Tag: calvary

Revive Me, Week 48–A Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord

Go to Calvary

I’m fighting distraction.  I’ve been focused on whatever my current responsibility has been.  When I could check off that assignment or event, my focus would move on to the next one.  Yesterday during the Lord’s Supper, I was about to put the fruit of the vine to my lips when it dawned on me that my mind had completely wandered all through the partaking of the bread.  I lifted my head as I realized I couldn’t recall one single sentence mentioned in either prayer that had just been offered.

Paul lifted up the cross as his central focus.  For him, nothing else mattered.  “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:1,2).  I can see that I need to clear away the clutter and focus on the cross:

• It is my power source (1 Cor. 1:18).
• It is my motivation (Gal. 2:20).
• It reminds me of God’s love (Rom. 5:8).
• It strengthens me against temptation (1 Pet. 2:24,25).
• It helps me see what’s important in life (Heb. 12:1,2).

It is so easy to get pulled away.  When I wander off on my own, I need to revisit Calvary.  The purpose of the cross was to bring me to God (1 Pet. 3:18).  Jesus gave everything for me there and that should be the reason for everything I do here.

“He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Cor. 5:15).

Suggestions for the Week:

1.  Read through all the gospel accounts of the death, burial, and resurrection.
2. See how many of the rest of the New Testament books mention the cross.
3. Sing songs about the cross this week:  “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Lead Me to Calvary,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” etc.
4. Share the story of the cross with someone this week.

Read it.  Memorize it.  Live it.