Tag: bible verses. Christian. Christianity

The Cup, the Kiss, and the Kingdom

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Text Free Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28.  How many times have we reflected upon or claimed that verse over our own lives?  How many are the troubles we have endured when we pull this promise out of the pocket of Scripture to reassure our hearts during tumultuous times?

And, my friend, why would we not?  This, as with too many promises to name, support us through the many difficult situations we face.  They fill our hearts with a hope that we may not physically be able to see, yet through faith in Him, our faith in God’s promises let us know our hope is not without a firm foundation.  Our hope has its source in One.

One who never fails.  One who will not suffer one jot or tittle to fall without the performance of what was written and hoped for, Matthew 5:18.

Our hope is in Him who took it all upon His person that He might secure it all for our person.

The cup would not go down like sweet juice, Matthew 26:42.  It was filled with bitterness.  It was filled with hurt.  It was filled with wrath.  It was filled with the sin of humanity.  Jesus Christ would drink every drop, leaving no remnant of moisture behind in the cup, for it was for complete salvation – it was to be the complete offering He has come to this moment in time.

Our Lord did not forsake the cup that was given to Him.  He drained its contents upon His very life, counting God’s will to be higher, determining the Father’s will to be accomplished above all.

The drowsy disciples saw Him praying.  They feel the earnestness of His resolve and soul.  Even the three closest to Him still could not wrap their heads around the contents of that cup He drank.  So, they slept.

Nevertheless, He submits wholly to emptying its fullness upon His life.

There was one who cared not about the suffering in the cup He drank.  This one’s focus was on selfish gain.  Going to the private place where Jesus shared close companionship with His disciples, a place usually of respite has now become a place of betrayal and a kiss would be the telling sign.

“Hail, master,” he spoke as if this were an ordinary day of greeting.  As if subterfuge was not in his heart, Matthew 26:49.

He made his deal.  The silver jingled in his pockets as he embraced the One who could give him riches in glory untold, Matthew 26:14-16.

“Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Jesus questioned, Matthew 26:50.  Both of these men have arrived at this place in the garden at this point in history.  Each is there though to fulfill very different purposes.  Judas has come in selfishness.  Jesus has come in selflessness.

Jesus has come to “seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10.  He has come to this point in time to “give his life a ransom for many” Mark 10:45.  Their reasons for being there on that night are as vastly separated as heaven and hell.  Judas wants to finance an earthly kingdom or himself.  Jesus Christ has come to build a Kingdom not made with hands, 2 Corinthians 5:1.

To His disciples, He often taught on the nearness of the kingdom of God (Matthew 10:7; Mark 1:15).  Parables were told to give those who would listen, not just with their ears, but with their hearts, a clearer glimpse into who would be in that kingdom and what it would be like (Matthew 13:24-53; Luke 18:16).

Securing souls for the Kingdom, and giving mankind a fighting chance, was the reason for this pivotal moment in this garden of conflict.

This conflict that brought so much pain to total innocence was not without purpose.  As horrible as this night appeared, and as horrific the events which followed would be, Jesus knew that God would work something good, even out of this evil.  It was “for the joy that was set before him [He, Jesus] endured the cross. . .” Hebrews 12:2.

Christ had many joys to look forward to when this was all over, but one of His greatest joys, I believe, is to see the Kingdom full of believing saints.  Hearts, who in their lifetime, believed and surrendered, will pass through those heavenly gates.

Jesus did not come to earth for Himself.  He did not go before multitudes to convince them of a better way for Himself.  He did not climb Calvary’s cross and submit to death for Himself.

No.  No.  A thousand times, NO!  But for you.  For me.  For us, He became “the way, the truth, and the light” John 14:6.  For people such as us, He was the greatest gift of love manifested, John 3:16.

He became sin that we might be freed from sin, (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 9:28).  He became our precious Lamb of God, 1 Corinthians 5:7.

The cup that was filled with wrath opened the gate for forgiveness and restoration.  The kiss of betrayal put in motion the events that led to the cross.  And it is at the cross, you will find the Key to the Kingdom.

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Try Him for Yourself!

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“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8

Experience is everything.  Many people can talk about knowing God from an external point of view, but they don’t know Him for themselves deep on the inside.  They haven’t experienced the depths of intimacy involved in being in a real relationship with God (for more encouragement see my article, The God We Feel).

David had experience with God.  Before he ever faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17), and even before he was on Saul’s radar, who now counted him as an enemy and was in the process of hunting him down, causing David to flee for his life, act like a madman, and hide (see 1 Samuel 21), he had encounters that let him know that God was there for him.  There was even a time when he faced a bear and lion and came out victorious (1 Samuel 17:34-35).

God, Himself called David “a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will,” (Acts 13:22) because of his walk with Him.  David was not a stranger to God.  He was a frequent worshipper, a frequent prayer-er, and frequently inclined to look to God, do what He said, walk with Him, and guide his life by His holy standards.

David knows what it’s like to get hooked up with God and let that hookup be your life foundation.  With that, he calls others to reach out and try Him for themselves.  Don’t let this moment or day go by without knowing and experiencing God on that same personal level David did.  He encouraged them to, “Taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (compare 1 Peter 2:3).

God is good (see Psalm 100:5; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 19:17) and God does good (see Psalm 119:64; Genesis 1)!  God cannot separate Himself from who He is and what He does.  And, David wants people to know it, taste it, and experience it for themselves!

