As we get into the New Year, many people want a new start and a better year. Some still make resolutions to change to start being the person they really want to be. Each resolution is a change. It is a change of action, a change or priority and a change or thinking.
However, studies have shown for years that most New Year’s Resolutions fade by the middle of February. The reasons are varied, but one of the most notable has always been the way one thinks. Even Solomon understood this in Proverbs 23.7, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Our minds control our actions, and even our outlook. Our mind is often called the “heart” in Scripture. The heart mentioned is the seat of emotions, the inward thoughts of our mind. Again, the wisdom of Solomon is found in Proverbs 4.23, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Solomon knew the purpose of guarding your heart, or your mind.
Jesus, speaking to the people, says, ““Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15.10,11) And a few verses down, He clarifies it more, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. (Matthew 15:18)
We know the words of Paul regarding the mind when he writes to the Colossians church in Colossians 3.2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
How are you planning to change your mind? How are you planning to guard your mind this year?
To truly change, we must change our minds. When Peter said, “Repent” in Acts 2.38, the Greek word he used is “metanoeō.” It means to “think differently, “to “reconsider.” (Strongs) Digging deeper into the word, you will find that Peter wants them to change their hearts.
Only one act of pure love, unsullied by any taint of ulterior motive, has ever been performed in the history of the world, namely the self-giving of God in Christ on the cross for undeserving sinners.
The cross of Christ is the turning point of human history. Before the cross, God-fearing men awaited the promised Messiah. Day upon day they waited. Approximately 33 years after His birth, Jesus, the Messiah, would hang on the cross as the greatest servant ever known. Even though men rejected Him, He stayed on that cross for them.
The cross of Christ did not end with an undeserving death, but it began the process of the salvation of humanity. Without the cross, there is no hope of resurrection. Without the resurrection, there is no hope of eternal life. The beginning point of hope is the cross of Christ.
As you walk through these seven stories of the cross, may your life be enriched, and your eyes opened to the great servant of humanity—Jesus.
May you be blessed in seeing the cross,
The Servant of the Cross
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
When there was nothing, God created something. When there was nothing, God created everything. In six days, God created everything we see. I know and try to fathom the infinite knowledge of God (Matthew 11.21) as He created the world. I know the scriptures tell us of the awesome power of God (Revelation 19.6). They even further give us details of the all-seeing eyes of God (Psalm 139:7-12). Our God truly is an awesome God.
When He made a tree, was the Son on His mind? The apostle John tells us that Jesus was there in the beginning.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that were made.”
The Son was there in the beginning. The Son was there when man was made. (Genesis 1.26) We know the Son was there when the trees were made. (John 1.1-3) Because of the apostle John’s words, we know Jesus Christ had a hand in the tree’s making, which would produce the seed, which would produce a tree, which generations later, He would hang from to save the world.
That Word became human, the flesh, and dwelt with people. (John 1.14) He left the throne of Heaven to come to earth and serve. (Philippians 2.5-8) He left the greatness of heaven to serve earthly man through serving His Father. If the Father wanted Him to serve to death, Jesus would. Jesus did.
What compelled Jesus to serve the Father to death and the resurrection from death?
Was it fame and fortune? Of course not.
Christ had the power and the majestic nature to claim fame and fortune. After all, everything is His. He created it. The car you own, His. The house where you live, His. The clothes you wear, His. He is the creator and giver of every spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1.3) It was not fame and fortune; it had to be something else.
It was love! Why else would a glorious Child of the Father leave the perfect dwelling place (Revelation 21.3, 4) and come to sin-filled earth? Sin had filled the earth since Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3); Cain murdered Able (Genesis 4), and people continued to grow worse until the flood of the world (Genesis 6-8). People continued in sin through the time of Christ, and people continue in sin today.
Sin will continue until the earth is no more. As long as the sun rises and falls, sin will exist. It will exist because man exists. Man has a choice, the choice to follow God or the choice to create friction. When man creates friction between himself and God, he goes against the Father. Crossing the commands of the Father is sin (1 John 3.4). No “ifs,” “ands” or “buts,” disobeying God is sin.
Sin is the separating factor. (Isaiah 59.1, 2) Sin is the destroying factor. (Romans 6.23) Sin has infected the lives of every person to walk the face of this Earth. (Romans 3.23) There is only one exception, Jesus Christ Himself. (Hebrews 4.15) Christ was tempted in every way as we are, but He was perfect. In the face-to-face meeting with the devil himself, Jesus won! (Matthew 4.1-11)
Hanging on two wooden beams between two thieves was the beginning of victory. The burial and resurrection became the victory over death. (1 Corinthians 15.55-57) The victory was God’s plan from the beginning.
