THE CRUSHED LAMB

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,

‘Look, the Lamb of God,  who takes away the sin of the world!’”

John 1:29

On the yard of a little church in small town in Germany stands a statue of a lamb. At the base of the statue is a simple inscription that reads: MEMORIAL TO THE CRUSHED LAMB.

You see, after World War II, a group of men began working on the tall roof of the church to repair damages sustained during the fierce battles that took place nearby. One of the dedicated workmen lost his footing, tripped and fell off the roof, plummeting to the earth below.

Quickly, the other men race down the long latter with very little hope of finding their friend alive. As they descended they began shouting to the other nearby people of the village to come and help. Though deep in their hearts, the knew there was little that could be done. It was a terribly long fall and only a miracle could save the man from being killed on the hard ground

Finally reaching the ground, the men found their companion moaning and in pain, but very much alive!

Then they realized the man was lying on top of something, as though he had fallen onto a strange cushion. When they lifted the man to his feet, they understood immediately what had occurred. A lamb had been feeding on the grass at the wall of the church. The poor little lamb had broken the man’s fall and saved his life, but lost its own in the process.

He was so grateful that he had the statue of a lamb erected in the very place where he fell.

Take a moment and think about this little lamb. How something so gentle and kind was sacrificed to save the man’s life. Isn’t it strange how we feel such compassion for soft, furry animals? Just picture the tiny creature lying peacefully on the grass, his eyes closed for the last time.

If your heart is touched by this story and the image of the crushed lamb, are you not also touched by the image Jesus being lowered from the Cross? Does you heart not ache in the same way? Are you not grateful for the miraculous way in which His death saved your fall?

You may not be able to erect a statue in honor of the sacrifice He made for you, but isn’t it time to build a place of honor in your heart?

The next time you take communion, remember the Crushed Lamb and where you might be had He not broken your fall. Remember, you are in the presence of Jesus, the One who saved you. And if we can feel such loving compassion for the little lamb at the church, then certainly our hearts can be filled with love for the Lamb of God.

This week’s prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for the Cross. Without your sacrifice I would be falling to my death right now. Because of your love I have nothing to fear, not even death itself. Please remind me of your love every day of my life. Let me never forget what you have done for me. Guide me and strengthen me so that I may also be a living sacrifice whenever and wherever you may need me. Amen.

IT'S TIME TO DREAM

In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

Acts 2:17

When he was 16, Booker T. Washington decided he wanted to go to school. The year was 1872, and for a boy born a slave, who had no idea who his white father was, this was an enormous leap of faith. He set his sights on the Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia. With nothing but a small sack of old clothes, he started walking from Malden, West Virginia, to the school….500 miles away.

Eventually he made it to Richmond, about 80 from the school. He worked there for a few days unloading pig iron from ships and sleeping at night on the ground under a boardwalk. Finally, he continued his journey and reached Hampton Institute.

And while his challenge of getting there was over, the task of getting admitted to the school had just begun. Seeing no reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to attend, he approached the Head Teacher and asked her to admit him right away.

Later, in his memoirs, Booker T. Washington recalled the rest of his story. "Having been so long without proper food, a bath, and change of clothing, I did not make a very favorable impression upon her, and I could see at once that there were doubts in her mind about the wisdom of admitting me as a student."

While Booker waited anxiously for her decision, he watched as the teacher admitted several others. But, he would not let his dream die. Then one day he saw a small opportunity. Having run out of delay tactics, she said to him, "The adjoining recitation-room needs sweeping. Take the broom and sweep it."

"It occurred to me at once that here was my chance," he remembers. "Never did I receive an order with more delight...I swept the recitation-room three times. Then I got a dusting-cloth and I dusted it four times." He cleaned every corner of the room, even the walls and closets.

"I had the feeling," he continued, "that in a large measure my future depended upon the impression I made upon the teacher in the cleaning of that room. When I was through, I reported to her. She was a woman who knew just where to look for dirt. She went into the room and inspected the floor and closets: then she took her handkerchief and rubbed it on the woodwork about the walls, and over the table and benches. When she was unable to find one bit of dirt on the floor, or a particle of dust on any of the furniture, she quietly remarked, `I guess you will do to enter this institution.'

