Lessons Learned

Isaiah 53:3-6: "He was despised and rejected by mankind a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 4  Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (NIV)

Yesterday began the week to which we refer as "Holy Week." This is a week in which we reflect and remember the last days of the earthly life of Jesus. We follow His steps as He enters Jerusalem celebrated as a King until His final hours on the cross as He died in our place as a sacrifice for the sins that we committed. I would like to encourage you to refresh your memory concerning this revelation of God's love. I would also like to encourage you to meditate on these events in the life of Jesus and truly understand your importance to God. He took our place on the cross and He paid the price for our sins.

This past week found me addressing three (3) separate and distinct groups of believers in three (3) separate locations. These groups were two local church bodies and one Home Group/Bible Study meeting. The Spirit reminded me of some points of interest that I felt needed to be shared with you today.

1) Each of these groups contained people that share a passionate love for Jesus Christ. 2) Each of these groups contained people that desire to serve God to the best of their ability. 3) Each of these groups contained people that were concerned about the lost, hurting, discouraged, and disillusioned people in our world. 4) Each of these groups contained people that had needs in their lives and/or needs in their immediate families. 5) Each of these groups contained people who realized that those needs were greater than their ability to meet them. 6) Each of these groups contained people that knew they needed to draw closer to God and they recognized that He was calling them into a deeper relationship with Him. 

I could continue sharing many more "common" traits of these believers and their needs but let me summarize them in this statement. EACH OF US NEED THE PROMISES OF ISAIAH 53 REVEALED AND RELEASED IN OUR LIFE IN SOME SIGNIFICANT MANNER. The question that I put before you today is this; "Will I trust Him and will I continue my pursuit of a deeper and more committed relationship with Him?