JESUS IS COMING!

Isa 60:1-3 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

We don’t have four hundred years or more until Jesus returns! His return is at hand. Jesus said no man knows the time, but we can know the seasons. I know the season and if you will take a moment and reflect on the times, you will recognize the season! In the year 1948 the “fig tree” nation of Israel was reborn. The Bible says the generation that sees this transpire will see the Day of the Lord.

Jesus said that there would be a period of “darkness…gross darkness…” The Hebrew word literally means darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness. Every day 5000 babies are murdered and our youth are being slaughtered in our schools and communities. Divorce is at an all time high and same sex marriage is acceptable. Fathers have abandoned their wives and children. Evolutionists lie concerning their philosophy and Creationism can’t even be taught. (It’s easier for me to believe in Creation than it is in evolution.)

Drugs and prostitution are out of control and homosexuality is an acceptable sin in the world wide community. God has been kicked out of our classrooms, courthouses and even our government. Even now the national day of prayer is being challenged because it is a Godless government sanctioned event. The White House has become a joke wrapped in immorality, trickery and deceit, no matter what party occupies the throne.

Israel has been re-established as a Nation and Jerusalem is her Capital city. Russia controls all the Northern African nations, and is intimately entwined with the Islamic nations who are bent on the total destruction of Israel. All of these nations are funded and equipped, as prophesied. Red China now has an Army of 200 million men capable of marching at any moment against Jerusalem.

The United States has begun to lose her influence over the world due to a lack of strong Godly leadership (also prayer by the Church) with integrity and backbone. Palestine wants part of Jerusalem back. President Obama and Hillary both say “Yes.” The United Nations has passed measures in favor of giving up part of the Capital City. The Bible says “it is not going to happen.”

Religions are now headed toward a one world ecumenical church, where any way to God is acceptable and sin is no longer deemed sin. It’s Ok unless you hurt someone. (Sin always hurts someone!) The world is fearful of Nuclear holocaust and rightfully so, with terrorist organizations most likely already connected with a reliable source of nuclear capability. This fear is that which sets the stage for a Global Community Leader…the Antichrist.

We are the “Fig Tree” generation and Jesus is coming! We are in the days of His return. The “Day of the Lord” is at hand! You may go to church to do your religious thing, get your weekly fix or to fulfill your obligation, but it is time to kick religion out of your life! These are the days. We are in urgent times and His return is imminent. If your loved ones have died in Christ, it will not be another hundred years before you see them again.

Jerusalem, the one last piece of the puzzle is in place, and there are no other prophecies that need to be fulfilled before the rapture of the Church and the unrolling of the Scroll containing the seven seals. I’ve got news for each of you. In the relative scheme of things, just a few short days from now, (I believe in our lifetime) “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

The Truth is that Jesus is returning again and he is coming soon. The question is, “Are you ready for His return?” He is coming to gather His Church right before all hell breaks loose on this earth. Is He the Savior and LORD over your life? Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.”

I implore you today to get ready, get real and get moving! Give up and get up; start moving in loving obedience, running with the Spirit of God! Put God and the affairs of His Kingdom, first and begin. This is not a game! This is not Churchianity …it is Christianity! Once you are ready, THEN we begin to influence those whose paths we cross and those we love. You do not want to have anyone your know left behind to experience the tribulation!

On the next Blog, join with me as we continue to explore all that will happen when Jesus takes His Church out of this world!

NEED TO FEED!

"Man lives...by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

We discovered the nest when we walked outside our front door last year and immediately came under attack from the parents. The nest stands in a 6' pine bush we have next to our sidewalk. We've watched and waited patiently for the birthing process to occur. I was rewarded when the first little guy popped through and wobbled back and forth unsteadily. He was hilarious, with a completely naked body, huge bug eyes and a patch of hair on the very top of his head. It looked like he had a bad mohawk haircut. (SEE THE PICTURE ABOVE...THIS IS PROOF!)

Then there were more in the nest and every time I made a noise their mouths poped open eagerly expecting to feed on something! If we REALLY WANT TO LIVE LIFE TO IT'S FULLEST, we need to develop the same attitude spiritually. Jesus said that “Man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” The converse is also true...if you don't feed on the Word of God you are not able to live like He desires you to live.