"I was one of the happiest souls on earth. The sweeping of that room was my college examination, and never did any youth pass an examination for entrance into Harvard or Yale that gave him more genuine satisfaction. I have passed several examinations since then, but I have always felt that this was the best one I ever passed."

Not only did Booker T. Washington pass that “examination”, but he stayed on as janitor to pay expenses all through college. In June 1875 he graduated on the honor roll and as one of the commencement speakers.

Booker T. Washington was a man of faith and a dreamer who backed up both with action. What kind of dreams are coming from your faith? Remember, the greater your faith in the Lord Jesus, the greater your dreams will be. He is the maker of dreams and visions. And when you allow yourself to see through the His eyes, then you will begin to see the incredible life that awaits you.

It takes faith to dream great dreams. Because faith makes your dreams come true. And the time to take action is now.

Today’s prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to fulfill every dream you have for my life. I know that this can’t happen without you guiding me and giving me strength. Please share the vision you have for me and walk with me as we make this dream come true. Today, remind me to stand up and take action, knowing that through you all things are possible. Amen.

WILL YOU CROSS THE LINE TODAY?

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it.

Luke 19:41

On March 3, 1836, only 183 men remained to defend The Alamo against a huge army led by Santa Anna. Two hours before dusk, the Mexican guns suddenly stopped firing. The end was near.

The Commander of The Alamo, William Travis quickly assembled his men. He told them that no reinforcements were coming. "Our doom is certain," Travis told the tired, beaten men. Then, Travis pulled his sword from its sheath and drew a line in the dirt. He asked every man who was committed to remain in the Alamo, fight and die to cross the line.

Topley Holland was the first man to cross the line. Others quickly followed. Another man was Colonel Jim Bowie. He was very sick and unable to cross the line on his own, so he called for help. Four men carried him from his cot and lifted him over the line. On March 6, the Alamo fell. Every man within her walls died.

But, as their lives ended a great new beginning sprang forth. Because of their choice to cross the line, the Republic of Texas was born from their sacrifice.

The moment Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He had crossed the line. The end was near.

This should have been the happiest single day in Jesus' life. Yet, we read that “He wept over” the city. Why? After all, huge Passover crowds had come out to greet Him. So many people, in fact, that the Pharisees murmured, "Look! The whole world has gone after him!" Yes, when Palm Sunday began it appeared as though Jesus’ preaching ministry would be a huge success.

But Jesus knew better. He knew how disloyal the crowds would become. He knew that when He needed His people the most, they would all forsake Him and run away. This same welcoming crowds would escort Him to the Cross.  Today, they were shouting, "Hosanna!" By Friday, they were shouting, "Crucify Him!" Before this week finished, Jesus would be arrested, tried, whipped, humiliated, spat upon, cursed at, betrayed, crucified, dead, and buried.

He had crossed the line. But, as His life ended a great new beginning sprang forth.

He shed His blood for us. And now He draws a line in the sand and asks you to cross over to His side. Make no mistake, if you choose Jesus, you will need to make a very special kind of commitment. Now is the time.

As we approach Easter, will you cross the line to the Cross of Christ?

This week’s prayer

Dear Lord, I offer my eternal thanks for your Son Jesus Christ. He died for me so that I may spend eternity in your glorious presence. Please guide me so that I will not take lightly my commitment to Jesus. Help me to live a Jesus kind of sacrifice. Amen.

IT'S UP TO YOU . . .

“Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”         Luke 10:38-42

Have you ever felt like Martha? We all have. But, it’s important to take a close look at what she is really worried about. Martha is telling Jesus that she is not being treated fairly. She wants others to start acting differently so that she will feel better. Sound familiar?

Poor Martha wants everyone around her to change, but she is not willing to change at all.

That can be a familiar feeling. When things aren’t going our way, sometimes our first reaction is to think that we are being ignored or taken advantage of. “Why is everyone doing this to me?”

