When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.19.30.KJV

Day 5 of 5 Day Devotional.

At The Cross, The Work Is Finished And We Find Rest

The statement, “The work is finished” is music to my ears. But it is only at the cross we can grasp the concept of Jesus completing the work for us. All my life I desired to please God and I tried desperately to do so without the understanding of the cross. I literally lived life on an emotional rollercoaster. I am sure you can relate to this ride of life. One day I can wake up feeling like I have the power to keep all the rules of the Bible, but after a few days, I slip into the feeling of not being good enough to please God. Sometimes its thoughts that pop into my mind that triggers a guilty feeling or it could be actions contrary to the word, either way; I ended up tired, frustrated and angry that I was not good enough. The truth is we are not good enough within ourselves, and our self-effort will always prove to be futile.

Before the cross man always had to have a substitute for his sins, a lamb that was pure and unblemished had to be presented and sacrificed for the shedding of the blood to atone for sins. This action had to be done year after year after year because the blood of bulls and goats could not complete the work for all time. But when Jesus came to earth he became the perfect lamb that took the place for all mankind because he was the only one that could keep all of God’s laws perfectly. Now because of what Jesus did we can come before God in right standing knowing full well we couldn’t keep the law but our faith, hope and future rest in the One able to do it. It is the best news I received once I understood the work of the cross. As we come to the end of this plan, I trust that the cross will become part of your daily walk and meditation.

I encourage you to note the following and incorporate them into your quiet times with the Lord. I assure you it will give you strength and renewal each day:

• The cross is a place of equality for all men – I have a fair chance. 
• The cross is a place of revelation – I see the need for a savior.
• The cross is a place of repentance – I see the need for a change of mind.
• The cross is a place of assurance of redemption – Jesus paid the price.
• The cross is a place of salvation – All things can be made new at the foot of the Cross.

Desire: Lord, help me to come to the cross and receive all your free favors

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.4.18.KJV

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.4.18.KJV

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.15.KJV

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:50 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.12.50.KJV

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. John 19:26‭-‬27 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.19.26-27.KJV

Day 4 of 5 Day Devotional.

At The Cross We Find Family

I often love to look at families with a close bond; I try hard to create a family-pleasing to God. It wasn’t always this way for my life as I grew up in a single-parent home and love was the last thing on the agenda of our family. Life was always a hustle and making ends meet, never knowing what it meant to sit around the big family table to enjoy meals together. My mom had to work two jobs, and sometimes I was the helping hands for her. My desire to be part of a loving family never left my heart, and I aspired to create a place where others like me could find the family they never had. 

The family is very important to God and has been in his heart since the creation of the earth. The family is the unit that God uses to show us how much he loves us, so the enemy goes after the family unit more than anything else throughout the generations. The enemy knows that a strong family unit will also breed strong communities, so he works overtime to break that bond. One strategy of the enemy is to cause discord and separation because this gives way to the spirit of rejection. When we feel rejected often, we find ourselves in rebellion to those in authority and leadership because of the lack of love from the parent that walked away. 

But at the foot of the cross, we see that Jesus in all of his pain and suffering was concerned for the ones he loved especially his mother. He was broken to leave her alone and at that moment provided for her a new son in the Apostle John. That day John also received the greatest honor to care for the mother of the savior of the world. Today you may have experienced the lack of love from your father or mother, perhaps your brothers and sisters have walked away from you, but I want you to know at the cross you become part of a family that transcends blood relatives in the natural realm and you are grafted into a far superior family – The Family of God. 

Desire: Lord, help me to appreciate the Royal family I now belong to.