In John 10:10 Jesus said that He came that you and I might "…have life and have it more abundantly." The Greek word used for life is "zoe" and one translation declares it to be "the God kind of life." God has designed a lifestyle that he desires to flow through us and Jesus declares that lifestyle should be the “God kind of lifestyle.” Acts 17:28 states “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; …For we are also his offspring.” Nothing in the Bible states that we will go through life unaffected and untouched by the troubles, situations and circumstances of life. On the contrary the Bible declares in Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

We are told in the initial Scripture that "Man lives...by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 If you want to live life the way it was designed to be lived, then you need to feed on the Word and the promises of God! If you continue to exercise your physical body or your mind without feeding them, your physical strength will fail and your mind will grow dull and stagnate. It’s the same with your spirit man. Remember…you are a spirit. You live in a house called a body and you have a soul (Mind, emotions, intellect, willpower, imagination). The most essential part of your life is to feed on God’s Word!

Paul tells us that the Word of God “ is alive, sharp and powerful Hebrews 4…” Solomon relates to us that the words of God are “life to those that find them and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 20

His Word keeps you from offending or rebelling against Him. Ps 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

His Word empowers and strengthens you! Ps 119:28 “My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.”

His Word will not change; EVER! Ps 119:89 “For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.”

His Word gives us instruction or as I like to call it “The Manufacturer’s Handbook.” Ps 119:105 “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

His Word illuminates the way to the liberating truth! John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

His Word contains His Principles of living the God kind of Life as discovered in John 10:10 .Joshua 1: 8 “This book of the law must not depart out of your mouth; but thou must meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written in it: for then thou will make thy way prosperous, and then thou will have good success.”

God has a Commandment concerning taking His Name in vain…BUT His Word is even more VALUED by God! Ps 138:2 “…for you have magnified thy word above your name.”

Every human being has an eternal, innate drive or quest for satisfaction, that can only be satiated when you give in to the hunger and thirst for His Word and feed on it. You begin to live when you live by every word that God has given us!

Jesus said that the key to withstanding the storms of life comes from the discovery and application of the principles (Word) of God. Matthew 7:24-27.

Grace (The Divine Ability of God) and peace are increased in our lives as we increase our intimate knowledge and communion with God through His Word. The Bible declares that He has given us everything “that pertains to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him.” 2 Peter 1:3

Here’s what it boils down to…

The More you know Him…The more you’ll love Him.

The More you love Him…The more you’ll trust Him.

The More you trust Him…the more you’ll obey Him!

It all begins with knowing Him through His Word!

Like the baby bird outside my house…you were designed to respond every time you hear His sound. You spiritual mouth drops open and desperately seeks to feed. Sad to say…most of us continue to starve and die, refusing to feast at the table that God has prepared for each of us!

Respond today and make time for His Word. You’ll never know Him until you do. You can hear about God from people like me or even from people who don’t know Him at all. Discover the Character and Nature of God as revealed in the life of Jesus. “…he that has seen me has seen the Father…” John 14:9

LIVE LIFE TODAY…FEAST ON HIS WORD! Those who feed continuously will grow into Godly Character and display His nature!

Thanks Baby Bird!

DRIP OR DROP; YOUR CHOICE!

John 7: 38 “He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers (currents) of living water.”

Revival is coming to the Church! Joel 2:23 “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God…He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” There is coming a period of time when the Glory of God is going to pour out of His Church onto all the earth. Isaiah 6:3 “…Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His Glory.” This Glory will be in the full power of the Holy Spirit, of both the Old and New testament Glory.

Make no mistake. The Church is going to be a Glorious work of God out of which flows saving power from the Heart of a Loving and gracious God. Ephesians 5:27 “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Notice in this Scripture that the Glorious Church is going to be a “holy” Church. The Spirit of the Lord has been declaring holiness to the Church for some time now, and God’s people are beginning to hunger for Who God is, not only what he can do for them.

