The Dawning of His Grace

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people.

God is so very good to us. To all of us. Even the unbeliever is a recipient of the blessings of God. He's a good God that causes the rain the fall on the just and unjust. The artisan wells that spring up from the heart of the earth replenish any who draw from it's supply.

God gives good gifts and does marvelous things for mankind. By His grace we live, move, and have our being. Were it not for His goodness we would live in the shadows of horror, fear, and uncertainty; but the fact is His blessings enrich the lives of all people whether we acknowledge it or not.

Why does He do that?
In order that we would recognize His grace in our midst and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord.

Even in suffering, pain, hardship, and toil, God gives grace; grace to endure; to persevere; to survive; heal and mend.

Have you noticed that prosperity and reward is not limited to Gods people? The creator has shown goodness to all; that all may know Him and life in the Son.

Jonah 2:8 "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs."

Grace means unmerited favor; a goodness and blessing that rests upon us undeservedly. Oftentimes we reflect on our accomplishments; make a record of our treasures; and foolishly think that we made it all happen ourselves. The idolatry of worldly things and our trust in them puts us out on a limb all by ourselves. The moment you think that every good thing; treasure; health; success; is by YOUR doing then YOU is all YOU got.

God is good. All the time. Every blessing; kindness; joy; peace; prosperity comes to me by His goodness and grace. The more humbled we are to His unmerited favor, the more grace we receive.

1 Peter 5:5... "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

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Greatest Comebacks

Luke  22;31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

If we knew what our adversary knows about us we might have a higher opinion of our life, work, and service for the Lord. Peter was a simple fisherman turned disciple; turned apostle; future author; and soon to be foundational rock of the early church.  Satan would have enjoyed nothing more than to use Peter’s faults and weaknesses against him; to see that his denial of the Lord would be so devastating that he would ultimately abandon the faith and disappear.

The failure of Peter was the direct result of Satan’s attack. This is his style; his method; to humiliate us through our own weakness for the purpose of getting us out of the way. The adversary knows only to steal, kill, and destroy. God’s method is that through our failure, we return to Him for forgiveness and strength. He then uses us to be more effective for the kingdom because it is through the prism of His love and grace; made perfect in our weakness.

To run away from our Lord; to abandon Him; to allow shame of our failure to silence us; is worse than the offense itself and it’s just what the devil wants.

God is greater than all our sin. To run from His grace…is a disgrace…to grace.

Remember this, Jesus has prayed for us. He knows firsthand of our temptation and the enemy’s technique. 

We all sin, make foolish mistakes, and at times simply “blow it”.

Jesus says to our heavenly Father, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those you gave me, for they belong to you.”
John 17:9 GNT

We belong to Him and are the sheep of His pasture. He’s the good shepherd. He knows and lays down His life for His sheep.

No one…NO ONE…can snatch us out of His hand.

Cross...Point

Testimony & History of Matthew 16:24 & the Cross Blogs

Some of you are wondering about all the blogs I have written on Matthew 16:24 " if anyone would come after me they must first deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

It all started with a few chapters from Thomas A Kempis 13th century book titled "The Imitation of Christ". The first time through it, I thought to myself, "this guys nuts." A week or two later I read it again, in particular the chapter: "the Royal Road of the Holy Cross". This time it intrigued me. A few weeks later, during Passover week, I watched The Passion of the Christ. Needless to say I wept during the entire movie. The portrayal of the suffering and punishment our Lord endured for our sake overwhelmed my spirit. That night, I read the Royal Road of the Holy Cross again. As I read, with the eyes of my heart opened, the tears began to flow. I was humbled and broken. The message pierced my heart with crystal clarity. It was a moment of divine inspiration that I will never...ever... forget.

What has been produced by this spiritual experience is the seven chapters of my blog titled: Take Up Your Cross.

Suffering is part of the Christian experience. God uses our cross to deepen our trust in Him and mature our faith.

As believers we forget that in this world we will suffer. Mistakenly we dream of the day when we will have no more problems or sorrow. That day is Heaven...and we aren't there yet.

We are called to take up our cross and follow Him. The cross is His way to the kingdom; His way to thy will be done on earth...as it is in heaven.

Sin is defeated by the cross. In heaven and on earth.
Through His cross the heavens are opened;
Through our cross the earth is laid bare.

Too many give up and quit. Some allow the sorrows of life to destroy them physically and spiritually.

These seven chapters will strengthen your resolve to accept suffering as your cross; to increase your faith; to transform beauty from ashes; restore joy to those who mourn.

I firmly believe that God will use this timely message for today. Pray and share this message with others.

(All seven chapters are being revised and can be read in their entirety at:
www.johnmarkthomas.blogspot.com)

John M. Thomas
William J. Stone M.D.


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The Way of the Cross (Part VII)

The gospel that saves; the gospel we believe and profess is inconceivable without the cross. The cross of our redeemer, the crucifix of the apostles; the patriarchs; the early church; missionaries; translators; all rest beneath our feet as a sure foundation with our overseer as the chief cornerstone.

The cross road marked before you is rich with the blood stains of holy men and women of God who through the ages counted the cost and chose to give up what they could not keep to gain what they could not lose.

May the same God who gave them endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

As citizens of heaven; one day; at long last we will see the worthy lamb that was slain. Until then, for His sake we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

When you bear you cross gladly; joyously; faithfully; be reminded that you are in the company of the saints.

Be assured of this, that you must live a dying life. And the more completely a man dies to self, the more he begins to live to God. (Rom. 6:9 ) No man is fit to understand heavenly things, unless he is resigned to bear hardships for Christ's sake.

Had there been a better way, more profitable to the salvation of mankind than suffering, then Christ would have revealed it in His word and life. But He clearly urges both His own disciples and all who wish to follow Him to carry the cross, saying, `If any will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.'(Mark 8:34) Therefore, when we have read and studied all things, let thus be our final resolve: 'that through much tribulation we must enter the Kingdom of God.'(Acts 14:22)
                                       - Thomas A Kempis   Circa 1250 a.d.
                                                 (The Imitation of Christ)

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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Worthiness of the Cross (Part VI)

If it is the cross you bear and are crucified; any other earthly condition will be contentment. Your hope is not in any other; any thing; any praise; any gift; any comfort; other than the cross upon which He died and your cross which He found you worthy to bear. Once content with your cross, the temporal fades.

A worthiness of the cross is an invitation to know Him; the power of His resurrection; the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and attain to His resurrection.

Their is no nobler way; none more excellent. Even our Lord said, "he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me."

If by the cross we know Him; learn of Him; grow in Him, and at long last rest, then hurry to your cross and gladly bear it.

The burdens in this present world are grievous but have you heard of the suffering in ages past? Hebrews 11 tells of those who endured the pains of epic trials. They were considered champions of the cross...for our sake.

37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Whatever the cross; bear it. It honors Him; them; and you; and...help others bear it. This is the command of our Lord.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

When the world around you says, throw off His yoke from your neck; it is too burdensome...we will say...Never, for my God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are— yet was without sin.

So...boldly we go to Him for strength and grace; to be found worthy of the cross we bear for His sake; for we know and are assured that He is coming and His rewards are with Him.

Why Suffer...Why the Cross (Part V)

Do you know that you belong to Him? Do you know that you know? Then there will be a cross. To not have a cross means you are none of His.

What does it say? "to be my disciple...take up your cross and follow me?"
The cross is there for every follower of Him.

Why must I suffer?
Most avoid an answer or offer a pious pass to the question; but the cross will answer it !
Why not suffer? He suffered for you; nailing our sin to the cross. Compared to the cross He bore for us...our burden is light and momentary; achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
You have endured the pains of the cross already but in ignorance. Without the knowledge of your cross and the summons to carry it you laden your load all the more. Laboring in circles you blindly; angrily; pitifully suffer.

What did He first say the disciple must do? Take up your cross?
No...first you must deny yourself. Self is an enemy of the cross; deceiving; denying. It must be dealt with. Only the cross of victory can deliver us from the body of death. The sweet cross is where His glory rest. He will not share His glory with...your self.

What is FAITH?
F-forsaking
A-all
I
T-trust
H-him

The Apostles forsook their nets and followed.
Are you still holding on to the world; then self is still in the way. It's difficult to carry your cross with one hand on the beam and the other hauling the net.

Forsake it all...it is but rubbish compared to the prize on the royal road.

When following Him; cross for cross; we join a heavenly host; urging us on; to lay aside the weights that beset us; to press on; looking unto Him. You cannot carry both and please Him.

You have asked; "why is this happening to me?" What does it matter. If you acknowledge your holy cross, you know it will lead to good. In faith we know that all things work together for good when we are assured of His perfecting love. Fear is vanquished when our eyes are fixed on Him.

Some want to turn back.
Then they started wrong.

If I say I want to know Him but without the cross then do I really desire to know Him at all.
Calvary is where the curse and judgment of sin was meted out. His Spirit reproves of sin, righteousness and judgement. Your crucible is a sanctifying process of flesh versus holiness; that your body of sin might be destroyed; no longer a slave to it.

Are you crucified with Christ? Then the life you live in the flesh must be in faith; of Christ in you.
To know without the cross...? See how utterly ridiculous it sounds.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faithfully we deny self; take up our cross; and follow Him.

