Showing posts with label Savior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Savior. Show all posts
Fortune cookies are given as a way to thank you for your
patronage and leave you on a sweet note, both literally and figuratively. But what if someone gave you a gift even when
you spit on them, cursed them, and wished them dead? That’s exactly what Jesus Christ did. The soldiers “struck him on the head with a
staff and spit on him. Falling on their
knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took
off the purple robe and put his clothes on him. Then they led him out to
crucify him” (Mark 15:19-20). Even
though the soldiers treated Jesus in this horrible manner, he died for every
single person on this planet. That means
he even suffered and died for the very people who killed him.
God gave his only Son because he loved the world, knowing
that they would crucify him. I John 3:16
says, “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.” God didn’t send his Son to die just for the
rich or poor, the tall or short, the men or women. God gave his only Son for every single person
on earth. It wasn’t by chance, like the
fortunes in the cookies, but it was by the grace of God that Jesus Christ gave
his life for us. He gave his life as a
living sacrifice, so that we could have our sins forgiven and be granted
eternal life in Heaven.
But wait, there’s more.
Jesus didn’t just die, rise again, and return to his Father, leaving us
to fend for ourselves on earth. Romans
8:34 says, “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at
the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Jesus is praying for us. Imagine.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is praying for me, and you, and
every single person on this planet. That’s
how much he loves us. He never stops
thinking about us! That is unconditional
love that is only found through Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you are reading this blog and you feel you are in a
hopeless situation. Maybe you feel as if
no fortune cookie, prayer, or anything else could possibly save you from your
current circumstances. I am here today
to tell you that nothing is too big for God.
I was born lifeless. Jesus
restored my life. My heart broke in two
when my mom passed away. Jesus restored
my joy. So many times, it may seem that
all hope is lost. But there is one rock
on which we can stand, even when it seems the walls are crashing in. Jesus Christ is the only lasting hope that
can be found in this world. He will
always see us through. Jesus loves you
more than you could ever comprehend.
Cast all of your cares on him, for he cares for you (I Peter 5:7).
It’s not a myth, a fairy tale, or a message in a fortune
cookie. Jesus Christ is alive and well
today. He is sitting at the right hand
of the Father, interceding on our behalf.
Call on his name today. Jesus
will be the anchor for your soul, the light in your darkness, and the refuge to
which you can run. Don’t fret over the
daily worries of this world. The
greatest treasure is not one that can be deposited into a bank account. The most valuable fortune is one that is
stored up in Heaven (Matthew 6:20). Put
your trust in Jesus Christ today. Only then
will you begin to realize the greatest gift this world has ever received. For the greatest fortune is not a fleeting thought. The most valuable treasure is the love of
Jesus Christ and his love will last forever.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Yesterday, while walking through the grocery store, my cell phone began playing the song sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, “Thou, Oh Lord.” The phone was in my purse with the lock screen in place. No one touched it. Yet somehow, some way, the phone began to play this song loud enough that I could hear it, even in the midst of the crowded supermarket. I picked up the phone to see what was going on, since I have a different song set as my ringtone. When I pressed the button to stop the music, it kept playing. Finally, I turned the sound completely off. The music stopped, but I am still perplexed as to how this occurred. While I cannot explain how it happened, I am fairly certain that I know why. I believe God was reminding me that He has everything under control.
Sometimes in life, it seems like everything is going according to our plans. Our job provides a stress-free environment and steady income, our family is healthy, nothing rains on our parade, so to speak. All too soon, a storm comes through like a tornado, perhaps causing turbulence in the workplace, illnesses among our family members, or other negative circumstances we must endure. It is during these times that we need to have the calm assurance that Jesus Christ is standing alongside us, providing a shield from the calamity that threatens to overwhelm us.
Psalm 3:3 says, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head” (ESV). The Lord never sleeps nor slumbers. He is always awake, watching over us, interceding on our behalf. When you are having a wonderful day, Jesus is there, keeping you safe from harm. When you are having a miserable day, Jesus is there, keeping you safe from harm. It doesn’t matter where you are or where you are going, Jesus Christ will always be a Shield surrounding you, helping you along the way.
