Month: April 2019

His Work, My Benefit

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A week has passed since we celebrated Easter; the suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Although, the holiday and our festivities have passed, may we never forget the work of Calvary. Our Savior suffered a gruesome death on a shameful cross, yet on the third day He fulfilled His promise of a glorious rising. It was His gruesome death and glorious rising that affords us numerous benefits. Here are a few of the benefits that I reflected on this Easter:

It secured my salvation. – Simply put, He died in my stead. I deserved death on the cross, but instead I have received the gift of eternal life. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” leaves no doubt about our secured salvation. There was nothing I could do to earn salvation or escape damnation, it was all His Work. His Work on Calvary secured my salvation. Ephesians 2, expounds upon the work of the cross:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh a and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:1-10, New International Version

It gives me a new identity. – Not only did His death and rising secure my salvation, it gives me a new identity. Look back at Ephesians 2:10. We are now God’s handiwork, His masterpiece, His workmanship! No longer is my identity tied to sin, disobedience, and unrighteousness. I have a new identity! I’m now holy and the righteousness of God!

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21

It affords me another chance. – I’m grateful for my new identity. However, there are times, in my imperfections, I fail to properly align my actions with my new identity. There are other times, I fail to properly operate in my God assigned purpose. Yet, the Easter Story reminds me that Jesus affords me another chance. He afforded Peter another chance, and he does the same for us. It was Peter who confidently answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” when Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” It was the same Peter, who adamantly proclaimed to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Yet, it was the same Peter, who did deny Jesus! However, that was not the end. After His Resurrection, in John 21, we see Jesus afford Peter another chance. He restored Peter to the fold and reminded Peter of his identity and purpose! Peter was no longer just a fisherman, he was a fisher of men!

Take a moment to reflect on Jesus’ gruesome death and glorious rising, knowing that it secures your salvation; it gives you a new identity; and never forget it affords you another chance. Today is your chance to walk in your new identity and to carry your cross! Jesus states, in Luke 14:27, “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Good Friends…Great Blessings

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Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
Mark 2:2-12 New Living Translation

Good Friends…Great Blessings

Where would he have been without his four friends? Destined for life on a mat? A life of paralysis? A life without encountering Jesus! Mark 2:1-12, details the story of a paralyzed man and the efforts of his friends, to get him to Jesus. At the end of the story, the paralyzed man receives great blessings of healing and forgiveness. Wow! How awesome it is to have good friends. Proverbs 27:9 declares, “The sweet smell of incense can make you feel good, but true friendship is better still,”(Contemporary English Version). Good Friends…Great Blessings!

The friends of the paralyzed took great efforts to get him to Jesus. Through the process, they were willing to:

• Bear his burdens – When we first see the man in Mark 2, he is being carried on a bed, by his four friends. His friends were willing to bear his burdens. They were willing to carry him when he could not carry himself. Paul instructs us in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” There are times, we encounter friends, who may be paralyzed physically, financially, emotionally, or even spiritually, and we should prayerfully help them bear their burdens. A burden shared is truly lighter! So let us be like these four friends, as we carry our cross daily, let us seek opportunities to bear the burdens of others!

• Overcome present obstacles – Not only, were the four friends, willing to bear the burdens of their paralytic friend. They were willing to overcome present obstacles. When they approached the house that Jesus was teaching in, it was packed. There was no possible way, they could make their way through the door, of the house. How were they going to get their friend to Jesus, with such obstacles in their way? They could have just figured, “Oh well, we’ve tried.” They could have assumed the man’s plot in life was to be confined to a bed. They could have just gave up. However, they were not intimidated by obstacles. Obstacles were only a inconvenience, not a showstopper. A crowded house, wasn’t enough to stop them, from getting their paralytic friend to the miracle worker!
They were willing to overcome any present obstacles. They were willing to go to extremes. They were willing to be unconventional. They were willing to be radical. They literally tore a hole in the roof of the house, to give their friend access to Jesus! Could you be that bold for a friend in need? As we carry our cross daily, let us not be hindered by obstacles. Let us be bold and overcome present obstacles to help one another!

