The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath.
DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
DEVOTION
Today is Holy Cross Day. It is the day that the Christian Church remembers the victory that was wrought by Jesus on the cross. Unlike on Good Friday, where we mourn the death of Jesus, on this day we remember Jesus’ words, “If I be lifted up from the Earth, I’ll draw all people to me!”
Today is about celebrating Jesus’ triumphant victory over sin, death, and the grave, via his sacrifice made upon the cross!
1 Cor 1 reminds us that to our non-Christian friends the message of the cross seems foolish. After all, why would anyone celebrate a tree, a piece of wood, a cross? Why would anyone glory in an instrument of mayhem, murder, and torture? Why would we want to remember the means by which our Savior died?
But, to those of us who have put all of our hope in Jesus, we have come to understand that the cross is the means by which Jesus made atonement for our sin and secured our eternal life.
Very often when we quote the “Gospel in a nutshell” we read John 3:16. But, today I invite us to read a little more. John 3:14-17 says, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Oh hallelujah! Aren’t you glad that Jesus was lifted up high upon the cross so that the entire world could behold the Love of God come down, wrapped up in flesh, and sacrificed upon an old wooden cross, just for us! Aren’t you glad that although Jesus did die on the cross, he did not stay dead, but was resurrected just as he promised? Aren’t you happy-glad that when Jesus got up from the dead, He got up with all power in his hands—victorious in every way—making us victors as well?!
Today is a day of celebration my friends! Today is the day that we dance before the cross of Jesus, recognizing the cross as a doorway to our eternal life.
Yesterday I was singing an old song called, “Oh the Blood Done Signed My Name.”
Aren’t you grateful for the cross of Jesus, that signed your name above? Let us pray:
Holy One, thank you that you love me so much that you gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. Thank you that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected just as he promised that he would. Today, I put all of my hope in Jesus believing that I am made right with God, reconciled in relationship, forgiven of sin, and gifted with eternal life because of The Cross of Jesus. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share this good news with others! I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!
Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!
Please share your good news with me by clicking "YES" God saved me today in the poll located on the top, right hand side of this blog. Go in peace, serve the Lord! (Thanks be to God!)
The Holy Trinity John 3:1-17 (NRSV) Entering the reign of God
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
DEVOTION
In today’s scripture we encounter a man named Nicodemus. Scripture says that he came to Jesus at night asking how to be “born again.”
I think it is significant that Nicodemus came at night, for it is often at night, or when we think other people will not notice or judge us, that we feel most comfortable exploring questions of faith.
See, the Bible teaches us that Nicodemus was an important man and a leader in his community of faith. He was someone who should have had “all the answers.” But, he did not.
If we tell the truth and shame the devil, none of us has all the answers. But, many of us perpetrate a fraud pretending that we understand matters of faith, whilst really possessing no faith at all.
One of the wise old ladies in the church I grew up in used to say, “You can be in the church your whole life, without the church being in you!”
WOW! Just because we go to church on Sunday, recite our prayers by memory before eating and sleeping, and try to be “good people” does not mean that we are in a saving relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 says, “"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
This one verse has been called “the Gospel in a nutshell.” It is the very essence of the GOOD NEWS message.
God loves. God gave. God saves!
God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.
My friends, it is not about religion—IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP!
We are invited into a reconciled relationship with God. We enter into this relationship by putting all of our hope in Jesus. We put our hope in Jesus when we choose to believe that God loves, gave, and saves!
Jesus called this “being born again.” When we put all of our hope in Jesus, we are spiritually reborn. This rebirth is enacted when we are baptized. As we go under the water we metaphorically enter into the womb again and as we come up out of the water, we are “reborn” into everlasting relationship with God through Jesus Christ!
As Christians, our relationship with God is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift is like a baby shower present. At our re-birth, God places the Holy Spirit inside of our hearts to love, guide, counsel, and help us as we walk with Christ. The Holy Spirit also helps us to share our story with others; it empowers, equips, and enables us to share the GOOD NEWS that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost!
If you have not put all of your hope in Jesus, you may have been thinking, “this can’t be all there is to life!” You may have laid awake at night overcome with all of your many questions and wishing that there was someone who could give you some answers that made sense.
Today, I am here to tell you that JESUS IS THE ANSWER to all of your questions.
Am I loved? YES.
Is God real? YES.
Does anyone really care about me? YES.
Can my sins truly be forgiven? YES.
Is there life after death? YES.
YES! YES! YES!
Jesus is God’s YES!
Listen, dear heart, if you have not put all of your hope in Jesus, I hope that you will do so today.
If you have been going through the motions, but not feeling anything in your heart, I hope that you will be real with God--and with yourself--and put all of your hope in Jesus today!
If you have wandered away from your faith and find yourself lost, I hope you will return to the loving arms of God today.
You are precious beyond measure! God loves you so much that God decided you were worth dying for!
NOBODY has ever--or will ever--love you as much as God!
There is nothing—absolutely NO THING--that you have ever done that will keep God from loving and forgiving you.
You can’t out sin, out fox, or out run the love of God!
You don’t need to do a thing; God has already done all pf the work!
All you have to do is believe…
Will you put all of your hope in Jesus today?
If so, please pray with me…
Dear Lord, here I am! You are my only hope. I know that you love me. Thank you for loving me and for giving Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. I am glad that Jesus was resurrected on the third day in victory! Your love for me is so wonderful and your grace is amazing! Please forgive me of my sin and fill my heart with your Holy Spirit. I want to be born again! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their hope in Jesus! We celebrate your re-birth-day and promise to hold you in our prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus" http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
This Sunday the meditation is in the form of a devotional.