Those who put God at the focal center of their lives and decisions, those who recognize the sovereignty of God over all, will be supplied by Him.  God provides for His people.  God cares for His people.  “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them,” (Psalm 145:19; see also Psalm 23:1; Proverbs 10:24).

David has experienced the hand of God’s care over and over again, and he assures others they can too if they follow Him.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.

A Word for Today: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 — Word For Life Says…

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To say that Christ has won is an understatement. He has literally crushed, obliterated, and stands on the head of every adversary we may face today. The world may think they have won but Jesus will flip the script on them every time and show who He really is. He has “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross,” (Col. 2:15; NIV). His enemies are being made a footstool at His feet (Hebrews 10:13; NIV). He is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords and will conquer everything and everybody that tries to war against Him (Revelation 17:14).In case you haven’t figured it out yet, WE ARE ON THE WINNING SIDE! Be of good cheer!

A Word for Today: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 — Word For Life Says…

“Be Fulfilled”

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“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled,” Matthew 5:6

 As a mom, I look back and I can remember distinctly the graduations of my children.  They were very proud moments for parents and students alike.  As each graduate would come out during the processional, moving closer to the stage, soon to walk across it to receive their diplomas, you could see the look of accomplishment etched proudly on their faces.  A sort of contentment had washed over each of them declaring, “I made it!”  And with that, the feeling of fulfillment begins to set it.

Those joyous times that we get to celebrate achievements are wonderful.  No one can take away the feelings of awe and satisfaction that come with that sense of accomplishment.  Unfortunately, as Christians, I think we place too much value on the accomplishments to satisfy us and not enough value in the Christ that is already filling us.

Don’t get me wrong.  In no way am I stating that celebrating reaching goals such as these is wrong.  As a matter of fact, I believe it’s a very healthy thing to set goals and be proud of the achievement that follows.

But, what of the times in-between?  Most of our every day is what one would define as, “Humdrum.”  There are times when we are not in the process of celebrating those wonderful graduating victories.  We are not riding high on accomplishments and the like.  What of that time?

This is where most will begin to feel a sense of loss, a sense of not quite being worthy enough, carrying a feeling of not measuring up to one’s self or another’s standard.  These in-between times are when people start to lose their spiritual footing.  Some may even begin to venture backward with the feeling of, “Why should I even bother?”

That is not what God wants for us.  He does not want you to base your self-worth off of the things that you have done, but rather on who you are in Him. You are His child.  You are the one that He allowed His Son to be sacrificed for.  You are the one He chose to redeem.  And, if God saw that much value in you to do all of that, how dare we look to accomplishments for satisfaction.

The Bible declares in Acts 17:28, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being…”   We don’t find who we are or content ourselves with anything outside of Him!  When I wake up in the morning it’s not because of anything that I have done.  The reason is that “in Him” I live, move, and have my very being.  I was not designed, as a child of God, to feel the need to be fulfilled anywhere other than in Him!

We don’t need to hunger after the things of this world.  We don’t need to feel like we can only be complete during those graduation victories.  Jesus said, “They which do hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.”  In other words, all we have to do is to have that sincere yearning within us to do that which is right for Him and live it.  He will fill us!  We shall be satisfied because we have found out where our real value lies.  In Him!

Graduation victories and celebrations of all kinds are wonderful, but we can’t live there all the time.  Day by day, I have to know that because I am His child, and because I am hungering and thirsting after righteousness, I can be filled.  Whether it is a rainy Monday, a get-over-the-hump Wednesday, or a celebrating Sunday; because I am in Him and He is in me, I can always feel fulfillment in my life.

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Fret not thyself…

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“Fret not thyself because of evildoers…” Psalm 37:1

When wrong is called right, and those that do right seem to suffer, what do you do?  When adversity comes because of wicked advancement, how does one respond?

As it is often true in life, how we see things with our natural eyes; they do not tell the whole story of what is.  The truth of what is is that it may seem that prosperity belongs to those who pursue greatness and success at the expense of others, but they are the most pitiful of all.  What they climb to achieve on the backs of others will soon wither and fade with time.  “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Therefore, in all that we see, the psalmist encourages us not to become worried.  The fate of the wicked is set: “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” (Psalm 37:2).  But you, my friend of faith, are to “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed” (Psalm 37:3).

You are to “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4).

You are to “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

God sees you: “The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever” (Psalm 37:18).  And God is here for you: “But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble” (Psalm 37:39).  Therefore, fret not thyself.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.

“Lean!”

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LEAN - MY PIC

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23

Are you a disciple? Are you one of the beloved? Are you as he who sits in fellowship with his Lord?

Then, lean.

Are you savoring time with Him? Are you taking in the words He speaks? Are you resting in His presence?

Then, lean.

Are you struggling in the mire? Are you hanging on by a thread? Are you on the threshold of giving up?

Then, lean.

No matter what the story of our life is telling at this moment. Regardless of the path, be it good or wrought with turmoil. In all cases, and in every way, before we do anything else, we must lean.

Lean into His bosom. Lie close to His heart. Trust Him with your cares. From Him, never depart.

Our strength was never ours on our own. Everything within us was designed to lean. In success and failures, hills and valleys, lean with trust in the Savior who will never let you down.

He is your support, your confidence, and your stay. Jesus loves you.  Let Him hold you like only He can while you just lean.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.