• Place him in the presence – Not only, were the four friends, willing to overcome present obstacles to help their friend. They didn’t just tear a hole in the roof. They lowered their friend through the roof, and placed him in the presence of Jesus. Good friends will place you in the presence of Jesus. When the paralytic couldn’t make his way to Jesus, he had good friends who placed him in the presence of Jesus. Once he was in the presence of Jesus, Jesus did the rest! Jesus forgave his sins and healed the man of his paralysis. The man was no longer bound to a bed or bound to sin! His good friends were instrumental in him receiving great blessings!

You may have family and/or friends paralyzed by sin, who can’t make their way to Jesus, but you can place them in His presence. You can place them in the presence of Jesus, by faithfully praying for their life and salvation. As we carry our cross daily, let us remember those who are struggling to make it to Jesus. Let’s put them in the presence of Jesus through daily prayer! Once they are in His presence, He is more than capable of doing the rest. Just as healed and forgave the paralyzed man; he can heal, forgive, and deliver those paralyzed by a world of sin.

Today, God may be calling you to carry your cross by being a good friend to someone in need of some great blessings. On the contrary, you may be the one in need of a good friend, and I’m so glad that Jesus is willing to call us friends (John 15:15). Jesus, is without a doubt, a mighty good friend and his friendship is full of great blessings!

Unlikely Freedom

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They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Mark 5:1-8, 15-20

Unlikely Freedom

Here we find a hopeless, helpless man, tormented by demons. His suffering was so severe, he couldn’t enjoy any sense of normality. He had made his home in the tombs. He was an outcast, a crazed lunatic, a horrific sight to witness! Nobody knew how to help him. The only recourse was containment!

People tried to contain him. No, not help him, but contain him with chains. He tore the physical chains, but the chains of demonic torture couldn’t be broken. He often tore the physical chains off his hands, but remained bound by the tormenting chains of his mind. He often tore the physical chains off his feet, but remained a prisoner of the strongholds of the enemy. He was bound with no hint of freedom; and the torment was taking its toll!

His nights and days were filled with crying. He knew he was bound; yet, all he could do was cry in misery. The pain was so intense and lonely; in his desperation he began to cut himself. He created outward pain trying to escape the internal pain.

However, the good news was Jesus showed up! When Jesus showed up, things had to change. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” (2 Corinthians 3:17, NIV). The demons that had continuously inflicted this man with pain, were no match for the Almighty! Jesus casted the demons out and the man was free and found sitting in his right mind.

He experienced Unlikely Freedom! It seemed his fate would always be amongst the tombs, amongst the dead, amongst the bound, but Unlikely Freedom had come for him! It seemed his fate would always be pain and torment, but Unlikely Freedom had been granted to him!

The good news, is you too, can experience that Unlikely Freedom. The same Jesus who went to the region of the Gadarenes with an assignment to bring freedom to that bound man, offers the same deliverance, healing, and freedom today. Jesus is willing to free you from the grips of Satan. Hebrews 11:6 declares, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So today, I encourage you to call out to Jesus with your deepest pain, and watch Him move on your behalf! Open up to Him in prayer, cry out to Jesus; He is touched by the infirmities of his people! Get ready to experience Unlikely Freedom from whatever has you bound, get ready to experience Unlikely Freedom from whatever is tormenting you, get ready to experience Unlikely Freedom from whatever is causing you sleepless nights.

As you embark upon your Unlikely Freedom, just know there is more to the story. This man went from Unlikely Freedom to an Unlikely Assignment! After Jesus healed the man, it was time for Jesus to keep going on to his next assignment. It should come as no surprise, that this man now wanted to go with Jesus. Of course, he wanted to go with Jesus. Jesus had just changed his whole life! However, what is surprising, is Jesus’ response. Jesus doesn’t invite the man into the boat to travel with Him. Jesus literally sends the man away. Yet, He sends him away with clear instructions, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Jesus gave him an Unlikely Assignment. Now the one who had been bound, had the assignment to spread the gospel, so others could be loosed. He shared his testimony of what Jesus Christ had done for him; and as a result, “all the people were amazed.”

Yes, you too, have an Unlikely Assignment! As He breaks your chains and grants you Unlikely Freedom boldly perform your Unlikely Assignment. Jesus has given you a cross to take up, a cross to carry! Take up your cross by being a witness to your family, your community, your neighbors, your co-workers about a God who can offer Unlikely Freedom to anyone!