{"id":131700,"date":"2024-03-11T14:54:10","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T14:54:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=131700"},"modified":"2024-03-12T01:43:18","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T01:43:18","slug":"an-inspirational-message-for-the-month-of-march-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/an-inspirational-message-for-the-month-of-march-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"An Inspirational Message for the Month of March 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Inspirational Message for the Month of March 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Christianity\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Image Source :\u00a0jenniferhyates<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Easter baskets, new dresses, pastels, and spring\u2013these are a few of my favourite things. I love to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ each year. It\u2019s a time to rejoice in new life and the empty tomb.<\/span><\/p>\n

But as we sang \u201cAt the Cross\u201d this past Sunday, I was struck with the idea that I don\u2019t really think that much about the cross. I have one hanging around my neck, but I seldom consider the cross like the old hymn writers did.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do we really glory in the cross? Do we truly cherish that old rugged cross? Or do we just think about it briefly on Good Friday, and then skip right to the empty tomb?<\/span><\/p>\n

For the early church, the cross was everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel\u2013not with words of human wisdom, let the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:17-18, NIV<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at some of the hymns we sing about the cross:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.\u201d-\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Isaac Watts<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Wow. The cross was a place of execution and torture. It wasn\u2019t a cute symbol to the early church. It represented death. And so, it should to us. Death of sin and self.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do I think about the cross in light of all that I have and think that I am? Do I boast only in what Jesus has done and lay down the vain things of this world in order that I might have more of Jesus in my life?<\/span><\/p>\n

How about this one?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJesus, keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain, free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary\u2019s Mountain. In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever, till my ransomed soul shall find rest beyond the river.\u201d\u00a0—<\/em>Franny J. Crosby<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I love this one, because even though the blood that flowed from Calvary\u2019s Mountain was real and painful, it\u2019s a stream of healing to all who put their trust in Him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do I pray daily that Jesus would keep my heart close to the cross where He gave His life for me? Do I glory only in the cross of Christ and His sacrifice?<\/span><\/p>\n

Think on this one:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!\u201d\u00a0–<\/em>Ralph E. Hudson<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This cross song brings joy because the writer reflects on the power of Jesus\u2019 sacrifice to rid him of the burden of sin. How often do I remember where I came from and how far Jesus has brought me, all because of the cross \u201cwhere I first saw the light\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n

My all-time favourite.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. So I\u2019ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.\u201d-\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>George Bennard<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The cross is a horrible symbol of suffering and shame\u2013a place of execution, a murder, a crime scene. I can\u2019t imagine my son hanging on a cross. I can\u2019t imagine the horror and pain Mary and the others must have felt that day. But I want to remember. I want to let it really sink it, lest I become immune to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen Jesus said to his disciples, \u2018If anyone would come after me, he must take up his cross and follow me\u201d-\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Matthew 16:24\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want to wear a cross and not carry one. I don\u2019t want to take my salvation for granted or extend it to others without fully explaining to them the price that was paid. I don\u2019t want to sing the songs and act as if nothing happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

I want to remember that it was my sin that nailed Him to the cross. And He calls me to be crucified to sin and self on that cross.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.\u201d\u00a0–<\/strong><\/em>Galatians 2:20<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Do we really come to the cross to die?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, the wonderful cross, oh the wonderful cross, bids me come and die, and find that I may truly live. Oh, the wonderful cross, oh the wonderful cross; All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name.\u201d\u00a0—<\/strong><\/em>Christ Tomlin, Jesse Reaves, and J.D. Walt<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

How can a place of shame be wonderful? Because death on that cross means life to those who come to Him. His sacrifice set us free and defeated the power of the enemy. We find death to self and life anew at the cross.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.\u201d–<\/em>Colossians 2:14-15<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus triumphed over the death, hell, and the power of Satan on that cross. Those beams of wood that brought shame and sorrow also delivered us from sin and death. We have much reason to ponder the cross\u2013to be both horrified by it and to cherish it.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we sing the songs of the cross, make those Easter baskets, and celebrate the resurrection, may we also take time to really think about what the cross of Christ means to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

May it shake us to our core, bring us to our knees, and be our glory ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? His death on the cross made a way for you to have life as it was meant to be.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Courtesy of Jennifer Hayes Yates—-Grounded & Growing<\/span><\/p>\n