He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. – Isaiah 53:5
An old story says that one day, a man went to visit a church; He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, ” I always park there!
You took my place!” The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, “That’s my seat! You took my place!” The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit! You took my place!” The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still he said nothing.
Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, “What happened to you?” The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, “I took your place.”
Christ’s death doesn’t mean that we won’t have to face physical death, but we can escape spiritual death. Spiritual death, which is separation from God.
We cannot escape the presence of God. He is all around us, even if we don’t recognize Him. We should seek Him, as He seeks us. Many voices of the world clamor for your attention, yes even in the church, trying to avert our attention to another path. But, He has called us to walk closely with Him, soaking His presence and living in His peace.
Look for Him. He is everywhere and as He draws near to us, we are drawn closer to Him and live is never the same.
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
Would you rather be tumbleweed or an oak in your influence on others?
That’s the question posed by Galen Anderson, who wrote, “A man’s life is like either the tumbleweed or the oak tree. Some people just grow like the weed. They are of no value in their youth, and as the years of life come they break loose and become a blotch on society. They have no useful purpose in life– just drifters. Their loved ones will mourn their loss, but society will not miss them.
Then there are those whose lives are like the oak. They have turned from the frivolity of this life and have invested in things that have genuine worth. Their influences for good will live on in the lives of others after they are gone. Their death is noticed because their lives were spent bettering the nation and the community.
PROOF:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:6-7
I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world — and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible. — Charles Colson
QUOTES YOU CAN USE
When grief and guilt overtake you, God’s grace wants to overwhelm you.
Your story does not have to be about loss. It can be about redemption.
God’s grace gives direction, affection and protection to your life.
The propitious smile of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself hath ordained. – President George Washington’s First Inaugural Address
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