THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT THE CROSS “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” —Luke 14:33 I heard a story about a couple who visited a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various crosses, the woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?” That’s what many people want today: a cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any offense—one that will look cool with their outfits. But the hard truth is that if we could travel back in time and see the cross in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and vile symbol. It would have been the worst picture imaginable to see someone hanging on a cross. The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to humiliate a person. The crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). In other words, salvation and eternal life can be found only through Him. Many people today object to His words. They see John 14:6 as a statement of exclusivity and narrow-mindedness. But Jesus was simply explaining God’s plan of salvation. Humankind’s decision to disobey God and pursue sin created an existential crisis with only one solution. To satisfy God’s perfect justice and wrath, a perfect sacrifice had to be offered in our place. Someone who had never sinned had to die in the place of everyone else who had. Only Jesus lived a sinless life. Only He had the power to conquer death. So, only He could save us. If there had been any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like that? If there had been any other way that we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it. Jesus Himself prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). He was talking about the cross and the unimaginable suffering that lay ahead. But God did not take it away from Him because there was no other way. If living a good, moral life could get us to Heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did die. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world. If you ever were tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the cross. Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross; His love did. God bless you!

Devotion: Jeremiah 23:29 “My message is like a fire, and like a hammer that breaks rocks to pieces.” GNB When we look at the world today, we can see the destruction, the immorality, the evil that is consuming everyone and everything. People have lost their way. They have turned their backs on God and mock those who still follow the path of righteousness. We are, in fact being tormented by Lucifer himself. He roams earth and seeks whom he can destroy. Revelation 12:9 & 17: “The huge dragon was thrown out – that ancient serpent, called the Devil, or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him….. The dragon was furious with the woman and went off to fight against the rest of her descendants, all those who obey God’s commandments and are faithful to the truth revealed by Jesus.” GNB Thus the battle is on-going and, if not for the help of the holy Host and God Himself, believers would be far worse off than they are. We have been forewarned, though, and we have been given a means to fight this battle. You see, God’s Word can be wielded in battle against the evil that seeks to destroy us! Ephesians 6:12: “For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, the authorities, and the cosmic powers of this dark age.” GNB The Word of God is a double-edged sword which can cut through to your soul. It is powerful and holds truths which can lead you to salvation. You will be unable to ignore the message. The Word of God is also a true weapon, a sharp sword that can defend us against the darkness in the world. It is described as part of the armour of God in Ephesians. Ephesians 6:17: “And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.” GNB The onslaught of the enemy is subtle. He will come dressed up and pretty, like an angel of light, but in the end he will try to bring you down (2 Corinthians 11:14). But you don’t have to fear this fight, for God Himself and His angels, the Holy Host, will fight with you. If you wield the Word as a sword, you will be victorious. Look again at the scripture for today. God says His Word is like fire and like a hammer; it will burn those against you and break them into pieces. Jeremiah 5:14: “…I will make my words like a fire in your mouth. The people will be like wood, and the fire will burn them up.” GNB And here, directly from scripture, from the Word of God, comes comfort and encouragement, for God will NOT ABANDON you in the midst of your strife. He WILL fight with you with a power that no-one can imagine. 1 John 4:4: “But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world.” GNB #Jeremiah29 #spiritualwarfare #armorofgod

❤️ The Cross: Proof of the Greatest Love ✝️ Does not St. Paul on every occasion show us that the death [of Christ] is the greatest proof of his love for us? He thus says: “God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). Also, for this reason, does not he take pride and yearn all the more, nay, even leap for joy and flutter his wings, as it were, when he writes to the Galatians: “far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14)? Even Christ himself, who endured these sufferings calls them his Glory (John 17:1)! And when he wished to show us his love, what did he mention? His signs or miracles or wonders? Never! He but laid his cross in the middle saying: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16). And so did St Paul say: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also gave us all things with him?” (Rom 8:32). And when he exhorts to love, he raises this same type in the middle saying: “Love one another, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (cf. Eph 5:2). _St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Divine Providence 17:1-7. #TheCross #DivineLove #Sacrifice #Salvation #GodsLove

The devil can't take our salvation but there are 10 things he is trying to steal from us: Our identity, values, worship, convictions, prayer life, integrity, influence, courage , future & destiny. This message is drawing the connection with Daniel living in Babylon & us as believers in today's world around us, which has all the hallmarks of the Babylonian System. Hence the title: "10 things Babylon is trying to steal from us." https://youtu.be/GEzFapNkj_w Slides & reel available also on: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1532395245594742&set=pcb.1532425478925052

