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“God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 NLT One of Satan’s most successful ploys to defeat God’s people, and block them from completing the work God created them to do, is by convincing them that they don’t matter and that anything they have done, or might do, has no real significance. That is a lie!
As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, let us remember that God created each one of us uniquely to accomplish work that only we can do. We matter. Therefore, you not only matter to God, but you are also important to this world. The verse above, 1 Corinthians 1:9, gives us one proof of that. When we believe in Jesus and trust in his completed work on the Cross, we leave the old behind and are being transformed into totally new people. We enter into partnership with the Father’s Son Jesus, and are tasked with bringing Christ’s Kingdom to earth. What does that look like? Well, look at what Jesus did on earth. He drew people to the truth of who the heavenly Father is, he healed, delivered and taught the truth. He raised people from the dead. We may not have a miracles ministry, but we are all commanded to love people into the Kingdom using the gifts and talents that God has provided. By trusting in the Holy Spirit’s power at work in and through us, we can change our environment, rescue the innocent and oppressed and bring hope to the hopeless. You have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead at work within you, so nothing is impossible as you partner with Jesus. (Romans 8:11) The devil knows that he loses his power over humankind as we recognize the authority given to us to partner with Jesus. So, shake off the discouragement! Tell the devil he may not lie to you and block you any longer. Decide to believe the truth. Because of what we celebrate at Easter, Christ’s completed work for us on the Cross, you are very important. You are a child of God and a partner with Jesus to hasten Christ’s return and Satan’s ultimate defeat. Pray with me: Father God, forgive me for allowing the devil’s lies about me to discourage and block me from believing you and partnering with Jesus. Holy Spirit, strengthen my will and multiply my faith. Teach me, and work through me, to hasten Christ’s return and Satan’s final defeat. In Jesus’ powerful, compassionate name, I pray. Amen. Dear friend, be alert to the lies you believe that prevent you from believing that you are important and that what you do matters. Be blessed as your faith and courage multiply and you align with God’s desires and plans. Be blessed with overflowing joy as you learn to partner with Jesus in bringing his Kingdom to earth. Amen. Mary Sumner March 29, 2019
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“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” Galatians 5:24 NLT Nowadays, many Protestant churches have minimized the forty days before Easter, called Lent. Even though we break no spiritual law by ignoring this time, we do miss out on an important season that calls us to meditate and search our souls for things that might block us from a deep relationship with our God and from receiving more of his love and blessings. Let me urge you to commit time to being before the Lord and allowing the Holy Spirit to show you what might be changed in your heart. It will be more than worth it.
As we meditate on the Cross of Christ we might discover, or be reminded, of its power. Paul exhorts us to remember in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” It is the power to save us once and forever, no matter how we might fall. It is also the power to continue to rescue us from sin and sinful thinking and habits, as we return to it in repentance. The empty Cross reminds us that Jesus paid it all, he took all the punishment we deserve, for all times, and for every time we fall short of God’s holiness. The Cross sets us free from condemnation once and every time we come to confess and be cleansed in Christ’s blood, his righteousness. (1 John 1:9) Satan hates the Cross because he knows he loses every battle when we depend on Jesus’ completed work for us there. When was the last time you came to the Cross and participated in the exchange available to us there? Our sin is exchanged for Christ’s righteousness, our fear for his love, our anger for his forgiveness and peace, our weakness for his strength, and so much more. Father God wants to give you exceedingly more than you could imagine, not in some distant future, but right now. No, you don’t deserve it, but Jesus has already been paid the price for every good gift the Father wants to extend to you. I urge you, sit at the Cross, meditate on its power for you and then ask the Holy Spirit what needs to be exchanged there. Be set free, be encouraged and receive new strength to carry on. Then, worship the God who loves you so intimately and dearly! Pray with me: Father God, forgive me for allowing busyness and the concerns of my day to block me from receiving all that you desire for me in this time. Holy Spirit, multiply my faith. Stir in me the desire to sit at the foot of the Cross and to participate in the great exchange and receive the very power of resurrection that is always available to me. In your precious name, Jesus. Amen. Dear friend, may your spirit be awakened to the love, power and promises available at the Cross. Be blessed with amazement and awe as you sit at the Cross and receive fresh revelation of who your Savior is and all that God has released to you in the season of Lent. Amen. Mary Sumner March 22, 2019 “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8 NLT God, being all-powerful, all-knowing and always present is never surprised and is always in control. Therefore, when bad things happen, we may blame God for causing or allowing them. However, the Bible also tells us that God is always good. Goodness is one of the traits that sets our living God apart from all others, and every trait of God is eternal, unchanging and unchangeable. Therefore, God is always good, all the time, even though our human minds cannot understand the bigger picture. What we think is a bad thing now, may be the best thing when looking back from the future.
That is important to understand, for all our hope is anchored in our God being loving, good, always on our side and always wanting what is best for us. All those who believe the Word of God can trust in his goodness. So, when we see no way out of the darkness, knowing and trusting in God’s goodness gives us confidence to endure and persevere in order to become overcomers in those hard times. We can trust that God has the plan to rescue us. Beyond that, our Lord has promised to use all things for the good of those who love him and have been called by him. It seems that the people around us are always changing. We cannot always rely on them to rally to our defense or be there when we need them. God, on the contrary, is always faithful, always present when we need him. Our God is always good to us, and is working in and for us. When was the last time you experienced God’s goodness? Have you shared it with someone who needs encouragement today? Pray with me: Father God, forgive me for questioning your goodness when things look bad. I choose to believe the truth that you are always good. You love me and are working all things for my good. Holy Spirit, teach me to recognize God’s goodness in my life and to be truly thankful. In the excellent name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. Dear friend, may you be surprised by joy as you recognize and believe that God is always good to you. May you shine with radiant love for him and others as you choose to testify with your life to God’s eternal goodness. Amen. Mary Sumner March 8, 2019 |
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