Good Friday

How can something seemingly so masochistic be a good thing? The greatest form of love would be for you to give your very life for another, right?
picture is from free Jesus pictures off internet Well, Jesus not only gave his life for each of us individually but he gave his life for every living human being that would arrive on this planet. That's a pretty awesome sacrifice if you ask me. You see, He took our place, because in order for any of us to co-exist with a truly Divine God then we would need to be holy ourselves because God Himself is so holy that absolutely no sin can exist in His presence. And truth be told, you or I wouldn't want it any other way. Who would want someone, say, as evil as say Hitler in heaven? Quite frankly, no one. Everyone has some form of injustice done to them at one point in time or another and sometimes, or even most times, daily. We've all done something wrong at one point in our lives or another. If not, we're hypocrites because no one is perfect; as the phrase goes: "yeah, but we're only human". When we're selfish we harm someone, whether that be just ourselves or most of the time several others, but God especially. So what can be done about it and why is it every religion desires/offers some form of peace as the common theme? Nearly every Miss America wants "world peace". This is the obvious common theme world wide. Huh, why is that? Could it be perhaps that the Creator of the Universe put that desire in the hearts of men to begin with so that when He called them unto himself they might recognize the hunger for this peace; His peace.
So why is Christianity the only way then? Can't there be other ways to reach this Holy God? Isn't that pretty judgemental!? Well, yes. But if God is the judge then it is up to Him not us to decide something like that [not us] and yes it still is[but it's His judgement not ours, and that's the only thing that makes it okay]. Have you ever noticed that basically all religion claims to be the only way. Only Allah, only Yahweh, etc. etc. ? Could it be that be that if there truly is only one way to God the others must only be false imitations? The premise here is God's judgement. This isn't to be used for Christians to judge other people (as sadly is sometimes the case of misguided individuals), it's the consequences that any one individual will receive that we as individuals should be concerned about, that being our own consequences for our own personal sins. He will be the one to judge each of us individually and again quite frankly we wouldn't want it any other way. Or those who condemn us or haven't forgiven us would toss us overboard to go to hell in a hand basket in the blink of an eye. But God came to save the world not condemn it; very important yet, often overlooked aspect of Gods plan. [Alas, there is hope!] Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it! It is the very scripture right after the famous John 3:16 which is of course John 3:17 "God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world."
He offers you His peace but first He had to give up His very life in order to satisfy the Holy requirements of reconciliation of sinful creatures with a Holy God. Because with a holy God sin cannot go unpunished. So Christ stood in the gap long ago on that day He was crucified and He took all our punishment for all sins[past, present, and future btw] so that we might be able to co-exist with our Heavenly Father and truly be free form all condemnation["should not perish"Jn.3:16 in an eternal life(what's so bad about eternal? it's yet another popular theme(i.e. the universe sometimes if you're an atheist or someone who believes in re-incarnation, etc.) His love is so great who would want it to end?]. "So if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed,"John 8:36 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."Romans 8:1 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him." 2Sam.14:14

If all this is true, wouldn't you want someone to tell you about the deep and awesome love and peace of Christ? If those of us who experience this awesome love and freedom and enjoyment of a truly abundant life didn't truly care, we'd be indifferent, which is totally callous. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 So if what Jesus Christ himself claims to be true really is true, then there is a decision to be made, a calling that requires a response. *-So, . . . will you surrender your life to Him this very hour, this very night, this very day?

He sacrificed his life so that you might have it and have it to the fullest. "The thief comes not but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and might have it abundantly."John 10:10 Do you yourself desire that peace ? If so , you can have it! For those of us who have we can rejoice in what He's given us and lovingly share that with others along the way. But if you have not and you decide to do so, please, let a fellow follower of Christ know and get in a church [that has the Bible as its only source of doctrine] as soon as possible. To all: seize this opportunity to reflect upon, enjoy and appreciate what Our Awesome Creator has done for us this Easter season.

*Those interested in surrendering their lives to Christ simply must confess with your mouth that Jesus is God then ask that He become Lord over your life. In Romans 10:9-11 the Bible says that: "9 If you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved from the punishment of sin. 10 When we believe in our hearts, we are made right with God. We tell with our mouth how we were saved from the punishment of sin. 11 The Holy Writings say, "No one who puts his trust in Christ will ever be put to shame." (Isaiah 28:16) Thereafter you are to follow him and take up your cross denying yourself daily. "24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."Mttw. 16:24, Luke 9:23 In order to come after Him Just ask Him to truly forgive all the wrongs/sins you've ever done/committed against God, yourself and others and He will honor a contrite heart "For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." Isa. 57:15. Enjoy your new life in Christ and get discipled as soon as possible. If you need prayer TBN or the 700 Club are good places to start until you get hooked up with a local body of Christ that uses the Bible as it's only source of doctrine. If you have further questions there are some excellent websites out there; a few of which are mentioned on the right hand side of this blog. Here is a good resource to start: http://www.allaboutgod.com/

Sincerely, a devout follower of the Most High God: Jesus Christ,
Mrs. Tiffany Renee Phillips