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We went to prison yesterday. A bunch of us from the children’s home in Oaxaca, Mexico. Pablo is in charge of our prison and rehab center ministry and he set the whole thing up. His wife, Niche went. She has been a part of the children’s home since it started, over 20 years ago.
My wife, Anita, went. She teaches preschool here at the mission, but used to be the kitchen supervisor and makes a mean pot of spaghetti, which she did as part of a special meal that we gave to the prisoners.
David played his guitar, sang and preached. I think of him as the kid who went from worst to first. He spent many years at FFHM’s home for needy children, and was considered by all the staff as the worst kid here. Always misbehaving and getting into trouble. That was until the Lord got a hold of him and changed him completely. He has a gift for music and for sharing the Gospel, and was the first kid from here to go to a Bible college in the United States. He is now pastor of a church in Oaxaca and preached to the incarcerated men about the greatest gift to the world, Jesus.
Victor and his wife joined the group. Victor’s mom was a staff member for a few years, and him and his sister spent their formative years growing up here. He is involved with a church and led a few games which the prisoners enjoyed immensely.
The prisoners all have mental challenges and live in the psychiatric ward at the prison. Their families have abandoned them and they have no one who really cares about them except Pablo, who faithfully meets with them and ministers to them once a week. He also organizes outreaches like the one we all went to yesterday, which opens our minds and hearts to the tragic situation that these men, made in God’s image, find themselves in. Our team tried to help meet some of their physical, mental and spiritual needs by singing with them, feeding them a nice meal, playing games on the basketball court with them, giving them a gift bag with candy, socks and toiletries, and presenting them with the good news that God gave his only son for them. To love them, save them, bring the light to them and adopt them as his own.
When David was preaching, he mentioned the fact that there are a lot of people in the world who do not live behind bars, but yet are in prison. Prisons of addictions, greed, worry, stress, depression and anxiety. God loves everybody; those behind iron bars in a prison, and those living in emotional, psychological, and dependency prisons. He loves them and gave himself for them.
This Advent season, I think all Believers should visit someone in prison. It would be a real eye opener if all Christians could go and make a difference to an incarcerated man or women living behind concrete walls topped with razor wire. But most Jesus followers don’t really feel like they have the time or inclination or spiritual gift to do that. But all Jesus followers know someone living in a self imposed prison and wouldn’t it be nice to share the Good News with them that Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). We all can be God’s hands and feet and mouth, and by reaching out to those in “prison”, we will be doing it to Jesus.
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A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes…and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
In the book of Isaiah, we find a beautiful promise of gladness and joy. Isaiah 35 paints a vivid picture of a redeemed and restored people. It’s a passage that reminds us of the incredible hope we have in the Lord, even in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations.
The Journey of Redemption
Isaiah 35 speaks of a journey, a journey of redemption. In life, we all experience moments when our path seems rugged and our hearts heavy. We encounter deserts of despair, where hope appears distant, and joy feels elusive. But the beauty of this passage is that it reminds us that the journey doesn’t end in the desert.
Here at the home for needy children in Oaxaca, Mexico, I see children everyday whose lives were nothing but deserts of despair and hope and joy were only a distant dream. But God’s hand was on their lives and their journey brought them here, an oasis in their wilderness. Here they encounter the love of God and begin to enjoy happiness and hope. They encounter redemption.
The Destination of Joy
Isaiah prophesies that the redeemed will return to Zion with singing. Imagine the joyous procession, voices raised in praise, hearts overflowing with gratitude. This is a picture of our ultimate destination as believers. No matter how challenging the road may be, it leads to a place of eternal joy in the presence of the Lord.
Everlasting Joy
One of the most comforting aspects of this passage is the promise of everlasting joy. In a world where happiness can be fleeting and temporary, God offers us a joy that knows no end. It’s not based on circumstances but on our relationship with Him. This joy is a wellspring deep within us, sourced from the love and grace of our heavenly Father.
Gladness and Joy Overtake Sorrow
Isaiah also tells us that gladness and joy will overtake us, while sorrow and sighing will flee away. This is a powerful image of the transformative power of God’s love. No matter how heavy our burdens, no matter how deep our sorrows, God’s joy has the power to overwhelm them.
