NO GREATER LOVE
There is no greater love than the love the Lord Jesus Christ has for His creation. He loved us while we were strangers to Him and in the middle of sin, "But God commendeth his love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Husbands may leave; fathers may leave; family may leave; but Jesus Christ will never leave nor forsake us. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deut. 31:6)
"For the LORD your God is the one who goes
with you to fight for you against your enemies
to give you victory."
(Deuteronomy 20:4)
This promise was made to Israel, but it applies to the spiritual Israel of God, every true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses constantly encouraged the children of Israel that God was with them; even after seeing so many miracles, they doubted every time things got tough. We shouldn't scoff; we tend to forget the many times He's seen us through, when our mountain top turns into the dark, still valley. It's in those times, we need to shake ourselves and speak "faith." We have a right to claim the promises given to Israel, as well, "May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us." (I Kings 8:57) We, the gentiles have been grafted in, so that we can partake of those promises, "If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root." (Romans 11:17) Barnes' notes says it clearly, "The Gentiles derived now the benefits of Abraham's faith and holy labors, and of the promises made to him and to his seed."
"Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends."
(John 15:13)
We cannot even fathom the love Jesus Christ has for us, that He would weep for the planet He formed by His own hand, that He would literally sweat blood in prayer for the sins of the whole world. We know the redemption story; we've seen the cross depictions in paintings and movies; we saw the suffering and the blood, but can we really comprehend that "tear" rolling down His cheek? Can we actually climb into the eternal, omnipotent mind of Almighty God and feel His "passion" for sinful, rebellious, unknowing and uncaring clods of dust that He molded into humanity? We think we get it, but have we ever walked in the shoes of God? Were we there when He formed the foundations of the earth? It's a little over our heads ... which is where it should be ... we must ever remember, bow and look up to our formidable, omniscient Creator.
"Behold I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear
my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him and he with me."
(Revelation 3:20)
The Lord Jesus Christ is knocking in every Nation, every kindred and tongue. He is the way, the truth and the life; access to heaven is only through Him. There is no other God beside Him ... answer the door! Be filled with His Spirit, baptized in His name, and let Him hold you, comfort you, bless you, and carry you in times of trouble. He will be your God and you will be His child ... answer the door!
Acts 2:38, 39
You've tried everything else; try Jesus Christ! May I pray for you, "Lord, you see this hurting soul and you stand ready to hold this precious one in Your arms. You have shed tears for this one to come to You. So, now we say, forgive me of all of my sins, wash me in Your blood, fill me with Your Spirit, and I will love You and serve You all the days of my life. Take me, I'm Yours, Lord Jesus; I'll be baptized in Your name and I'll be a witness for You; guide me by Your hand, teach me Your ways, and open Your Word to my understanding. I bless Your name; lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. Thank You, Lord."
By Sheryl Fowler
(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.
PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)
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