Hasten to Him. To embrace your cross is to be one with Him and the Father; to know Him...and make Him known.

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Passion of the Cross (Part IV)

Seek no relief from the cross. Are you bound to it? Seek not to be loosed for the Cyrene has already been assigned to you. In the hour of need God will provide him. Desire only to set your heart like a flint toward His righteousness. Reprieve is in the shadow of His wings. Succumb not to the temptation of resentment for the cross. God is faithful. He will, with the temptation, also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it. His right hand will uphold you. Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

Look not upon thyself; look outward.
Behold...He makes all things new. See the world around you; how different they all appear? Love for them cries out...in newness of your heart; compassionate; weeping. Like scales fallen from your eyes; you see the masses; sheep without a shepherd.

They see you too; crucified with Christ; faithful; a city on a hill. Shining like a star; piercing the darkness; for it is God..at work...in you...to do His pleasure.

Courtesy of THE CROSS

Come after Him.
Deny...you!
Take up your cross; follow.
Set your heart where Christ is seated; at the right hand of God.

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Joy of the Cross (Part III)

Have you taken up your cross?
Tell me about it. Describe it to me.
Where did you find it? In physical pain; through family or relationship; loss; in occupation; through impediment; ruin of security; poverty; weakness of your flesh; in persecution?

How big is God...to you? Multiply that to an infinite number and you describe Him closer than your original thought. His love for you is equally infinite and matchless. I cannot define or describe how; only why. His charity is unceasing toward you. The cross is His way; the
way to paradise; to glory. It hurts; but it hurts like heaven.

"Realize that you must lead a dying life; the more a man dies to himself, the more he begins to live unto God." 
- Thomas A Kempis  (The Imitation Of Christ)

Sin has met it's match in the cross. It cannot co-exist. Like fetters the transgressions of our nature fall beneath the blood.

Your cross will lead you to joy unspeakable; holiness; peace beyond understanding.

Oh how He loves.
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Take Up Your Cross (Part II)

No one understands the passion of Christ so thoroughly or heartily as the man whose lot it is to suffer the like himself.

The cross, therefore, is always ready; it awaits you everywhere. No matter where you may go, you cannot escape it, for wherever you go you take yourself with you and shall always find yourself. Turn where you will—above, below, without, or within—you will find a cross in everything, and everywhere you must have patience if you would have peace within and merit an eternal crown. 
                                              - Thomas A Kempis
                                           (The Imitation Of Christ)

You may ask what has brought you here but the most important fact, for now, is who has brought you here. You have heard that Gods love for you is indescribable; the cross that you bear is an act of His love. It sounds strange and you may think opposite but His love for you has led you here. You thought sin; assured of misfortune; convinced of something sinister, of which none are true. The love of God has designed the road marked before you. 

Resist the temptation of unbelief and self pity. Follow Him...follow Him toward the hill Golgotha. After some distance; the road of suffering will rise; giving view to your point of origin. 

Look; look again. The horror of your own iniquity. The cross you carry has led you away from the camp ever so slightly; but enough for you to see your self...and your sin which you will loathe; the mire from which the cross has lifted you; to break free...yields brokenness with tears and moans which cannot be uttered.

The cross of Christ frees us from the shackles that enslave us to our sinful nature. When the penitent and the cross meet; becoming one; embracing the way of suffering for His sake; only then...does the royal way of the holy cross break through the darkness revealing glory like you've never...never known before. To walk where He walked; bearing the cross; despising the shame; to sit down at the right hand of the throne of God.   

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Most Excellent Way (Part I)

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Their is no brightness or cheer in taking up your cross and following Christ. The cross is or was an instrument of punishment and death. It is not likely that any would happily reach a hand to bear it; but our Savior did; and so should we. Why? 

Following Him is the way of discipleship. Christ leads us into "the way everlasting". This life is marked with passion, testing, and surrender. Our redeemer even learned obedience as He...for our joy...endured the cross

Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered

The suffering that is borne in bearing ones cross serves as a check to the impulses and temptations of our flesh. The cross bleeds our carnal nature and yields us to faith in Him.

Consider it pure joy when the cross of suffering is upon you; knowing that the trying of your faith will teach you the all sufficiency of Christ; adding perseverance.

Bear your cross gladly for Him. Ask for the same strength that came to our Lord in the garden. Seek not your will but thine be done. Join Him in the fellowship of sharing in His suffering.

The royal road of the holy cross is the way of glory unimaginable; to humble yourself before God; bearing His shame; to know Christ; to be exalted in His presence.

The Father sees and knows those upon which the cross rest. May His strength and grace uphold you and may He supply all your needs with His riches as you daily trust in Him.
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