~ "It's always about the blood..."

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Heb 9:22)

Our forgiveness comes from God - through Jesus' sacrifice.  There is a line from one of my favorite television series in which one of the characters says "it's always about the blood".  Blood is what nourishes our bodies.  It supplies oxygen to our vital organs and removes the carbon dioxide.  The exchanges of these gases takes place in the lungs - the literal "breath of life".

Jesus came to us in human form.  He experienced all that we experience - the temptations, the need for nourishment - anything "human".  This man did nothing to warrant the execution he received.  He did it for us.  He willingly went to the cross to open the gate to heaven and to offer forgiveness to all of us.  He allowed the "life force" to be completely drained from his body.  His lungs ceased to move air and his heart stopped beating.  The same hands that healed were pinned above the level of his heart with nails similar to railroad spikes.  He hung there until the last drop of his blood had left his body.  And in that moment - he paid our debt!

Open your eyes to the sacrifice of Calvary.  Use that as your measure of forgiveness toward others.  What is there on earth that cannot be forgiven???  Is there anything so vile and ugly that you cannot release from your heart?  There shouldn't be.  Sin is sin - whether it's pocketing a piece of candy from the local convenience store, or the multi-billion dollar bank heist.  Sin is sin - whether its an intentional harmful word or murder.  Sin is sin - whether its of omission or commission.  It can be and is forgiven if we ask.  But in the asking, the effort to refrain from committing it again must also be present.  Remission of our sins means we are released from the debt, obligation and penalty that would normally be expected from the commission of such.  We are no longer required to pay for them - Christ did that for us.  We are, however, accountable for them.  We will answer for them, but those who have been "washed in the blood of Calvary" will stand, with Jesus, forgiven.  

Continue to forgive those who ask; forgive those who don't ask!  Those who crucified Christ did not ask for (nor did they feel the need for) forgiveness, yet he gave it to them willingly while he hung there dying.  Ask God to remove the stubbornness from your heart.  Let go of the anger that continues to cause you pain.  And if you aren't sure if you can forgive that unspeakable hurt - you need only to look to the cross for your answer...

~ "The Change..."

God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. (Selah) Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. (Psalm 55:19)

So, are you one of the ones who has the bumper sticker, the keychain and the Icthys on the back of your car?  Are you the one who wears the "WWJD" bracelet, or the tee-shirt that says "Jesus - the REAL thing"?  Do you wear the cross or crucifix around your neck so that everyone knows you are a Christian?  Do you think that makes you a Christian?  Do you think that will get you into heaven?  Do you think it tells others that you believe?  

Well, it may tell others that you believe, but it won't tell them you are a Christian - especially if you are wearing all the of above and while driving down the interstate and someone cuts you off, you offer them half of a "peace" sign.  Being a Christian is about the change the takes place within you, not the changes you implement to your appearance or personal property.  Take a good, long, hard look in that mirror and be totally open and honest with yourself.  Have you made the change?

Are you continuing to use profanity?  Are you continuing to engage in activities that take you away from Christ rather than bringing you closer to him?  Do you still refuse to forgive those who have wronged you in some way?  Are you constantly searching for something and can't seem to ever be satisfied?  Have you turned into the very thing you hated in someone else?

God is not looking for an advertising gimmick.  He doesn't need a slogan and he doesn't want groupies.  He wants you!   He wants you to humbly kneel before him, confess your sins and ask for forgiveness.  He wants you to open your eyes and your heart to his words and his teachings.  He wants you to accept Jesus as the one, true Savior who conquered the grave and opened the gate of Heaven.  He wants you to forgive those who have wronged you and ask for that same forgiveness.  He wants to bestow blessings on you, more than you can imagine - but he won't - not until you being to show "a life that's undergoing a change".   If God is truly "living" inside you, there has to be a change!  

Stop looking around and judging others faith or belief - look at yourself.  Look at what you are doing and what changes you are making that cause you to "stand out" as a follower of Jesus.  It's not about drawing attention to yourself, it's about drawing attention to the grace of God that lives inside of you!!!  

Salvation does not come from "believing" in Jesus - even Satan believes in Jesus (and he's not going to heaven).  It comes from accepting and upon that acceptance, a change.  It is something you can feel, it is something that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go.  It's a constant desire to be in the presence of the King.  It's with you where ever you go and what ever you do.  It's different than your conscience and it is not a facade.  It's real!  It's alive and it grows every day.  The world does not revolve around you and your quest for happiness, or the constant yearning for justice for those who have hurt you or harmed you.  The focus of salvation is what was done for you, that you could not do yourself, that you could never achieve on your own - it lasts a life time and it demands your constant attention!  Your battlefield is life - each event that rises up and triggers a reaction that takes you away from the light - only with the help of the Holy Spirt and faith in Jesus, can you ever come to know the perfect love of the Father!  Make that change!  Walk in the light, fear God and find the strength to stand up to the enemy and live!

"The Change" - Steven Curtis Chapman