Getting banned & shut down on YouTube sure is aggravating & inconvenient! My video post claims it's too long for here, even after trimming so I will post the transcript! So, I guess my video must have really chapped someones backside yesterday because I woke up this morning to the news that my you tube channel has been shut down after right about a year & almost 600 followers. They claim I'm in violation of some sort of spam, deceptive practices or scam policy when all I've done is speak some truths. Atleast I have biblically based messages of faith, salvation & recovery, not useless brain rot & dribble. Not once have I ever asked anyone for money or to click on a link that's a hack site, nor have I led anyone down a path that I wouldn't walk on or haven't walked on myself. And sure, I've had some get upset with me & they voice their opinions & sometimes I even offer a rebutle but most of the time when someone doesn't like what someone has to say on their page they just swipe along & move onto something they enjoy more. I'm not sure who got upset about my post yesterday but I'll say again for clarity, prosperity gospel is misleading! You cannot buy your way into heaven by making some preacher mega rich & no, God won't bless your life any more when you do give more because it's not about the amount, it's about freely giving from your heart what you can, not chasing a fairy tale that some well dressed man tells you! God never promised anyone a cooshy life & maybe that's what gets some of you worked up because many christians & churches have watered down the bible to make them feel good to keep attendance & donations up instead of really paying attention & digging deep into God's word. No matter what some may think of me I have appealed their decision & I will continue on my other current platforms as I feel called to plant seeds of hope, salvation & love in others. I will likely make a new youtube account because I am unashamed of my faith & I'm not scared of any establishment's silly guidelines that violate my 1st amendment right of free speach & freedom of religion! I'm an american, I'm an air force veteran & above all I am happily a child of God! #God #faith #christian #youtube #life

lord God your the strength that strengthens me. my rock and salvation.keep me United with Christ and fill me with your Holy Spirit and gift of eternal life.Amen

Disciple Making EDEM // KISORO COMMUNITY CHURCH The Movement Began Small Jesus did not begin with a massive crowd or a worldwide organization. He began with a small group of people. He invested deeply in three disciples, and then intentionally trained and discipled twelve apostles. When He left the earth, He entrusted them with the mission of continuing the work He had begun. Think about this: Jesus started with twelve disciples, but today, more than 2,000 years later, millions of people around the world follow Him. What began as a small movement became a global movement. The dream was simple. Jesus said: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10 Jesus was clear about His mission. He came to seek those who were lost, restore them to God, and bring salvation. And He did not keep that mission to Himself. He entrusted it to His disciples. After His resurrection, Jesus told them: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” — Matthew 28:19 The disciples were not simply called to gather followers. They were called to make disciples who would continue the mission. https://youtu.be/rdZIvupNqp4?si=FXhSF9ca9OyaIMu5

I know there is a lot on your mind as you prepare to begin a new week that is clothed with alot , not fees, bills, responsibilities and many burdens. But take this word tonight: 2 Kings 7:7 and Mark 10:15. Have faith in God and expect to see His mighty salvation. What seems impossible today can become your testimony tomorrow. Trust God; He is already working. In 2Kings 7:7, the people went to sleep hungry and with deep farmine in the land but they woke up in abundance because God was involved. May God be involved in your Story tonight. Amen 🙏

2 Timothy 3:14-15 NET You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.  This verse demonstrates the change of heart David had after being confronted by the prophet Nathan about his affair with Bathsheba and for the murder of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12). After confessing his sins, David vows to guide others to repentance and back to God.  Not only do we see the changed David who is freed from the bloodguilt and extremely serious sins, but we see his desire to help others. He wants others to experience the renewed joy and forgiveness that he has received from the Lord. He did not let his failures define him. Instead, he used them as the basis for serving others and helping them to find reconciliation and forgiveness from God. Our testimonies hold great power (Revelation 12:11). We can hold our experience close to ourselves and refuse to share it with others or we can let God use it as a tool for reaching souls. God can use our personal experiences to help them see they are not alone in their sinful ways and that there is a way out.  This psalm is a personal prayer of David to God. It is him crying out to the Lord and repenting of his sins. He pleads to God to give him a clean heart and a renewed spirit. And he asks God not to banish him but to restore the joy of salvation.  It is after he receives mercy and grace from God that he vows to teach others. He made the vow that his mouth and tongue would be used to sing of God’s righteousness and goodness. He wanted his personal experience to be the catalyst to helping others seek God and repent of their own sins.  What about you? Do you hold your personal experiences close to your heart and hide them from others? Or do you use your transgressions as the means to helping people find forgiveness themselves? Many people try to hide their past sins, ashamed of what they have done. But as we already said, there is power in our personal stories and God can use them to help others repent and find forgiveness.  Don’t hide your story. Be open to allowing God to use you. Let Him work in your heart and through you to touch the lives of others and help transform them. And His peace and joy will fill you, overflowing from deep within, extending out to others.  #TEENS4JESUS #devotion #dailydevotional #christianteens #DailyBibleVerse