This is when you can turn to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and freedom. If you do you will find an opportunity for real peace in any tense situation. But, you must take responsibility for changing yourself before trying to change anyone else, especially if you are asking for divine grace to help you. You see, while the Lord will help you deal with you, He alone will deal with everyone else.

And when you allow the presence of Jesus to have absolute first place in your heart, I guarantee amazing things will happen in your life! That is because God is so creative He can lead you to life-changing thoughts, decisions, and actions. This will do far more than just resolve a particular situation; it will bring healing, freedom, and even deliverance.

Be assured that your love and compassion for others will always replace your fuming over be slighted by them. Yes, if you call upon Him, God’s own divine wisdom will lead you to make changes in you and how you deal with everyone else in your life. He may even reveal how you played a key role in creating whatever problems you face . . . along with a way out of the mess!

But, no matter what the Spirit reveals to you, you will find your faith and trust in Jesus deepening. And as you experience His power to change your heart, His grace will flow out of you, helping everyone around you to experience that very same healing, freedom, and lasting joy.

          TODAY'S PRAYER

Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, 

true source of light and fountain of wisdom! 

Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, 

dissipate the darkness which covers me, 

that of sin and of ignorance. 

Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, 

a retentive memory, 

method and ease in learning, 

the lucidity to comprehend, 

and abundant grace in expressing myself. 

Guide the beginning of my work, 

direct its progress, 

and bring it to successful completion. 

This I ask through Jesus Christ, 

true God and true man, 

living and reigning with You 

and the Father, forever and ever.

Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas
     
 

A LIFE OF JOY

"The Seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.' He said to them, 'I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash. Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you. However, don't rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.' In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, 'I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure.'"

                                                Luke 10:17-21

Centuries ago, St. Francis was a wealthy man who gave up everything to live a life of self-imposed poverty, suffering and service. Yet, he celebrated with great joy each and every day of his life! In fact, nothing separated him from the joy he found in the Lord. Even we he faced rejection by his family, or hardships among his friends, or poverty, his life remained a song of praise and thanksgiving!

How? St. Francis understood the real reason that Jesus rejoiced when his disciples returned from their successful preaching tour. Remember, these were simple fishermen and tax gatherers who had just performed miraculous healings and cast out fearsome demons all across Israel. But, like children whose boundless energy needs to be channeled in the right direction, Jesus had to make the disciples recognize where their joy truly lay. So He made it very clear that no matter what incredible deeds they performed or power they had commanded, nothing compared with the fact that their names were written in heaven.

Then Jesus brings the disciples, and all of us, even further into this journey of joy. He continues by demonstrating the kind of rejoicing that should be expressed by His followers. He says, “Thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.”

Jesus is rejoicing in the Holy Spirit because “infants” like us had opened their hearts to the Father’s love and all of heaven was opening to receive them. It is exactly this experience of an opened heaven that is meant to move you and me to exuberant praise and rejoicing as well. Yes! Knowing that God has you in the palm of his hand will lead you to a whole life of joy!

At this very moment, be opened to God’s joyous revelation in your heart. Allow yourself to experience the very tangible potential and power of your life as God sees it in Heaven. When you open your heart to the open doors of heaven, you will find yourself rejoicing in the beauty of the sunrise, the face of a newborn child or in the loving relationships surrounding you.

If you allow yourself to see your name written in heaven, this will be the most joyous moment in your life. It will change your life forever. And that joy will never end.

This Week’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me rejoice in the love you pour out upon me. May I live my life in exuberant praise as you surround me with your presence. Show me through your Holy Spirit that my name is written in your heavenly kingdom. And remind me to be ever thankful for the blessings you have provided me. Amen.

How To Make The Biggest Decision Of Your Life

Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will

entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

1 Peter 4.19

There is a remarkable story of a newspaper editor who was told that a storm had caused a high-tension wire to fall across the street in the middle of the business district of town. He assigned two reporters to the story. The editor sent them out, saying: “No one knows whether the wire is live or not, so I want you to cooperate--one of you touch it and the other write the story. The choice is yours!”

