Thanks To Calvary

                             +Thanks to Calvary +

And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him........
Luke 23: 33

The prayer of Jesus to his Father for his persecutors was "forgive them, for they know not what they do." The crowd mocked Jesus saying, "he saved others, let him save himself." They did not understand that the King of Glory came for the purpose of dying on the old rugged cross for the sins of all mankind.   The soldiers also mocked Him and told him to "save himself". They could not comprehend he came to save them, not his own life. He laid down his
life that they might receive life and take up their cross and follow him.

Because he was obedient even to the death of the cross, we have been forgiven and have the joy of the Lord in our lives. Because he suffered, bled, and
died, we can be healed, saved, and have eternal life.   A King, stripped and executed in public view, was thought to have lost his kingdom. But, Jesus, who turned the world's wisdom upside down, was just coming into his Kingdom. His death and resurrection struck the death blow to Satan's rule and established the eternal authority of Jesus over this earth.

Few people reading the sign over the head of Jesus that day understood it's full meaning. It was absolutely true even though meant to be ironic. Not all was lost but instead was gained. Jesus was the King of the Jews, Gentiles, and of the whole earth who took authority through his work on the cross. Because of Calvary, the world was changed forever as God's plan for a Redeemer was made manifest.

It was only by faith that we all were able to receive the Son of God into our lives and hearts. It is not
by anything we could ever do, but only by the work of our Lord who was willing to be obedient even unto death on the cross. As the Roman Soldiers who witnessed this event said, "Surely this was God's Son." The way of salvation was opened up even to those who murdered our Lord. His will was that none
perish and all come to eternal life. Forgiveness is the heart of the Lord and his grace was shown for all.

The light we received because of the cross keeps on guiding us each day. Our God is real and lives forever. The power of the cross keeps "giving to all who will only believe." 'Thanks' to Calvary we can have victory in Jesus.

Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2002

Had It Not Been For Calvary

Had it not been for Calvary

there would be no hope for tomorrow

Had it not been for the Cross

there would be only pain and sorrow,

The power of the cross

washes away all sin,

By the precious blood of Jesus.

t which he shed for all men. t

Because of Mount Calvary

and the old rugged tree,

Our sins have been forgiven

and we have been set free,

Because of our Savior

who laid down his life,

We do not have guilt of sin,

t it's penalty or strife. t

Because of a day God

had once appointed in time,

Jesus came and endured the suffering

to take your sins and mine,

Because of Calvary and God's plan

for all men,

We have a Blessed Savior

who is our dearest friend.

J. P.'s Inspirations

1 Cross + 3 Nails & God's Love = 4 Given

~The greatest love of all~