Matthew 5:8 tells us that only the “pure in heart…shall see God.” Since we are hungry for God we are willing to give up the lusts of the flesh, selfishness, and the desires for the things of this world. Only the people who confess and forsake their sin will be able to stand in the presence of God, to receive His refreshment. Acts 319 :states that “times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord …” You will not encounter the Presence of the Lord with sin controlling our lives.

We have learned that we are “poor in spirit,” that we are desperate for the ability and enablement that flow out of relationship with God. We learn to lean on His Ways and His power and His willpower. Phillipians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” He exercises His Lordship over every area of our lives and the more He is given control, the more he will release His power and glory in and through our lives.

REVIVAL BEGINS IN YOUR OWN INDIVIDUAL LIFE! A river always begins with a drop of water, whether from a ground spring or rain from the heavens. After many drops fall, they begin to pool together as rivulets. Remember how it works on the windshield of your car. As these rivulets form and flow they too come together and begin to form small streams. Streams flow together and form creeks; creeks form into rivers; rivers to oceans!

Each one of us is a drop in the Will of the Spirit of God and even now, He has us moving towards one another. People within the walls of local community churches are praying together; forgiving one another; praying for one another; holding each other accountable; walking in agreement with one another; worshipping and praising God with one another; loving one another; serving one another; pursuing God together; walking in loving obedience together! In local churches all over the world, drops of the Spirit are flowing together and forming rivulets of “living water.”

That is happening NOW, right before our eyes!

The next move is for local churches to begin to flow with one another and form streams of the Spirit; city wide churches flowing together as creeks and States as rivers; Nations will come together in desperate hunger for God. BUT, it all begins with each of us individually.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, YOU MUST BE WILLING TO DO SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE!

Put God First in your life!
Pray for personal Revival in your own life!
Pray for personal revival in the lives of others in your Church!
Pray for revival in your Church Leadership!
Refuse to walk in sin! Be Holy!

Break out in the Power of the Spirit of God and impact somebody’s life today!
Find other Drops and join in with them! The river is coming! Psalm 46:4 “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.”

American Idol: Champion of the World!

We ARE the Champions of the World!

Jesus stated in John 16:33 “…take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Last year I watched the last 20 minutes of American Idol and I observed as the two finalists sang, together with the band Queen, “We are the Champions.” My initial thoughts were “How prideful and self centered can this show be?” Two contenders were sitting at the top of the television world, even if just for the moment, enjoying and singing their own praises, hoping to be the one selected for the Title…”Champion!” However, for this night, only one could be Champion! One was selected and the other took a back seat for the Grand Finale.

Over 100 million votes were cast, an indicator that America (And the whole world) is desperately seeking a champion! I’ll bet the majority of you don’t even know the winner’s last name or where he came from, without looking it up. Next Season he’ll be replaced by another Champion and the title will be passed on season after season.

There is but One Champion. Maybe he has never won the Popular vote or even been considered by a majority of the world’s citizens, but rest assured…HE IS THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. His title is settled…Phillipians 2:10…He has been given the Name above all names. He is the undisputed Champion of the world. He’ll never be defeated or dethroned. He’ll never be replaced, so you don’t have to wait until next season to see who’ll be replacing Him. Ephesians 1:21 from the Message puts it this way. He is “in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but FOREVER!” I think I just made myself happy! NOTHING ESCAPES HIS RULE!

Because He is THE Champion, he has shared His title with you and I. Romans 8:37 “In all these things we are more than conquerors (Champions) through Him who loved us.”

A Champion is firstly defined as…One that wins first place or first prize in a competition. Because He has been exalted we are also seated with him in heavenly places. ( You share in His Kingdom rule!) Ephesians 2:6

Secondly a Champion is defined as One who fights; a warrior; an ardent defender or supporter of a cause or another person. Mt 5:14 “You are the light of the world.” We are called to shine in the midst of a darkened world and give hope, direction and life to those who are in need.

Have you ever thought about why you are made the way you are? What makes you different? Why you are so gifted in certain areas? You are designed and called to be a Champion to someone! Mt 10:8 “…freely ye have received, freely give.”

