close to Him and nearer to God. Today could be the day you turn from unbelief, leaving the darkness of not knowing Him and embracing the Light of God's Love. 

    Only God has the power to wash and make clean the darkness of our hearts with Blood. Only God speaks light which pierces the darkness of our hearts. Only God can do the impossible. 

    James 4:8

        Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

UnAshamed

Nothing Is Too Hard For You - Vineyard Worship

We Are Not Ashamed - Carman

The Power of The Cross - Stuart Townend

Miracles - Jesus Culture

This I Believe [The Creed] - Hillsong Worship

Glorious Ruins - Hillsong Live

There Is One Gospel - CityAlight

God of The Impossible - Lincoln Brewster

A Crucified Life - - Is Justified

 

    Romans 10:10

For with your heart 

you Believe and Justified, 

and with your mouth 

you Confess and are Saved.

    *Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1343

Justified: righteousness, justice; judicial verdict

From the Greek word 'dikaiosuné' (pronounced dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay): refers to what is deemed right by the Lord after He examines a person; what receives official approval from God; divine righteousness

    Also from Strong's: "the state acceptable to God which becomes a sinner's possession through that faith by which he embraces the grace of God offered him in the expiatory death of Jesus Christ". 

JUSTIFICATION FOR ALL

    This justification is not available through other means or religions. There is only one God and there is only one way to live in heaven with Him. This verse expounds a little more clearly on what is necessary to fulfill God's desire for us to be with Him in eternity.  

    There are only two destinations after death: heaven and hell. While God created both of them,  only one destination was intended for people: heaven. But people choose to go to hell when they disbelieve God while they are alive. One must believe not only that God Is, but that God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross and walk out of the grave, defeating death (by rising) and hell (throwing off the weight of sin). 

    Because Christ lives, those people who believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son will live again, too. For we are in Christ and He is in us. Where He goes, we go. What He did, we do. What He says, we say. We form no opinions of our own unless we can back them up with the whole Word of God. 

    As this verse says, with our HEARTS we Believe and are Justified. And with our MOUTHS we Confess and are Saved. Our hearts are changed for the better when we believe that Jesus is God's only begotten Son. However, we must speak our beliefs aloud at the time we believe for the saving grace of God to take effect. 

INDIVIDUAL JUSTIFICATION

    I can pray for you. And I do. But there comes a point in every person's life when they must pray for themselves. I can talk to God about your salvation, but unless you do the same, it's not gonna happen. We all, on an individual basis, must come to the cross, see Jesus and decide for ourselves whether or not we will accept Him as the Christ, the only begotten Son of God. It's the most important decision any of us will ever make.

    Remember the centurion who came near the cross where Jesus hung. Perhaps that centurion had heard Jesus' teachings, but he surely heard the whispers and gossip of Who this Man was on the cross. He had received orders to pierce His side, to ensure that Jesus was truly dead. Which the centurion did. But he also came to the understanding that this Man hanging on the cross was the Christ, the Messiah. 

    How many of us see Jesus? Untold numbers have come to the cross with repentant hearts, seeking forgiveness for their sins and receiving it, because they believed in their hearts that Jesus died for them, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where He is seated at God's right hand. Yet we know that our numbers are few, that only a fraction of this world's past, present and future populations have recognized their need for a Savior. 

    Many, many more, too many to number have turned their  backs on the God who created them. Turning to the darkness and embracing its secrets and evils instead of turning to the Light and embracing Its Love and Hope. 

    So we beg you, we implore you, if you have not done so already, Come to the Cross and see Jesus. Come to the Well and drink the Living Water of Life. Come to the Garden and see the empty tomb. Come to the Table and taste the Bread of Life. Let Him fill your cup with Himself and let it overflow. 

    Jesus tells us that "they who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness will be filled" in one of His most famous sermons. Have you had enough of this world's fakeness? Come to Jesus, for He is Truth. Do you find yourself hungering for something you can only find at the cross? Come nearer to see Him clearly. Come today, for there is only now: tomorrow is promised to no one. 

