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As we all do, I have been thinking and pondering this new year and goals and ambitions…etc. I remember when I was much younger (in my teen years) I had a dream and desire to be a college basketball player and maybe make the NBA. Many a young man has this same dream which there is nothing wrong with that. The issue was I did not have the basketball talent to play at that level… imagine my disappointment when I realized it was not achievable. I had friends who played and were very successful, and well, honestly I was jealous. Can you relate to this? As I shared in a previous blog (The journey begins) I accepted Jesus Christ when I was in my Sophomore year in high school (around 15) and that is when the Holy Spirit began to show me what he called me to. The Lord called me to be His, and minister in His name to others. From that point I began seeking Jesus Christ… I could not wait to go to church and worship Him and be with others who loved Him the same. Joshua 1:8 ESV “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Success – How do you define it? That is the question I would like to propose to think about carefully. Each of us will likely have different answers to that question. The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful wife, and 3 wonderful children (1 boy and 2 girls). That was a prayer I had from a young age was to have a family. He heard and answered that prayer. I give thanks to Him for that because he made us prosperous and successful as a family. What do I mean? Children are a gift from God (Psalms 127:3); it specifically says that the “fruit of the womb is a reward”. Wow! That is incredible. Many may have been blessed in other areas of life such as successful careers….etc. It is very easy to focus on what we do not have, but it is important to remember where we have come from, and where we are today. Give the Lord thanks for His faithfulness and provision (Matthew 6).

There was no more important time in history then when God sent his Son, Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin and walked on this earth. He never sinned which is why he was introduced by John the Baptist as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of this world. Only the Son of God could redeem mankind.

John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

I recently watched the Passion of the Christ again. This is not an easy movie to see. I thank God that Mel Gibson produced/directed this movie. No other movie about Jesus Christ even gets close to what Christ suffered as a penalty for sin.

As I watched as he was being flogged all I could do was cry and cry. He shed his blood – His precious blood willingly. I was and am broken because I have sinned and made Him sad in my walk with the Lord.

The Bible says in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

God loved us so much that he sent His only Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)

Jesus Christ said, “I AM the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6).

When Christ was on the Cross he chose to forgive those who crucified Him. I dare you to watch the clip above and ask yourself why He chose to die for you and me? There is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

As Christ was on the Cross He cried out, My God, My God why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46) He took on Himself the sins of humanity. God could not look on Him.. Think about that. Think about your own life and your sins (we all sin)- now think about the sin of the whole world.

That seems impossible to even fathom. Before he died on the Cross he cried out, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)

The finished work of Christ. It is finished! Wow. He made possible for us to have a relationship with God (the Father) and Jesus Christ. On the 3rd day he was resurrected from death by the power of God. He overcame death, hell and the grave. The tomb could not hold Him captive.

When out of the heart you or I ask for forgiveness of our sins He will forgive and make you clean by His blood. When He fills you with the precious Holy Spirit he allows us to have deep intimate communion with Him. I can tell you from experience there is no greater place to be than in the Presence of God through Christ. Amazing love and peace, joy and fullness of life.

Who would not want this relationship? We have to choose Him. Yes, He did die on the cross and shed His blood and rose from the dead, but we only inherit life if we lay down our life and surrender to Him.

Written by Chris Adams