2019-04-18
Hebrews 9:22 NAS
Third, Calvary was vital! Exactly how vital? As vital as life or death, hope or despair, heaven or hell. It’s our only means of salvation! “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NLT). Without Christ’s death, our sins would have separated us from God forever. But for His death we’d be subject to the full penalty of God’s law, pronounced guilty for every sin we’ve ever committed and as condemned sinners, lost forever. Paul writes, “Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God” (Romans 3:19 NLT). No exceptions – “the entire world,” including you, stands guilty in God’s sight. But because Jesus fulfilled every requirement of God’s law on our behalf, we have been forgiven and declared righteous. That’s vital information. And you only have two options when it comes to Jesus: Accept or reject Him! He said, “Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16 NLT). Jesus’ sacrifice resolved the sin question; now it’s up to you to resolve the Son question: “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22 NKJV). The answer is simple: Put your trust in Him and be saved.
Soul food: Jam 3-5; Luke 23:13-25; Ps 7:10-17; Prov 10:17-18
2019-04-17
1 Peter 2:24 NLT
Second, Calvary was vicarious, which means “an act undertaken by someone in another’s place.” Seen through the lens of sentiment or superstition, the cross may affect your emotions but it can’t save your soul. But seen as substitution, the cross can save any soul! The apostle Peter writes, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” Had Jesus reneged at Calvary, God would have been forced to sentence us to death for our sins. Instead, as our substitute, Jesus suffered our justly-deserved punishment, freeing us and giving us eternal life. Substitution was historically God’s idea to deliver His people from the penalty of their sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, God substituted an animal to cover their iniquity. He accepted Abel’s sacrifice of the “firstlings of his flock” (Genesis 4:4), and Abraham’s ram caught in the thicket in exchange for Isaac’s life (See Genesis 22:13). But without question God’s greatest soul-saving theme – substitution – was once-for-all-time demonstrated when Jesus offered Himself at Calvary. Fully satisfied with Christ’s atoning death, God expunged our record and pronounced us innocent in His sight! God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NAS). On the cross Jesus became what we were – sin – so we could become what He was – righteousness! Everything Jesus did from His virgin birth, sinless life, redeeming death, miraculous resurrection, glorious ascension, and priestly ministry in Heaven, He did as a substitute and savior.
Soul food: Jam 1-2; Luke 23:1-12; Ps 7:1-9; Prov 10:16
2019-04-16
Luke 23:33 NKJV
The word “Calvary” appears only once in the New Testament, but what happened there changed our destiny. In spite of the myths and misunderstandings, the truth is clear and life-changing. Let’s look at it. First, Calvary was voluntary. Those who watched it thought Jesus was a victim of circumstances beyond His control: the collusion of Jewish hatred and Roman might. How wrong! Jesus rejected Peter’s well-intentioned but misguided defense, saying, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 NIV). Jesus could have chosen to live without hardship, pain, or death. No one coerced Him into going to the cross. He said, “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again” (John 10:18 NLT). Calvary was certainly unjust and unfair. But it wasn’t assassination, it was atonement! His enemies intended Calvary to end His life, but Jesus intended it to save us from a lost eternity. And after they had done their worst and failed to stop Him, Peter confronted them on the day of Pentecost with this victorious truth: “In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him” (Acts 2:23 GNT). Even the Father didn’t force Him. Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all [people]” (1 Timothy 2:6 NIV) – including you!
Soul food: Dan 11-12; Luke 22:63-71; Ps 16; Prov 10:15
2019-04-15
Psalm 56:4 AMPC
David said, “On God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?” And David should know, because God enabled him to defeat a lion, a bear, and a giant. The story is told about the man who approached a farmhouse and every few yards he noticed signs that read, “Beware of Dog.” When he finally reached the farmhouse, he discovered the dog was a tiny Chihuahua. “You mean to tell me that little dog keeps people away?” he asked. The farmer smiled and said, “No, but the signs do!” Fear roars like a lion, but much of the time when we confront it, it’s just a Chihuahua! The truth is, you can face anything when you know God has promised: “I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13). So instead of fearing the worst, start believing God for the best. And you do that by personalizing His promises: “[There is nothing to fear], for I am with you…I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; I…will hold you up” (Isaiah 41:10 AMPC). “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose” (Romans 8:28 AMPC). Don’t let fear get the upper hand. Instead of giving in to it, stand on the Word of God and believe He’s going to bring you through your circumstances and make you stronger.
Soul food: Dan 8-10; Luke 22:54-62; Ps 103:13-22; Prov 10:14
2019-04-14
Nehemiah 4:6 AMPC
In San Diego there’s a famous attraction called SeaWorld. If you go there you can see ducks on roller skates. But when you get close to them, you realize that their hearts aren’t in it! You may smile, but a lot of people are like that – just going through the motions. Don’t be one of them! If you want your life to count, find a cause greater than yourself and give your all to it! Do you recall the story of Nehemiah? He risked life and limb in order to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Even though faced with threats and obstacles, he finished the job in record time. How did it happen? Because “the people had a heart…to work.” An 1828 copy of Webster’s Dictionary defines “courage” as “that quality which enables us to face difficulty and danger…without fear or depression.” Then Webster adds the words of Moses as he transferred leadership of the nation to Joshua. “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (See Joshua 1:9 NKJV). At age one hundred and twenty, Moses was still telling the people of Israel, “Ya gotta have heart!” Why? Because anything worth having is worth fighting for! It takes “heart” to deal with a child’s willful defiance, or face your own fears, or pick up the pieces of your life and start over. It’s easy to talk about what’s wrong, but it takes “heart” to do something about it. And where does that kind of courage come from? God! So talk to Him today.
Soul food: Ps 118:19-29; Matt 21:1-16
2019-04-13
Psalm 103:7 NIV
Let’s listen again as Moses talks to God. “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13 NIV). Israel was in a crisis that threatened their relationship with God, but what did Moses pray for? Not, “Lord, You’ve got to resolve it for me!” Instead he prayed, “Teach me Your way so I may know You.” He wanted more than just information about God, he wanted intimacy with Him: to know His heart and mind – how He thought and felt about the situation. Why? Because knowing God and having His favor would bring all the other things he needed, including a solution to the crisis. And God gave him what he asked. “He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.” God responded to Moses’ request, saying, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NIV). In the Hebrew text “you” is singular. God promised to accompany Moses and give rest to only him. Anybody else would have accepted gladly, but not Moses! His prayer surpassed his own concerns: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (v. 15 NIV). In other words: “Lord, it’s not me I’m praying for, it’s us!” Question: Are your prayers bigger than yourself and your own needs? The Bible says, “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16). So pray that your family, your town, and a lost world will not perish but have everlasting life!
Soul food: Dan 5-7; Luke 22:47-53; Ps 103:1-12; Prov 10:13
