There's more to the Crucifixion . . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"

Happy Resurrection Day!  Oh, what a glorious day!

Ever notice sometimes followers of Jesus, as well as non-believers who celebrate Easter, will refer to Jesus’ death on the cross, and then stop, as if that's the end?  His crucifixion is a huge factor of the season indeed.  Jesus, our Savior, died for the physical and spiritual healing of the world.  Hallelujah!!!

However, let’s not forget what happens next.  Jesus was resurrected!!!  He arose from the grave!!!  We serve a risen Savior!!!  He lives!!!  How do I know?  Because His Word tells me so!!!  He wasn't found in the tomb.  He is not in the tomb now.  His body wasn't stolen.  He arose!

Because of His free will as man, He could have chosen not to be crucified.  But, He did die, and He did arise from the grave, and He is alive!  Shout it!!!

I sometimes am speechless at the awesomeness of this season.  Jesus was born, became a man, ministering on earth healing the body, spirit and soul.  Then died for us.  God gave His only Son, a sinless man, to die for us, sinners, undeserving.  He arose from the grave and gifted us with the Holy Spirit, while now preparing our eternal home.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, for great things He has done, and will continue to do!!!

Matthew 28:5-7 “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified.  He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.  Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you.”

(Don’t you just love when the angel says “He has risen, just as He said.”!!!)

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

No matter how things seem in the natural, it truly is a Good Friday from "His Kindness Year Round"

He’s betrayed.  He’s denied.  He’s arrested.  He’s shackled and brought before religious and government leaders, passed from one to another and back to the prior again.  Over and over again He is ridiculed, beaten, spit upon, deemed guilty while a man blamed of murder is set free.

Pilate did not think our Lord was guilty.  He looked for ways out of the situation by sending Him to Herod, but when faced with the final decision, in order to maintain his job, he declared Him innocent, but handed Him over for crucifixion.

Matthew 27:22-26 “Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”  They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”  “Why?” Pilate demanded.  “What crime has He committed?”  But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify Him!”  “Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing.  So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.  The responsibility is yours!”  And all the people yelled back, “We will take the responsibility for His death – we and our children!”  So 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.”

Wearing His crown of thorns, He carried His cross to Golgotha and was crucified along with two criminals. He suffered for hours, darkness came upon the region.

Matthew 27:50-51 “Then Jesus shouted out again, and He released His spirit.  At that moment, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.  The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened.”

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus requested His body from Pilate and placed His wrapped body in a tomb, which belonged to Joseph himself.  And sunset concluded the day.

As we proceed through our day, please take time to meditate in the Gospels as to what our Lord did for you and for me.  People ask me why I get so passionate about this season.  And I wonder how people cannot get passionate about it . . . . .

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Maundy (Holy) Thursday from "His Kindness Year Round"

I trust you’re enjoying your meditation in the Word and basking in the awesomeness of this entire week; the true Holiness of the week.

What a busy day!  I’m referring to almost 2,000 years ago.  We know the happenings of Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper.  We know the events to follow and the outcome.  The disciples, however, did not know this information at the time of the Last Supper.  First, they were astonished at the act of love Jesus displayed when washing His disciples’ feet. 

John 13:34 “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

The final meal with the Lord was indeed an eventful evening.  He was preparing His disciples for His upcoming departure.  He told of the prediction of His betrayal by one of His own, one of those at that very table. 

Luke 22:21-23 “But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.  The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed.  But woe to that man who betrays him!  They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.”

He shared the bread and wine with His followers.

Luke 22:19-20 “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  And in the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

More news for that evening, as He speaks of the denial by Peter. 

Luke 22:33-34 “But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Imagine after the Last Supper, Jesus and three disciples, John, Peter and James, walking to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, before His arrest.

Matthew 26:42 “He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done.

His spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.  He said this prayer three times, checking on His disciples after each prayer, finding them sleeping.

Jesus knew of the betrayal by one of His disciples.  He knew of the denial by a friend and follower.  He knew of His arrest and crucifixion.  He knew it all.  But was willing to endure – for us – for you and for me.  The sheer wonder of this still astonishes me!  Who else, other than my Savior, would do this for me, knowing exactly what He would bear.   

We know the answer.  He is the answer.  He is THE ONE who would die for you and for me.  He, and He alone. 

Have I ever told ya I love the Resurrection season!  What a powerful time!  Anyone who knows me or has read anything from me during this time of year certainly knows!  Shout it!  We love You, Lord, and thank You for sacrificing the punishment of your body and Your life for us!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Thoughts for Holy Wednesday from "His Kindness Year Round"

I fully understand the events of this week had to transpire.  I know it was prophesied in the Old and New Testaments.  But . . . .