Somebody out there needs you and your gifting and talents. Someone is worse off than you and needs some of the glorious light of the Good news shining into their life. God has chosen you for the task at hand. Take a look around. Who is it that He has positioned in your path? Who needs an introduction to the Champion? Who is waiting to cast their vote? Who is desperately waiting for the Champion to be revealed?
They come back season after season thirsting and looking for a Champion. Let’s tune them in to the right channel. Trust His words. Be a Champion for somebody…one who stands up and fights for the cause of another! “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

They are waiting for the Champion to be revealed through YOU!

CHECK ME OUT LORD!

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

One of my Spiritual mentors taught me from the beginning, a very simple secret to walking closely with God. He taught me always to be honest with God and also to always let God be honest with me. I never had a problem with being honest with God because I knew that He already knew all about me. Job 21:27 “Behold, I know your thoughts…” Psalm 94:11 “The LORD knows the thoughts of man…” It was easy for me to be honest with Him because He was the one that I could not fool. Knowing that, it was easy for me to bare my soul, openly share my feelings with Him, and expose my weaknesses, inabilities and insufficiencies.

This was a safe place to be, because I knew He cared for me even when I was a miserable sinner, desperately seeking satisfaction everywhere else but the source. Romans 5:8 “But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” If you have never realized this fact, it’s time to have a heart to heart conversation with the One Who formed you and called you into existence. He desires for you to unload your burdens, trials and tribulations on Him! His heart calls out to yours, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me… and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

His heart speaks that if we simply come to Him, He will give us rest. In addition, if we hitch (yoke) ourselves to Him and His Promises, we will find rest for our souls as well. (Our minds, emotions, imaginations, intellect, etc.) Today spend time with him and see His love and peace flowing into your being.

That part of the deal is pretty easy; but now it’s time to get on with the difficult part. For me, it was not easy to allow God to be honest with me, because then the enemy of my soul would always trick me into thinking that God was harping on all of my imperfections. I would thank Him, Praise Him, and Worship into His Presence and every time I would stop to hear His response and allow Him to speak into my life, He would tell me of His great love, care and desire to provide for me. I could listen to that all day long, but then He wanted to get even more honest and would focus my attention on an area of my life that needed cleaning up.

Precisely, at that point in the conversation, I would begin to shout Him down with praise or something like it. When he started to get real with me about me, I did not want to hear it! When I was young, I was taught that God was simply a matter of “You can’t do this. You can’t do that. You won’t do this and you won’t do that. You don’t do this and you don’t do that.” No more commandments from anyone, even God! Then I experienced a breakthrough! I discovered that His Commandments were not a burden; BUT A BREAKTHROUGH! 1John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

I discovered that in these quiet times when I allowed Him to speak to me, my faith came alive. (Romans 10:17) In these times of quiet, He would reveal Himself and His ways to me.(Psalm 46:10) His still small voice would speak to me and inject His Life into the darkest of my circumstances. His Word sprung forth in healing for my body and soul in these precious moments when I listened. (Proverbs 4:20-22) The directives, corrections and orchestrations He gave me in those quiet times literally revolutionized my life. (Proverbs 3:6, Matthew 4:4)

Go ahead Lord, Have your way! “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:24 When He points out that which offends Him, He is seeking only your good. His desire is that you would respond in loving obedience and be led along the “path of everlasting life.”

It is no coincidence that you have two ears and only one mouth. You should listen to the Voice of God twice as much as you speak to Him! How about right now! Listen to Him and allow Him to be honest with you! It’s for your own good! Thanks Pastor Anthony Spero for one of the many times you’ve been used by the Holy Spirit to change my life!

HELP IS IN THE WAY!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 “As God’s partners, we beg you not to reject this marvelous message of God’s great kindness. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation.”

So many people think that God is too busy ruling the affairs of the Universe to be involved in our daily situations, circumstances, trials and troubles. Don’t be fooled by this kind of thinking. It doesn’t take much of God’s attention or energy to rule the affairs of the Universe.

The Bible states that “The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command.” Hebrews 1:3 The entire Universe is being ruled by the Power of the words God has spoken. By each command He has given, the order of all things from galaxies to governments has been established and continues to govern their course unless God speaks a different command. That means that God has plenty of Himself (Time and Ability) left to be personally involved in your life!