The kids here at Casa Hogar have come out of a multitude of desert experiences and have taken God’s promises to heart and are experiencing new lives filled with joy and peace. Today, let us all take these promises to heart. In our own desert experiences, let us remember that our journey doesn’t end there. We are on a path of redemption, and it leads to a place of everlasting joy. Even in the midst of challenges, we can experience God’s gladness and joy overtaking our sorrows.
As we meditate on Isaiah 35:10, let us hold fast to our faith. Let us trust in the Lord’s promises, knowing that He is faithful to bring us through the desert into a place of abundant joy. May this joy be our strength and our song, and may it shine brightly in our lives, drawing others to the hope we have in Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul writes that our “light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory” and this emphasis on achieving a greater purpose becomes a pivotal message for believers. Through the struggles we endure, God is achieving something profound in our lives.
At the home for needy children where I live here in Oaxaca, Mexico, some of the staff members have dogs. Most of the dogs are relatively quiet, but one of the dogs really barks a lot, and it drives me crazy! I’m the gardener here, and anytime I am working in the vicinity of this animal, it goes off barking at me. This is a light and momentary trouble for me. It bothers me and sometimes makes me angry. But lately I have had a change of attitude. After meditating on 2 Corinthians 4:17 I have come to realize that the noisy dog is achieving for me an eternal glory. I have come to see that a lot of things that get on my nerves are really light and momentary troubles that are achieving for me a future glory.
People who work out like to say “no pain, no gain.” It seems Paul is saying “no troubles, no glory.” I have a feeling that what Paul means by light and momentary troubles, and what I mean are two different things. I think Paul was probably considering his troubles which he spoke of in verses 8 and 9: hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. These are a little more serious issues than a barking dog, but both work towards achieving an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs the problems.
As we face challenges and difficulties, it is easy to become disheartened and lose sight of the bigger picture. However, Paul’s inspired words call us to see beyond our immediate circumstances. God is not simply allowing us to endure hardships for the sake of it; rather, He is achieving a divine purpose through every trial we face.
By using the word “achieving,” Paul assures us that our struggles are not in vain. In the midst of our pain, God is at work, refining our character, deepening our faith, and molding us into vessels that reflect His glory. Through every trial, God is accomplishing His sovereign plan for our lives, guiding us towards eternal perfection in Christ.
Therefore, as believers, we can find hope and encouragement in the knowledge that God’s hand is on our lives, carefully orchestrating each circumstance for our ultimate good and His glory. With this perspective, we can persevere with unwavering faith, trusting that what the “achieving” God has in store for us surpasses any earthly trouble we might face.
Let us, then, fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and embrace the light and momentary troubles that come our way, whether it be noisy dogs or hard nosed persecutors, knowing that God’s divine purpose is being fulfilled through them. As we press on, confident in His power at work within us, we can rejoice in the promise of eternal glory that awaits all who endure with faith and hope in the midst of life’s trials.
Most mornings I like to drink coffee, read the Bible and pray the Lord’s Prayer. I have been reading through Exodus and recently read chapter 19. Finishing the chapter, I began praying the Lord’s prayer. Then it hit me. They have a lot in common! Let’s take a look.
In the Lord’s Prayer and Exodus 19:5-6, we find remarkable similarities that reveal essential aspects of our relationship with God. Both passages emphasize holiness, the establishment of God’s kingdom, obedience to His will, and the profound truth that we are treasured possessions in His eyes. Through a closer examination of these shared themes, we can gain a deeper understanding of our identity and purpose as God’s chosen people.
Holiness: Reflecting God’s Nature
The Lord’s Prayer begins with the acknowledgment of God’s holiness with the phrase, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” By starting our prayers with reverence for God’s holiness, we acknowledge His pure and perfect nature. In Exodus 19:5, God calls the people of Israel to be a “holy nation,” set apart for Him. Both passages underscore the importance of reflecting God’s character in our lives and striving for holiness in all aspects.
