Thankful For The CROSS

Oswald Chambers said; " Restate what you believe, then do away with as much as possible, and get back to the bedrock of the Cross of Christ." Getting away from the cross produced nothing. It has no sting...no power...just an interesting story or entertaining message. The power of the message lies in the Cross!  When we first come to Christ we see this power up close and personal, but after a while, if we don't keep a consistent pattern at the foot of the Cross...it loses its sting and becomes an everyday sight to us. As believers it ought not to be so! We should not let a day go by without looking to the Cross and being thankful for it...for without the Cross where would we be?  I would be lost, bound in my sin, self consumed and on my way to eternal separation form God. Without the Cross of Christ where would you be? Take some time to get back to the fundamentals today, tomorrow and Thursday. Dwell on the Cross for a moment, breath in victory, and be empowered by the Spirit that is available for you! Let's get back to the Cross this Thanksgiving, be bold in proclaiming what you are most thankful for! "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16

A Usable Vessel

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passes away; behold all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

The number one sign of a true conversion is a changed life. When you give your life to Jesus Christ you are a new creation…meaning that you are no longer bound by the old life, and the old ways of thinking, acting and speaking. Your mind is new, your life is new…and your heart is new. In response to this new life there should be changed, even if it's a little at at time…there should be an obvious change. The change should be such that even you are surprised at your reactions when faced with situations that would normally rock you. Instead of  reacting in the flesh you have a sense of peace and calm as you now seek Jesus first before reacting. This is not to say that you and I won't blow it from time to time…sanctification is a life long process. What we can be encouraged in is that Jesus has begun a good work in us and He will be faithful to complete that work! But, if you, as Oswald Chambers says; "Still hanker after old things, it's absurd to talk about being born from above."  There should be a difference in our lives after conversion….there should be an obvious change taking place. If there isn't, it means either we aren't truly saved or we are bound by sin. What difference has salvation made in your life? Can you see obvious signs of change? Any areas of improvement? A changed heart? A softening?  When God gets ahold of a willing vessel there is no stopping Him. In the words of D.L.Moody; "God doesn't seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones." Let God clean you up from the inside out and you will be a clean, usable vessel in the hands of the King of Kings!