jesus commandments

DEAR GOD: Your Redeeming Love Touched & Saved Me~

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In Christ – Pt. 1 | More Than A Sunday Faith

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we are healed.” -Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

 Isaiah 53 is a powerful chapter that prophetically describes the suffering and sacrificial death of the Messiah. It paints a vivid picture of Jesus as the suffering Servant who willingly bore our sins, bringing redemption and healing to humanity.

Redemption for Our Souls:

Jesus willingly took upon Himself the weight of our sins. His sacrifice on the cross provided redemption—a way for us to be reconciled with God. Through His blood, we find forgiveness and restoration. Our souls, once burdened by guilt, are set free.

Pierced for Our Transgressions:

Jesus was pierced—crucified—on the cross, not for His own sins (for He was sinless) but for ours. His wounds represent the depth of His love and the extent to which He was willing to go to save us. Jesus’ wounds represent our brokenness—our sin-scarred hearts. His sacrifice brings healing, wholeness, and renewal. In Jesus, we see the perfect blend of Divinity and humanity. His incarnation bridges the gap between God and us. His sacrifice restores our true identity as God’s beloved children. We are no longer slaves to sin but heirs of grace.

How does the image of Jesus’ body hanging nailed on the cross impact your understanding of His sacrifice?

Crushed for Our Iniquities:

The crushing weight of our sins fell upon Jesus. His suffering was intense, both physically and spiritually. Our sins have consequences, but Jesus bore them willingly, demonstrating God’s immense love for humanity.

 Imagine the weight of every sin—past, present, and future—pressing down on Jesus. How does this impact your gratitude?

The Punishment for Our Peace:

Jesus endured the punishment that should have been ours. His sacrifice reconciled us to God, bringing peace between sinful humanity and a holy God.

 How does Jesus’ sacrifice bring you peace with God?

Healed by His Wounds:

Physical healing is one aspect, but the deeper healing is spiritual. Through Jesus’ wounds, we find forgiveness, restoration, and eternal life.

Eternal Life and Abundant Living:

Jesus conquered death through His resurrection. His sacrifice offers us eternal life—a hope beyond this earthly existence. Abundant living means more than mere survival; it’s thriving in purpose, joy, and love.

Consider the promise of eternal life. How does it shape your perspective on today?

Consider the wounds—the stripes—on Jesus’ back. How do they symbolize healing for your soul?

Unity Prayer 

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to bear our sins and bring us healing. May His wounds remind us of Your boundless love and the price He paid for our redemption. Help us live in gratitude, sharing this message of hope with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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 Meditative Takeaway

As we contemplate and meditate of the Holy Word of the LORD in Isaiah 53:5, let us embrace the truth that Jesus’ wounds are our healing. May His sacrifice draw us closer to Him, inspire compassion for others, and ignite a desire to share the Good News. 

DEAR GOD: Do We Have To Be Kind To Everyone?

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Hoe kan een werkgever mij ontslaan? - Jobat.be

Do we have to be “kind to everyone?”  Well–Not really. It depends on the circumstances and what is happening at that moment in time.

The Bible teaches us to be kind to one another, as God has been kind to us in Christ. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and a mark of love (1 Corinthians 13:4). Kindness is also a way of showing God’s grace and mercy to others and leading them to repentance (Romans 2:4).

However, the Bible also warns us not to be naive or foolish in our kindness. We should not associate with wicked people who can corrupt us (1 Corinthians 15:33) or cast our pearls before swine who will trample them underfoot (Matthew 7:6). We should also not enable sin or injustice by being kind to the wrongdoers, but rather expose them and rebuke them (Ephesians 5:11, Proverbs 27:5).

Therefore, we need to be wise and discerning in our kindness, and follow the example of Jesus, who was kind to all, but also spoke the truth and confronted the evil. He said, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

Dealing with rude, selfish or unkind individuals really can be challenging and quite stressful.  What I usually do is take a moment, take a deep breath, and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as to how I should proceed. God never lets me down!

The LORD will usually guide our paths (Proverbs 3:5-8) when we look to Him and trust Him. God will temper our behavior when we ask for His intercession, when we take time to reflect, and think about how Jesus would act, we will find answers.

Be as gracious as you can be to a point. Be kind in your directives, your responses, but also firm in your belief. Don’t be nasty but be careful in your choice of words that doesn’t encourage the person to continue in their verbal abuse to you.

Sometimes, as Jesus’ said, “shake the dust off and leave” them to their own thoughts and consequences after you try to help. There is nothing more for you to do. It’s up to God to do the rest.

“Lord, may I always be reflective of Your love and kindness, may I know when to leave and how to turn from rude, unkind, and negative people in a respectful Christian way, and may I do all to please YOU, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”