One Leads to the Other

[Leave It At The Cross a devotional by Max Lucado]
“Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18 NIV

[The path of righteousness is a narrow, winding trail up a steep hill. At the top of the hill is a cross. At the base of the cross are bags. Countless bags full of innumerable sins. Calvary is the compost of guilt. Would you like to leave yours there as well?]

God is Awesome!

As I was reading my devotionals today I first read that one, by Max Lucado, that the Lord brought me to, then the one from Charles Spurgeon below. How awesome it is how the first devotional leads into the second one. See, if not for the Cross we definitely would not, or could not expect to have a crown or mansion waiting for us after this life on earth is over.

One of my fondest memories is when I heard a Christian friend, who was then the music director of our church, sing the song, "Via Dolorosa", which is about the narrow path that Christ walked, carrying the Cross, our cross of sins, to Calvary. I loved that song so much, that I found the music for it and sing it in the Seeds of Salvation program from the Seeds for Christ series with the God's Love Outreach Ministry. No way close to how my sister in Christ sang it, but I pray with the same feeling and compassion for what our Savior endured because of His love for us.

Now as I read the devotional by Charles Spurgeon below I have no doubt of my crown, which I gladly take to give to Jesus and the mansion that will be ready for me when I hear the Fathers voice say, "Come my child, come home!"

[A devotional by Charles Spurgeon]

2Timothy 4:8 Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day; and not to me only, but also to all those who love His appearing.

[Doubting one! thou hast often said, “I fear I shall never enter heaven.” Fear not! all the people of God shall enter there. I love the quaint saying of a dying man, who exclaimed, “I have no fear of going home; I have sent all before me; God’s finger is on the latch of my door, and I am ready for him to enter.” “But,” said one, “are you not afraid lest you should miss your inheritance?” “Nay,” said he, “nay; there is one crown in heaven which the angel Gabriel could not wear, it will fit no head but mine. There is one throne in heaven which Paul the apostle could not fill; it was made for me, and I shall have it.” O Christian, what a joyous thought! thy portion is secure; “there remaineth a rest.” “But cannot I forfeit it?” No, it is entailed. If I be a child of God I shall not lose it. It is mine as securely as if I were there. Come with me, believer, and let us sit upon the top of Nebo, and view the goodly land, even Canaan. Seest thou that little river of death glistening in the sunlight, and across it dost thou see the pinnacles of the eternal city? Dost thou mark the pleasant country, and all its joyous inhabitants? Know, then, that if thou couldst fly across thou wouldst see written upon one of its many mansions, “This remaineth for such a one; preserved for him only. He shall be caught up to dwell for ever with God.” Poor doubting one, see the fair inheritance; it is thine. If thou believest in the Lord Jesus, if thou hast repented of sin, if thou hast been renewed in heart, thou art one of the Lord’s people, and there is a place reserved for thee, a crown laid up for thee, a harp specially provided for thee. No one else shall have thy portion, it is reserved in heaven for thee, and thou shalt have it ere long, for there shall be no vacant thrones in glory when all the chosen are gathered in.]

Back to Calvary

An angel of the Lord
came and said to me,
“I want to take you back
to a place called Calvary.”

So back through time we went
the Lords angel and me,
back before all time that passed
back to that special place, named Calvary!

Though I knew of this place
from the Bible I did read,
I was so excited to be there
where our Lord died for you and me.

As I stood very still
with the Lords angel at my side,
I really didn’t notice anyone but Jesus
as He looked into my eyes.

In my heart I felt His suffering,
in my eyes I saw His pain,
and through it all He smiled at me
and then He said my name.

I fell to my knees and said,
“Lord so many just don’t see
the love you have for all of us
and the importance this place is, called Calvary.

E. P. Shagott
3/9/2009

From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott