By Bonnie St. John
“Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10 KJV)
What if you looked up one day from a busy week of work with overtime and unexpected deadlines and suddenly realized that Easter happened a week ago and you missed it? You would think, How could that happen? Wasn’t I paying attention?
I have never actually forgotten Easter, but I have gone through times in my life that were so difficult and painful, I seemed to miss a whole season. When my mother died just before New Year’s Day, I entered a dense fog of grief mixed with the ensuing financial tasks and the cloud didn’t seem to lift until mid-summer. When did spring happen? I wondered.
If you have ever been through a divorce, lost a job, suffered a major illness, or been forced to move from the community you love, you may have also been through a period of agony that felt like it would never end. The recession in 2009 has affected almost everyone in one way or another, causing many people to feel stuck in a permanent winter.
Yet, whether we experience it or not, Spring does arrive every year promising rebirth in bright green buds on trees, colorful tulips, and warmer, gentler winds. God reminds us with the seasons every year that He can bring life from the dead of winter. So, too, can He bring life to us no matter how many seasons we have felt deadened and no matter how long we have been deaf to the call of Easter.
During Easter week, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from death into everlasting life. Jesus who lived as the perfect example of love and kindness, suffered and was nailed to a cross so that our sins would be forgiven. After three days and three nights, the Father called Jesus back into life and He was able to return to the Father’s side.
God’s love also calls us to our own resurrection from anguish and affliction. Like Job who is described in the Old Testament as the epitome of misery, your winter may last for years and encompass unimaginable losses. Job lost not only his livelihood and property, he also lost his wife, his children, and his health. Yet, he continued believing in God’s promise. And His faith was rewarded with even more than restoration: “the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. (Job 42:12-13 KJV)
When springtime finally came for Job, everything was returned to him tenfold.
Life from death is the message of Easter: Jesus’ sacrifice of blood gives us everlasting life. If you are not hearing the call of spring, if you are not feeling the joy of Easter, perhaps you have not fully accepted the gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness through Jesus.
Sometimes we are the hardest on ourselves…much harder than God would be. If you have lost a job, have you forgiven yourself, forgiven your employer, and moved on? If you lost a house, are you able to let go and see what God has next for you?
God’s gift of mercy is available to us 365 days per year. If you listen carefully enough, you will not only hear Easter calling in springtime, but every day of every year. Whether your personal resurrection has arrived yet or not, don’t miss Easter. Take His mercy into your heart and live every day knowing that your life will be redeemed. Easter is always here. Your spring will come.
Scripture Of The Day: "For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will." - John 5:21
Bonnie St. John is a professional speaker and Olympic medalist, who has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, the 700 Club, and Life Today. The author of How Strong Women Pray and Live Your Joy, Bonnie St. John is committed to reaching out to the world with a message of triumph over circumstance. For more information about Bonnie, log onto http://www.bonniestjohn.com…
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Saturday, April 10, 2010
He Still Rises
By Pastor Marquis Boone
A Sunday School teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the opening. Then, wanting to share the excitement of the resurrection, she asked "And what do you think were Jesus’ first words when He came bursting out of that tomb alive?" A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. Attached to it was the arm of a little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted out excitedly "I know, I know!" "Good" said the teacher, "Tell us, what Jesus’ first words were?" And extending her arms high into the air she said Jesus first words were "TA-DA!"
Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
The resurrection of Christ is amazing and life changing. Everything hinges on the resurrection in our deepest, darkest moments. When we don’t think anything can ever get better the resurrection gives us hope that it can. When we are in the midst of day one or day two of our trials and situations, the resurrection gives us hope that there is a day three and victory is coming. But one of the errors, slip-ups, mistakes, and faults that the people that crucified Jesus made was that they put all of their efforts and energy in trying to do damage to His body. And they overlooked, ignored, and disregarded the most powerful thing that they would never be able to damage and that is His spirit.
Yes they beat Him and it caused pain, yes they spit on Him and it caused dishonor, they made Him carry a cross and it caused exhaustion, of course they put a crown of thrones on His head thinking it would some how control His mind. While making a mockery of Him being the king of glory, yes they called Him everything but the savior, they even nailed His hands and feet causing blood to rush out. They also nailed His feet and of course pieced Him in His side. But the fault they made was they could not damage His spirit or heart, but because He still had the aptitude to have a good spirit He still had the power to give God praise.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.” Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)
You see folks have been putting all of their energy and efforts in trying to do damage to your body, to your name, to your reputation, to your position but they don’t realize that your heart is still cheerful because you know that all things are working together for the good and you will not allow the present time to brake your spirit.
Because of Christ, even today He is about to rise up in you and in your situation and He is about to give you an encore. Encore means a reappearance or additional performance demanded by an audience it is a second achievement especially that surpasses the first. This time when God stands up in you it will surpass every other time He moved in your life. Christ could not stay down, Christ could not stay in a grave because there were a host of angles, a host of believers, a host of friends and family waiting to see His reappearance. And because of His resurrection you are about to see a resurrection in your life.
Remember He still rises!
Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4 NKJV
Marquis D. Boone is the Lead Pastor of Fresh Start Church whose mission is to Re-vive, Re-fresh, Re-lease and to Re-store people back to God. For more information about Pastor Boone; log onto http://www.myfreshstartchurch.org or http://www.dreamoutloudtoday.com.…
A Sunday School teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the opening. Then, wanting to share the excitement of the resurrection, she asked "And what do you think were Jesus’ first words when He came bursting out of that tomb alive?" A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. Attached to it was the arm of a little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted out excitedly "I know, I know!" "Good" said the teacher, "Tell us, what Jesus’ first words were?" And extending her arms high into the air she said Jesus first words were "TA-DA!"
Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
The resurrection of Christ is amazing and life changing. Everything hinges on the resurrection in our deepest, darkest moments. When we don’t think anything can ever get better the resurrection gives us hope that it can. When we are in the midst of day one or day two of our trials and situations, the resurrection gives us hope that there is a day three and victory is coming. But one of the errors, slip-ups, mistakes, and faults that the people that crucified Jesus made was that they put all of their efforts and energy in trying to do damage to His body. And they overlooked, ignored, and disregarded the most powerful thing that they would never be able to damage and that is His spirit.
Yes they beat Him and it caused pain, yes they spit on Him and it caused dishonor, they made Him carry a cross and it caused exhaustion, of course they put a crown of thrones on His head thinking it would some how control His mind. While making a mockery of Him being the king of glory, yes they called Him everything but the savior, they even nailed His hands and feet causing blood to rush out. They also nailed His feet and of course pieced Him in His side. But the fault they made was they could not damage His spirit or heart, but because He still had the aptitude to have a good spirit He still had the power to give God praise.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.” Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)
You see folks have been putting all of their energy and efforts in trying to do damage to your body, to your name, to your reputation, to your position but they don’t realize that your heart is still cheerful because you know that all things are working together for the good and you will not allow the present time to brake your spirit.
Because of Christ, even today He is about to rise up in you and in your situation and He is about to give you an encore. Encore means a reappearance or additional performance demanded by an audience it is a second achievement especially that surpasses the first. This time when God stands up in you it will surpass every other time He moved in your life. Christ could not stay down, Christ could not stay in a grave because there were a host of angles, a host of believers, a host of friends and family waiting to see His reappearance. And because of His resurrection you are about to see a resurrection in your life.
Remember He still rises!
Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4 NKJV
Marquis D. Boone is the Lead Pastor of Fresh Start Church whose mission is to Re-vive, Re-fresh, Re-lease and to Re-store people back to God. For more information about Pastor Boone; log onto http://www.myfreshstartchurch.org or http://www.dreamoutloudtoday.com.…
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Dichotomy of Dying to Live
By Jothany Blackwood
One of the most powerful lessons that has been translated from the pulpit to the front porch is that we must die to the things of the flesh in order to live as Christians. And while that is not always an immediate transformation, it provides a model for the dichotomy of Christian living. And it is found in this conflicting idea; that in order to live a life of purpose, you must first die to the ways of the world.
And the challenge for many of us is not with the death of a thing, but it is in the mysterious act of living afterwards. We have all had some experience with death; whether from the intimacy of its embrace of loved ones or the recognition that it waited patiently for us like an unwelcome visitor with no place to go.
We recognize, however, that we have experienced the emotional death of relationships that promised so much and friendships that summoned our trust with ease. And after they ended, we were left with the pain of here's another one that didn't love us and we readjusted our masks with a heavy sigh.
Many of us have shouted, prayed, cried and danced our way through spiritual death as deliverance revealed that which had quietly offered promise underneath. It left us with a transparency that not only allowed us to see what we had survived, but even greater it offered the reflection of who God said we could be.
As I am dealing with my grandmother's death, my soul cries out from the uncertainty of how to live without her. And many of us are in that place of ambiguity that seeks clarity on how to live again without the familiar issues or behaviors that accompanied us until we met Christ.
Yet the resurrection indicates that after the death of certain behaviors and ideas, it is followed by living in fulfillment of one's purpose. If we can allow our hunger for the things of the world to die, then surely God will sustain us in every way. We can be confident in the knowledge that the essence of this dichotomy is not simply that we must die to live, but that all that we are belonged to God all along.
And since Jesus died and lived to tell about it, perhaps our story can also tell of how we rose again from our circumstances and challenges and lived a renewed life. Each day we get the chance through Christ to rewrite and create our own story and as my grandmother would often say, "You just make it a story to tell!"
Scripture For The Day: "For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:17v NKJV
In addition to serving as a college dean and motivational speaker, Jothany Blackwood is the founder of MidWife Ministries, which supports ministers and churches in birthing their vision. For more information about Jothany, log onto http://www.jothanyblackwood.org.
One of the most powerful lessons that has been translated from the pulpit to the front porch is that we must die to the things of the flesh in order to live as Christians. And while that is not always an immediate transformation, it provides a model for the dichotomy of Christian living. And it is found in this conflicting idea; that in order to live a life of purpose, you must first die to the ways of the world.
And the challenge for many of us is not with the death of a thing, but it is in the mysterious act of living afterwards. We have all had some experience with death; whether from the intimacy of its embrace of loved ones or the recognition that it waited patiently for us like an unwelcome visitor with no place to go.
We recognize, however, that we have experienced the emotional death of relationships that promised so much and friendships that summoned our trust with ease. And after they ended, we were left with the pain of here's another one that didn't love us and we readjusted our masks with a heavy sigh.
Many of us have shouted, prayed, cried and danced our way through spiritual death as deliverance revealed that which had quietly offered promise underneath. It left us with a transparency that not only allowed us to see what we had survived, but even greater it offered the reflection of who God said we could be.
As I am dealing with my grandmother's death, my soul cries out from the uncertainty of how to live without her. And many of us are in that place of ambiguity that seeks clarity on how to live again without the familiar issues or behaviors that accompanied us until we met Christ.
Yet the resurrection indicates that after the death of certain behaviors and ideas, it is followed by living in fulfillment of one's purpose. If we can allow our hunger for the things of the world to die, then surely God will sustain us in every way. We can be confident in the knowledge that the essence of this dichotomy is not simply that we must die to live, but that all that we are belonged to God all along.
