The Cross, what does it mean?

Answer:   Galatians 3:13

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us."

And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8.

"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him."     "That He might sanctify the people with His own blood," Christ "suffered without the gate." Hebrews 13:12. For transgression of the law of God, Adam and Eve were banished from Eden. Christ, our substitute, was to suffer without the boundaries of Jerusalem. He died outside the gate, where felons and murderers were executed. Full of significance are the words, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Galatians 3:13.  

In the sufferings of Christ upon the cross prophecy was fulfilled. Centuries before the crucifixion, the Saviour had foretold the treatment He was to receive. He said, "Dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare upon Me. They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture." Psalm 22:16-18. The prophecy concerning His garments was carried out without counsel or interference from the friends or the enemies of the Crucified One. To the soldiers who had placed Him upon the cross, His clothing was given. Christ heard the men's contention as they parted the garments among them. His tunic was woven throughout without seam, and they said, "Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be." Read More

Huge EF4 tornado slams Oklahoma and flattens two schools in Moore. The state is reporting over 50 deaths which far surpasses the May 3, 1999 tornado. Disasters continue to increase as God removes His protective hand.

UPDATED May 21

Oklahoma medical examiner lowered the death toll to 24.

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One of the two great principles of the Protestant Reformation was the teaching that the Bible and the Bible only is to be the foundation of Christianity. The Roman Church has not changed its teaching on tradition usurping the authority of Scripture. An example of the modern teaching in Rome is seen in a current statement from the Roman leader.  Pope Francis told the world how Mary “'gives us health' by helping Christians mature in their faith and not remain 'teenagers for life'.” How can the dead help the living? They can't. "The dead know not any thing." Ecclesiastes 9:5. Mary is dead and cannot help the living. The worship of saints and the dead is contrary to Scripture. Mary is not a co-redeemer as is taught in the Roman Catholic Church.

Large swarms of locusts have invaded Egypt and Israel.

What do Obama, Cheney, and Powell have in common? They are socially liberal. In an ad created by the largest homosexual organization in the U.S. they voice their support for homosexuality. And, we can add Laura Bush. ”Freedom means freedom for everyone,” says Dick Cheney.  The former vice president’s lesbian daughter recently married her longtime partner. I suppose he will not be offended by having grandchildren who are being nurtured to be homosexuals. There is a Biblical truth that states we reap what we sow. The results will be seen in the life.

An American pastor convicted in Iran on national security charges was sentenced to eight years in prison. Saeed Abedini is accused of undermining the Iranian government by creating a network of Christian house churches. He is charged with attempting to sway Iranian youth away from Islam. The trial focused on 13 years ago, when Saeed converted from Islam to Christianity.

The aroma of lilacs greeted me as I walked past the window down the darkening hallway. The evening air was cool and the lilac scent refreshing. I opened the glass door for a deeper breath, but the light scent was now gone. Glancing at our lilac bushes I knew they were not the originator of the fragrance. Last spring the lavender buds had just begun to blossom when a harsh frost killed them. Now the bushes sat dejected with the old, dried blossoms still attached to the limbs. I had neglected to trim them off; neglected to make way for this spring's new growth.

Old grudges can leave us just like the dejected lilac - dry, lacking growth and freshness. Taking my old sewing scissors, grown dull from improper use, I set out to trim the dead off of the living. Snip. Snip. Let the old hurts be done away with. Snip. Forgive. Snip. Snip. Forgive even the seemingly unforgivable. Snip. Let it go. Snip. It is death, let it go. The fragrance will come back in time to my lilac. This season is past but there is next spring for that. Now is always the season for a clean start for our hearts. True religion unites our hearts not only with Christ, but with each other. There is no room for dead growth, for grudges or hurt feelings to go unhealed. When we know what it means to be united with Christ, and with each other, a beautiful fragrance will accompany us through our days.

Matthew 6:
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

It had been a long, hot hike in our desert hills. Cresting another small rise revealed a few trees near a now dry creek bed. Resting with eyes closed under the largest tree was a welcome relief. Leaves rustling quietly in the gentle breeze created the only sound in our stillness. The silence did not last long. The beating of large wings sounded above me. On owl? A goose? Couldn't be. I tried to guess what was in the tree just above me before looking. Opening my eyes, to my amazement I saw a little hummingbird hovering in front of me underneath the large shade limb, no more than four feet from my face. The loud beating of his wings belied his small stature.

What was a hummingbird doing in the middle of the desert? What attracted him to where I reclined? I wore no bright colors, there weren't flowers anywhere for miles that I was aware of. Yet there he was, apparently observing me as curiously as I was observing him. Our encounter didn't last long, but was memorable.

Another bird, quite different from the tiny hummingbird also lives in this area. Our young son spotted three of them in a tall, dead tree at the back of our neighborhood. He excitedly got the binoculars and went outside for a better look. Shortly, the entire family was walking around the block to get a closer look at the birds, stopping and using the binoculars as our view improved. Several cars even slowed to gaze at the sight, but no one was as curious as we.

Creeping ever closer to the tree, but now with the sun in our faces, they were difficult to see except for their massive size. Their shape was definitely that of a vulture. It wasn't long before they thought we were too close and took wing. Their cumbersome, unsteady flight confirmed our suspicions - Turkey Vultures.

Within a few weeks we came upon another Turkey Vulture. Driving in hills, rounding a turn, we were met by a Turkey Vulture claiming a small dead animal in the road. Fortunately the live bird was on the side of the road so we were able to miss him. The experience has often brought to mind the old saying “You are what you eat.” The bird was eating road kill and almost became the same. That would have been a bad day for all of us.

Two very different types of birds, one region. One looks for bright colors and sweet fragrances, another looks for the smell of death. As we travel through our days, what are we inclined to notice? The good or the bad? What are we more likely to repeat? The good or the bad?

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We should also consider that what we look for in life affects who we are and what we show to others. Are we giving off a sweet fragrance to all around us? The sweet life that Jesus offers? Or are we dwelling on doom and gloom – the fragrance of death? Others are watching our words and actions.

1 Corinthians 4:9 . . . for we are made a spectacle unto the world . . .

Who are we attracting by our actions and words? Who are our friends? Do we want to attract those who are looking for life or those who are happy to dwell in death? No man is an island. Our influence is either for good or for evil.

2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?