Grace Friday

Today is a day that I hold very dear to my heart. Today is Good Friday. But sometimes I wonder why it is called “Good” Friday. Just think about it. We often say, “That was a good dinner.” We say, “Good morning,” even to passersby on the street. Let’s face it, the word “good” is used so frequently that it has nearly lost its credibility as an adjective. So maybe we should rename today and call it Great Friday. That would give it more significance, right? In reality, it matters not what we call this particular day. What matters is whether or not we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ gave his life for you and me. It wasn’t about fame or fortune. He wasn’t trying to do a good deed or striving to be great. He died on the cross to cleanse our sins, to grant us eternal life, and to shower us with love and mercy we don’t even deserve. When you really stop to think about it, the name most befitting of this important day on the calendar would be Grace Friday.

Perhaps you look at the calendar and wonder what Easter is really all about. Deep within your heart, do you feel as if there must be something more, beyond the chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs? If you are searching for answers, look no further. Jesus Christ is the answer you seek. 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.” The King of Kings and Lord of Lords gave his life as a ransom for every man, woman, boy, and girl on this planet. That includes you.  Why? Because of the unconditional love he has for us.

Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to save him from the cross. He didn’t have to endure the pain and agony. He could have simply told his Father, “I can’t do it. I’ve had enough. I’m going home.” But he stayed there, because he knew that you and I needed a Savior. He knew that we would have no lasting hope on our own. Jesus wanted to give us the most heartfelt and important gift given in the history of mankind: eternal love and everlasting life. It is the gift that truly keeps on giving, through all eternity.

You may be sitting there, thinking, why would a King do this for me? I’ve failed, I’ve sinned, and I’ve done so many wrongs. The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Not one of us is without blemish. We have all made mistakes. Still, his love for us is never-ending. Jesus shed his blood to forgive our sins. He bore all of the earth’s diseases to heal our sicknesses. On top of all of that, He granted us eternal life in Heaven with him, for everyone who has a personal relationship with him.

This weekend, cherish the time you have with family and friends. Enjoy the delicious dinners and sweet bunny-shaped treats. Above all, remember the reason for the Easter season. Jesus Christ gave his life for love (I John 3:16). On Good Friday, Jesus died. On the third day, he rose again. He is sitting at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. He bestows upon us unconditional love, even though we are undeserving. God’s Word says, “All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). No matter where you have been, what you have done, or who you are, his redeeming love is free to all. That is true, divine mercy. So whether you call today good or great, remember that Easter is really all about grace.

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer

The Greatest Valentine

No Greater Love

        This Valentine’s Day, men and women alike will try to outdo the opposite sex by purchasing the freshest bouquet of roses, the sweetest box of chocolates, or the most costly piece of jewelry they can afford.  Others may purchase weekend getaways, new automobiles, gourmet dinners, and the like.  Children will cut out hearts and write Valentines to their parents, teachers, family, and friends.  But even amid all of this red and pink and everything from heart-shaped candies to ice cubes shaped like X’s and O’s, is this really the best way to convey our love for one another?  Perhaps in all of our haste to wrap the right gift, we may have lost the meaning of Valentine’s Day altogether.  Love is not found inside a greeting card or even a chocolate truffle.  Love is found through our actions.  How we talk to others, how we treat them, and what we do for them every day of the year.  That’s love.

        From the Creation of the world, love has been the glue that holds everything together.  It was with love that God so carefully placed the sun, moon, and stars.  Through love, he created bodies of water and dry land.  He knew we would need nourishment, so he provided a vast array of plants and animals that would produce food for us to eat.  Then, he knew we had an inherent need to feel loved, so he gave Adam a companion as a helpmate.  Even though the world has experienced its fair share of tumult since the moment that pristine Garden of Eden was planted by God’s own hands, one thing has never changed.  God has never stopped loving me and you.

        John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should have eternal life.”  Throughout the centuries, people have blasphemed, ridiculed, and scorned our Heavenly Father.  Yet because of his infinite mercy, he pours out his unconditional love to every man, woman, boy, and girl on this earth.  Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  God gave his only Son to save us all, even though we were sinners.  He looks beyond our shortcomings, our mistakes, our wrongdoings.  He looks into the heart of the individual and knows they have an inherent need to be loved.  Through an unselfish sacrifice of love, we have been redeemed.  Through love, we find salvation.  This kind of love is greater than we can fully comprehend.

        Love is not just a feeling for someone.  To love someone means you are willing to do something on their behalf.  John 15:3 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”   This does not mean we should be crucified on a cross.  This means we should put others first, sacrificing our own needs to show God’s love toward others.  A parent’s love is likely the closest example to Christ’s perfect love displayed by a human.  A mother or father sleeps lightly, ready to jump up at the first cry of their child.  They don’t leap out of bed at 4 o’clock in the morning because they despise sleep; they do it out of love for their son or daughter.  They would do anything to ensure their child’s well-being is put before their own needs.  That’s unconditional love.

