Jesus Loves Me

When I was a little girl about 10 or 11 years old-my mom taught me an invaluable lesson. I had gotten mad at my little sister for some reason or another. I wanted her to be punished. My mom marched us both down the hall of our home and guided my little sister into her bedroom. She turned and looked at me and ask, "Are you sure you want her to get a spanking?" and I looked at her straight in the eyes and with anger in my voice said, "yes!" My mother turned and stepped into her room and closed the door. As I stood outside in the hall all alone - my heart began to pound and I immediately felt a rush of guilt and shame. I heard the belt hitting flesh and tears began welling in my eyes and going down my cheeks. I began yelling, "no! I don't want my sister to be spanked! No! Stop!" In a moment or two-the door opened and my sister came out with my mom. I ran to her and hugged her. I ask her to forgive me for wanting her to be spanked. My mother told me she had not spanked my sister but simply wanted me to think so. My sister told me she forgave me and we went back outside and played.

Today many of us around the world will reflect and remember what Jesus endured before and during His crucifixion. When I allow myself to sit very still and alone with God-to think about the pain and sufferings of Jesus- I am flooded with emotions. Also, when I watch one of the many movies that portrays the life of Jesus I am moved to tears. It never fails - when the movie reaches the part of Jesus being beaten and spat upon - I feel just like that little girl outside her mothers door -listening to her sister being whipped. Guilt overtakes me, because; of what all Jesus endured for me and for all of us. He was beaten and spat upon because; "The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating Him. They blindfolded Him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you? And they said many insulting things to Him."Luke:63-65 also, "Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying 'Hail, king of Jews! And they struck Him in the face."John 19 1-3 All
these things happened before He was forced to carry His cross outside of the city and was nailed to the tree. He endured such agony for us so that we might have eternal life. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 Also;"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 And finally, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3: 16-17

Pure love is the feeling and emotion I experience flooding my heart and mind. Jesus loves me and He loves you. He longs for all of us to join Him in a love relationship. He desires us to want to be with Him and spend time with Him. Before Jesus was arrested at the Mount of Olives , He was praying not only for Himself but; for His disciples and future believers. (see John 17) We were on Jesus heart and mind while He was praying in the garden - even though He knew His time was short-He prayed for us.

When I think of what Jesus did for me - I become consumed with a flood of emotions. Many times I am still that little girl, waiting outside in the hall- with tears running down her face. Consumed with guilt and shame. The door opens and because of my sisters love - I am forgiven. She loved me in spite of all my faults and wrongdoings. Just as Jesus loves me- no matter what. He forgave me - while He hung on that cross He prayed for me- " Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23: 34

When you think of the cross and what Jesus went through by going to the cross - don't dwell on self punishment and guilt. Remember what Jesus accomplished by going to the cross - It opened that door for us to enter in to a personal relationship with Him.

We should be conscious of His suffering and always remember to thank Him and praise Him but; more importantly we should focus on
why he suffered and chose to go to the cross for us. Christ went to the cross so that we could live and have life with Him! The moment Jesus died on the cross "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" Mark 15:38 this curtain hung between the Holy Place and The most Holy Place in the temple. Jesus made it possible for us to come before Him and enter into His presence on our on. "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God and with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to clease us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 11:19-22

My sister readily forgave me even though I wanted her to be punished. In the same way-Jesus forgives us of all our sins. It is up to us to receive His love and forgiveness. Throw away the bonds of guilt and shame and embrace the love of the cross. Jesus is waiting with both arms outstretched and His love endures forever.

Have a blessed day

Don't Lose Hope!

I recently heard about more layoff's that were going to take place across the state of Tennessee. These employee's are going to receive notices in the mail concerning their jobs. First of all, I can't imagine going to the mail box and finding out that I don't have a job anymore. My heart goes out to these folks. I have walked through financial difficulties and I know what it feels like to lose everything you have worked for. I know what it feels like to be forced to sell your home and then make payments on that house- that you longer live in. It is a difficult thing to live through - to struggle to buy grocery's and keep the bill collectors from taking everything.

Most people at one time or another in their lives will go through financial difficulties. We are living through a terrible recession. Folks across the U.S.are struggling to buy grocery's and keep the electricity/utilities on and running. Many have lost homes, cars and are forced to move back with parents if they are lucky and have parents that will help them. Many people are hanging on by a thread and are in despair and have lost hope.

I want to speak hope into your life today. I want to tell you that you can make it. I know - I have lived through some terrible times. I can honestly say that those difficult times molded me into a stronger and better person. Those days of doing with out forced me to lean on Jesus and trust in Him. Jesus told his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Mt. 6:25-28
When your circumstances seems to be at the darkest - that is the time when God can move and bring you through to the other side. I want to encourage you to put your faith and trust in Him. Jesus also said, "Come to me all you who weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Mt. 11:28-30 Jesus is telling us to trust Him. He will take care of us. We are to give our troubles and worries to Him and He will meet our needs and provide for us. But; something much more important than our physical needs is our spiritual health. When we decide to trust in God then He will heal our souls and spirit. When we learn more and more of Jesus- the more we grow in our faith and trust in God. This is why it is impertive that Christians know the word of God and can call on the word and stand on His word in times of troubles and trials. We can learn to stand on His promises and He will fullfill His word to us.

"So do not worry, saying "what shall we eat? What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."Mt. 6:31-34