After the choice of sin from Adam and Eve, God said Jesus would crush the head of Satan. (Genesis 3.15) The crushing blow to a poisonous serpent crushes the head. Jesus administered a crushing blow to Satan when the tomb was found empty (Matthew 28.1-6). With the fatal blow, the sting of death has been taken away because of the servant, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15.54-55).
In Adam, every person will die, in Christ, they will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15.22) All this because of the humble servant of the Lord. Who would lay down their own life for their friends? It was the humble servant, Jesus (John 15.13).
As His thoughts turned to the cross He was about to bear, physically, mentally, and spiritually, the mind of our Savior turned to servanthood.
Jesus had sent Peter and John to prepare the Passover feast (Luke 22-13). It seems evident that Jesus had done some preparation Himself; a room was ready for the disciples to use. (Luke 22.11-13). While preparing the feast, one simple item was left out. After reading the gospel accounts, one can see that it is in the eternal plan of the Father. It is not clear at first, but the more you read, the more you find.
While the Savior sat in the upper room with His closest followers, His thoughts turned to His father. He knew the hour was drawing near when He would suffer one of the cruelest punishments known to man—the cross. (John 13) Christ must have looked at the tired, worn, and weary faces around Him. He knew they would be scattered because of His punishment. (Matthew 26.31)
Did His face turn toward Peter, who had been the most zealous of the group?
Did His eyes look into the eyes of John, His seemly closest friend?
Did He glance and see 11 men who would later be there on Pentecost preaching of His resurrection?
As His thoughts turned to the knowledge that God the Father (#1) had given all things in to His hands, (#2) that He had come from God and (#3) He was going to God, He rose from the table to begin one of the greatest illustrations of humbleness and service the world has ever seen.
What made this the impressive picture of servitude? It was a King was stepping down to wash the nasty feet of the disciples.
What was missing was a servant to wash the feet of those who entered the upper room to eat? During the time of Christ, a servant would remain by the door to wash the feet of the guests. The roads were not paved as they are today but made with packed dirt. The role of the foot-washing servant was not a highly motivating position. There were few, if any, young men, or women growing up desiring to wash feet for their days on the Earth. Nevertheless, our Savior washed feet.
Rising from the table, Jesus placed a linen cloth or apron around his waist, filled a basin with water and begins to wash and then dry their feet with the cloth. Why would he take it upon Himself to take the place of the forgotten servant? Simple, He was the servant. If Jesus made plans to reserve the room, do you not think He would make plans for a servant? He did. He made plans for Himself. It was He who would do the serving.
As Jesus washes the feet of Peter, Peter refused (John 13.8). The spokesman finally has his say; Jesus tells Peter that He needs to, not for His sake but Peter’s sake. (John 13.8) Jesus shows Peter there is a noble purpose to this act, the purpose of the plan, the eternal plan.
It seems Jesus washed all the disciples’ feet. The apostle John writes, “So when He had washed their feet…” (John 13.12) Think the following people:
Did Jesus wash Peter’s feet? –Yes
Did Jesus wash Andrew’s feet? –Yes
Did Jesus was Philip’s feet? –Yes
Did Jesus was Judas’s feet? —Yes
Wait! Did Jesus wash the feet of the one about to turn Him over to a mock trial and a cruel death? It seems so. As the disciples sat and watched in embarrassment as their leader washed feet, do you not think they would notice if He left one out?
Jesus knew there was one in the middle who would turn their back on Him. (John 13.2) Jesus knew there was going to be a betrayer before this supper. (John 6.70) Jesus knew He was going to die for the sins of man, and He knew that hour was closing fast. (John 13.1)
He left the throne of glory for the linen, apron cloth of a feet washer. Not because He had to, but because He wanted to. The cross was a tough burden, but it was done because of love. The washing of a betrayer’s feet was a tough burden, but it was done because of love.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Understand, Jesus did not institute feet washing. Notice verse 15. Jesus says that “For I have given you an example, which you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13.15, emphasis mine)
Jesus did not say, “That you should do what I have done for you” but “you should do as I have done for you.” It was not the act of feet washing Jesus is discussing, it is the act of serving. Christ wants us to serve our brethren, so the world will see that we are His disciples. (John 13.35)
Why did Jesus go as far as He did? Simple, because He cared.
Amid His trouble, He cared. In the middle of His prayers in the garden, you were in His thoughts to the Father. (John 17.20-26)
Without a serving Savior, there would be no serving church.
Without a serving Savior, there would be no church. He served for you, and He served for me.