And since Jesus died and lived to tell about it, perhaps our story can also tell of how we rose again from our circumstances and challenges and lived a renewed life. Each day we get the chance through Christ to rewrite and create our own story and as my grandmother would often say, "You just make it a story to tell!"
Scripture For The Day: "For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:17v NKJV
In addition to serving as a college dean and motivational speaker, Jothany Blackwood is the founder of MidWife Ministries, which supports ministers and churches in birthing their vision. For more information about Jothany, log onto http://www.jothanyblackwood.org.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
We Are All Witnesses
By Pastor Andre Butler
Resurrection Day is one of the most important days of the year for Christians. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no salvation, and without salvation there is no Christianity. This illustrates the heart of the gospel message that Jesus rose from the dead.
In the Book of Acts one word seemed to be used repeatedly to describe the followers of Jesus: witnesses. In Peter's first message on the day of Pentecost, his grand finale was that Jesus was no longer dead but alive and that they were all witnesses. The rest of the apostles joined in with Peter in testifying of what they had heard, seen, and knew. They with more than 500 others had personally seen Jesus after his resurrection.
He was among them for 40 days and proved He was alive by many infallible proofs. Therefore, they became an ecstatic group that found themselves on the streets of Jerusalem testifying about the resurrection of Jesus.
If the apostles had made up the resurrection story they preached, and later wrote, surely at least one of them would have confessed of their deception to prevent whatever death awaited them during that time. However, they all testified through their actions that their testimony was true.
They, along with those that became followers of Jesus through his ministry and theirs, testified wherever they went that Jesus was alive. Later a man named Paul, one who had Christians killed for their beliefs, had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He left on his trip with plans to end the lives of Christians, and he returned as a witness to the resurrection of Jesus.
As Christians today, we have the same responsibility to spread the good news about the resurrection of Jesus. We are witnesses, commissioned to testify that Jesus is not dead but alive, and that His resurrection is proof that everything He said was true. The many healings and miracles occurring not only in churches all over the world, but in grocery stores, athletic fields, schools, and anywhere else you find Bible-believing Christians using the authority of Jesus also prove that Jesus is alive and still working miracles as He did during His time on earth.
Lastly, as Christians, each of us are witnesses of what Jesus has done in our marriages, bodies, finances, careers, emotions, and other areas of our lives. We must not be ashamed to get in the streets as the early believers did and testify about what Jesus has done for us.
Resurrection Day is not just a day where we celebrate, but a day when we are reminded of our responsibility to be a witness to our world that Jesus is alive and that what He did for us He will do for them as well!
Scripture Of The Day: For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. --2 Peter 1:16
Pastor Andre Butler is senior pastor of Faith Christian Center, located in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area. Pastor Andre is also the founder and president of Andre Butler Ministries and Six20 The Gathering Campus Ministry. He is a devoted husband and father of three girls. For more information about Pastor Andre Butler, log onto http://www.andrebutler.tv…
Resurrection Day is one of the most important days of the year for Christians. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no salvation, and without salvation there is no Christianity. This illustrates the heart of the gospel message that Jesus rose from the dead.
In the Book of Acts one word seemed to be used repeatedly to describe the followers of Jesus: witnesses. In Peter's first message on the day of Pentecost, his grand finale was that Jesus was no longer dead but alive and that they were all witnesses. The rest of the apostles joined in with Peter in testifying of what they had heard, seen, and knew. They with more than 500 others had personally seen Jesus after his resurrection.
He was among them for 40 days and proved He was alive by many infallible proofs. Therefore, they became an ecstatic group that found themselves on the streets of Jerusalem testifying about the resurrection of Jesus.
If the apostles had made up the resurrection story they preached, and later wrote, surely at least one of them would have confessed of their deception to prevent whatever death awaited them during that time. However, they all testified through their actions that their testimony was true.
They, along with those that became followers of Jesus through his ministry and theirs, testified wherever they went that Jesus was alive. Later a man named Paul, one who had Christians killed for their beliefs, had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He left on his trip with plans to end the lives of Christians, and he returned as a witness to the resurrection of Jesus.
As Christians today, we have the same responsibility to spread the good news about the resurrection of Jesus. We are witnesses, commissioned to testify that Jesus is not dead but alive, and that His resurrection is proof that everything He said was true. The many healings and miracles occurring not only in churches all over the world, but in grocery stores, athletic fields, schools, and anywhere else you find Bible-believing Christians using the authority of Jesus also prove that Jesus is alive and still working miracles as He did during His time on earth.
Lastly, as Christians, each of us are witnesses of what Jesus has done in our marriages, bodies, finances, careers, emotions, and other areas of our lives. We must not be ashamed to get in the streets as the early believers did and testify about what Jesus has done for us.
Resurrection Day is not just a day where we celebrate, but a day when we are reminded of our responsibility to be a witness to our world that Jesus is alive and that what He did for us He will do for them as well!
Scripture Of The Day: For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. --2 Peter 1:16
Pastor Andre Butler is senior pastor of Faith Christian Center, located in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area. Pastor Andre is also the founder and president of Andre Butler Ministries and Six20 The Gathering Campus Ministry. He is a devoted husband and father of three girls. For more information about Pastor Andre Butler, log onto http://www.andrebutler.tv…
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Resurrection Wounds
By Bishop Vashti McKenzie
“When he had said this he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” John 20: 20
In the movie Madea’s Family Reunion, a song sung by Rachael Ferrell and lyrics by J. Carlock goes something like this: “As time passes they begin to multiply adding up secretly like the rings of an old oak tree; there are wounds in the way; some old, some new all stifling debilitating and cruel and some are passed down from elder to youth – they don’t belong to you.