A couple of weeks ago, my dad and I were out working with our cattle. As I opened one of the gates, a swarm of wasps came out after me. Because I had never been stung before, I was extremely concerned as I felt a wasp sting my leg. I prayed that no others would sting me. At that moment, I know that the Lord placed a shield around me, keeping me from getting stung multiple times or getting stung on the face. I am grateful for His protection and His healing, as the sting did not cause an allergic reaction. On the same day, my dad was charged by one of our cows more than once. This particular cow had horns, which could have caused a serious injury. I prayed that my dad would not be harmed in any way. Once again, the Lord proved faithful and true, placing a shield around my dad, protecting him from the potential danger.
Sometimes, we get so busy with our daily activities that we do not even notice the hand of God working in our midst. A traffic delay could be saving you from an accident down the road. An unexpected phone call could keep you from slipping and falling on a piece of ice in your kitchen. Having to go back inside your house for a forgotten item could serve as a reminder to turn off the stove or unplug the curling iron before it causes fire damage to your home. You see, there are so many scenarios where God sees the possible outcomes before we could ever begin to process them all. He knows our future. That’s why we need to trust in His timing, because He knows what lies ahead.
As human beings, none of us are perfect. Our natural tendency is to call on the Lord more when we are in distress than when everything is going well. When we are sitting on cloud nine, we tend to believe we are doing great on our own, like a captain of a ship enjoying smooth sailing on a sunny day. But just like the captain should be thanking God for the calm seas, we need to remember to thank Him for His blessings every day. In the good times and the bad times, we need to praise Him for His endless love and mercy. We need to trust that He will work everything out for our good, no matter what is going on around us (see Romans 8:28).
God’s Word says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). The Bible doesn’t say to acknowledge the Lord on Sunday and don’t worry about it the rest of the week. It says “in ALL your ways acknowledge him” (emphasis added). We need to completely depend on Jesus Christ, making sure that everything we say and do revolves around His plan for our life.
Jesus Christ is our Shield. He is the glory and the lifter of our head. Jesus wants us to live an abundant life. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to lean on Him. By doing so, we can ensure that our focus is not on the trials and tribulations of this world, but on the One who loves us more than we could ever imagine. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we’ll find that the difficult times are more bearable and the joyful times are even more delightful. Let us praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for all that He has done in our lives! From dawn until dusk and all through the night, the Lord is watching over you, keeping you safe. Jesus Christ is our constant Friend, our Lord and Savior, and our Shield.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Have you ever experienced something in life that tried to
rob you of your peace? There are minor instances
where our peace is suppressed only momentarily, such as when we have a flat
tire on the way to work. Sometimes in
life, though, we endure hardships that seem too difficult to bear. I know firsthand what the latter feels
like. Nearly six years ago, on August 2,
2008, my mom went to be with the Lord.
That night, my world was shattered.
But even in the midst of the most horrific night of my life, Jesus
Christ wrapped His loving arms around me and my dad. Although our human eyes saw what looked like
a devastating storm raging in our lives, He showered our hearts and minds with
peace beyond our understanding.
All of my life, I have read Philippians chapter four and it
still one of my favorite passages of scripture.
But it wasn’t until I went through the tragedy of losing my mom that I
truly began to understand the meaning of verse 7. Here is the verse in context, “Do not be
anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV). The
Apostle Paul tells us that we should not be anxious. That means we should not worry about
anything. Instead, he tells us to pray
in every situation.
You might be thinking, how could I possibly not worry and pray when I am
upset, stressed, or grieving? I know, it
sounds nearly impossible. But I can tell
you that a life with constant anxiety is much more difficult than a life with prayer
at the center. That night, as we called
loved ones to give them the devastating news, Psalm 121:1-2 ran through my mind
repeatedly. It says, “I lift up my eyes
to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” I looked up at the silhouette of the
mountains under the moonlit sky and prayed that God would give us strength in
the coming hours, days, months, and years.