As believers, we are called to pursue a life of holiness, marked by love, righteousness, and obedience to God’s commandments. By living out this distinctiveness, we become a living testimony to God’s glory and grace, drawing others closer to Him.
Kingdom: God’s Sovereign Rule
The Lord’s Prayer contains the petition, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This plea expresses our longing for God’s kingdom to be established on Earth, signifying His reign over every aspect of our lives. Similarly, in Exodus 19:6, God designates the people of Israel as a “kingdom of priests,” intended to represent Him and His rule to the nations.
As members of God’s family, we have the privilege of participating in His kingdom. Our daily choices, actions, and attitudes should align with His will, reflecting His lordship in our lives. By actively seeking His kingdom and its righteousness, we become ambassadors of His love, peace, and justice, bringing hope and transformation to a broken world.
Obedience to God’s Will: Embracing Our Covenant
The Lord’s Prayer includes the plea, “Your will be done,” which expresses our surrender to God’s divine plan. In Exodus 19:5, God’s promise of making the Israelites His treasured possession is contingent upon their obedience to His voice and keeping His covenant.
Obedience to God’s will is not a mere obligation but a pathway to experiencing His blessings and favor. By following His guidance, we align ourselves with His purpose for our lives and open ourselves to His transformative power. God’s desire is not for blind obedience, but for a loving, intimate relationship with Him, where we willingly submit to His will, trusting in His goodness and wisdom.
Treasured Possession: Chosen and Cherished
In both passages, the concept of being God’s treasured possession stands out prominently. The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we address God as “Our Father,” signifying our adoption into His family, making us His cherished children. Similarly, in Exodus 19:5, God calls the people of Israel His treasured possession among all the nations.
Knowing that we are treasured by God should fill our hearts with gratitude and humility. This understanding reinforces our identity and purpose, motivating us to live lives that honor and glorify Him. Recognizing our worth in His eyes empowers us to walk boldly in our faith, sharing His love and grace with others.
In the Lord’s Prayer and Exodus 19:5-6, we find helpful insights into our relationship with God. Through the themes of holiness, God’s kingdom, obedience to His will, and being His treasured possession, we discover our identity as beloved children of the Almighty. As we embrace these shared elements, let us walk in holiness, submit to His will, and spread the light of His kingdom to the dark world around us. Embracing our identity as God’s treasured possession empowers us to live happy lives with purpose and significance, impacting others with His love and grace.
About once a month I share in morning devotions at the home for needy children here in Oaxaca, Mexico. On Tuesday I talked about finding rest from 1 Peter 5:6-8,
In verse 6 Peter writes about humbling yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. In my Spanish version Bible it says humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. The Mighty Hand of God. Many times I like the Spanish version better than the English version. It seems I can try to lift my bad old prideful self up, by myself, or I can humble myself and trust my life to the mighty hand of God and let him do the heavy lifting. Seems like a no brainer to me. But that idea of humbling ones self generally goes against the grain of most proud, individualistic Americans, and Mexicans, who think they can handle life on their own, thank you very much! We encounter great peace, rest and happiness, when we are able to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand.
Next Peter says cast your cares on God, for he cares for you. What a word of encouragement, Our loving Father cares for us and wants to shoulder our burdens, anxieties, and worries. That doesn’t mean he takes them away necessarily, but that he gives us a new perspective on them, one that makes the burden lighter, and enables us to rest knowing that his mighty hand is lifting us up to a safe place. Reminds me of Jesus words in Matthew 25, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Resting is a learning process.
Finally, Peter writes about our enemy, the devil, who wants to destroy us. Devour us. How? With worries, anxiety and stress. I read recently that one third of teenage girls thought seriously about suicide over the last few years. Why? Because of depression brought on by worries and anxiety, brought on in a large part by social media. The devil lion is ready to pounce, and if they don’t humble themselves and cast their cares on God, he will devour them. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among all teens, especially females. Coincidentally, one third of the group in devotions was teen girls. I hope and pray that they humble themselves and cast their cares on God, and find rest for their weary souls!
Of course the devil also has ways to destroy the proud, self confident, arrogant and self righteous. Peter is telling all Christians to be on guard. Beware. Watch out. I think of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” The best way to really stand firm is to stand on the Rock, Jesus our Savior.
