The Greatest Injustice…

Have you ever thought about what crime Jesus committed that He was crucified for? None. The Jews claimed He was guilty of blasphemy, but if what He said was true, then it wasn’t blasphemy. The government of Rome didn’t have an accusation. Pilate asked the question to the Jewish leaders, “What crime has He committed”? They never answered Pilate; they just kept on shouting “Crucify Him”. In Mark’s gospel he called the Jewish crowd a mob. If you think about it, it’s exactly what a mob does. They were emotionally charged, had no legitimate reason to crucify Jesus, but kept shouting louder and louder to Pilate. A modern day example of this would be the riots going on under the name of peaceful protests (as the media calls them). Mob rules. The saddest part of this is that Pilate gave into them. The spineless coward catered to this “mob rules” mentality. He had no conviction because Jesus hadn’t violated any Roman law. Yet in all of this, in the midst of all the wrong doing, God had a plan. And it was His plan to punish Jesus, and innocent man, the lamb with no defects, by placing all the sins of the world on Him as if He was guilty of committing every single one. The wrath of God was released on Jesus. And He took it. If you ever want to see an example of injustice, here it is. The injustice laid upon Jesus turned out to be the greatest gift of grace the world has ever known. It connected, and fulfilled the promises of the OT and the NT. And most importantly, it saved all that believe and place their trust in Jesus. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed us white as snow. The biggest travesty in life took place on a cross on a hill in Israel over 2,000 years ago. But it was also the greatest event in human history as well. And even though the Jewish leaders and the Roman government didn’t recognize it, the world owes Jesus everything for being the willing sacrifice, taking the punishment we all deserve, unjustly accused of things He didn’t do, all because God loves us. The next time you watch an injustice happen, may it be a small reminder of the greatest injustice to ever take place on this earth. And may it remind you that God allowed it to happen to rescue you from Hell. Now that’s real love, without any excuses.

9 “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 10 (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 11 But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 12 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”13 They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has He committed?”But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify Him!”15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned Him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. Mark 15:9-15

There Are No Regrets When It Comes To….

To live a disciplined life one must humble oneself in order to submit to this lifestyle. In order to learn one must set aside his pride, which allows self-evaluation. Pride keeps us from admitting wrong doing, and thus prevents us from fully learning from our mistakes. We all know someone who is prideful, look in the mirror. Anytime you see someone or yourself hating to be corrected, there’s a good chance that person’s priorities don’t involve humility. As I’ve always said, “discipline yourself, so others won’t have to”. Are you a life-long learner? Are you humble at heart? Do you live a disciplined life? Pride keeps us from humility. Why not put it to rest today, take up your cross, and start following our Savior. There are no regrets when it comes to being sold out to Jesus, well maybe one, not doing it soon enough.

1 To learn, you must love discipline;it is stupid to hate correction. Proverbs 12:1

Unless, Of Course, You Don’t Care About Yourself?

Here’s one fact about God that makes a huge difference in the life of a believer: God knows us better than we know ourselves... and still loves us anyway. Let that truth sink in. If He knows us better than we know ourselves, and still loves us, warts and all, it would be crazy not to trust Him. Unless, of course, you don’t care about yourself?

27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert Me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd,and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”29 Peter said to Him, “Even if everyone else deserts You, I never will.”30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter–this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know Me.”31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And all the others vowed the same. Mark 14:27-31

God Takes Care Of His Own…

God takes care of His own. Those whose hearts are fully committed to Him will be heard and experience His presence. Those who do evil will not experience His rescue, though they may experience a blessing, but that will be because it flows out from blessings He grants to believers. Like guilt by association, it’s blessing by association. Those who do evil will only experience blessings from the overflow from believers receiving them, or a side effect of God carrying out His will. God is close to the broken-hearted. He rescues those believers whose spirits have been crushed.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;His ears are open to their cries for help.16 But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil;He will erase their memory from the earth.17 The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help.He rescues them from all their troubles.18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 19 The righteous person faces many troubles,but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;not one of them is broken! 21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,and those who hate the righteous will be punished.22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned. Psalms 34:15-22

The Content Of A Man’s Character…

If you truly want to see the content of a man’s character, observe how he treats his family. They will either be the object in which he strives to care for, teach truth to, and build relationships with, or they will be an obstacle in his path toward satisfying himself. In the end, he will be surrounded by the result of his love, or all alone because of his selfishness.

29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise. Proverbs 11:29

We Can’t Serve Both….

The reason the American dollar states “In God we Trust” printed on it, is because we can’t trust actual money. Money to man is a tool in which we use to live, which can lead us into believing we can do it on our own. Money to God is a test in which He uses to show us what’s truly in our hearts. We can’t serve both.

28 Trust in your money and down you go!But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. Proverbs 11:28

The Tendencies Run Close To 100%…

It’s amazing to read these proverbs and realize these truths stand the test of time. They may not all be guarantees, but the tendencies run close to 100%. These statements develop our character. It’s character that brings us closer to God’s purposes. If someone plots evil, rarely will they “get away with it”. And if they do, they will become a slave to protecting themselves with a lifetime of growing lies. If someone seeks good, their intentions will find favor because their heart is right, because it seeks the good for another. Today, we get to choose, do evil or do good. Which will you choose?

27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! Proverbs 11:27