2 Corinthians tells us that there is a “marvelous message of God’s great kindness” and that “God is ready to help you right now. TODAY is the day of salvation.” If you need help right now…TODAY then discover what the Bible has to say…

1) God is interested in you and the life you are living. 1Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares upon him; for he cares for you.” Romans 5:8 “God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. John 10:10 “…I have come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly.”

2) God is interested in Today. The Past is history and Tomorrow will never arrive! Jesus taught us to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.” He told us “Sufficient for the day are the evils thereof.” The psalmist declares that “each and every morning His tender mercies and compassions are renewed” and that “daily He loads us down with His benefits.”

3) Recognize that even though matters have been handled by God, the manifestations may take time to be seen. In Mark chapter 11 we see the story of the fig tree that Jesus commanded to be fruitless. It wasn’t until the next day when they passed by again, that the disciples saw the manifestation of His command. Even though the leaves had not fallen off the first day, the roots of the tree were dead immediately upon His command.

4) Believe that He will rescue you today! Mark 9:23 “ Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.”

5) Walk in loving obedience with God. John 14:21 “He that has my commandments, and keeps them…I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

6) Confess your own inability and boast of His deliverance. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says when we do, the Power of Christ will be our portion.

7) Give God the praise. Psalm 22:3 “You are holy, O you Who inhabits the praises of Israel.” When you praise Him, He shows up on the scene. When He shows up on the scene, He brings forth His Salvation.

If you need His help today…pursue Him and discover Who He is. Tug on His heart strings today and watch His mercy flow toward you! You are His Child! He is your Father, and He wants to rescue you today!

ONE UGLY FROG!

Beautiful people…You can see them everywhere and anywhere! They are displayed on Billboards, television, movies, magazines and in department stores. Beautiful people… physical attraction has been made that which draws our attention to other people and that which qualifies those same people for an elevated social status in the world in which we live.

Scientific research has proven that beautiful people receive more attention, favor, promotion, and are treated with higher regard than those who are not so privileged. What about the short; the tall; the overweight; the acne scarred teenager; the ugly; the handicapped; the cripple; the aids patient; the cancer victim; the drunk; the abused; and so on?

This afternoon, I was “deadheading” the really neat (pink…my wife chose the color) rose bushes in our front yard. While sitting on an upside down bucket, cutting the old faded roses off, something slimy moved up against my foot. When I looked down, I saw a really ugly, deformed, hump-backed toad sitting there next to me. He was looking me right in the eye. I almost expected him to say something, or to move or at least hop away. I asked him to stay for a moment while I went and got my camera to prove I wasn’t imagining things. He is pictured on this post so you can see for yourself!

The Bible says that “all men have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 In God’s eyes we must look pretty ugly. Isaiah describes our condition in these words… “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away." NLT One translation interprets the “filthy rags” as menstrual cloths.

That description tells the truth about the ugliness of our sin against God. However in His mercy and love, He still reaches out to the ugly and the sin infected. His Word declares “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3 NLT

No matter how ugly, broken, bruised, crushed, poor, depressed or demonic we are, He still draws us to Himself. Sin infected as we are, He sent His Son to die and His Spirit to pursue us and to draw us back again to Himself! “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 Thank God for His Love right now! He never gave up on you and I, no matter how unattractive we were. He saw us through the eyes of His love!

In the same manner, God expects us to reach out to the ugly people in our own circle of influence. First of all, there are those who are deluded into believing that they are the beautiful people and don’t realize their need for a Savior. Jesus addressed the beautiful people of His day in this manner. “… you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.” Matthew 23:27

We just can’t ignore these people and let them die and go to hell. We need to be filled with the same Spirit that caused Jesus to weep over the lost souls of Jerusalem as He cried “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Murderer of prophets! Killer of the ones who brought you God’s news! How often I’ve ached to embrace your children, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you wouldn’t let me.” Matthew 23:37 Even though they were ugly, murderous villains, Jesus still wanted to gather them to Himself. Ugliness doesn’t scare God! Be compassionate, and reach out to these too. Don‘t treat the beautiful people as leprous and beyond hope. There was a time when it seemed that I was also beyond hope!