God loves us and wants us to be happy. Through the words of Peter we learn we have tools to be happy and rest. Humble ourselves under his mighty hand. Cast our anxieties on him. Watch out for the devil who wants to devour us. Using these three tools we can enjoy the rest of God.
I have a bunch of colorful zinnias growing next to my patio. They bring a smile to my face every time I gaze upon them. They make me happy. What happens when they fade and die? Here at the home for needy children in Oaxaca, Mexico, we have a big mango tree that is full of mangoes. Everyone here loves mangoes. They make us happy. What happens when they become wormy (as they have of late), or we eat the last good one? The children here have wonderful house parents who they love and become attached to. What happens when the house parents move on?
In a world filled with fleeting pleasures and momentary happiness, we are often left longing for something more substantial, something that can fill the void within our souls. True happiness cannot be found in flowers, mangoes or even in the love of house parents. However, the psalmist reminds us of a profound truth that has the power to transform our lives – our ultimate source of joy lies in the Lord.
Psalm 32:11 beckons us to “rejoice in the Lord and be glad.” It is an invitation to experience a deep and abiding joy that surpasses all circumstances. This joy is not dependent on our external situation but is rooted in a relationship with the One who created us. It is a joy that springs forth from the depths of our being, from a heart that has been transformed by God’s love and grace.
As believers, we have a unique reason to rejoice. We have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Our sins have been forgiven, and we have been reconciled to God. We are called the righteous, not because of our own righteousness, but because of the righteousness of Christ imputed to us.
This joy is not merely an emotion; it is a choice we make every day. We choose to rejoice in the Lord despite the challenges and trials we face. It is a deliberate decision to focus our hearts and minds on the goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty of God rather than being consumed by the troubles of this world.
When we rejoice in the Lord, our perspective shifts. We begin to see life’s difficulties through the lens of God’s grace and providence. We find comfort in His presence and in the promises of his Word.
All of us at the home for needy children, staff, volunteers and the kids, can truly rejoice and be glad following our Savior who loves us and wants us to be happy, eternally.
Before coming to Oaxaca, Mexico, to work with FFHM’s home for needy children, I lived in Santa Rosa, California. I would occasionally drive by a church with a big sign on it’s front lawn that would always have an encouraging verse displayed. One day I drove by and the verse was Psalm 16:6, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” I loved it! What a creative way to say God has really blessed my life or to say that God loves me and wants me to be happy! King David wrote this Psalm and I can just imagine him riding around the kingdom; the land flowing with milk and honey, fruitful vineyards and orchards, forests, rivers, mountains and seas, and exclaiming, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places!”
My experience has been that in a world filled with fleeting moments of joy and constant pursuit of happiness, we often find ourselves seeking something more enduring. True happiness, it seems, is an elusive state of being that many of us yearn for. However, the words of David in Psalm 16:5-8 offer profound wisdom and guidance on the path to discovering lasting happiness. Let’s take a closer look at these verses and uncover the keys to finding genuine and enduring joy in our lives.
I think the first thing we see is that we should seek fulfillment beyond material possessions: Psalm 16:5 reminds us, “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup.” These words urge us to shift our focus from the accumulation of material wealth and find contentment in a deeper connection with the Divine. Material possessions can bring temporary pleasure, but true happiness lies in nurturing our relationship with God and embracing the spiritual aspects of life. By recognizing that our ultimate fulfillment comes from God, we can escape the endless cycle of consumerism and embrace a more meaningful existence.
We should also consider that gratitude is a pathway to joy: The psalmist continues in verse 6, saying, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” This verse teaches us the importance of gratitude and contentment with our present circumstances. Often, we fixate on what we lack, leading to dissatisfaction and discontentment. However, by adopting an attitude of gratitude, we shift our focus to the blessings and abundance that already surround us. Recognizing the goodness in our lives, no matter how small, cultivates a joyful spirit and opens our hearts to experience the happiness that is sometimes buried within us.
