Reflections, April 5th, 2009

Reflections: Nailed To The Cross

Sunday, April 5^th, 2009

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost."

John 19: 30

Here we are, another resurrection season. And there could not be a more perfect time to witness and experience the resurrection power of Christ. Yet, how little we know and understand that each day the Heavenly Father wakes us, is another day to experience the resurrection power in our lives. However, before we understand and are able to experience the resurrection power in our lives, we must first understand and believe that everything we face-every trial, every sickness, every disease, every sin, all poverty, etcetera, has already been nailed to the Cross, and the bill paid for. All we have to do is receive and walk in the power and authority that Christ has made available to all those who would believe in Him, and receive in their hearts.

It is my fondest prayer that this week's Reflection will inspire you and encourage your hearts. As we are in the season of resurrection, I pray that your ears and hearts are open to receive what God has ordained for you. May your spirit be filled will great expectancy for all that God has for you, all that Jesus made available to you.

I hope that what God has for you this day will reach your hearts, and stir you to a deeper thirst and hunger after God and all that He has ordained for you. It is vital that we understand that we hold the keys to our happiness and joy in this life. That within us, is the ability to live a life-although at times subject to trials and tribulations-of hope, joy, and power. All because everything against us was nailed to the Cross over 2,000 years ago.

How liberating is it to know that Christ sits on the right hand of the Father, supplicating on our behalf? How awesome is it to know, that Jesus shed His precious blood so that we may have access to the Father eternal? That we may spend eternity in the presence of God, and have access to heaven on earth? I don't know about you but that gives me strength and assurance and peace in my soul. That, even when I am going through something that I may not understand at the moment, that joy and peace belong to me because of the sacrifice that Christ made for me. I take that personally.

Perhaps we do not make things personal enough. Instead of looking at things in a big picture, why not make it personal. What has God done for you? What in your life was nailed to the Cross, and because of this, you are free. You may not know it, or understand it, but you are free. Because everything, and I mean every thing...every vice, every problem, every illness, every little minute or major obstacle has been nailed to the Cross, covered in the blood of Jesus.

About a month ago, during my quiet time with the Lord, I received such a precious gift from the Holy Spirit. I can close my eyes now, and see it so vividly, as though I was right there...At the foot of the Cross. I waited until now to share this with you, because God said so! (Smile!) He knows why. In the meantime, I have had the opportunity to live with this vision, this gift, and allow it to saturate my mind, my heart, and my spirit. It gave me more than peace, but also strength, assurance, and hope. I hope it does the same for you.

If you will, picture in your mind the Cross. The Cross on that day so long ago. The crowds have gone away. The sky is dark, the wind blowing. The earth around the Cross is dark, soaked with the flowing blood of Jesus that has spilled to the earth. The Cross is saturated with His blood that it stained red. It looks as if the skies are about to open and rain is about to pour.

At this time in the vision, I am at the foot of the Cross. No one else is there. It's just me. I pick up a handful of the earth, and allow the dark soil, rich with Christ's blood, to fall through my fingers. My heart is beating heavy. I stare up at the Cross. I see pieces of white paper nailed to it. Nailed to where Christ's feet would be; to where His hands would be; to where His head with the thorns would be; and at the center, where His heart would be.

I strain to see what is on these pieces of paper, as I can see that there are words written on each one. I stand slowly, and I can now see, as though each paper is magnified, the words written on each. I see the words AIDS, cancer, addiction, poverty, lasciviousness, adultery, fornication, jealousy, anger, bitterness, greed, hate, selfishness, diseases, sin, lies, self doubt, worry, anxiety, lewdness, death. The words just keep multiplying as I read.

My heart is beating so fast. I could hear the Father say, it has all been nailed to the Cross. All of it. Everything that we have or will ever go through has been nailed to the Cross. Covered, drenched in the Blood of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. I am choked with emotions. I can feel the burn in the back of my throat; the tears burning the back of my eyes.

I stand, and reach towards the Cross. It's like a bolt of lightning strikes, and I can see the sheets of paper disappear. I close my eyes for a second, and when I open them, there are pieces of paper falling to the earth. At first, I thought it was the same pieces pf paper, but it wasn't.

On these new sheets of paper were written words, falling to the earth-hope, love, freedom, joy, peace, healing, faith, prosperity, favor, mercy, salvation, the blood, the Word, life, eternity, justice, belief. The papers just kept falling until they covered the earth.

I looked in amazement. God spoke to my heart, and He reminded me that every thing we will ever or could ever face has been nailed to the Cross. And when Jesus said, It is finished...and gave up the ghost, He took away the power that the enemy had over us and our lives. Including every situation or circumstance that we may ever face.

The Father said that in it's place, He released upon the earth, joy, peace, happiness, success, that was made possible because Jesus had paid the price in full. When they nailed Christ to that Cross, it was the greatest thing that ever happened to humanity. Because nailed to that Cross was everything that would ever be a hindrance to us. And released was the power of Christ here upon the earth, and made available to all those who would believe.

The vision stays with me. It gives my heart hope. It reminds me that no matter what I am presently going through; No matter what I may face in this life, that everything was already nailed to the Cross. That because of Christ, I have a way out. I know, that troubles will not last always. That joy will definitely come in the morning.

Because I know what was nailed to the Cross; because I understand what Jesus did for me.; because I believe in the wonder working power of the Blood of Jesus, I have gained access and understanding to the resurrection power that Christ says I have access to. I understand, that although I may face some difficult times. Although I may be faced with circumstances that will try my faith. Even when times seems the most darkest; Jesus paid the price on the Cross at Calvary. And His blood covers me. And I can and will make it to the next day. Because Jesus lives, I can and will face tomorrow, with great expectancy and determination.

Whatever you may be facing at this time; however difficult, however overwhelming, know this to be true: It was all nailed to the Cross, nearly 2000 years ago. Covered under the Blood of Jesus Christ. No matter what it is, how painful it is, how seemingly unbearable, Jesus paid the price for you o be free. He made it so, that even when the world seems to be crumbling around you, and you don't see no way out, He is the light that will guide your path. He is the strength you need when you have none. He is the peace that will calm your storm. He is your safety in life's storms. He is your constant. Even when you don't feel Him or see Him; He is there. He's been there, holding you all along, and He says that He will see you through. All you have to do is believe, and receive Him into your heart, and know that you have already been covered.

May the will of God be evident in your life this week. May peace and prosperity rest in your life: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and financially. Allow the Blood to cover you. Take rest and comfort in the fact and wisdom, that all you are facing, and will ever face has already been nailed to the Cross, and there is nothing the enemy can do about it. Because Jesus is, you are! God Bless.

©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.