Sunday, November 9, 2008

Scripture Challenge {Week 45}

Week 45 Challenge Word: Cross

I must admit I had trouble looking at this word this week. I shed many, many tears. I know these things. I know what Jesus has done for me but to truly, truly focus on this word this week was completely overwhelming. His love for me and for you is incomprehensible. I pray that you will meditate on this word this week and really look at what He has done for you. I am citing several scripture references this week too because I think it is so important that you see the proof from His True Word and not just from me. I highly encourage you to look up these passages. If you are pressed for time, go to Biblegateway. You can highlight and copy the references I give and look them up quickly on Biblegateway. You will be so blessed in looking at these. This post truly could be very long but I will try to keep it short and to the point.

As I studied, I read a bit from Max Lucado as I always love to do. Here is what I found from his book “He Chose the Nails.”

“Between His hand and the wood there was a list: our mistakes, our lusts and lies and greedy moments. A list of our sins. The list God has made, however, cannot be read. The mistakes are covered. The sins are hidden. Those at the top are hidden by His hand; those down the list are covered by His blood . . . What kept Him from resisting? He knew the price of those sins was death. He knew the source of those sins was you, and since He couldn’t bear the thought of eternity without you, He chose the nails. Jesus Himself chose the nails.”

Jesus was not a victim. He willingly gave up His life and His spirit on the Cross for you and for me. See Matthew 27:50-54, John 19:39-30, 2 Corinthians 5:21. His work on the Cross demands a response. Even the temple and the earth responded to Jesus’ death. Look at Matthew 27:51. And did you notice in that passage that the curtain was torn in two from the top to the bottom? It was also as thick as a man’s hand!! Only God could do such a thing! Please don’t let the world steal your focus. Focus on Him and what He has done for you!

Have you accepted His gift of salvation? If you have accepted His gift, then as a believer you are to take up your Cross daily and follow Him. Not weekly or monthly but daily! See Luke 9:23. As a believer are you living for Him? How are you sharing in your churches and in your community? Focus on Him. It is not about this life!

And if you have not accepted His gift of salvation, will you do that today? Don't delay coming to Him by putting others or things first. I encourage you to make that commitment, come to Him, and fully follow Him each day. Please e-mail me if you have questions about your salvation. I would love to hear from you.

For my card this week, I used the amazing November kit again from Create My Keepsake. On the front of my card, I used the beautiful cross from the Flourished Christian Symbols set from Our Daily Bread Designs. On the back I used the Cross of Christ set since it had Hebrews 12:2 which was the scripture I had already chosen for today.
Hebrews 12:2a "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross. . ."

I hope that you will take up your Cross daily this week and follow Him! Blessings to each of you!

11 comments:

Ally's Corner said...

Take up your Cross daily is what we are learning reading the book "Choose your Life" in our church. It's so ture.
Ally

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful Patter!
BTW-I tagged you! Check my blog for details:)http://bringinghistorytolife.blogspot.com/

Stephanie said...

Patter: What a great reminder! My dh just preached a sermon this AM entitled, "The Five Miracles of Calvary." In it he talks of the veil splitting from top to bottom and how the veil was as thick as a man's hand. Two oxen couldn't have pulled the veil apart. Before Calvary, the veil symbolized how we couldn't approach God because of our sin. The splitting of the veil symbolizes our ability to talk to God at any time because of Chirst's work on the cross. Thanks for all your work on these words each week.

Unknown said...

Patter,
This is absolutely beautiful. Everything that you wrote and the scriptures you chose. God has truly blessed you with the gift of sharing His Word. Have a blessed week.

Anonymous said...

Thank you again for sharing God's Word. The way you write and tell us all through your blog is amazing. So beautiful. I love seeing Him work through you. I know you must touch everyone who comes by your blog. Me included each and every time. Your blog is truthfully my favorite to come to. Thank you. :)
~Chelsea

Amy Johnson said...

Beautiful lesson, as always. Love your card. The cross image is gorgeous! Love the brown fringe and how you did the sentiment. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Good word! When I think of the cross I always think of the scene in the Mel Gibson Movie where Jesus, beaten beyond belief, crawled on that cross for me - He wasn't forced or dragged there, HE CHOSE to die for my sins -- it humbles me every time I 'see' it in my mind...
Again, thanks letting Him use you to give us these words each week - it's been a blessing!

redbow said...

hi , Patter, Thank you so much for this! I just returned from my walk to Emmaus weekend and saw the word of the week! what a perfect word fro me, I have just spent a wonderful weekend focusing on God's love for me and Christ's sacrafice for me. Thank you for being a vessel for God. :)

Sheena Richmond said...

Hi Patter,
I just happened upon your site and was so happy to see the salvation story so clearly put. How refreshing, in all the negativity the internet can sometimes be, to see these words.I pray they will encourage many :)

Debbie Olson said...

Patter, this is a beautiful piece, and a beautiful message; thank you for sharing it so clearly!

Anonymous said...

I never realized that coming by here a year later and studying the same topic would have such an impact on me and reach me in deeper ways than before. A true testimony that the Lord is working with me daily... how I love this walk with Him!! Thank you for sharing with us all, my dear friend!
~Chelsea

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