Hey
Ever chose Christ despite the impossible odds? What was His response? Consider today’s Holy Nougat
“And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” Luke 23:43 NLT
I strongly doubt that the men at Jesus’ side expected that promise. He was simply making a comment about Jesus; Whom he recognized from the heart. I suspect that the other man experienced a little shock at Jesus’ response. After all, HE actually raised the issue of salvation first; but on his terms!
Unfortunately, many of us are only prepared to ‘have faith’ on our terms. We do desire divine intervention, but in X-way and packaged as Y. And, if God doesn’t deliver in X-way with Y-packaging; we determine that God has not answered our prayer. Some even begin to question God’s authority AND divinity!
As I grow in the faith however, I’m realizing that God is. With or without me, whether or not I experience a crisis of faith! And I do. I design my Divine Intervention plan, (taking care sometimes to package it with appropriate scripture) and even add a timeline. Sometimes I am indulged; when I am not, recovery is slow – until the next crisis pushes me past my angst.
God desires more than that. Yet God is excited by our mustard-seed sized leaps of faith. And Jesus is ready to intercede on our behalf, even when we least expect or least deserve it. Like His assurance to the man at His side –
Today. Not eventually. A very clear timeline
You Will Join Me. Not, I’ll think about you joining me. A very definite plan
In Paradise. Not Sheol. Directly to heaven; the seat of God’s glory!
Condemned to death. Redirected to Life (eternal).
Simply on the basis of his spoken faith. I wonder how many Egyptians placed blood on their door? How many of us will override our unbelief by choosing to believe beyond our disappointments or crises of faith.
It’s Friday. It’s passover. It’s the traditional celebration of Christ’s Passion. What are we gonna do about it?
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
