Good morning people who live because of the death of Jesus on the cross.

The cross has the final word.

John 19:28-30 NIV Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished!” on the cross. On what was the darkest day in history, something ended. Jesus had completed His God-given kingdom assignment from His Father.

When the life of Jesus ended in death on a cross, the devil started to celebrate his perceived victory. At the death of the Word, Satan believed that he now had the final word. The hosts of darkness were ready to advance in their unholy plans against humanity.

But the cross has the final word because the cross is not the end of life but the doorway into Eternal Life!

Sin was nailed to the cross. Sickness was nailed to the cross. Every fear and anxiety and worry and guilt and shame was dealt a deathblow on the cross of Calvary. Yes, things were defeated on the cross, but Jesus was not defeated by the cross!

Jesus willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for you and me. Before the Father raised the Son, the Son submitted Himself to the Father’s plan. His wrestle was real in the Garden, and the horrific torture of the cross was immense and unspeakably devastating.

And yet Jesus said YES to His Father. By doing so, Jesus said YES to you and to me and to all who call on His name.

The YES of Jesus was the final word on the cross!

But the cross was not the end! There was another day coming…

Good morning people who make wise decisions again and again.

I hear the Father say, “Be intentional.”

Some things happen automatically. Some things require us to be intentional.

Often desire is not the problem. Discipline is. Unfortunately, discipline has become a negative word for some. It is not. It is a biblical truth, and it is a healthy and a helpful word.

While there are different definitions for this one word, I feel Father wants us to focus on this one today: train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.

Bible meditation is a spiritual “discipline” that many believe is a good idea. In fact, some talk about it being a “delight”, and indeed, Psalm 1:2 states this reality. While delight is the goal and the reality that is available to us all, there are times when good old fashioned discipline is required.

Why?

Because we don’t always feel like doing what is right and what is good for us!

Spiritually mature believers and followers of Jesus are not those who always feel like doing the right things. Spiritually mature believers and followers of Jesus are those who train themselves to do what is best even when they don’t feel like it. This is the truth.

That said, I don’t want to give a false picture. Even the most “spiritual” person is not always intentional or disciplined. My hand is up high here. I feel this is important to say, otherwise, people wrongly think it’s always easy for some. It’s not.

Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Let’s find out what pleases the Lord, and then let’s be intentional about doing that.

Good morning people of God who take back what the enemy has stolen.

I hear the Lord say, “Take more ground.”

In God, there is always more.

There are more steps of faith with your name on them. Your present position might be wonderful, but there are more mountains to summit, and there is more to be done for the kingdom of God.

There are more miracles that God desires to do in and through His children.

I see the people of God taking back what the enemy has stolen. This is a spiritual reclaiming of lost property, including calling many prodigals back to the Father’s heart.

I hear the words, “Don’t lose by default.”

Many times, we don’t intentionally give away ground, but nor do we intentionally take it back.

We are in a spiritual battle. The darkness is abounding, but so too is the light. In fact, the light is always immeasurably brighter than the darkness, but we must turn the light on. We are instructed to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16) and also to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7). Both require action.

I hear the Father highlighting that some people have lost ground in the area of addictions. Father is not highlighting this to condemn you today. He is telling you that He sees you and that His hand is extended to you. I see you taking His hand and walking forward into His freedom.

It’s time to take more ground for the glory of God.

Good morning people who are drawn towards the beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:1 NKJV The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark 1:1 NIV The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

The gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ.

In these times of supposed inclusion and tolerance, we must know the truth as it is only the truth that can set people free.

As I mentioned yesterday, Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father – THIS is the good news of Jesus; the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The exclusivity of Christ is available to all. Now, that’s inclusion!

John 3:16-17 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Two thousand years ago, people debated whether the good news was only for the Jews. Even back then, there was a them and us mentality that sought to divide people and to keep people out of the kingdom of God.

As a result, Paul penned the following scripture under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

Galatians 3:26-29 NIV So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

This scripture is not abolishing the existence of differences – including male and female. Rather, Paul is making it clear that the good news is for all people who believe, and that the good news is, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.

Now, that’s good news!

Good morning people who enjoy relationship with the Father through Jesus.

There are not many ways to God. There is only One and His name is Jesus!

John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:11-12 NIV Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Salvation is found in no one else.

Muhammed is not a way to God. Buddha is not a way to God. Krishna is not a way to God. No idol or philosophy is a way to God.

Jesus Christ is the only Way to God.

There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

There are no back doors into the kingdom of God. there are no secret access points into heaven. We can’t think our way in, act our way in, or hope our way in.

Jesus Christ is the only Way to God.

Romans 10:9-10 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Jesus Christ is the only Way to God.