Another profound lesson from this scripture is the importance of trust and surrender. The psalmist declares, “I will not be shaken.” When we place our trust in the Almighty, we relinquish our worries, fears, and anxieties. Surrendering control allows us to find peace in knowing that we are not alone in life’s challenges. It is in this surrender that we discover a profound sense of security and contentment, leading to lasting happiness that transcends the ups and downs of external circumstances.
These verses also remind us to cultivate a life of purpose and meaning: Psalm 16:6 emphasizes the idea of a “delightful inheritance.” To find true happiness, we must explore and embrace our unique purpose in life. Each individual possesses innate talents, passions, and gifts that, when pursued, bring a sense of fulfillment and joy. By aligning our actions and aspirations with our deeper calling, we tap into a wellspring of happiness that goes beyond momentary pleasures. When we live authentically and engage in activities that resonate with our values, we experience a sense of purpose that infuses our lives with genuine happiness.
Psalm 16:5-8 offers timeless wisdom on the pursuit of happiness. It teaches us to shift our focus from material possessions, cultivate gratitude, embrace trust, and live a purpose-driven life. True happiness does not lie in external circumstances but in the depths of our souls. By integrating these principles into our daily lives, we can unlock the door to lasting joy, finding contentment, peace, and fulfillment that transcends the ebb and flow of life’s challenges. May we all strive to live according to these profound truths and discover the happiness that awaits us.
God loves us and wants us to be truly happy. Just read Psalm 128. It tells us how to be happy in Him and some of the tangible things that He gives us along the happy path of life.
Verse 1 says “Everyone who honors the LORD, who walks in God’s ways, is truly happy.”(Common English Version)
Happiness begins with honoring the LORD and walking in His ways. I like this version of the Bible, CEV. I believe that God loves us and wants us to be happy, and twice in the first two verses the Psalmist uses the word happy. This Psalm also uses the words bless and blessed, which in the Old Testament mean the happy condition of those who revere the Lord and do his will and put their trust in him and live under the guardianship and faithful care of the gracious Lord of life.
Verse 2 says “You will definitely enjoy what you’ve worked hard for – you’ll be happy; and things will go well for you.”
We enjoy life when we are able to eat the fruit of our labors. Most of the O.T. people lived in an agricultural society and they depended on the goodness of God to have good harvests. In Deuteronomy, Moses gave a list of blessings and curses. He said that if you obey God, you will have good harvests, but if you disobey his commands, then he will not send the rains to make the crops grow, or he will send locusts to eat the crops or enemies to take the food away.
A few years ago, our family went from Mexico, where we live, to Colorado, to visit my family. They live in an agricultural area where lots of wheat and corn are grown. One day they had a big hail storm. The next day we went for a drive and saw that many of the crops in large fields had been destroyed. The farmers who owned those fields were not able to enjoy the fruits of their labors. How sad to work hard for something and then not get the reward for the labor put in. How happy we are when see and enjoy the benefits of our investment of time and hard work.
Verse 3 says “In your house, your wife will be like a vine full of fruit. All around your table, your children will be like olive trees, freshly planted.”
Nothing God has given me brings me more pleasure and joy than my wife and children.
Verse 4 says “That’s how it goes for anyone who honors the LORD: they will be blessed!”
Another way to put it is that God loves us so much that if we honor Him we will receive blessings galore!
Verse 5 says “May the LORD bless you from Zion. May you experience Jerusalems goodness your whole life long.
The person who enjoys a happy life will be blessed by God from mount Zion, from Jerusalem. Before verse one of this Psalm, we read that it is a song of accent. This was a song that people would sing as they made their way up to Jerusalem to attend the three great festivals that God commanded the people to attend each year. They would go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices at the temple. God’s presence was most powerful in the temple. That was the House of God. The idea was that from there his power radiated out to the city of Jerusalem, then to the region of Judah, then to all Israel, and then to the whole world. So any blessings that people received from God came initially from the temple. People were especially blessed by God when they worshiped him at the temple in Jerusalem. And they would see and experience the well being of God no matter where they lived as the blessings of God would flow to them from Mount Zion. Jesus is now the temple and rich gifts like grace, mercy and joy flow from His love out into the whole world.