You see, even as I stood outside our camper with a broken
heart, I knew that Jesus Christ was not only standing beside us, but He was
holding our hands, to keep us from falling.
He is the Prince of Peace.
Although the circumstances were anything but peaceful, Jesus brought
peace to our troubled hearts. My dad and
I sat beside my mom and sang, “Living by Faith.” Our faith was the only thing that kept us
going in that heartbreaking moment. We prayed
that God would send the Comforter to us.
Through our faith in God, we were showered with the peace that Paul
wrote about. We had peace in a situation
where it doesn’t even seem to belong, according to our human perspective. This kind of peace is a peace that exceeds
all understanding.
One day my parents and I were enjoying a family vacation in
the mountains and the next day, my dad and I were going to the local funeral
home. My heart had shattered into a
million pieces. My dad and I were
exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. But we still had peace. It wasn’t the peace like one feels while lying
in the sun at the beach or listening to the raindrops go pitter patter on a
metal roof. This was the kind of Heavenly
peace that I cannot understand nor fully explain. Inexplicable peace that comes from Heaven
above when the current circumstances seem like peace should not be found. That is the kind of peace Paul writes about
and the kind of peace that we experienced that night.
Six years later, I still miss my mom daily. But my dad and I have found a new normal and
a new purpose. The same God who gave us
peace in the midst of a tumultuous storm six years ago is the same God who
gives us peace now, whether we are on the mountain top or in the valley. Life without my mom is not easy, especially
on days like her birthday, Mother’s Day, or even this coming Saturday, August
2. But our lives are made glorious by
the peace and joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ! He is the reason we live, the reason we
laugh, the reason we love! I thank Him
every day for His countless blessings and His peace that passes all
understanding.
I want to encourage you today. Whatever it is you are going through, put
your unwavering trust in Jesus Christ.
He will never fail you. The peace
that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is unlike any
other you will ever encounter on this earth.
With Jesus Christ living in your heart, you will experience a truly
abundant life. Through the good times
and the bad times, He will guard your heart with peace like no other. He will fill your heart with joy
unspeakable! You will be able to face
each and every day with the calm assurance that God will give you peace beyond your
understanding!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
If you’re like me, your e-mail inbox is likely inundated with After-Christmas sales. Take 50% off of this pair of shoes or save $20 on that new smartphone. Just three days ago, millions of people celebrated Christmas and many of them opened gifts on Christmas morning. Yet, the moment after we receive these gifts especially chosen for us by our loved ones, we often rush out to get the latest and greatest items we can afford. While I certainly enjoy shopping, I do find it disappointing that Christmas has become so commercialized. Since when has a holiday meant to celebrate the birthday of a King turned into a holiday filled with questions of “what did you get?” Why should we focus on what we received instead of realizing the overwhelming need to give to others? Giving goes beyond a present tied with a fancy little bow, tucked beneath the tree. We can give love, joy, happiness, and so much more. The very heart of Christmas has nothing to do with something purchased at a store. The very heart of Christmas centers on the One I’m living for, Jesus Christ.
Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. I love every part of this glorious holiday, from the cookies that tame my sweet tooth to the trees that are so beautifully adorned. I also like the fact that I can walk into a store, greeted with Christmas music and a friendly, “Merry Christmas!” from the store clerk. But the greatest part of Christmas is not the twinkling lights or the neatly wrapped gifts under the tree. Why, it’s not even the time I was able to spend in New York City with my dad. Without question, the most impressive aspect of this holiday season is the fact that God sent His Son to be born in a manger. This gift didn’t need to be wrapped or sent via UPS. It was a gift filled with love. It was the gift of eternal life.
When God thought about what to give us for Christmas, He did not send us the latest technological gadget or fashion forward outfit for Christmas. Instead, He sent us a gift that had eternal value. God gave us the best Christmas gift ever: Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He knew that we didn’t need another pair of socks in our drawer or another dust catcher on our shelf. And while this gift had the greatest price tag of all, His Son’s life, this gift was freely given to the world. God has granted eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ, to all who confess their sins and believe. This gift is offered not just on Christmas, but 365 days a year. A relationship with Jesus Christ will change your life. I encourage you to put your trust in Jesus Christ today. For tomorrow may be too late.
Just like those limited-time, After-Christmas bargains, our lives will not last forever. James 4:14 clearly states, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14 NIV). Life is the greatest gift that we have ever been given. We need to use each and every moment to our best ability, ensuring that we do not waste even one millisecond of it. Having lost many people close to me, including my Mom, I can tell you that life truly is a vapor that only remains for a short time. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. So embrace today. Don’t worry about whether or not that new gadget needs new batteries. And that sweater that’s too big can be exchanged another day. Instead, spend time with your family and friends, not knowing how many more dinners you’ll enjoy together or how many more meaningful conversations you’ll have.
Cherish each moment you have with your loved ones, both now and in the coming New Year. Give them something more than a gift wrapped in a box or a bag. Give them more than a once-a-year present at Christmastime. Give them time with you, give them a listening ear, and give them the one thing we all need: love. Even on that first Christmas night, God himself knew that we needed love. God knew what the world needed most of all. He knew that we needed a gift that would carry us through every day of the year, not just in the month of December. And despite the commercialization of Christmas, not one single thing has changed. We still need unconditional love. We still need a Savior. We still need Jesus.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Are you searching for the perfect Christmas? Do you worry over whether or not you will finish your shopping on time? Perhaps you want every cookie to look like they came off of the cover of a magazine. Or maybe you are concerned over how your relatives will get along at the annual Christmas gathering this year. While we would all like to piece together the perfect Christmas, we need to realize that Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, the one and only perfect Christmas many years ago was still far from perfect.
On December 9, I had the privilege of attending church at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York. The Christmas program, “Christmas Once Again,” was the best Christmas program I have ever seen in my life. The music reached down into the depths of my soul. The lyrics spoke to the innermost part of my heart. The anointing of the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me completely, causing tears of joy to stream down my face. Every word spoken, every note sung, and every move made ministered to my heart and soul in such a special way. It was one of those days I will remember for the rest of my life.
While the vocalists, musicians, dramatic team, and others involved gave a superb performance, it wasn’t about the technical execution of the program. For me, it was about the message being conveyed through the excellent presentation. Songs such as “His Love Is All I See” and “Would It Still Be Christmas?” captured my full attention, tugging at my heartstrings, reminding me once again what the Christmas season is all about. I’ve loved Jesus Christ with all of my heart ever since I was a little girl, but after this experience, I’d have to say I left there loving Christmas more, loving life more, and loving Jesus more.
The dramatic segment began with a father who was dreaming of the perfect Christmas. He expected his family to epitomize perfection. He wanted Christmas to be a certain way and fantasized about a family straight from the television classics in which the mother wears pearls in the kitchen and the children take etiquette to the extreme. All too soon, he wakes up, realizing that his family is far from picture-perfect. His wife is frazzled over dinner preparations, his children have their own ideas of the way things should be, and their relatives are eccentric to say the least. Everything seems to go wrong and one by one, their guests leave. His children storm out of the room. His wife explains to him that Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect because the first Christmas wasn’t perfect either.
You see, the very first Christmas was far from perfect. Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was born in a stable. There wasn’t even any room in the inn. Jesus wasn’t laid in a crib in a hospital. He was laid in a manger of hay. There were not thousands of people there to witness this grandiose event. No paparazzi or news reporters were there to cover this significant moment in history. Instead, a few Wise Men and some shepherds were the only ones who came to congratulate the new parents. But with all of its imperfections, this first Christmas was absolutely perfect. Why? Because this single night literally changed the world.
This Christmas, don’t dwell on trying to create the perfect Christmas. Instead, ask God to give you a blessed Christmas. It doesn’t matter if you wrap gifts the night before Christmas, or if the cookies get a little too brown on the bottom. And no one will know if you made the whole meal from scratch or took a few shortcuts here and there. What really matters is whether or not you and your family spend time together and whether or not you take time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With Jesus Christ at the center of your Christmas, your Christmas will be truly perfect.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
In Christ’s Love,