I found this quite useful information on the process of what happens after a Pope dies. I am praying that Pope Francis makes a full recovery, but I wanted to know what happens if he does not recover.
I purchased a new cross to wear around the neck recently. Most of the crosses I have only had an empty cross as most protestant people do.
When I was a new Christian in the late 80s and early 90s, many people said that Jesus is not on the cross now, so why do you have a crucifix? At the time it made sense so I purchased a plain cross.
Lately I have been reminded afresh of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. I have been meditating of His death on the cross for my sin and the lengths He was willing to go to for me.
While looking for a new cross to purchase I found the cross above. It has the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Something about it appealed to me straight away.
As I have dwelt on this I was reminded afresh that our salvation is a triune effort of God. The Father sent the Son, the Son died on the cross for our sins, and the Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus and gives us the new birth.
The following verses paint a picture for us…
John 3:16-17 NLT – For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
Romans 5:8-11 NLT – But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [9] And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. [10] For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. [11] So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Titus 3:4-7 NLT – When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, [5] he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. [6] He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [7] Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
As we can see from the above verses each member of the trinity played their part in the salvation process. It was a triune effort – the Father sent the Son, Jesus died for us, and the Holy Spirit gives us a new birth and new life in Him.
So this is why I wear my new cross. It is a reminder of what God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – has done in saving me.
If you are interested you can find one here for only $1.50!
Mark 8:27-29 NLT – Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” [28] “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” [29] Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus asked the disciples two questions. Who do the people say I am? And who do you say I am?
Over the years I have spoken to a lot of people about Jesus. In these conversations I have heard many different opinions on who people think Jesus is. Some have said He is a good moral teacher. Some others have said a prophet who spoke God’s message. While some said the leader of an ancient religion.
To me the most important question in this life is the one Jesus asked to His disciples. “Whom do you say I am?” I believe it is the most important question because it determines our eternal destiny! If we think Jesus was just a teacher, prophet or a leader of an ancient religion, we miss who He really is.
Jesus is the Messiah (Mark 8:29). He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to show us what God is like (John 14:9). He came to die on the cross for our sin and ransom us for God (Mark 10:45). Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 1:1). Jesus is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords (Revelation 17:14). He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) and the only way to the Father in heaven (Acts 4:12).
Today I want to ask you the same question that Jesus asked His disciples, “Whom do you say that I am?” Who is Jesus to you? It is my hope and prayer that you agree with Peter’s response to Jesus’ question.
For more information please visit my finding salvation page.
Several weeks ago in a post about baptism I included a quote from the Didache. This is an early writing of the church in about 80-120AD.
The Didache is basically an early christian manual on how christians should live and how the church should be run. The above video gives a really good overview of what it contains.
In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells a story of the persistent widow who constantly pleads her case before an unjust judge. She pleads so much that the judge says this woman is driving me crazy and he ruled in her favour!
Jesus then relates this to our prayers before the Father. In verses 6-7 He says, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. [7] Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”
Jesus is reminding us that sometimes we need to push through with our prayers. We need to persist in our petitions for ourselves and our intercessions for others like the widow before the judge. Jesus promises that the Father will hear us and bring justice.
One acronym I find helpful is P.U.S.H…
Pray
Until
Something
Happens
Sometimes we need to fast and pray all day or even for a few days before breakthrough comes. At other times we need to keep things before the Lord for months and pray every morning or night before we see breakthrough. I have experienced both.
So if you have a big issue you are concerned about at the moment, I would encourage you to take it before the Lord in prayer. Be like the persistent widow and PUSH it before Him day and night. Jesus promises the Father will hear your prayers and bring justice.
PASSIONAustralia.blog 