As time passes, they begin to accrue, a strange sort of value; some you don’t think that are worth holding on to; cause you don’t want to change who you are: there are wounds in the way”
There are times in our lives when we have allowed our wounding to get in the way of our living. Jesus did not allow his wounds to get in the way of the resurrection.
John’s gospel indicates that Jesus met with his disciples after the resurrection. Initially, he had sent them news of the resurrection and now he comes himself. The disciples were locked behind closed doors perhaps to encourage each other, pray or develop a new strategy to do damage control of the horrific events on that fateful Friday. Wounds tend to do two things - they will either cause you to hide or try to hurt someone. Hurt people can hurt other people.
Although the disciples were on lock down, Jesus appears to them and shows them his wounds. Some scholars in a majority opinion believe that Jesus showed his wounds to prove that he was the same Jesus that hung on the cross and rose from the grave. The wounds proved that he was who he said he was. He was the risen Christ and not an impostor. The wounds were the evidence, the tell tale signs of the resurrection. They were validation of his life and teachings. The wounds spoke of the resurrection: Jesus is not just a good guy, another prophet or teacher, but he is the Son of God who said he was going to suffer and die and said he would rise on the third day.
His wounds were the fulfillment of what Isaiah spoke as in he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquity. Jesus bore the marks of his affliction and ours in his body. Flora Slosson Wirellner writes that showing the wounds were acts of mercy- swift acts for friends who were confused, who misunderstood those struggling to understand what was happening.
The resurrection did not blot out the wounds, erase the wounds, and reverse the wounds. Jesus rose from the grave in spite of the wounding with the scars and the sores that were produced by the hurt and pain of a brutal public crucifixion. The wounds themselves are a sign of healing - scabs formed over the abrasions where his skin was scraped off as he stumbled along the apian way carrying the cross. The wounds were a sign of healing – the lacerations where his flesh had been torn open by the leather whips. Penetrating wounds from the spear in his side- the clots that had formed over the bleeding holes in his hands, and feet that indicated healing. Like stretch marks on a woman’s belly show the at one time new life stretch the skin to its breaking point but now healed the scar remains.
Jesus showed his wounds. They identify him with the human condition. God fully entered into our daily life through his son; entered into the daily injustice and pain of exclusionary idioms– he passionately carries our wounds in his body and longs for our healing. The wounds remind us that God, through his son Jesus Christ, will never ignore or negate nor minimalize the human condition. He will never be beyond our reach or cry. Jesus suffered for us then and suffers for us now.
Jesus shows his wounds – they more than validate his resurrection. He also demonstrates that in spite of all that happened to him on Calvary – he did not let his wounds get in the way.
The wounds of his descend did not prevent his assent; the wounds of his demise did not get in the way of his come back; the wounds of his downfall did not prevent his uprising. The wounds from his humiliation did not prevent his elevation; the wounds of his agitation did not get in the way of the wounds of his motivation; the wounds of his crucifixion did not get in the way of his glorification. The wounds did not get in the way.
It is an encouragement that as we celebrate another resurrection Sunday, to never let our wounds get in the way!
Scripture Of The Day: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was brused for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5v
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, and serves as a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. For more on Bishop McKenzie, visit http://www.13thame.com or hear her messages daily at http://www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com.…
“When he had said this he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” John 20: 20
In the movie Madea’s Family Reunion, a song sung by Rachael Ferrell and lyrics by J. Carlock goes something like this: “As time passes they begin to multiply adding up secretly like the rings of an old oak tree; there are wounds in the way; some old, some new all stifling debilitating and cruel and some are passed down from elder to youth – they don’t belong to you.
As time passes, they begin to accrue, a strange sort of value; some you don’t think that are worth holding on to; cause you don’t want to change who you are: there are wounds in the way”
There are times in our lives when we have allowed our wounding to get in the way of our living. Jesus did not allow his wounds to get in the way of the resurrection.
John’s gospel indicates that Jesus met with his disciples after the resurrection. Initially, he had sent them news of the resurrection and now he comes himself. The disciples were locked behind closed doors perhaps to encourage each other, pray or develop a new strategy to do damage control of the horrific events on that fateful Friday. Wounds tend to do two things - they will either cause you to hide or try to hurt someone. Hurt people can hurt other people.
Although the disciples were on lock down, Jesus appears to them and shows them his wounds. Some scholars in a majority opinion believe that Jesus showed his wounds to prove that he was the same Jesus that hung on the cross and rose from the grave. The wounds proved that he was who he said he was. He was the risen Christ and not an impostor. The wounds were the evidence, the tell tale signs of the resurrection. They were validation of his life and teachings. The wounds spoke of the resurrection: Jesus is not just a good guy, another prophet or teacher, but he is the Son of God who said he was going to suffer and die and said he would rise on the third day.
His wounds were the fulfillment of what Isaiah spoke as in he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquity. Jesus bore the marks of his affliction and ours in his body. Flora Slosson Wirellner writes that showing the wounds were acts of mercy- swift acts for friends who were confused, who misunderstood those struggling to understand what was happening.
The resurrection did not blot out the wounds, erase the wounds, and reverse the wounds. Jesus rose from the grave in spite of the wounding with the scars and the sores that were produced by the hurt and pain of a brutal public crucifixion. The wounds themselves are a sign of healing - scabs formed over the abrasions where his skin was scraped off as he stumbled along the apian way carrying the cross. The wounds were a sign of healing – the lacerations where his flesh had been torn open by the leather whips. Penetrating wounds from the spear in his side- the clots that had formed over the bleeding holes in his hands, and feet that indicated healing. Like stretch marks on a woman’s belly show the at one time new life stretch the skin to its breaking point but now healed the scar remains.
Jesus showed his wounds. They identify him with the human condition. God fully entered into our daily life through his son; entered into the daily injustice and pain of exclusionary idioms– he passionately carries our wounds in his body and longs for our healing. The wounds remind us that God, through his son Jesus Christ, will never ignore or negate nor minimalize the human condition. He will never be beyond our reach or cry. Jesus suffered for us then and suffers for us now.
Jesus shows his wounds – they more than validate his resurrection. He also demonstrates that in spite of all that happened to him on Calvary – he did not let his wounds get in the way.
The wounds of his descend did not prevent his assent; the wounds of his demise did not get in the way of his come back; the wounds of his downfall did not prevent his uprising. The wounds from his humiliation did not prevent his elevation; the wounds of his agitation did not get in the way of the wounds of his motivation; the wounds of his crucifixion did not get in the way of his glorification. The wounds did not get in the way.
It is an encouragement that as we celebrate another resurrection Sunday, to never let our wounds get in the way!
Scripture Of The Day: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was brused for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5v
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, and serves as a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. For more on Bishop McKenzie, visit http://www.13thame.com or hear her messages daily at http://www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com.…
Monday, April 5, 2010
Spiritual And Physical Phenomena
By Pastor Olu Brown
"…they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16: 3-6 (NIV)
As we leave the Easter season, I believe most of us are able to focus more intently on the story of the Resurrection. Spiritually and physically the Resurrection is an almost unbelievable event. I personally don’t know of anyone who was physically dead and now is alive other than Jesus. It is not something you hear or see every day. The Resurrection is a moment of spiritual awakening for some and a physical phenomena for others.
What is most striking to me is, what the Resurrection of Jesus means personally. When Mary Magdalene and others approached Jesus’ tomb in Mark’s Gospel their conversation was around burial practices. They were caught up in preparing Jesus’ body according to the customs of their time. They had no idea they were in for the experience of a lifetime. When they arrived at the tomb, they saw the tombstone rolled away and what appeared to be an angel dressed in white. The angel spoke these words “Don’t be alarmed…you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
I can only imagine how this experience touched each of their lives on a personal level. How they were changed and blessed because the One they believed in and followed was no longer dead but had risen. They understood spiritually and were in awe of the physical phenomena but on a personal level, their lives would never be the same.
The Resurrection is both a spiritual and physical phenomena. The Resurrection is also a personal experience with Jesus. Personally, the Resurrection touches our lives in such a way that we can never be the same. For me, the personal blessing of the Resurrection is the affirmation that I can get up because my savior got up. Because Jesus rose again I can rise again. The Resurrection is a personal victory statement for each of us as we live this life and prepare for life beyond this world. In this life, we know that no matter what we face it is never the end and that through the power of the resurrection we can have new life, hope and possibility on this side. It also confirms that when we leave this world we can have new life as well.
The lead pastor of Impact Church, located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, Pastor Olu Brown has helped grow Impact into one of the fastest growing new church starts in America. For more information about Pastor Brown, log onto http://www.impactdcd.org or by following him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/olub.
"…they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16: 3-6 (NIV)
As we leave the Easter season, I believe most of us are able to focus more intently on the story of the Resurrection. Spiritually and physically the Resurrection is an almost unbelievable event. I personally don’t know of anyone who was physically dead and now is alive other than Jesus. It is not something you hear or see every day. The Resurrection is a moment of spiritual awakening for some and a physical phenomena for others.
What is most striking to me is, what the Resurrection of Jesus means personally. When Mary Magdalene and others approached Jesus’ tomb in Mark’s Gospel their conversation was around burial practices. They were caught up in preparing Jesus’ body according to the customs of their time. They had no idea they were in for the experience of a lifetime. When they arrived at the tomb, they saw the tombstone rolled away and what appeared to be an angel dressed in white. The angel spoke these words “Don’t be alarmed…you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
I can only imagine how this experience touched each of their lives on a personal level. How they were changed and blessed because the One they believed in and followed was no longer dead but had risen. They understood spiritually and were in awe of the physical phenomena but on a personal level, their lives would never be the same.
The Resurrection is both a spiritual and physical phenomena. The Resurrection is also a personal experience with Jesus. Personally, the Resurrection touches our lives in such a way that we can never be the same. For me, the personal blessing of the Resurrection is the affirmation that I can get up because my savior got up. Because Jesus rose again I can rise again. The Resurrection is a personal victory statement for each of us as we live this life and prepare for life beyond this world. In this life, we know that no matter what we face it is never the end and that through the power of the resurrection we can have new life, hope and possibility on this side. It also confirms that when we leave this world we can have new life as well.
The lead pastor of Impact Church, located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, Pastor Olu Brown has helped grow Impact into one of the fastest growing new church starts in America. For more information about Pastor Brown, log onto http://www.impactdcd.org or by following him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/olub.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Cross: Repositioned
By Dr. Cynthia James
Have you ever heard Christianity explained to your complete satisfaction? Probably not, but that does not make one less of a believer. How many concepts and paradigms do we embrace everyday that like Christianity – seem to be a pivotal place of paradox? In Christianity, light comes from darkness, life comes from death, joy in the midst of sorrow and, an endless list of contradictory truths. The Cross, a symbol of Jesus’ crucifixion, is simple in its design but complex in its message. It looms empty, bare and isolated but it is full and overflowing with compassion for the often forgotten masses.
The Cross is said to be an offense to many. In its silent stance it screams of man’s forbidden thoughts and shines a spotlight on the horrors of humanity. It highlights the depravity of the unconverted heart and just as quickly brings hope and promise to bathe our wounds in love. The Cross is indeed the pivot place of paradox. It is the place where things turn around for the better.
The Cross of Calvary is also said to be a symbol for a meeting place. It is the meeting place where the ravages of shame and the humility of servitude confront. It is the intersection where man’s hatred and bitterness is set ablaze by bleeding flesh. A place where: heaven and earth, God and man, sinner and saint, outsider and insider, fault-finder and forgiver, greed and grace, rejection and redemption, punisher and penitent, exit and entrance all come together --- the meeting place where we reach up in order to reach out to one another.
The Cross, is simple, yet inexplicable in power. The Cross, pivot place of paradox and stereotyped as offensive – is where intimidation meets Divine intimacy. The Cross is a place where contradictions coexist and accumulate to our benefit. The Cross of Calvary satisfies every condition for our credibility. It is the “road best taken”. It was heaven’s ornament against a darkened sky and some dared to reduce it to adorning jewelry.
The eternal monologue of the Cross cannot be drowned by waves of time nor diminished by contemporary voices. It still offers a redemptive lift to all who embrace its Crucified.
The Cross is the original resting place for a victim’s cruel cadaver but now it cradles my old nature with its cares and scars. Oh, Calvary’s, criss-crossed blades , I rest content in thee.
In the midst of pain I receive your peace.
In the midst of turmoil you release your triumph.
In the dark midnight of uncertainty – you utter a dawn of direction.
In the echoes of loneliness you radiate your love.
I find rest in thee, Oh Cross of Calvary.
I find rest in your blood stained nails.
I find rest in the needles of your thorny crown.
I find rest in thee,
Thank God for the Cross.
Not only is the Cross the pivot place of paradox and the meeting place of contradictions but it a true and dependable witness. It testifies to the honor of being dishonored. It takes the stand and testifies to our indebtedness while Love relieves us from all costs. The Cross never speaks of itself but points to the worthiness of the Crucified One. It is simple but we cannot ignore its significance. We are yet learning our lessons from its testimony as it provides endless new answers about old truths in changing times. We are all students of the Cross.
It is the driving force that makes our dreams a reality. It testifies not just of Jesus who is the Christ but of our work made possible through faith in His name. It is proof of the finished work and the completed assignment. The Cross demands that we be more than merely impressed but rather that we imitate its non-violent side while resisting its shame and folly. The Cross represents more than just the voice of a minority tradition for it is a faithful and true signpost to the glory of God’s non-violent victory.
The Cross tells its own story, sings, its own song, applauds its own act and saves my soul. Could it be that the flaming swords of angels placed at Edens entrance to exclude mankind have now been repositioned as Calvary’s cross to assure our entrance? The Cross, once the weapon of angels now is our call to be reconciled to both God and man. The Cross, banned from public halls has found a place eternally in private hearts.
Dr. Cynthia James is a Christian Psychologist who pastors two local congregations in Oakland, CA and brings an intellectually sound yet fervent approach to ministry. She oversees the credentialing, counseling, and pastoral care of approximately 140 pastors and ministers serving 60 Church of God congregations in the Northern California, Northern Nevada,…
Have you ever heard Christianity explained to your complete satisfaction? Probably not, but that does not make one less of a believer. How many concepts and paradigms do we embrace everyday that like Christianity – seem to be a pivotal place of paradox? In Christianity, light comes from darkness, life comes from death, joy in the midst of sorrow and, an endless list of contradictory truths. The Cross, a symbol of Jesus’ crucifixion, is simple in its design but complex in its message. It looms empty, bare and isolated but it is full and overflowing with compassion for the often forgotten masses.
The Cross is said to be an offense to many. In its silent stance it screams of man’s forbidden thoughts and shines a spotlight on the horrors of humanity. It highlights the depravity of the unconverted heart and just as quickly brings hope and promise to bathe our wounds in love. The Cross is indeed the pivot place of paradox. It is the place where things turn around for the better.
The Cross of Calvary is also said to be a symbol for a meeting place. It is the meeting place where the ravages of shame and the humility of servitude confront. It is the intersection where man’s hatred and bitterness is set ablaze by bleeding flesh. A place where: heaven and earth, God and man, sinner and saint, outsider and insider, fault-finder and forgiver, greed and grace, rejection and redemption, punisher and penitent, exit and entrance all come together --- the meeting place where we reach up in order to reach out to one another.
The Cross, is simple, yet inexplicable in power. The Cross, pivot place of paradox and stereotyped as offensive – is where intimidation meets Divine intimacy. The Cross is a place where contradictions coexist and accumulate to our benefit. The Cross of Calvary satisfies every condition for our credibility. It is the “road best taken”. It was heaven’s ornament against a darkened sky and some dared to reduce it to adorning jewelry.
The eternal monologue of the Cross cannot be drowned by waves of time nor diminished by contemporary voices. It still offers a redemptive lift to all who embrace its Crucified.
The Cross is the original resting place for a victim’s cruel cadaver but now it cradles my old nature with its cares and scars. Oh, Calvary’s, criss-crossed blades , I rest content in thee.
In the midst of pain I receive your peace.
In the midst of turmoil you release your triumph.
In the dark midnight of uncertainty – you utter a dawn of direction.
In the echoes of loneliness you radiate your love.
I find rest in thee, Oh Cross of Calvary.
I find rest in your blood stained nails.
I find rest in the needles of your thorny crown.
I find rest in thee,
Thank God for the Cross.
Not only is the Cross the pivot place of paradox and the meeting place of contradictions but it a true and dependable witness. It testifies to the honor of being dishonored. It takes the stand and testifies to our indebtedness while Love relieves us from all costs. The Cross never speaks of itself but points to the worthiness of the Crucified One. It is simple but we cannot ignore its significance. We are yet learning our lessons from its testimony as it provides endless new answers about old truths in changing times. We are all students of the Cross.
It is the driving force that makes our dreams a reality. It testifies not just of Jesus who is the Christ but of our work made possible through faith in His name. It is proof of the finished work and the completed assignment. The Cross demands that we be more than merely impressed but rather that we imitate its non-violent side while resisting its shame and folly. The Cross represents more than just the voice of a minority tradition for it is a faithful and true signpost to the glory of God’s non-violent victory.
The Cross tells its own story, sings, its own song, applauds its own act and saves my soul. Could it be that the flaming swords of angels placed at Edens entrance to exclude mankind have now been repositioned as Calvary’s cross to assure our entrance? The Cross, once the weapon of angels now is our call to be reconciled to both God and man. The Cross, banned from public halls has found a place eternally in private hearts.
Dr. Cynthia James is a Christian Psychologist who pastors two local congregations in Oakland, CA and brings an intellectually sound yet fervent approach to ministry. She oversees the credentialing, counseling, and pastoral care of approximately 140 pastors and ministers serving 60 Church of God congregations in the Northern California, Northern Nevada,…
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Significance Of The Cross
By Brent Barnett
The cross is probably the most readily recognized of the Christian symbols, and there is significance to it. As a symbol, the cross is a reminder of the sacrifice of our Savior over two thousand years ago.
The cross itself did not effect our salvation, but it was the shedding of blood of the perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb of God on the cross that has made it so that our sins could be forgiven. Thus, the emphasis must always be on the sacrifice of Christ, the ultimate event of significance, not on the cross itself. Yet there is a reason why God chose to have His Son put to death on a tree rather than by some other means.
God is in the details, and He works all things according to a divine master plan, His Son's death by crucifixion being no accident or mere coincidence. In Genesis 3:17, the earth, the man, and the woman are cursed because they ate of the forbidden fruit of a tree.
In Deuteronomy 21:22-23, we read, "If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance."
In the Law, God ordained that a curse is brought upon a person if he is hung upon a tree, and hangings on trees were only for those who committed sins worthy of the death penalty. In the New Testament, we learn that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, those who sin are deserving of eternal death, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
So, in God's eyes, because of the first sin in Genesis and our certain failing to keep the entirety of the Law of God, we have all committed sin deserving of the death penalty. We are all cursed, deserving death, but God had a remedy. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, 'CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE.'"
The apostle Paul quotes from Deuteronomy explaining that Christ Himself bore the curse which was ours to bear. Man deserves to die because He doesn't measure up to God's holy commandments, yet Christ bore upon Himself the curse which should have been ours along with the penalty of death. He was crucified, being nailed to a tree, signifying that He was indeed cursed on our behalf. This is the significance of the cross, that our curse could be exchanged for an eternal blessing because Christ bore our curse by being hung on a tree.
We can rejoice that we can lay aside the curse of eternal condemnation in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15) because we have a Savior who shed His blood and bore the curse of our sin on the cross. The great news is that He didn't die eternally because He was God, and God raised Him from the dead.
So, too, by the power of God through a relationship with Christ, we can have eternal life forever with God in heaven. We can be forgiven of our sin and freed from the curse because of the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf if we repent of our sins and turn to Him as Savior and Lord. Where there was cursing, now there can be blessing, all thanks to Jesus Christ. May He Who bore our curse on the cross receive all glory and praise.
Brenton M. Barnett is the founder of the free Bible teaching ministry, Relevant Bible Teaching, found on the web at http://www.relevantbibleteaching.com. He is also the author of Catch Fire: A Call to Spiritual Awakening. Brent’s greatest joys in life are his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Anneke.…
The cross is probably the most readily recognized of the Christian symbols, and there is significance to it. As a symbol, the cross is a reminder of the sacrifice of our Savior over two thousand years ago.
The cross itself did not effect our salvation, but it was the shedding of blood of the perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb of God on the cross that has made it so that our sins could be forgiven. Thus, the emphasis must always be on the sacrifice of Christ, the ultimate event of significance, not on the cross itself. Yet there is a reason why God chose to have His Son put to death on a tree rather than by some other means.
God is in the details, and He works all things according to a divine master plan, His Son's death by crucifixion being no accident or mere coincidence. In Genesis 3:17, the earth, the man, and the woman are cursed because they ate of the forbidden fruit of a tree.
In Deuteronomy 21:22-23, we read, "If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance."
In the Law, God ordained that a curse is brought upon a person if he is hung upon a tree, and hangings on trees were only for those who committed sins worthy of the death penalty. In the New Testament, we learn that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, those who sin are deserving of eternal death, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
So, in God's eyes, because of the first sin in Genesis and our certain failing to keep the entirety of the Law of God, we have all committed sin deserving of the death penalty. We are all cursed, deserving death, but God had a remedy. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, 'CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE.'"
The apostle Paul quotes from Deuteronomy explaining that Christ Himself bore the curse which was ours to bear. Man deserves to die because He doesn't measure up to God's holy commandments, yet Christ bore upon Himself the curse which should have been ours along with the penalty of death. He was crucified, being nailed to a tree, signifying that He was indeed cursed on our behalf. This is the significance of the cross, that our curse could be exchanged for an eternal blessing because Christ bore our curse by being hung on a tree.
We can rejoice that we can lay aside the curse of eternal condemnation in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15) because we have a Savior who shed His blood and bore the curse of our sin on the cross. The great news is that He didn't die eternally because He was God, and God raised Him from the dead.
So, too, by the power of God through a relationship with Christ, we can have eternal life forever with God in heaven. We can be forgiven of our sin and freed from the curse because of the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf if we repent of our sins and turn to Him as Savior and Lord. Where there was cursing, now there can be blessing, all thanks to Jesus Christ. May He Who bore our curse on the cross receive all glory and praise.
Brenton M. Barnett is the founder of the free Bible teaching ministry, Relevant Bible Teaching, found on the web at http://www.relevantbibleteaching.com. He is also the author of Catch Fire: A Call to Spiritual Awakening. Brent’s greatest joys in life are his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Anneke.…
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Cross At Any Cost
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
All of us have had our moments on a cross - the crucifying experiences in our lives that we do not ever wish to repeat in life. A horrifying moment when our enemies prevailed, the ground beneath us shook, and the sun refused to shine. The fact that we lived to tell the story is a story in itself. It is a story we wouldn’t volunteer to repeat.
It makes it all the more amazing that Jesus volunteered for the cross experience. It was not an accident, but a part of God’s plan of salvation. Cicero called the cross, a cruel and horrifying means of death. Kausner, a Jewish scholar, called it a most terrible death, which man has ever devised for taking vengeance on humankind. Tacitus said it was simply despicable.
The cross was the fundamental point of the ministry of Jesus Christ. He was born with a cross in his future. He came to be our Savior on a cross. He came to give his life‘s blood on a cross to settle a debt that we owed for sins that we committed.
The cross was the destiny of Jesus. It was the reason for his coming, the culmination of his earthly ministry. It was also the capstone of his mission where he would reconcile Creator with the created. It was for him, the cross at any cost.
Jesus took the worst that life had to offer and dealt with it on the cross. He didn’t condone it, nor did he compromise his standard. He didn’t ignore our rebellion, nor did he dismiss his demands. He, who knew no sin, became sin for our sakes.
Jesus became the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He bore them boldly on the cross so that we could be redeemed. His blood covered our sins and God’s wrath was turned away.
Jesus took on death on the cross. The Bible declares that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Jesus would rather go to hell for us than to go to heaven without us having traveling options. He put heaven, eternal life, within our reach with his death and resurrection.
What a joy that Jesus was willing to go through hell, take what hell had to offer by defeating sin, death and hell just for us! God is so touched by what God sees in us that instead of turning away, God would pay any price to save his children.
It is like the old story often told about a mother in a war torn country. The insurgents were coming close to the house that served as a sanctuary for her children and herself. She knew that all of them could not be saved so she told her children at her signal they were to run out the back door. Don’t look back, she admonished them.
When the soldiers neared her house, she gave the signal. As her children ran out the back door, she ran out the front door to distract the soldiers. The mother died a horrible death at the hands of the enemy, but her children were able to run to safety. The mother sacrificed her life so that those whom she loved would live. She gave up her life so her children could be saved.
That’s what Jesus does for us on the cross. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died on a cross for us. He took the worst our enemies offered, turning something bad into something good.
“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.” AMEC Hymnal
As presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. Her messages can be heard online daily at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com. For more information about Bishop Vashti McKenzie, log onto www.13thame.com
© Bishop Vashti McKenzie all rights reserved.
All of us have had our moments on a cross - the crucifying experiences in our lives that we do not ever wish to repeat in life. A horrifying moment when our enemies prevailed, the ground beneath us shook, and the sun refused to shine. The fact that we lived to tell the story is a story in itself. It is a story we wouldn’t volunteer to repeat.
It makes it all the more amazing that Jesus volunteered for the cross experience. It was not an accident, but a part of God’s plan of salvation. Cicero called the cross, a cruel and horrifying means of death. Kausner, a Jewish scholar, called it a most terrible death, which man has ever devised for taking vengeance on humankind. Tacitus said it was simply despicable.
The cross was the fundamental point of the ministry of Jesus Christ. He was born with a cross in his future. He came to be our Savior on a cross. He came to give his life‘s blood on a cross to settle a debt that we owed for sins that we committed.
The cross was the destiny of Jesus. It was the reason for his coming, the culmination of his earthly ministry. It was also the capstone of his mission where he would reconcile Creator with the created. It was for him, the cross at any cost.
Jesus took the worst that life had to offer and dealt with it on the cross. He didn’t condone it, nor did he compromise his standard. He didn’t ignore our rebellion, nor did he dismiss his demands. He, who knew no sin, became sin for our sakes.
Jesus became the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He bore them boldly on the cross so that we could be redeemed. His blood covered our sins and God’s wrath was turned away.
Jesus took on death on the cross. The Bible declares that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Jesus would rather go to hell for us than to go to heaven without us having traveling options. He put heaven, eternal life, within our reach with his death and resurrection.
What a joy that Jesus was willing to go through hell, take what hell had to offer by defeating sin, death and hell just for us! God is so touched by what God sees in us that instead of turning away, God would pay any price to save his children.
It is like the old story often told about a mother in a war torn country. The insurgents were coming close to the house that served as a sanctuary for her children and herself. She knew that all of them could not be saved so she told her children at her signal they were to run out the back door. Don’t look back, she admonished them.
When the soldiers neared her house, she gave the signal. As her children ran out the back door, she ran out the front door to distract the soldiers. The mother died a horrible death at the hands of the enemy, but her children were able to run to safety. The mother sacrificed her life so that those whom she loved would live. She gave up her life so her children could be saved.
That’s what Jesus does for us on the cross. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died on a cross for us. He took the worst our enemies offered, turning something bad into something good.
“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.” AMEC Hymnal
As presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. Her messages can be heard online daily at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com. For more information about Bishop Vashti McKenzie, log onto www.13thame.com
© Bishop Vashti McKenzie all rights reserved.
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