What encouraging and inspiring words from Psalm 128. Surely we live in a “happy condition” because we are able to trust in the LORD and live under his faithful care. Our natural response is to honor him, walk in his ways and be truly happy.
God loves us and wants us to be happy. That’s an important aspect for us to keep in mind as we go through life living in this “already – not yet” kingdom of God. Paul reminds us in Romans 14 that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, something the Roman Christians were losing track of, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. I like Wikipedia’s definition of joy; the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, and is typically associated with feelings of intense, long lasting happiness.
That’s what God wants for his people. Intense, long lasting happiness. God’s people in Rome were getting all worked up about what foods were clean to eat and what foods weren’t, and were passing judgment on one another and condemning each other. Paul tells them in verse 14 that he personally, was convinced that nothing is unclean in itself, but if it distressed his brother in the Lord, that he would not eat certain types of food, because that would not be acting in love.
Acting in love is what God did for us in rescuing, redeeming and restoring us; in bringing us into his kingdom through the blood of Jesus the Messiah. Bringing us into his kingdom is all about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is about well-being, thriving and flourishing. It is about feelings of intense, long lasting happiness.
Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God in terms of joy as well. In Matthew 13:44 Jesus says the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God) is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. When he buys the field he is filled with feelings of intense, long lasting happiness.
When we buy into the kingdom of God, we too get to experience that same happiness.
For us to experience this joy, we must have the Holy Spirit. Living in the kingdom of God means living under the reign of the King. It is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to the joy that awaits us in the kingdom and in the King, and who invites us to be a part of the kingdom. And it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to live in peace and to thrive with our kingdom brothers and sisters.
Paul writes in Ephesians 5 that we should be filled with the Spirit (18). When we are filled with the Spirit, we are filled with joy and sing and make music from our hearts to the Lord (19). This also gives us the ability and desire to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (21). The Holy Spirit opens our spiritual eyes to a strange, new realization that goes against the grain of this world’s general operating system. That realization being that we will be happier people, not by domineering other people, but by submitting to other people. Not by ruling, but by serving. Not by throwing our weight around but by throwing our energy into helping others.
So, we may not be judging each other or condemning one another about what we are eating and drinking, but there is a fair amount of strife among Christians about different political and social issues. We can’t bury our heads in the sand when it comes to these issues and act like they don’t exist or are not important. But we also shouldn’t condemn to hell as reprobates those who hold different opinions than we do. We should remember, and, with the power of the Holy Spirit, live in the kingdom of God together as righteous, peace loving, children of God, and that will fill us with joy.
God loves us and wants us to be happy. This doesn’t mean that every moment of everyday we will be experiencing heavenly bliss. We have all gone through difficult times in our lives. Times of pain and suffering. Times of anguish and despair. When we go through rough spells, and we sometimes question whether God really loves us and wants us to be happy, I think that we should remember the words of Hebrews 12:2, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
I find three important ideas in this verse that can help us when the hard times come. First, fix our eyes on Jesus, not on our problem. Jesus who loves us and gave himself for us and who will never leave us nor forsake us. Second, focus on the joy that will inevitably come when the pain is gone. Every trial that we go through, God will use to make us happier people in the end. Third, endure. Don’t give up. Don’t lose faith. Always trust in the goodness of God. Always believe in his love and that nothing can separate us from his love.
Many times, when New Testament writers want to talk about Jesus passion and suffering on the cross, they use the word “blood”. And they use that word a lot, mainly to encourage Believers in their Christian walk, especially when that walk happens to be through the valley of the shadow of death. As we approach Good Friday, it is helpful to consider the following verses:
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts20:28
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:20
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14
The joy that was set before Jesus that enabled him to endure the cross, was us! You and me, fellow believers in the Messiah and adopted children of God. The benefits that we experience from the blood of Christ are – being included in the church of God; being reconciled to God; redemption and forgiveness of sins; and clean consciences that allow us to serve the living God.
As lent comes to an end and the celebration of the risen Lord approaches, let us rejoice and be glad, no matter what we are going through, because God loves us and wants us to be happy. We have the blood to prove that.
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My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.
Horatio Spafford
To Enjoy God 