        Love is something that cannot be bought or sold.  It can only be given away.  The only question is what kind of love we will show to others.  Will we send a Get Well card in the mail, or will we pick up the telephone to see how someone is really doing?  Will we give someone a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or will we go out of our way to prepare a home-cooked meal for someone who is living alone, with no family to call their own?  Will we stay home on Sunday morning or will we go to the House of the Lord to worship and praise him for the unmerited favor and matchless love that he has shown toward us?  While every act of love is a blessing to the recipient, the greatest thing we can do is to be a reflection of the love of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.  I John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us.”  Jesus Christ is the perfect example of love.  He didn’t just send a Valentine card.  He gave his life so we could have our sins washed white as snow, and in turn, receive everlasting life.  That is the greatest example of love ever shown since the beginning of time.  There truly is no greater love!

In Christ's Love,

Jennifer

Fall in Love!

Love. Amour. Kjærlighet. Amor. Liebe. No matter what language you speak, this word has the same meaning. Love is truly a universal language, whether it is in the form of a kiss, a hug, or a smile. On February 14th, people all over the world will show their love for others by giving gifts of cards, flowers, candy, stuffed animals, and other special tokens of their admiration. Valentine’s Day ushers in an enormous out-pouring of love between husbands and wives, loved ones, and friends alike. While all of these things are a wonderful part of this chocolate-covered day of love, we need to remember the Greatest Love of all: Jesus Christ.

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.” Think about this scripture. The God of the universe gave the only Son that He had just for you and me. He did not just send a bouquet of flowers or a box of candy. He gave His only Son. Jesus died on a cross, enduring excruciating pain and agony, so we could receive the gift of eternal life. Our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He gave a priceless gift. This kind of love is unlike any found on this earth.

We often say we love a particular animal, a food, a place, or some other thing. Personally, I love to travel, I love to bake, I love to write, I love to sing, I love to spend time with my family, and so much more. But this type of love is different from the type of love I show toward people. I love my dad, my grandma, and so many other special people. Yet, even though I love them more than words can express, Jesus loves me more than I could ever possibly imagine.

The love poured out upon us by Jesus Christ is unconditional, no strings attached. He loved us when we were still sinners. When we were unlovable, He loved us. Every moment of every day that we have lived on this earth, He has loved us with His amazing love. Before you were even born, He loved the very thought of you. Still today, He loves you with an everlasting love. Won’t you love Him in return?

Before you go to bed tonight, tell Jesus that you love Him. Thank Him for giving His life for you. Ask Him to come into your heart, so that you can enjoy eternal life. He will fill your heart with peace that passes all understanding. He will restore your joy, even in the direst circumstances. Jesus Christ is the friend who truly will stick closer to you than a brother. This Valentine’s Day, don’t just fall in love with that box of chocolates that someone gave you. Fall in love with the greatest Love of all. Fall in love with Jesus Christ!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Holiday Hustle or Holiday Hope?

Can you believe that it is already the month of November?  Soon the holidays will be history and the New Year will be in sight.  At times, it seems that the holidays come and go in the blink of an eye.  The year goes by so fast that it becomes a monumental task to eat up the candy corn before Christmas, the candy canes before Valentine’s, and the chocolate hearts before Easter.  Simultaneously, the stores stock the shelves with ghosts and goblins of Halloween and the decorated trees and nativity scenes of Christmas.  Sandwiched right between the two are a few lone scarecrows and a bounty of cornucopias.  Thanksgiving is a holiday that often gets overlooked amid the medley of holiday cheer.  Let’s face it: Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the best holidays on the entire calendar.  So, don’t rush through the holiday hustle; stop and savor each and every moment of holiday hope!

 

In its simplest terms, the word hope means to desire something with anticipation.  In contrast, the word hustle can even mean to manhandle something!  Think about it.  Do you want to anticipate the holidays or handle them roughly, pushing them along?  It is my prayer that we can avoid the hustle.  Instead, it is my hope that we can anticipate the holidays as a child anticipates Christmas morning when they finally have the chance to unwrap the gifts underneath the tree.  Whether you are 8 or 80, the Christmas season still holds the same meaning as it did when you were a child.  Sure, you may have finally figured out that Santa Clause doesn’t really slide down the chimney to deliver gifts during the night.  And you may have decided that Frosty didn’t really come to town one day.  But there is one Christmas story that never grows old.  It is not based on fiction, but on reality.  And it is truly the greatest story ever told.

 

Jesus Christ came to this earth as a baby in a manger.  He was not born in a palace or a hospital, as most kings would be.  Instead, the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords was born in a stable in Bethlehem.  Jesus was born of a virgin, visited by shepherds and wise men, adopted by Joseph, a carpenter.  God chose to have His Son come into the world with humble beginnings.  But He knew that Jesus would grow up to be the Savior of the world by giving His life for you and me.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Jesus loved you and I so much that He journeyed from a manger filled with hay to a cross where He shed His blood to save us from our sins.

During this holiday season, remember to thank Jesus for loving you so much that He gave all He could give.  He could have called ten thousand angels, but He stayed on the cross so you could have a personal relationship with Him.  But He didn’t stop there.  He continues to bless you with family, friends, food, and so much more.  This Thanksgiving, as you sit around a table piled high with a perfectly carved turkey, succulent stuffing and fluffy mashed potatoes, topped off with a slice of pumpkin pie garnished with a dollop of whipped cream, remember to take time to give thanks.  Give thanks for your family.  Give thanks for your friends.  Give thanks to God.  Slow down and take time to anticipate each holiday with hope.  Hope for a joyous celebration.  Hope for family and friends gathered around.  Hope for the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ.  Don’t shuffle through the holiday hustle; fill your heart with holiday hope!

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer