Jesus’ Invitation
“How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:3 niv
An invitation was first issued to all mankind at the cross as Jesus’ death provided the blood sacrifice which God requires as payment for an individual’s sins. We are in the season of focusing on that sacrifice and the provision for salvation it provided to those who would accept His invitation. The day is often referred to as Good Friday with the Savior’s glorious resurrection following as He came up out of that grave.
When we receive an invitation to an earthly event it is “time sensitive” and sometimes requires an RSVP (response). If you fail to attend at the appointed time you miss your chance to participate in what is usually a happy gathering of people with lots of food and fellowship.
Jesus’ invitation for salvation ultimately culminates in a glorious party referred to in Scripture as the marriage supper of the Lamb where the heavenly bridegroom (Jesus) and His bride ( the true believers from all the ages) celebrate. “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come and his wife has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7 niv
We, as believers, are the bride of Christ because we responded to His salvation invitation with a resounding “Yes!” His invitation is not time sensitive as long as an individual has breath. It stays open for years; however, Scripture does caution that He will not strive with a person forever.
Just as a period of intense preparation usually precedes an earthly wedding it takes time to prepare a bride for the marriage to the Lamb of God. Let us check to be sure we have responded to Jesus’ invitation according to Scriptural guidelines. (Believe, repent, confess, and be baptized). Then be eager to get rid of any filth (sin) that would stain our wedding garment. We yield to the purification process as he convicts us of wrong doing. The wedding supper of the Lamb will be an occasion of great rejoicing as we worship and give Him glory.
© Peggy Park 2010.
Overcoming Through The Power of the Blood of the Lamb
“We over come by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.” Rev. 12:11
It is fascinating to contemplate the power we, as Christians, have over the forces of evil when we call on the blood that Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed on the cross. The blood dripped down His head, His hands, His body, and His feet forming a pool of blood at the base of the cross. That blood had the divine life of Jesus contained within it and it is as alive today as it was on the day He hung on the cross.
I used to wonder what people meant when they “pleaded” the blood in prayer. I read an explanation by Jack Hayford which cleared it up for me. He compared it to one standing in a court of law when the judge asked, “How do you plead. Guilty or not guilty?” Anyone of us would have to plead guilty of numerous charges of transgression against God’s holy, righteous standards; yet, because Jesus took those sins on Himself we can plead, “not guilty.” Is that not an awesome thought? All our sins nailed to the cross! All of our sins heaped on Jesus, the Christ and redeemer of those who would accept His blood sacrifice. He took what should have been charged to me and paid the price for my transgressions.
It has taken me years to begin to grasp the magnitude of what Jesus did for you, as well as me, and for anyone who would accept Him as a substitute for their sins.
Jesus, the Christ, provided the eternal conquest of Satan whose accusing voice of condemnation and guilt is swallowed up in the triumph of Calvary. We over come by
declaring our faith in that holy blood sacrifice. We can rejoice that according to Col. 1:13 we are delivered from the power of darkness and into the kingdom of the Son He loves. Our constant heart cry should be to stay fully motivated and equipped to walk in this provision and to be bold to avail ourselves of the anointing He passed on when He said, “Greater works will you do than I have done.” (John 14:12). My mind can not comprehend this statement.
We have a blood covering that we can proclaim and declare when the arrows of Satan start to fly in our direction. I personally am just now learning to pray that God will manifest the power of the blood over the needs I bring to Him in the way that will bring Him the most glory. I have to admit that previously I often prayed what would make me the most comfortable.
© Peggy Park 2010.
Pleading the Blood
“Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
The meaning of the term “pleading the blood” was a mystery to me until I read Jack Hayford’s explanation. He said it is as if we are in a court of law and the judge asks us, “How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?” We are well aware that we have transgressed God’s laws, and without His provision for our sins we would have to hang our head and declare,” I am guilty,” but praise God our guilt was taken care of by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
This just celebrated the season in the calendar of Biblical events when we are most focused on the event that made this possible. As Jesus, our Lord and Savior, hung on the cross every sin committed up to that time was put on Him as well as every sin yet to be committed in the ages following. What a horrible thought as we picture Jesus covered with every atrocity man could think of to commit as well as the ones we tend to overlook or excuse in ourselves as they are not so “big.”
I am so happy that I can plead the blood when my enemy, Satan, comes at me with guilt over confessed sins. I can joyfully and thankfully proclaim, ‘I plead the blood.” With that plea I am also free of the guilt if I have confessed as His word tells us in I John 1: 9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all sin.”
It is so freeing to have a Savior who loved us so much He would give His life for us and take all of our sins on Himself. That my friends is what I call a great gift and a supreme sacrifice. Let us rejoice and be glad that we can plead the blood.
© Peggy Park 2010.
The Way of The Cross Leads Home
“In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
I was at a prayer meeting recently where the leader played the piano and we sang the words of the beautiful old hymn, “The way of the cross leads home.” The actual title of the song is, I Must Needs Go Home. My imagination took flight as I thought of the comparisons of a good earthly home and our heavenly home.
My idea of a good home is one where we are accepted and valued in spite of our deficiencies. We are inspired to be the best we can be but are not constantly criticized
and corrected. The environment is comfortable emotionally as well as physically.
A good home offers warmth and welcome as well as respite from the outside world.
It is a place we can “let our hair down” and put our feet up and rest. Everything about it is familiar and the door is always open. We can feel the cares of life lift when we go over the threshold and experience the fellowship of our family. Sometimes we are embraced and kissed depending on how long we have been away. Many of us have dreamed of home when we have been in a foreign land. Holidays and special occasions evoke nostalgia. In our imaginations we smell the good food that we enjoy at these gatherings.
Going to our eternal home will be proceeded by a festive event called the marriage supper of the Lamb. The words of the song continue with, “then I bid farewell to the way of the world, To walk in it nevermore; for my Lord says, ‘come’, and I seek my home, where He waits at the open door.”
Consider all the above comparisons of a good home and our eternal home. Our home here (if it is a good caring home) is but a shadow of the blessings of our heavenly home.
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” I Corinthians 2:9
Lord, Help me to eagerly anticipate and look forward with joy to the place you have prepared for me. Let this help to keep me motivated to serve you with all my heart, mind and soul while I sojourn on this earth and live in the home I have here. Help me to make my home a welcoming, comfortable, accepting place for my family. In the name of Jesus. Amen