Faith at the Cross

Consider the Faith that shadowed the Cross! Can we even comprehend the idea of “Faith” being on hand as the Crucifixion is taking place? Yet John stood there Faithfully embracing the moment. He had followed Jesus. The rest of the Disciples had scattered in the fearful moments that followed. It is probable that each of us at sometime have had such a “crossing” a painful moment, a disturbing crisis, a trying and troubling situation and fear knocked at the door and we crossed over into anxiety and fear. Perhaps we sought some mechanism, some out or some place or person to hide out with to escape the crisis – a cross. I say this because we hear the Words of Jesus telling us to “take up thy cross and follow me.” Perhaps we have had moments where we felt the cross was too heavy, or we could not go another step … again we look to Jesus and the road that He trod. We see His Faith as He continues to pursue His Father’s desire. The beating, the mocking, the weariness, they let him away to Crucify Him. Movies often show Jesus falling and struggling, but Scripture does not tell us He fell beneath the load, it tells us – “As they came out, [the soldiers, Jesus, and the crowd that followed] they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, him they compelled to bear His Cross.”  Could this be an example to us?  When we hear Jesus say, “take up thy cross and follow me?” Simon finished Jesus’ journey to the Cross and now we must carry the cross of Salvation for the world is fast paced toward the end of all things. Faith is the things hoped for – the evidence of things not seen. Jesus’ Faith in the Father’s plan would be the evidence that we now “trust” – Eternal Life. What Faith Jesus had as He proclaimed to the man on the other cross … “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”  Jesus Faith enduring the Cross abolished death, and brought life and immortality to us. May we have the Testimony of Faith in these trying times as we remember the men and women who walked before us.  In Faith we hear the Spirit say to John, write … “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the Testimony of Jesus: Worship God: for the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. He was clothed with a vesture dipped in Blood: and   His name is called The Word of God.” Jesus Faith prevailed!     Loving you, Pastor

“Torment – Perfection?”

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ~ Philippians 3:10

What a glorious day in which we can be called the “saints of God, His Friend!”  While we look around us and see the signs of the time; fires, earthquakes, devastation in our land, hate spewing out, and torment on every hand, we know that no weapon formed against us will prosper!  We see hate in our land, huge quantities of violence and the works of darkness springing forth with great vigor. But let us focus on the power of our “Mighty God!” I read in Joshua 23:14 these Words from God: “Behold, this day I Am going the way of all the earth: and ye now in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you: all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof!” Here is a Powerful statement: “The enemy of our soul seeks to torment us, while our God turns His Love upon us and this Love perfects us! God’s love is more powerful then the torment of the enemy. As we look over the avenue of our life and note the struggles, we also note that we have survived and God has not failed us, He is working His perfection in our difficulties. While the enemy’s desire is to torment us, deceive us, and breed his ill will toward us – God’s Love is perfecting and proving us! This is ironic, let me point to the 11^th Chapter of Hebrews Vs 27-40; "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; [Of whom the world was not worthy]: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the Promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Our forefathers in the Faith paved the way for the Promise to become a reality in our Life. That Promise being Jesus, the One who shed His life Blood for our Salvation. Out of their torment and Faithfulness, we received the Blessing of Eternal Life. John the Beloved and Friend of Jesus writes under the Anointing of the Holy Ghost and declares: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son … If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit.” In moments of torment, let us remember God’s Word to us, for it is our strength and power for that moment. Hear the Word of Lord … “Whoso keepteth His Word, in him verily is the Love of God perfected: hereby we know we that we are in Him!” – “Herein is our Love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment … There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. We love Him because He first loved us!” O saints these are the “proving days” the sincere days of our “overcoming” and the sharing of our testimony in Christ! Loving you and keeping you in Prayer, Pastor