All things

Colossians 1:17, 18b And he is before all things, and by him all things consist…. that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The existence of all things starts with God. He is the first and the last, He holds the world in his hand and by Him all things are made known. As the creator of heaven and earth, He was there to spin the universe, the galaxies into existence. Who is man to think he can make his own way to salvation? Christ, the God-man came to this world to provide a way of salvation, and through Him, and Him alone can we be made reconciled to God the Father. Jesus, the one and only one who is able to save us from sin. Because He is God, He has the power to forgive sins, He is Lord of lords and there is not equal to Him. Other religions may claim their righteousness, but unless they come under the authority of Christ, they will be lost. He is the preeminence, surpassing all others in His power and authority. He is God, and He is my Lord and Savior.

I First Saw The Cross

1 Corinth 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God.”-

It was a just an old wooden altar in a small holiness church where I knelt to pray. It was where I first saw the cross and the light of God revealed to me the true meaning of his death and why He had to die. I grew up knowing that the cross has significant meaning and was a holy symbol of the church, but I was blinded to the realization that the cross was the power of God that could save me from my sins. It was not the church or a man behind a screen wall that was able to forgive me from my sins, It was  Jesus, the One who gave His life for me. The One who gave me a new life, the One that opened my eyes to the spiritual world. It has become the center theme of my life. Through Christ there is power to live a Christian life. Power to overcome the trails and temptation of life. Yes, even in the possibility of failure, there is power to forgive and restore. Power is not in the object of a cross, but in the One who was nailed to it. For those who are saved, it is the landmark and beginning of a journey that will lead to eternal life. Cease the power, through the cross.

Forgiveness

Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they parted His raiment and cast lots.-

Forgiveness- What does it mean to forgive? Forgiveness is an action and not an emotion. It is done with purpose regardless how we may feel. It is one of God’s graces that is given to Christians who face injustice to self or others we love. Temptation to retaliate and get revenge are real emotions that Christians with human emotions must resist and overcome. We live in a selfish world and people will act in ways that will cause others to be hurt. They are blinded by sin and they know not what they do. Even when they know they are doing wrong, sin justifies their actions. Forgiveness will not justify the wrong doing, but will see that people living for self and self gratification need to come to Jesus and be saved. Learning to forgive is not always easy, but it is the way of Christ. If we are to be like Him, we must learn to forgive. For God, who has forgiven us of our selfish living, desires that we also forgive them who do likewise. “Dear Lord, it is not always easy to forgive those who have hurt and have done us wrong, but give me the grace to overcome my feelings and give me the power of Christ to forgive others, even as you have forgiven me”