SCRIPTURE
Fourth Sunday in Lent John 3:14-21 (NRSV)
The lifting up of the Son of Man
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."
DEVOTION
I am so excited to have the opportunity to be writing about John 3:16 which has often been called, “The Gospel in Nutshell.” When I say the word Gospel, I am referring to the GOOD NEWS message! What is this message? I believe it is simple—God loves, God gave, God saves!
In this season of Lent, we take upon our brow a cross of ashes as a reminder that we came from the dust, and to the dust we will return. As we fast, pray, and give alms to the poor we are reminded of our own frailty and of our very real need for our Lord and Savior—Jesus--who is the Christ!
Isn’t it amazing that although we sin and fall short of the glory of God, God continues to pursue us, romancing our hearts, and calling us home?! I am so glad that God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn us; but rather, God sent Jesus that we might be saved!
I don’t know about you, but it thrills me that the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Great I Am, has chosen to call me friend…
As we look around with eyes of faith, we will notice that this friendship permeates every area of our lives. It means that we don’t have to be ashamed, hiding our sin in the deepest recesses of our souls. Because God is El Shaddai, God is our all sufficiency. When we fall down, God picks us up! When we get lost, God leads us to safety. When we feel sad, God fills us with joy! When we are in darkness, Jesus, the Light of the World, illuminates our path!
Isn’t this wonderful GOOD NEWS, my friends! Often as humans we feel like we are stumbling around in the dark. We strain the eyes of our hearts to see what the future holds. We worry, fuss, and cuss when we feel like we don’t know what is going on around us!
But, today we are reminded that the darkness is not dark to God! There is nothing that God does not know and nowhere that we can go—or hide—that God cannot see! Since this is true, we need not be afraid to come to the Light, to expose our deeds, to receive God’s forgiveness, and then walk in bold confidence knowing that the bright light of God’s countenance leads us onward and upward to glory land!
I am constantly thrilled by God's Great Love and Amazing Grace toward us. The old folks in my church used to sing, "Cain't nobody do me like Jesus, Cain't nobody do me like the Lord!" They were right.
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so...
Now, ain’ta that good news?!
SPECIAL NOTE
Have you put all of your faith in Jesus? Do you believe that you will inherit eternal life? (If you can’t answer YES to both questions, please pray with me.)
Dear God, I know you love me and I love you too. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and that you raised him from the dead! Please forgive all of my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I want my whole life to declare your praise and glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: You may be asking, “Now what?” Let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian about what you did today so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy to read so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are celebrating with all of the people who have put all of their hope in Jesus over the last three days! Happy Re-Birth-Day!
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
SIX DAYS: The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am in the Good News Living Chat Room. Even if you don’t read the book, please join us for a discussion of our faith!
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda’s blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
MEDITATION—Today’s is Saturday Psalmody! On Saturday's the meditation is offered as a psalm from my heart. If you did not read yesterday's more traditional rendering on "being born again" I invite you to do so!
In the dark of night
I come running, stumbling
to Jesus
Scared and alone
I cannot breathe
For I am scared…
I don’t know how to get into heaven
I don’t know what I must do
I don’t know where I should turn
I hear God’s voice whispering to me in the shadows
But, I do not understand
The loud sounds of my doubt and despair
Are crashing in my ears
Battering my heart
Making me deaf
But then you come to me
You say, “Do not be afraid”
And I am not.
And you say, “Child I love you.”
And tears run down my face
Because I want to believe that you can love me
But, how?
How could you love somebody like me?
You don’t know me
You don’t know what I’ve done
You don’t know how I’ve hurt others
You don’t know how I’ve hurt myself
And you say to me, “You are known…”
And you say to me, “You are loved…”
And you say to me, “Let me hold you—for eternity.”
But, I’m not sure
There must be a catch.
There’s always a catch!
There must be a trick.
There’s always a trick!
My mind is spinning out of control
My heart is beating way to fast
My breath stumbles in my chest
I CAN’T DO IT!
I can’t be good enough
Strong enough
Wise enough
Holy enough
And you say, “ENOUGH!”
I’ve already done enough.
I died on the cross for you—it was enough
I shed my blood for you—it was enough
I asked God to forgive you—it was enough
It was enough, child!
It is enough…
Out of arguments I run into your arms
I cry upon your chest
You hold me as I spill a lifetime of pain upon your shoulder
As I confess those things I have buried deep within me
Never subject to the light.
I say, “I’m sorry.”
You say, “You are forgiven.
Let us begin again.
Today we can start over.
Today is your Re-Birth-Day.
Today you are born again.”
Born again?
“Yes, let’s start again.
This time trust me to do the work.
This time let me do all the heavy lifting
This time let me fill you with my Spirit.
This time put all your hope in me.”
And I said, “O.K.”
SPECIAL NOTE
Do you have a saving faith in Jesus Christ today? Are you SURE that if you died today, you would wake up in heaven? (If not, please pray with me)
Dear God, I know you love me and I love you too. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and that you raised him from the dead! Please forgive all of my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I want my whole life to declare your praise and glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: You may be asking, “Now what?” Let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian about what you did today so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy to read so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! Congratulations!
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
COMING SOON: The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda’s blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