Captain Peter Townsend, was a dashing World War II fighter pilot in Britain’s Royal Air Force. After the war, he and Princess Margaret, sister to the current Queen Elizabeth of England, fell in love. By the early 1950’s, the two were engaged to be married.

But, Princess Margaret had a choice to make. You see, Townsend had been previously married and divorced, and the royal family along with the British establishment did not approve of the marriage. Margaret could marry him only if she gave up her title, her money and her place in the line of succession to the throne.

And so it was on October 31, 1955 that Princess Margaret announced to the world that she would not marry Captain Townsend. Further, the much-decorated war ace was banished from the palace and assigned to a diplomatic post in Brussels. “She could have married me,” Capt. Townsend wrote in his 1978 autobiography, “only if she had been prepared to give up everything, her position, her prestige, her privy purse. I simply hadn't the weight, I knew it, to counterbalance all she would have lost.”

You will face many choices in the day's ahead. True you may never have to choose who picks up an electrical wire or between true love and a throne, but you still have choices. What value and weight will you put on the things of this world, stature, prestige and money? What will you give up to follow the will of God? It’s all up to you, but you do have help. Jesus wants to assist you in every decision. He wants to guide you to your best options and your most joyous future! Don’t turn away. Whatever it takes, and yes, it may take a lot, choose to spend your life with the King whose crown will never diminish or fade away!

Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, I need your guidance in the days ahead. Stand with me when the moment of decision comes. Let me stand by you in all things. Guide me in all my decisions, large and small, so that I may glorify you in all I do. Amen.

THE DEAD OF WINTER

“Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the belt of Orion?”

Job 38:31

Seasons. As surely as spring follows winter and fall follows summer the seasons roll by. It has been this way since God created the world. In the ancient days of the Bible, it was absolutely necessary for farmers of those times to determine the current season in order to reap the greatest amount of healthy crops. Back then, without written calendars, farmers focused on the positions of constellations in the night sky to determine the changing seasons. The brilliance or dimness of stars in the heavens depended on the earth’s orbit and the locale of the observer. Farmers counted on knowing the times of the seasons in order to know when to sow and when to harvest.

While Job, a farmer among other things, is suffering with all his recent struggles and battles, God explains to him what’s happening. God asks him, “Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion?” He is asking Job if he has the slightest ability to alter the position of the stars in the sky. God is making the point that what is impossible for Job is easy for God. But, He was also indicating something else. 

In a subtle way God is letting Job know that seasons come and seasons go. When did Orion’s stars shone brightest to the farmers where Job lived? January and February. The winter. Certainly, Job was going through the winter of his life. It couldn’t get any worse for him. The Lord was telling Job that he cannot quicken the days of winter. Job could do nothing to alter this winter season. He had to go through it, just like you and I in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes it is winter and winter is just long, dark and cold

But what inevitably follows winter? Yes, spring! The stars of Pleiades shine brightest in mid April, the new days of spring. God asked Job if he could “bind . . . Pleiades.”  To bind something is to keep it from coming about, or hinder it. God was asking Job if he could keep the stars of spring from shining. Of course not! No one can stop a new day dawning!

Everyday, I speak with people going through tough times. I remind them that they will face all the seasons of life if they live long enough. It’s just a matter of understanding that seasons come and the seasons go. You can’t let difficulties destroy you. You just have to make it to spring time, or to morning, or to home. When you’re in the middle of the winter, look ahead to the spring because the spring is coming. Remember that life has its cycles as surely as the stars shine in the heavens. You can’t hurry through a season nor cut it short. 

And don’t forget that you can sip hot chocolate by a fire in the winter! That’s right, because it is often in winter that you are closest to God. As the seasons change, allow these thoughts to remind you that God is the One who brings about the changes and He will absolutely bring you through each season in victory!

Today’s Prayer

Lord, thank you for the changing seasons and for seeing me through each one. Winter, spring, summer, fall – I know you are with me to sustain and guide me through. If it is your will, allow me to be the springtime in someone’s life. For surely, there is someone nearby who is feeling the icy chill of winter’s frost on their soul. Let your love so shine through me. Amen.