Remember when you were ugly? Of course, now you recognize that you are a “treasure” and “the apple of God’s eye” and enjoy fellowship with Him. Do you remember when you sat all alone and on the inside you were crying out (Consciously or subconsciously) for someone to recognize the hurt, the pain and the emptiness. Remember how God came along side and into your life and revolutionized your ugliness. Listen very carefully here….

God “comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 TM

There are ugly people all around you right now. Who is waiting for a touch from our Heavenly Father though you, because you already have personally experienced His comfort in your life? Can you take a single moment and peer through the ugliness and find some sense of beauty in their miserable lives? Do you have time, or will you make time, to reach out and get involved in an ugly person’s life? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit right now. Someone’s ugliness is crying out in desperation for your touch!

Through your life and His Spirit within you, God desires to “give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.” Isaiah 61:3

The longer I looked at the frog, and got beyond the ugly humps on his back, the more beautiful he became. I saw his brilliant green colors begin to dance before my eyes, and then there were his eyes….

There is true beauty waiting to be discovered behind every ugliness in someone’s life!

CALVARY'S INCREDIBLE EXCHANGE

Galatians 3:13 “…Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Just about any Christian can recount to you the story at Calvary’s Cross. Jesus, the Son of God crucified between two thieves. Both God and man view the scene as the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God surrounded by two men covered in the filth and horror of sin. But here is where the similarities end. Whereas man sees the horror of their bloodied bodies, God grieves over the darkness surrounding their hearts. The Father weeps over the conditions of their souls. These two thieves were headed towards hell because of unresolved sin in their lives.

They displayed hostility, resistance and defiance toward God even in their final moments. But hanging between them is a totally righteous man without sin. Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” One of the thieves reads the sign “King of the Jews”. He hears Jesus asking forgiveness for those who are killing Him. There is something about Jesus that persuades the thief that he hangs in the presence of a real King.

The other thief lashes out in his pain mockingly. “Aren’t you the Christ? Then save yourself and us.” Luke 23:39 The hardness of his heart is disturbing.

In the midst of all the people who abandoned Jesus, (Peter and the Disciples) the accusations of the Jews, and the cruel treatment rendered by the Roman soldiers, someone at last speaks out to stand up for Jesus. Luke 23:40-41 “…the other criminal protested. “Don’t you even fear God when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn’t done one thing wrong.” Jesus in His agony responded with these words. “Today you will be with Me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise.” All of heaven was frozen in a moment of time. This was not right. How could a miserable, dark hearted thief possibly go to Heaven?

Suddenly, in response to the voice of Jesus all of the darkness, misery and sin began to lift off of this thief and worked it’s way over until it came to rest on Jesus. Simultaneously, the Righteousness of God began to lift off of Jesus and covers the dying thief. His unclean garments are replaced by a robe of Righteousness and his soul commences to shine with the presence of the Holy Spirit. All of his sins are forgiven and wiped from God’s remembrance. Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

God’s plan began to unfold before all of heaven and earth. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:8 that no one knew, even the powers of darkness, His Master Plan. “…none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Being a Just God, His only choice when He sees sin is either to punish the sin or to pay the price on His own. Galatians 3:13 “…Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

God loves us so much that “…He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“It was our weakness He carried. It was our sorrows that weighed Him down. We thought His troubles were a punishment from God for His own sins. But He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped and we were healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5

Like the thief at Calvary; when no one is standing up for Jesus; when it’s not popular to proclaim His Lordship or even to speak His Name; when the world is doing all it can to stamp out the event at Calvary’s Cross; let’s commit this day to tell others of His goodness, His mercy and grace.

I will not be silent! I will live a Holy life by His ability within! I will allow His Holy Spirit to flow through my life! I will pray openly, boldly and unashamedly! I will testify of what He has done for me! The more they mock, the bolder I’ll become! The tougher it gets, the brighter I’ll shine! I will exert my God given authority over demonic influences! I will heal the sick! I will praise Him openly! I will respond in loving obedience! I will worship him with my life!

How about you?