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CFC, Couples For Christ, MD, USA
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FORUMS
20040816 - 1246 : erwin315 Christ's Most Painful Moment At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:45-46 Undoubtedly, the physical suffering that Christ experienced on the cross races through nearly everyone's minds as His most painful moment. Others may think of Jesus' brutal scourging that preceded the Crucifixion. What might shock you is that neither of these events stands as His most painful moment. Jesus' most painful moment occurred on the cross after darkness enveloped the land. At that instant, He cried out the words, " 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' " (Matthew 27:46). But why was this agonizing cry to God Christ's most painful moment? I believe at this instant Jesus?for the first time?experienced separation from God the Father. This temporary division from God was more than likely the unique situation that Isaiah prophesied of when he said the Suffering Servant would bear our iniquities (see Isaiah 53:11). In fulfillment of those words, Jesus?the Suffering Servant?bore the sins of the world on the cross. Don't misunderstand Jesus' cry to God. Christ was not angry with Him. Notice how He intimately referred to God as, "My God." Jesus was not accusing God of deserting Him. He was crying out to God, yearning for that fellowship they once had. Listen, we too will have times when we feel far from God. There will be times in life when we don't understand how God is working. This is not the time to turn from God; it's the time to turn to God. For God is still there for us. Because of Christ's most painful moment upon that rugged cross, we can boldly proclaim, "God will never leave us nor forsake us" (see Hebrews 13:5). 20040721 - 0119 : erwin315 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU "You are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read to all men." The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Are read by more than a few, But the one that is most read and commented on Is the gospel according to you. You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day By things that you do and words that you say, Men read what you write, whether faithless or true. Say, what is the gospel according to you? Do men read His truth and His love in your life, Or has yours been too full of malice and strife? Does your life speak of evil, or does it ring true? Say, what is the gospel according to you? 20040721 - 0114 : erwin315 FAITH MAKES THE DIFFERENCE Hebrews 11:8-12 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old--and Sarah herself was barren--because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore." By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8 IN reading the Old Testament stories about Moses, Abraham, and Jacob, I often wondered how God could use them and love them when they had done terrible things like deceive and murder. But when I reflect upon my own life, I realize that in spite of my failures, God has used me. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews helps to solve the mystery. God didn't choose these people because of their good or bad actions; God chose them because of their faith. God used them and they became examples for us. In spite of their sins, they believed in God's power and promises. Their faith made the difference. And so it is with me and you. It is not what we have or have not done that causes God to use us. It is our faith in God's promises as revealed in Jesus Christ that leads us to obey God and love God and our fellow human beings. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the stories of faithfulness we read in the Bible. Show us how we, too, can live out our faith in your promises. Amen. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God uses us not because we are perfect but because we believe. -- Paul C. Burke (Mississippi, U.S.A.) 20040523 - 1344 : erwin315 Matthew 13:44A few years ago, before "The Passion of the Christ," there was another of the many movies made depicting the life and times of Jesus. The marketing execs were in rare form as they entitled the made-for-television-mini-series, "Jesus." Instant name recognition. I didn't have to watch much before I was reminded of the three reasons I'm not a huge fan of such efforts. First, the four Gospels are different from one another and need to be read, experienced and understood on their own terms. When movies are made, the four books are thrown into the food processor and out comes a brand new work with the prior differences mushed together. A non-canonical fifth gospel. A biblical smoothie. I simply don't think they need the help. Second, given that the Gospels were written to be read they don't readily translate into screen plays. Therefore, the screen writers had to fill in the gaps in Jesus' life, putting words into his mouth and those of the other characters. The problem is that a person unfamiliar with the original sources can't distinguish the words that have been carefully preserved for nearly 2000 years and the cute spine tinglers the screen writer throws in to bring us back after the next commercial break. And third, once a work of literature takes on new life as a movie, a large part of our imaginations are limited. For many, Moses will forever look like Charleton Heston rather than Yassar Arafat. Jesus will always look most comfortable in the 1970's. And far too many people won't be able to tell the difference. Add to that the instant credibility we give to television and we have given an awful lot of imaginative power away. But I do have an "on the other hand..." On the other hand, just as the Spirit can use the poorest sermon I've ever given to birth faith in a person who needed to hear just those words, even a story about Jesus on television can be used of God. I pray, as people move from the cliffhanger in the temple market to the next installment of the story, that there will be those who discover the treasure of the good news in a new and powerful way. It can happen. It can happen in a person's life that they suddenly stumble upon a message that reaches into the depth of their being, grabs them by the Adam's apple and refuses to let them go. The good news that God is real, Jesus is alive, the Spirit is present, God's love is unconditional, all sins can be forgiven, a new purpose for living can be discovered, the poor will be remembered, the outcast welcomed home and the sick healed can become the greatest treasure a person can trip over. Such news can inflame our spirits and overwhelm our skepticism. It can happen. The promise is that it will happen. And when it does, investing our entire life in such a message, and such a Messenger, is a matter of pure joy. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, the incredible depths of your loving grace are a treasure well worth our joy and complete surrender. Thank you for those experiences in life where we have newly discovered the joy of our faith. Work in the lives of those who are still wandering around the field, yet to stumble upon your treasures of faith. Use us, whatever tools you need, even television movies, to allow that to happen. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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