After Easter there are many who have a new beginning. After Easter there are many that have made a decision that will transform the rest of their lives. After Easter many have had an encounter with the power of the resurrection and what that means and says about Jesus and about themselves. After Easter many have decided to believe rather than live in disbelief. After Easter many hearts have been opened and the purification process is beginning. After Easter and the realization of Jesus’s sacrifice for all of humanity to pay the ultimate price because that is the only thing that would be able to satisfy God’s character and make a way for us to be forgiven and reconciled to God. After Easter and the realize that Jesus isn’t in the tomb but He was resurrected, conquered the power of sin and death, and has opened the door into eternity with God for those who will choose to believe.
It’s Monday, the start of the work week. Consider the decisions that you will make and their impact on the rest of your life. It’s not too late! Our words, our actions, and our responses make a difference and so today let’s choose wisely in order to have a Happy Monday!
The One Year Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and Dr. Ike Reighard
for April 5th
“Why have you forsaken me”
MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY: Matthew 27:46
‘And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”’
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
- The story of the cross
- Jesus was more than just a good man who died for his beliefs
- Jesus was more than just a soldier who died for the people around him
- Jesus was more than a martyr
- Jesus was more than a teacher
- Jesus was Almighty God!
- Jesus is Almighty God who stepped out of heaven and came humbly to the earth for a specific purpose that only He could achieve
- Jesus came that we could be saved! redeemed! transformed!
- Jesus took our place for our sins on the cross
- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- The weight of the world was on His shoulders, the weight of every sin, yours, mine, and everyone else’s
- He took on the penalty in order to make a way for us to be reconciled to God
- He took on the penalty so that we could have the choice and the opportunity to accept Him and receive God’s grace
- When He gave up His life (that’s right gave up, nobody took it from Him) He finished the work He had come to do
- God stepped away as Jesus took on all the sins of the world and receive the punishment that we deserved, poured out on Jesus
- Jesus took on all the wrath, the judgment, and the penalty for every sin that was nailed to the cross with Jesus
- The only way it could happen was for God to step away and allow it
- It was finished though when Jesus gave up his last breath and sealed the victory by paying the price
- Three days later Jesus rose again, defeating sin and death, with the resurrection power
- Jesus gave His life for us on the cross to make a way when there didn’t seem to be a way
- Jesus took it on all alone, abandoned and condemned for you and me.
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
What do you think that moment was like for Jesus?
- Painful
- Sad
- Lonely
What does it tell you about His grace and His love for you?
- God’s grace is enough!
- God’s love is so great that He gave Jesus that we could be saved.
- Jesus didn’t come so that we would be condemned but rather that though Him the world could be saved!
QUOTE(S) FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
—Ike Reighard
Today’s reading from Tanakh:
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
