You are approved and acceptable and in right relationship with HIM

2 Corinthians 5

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²¹ For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [^[g]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

As I find myself standing before the Father God in the court room today I sit next to Him on His right hand side.  My accuser the devil is stating all the sins I have committed throughout my life, I am as guilty as can be, and the death penalty is the only fair and just answer for my sinful nature.

While the devil is pulling out all his stops, showing my iniquity to the world with a big grin on his face I feel faint and know that I don’t stand a chance and that my fate is sealed.

The Father God looks at me and says ‘Is there anybody who will stand in the gap for her?’  

Then just as it seems no one is there for me, I see Him walking down into the court room.  ‘I am the Lord Jesus Christ and this woman is my child, I paid for her sins in full on the cross.’  She has the righteousness of Me and she can stand before You Father God through me.  Whenever she calls out my Name and confesses that she is the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ I know that she is approved and accepted and in right relationship with Us.  

As I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ I want to encourage you to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Your Lord and saviour and know that it is by grace that we are set free.  The Lord loves you and has called you by your name.  You are reading this right now and I am certain you can change your life by accepting Jesus Christ into your own life.  

Holy Spirit please fill me and open the eyes of my fellow bloggers, speaking into their lives, I ask for life and an abundance of it.  The fulfilling of the Word – in the Holy name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

Love Never Fails – 1 Corinthians 13: 4, 8

Hello Darlings

Love Never Fails that is always true in any situation.  Even people that do not believe in God love each other.  The best thing is love is always true, it cannot be faked or copied, and it is something within each one of us.  We are blessed with this beautiful thing called love.  

My thoughts go to the Lord Jesus Christ; He went to Calvary to die on that old rugged cross.  He gave His life for you and me so that we may have the security to go to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Looking at that makes me realise once again no one can live without love in their lives.  The fruit of the Spirit is something we all strive for.  Galatians 5: 22 – 23 “Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.”  We all have a degree of each of the above I have mentioned.  

Love is almost certain to manifest in your life as well as mine.  We obviously love ourselves, I think it is obvious because we watch our diet and we like to smell nice, we love to dress smartly.  Yip, Love is there for sure.

Joy is certainly in most people’s lives, we are happy when things go our way.  I was filled with joy this morning when I went to the Traffic Department to collect my driver’s license.  The queues there are scary.  I got there just on 10h00 and left 10h28, what a dream I was in and out.  On my way out I passed the queue, which stood out of the door to the gate.  I thought how wonderful it is to serve a living God who favoured me today, I felt so much joy that instance.

Peace is also something we want in our life, peace of mind is important which keeps us sane and holds us up.  We want peace in our lives so that we can face each situation.

Patience is something I lack, it is difficult to be patient and I do try not to become impatient.  I seem to be learning how to deal with my impatience each day.  I have to deal with two teenagers.  They totally drive me up the wall at times.  So patience is being taught to me the hard way. 

Kindness and Goodness I feel we have plenty of, people in general are kind and they do show goodness.  I see many poor and needy people along the road, when I can I give and I am kind most of the time.  Live is too hard when people are rude and show no compassion and kindness.

Faithfulness is something we all have too.  I am married to my husband, I am faithful to him come what may.  I love and respect him too much to be unfaithful to him.  I am faithful to my own values and I am faithful to my God.  I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of my heart, body and mind.  I do the best I can to stay faithful to the Lord at all times.

Gentleness, hmm this isn’t that easy, sometimes I cannot be gentle, I seem to have learned how to be tough and I don’t want to always show gentleness.  I was told it is a sign of weakness and I don’t want to be perceived as weak.  Although I think we all can do with being gentle toward other.

Self-Control – I must be honest in telling you I used to say what was on my mind the very instance.  I still struggle with my tongue and I do forget to pull it in and take control over my words.  I find that I lack in the area of Self-control.  I don’t mean to be rude, but should a situation arise that I am challenged the very thing I don’t want to do, I actually do it.  So honestly I need to work on my own self-control.  

Well I hope your day goes well, may you enjoy the love of the Lord in your life today, may you know that even when you are feeling down, the Lord your God is with you and He loves you.  He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for your sins.  The best news ever is that Jesus rose form the dead, He is a live and He loves you.  Take this opportunity to pray with me.

Lord Jesus, thank you for today, thank you for your supernatural favour in my life today.  Thank You Lord that I may come to You in humble prayer and ask that You will keep me safe.  I love You Lord with all my heart and I pray that you will fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may bear the fruit of the spirit in my own life.

HIS ALIVE ... JESUS IS ALIVE

Mary the mother of James, and Mary Magdalene and Salome bought spices and sat together preparing the spices.  It was very early when Mary Magdalene went into the kitchen and put everything together while she was putting the spices on the table, the other Mary and Salome can into the kitchen too.  ‘How did you sleep?’ Salome asked as she sat down on a chair near the table.  Looking at her both Mary’s said ‘Not at all’.  Picking up the dish with the spices the three women walked through the door and down the street toward the place where Jesus was buried. 

On their way to the grave they experienced a violent earthquake.  An Angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him they shook and became like dead men.

The three women, Mary the mother of James, Mary Magdalene and Salome saw the Angel of the Lord and stood before him like pillars of salt.  

‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.’  Now I have told you.’

Running into the tomb they stood in front of the place where Jesus it was empty.

Bewildered and astonished the woman left the tomb in a hurry and yet they felt joy and ran to his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greeting,” he said.  They came to him fell down on their knees clasping his feet, worshiping.  Then Jesus bent down and lifted them to their feet “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.  When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.”  If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”  So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.  And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe.  In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.  Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his words by the signs that accompanied it.

The Crucifixion

Now Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus was on his way home.  Coming in from his business out in the country he wanted to get home in time for the celebration of the Feast.  The streets were packed people were pushing and shoving each other to see what was happening in front of them.  Simon pushed his way through he really was in a hurry and wanted to get out of the crowd as soon as possible.  Before he knew it one of the centurions grabbed him and pulled him into the group.  

‘Pick up the cross and carry it.’  The Centurion instructed Simon.

‘No, I am not going to do that what will my friends say if they see me carrying a cross.’  Simon protested as he pulled away from the Centurion. 

‘You will take up this cross and carry it for Jesus.  It isn’t open for decision.’ The Centurion said and pushed Simon.

Simon had no choice in the matter and picked up the heavy cross.  They reached Golgotha the Place of the Skull. 

Simon stood and watch as the centurion hammered the six inch nails into Jesus hands and feet.  It must have been excruciating as Jesus turned pail each time one of the nails pierced his flesh.  The blood had dried on his back but as they pushed Jesus down on the cross you could see the blood trickle down the wood of the rugged cross.  Finally they pushed the cross up right and as it fell into the whole Jesus body fell into place and a rush of air escaped in anguish as he breathed.

Jesus clothes were being divided between the Soldiers as they took lots on each item.  It was the third hour when they crucified Jesus.  A notice was placed for all to see which read ‘THE KING OF THE JEWS.’   Two robbers where crucified with Jesus on the same day, one to the right of Jesus and one to the left of Jesus.

As I stood watching this my heart sank into my feet and watched the people who passed by; they were insulting Jesus and shaking their heads while saying ‘So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself.’

The Chief Priests and the teachers of the law mocked Jesus among themselves.  ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself!  Let this Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’

The two crucified with Jesus also heaped insults on him.

It was at the sixth hour when it became pitch black, so dark it frightened me.  And in the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”  which means, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.  “Now leave him alone.  Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn into tow from top to bottom.  And when they centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Some women were watching from a distance.  Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.  In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs.  Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Jesus before Pilate

‘It has been decided, the High Priest wants us to get rid of this man Jesus.’  The Chief Priest said to the elders and teachers.  ‘Come let us take Jesus to Pilot.’ 

As the teachers of the law, the Chief Priests and elders gathered they had Jesus brought with them to see Pilot.  

Jesus walked with the crowd to Pilot and stood before him.  ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilot asked Jesus.  Looking at Pilot and the people gathered around them Jesus answered Pilot.  ‘Yes, it is as you say.’

Immediately the Chief Priest accused Jesus of many things.  So Pilot asked Jesus ‘Aren’t you going to answer?  See how many things they are accusing you of.’

Amazed that Jesus did not defend himself Pilot sat down for a moment.  It was customary to release a prisoner at the Feast for the people.  An insurrectionist named Barabbas was being held for murder during a riot.  The crowd came to Pilot and requested that a prisoner be released as was custom.

Pilate stood before the crowd and asked ‘Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’  Pilate knew that it was out of envy that the Chief Priests had handed Jesus over to him.  But the Chief Priests stirred up the crowed to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

‘What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?’  Pilate asked them.

‘Crucify him!’ they shouted.

‘Why?  What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate.

But the crowd kept shouting louder and louder, ‘Crucify him!’ 

Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd, so he released Barabbas to them.  Calling the centurions he commanded them to flog Jesus and hand him over to be crucified.

Jesus was lead to a place called the Praetorium and all the soldiers were called there.  They placed a purple robe on Jesus, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus, being malicious they pushed it hard onto his head.  Blood trickling down his face.  ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’  Again and again they struck Jesus on his head with a staff and spat him.  Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him.  Jesus was lead out to be crucified.