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Today’s Devotional Verse

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5‭-‬7 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/tit.3.5-7.KJV

Today’s Devotional Verse

Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: Luke 23:30‭-‬50 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.23.30-50.KJV

The Power Of The Cross

Day 3 of 5 Day Devotional.

At The Cross We Find Freedom

I hope by now you are appreciating the meaning and power of the cross. Today we will look at the aspect of freedom; I often stop and think about prisoners, and as a Pastor, my call and responsibility are to be concerned about the heart condition of all people. I try to spend time every day praying for those who perhaps are forgotten or despised by society because of their actions. I can only imagine a life behind bars day after day, being reminded constantly that the cold steel that keeps them in darkness is the price paid for poor choices made. Never having enough space to move freely, having to use the bathroom with no privacy and the nagging voice of guilt that reminds them of the crime they committed. It sounds treacherous just to imagine it yet every day God’s people are behind bars and don’t even recognize it. 

The bars we live behind are not physical, but they take on the form of spiritual, emotional and mental bars. Some of us have done things in our past we regret, some of us have been abused and carry the scars that keep us from loving or trusting anyone. Maybe even committed unspeakable acts torment us daily. We can’t forgive ourselves, and we can’t forgive others. No matter what length or height of our bars we all have had them in our lives. 

At the foot of the cross, we see two thieves deserving of death because of their choices and crimes. And if we go a step further we can see humanity displayed in these two men. Both being in the presence of the Son of God, seeing and hearing everything from the perspective of Jesus and having the chance to freedom even in death and one stays in rebellion while the other seizes the opportunity to freedom, and to make things right with God before he leaves the earth.

Jesus in all his love and mercy offers this unworthy soul grace and freedom from the guilt that plagued him till that point. Today at the foot of the cross you have a choice to break the bars of un-forgiveness, hatred, bitterness, a wretched past, guilt, shame and torment as Jesus offers you the same freedom he offered the thief. 

Desire: Lord, help me to accept your freedom; I do not want to be locked up anymore.

Today’s Devotional Verse

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, Luke 23:34‭-‬36 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.23.34-36.KJV

The Power Of The Cross

Day 2 of 5 Day Devotional.

At The Cross We Find Forgiveness

At the foot of the cross Jesus hung beaten beyond recognition, using every bit of energy and strength to draw his breath we get a glimpse into the depth of his breaking yet boundless heart. As he looks down from the cross he can see many people groups before him, he can hear the statements of mockery and hatred being slurred at him, he can hear the tones of anger, and he can see the soldiers laughing in scorn at yet another valueless Jew.

I can only imagine the pain Jesus must have experienced seeing and hearing the words about him. I sometimes say words inflict deeper physical pain. Jesus was experiencing both yet in the most painful moments of his life he draws in a deep breath and speaks to the Father knowing the last words he can speak would be words that would set many free. Jesus had every opportunity and right to give in to the hurt and pain; he could have allowed bitterness and hatred to enter his heart because he was innocent. He could have called angels to release him from the pain and shame and show the world who he was. But the love of our Savior for us kept him there. 

Luke records this statement, “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NIV)

We often remember the cross only around the Easter season, and we fail to see how important it is that we remember the cross daily. Every day we must remind ourselves that we too were mockers and scorners of the work of Jesus Christ, we too were in darkness, and walking around blind thinking we knew what was best for us. We were not very different from the mockers at the foot of the cross with the rebellious lifestyles we lived before we met Jesus. The power of the cross to offer forgiveness when we are so undeserving of it cuts to the core of my heart every single time.

The cross reminds me that just as I have been so freely forgiven, I can now with the strength of Jesus offer this very same forgiveness to others. My friends we cannot afford to go a day without visiting this place I call the “foot of the cross” because it is here his forgiveness flows freely to all who comes.

Desire: Lord, help me grasp the forgiveness you offer me so I may also offer the same to others.