It still tugs at my heart to think of the deliberate occurrences of this Holy Week.  Judas, one of His disciples, one of the closest men in Jesus’ circle, betrayed Him, for the price of a slave.  Judas, resentful of Mary’s act of love in opening an expensive container of oil to anoint her Jesus, was seeking the opportunity to hand over the Savior to the authorities.

Luke 23:3-6 “Then satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.  And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”

Prayerfully, meditating in His Word, your sister in Him,

Robin

Had it not been . . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"

Let me share a little story . . . . .

A few weeks ago, I recalled a remarkable song that caused a powerful experience in my life several years ago . . .  so step back in time a few years . . .

 

A sweet friend introduced me to a ‘homegrown’ (North Carolina) gospel singing group by giving me one of their CDs.  

I was working on a home project, listening to the CD.  I knew there were several difficult circumstances upon the horizon.  I felt deflated, not able to see the end in sight, thinking too strongly in the flesh and my inability to get things accomplished.  Notice, I’m heavily emphasizing how I could not do the tasks set before me.  I wasn’t holding dear the faith in the Lord that HE would accomplish it all; that I was not alone. 

Then, this song began to play.  I literally dropped to my knees and began to cry.  That was one of those eye opener, ‘light bulb’ moments for me.  I will never forget that day.  Whenever I hear this song, the same Holy Spirit that was with me at that moment fully continues to engulf me now in His love and protection and comfort.  Shout it!

Had It Not Been

Just suppose God searched through Heaven,
And couldn't find one willing to be,
The supreme sacrifice that was needed,
That would buy eternal life for you and me

Had it not been for a place called Mount Calvary,
Had it not been for the old rugged cross,
Had it not been for a man called Jesus,
Then forever my soul would be lost

Well I'm so glad He was willing to drink His bitter cup,
Although He prayed "Father let it pass from me",
And I'm so glad He never called Heaven's angels,
From these hands, Pulled the nails that torment me

John 19:17-18a "Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).  There they nailed Him to the cross."

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Palm Sunday and the awesome week approaching from "His Kindness Year Round"

I sometimes like to mentally picture Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem . . . .

I see the Lord riding his donkey, as prophesied in the Old Testament. 

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!  Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!  See, your king comes to you; righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

I imagine the crowd, celebrating His arrival with voices of praise, laying down their garments and palm branches, shouting “Hosanna”!  Ah, at last, their king had arrived to save them.

Meditate on the Word today, in preparation for the magnificent week, Holy Week, to come.

Matthew 21:1-9 “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them and he will send them right away.  This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:  “Say to Daughter Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”  “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Yes, the Savior has arrived . . . . .

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Reflecting, as we prepare for Palm Sunday, from "His Kindness Year Round"

Loss.  According to one definition from Google:  “the fact or process of losing something or someone; the state or feeling of grief when deprived of someone or something of value.”

I’ve had many people over the years ask how one gets over the loss of a loved one.  My thoughts are we don’t get over a loss, but through it.  You can’t blink and grief is “over”.  We go through different stages of shock or denial; pain and loneliness; sometimes anger.  We go through grief of missing someone and the life that could have been; the memories that could have been. But we continue onward in life, because we don’t have a choice.

There are a few rare exceptions.  Of course, I’m referring to the resurrection of our blessed Redeemer! 

A great many of us may have experienced the feelings, thoughts and emotions – our human soul life – that the disciples and followers of Jesus felt after His crucifixion.  Sadness. Guilt. The ache and emptiness.  Anger. 

But after seeing an empty tomb and finally realizing the Savior lives, they experienced the joy and exaltation of His resurrection!   Their feelings of loss were short lived. 

Folks, unfortunately we don’t have the elation of visiting an empty tomb to find our loved one has had life restored on earth.  I certainly don’t belittle the grief you or I experience because it’s real and it’s painful.  But because of THIS resurrection, we have the opportunity to reunite with our loved ones one glorious day!  As Casting Crowns sing in “Glorious Day”:

“Living He loved me, dying He saved me.

Buried He carried my sins far away.

Rising He justified freely forever

One day He's coming, oh, glorious day,

Oh, glorious day, Glorious day!”

Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have hope; we can accept that we will see our loved ones again . . . . if, during their life, they made the commitment to Him and accepted Him as their Savior. 

Can we turn down His invitation to join Him for eternity, or afford not to deliver His message to others?  NO!

Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

John 3:30-36 “He must increase, but I must decrease. 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.”