JUSTIFIED & SAVED

I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary - Gaither Vocal Band

You Say - Lauren Daigle

God Be Merciful To Me - Jars of Clay

Near The Cross - Shirley Willis

I Found God - Ben Laine

Awe of You - CAIN

Overcomer - Eddie James

Praise God I'm Free - Various Artists

A Crucified Life - - Proclaims The Word of Faith

 

   

Romans 10:8,9

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the Word of Faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2784

Proclaim: to herald publicly with conviction

From the Greek word 'kérussó' (pronounced kay-roos'-so): refers to preaching the Gospel as the authoritative (binding) word of God, bringing eternal accountability to all who hear it.

    Did you get that? ALL who hear the Word of God preached are ACCOUNTABLE for the Word they have heard. Convicting power right there. When I hear the Word of Faith preached, I am accountable for what I am hearing. When I preach the Word of Faith, anyone hearing me, even if you are reading the Word I bring, is accountable for what they are hearing. (If you're like me, you tend to speak the words as you read them, even if it's just a whisper or your hear the Word in your thoughts).

    We need to listen to the Spirit of God when He brings convicting power into our hearing. When the Word of God says to do a certain thing and we don't do it, that's sin. When the Word of God says not to do a certain thing and we do it, that's sin, too. 

    In this verse we read and understand that believing on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the key to salvation through the atoning work of Christ on the cross. 

ETERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY

    Having believed that Christ died on the cross to save us from the eternal damnation (hell) that was our destiny as the result of sin in our lives, now, if we have believed that Jesus is Lord, then our eternal destination has changed and we are on the road to eternal life (heaven). Forgiven [Crowder].

    For now, in this life, we walk in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), for death no longer threatens us. We live our lives within the bold love of God, telling everyone we can that Jesus is Lord, testifying of how He changes our lives and how He can change their lives. Look What The Lord Has Done (Lindell Cooley [Revival In Brownsville].

THE ONE GOSPEL

    John 3:16-18

16) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
 17) "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18) “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

    I believe. In 1996 I gave my heart to Jesus: I became a born again believer. I was attending a wonderful little Methodist church near our home out in the county. Our children and I walked the quarter-mile every Sunday to attend church, with me pushing the twins in their stroller. 

    One Sunday, almost 28 years ago, I made the public announcement that I had chosen to listen to God above all else. My heart changed and then my attitudes changed. And then, my whole life was turned upside down. The husband I had at that time didn't want to be married to me any more, so the size of my family changed. We were broken. But I was Alive in Christ and my brokenness was just the beginning. My heart had to broken so that God could fill me up with Himself and mend my broken places. 

    And I came here to this sprawling city. Living in the city is completely different from living in the country. But God is everywhere and I had decided to follow His leading. Here is where He led me and here I stand, testifying of God's faithfulness in my life. 

    That decision led me to a wonderful little church where I was discipled with love to become a Sunday School teacher, a Youth Leader and a faith-based songwriter. I attended that church for five years, 1997-2002.

    From there I was launched by the Spirit into the church I currently attend. Here I became the Singles Leader for a brief time (2 years) and then began to study for the ministry to become a preacher. One heart/life/soul changing decision led to many open doors for me. 

    When we choose to take a stand, and not back down, for the life-changing, heart-cleansing, gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, then we need to be prepared for the outcome of our stance. We need to be prepared to be come against from all directions. We need the Word of Faith that has been planted in us by our hearing of it and believing it to Grow in us, that Christ would be visible to others by our words and our actions. We need to Speak Jesus.

    Do you believe? Let me hear you testify. 

     

    

A Crucified Life - - Lives In The Righteousness of Christ

 

    Romans 10:4

For Christ is the end of the law [it leads to Him and its purpose is fulfilled in Him], for [granting] righteousness to everyone who believes [in Him as Savior]. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 

The End: the principal end, aim, purpose

From the Greek word 'telos' (pronounced tel'-os): reaching the end, as in a seaman's telescope, stretching out one length at a time until it reaches its full potential and fulfills its purpose. 

    The psalmist writes in Psalm 119:

     Psalm 119:144

The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.

    Psalm 119:138

The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.

    Peter writes:

     1 Peter 1:23-25

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God. For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the Word that was proclaimed to you.

    As the law of God was righteous, so is the Living Word of God. And God gives both to us because He loves us so. We desire to live in His righteousness because we love Him in return. We are thrilled and overjoyed that God should choose to love us in such a way as sending His Son to die for us, that we might live for Him. 

    Paul writes in Romans 13:

     Romans 13:14

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

    How do we put on Christ? By believing that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son and that He died on the cross where God placed our sins on Him; that He defeated death, hell and the grave; that He walked out of the grave and ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God. 

    Throughout the New Testament of Scripture we are instructed -- discipled -- on how to live out our faith, live a Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-filled life that honors God. That's dressing ourselves in the righteousness of Christ on a daily basis. 

    Only then will we be able to portray Christ to the world. He must first increase in us as we become more hidden in Him.

    John 3:30

"He must increase, but I must decrease.”

    Colossians 3:1-4

1) Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3) For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4) When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5) Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

PUTTING ON CHRIST 

I Found God

Beatitude

Defender

Unfailing

Psalm 34:1-9

You're The Best

Red Carpet 

Filled With The Light

A Crucified Life - - Has A Heart For Israel

 

    2 Corinthians 10:1

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2107

Desire: good pleasure

From the Greek word 'eudokia' (pronounced yoo-dok-ee'-ah): what seems good or beneficial to someone.

    2 Thessalonians 1:11,12

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Colossians 1:9-12, specifically verse 9, which brings us to why we pray for the salvation of others.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

    (v13,14) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

    Isaiah 45:22

Look unto Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I Am God, and there is none else.

    We pray for your salvation through Jesus Christ. We pray for Israel to know the salvation of God through His Lamb who paid the penalty for sin, once and for all (Hebrews 7:25).

    Isaiah 59:16

He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.

    Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!

    Romans 8:34

Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God--and He is interceding for us.

    1 Corinthians 1:21

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

    Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 

    It is not enough to have the 'heart's desire' for someone's salvation. We can have hopes, wishes, and dreams all day long. But unless we're willing and obedient to put in the effort and time to pray for that person's salvation, hope is rendered useless on our part. 

    And so we pray, as Paul prayed for the people in his Israelite heritage. He knew they were zealous for God (2 Corinthians 10:2), but their knowledge of God's plan of salvation was lacking. Having believed the Lord for his own personal salvation, Paul now seeks that all Israel may know this joy which he himself has found in Christ Jesus. 

    As, too, we should have an urgency in our spirit to pray for Israel's salvation. For they are God's elect, the people God set apart for Himself, taken out of all the tribes of earth because they had a heart to worship Him. 

    You may ask, 'What does it mean to be God's elect'? Simply put, elect means chosen. God called Abram (Genesis 12:1), gave him promises (Genesis 12:2-3) and Abram acknowledged God as Lord (Genesis 12:4). 

    When God calls and we respond to His call, acknowledging Him as our Lord, we become His people. Genesis 28:10-22 tells us of Jacob's first meeting with God, where God called him, gave him promises and Jacob acknowledged God as Lord (v21). 

    God Changes Jacob's Name to Israel

Genesis 32:24-32 gives us the history of how Israel got its name. They are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But only the seed receives the blessing of salvation, not the descendants. So we pray for the descendants (the bloodline of Israel) to become the seed (the bloodline of Christ). 

   

RISE UP by CAIN

LIFE AFTER DEATH by TobyMac