The Reason

Question: Have you ever wondered why Jesus came to earth?
Answer: For us

Question: Do you wonder why Jesus died on the cross?
Answer: For love

Question: Who has given us the best reason to live?
Answer: Jesus Christ

Question: Have you found a reason to live?
If not, remind yourself today that Jesus gave His life just for you.

We Are the Reason He Suffered and Died!

We Are The Reason by Avalon

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn

Of all the gifts and toys we knew we’d find

But we never realized a baby born one blessed night

Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

We were the reason that He gave His life

We were the reason that He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave all He could give

To show us the reason to live

As the years went by we learned more about gifts

The giving of ourselves and what that means

On a dark and cloudy day a man hung crying in the rain

All because of love

All because of love

We were the reason that He gave His life

We were the reason that He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave all He could give

To show us the reason to live

I finally found the reason for living

It’s in giving every part of my heart to Him (every part to Him)

And all that I do every word that I say (you know I’ll be saying)

I’ll be giving my all just for Him, for Him (every thing for Him)

We are the reason that He gave His life

We are the reason that He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave all He could give (all that he could give all)

To show us the reason to live

He is the reason to live

(don’t you know do you know the reason

that he came, oh he came to save us

when he gave his life for us) he suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave everything (everything that He had He gave)

To show us the reason to live

Accept You Are Forgiven

Guilt comes in many forms, sometimes we cut ourselves up for things we've said or done that we've realised we shouldn't have done. Other times we can make ourselves feel guilty because of someone elses situation which we really have no business to feel guilty about.

Sometimes feeling guilty is good, because it confirms that we've recognised that we've done something wrong, and we need to correct it. It may be that we need to ask someone else for forgiveness and make peace with that person. Sometimes it's God we need to face up to to admit our wrong doing and seek forgiveness.

Have you ever approached God and asked Him for forgiveness, but still you've felt unforgiven? What do we do when despite God forgiving us, we still feel guilty? Well here are a few things to think about if you're still feeling unforgiven:

1. Remember God has forgiven you so there is absolutely no reason why you should still guilty. In other words, if God can forgive you, why should you forgive yourself?!
2. Realise that by refusing to accept God's forgiveness, you are saying that Christ's sacrifice on the cross, was not enough to forgive you of your sins!
3. Seek forgiveness and peace from those affected by what you said or did
4. Try to stop focusing on what you said or did that is making you still feel guilty. You've been forgiven, so move on!

Psalm 51:9-10 (NIV)
Don't' keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

Because of Jesus

Christ is alive in me - Is He alive in you?

Everything we do is done because of Jesus.
Everything we are is because of Jesus - because He died on a cross.
Everything around us was made by God.

Do everything for Jesus - He gave everything for you!

All Because Of Jesus
Written by Steve Fee

Giver of every breath I breathe

Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I'm alive in You

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
I'm alive, I'm alive

Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I'm alive in You

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus

Every sunrise sings Your praise
The universe cries out Your praise
I'm singing freedom all my days
Now that I'm alive

I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

Visit the Casting Crowns website: http://www.castingcrowns.com/

Let God

Are you ready and willing to give your heart to Jesus today?
Are you wondering what you need to do to let God into your heart?

It's simple, ask God to lead you to the cross.

Lead Me To The Cross
Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

God showed us just how much He loves us on that fateful day all those years ago, when Jesus, His son died on the cross at Calvary. What more could a father ever sacrifice than his one and only son.

Let God show you the way to the cross where you can kneel down before Him. When you do so, He will forgive you of every sin you have ever committed. He will then help and guide you through every day - He'll be there for you when you need Him most and will rejoice when you rejoice.

Let God lead you through the rest of your life.

Would You Take Jesus' Place?

Would you be prepared to take His place?

I cannot comprehend how it must have felt for God, to sacrifice is only son just so my sins could be forgiven. How must Jesus have felt to know his own father was willing to let Him die on a cross? It's impossible to understand just how they must have felt.

So how can we repay them for what they did for us? We can give our heart to God, and live our lives for Him, doing all He asks of us.

Give your heart to God today!

It's Still The Cross

It's not conservative or liberal, However they're defined;
It's not about interpretation, Or the judgment of the mind;

It's the opposite of politics, Power or prestige;
It's about a simple message, And whether we believe.

It's still the cross, It's still the blood of Calvary;
That cleanses sins, And sets the captives free.
It's still the name, The name of Jesus,
That has power to save the lost; It's still the cross.

We can water down theology, And preach a word to suit our needs;
We can justify sweet subtle lies, That are wrapped in noble deeds;

We can alter our convictions, To adapt to social whims;
But we cannot change the Gospel, Or the truth contained within.

It's still the cross, It's still the blood of Calvary;
That cleanses sins, And sets the captives free.
It's still the name, The name of Jesus,
That has power to save the lost; It's still the cross.

Though some may say it's man's religion, Or ancient history;
The cross of Jesus still remains, The price for sin that sets us free.

It's still the cross, It's still the blood of Calvary;
That cleanses sins, And sets the captives free.
It's still the name, The name of Jesus,
That has power to save the lost; It's still the cross.

Only Jesus has the ability to help each of us. Only Jesus has the ability to rescue us when all else fails. All this is only possible because Jesus died on the cross at Calvary just so we can be forgiven of all our sins.

What a wonderful Saviour we have in Jesus. Don't take God for granted, He may be always there for us, but he expects us to live our lives in the wau he desires. Are you doing that? If not, give your heart to Jesus today.

Thank you God for the cross and all the cross has given us in return.

Thank you Lord for giving us Jesus.

Checkout the Hillsong Church website: http://hillsong.com/

Do You Know..?

God loves you!

God loves you no matter what you may have done. He forgives us for all our sins, unconditionally. Who else do you know that would do that?

God gave the ultimate sacrifice when allowed His one and only son, Jesus, to be put to death, just so we could forgiven of all our sins. Can you imagine just how God felt seeing His son dying like that? God must love us an awful lot to do that!

God loves you, so let Him into your life. He will love you and guide you in all you do.

Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my ways
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
Oh.. I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

Clinging to Jesus

Sometimes it can feel like nothing's going right for you, and you wonder what the point of it all is, don't despair, God is there for you, and can get you through.

Cling to Jesus, cling to the cross and what they both stand for.

The Power of the Cross

Music has always been a very big part of my life both in my family life and in my Christian life. I must admit to always having found it very difficult to tell others about my Christianity, not because I'm ashamed of it in any way, but simply because I find it very hard to find the right words that really express the emotion I feel about my faith.

It's probably these reasons that have meant that however I'm feeling I tend to turn to music to express my feelings. Yesterday I'd intended sharing with you one of my favourite Easter songs, but as you will be aware from my blog post yesterday, events at our morning service directed me to "talk" about Zimbabwe instead.

I came across this song a year or two ago, and so far I have found no other song that allows the listener to truly feel the emotion and the importance of the cross where our Lord was crucified - The song is entitled "The Power of the Cross".

So at the end of this Easter period, I'd like to invite you to watch the video of this song which is accompanied by a very powerful presentation. I am sure you'll be moved by the words, music and the pictures, just as I am every time I watch/listen to it.



The Power of the Cross (written by Keith Getty)

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

You can find further details about Keith & Kristyn Getty at there website: http://www.gettymusic.com/

Hallelujah!

"Christ the Lord is risen today,

Hallelujah!"

And so today we celebrate the future. It is because Jesus died on the cross and then rose again, that we are forgiven of all our sins, and can now allow the living Christ to change us into the person He wants us to be.

Today I did not go to my church (Bellshill Salvation Army), I stayed at home. That however has not mean I have not spent time reflecting on what today means to me as a christian.

So what does today mean to me as a christian - My answer...."EVERYTHING!"

Earlier today I watch "The Passion of the Christ" for what I think was the fifth time. This film portrays the last days of Jesus life on earth and despite me having seen this film several times, I am still incredibly moved and inspired by this film. To describe this film as simply moving and inspiring really doesn't do it justice, however I'm afraid I am unable to find the words to express the emotions I felt watching the film...and still feel.

I'm writing this post several hours after watching the film, and am still feeling very emotional. I am very priveliged to have grown up in a christian home and to have experienced te wondrous love of God in my life, but it is still to humbling to know that God loves me and forgives my many sins.


Wherever you have spent your Easter, I pray you have had a day full on many blessings.

What Easter Means To Me

This will probably sound daft to non believers, but I've been feeling God has been telling me to start writing a blog, so I can share a bit of my life with the world. Before I alienate many of you, this blog will not just be me informing you of my Christian beliefs and experiences, but will simply be me writing about what I know...me - my thoughts, observations and experiences of life.


So having decides to start this blog, I faced what to me was a difficult decision, what to write about in this very first post! The decision was difficult for me until it came to today, Good Friday, one of the most important days in the christian calendar. This might sound odd, but while I know many say Christmas is the most important time of year to them, I have always found Easter to be more special to me.


"Why?" I hear you ask. Well Christmas is so commericially orientated that many simply know Christmas as a time when they spend days with family, get lots of presents and eat too much and don't ever spare a thought for what Christmas is really about. I realise Easter to is becoming far more commercial these days too, but not nearly to the same extent as Christmas.



For me Easter is all about sacrifice, the sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us on the cross when he bled and died, just so we can all be forgiven of our sins. Wow, it's impossible to truly understand the pain/agony Jesus suffered when he was crusified. Can you imagine how God felt, giving up his one and only son, just so the world could be forgiven of every sin. I struggle to truely comprehend how this must have felt, but am forever in God's debt because He did allow Christ to die on the cross.


So here we are at another Easter, another time when I feel so inadeqate and so unworthly of God's love, and also so thankful that God's does love me unconditionally and is always by my side guiding me and supporting me through each minute of every day.


What does Easter mean to you? If all you've ever know is 2 days off school or work and Easter eggs, I hope this blog has given you food for thought this Easter.


Easter is all about "The Cross" and the sacrifice God gave for you and for me.