Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature’s night
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee
Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God shouldst die for me?
Charles Wesley
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee
Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God shouldst die for me?
Charles Wesley
As I write these words, I am mindful that it was 44 years ago, Good Friday 1977, that my chains off and my heart was set free, when in a moment of amazing grace, the love of God reached the heart of a 17-year old kid who didn't think he needed God in his life. How grateful I am that the 'Hound of Heaven' relentlessy pursued me and brought me to Himself.
As we reflect of the events of Good Friday, I am mindful that what Christ did, He did for me. I think of the words of the Apostle Paul to the Chritians in Rome: You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6,8)
It is both humbling and mystifying, almost beyound comprehension that Jesus would die for me. And yet, beause of His unconditional, irrational love for me, God sent His only Son to suffer on Calvary's cross so that I could be forgiven, reconciled to the Father and set free from the bondage and penalty of sin. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. (1 John 3:16) I am mindful once again taht the cross of Jesus is my only hope to find forgiveness, the only way for me to gain a right standing before a holy God, the only path to the Father. Jesus Himself said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) The cross of Christ is my only hope, my only plea and 44 years later I am still amazed the He would give His life for me.
But the story of Good Friday is not complete until we move to Easter Sunday and realize, He has risen, just as he said. (Matthew 28:6) Death could not keep Him and the grave could not hold Him, He is alive forevermore. Our Risen Lord boldly declares: I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Revelation 1:18) And, He has promised: Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19)
In the Resurrected Lord, I have the sure hope of heaven, but more than that, I have the promise of His presence; He is the God who walks with me, every day of my life, every step of the journey. He Himself has promised: “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” (Hebrews 13:5 - AMP)
On this Good Friday 2021, as we move toward Easter Sunday, I want to invite you to bask again in the wonder and awe of the cross and the empty tomb.
As we reflect of the events of Good Friday, I am mindful that what Christ did, He did for me. I think of the words of the Apostle Paul to the Chritians in Rome: You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6,8)
It is both humbling and mystifying, almost beyound comprehension that Jesus would die for me. And yet, beause of His unconditional, irrational love for me, God sent His only Son to suffer on Calvary's cross so that I could be forgiven, reconciled to the Father and set free from the bondage and penalty of sin. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. (1 John 3:16) I am mindful once again taht the cross of Jesus is my only hope to find forgiveness, the only way for me to gain a right standing before a holy God, the only path to the Father. Jesus Himself said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) The cross of Christ is my only hope, my only plea and 44 years later I am still amazed the He would give His life for me.
But the story of Good Friday is not complete until we move to Easter Sunday and realize, He has risen, just as he said. (Matthew 28:6) Death could not keep Him and the grave could not hold Him, He is alive forevermore. Our Risen Lord boldly declares: I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Revelation 1:18) And, He has promised: Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19)
In the Resurrected Lord, I have the sure hope of heaven, but more than that, I have the promise of His presence; He is the God who walks with me, every day of my life, every step of the journey. He Himself has promised: “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” (Hebrews 13:5 - AMP)
On this Good Friday 2021, as we move toward Easter Sunday, I want to invite you to bask again in the wonder and awe of the cross and the empty tomb.
He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart
Alfred H. Ackley
He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart
Alfred H. Ackley
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