Time is progressing quickly.  This is a decision no one can delay until tomorrow. There may not be one.

                                                                                      

As Palm Sunday approaches and we begin the esteemed Holy Week, the last week of Christ’s life on earth before His crucifixion, remember the reason for the season; your life depends on it.

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Let's Surrender All . . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"

Several old hymns have come to mind of late.  One of these hymns surfaced as I was reading a book written by a Christian minister.  The particular chapter was emphasizing the great obedience Abraham exhibited when surrendering his son to God as a sacrifice.  The author wrote of our need to give up things which prevent us from having the Lord in complete ownership of our lives.

What is your object or emotion or thought that comes before the Lord?  What is it you just can’t seem to do without, therefore, rising above our Savior?

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

We need to put the Father before any material items, but also should relinquish thoughts and emotions which could endanger our relationship with Him.  This includes fear or doubt or guilt or worry or insecurity or selfishness, or __________ (fill in the blank).  Surrender all.  Not a multiple choice, pick and choose what you’d like to give to Him and what you want to embrace for yourself.  ALL. 

Even after surrendering to Him, if you pick it up again, give it back!  Surrender it again, and again, and again, as many times as necessary.  Anything which causes a distance in the relationship of our love, obedience, trust and faith in the Father should be abandoned. 

As we celebrate this Resurrection season, release and give all to Him.  Jesus surrendered His life for us, as sinners.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Where He Leads Me . . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"

I’m enjoying the reflection, the meditation in the Word, the prayer time spent this Lent season with the Lord. It’s amazing the knowledge we gain and understanding we receive when taking some of our busy time and focusing on God.  Ah, the Resurrection season is my favorite time of year!

I’ve had many old hymns upon my mind recently.  One hymn written by Ernest W. Blandy in the late 1800’s has these words as the refrain:

“Where He leads me I will follow;

Where He leads me I will follow;

Where He leads me I will follow;

I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.”

The song wasn’t written in the joyful sense of following Jesus through the flower gardens of life. Instead, if we glance at the four verses of the hymn, verse one implies when you hear your Savior calling, are you willing to “Take thy cross and follow, follow me.”?  Jesus is asking if you will go with Him, follow Him, through the joys and the trials.  Not one or the other, but both.  We can’t pick and choose what we will do for Him and what we won’t.

The second verse states “I’ll go with Him through the garden”, meaning the Garden of Gethsemane the evening He and a few disciples went to pray.  Will you go with Him?  If so, will you pray with Him, or fall asleep? 

Verse three affirms “I’ll go with Him through the judgment”.  This doesn’t refer to our judgment by Jesus, but the judgment He endured, His trial, before His crucifixion.  Would you go with Him through the judgment, or deny knowing Him?

As the refrain reiterates, “I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.”  I’ll go with Him through the garden; I’ll go with Him through the judgment.  “Where He leads me, I will follow, I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.”  Not only days we ‘feel’ like it.  Not only days in which we have nothing else to do.  Not only days He’s seeking something we think is easy or pleasurable.  But everyday.  Through it all.

And verse four – oh what a victorious few lines, “He will give me grace and glory, and go with me all the way”.  Shout it!  He is supernatural and will give us grace and glory and be with us all the time and all the way!

As we reflect this Resurrection season, remember Jesus came to this earth to teach us and save us, to sacrifice His life for us, to be our Lord and Savior! 

He wants us to follow Him through it all, giving us the promise of His grace and glory on earth and in Heaven.  But He wants us to follow Him, wherever He leads us.  Trust in Him, and follow.

Romans 8:14 “Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.”

Prayerfully, striving to follow Him, your sister,

Robin

Laughter . . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"

Laughter.  It’s a happy word.  And even happier when you’ve experienced it.

I had the opportunity to view the website of a female comedian.  I’ll rephrase that and elaborate; a charming, southern, North Carolina native (former Miss North Carolina) comedian who presents good, clean humor.  Wahoo – how often can you use those three words – good – clean – humor – in the same sentence! 

I sat back, listened and laughed!  I yearn for more laughter! 

On occasion, (at least weekly) I’ll ask someone or a group of people to say something or to do something to make me laugh.  It’s always a successful request.  Thank you for the laughs!

Sometimes the seriousness of day to day life in our world can be daunting.  As we accomplish other priorities in our busy schedules, take time to laugh.

Genesis 21:6 “Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

Luke 6:21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.  Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”

Check out comedian Jeanne Robertson at www.jeannerobertson.com and laugh!

(GOTTA listen to the one about bungee jumping!!! And sleeping in tubes!!!  And, etc.!!!)

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin