Hope for the Journey

July 15, 2021Key Verse SeriesRomans 16Episode 63A study of the promises of God based on Max Lucado's book, Unshakeable Hope.

July 7, 2021Key Verse SeriesGenesis 1:1Episode 62

June 29, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 19Episode 61The great preacher of London, Charles Spurgeon wrote these words: “He is wisest who reads both the world-book and the Word-book as two volumes of the same work, and feels concerning them, ‘My Father wrote them both.’”Psalm 19 is both the world-book Psalm and the Word-book PsalmTwo Kinds of Diving Revelation1. General Revelation - revelation of God in nature2. Special Revelation - revealing of God in the ScripturesPsalm 19 focuses on both types of revelationGeneral Revelation:  Psalm 19:1-3 (NIV)  1  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  2  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  3  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.   Three (3) thoughts in regard to General Revelation in Psalm 191st, General Revelation is continuous.  Notice the wording in the 2nd verse.   Psalm 19:2 (NIV)  2  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  2nd, General Revelation is abundant.  Again, look at the 2nd verse.   Psalm 19:2 (NIV)  2  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.   3rd, General Revelation is universal. In other words it is evident everywhere and anywhere.  Take a look at the 3rd verse.   Psalm 19:3-4 (NIV)  3  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  4  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,  Special RevelationThe rest of the Psalm reveals what God's Word does for us:Psalm 19:7-14 (NIV)  7  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  12  Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.  13  Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.  14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. This is why it is so important for us to read the Word, meditate upon the Word, and of course, obey the Word.  

June 22, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 91 - Finding Rest in GodEpisode 60Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)  1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  2  I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 4 Metaphors for GodThe 1st one is Shelter: a shelter is a place that we go to when we are caught in a storm, a tornado or a flood.  It is where we are safe, where we can rest, where we can find food.  During the Cold War a number of buildings within the community were designated as shelters – they were places that people could go to in case of a nuclear attack.   Shadow: a shadow is like shade.  On a hot day we usually seek out a place of shade to find refuge from the hot sun.  It could be the shadow of a tree or the side of a building.  And not only does it give us a cooler place to rest the shadow protects us from the harmful UV rays of the sun.   The 3rd word is Refuge: another word for refuge is hiding place.  Many ancient castles had places where the inhabitants could hide if the castle was invaded by an enemy.  There were secret passages, hallways, and rooms behind the walls to hide in or to flee.  During the Civil War there were hiding places for slaves who escaped.  And as they traveled north to Canada they would hide here and there on a route called the Underground Railroad.   The final word is Fortress: numerous psalms speak of God being our fortress, such as the 46th Psalm, which was used by Martin Luther in writing the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  Over the years I have visited many forts.  Forts from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, even WWII.  Forts are a place of protection when we are surrounded by enemies.  Now, the question often arises, well, does this mean that we will never experience problems with our enemies and we will never get sick?   And the answer is no.  There will be times when we encounter such struggles and they will have an effect upon us.  However, in the broad spectrum of life God over and over again delivers us from manifold danger.  He is our shelter, our shadow, our refuge, our fortress.  He does cover us with His wings.  Charles Spurgeon, the great 19th century preacher in London wrote this about the 91st Psalm: he said,“The blessings here promised are not for all believers, but for those who live in close fellowship with God.  Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercy-seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence.” 

June 16, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 46 – Radical TrustEpisode 59This is the Psalm that inspired the hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.Now, the emphasis in this Psalm is on God and how God alone is our refuge and our help in times of trouble.  Many people think that they will only be secure in this life if they have enough money.  Obviously money is a huge help in times of need, but during the times of real struggle money is not the answer.   Others depend upon their education, or upon their skills, or depend upon their connections (you’ve heard the saying -- it’s not what you know, but who you know).  God is our refuge  Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)  1  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Our ultimate security is found in God.  God is our strength  Psalm 46:1 (NIV)  1  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Sometimes God shields us from troubles like a fortress or a refuge.  But sometimes He doesn’t.  And it is during those times that God gives us strength to get through the difficulty, rather than taking us out of the difficulty.  He enables us to get through the storms of life. How can we apply this to our lives? Be still. CeasePsalm 46:10 (NIV)  10  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Sometimes God shields us from troubles like a fortress or a refuge.  But sometimes He doesn’t.  And it is during those times that God gives us strength to get through the difficulty, rather than taking us out of the difficulty.  He enables us to get through the storms of life. Know that God is God  Psalm 46:10 (NIV)  10  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Often times the Hebrew word for ‘know’ means to experience.  In other words, we can and will experience God at work in our life if we will be still, if we will wait for God to show up.   

June 8, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 11 – Where to TurnEpisode 58 Psalm 11:3 (NIV)  3  When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" When everything around us seems so unstable where do we turn?  Our natural tendency is to do what David’s friends suggested to him.  Look at the latter half of the 1st verse. Psalm 11:1 (NIV)  1  … How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain. That’s what we often do – flee to the mountain.  In other words we look for ways to escape.  We deny the reality of our troubles.  Or at the very least we try to ignore it.  David questions this suggestion from his friends.  In fact, he shares his response to the circumstances as he verbally questions their thoughts on the matter.  Look again at the 1st verse. What to do when you need help:Take Refuge - Psalm 11:1 (NIV)  1  In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain. Did you catch what he said?  In the LORD I take refuge.Look Up - David then expands this thought in the rest of the 11th Psalm.  He reminds us here that despite how bad things may appear we do what?  We can look up.  God is in charge.  He is still on the throne.  Notice what he says in the 1st part of the 4th verse.   Psalm 11:4 (NIV)  4  The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. … Know that God sees everything - Psalm 11:4 (NIV)  4  The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.  Hebrews 4:13 (NLT) 13  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. God sees everything that is going on.  Nothing escapes His attention.  Nothing takes Him by surprise.   Know that God is in control  

June 1, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 119 – Four Ways to Depend on GodEpisode 57Psalm 119:176 (NIV)  176  I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.The writer of this psalm was a man of prayer.  He was a man of the Word.  He was diligent in studying the Scriptures.  He was godly in his character.  And yet he writes these words: “I have strayed like a lost sheep”, or as it is translated in the NLT, “I have wandered away like a lost sheep.”With this humble description the psalmist declares that he needs a fresh touch from God.  And in the preceding verses he asked the Lord for 4 things in this final section of the psalm.  Let’s discover them together as we examine this portion of the 119th Psalm.  The 1st thing that he prays for is understanding.  Look with me at the 169th verse. Psalm 119:169 (NIV)  169  May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word.  The psalmist prayed for a greater understanding.  2nd, he prayed for deliverance.   Psalm 119:170 (NIV)  170  May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.  The 3rd thing that the psalmist prays for is to have a heart of worship. Psalm 119:171-172 (NIV)  171  May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.  172  May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.  The last thing that he prays for is for power to live an upright life.   Psalm 119:173 (NIV)  173  May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.   

May 25, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 119 – Building a Stronger Prayer LifeEpisode 56Four Ways to Build a Stronger Prayer Life based on Psalm 119Learn to pray with a sense of urgency. Develop the ability to pray earnestly, so that your prayer is heartfelt.  Psalm 119:145-147 (NIV) 145  I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey your decrees. 146  I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 147  I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. Develop a regular habit of praying. It needs to be part of our everyday life:  Psalm 119:147-148 (NIV)  147  I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.  148  My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.  Couple prayer with reading the Word. This will ground your praying.  Psalm 119:145-147 (NIV)  145  I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey your decrees. 146  I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 147  I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.  Pray with faith.  Psalm 119:150 (NIV)  150  Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. Psalm 119:151 (NIV)  151  Yet you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. Recently I came across an interesting statement about prayer written by Max Lucado.  Notice what he says.“Our prayers may be awkward.  Our attempts may be feeble.  But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.”  

May 18, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 119 (part 2) – God’s Amazing WordEpisode 564 reasons why the psalmist said that God’s words are wonderful.  Augustine, said, “God’s Word is shallow enough not to drown the young, but deep enough that the greatest theologian will never touch the bottom.”God's word gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:132 (NIV)  132  Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.  We find the mercy of God in his word. Psalm 119:132 (NIV)  132  Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.  God's word gives guidance for our pathway in life. Psalm 119:133 (NLT)  133  Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.  God's word is true, it is reliable. Psalm 119:138 (NIV)  138  The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.  Psalm 119:140 (NIV)  140  Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.  

May 11, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 119Episode 55Psalm 119:105 (NIV)  105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Four Things We Encounter Made Clearer by the Light of the Word Guidance - The scriptural principles that we find in the Bible can direct our path in life. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)  105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  Comfort - The Scriptures encourage us even when we are suffering.  Psalm 119:107 (NIV)  107  I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word. Worship - The Word of God is very much a part of our worship of God.   Psalm 119:108 (NIV)  108  Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Stability - Be faithful to live out the word, keep trusting and obeying it , even through the struggles of life.  Psalm 119:109 (NLT) 109  My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. Psalm 119:111-114 (NIV) 111  Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 112  My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. 113  I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 114  You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. 

May 4, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 1 - Useful or Useless?Episode 54There are two options in this psalm, two directions. Jesus often taught this way. Two foundations we can build our house on - sand or rocktwo gates and two roads Matthew 7:13-14Two portraits in Psalm 1, the blessed man and the wicked man.Blessed Man - what he does not do: not influenced by the culture or lifestyle of cultureDelights in the law of GodLike a strong tree that produces fruit year after yearWicked Man -Like chaffPsalm 1 states here that blessed is the man/woman who steers clear of the influence of the evil of our culture and delights in being spiritually nourished by the Word of God.  But if we are not listening to God’s teachings then we are like chaff.  

April 27, 2021Psalms SeriesPsalm 33Episode 53How to worship God: Psalm 33:1  Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2  Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3  Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.Why to worship God:Psalm 33:4  For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.God is always right and trueGod is always faithfulPsalm 33:5  The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. God is righteous and justGod's love is unfailingPsalm 33:6  By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7  He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8  Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9  For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.God is powerfulPsalm 33:10  The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11  But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.God is sovereignWhat God does for Us:Psalm 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.Psalm 33:18  But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,Resulting Response and Prayer to God:Psalm 33:20  We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

April 20, 2021Psalms SeriesThe Abundant Blessing Awaiting UsEpisode 52Psalm 23:5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Grazing in the highlands or Table lands. A place prepared by the shepherd for the sheep.Hospitality of the desert: oil and liquid refreshmentIn the 14th chapter of John Jesus reminds us that He is preparing for that day when we will be in heaven.  John 14:1  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."Psalm 23:6  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.David loved being in the house of the LordIs it not true that when you are strongly conscious of the nearness of God, whether it be in your private devotions or in the corporate worship setting, that experience inspires your soul and enables you to keep on keeping on.  The 23rd Psalm reveals to us that God is our awesome God and He is our shepherd.  And as our shepherd he wants to give us rest and restoration.  He wants to guide us along the pathway of life.  And if the walk gets difficult He will be there with us every step of the way.  And one of these days we will gather together and feast at God’s table.   In the meanwhile it is a day by day dependence upon God.  We are His sheep and He is our shepherd.  

April 13, 2021Psalms SeriesThe Paths of LifeEpisode 5123:3  he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Who is leading us in our life? God has a path for each of usGod wants us to be walking on paths of righteousnessWalking through valleys Psalm 23:4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.God's rod and staff Psalm 23:4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

April 6, 2021Psalm SeriesPsalm 23 Part 1 of 3Episode 50

March 30, 2021Easter SundayWhy the Resurrection MattersEpisode 49Two questions regarding the resurrectionWhat does the resurrection mean?Jesus is who he claims he is.  Matthew 16:13-17 (NIV) Equal with God 13  When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"  14  They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  15  "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"  16  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  17  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.                                                   Jesus never claimed to be a great religious leader.  He never claimed to be a great prophet.  But He did claim to be the Son of God.  And by claiming that title – the association was, that He was equal with God. John 14:6 (NIV) The Only Way to God 6  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus says here that He and He alone is the only way to God.  In other words, contrary to popular belief, not all roads lead to heaven. The resurrection means that Jesus has the power that he claims to have.John 10:18 (NLT) 18  No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”  No one could keep Him in the tomb Why does the resurrection matter?Our sin can be forgiven Romans 3:23-24 (NLT) 23  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  24  Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.We can have a purpose for living. Jesus came that we may have life.  Not just life in the future in the glory of heaven, but life in the here and now.  We can have a home in heaven. John 14:1-3 (NIV)  1  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.  2  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 

March 23, 2021Palm SundayThomas – Doubter or Man of Faith?Episode 48John 11:14-16 (NIV)  14  So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead,  15  and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."  16  Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." The NLT explains to us what this other name was all about. John 11:16 (NLT)  16  Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, Haven’t you always heard Thomas referred to as “doubting Thomas,” not “twin Thomas”?  However, the Bible doesn’t say “doubting Thomas” anywhere. Thomas certainly doesn’t sound like someone who was filled with doubt in this passage.  In the 8th verse some of the disciples expressed doubt about the idea of going to Bethany, but Thomas said “let’s roll!” Maybe Thomas deserves more credit than recent church history has given to him.  Maybe Thomas’ problem wasn’t so much doubt, but rather it was honest questioning.  John 14:5-6 (NIV) 5  Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"  6  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. I tend to think that this was an honest question that Thomas had, not an expression of doubt.  He did not quite understand what Jesus was talking about.  And so Jesus did not rebuke him, but rather He answered Thomas’ inquiry.  John 20:19-20 (NIV)  19  On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20  After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. John 20:24-25 (NIV)  24  Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  25  So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." And here is where we get the nickname “doubting Thomas.”  Now, it may very well have been doubt.  But I think it wasn’t so much that Thomas didn’t believe that God COULD bring about the resurrection of Jesus, but rather he was unsure as to whether or not God WOULD bring about the resurrection.  It is hard for us sometimes to believe in the unbelievable.  I think that is what Thomas struggled with.  He knew God could do it, but the question is, would God do it?  Jesus answered this question for Thomas by showing up again in the room where they gathered.Jesus was so patient with Thomas.  Each time He helped Thomas to get the answers to his questions.   Asking questions of God.Thomas had questions, honest questionsSometimes we have questionsNot necessarily a lack of faithJames 1:5 (NLT) 5  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.Thomas' faith grew stronger from the answers to his questionsTake your questions to GodWait for his answers

March 16, 2021Seven Last Words Series #7Death ConqueredEpisode 47Luke 23:44-47 (NIV)  44  It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,  45  for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. At this point, according to the gospel of John which we looked at last Sunday, Jesus said “it is finished.”  And then in the next breath, vs. 46 …46  Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.  47  The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." Three things that we can draw from Jesus' words, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." The relationship with the Father has been restored.  "Reunion"The contrast of the hands, being in the "hands of men" for 12 hours and then putting himself into the hands of the father. Jesus did not have his life taken away from him. He willingly gave it up. He gave himself into his father's hands. Jesus was not conquered by death on the cross.  On the cross Jesus conquered death.  In 1815 Napoleon was on the move.  As the emperor of France he had conquered much of Europe and now he had his eyes on England.  To try to stop him the British and Prussian armies under the command of the Duke of Wellington met the French army in Belgium.  Everyone in England waited for news of the outcome of the battle.  This was before instant news on TV or radio, before cellphones or even before the telegram.  Eventually a British ship came into the harbor and began to send a signal to the watchman in the cathedral tower. The 1st word was Wellington. The next word was defeated. And then a fog began to fill the harbor so that the ship could no longer be seen.  The signal man in the cathedral tower was devastated.  Wellington had been defeated.  All hope for England was gone.  The bad news spread fast from village to village and city to city.  The nation was in shock.  They would now have to live under the rule of Napoleon.  But soon the fog began to fade away and the ship began to send the signal again.Wellington defeated the enemy!All of England rejoiced!On Good Friday it appeared that Jesus had been defeated at the hands of men, but in reality he was in the hands of God. Jesus was not conquered by death on the cross.  On the cross Jesus conquered death.  

March 9, 2021Seven Last Words Series #5The Purpose of ThirstEpisode 46John 19:28 (NIV) 28  Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." John is the only gospel that records the 5th word that Jesus spoke on the cross.  And there may be several reasons as to why he penned these words, but let me suggest to you 3 possible reasons as to why this short sentence is in his gospel.  John wrote these words to remind us that Jesus said them in fulfillment of the OT prophesies.  He points that out at the beginning of the verse.  Take a look at it again – the 28th verse. John 19:28 (NIV)  28  Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." This is a fulfillment of what is written in the 69th Psalm. Psalm 69:21 (NIV) 21  They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.  To correct Gnostic error that Jesus was only spiritual and not physical. John would often point out details in the life of Jesus that would prove that they were the ones who were incorrect.  In his gospel John mentions that Jesus got tired and fell aside in the boat.  Jesus got hungry.  And here he brings up the fact that Jesus was thirsty.  To remind us that Jesus is identifying with us. In his humanness, he understands our experiences of life. Jesus understands what we are going thru as we encounter the issues, the struggles, the everyday demands of life.  Spiritual Thirst - because we are created in the image of God, we have a spiritual thirst as well. David expressed that in the 42nd Psalm.  Notice what he said.  Psalm 42:2 (NIV) 2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? When Jesus was talking with the woman at the well he said this:  John 4:10, 13&14 (NIV) 10  Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."    

March 2, 2021Seven Last Words Series #4The Agony and Ecstasy of the CrossEpisode 45This message deals with the anguish of the cross for Jesus and the resulting ecstasy for us.Matthew 27:46 (NIV)  46  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This then is the 4th word that Jesus spoke as he hung there upon the cross -- the word of “anguish.” There are times when we feel like God is far away, that He has abandoned us.  It is a very real feeling.  But we can trust that God will again show up and be at work in our life.Think about this: how could anyone who had such a close relationship with God the Father be forsaken?  But that was a very real feeling that Jesus had that afternoon.  And not only did he feel it, it was reality.  God did indeed turn away. There are basically 2 reasons for what was happening at the 3 o’clock hour.  They both blend together, but at the same time they are 2 distinct individual reasons.  What are they?·      Because of sin.  Jesus died on the cross to make a way for our sins to be forgiven.  2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)  21  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ Isaiah 53:5-6 (NLT) 5  But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.  6  All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. ·      And because of the holiness of God. The 2nd reason as to why God turned away, and that is because God is holy.  And being holy He had to turn away.