I'm currently sitting in Starbucks getting my mind absolutely blown that the God of the universe loves me so much that 2000 years ago He sent His son, Jesus, to live the PERFECT, SINLESS, HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, and ABUNDANT life the world has ever seen. Not only did Jesus walk as a human daily, in skin exactly like ours; Not only did Jesus perform miracles, signs, and wonders; Not only did Jesus sit down with sinners and wash their feet. Jesus didn't stop there, because that was not His purpose. Jesus' purpose wasn't to come and live a "good" life on earth.
Jesus' purpose was to conquer sin by the shedding of His innocent and sinless blood upon the cross!
There has never been a greater sacrifice than this, and there never will be a greater sacrifice than this. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. What an amazing picture of what we're called to as followers of Jesus! We're not called to riches, constant gifts, and a "good" life. Following Christ is characterized by love, sacrifice, obedience, making disciples, and service to others.
Jesus lived out this sacrifice for us. His sacrifice was completely sufficient, completely obedient, and completely voluntary.
That, my brothers and sisters, is the definition of love. Love was determined by God and for God 2000 years ago!
As Jesus Christ breathed His last breath here on earth, he muttered the 3 most profound worlds in all of human history.
"IT. IS. FINISHED." -John 19:30
Our sin no longer has victory over us because of the blood of the lamb. It no longer keeps us in chains, because Jesus bore our chains to break our chains. He set us free! Not only did He pay for the sins we have committed in the past, He paid for future sin. HE paid for ALL sin.
I encourage you to spend some time today reading through the accounts of the crucifixion in the gospels. Notice the incredible pain, suffering, mockery, and torment that Jesus took upon Himself. And lastly, know that He did this for YOU! He did this because He loves you!
In Thankfulness and Love,
Jack
Friday, March 29, 2013
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Path of Love.
It is something that has been on my mind constantly lately. Why? Because of the way God is working in my life right now. Through trials, tribulations, failures, and accomplishments, I see the path that God is laying out before me. The path is beautiful, and full of so much Joy because of the people and things that are being used to shape who I am as a man of God.
I have been blessed with so many opportunities to learn about God and His heart lately, and through that I've been able to see God's desires for my life. God desires first and foremost for me to love. Plain and simple. To love those who culture has deemed "unworthy", to love my family, my girlfriend, my classmates, and my "enemies". I am personally commissioned by God, to love people. That is the greatest calling in the world! If you ask me, that in and of itself, makes for a pretty amazing path set before me.
BUT, God doesn't just stop there. God blesses the path of those who love him and are obedient to do the things that he has called us to do. Why? Because He is a loving God, who is full of mercy, grace, and compassion. Too many times have I been the one to turn my back on God, to say "Thanks, but no thanks", to think that I can live life by myself. As God runs after me to meet me where I am, my response to Him is usually similar to that of the son in Luke 15:21 did, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
Every single time I do that, He whispers to me "Son, come back and walk on the path I have mapped out for you!" He consistently places undeserved blessings in my life, and breaths the breath of life into my soul once again.
It so unreal to think that there has never been a second that God hasn't desired the best for my life, even when I haven't wanted it for myself. Take a moment to think about that! Through the times when we hate God and we think he is not with us, He wants the best for us. God's character is Love. Nothing that we do will change that, and that is a promise we can bank on no matter where we're at on the path of life.
So step back and look at the path God has you on right now. Incredibly, we're often to busy to even realize that, as children of God, we're all on very unique paths that lead to the same place. As followers of Christ, we're living on a path that leads to Christ himself. Although our situations and circumstances are different, our callings are all the same: Love God & Love people.
Go, and walk your path. Loving and cherishing every moment God has given you.
In Christ,
Jack
I have been blessed with so many opportunities to learn about God and His heart lately, and through that I've been able to see God's desires for my life. God desires first and foremost for me to love. Plain and simple. To love those who culture has deemed "unworthy", to love my family, my girlfriend, my classmates, and my "enemies". I am personally commissioned by God, to love people. That is the greatest calling in the world! If you ask me, that in and of itself, makes for a pretty amazing path set before me.
BUT, God doesn't just stop there. God blesses the path of those who love him and are obedient to do the things that he has called us to do. Why? Because He is a loving God, who is full of mercy, grace, and compassion. Too many times have I been the one to turn my back on God, to say "Thanks, but no thanks", to think that I can live life by myself. As God runs after me to meet me where I am, my response to Him is usually similar to that of the son in Luke 15:21 did, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
Every single time I do that, He whispers to me "Son, come back and walk on the path I have mapped out for you!" He consistently places undeserved blessings in my life, and breaths the breath of life into my soul once again.
It so unreal to think that there has never been a second that God hasn't desired the best for my life, even when I haven't wanted it for myself. Take a moment to think about that! Through the times when we hate God and we think he is not with us, He wants the best for us. God's character is Love. Nothing that we do will change that, and that is a promise we can bank on no matter where we're at on the path of life.
So step back and look at the path God has you on right now. Incredibly, we're often to busy to even realize that, as children of God, we're all on very unique paths that lead to the same place. As followers of Christ, we're living on a path that leads to Christ himself. Although our situations and circumstances are different, our callings are all the same: Love God & Love people.
Go, and walk your path. Loving and cherishing every moment God has given you.
In Christ,
Jack
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