Two Sinners, Two Decisions, One Redeemer:

The Choice is the Same Today

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with [Jesus]. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:32-43, NLT)

          Before God the Father created the Heaven’s and the Earth, you were on His mind. The Father wants to have an intimate relationship with His creation. He wants to have an intimate relationship with you. He has reached out to you with His loving arms, drawing you to the cross. Have you accepted His offer of eternal life? The Father sent His Son to die in your place. Have you gone to the Cross of Calvary, seeking the Redeemer of the World? The decision is yours to make. Jesus has already paid the price for your sins. What will you do with the man on the cross (1 Peter 1:20; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 6:20)?

          Two men hung on the cross with Jesus. They saw the man who knew no sin. They saw the man who came to die in their place. One chastised Jesus, asking for a sign. Are you doing the same? The man asked Jesus to prove He was God by coming off the cross. Do you ask Jesus to prove He is the One who came to set you free? Do you believe you have all the time in the world to make the right decision concerning Jesus? The man on the cross made a decision. He chose to mock the One, who died for him. He chose to reject God the Father’s offer of eternal life. Have you?

          There was another man on the cross that day. Though he echoed the rebuke of the other at the beginning, he had a change of heart. Watching Jesus on the cross, this other man recognized the innocence of the man in the middle. He knew Jesus was the One, who came to die for him. He knew he was in the presence of God Himself. At the cross, He asked Jesus to remember him. He went from a sinner; dying on the cross, to a Child of God; freed from his sins because of Jesus’ sacrifice for him on the cross. He made the right decision. He chose to accept God the Father’s offer of eternal life. After dying on the cross, he was with his Savior in Paradise.

How about you? Are you a Child of God? He came to set you free. The curtain has torn. The tomb is empty. The decision is yours. Come to Him today.

Are You Kidding Me? PART 2

When the Little Things in Life Gets the Best of You

Yesterday I shared with you the trials and tribulations I had with my vacuum cleaner. Today, I woke up with my wife telling me our high school children had a flat on the way to school. Are you kidding me? When it rains, it pours. I need a vacation. I have been putting off getting tires for both of our cars. Boy was that a mistake. Five hours and $800 later, I am finally back home. Calgon take me away (You have to be from my generation to get that one).

There is one thing I have learned in life. Rarely does anything work out the way you have planned. I was supposed to be working on school today. I still will. However, not as much as planned. Do you feel like life never cooperates with you? Sometimes I feel like a pawn in an insidious chess game. The player; with an evil grin, moves me into harm’s way just for the fun of it. I hear his hideous laughter. It haunts me in my sleep.

How do you respond when every time you turn around, there is another roadblock, another problem? Though I am handling today better than yesterday, it doesn’t mean I am handling it well. I am ready for a month where I can look back and smile, knowing everything went smoothly. How about you?

Is your life filled with heartache, struggles and fears? Do you spend your nights staring at the ceiling worried about your bills, your children, your job, your life? I have spent many sleepless nights struggling with life. I have been a child of God for thirty-one-years, and I can tell you that life is not always easy. However, I can also say that the struggles of life does not escape the attention of our Heavenly Father. God does not turn His back on His children. He will never leave us nor forsake us. That promise alone keeps me sane when I am struggling. He is right there with me. He will never let go of my hand.

Think about it. Since God loves us so much He sent Jesus to die in our place, how can we doubt His love for us when the little things of life get the best of us? Jesus told us not to worry about the things of this world. Easier said than done, I understand. However, look at His promise for you and me and you will see His love. Luke 12:25-32:

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

Instead of worrying about life, we are to seek God’s Kingdom. In other words, we are to stop worrying about the little things in life. Instead, we are to trust in the God of Heaven’s Armies. He is not only able to help us in our time of need. He wants to help us. When we seek His Kingdom, God has promised He will give us everything we need. God did not say He will give us everything we want. Instead, He promised He will give us everything we need. What an incredible promise. Our God will take care of all of our needs. Therefore, I should not fret over the little things in life. When I do, it doesn’t make things any better. In fact, most of the time, it makes things worse.

I need to trust God in all things. I need to rest in all of His promises. Why? Because His promises are always true. Instead of worrying, let us trust. Instead of getting angry, let us praise. Instead of focusing on our problems, let us seek His Kingdom. Rest my friends. Rest in the arms of our loving God. He will take care of all of your needs.