Will you serve for Him?
Thanks for reading,
[1] Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) (167). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
From the day I am writing this, there are 54 days left until the end of the year. Those 54 days break down into 1 month and 24 days, or 7 weeks and 5 days, or approximately 1296 hours. It seems unreal that 2022 has passed so quickly.
As 2023 approaches us, are you doing better in your spiritual life than you were at the beginning of 2022? Most individuals I know do not make any new year’s resolutions, but they do plan on having a better year. How are you doing to have a better year?
If you are not where you want to be, how will you change the next 54 days? There are many things you can do in the next 7 weeks to grow spiritually. Allow me to offer a few suggestions:
Fellowship with the saints – Fellowship means sharing. To share, we must be physically present. When we are present, we get to know one another. When we get to know one another, we support and encourage one another. The early church spent time each week in fellowship. (Acts 2.42; 1 John 1.3; Hebrews 10.24-25)
Spend time in the Word – Reading and studying will increase your spiritual knowledge and create a greater desire to continue pressing forward. As Paul is noted as saying, he counted everything loss for the knowledge of Jesus (Philippians 3.10). Grow closer to Jesus through the Word. (Acts 17.11; 2 Timothy 2.15)
Live what you believe – Tough decisions will occur, but God is able. With the knowledge we gain of God, Christ, and the Word of God, our actions will correspond with the knowledge we have gained. Consider the words of James, “… be doers of the word, and not hearers only…”
This is a transcription of the video. The text is not in a normal writing flow due to it being a transcription.
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Hello everyboday.
It is Friday. It is November something, and it is the start of the weekend for many. So, as Christians, I want to give you four things to think about.
That’s right, the number 4.
Here’s four things that Christian can do to make their weekend even better.
#1 – The first of all is the plan to attend every service. Probably your congregation, over the weekend, is going to have services on Sunday morning. Plan to be there on Sunday morning. That’s why we call it the Lord’s Day.
Most of the time we say that we spend 1/7 of our time in church when, in actuality, it’s probably just an hour, maybe two hours on Sunday, but plan to attend every service.
When you plan to attend every service, sit by somebody absolutely different. That’s a kind of a bonus because you’ll be able to get to know other people as you fellowship together, as you worship God.
So, #1, plan to attend every service.
#2 – surround yourself with Christians. If you want to grow closer to God, make sure that you are around God’s people. Pretty simple.
You are the sum total of five people that you hang around each and every day each. And every week, if you tell me those five people, I can probably buy their characteristics. Tell you who you are.
So it’s very important that you surround yourself with Christian surround yourself with like-minded, as Paul says in Philippians 2, that they can encourage you to be better each and every day.
So, #1, plan to attend every service. #2, surround yourself with Christians.
#3 – Spend time in prayer. Don’t pray, because you’re in trouble. Pray, because it’s today. Just pray.
Spend time talking to God sharing your wants your needs. I think that God wants to hear everything from us because He’s our Father, and He is somebody who has a desire to help us out in life, so you can do that.
So #1, plan to attend every service number to surround yourself with Christians. #2, surround yourself with good people. #3, pray.
#4 – Sleep. That’s right. I said it, get some sleep, but here’s the deal. Not in church, not in church services, but renew your mind by getting the rest that you
So you can prepare yourself to be a little bit better. There’s a lot of trends about how much sleep that we need, but every single one of us is different and being different. One of the great things is our sleep patterns are probably a little bit different, but you still need sleep. When you still need sleep, it helps to clear your mind, and it helps you feel better. It helps you act better. It helps you become a different person.
So there’s some for things for you to think about…
#1 – Plan to attend every service.
#2 – Surround yourself with Christians.
#3 – Pray
#4 – Sleep. But not not in church, right?
That’s something that we need to do but do those this weekend so that you can have a great and wonderful Sunday.
Let me know how they work for you and I look forward to talking to you soon.
My name is Chris Gallagher, or check us out, preacherpen.org. All the information is there.
Follow our podcast that we are bringing back and are very unique way. But hey, you have a great day that it’s been about three minutes and we’ll talk to you soon.
In 1957, a phrase appeared on all United States monies which have never been there before. A year previously, on July 30, 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower approved the law which Congress passed earlier that day. In that law, “In God We Trust” was to appear on all United States monies. Because of production times, it would be the next year before the words “In God We Trust” would appear on money for the first time.
The term, “In God We Trust” had appeared before in our nation’s history, but never as an official part of Law. The fourth verse of the Star-Spangled Banner contains the words,
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
As the phrase, “In God We Trust” continues to be printed on all United States monies, in 2005 there was a slight mistake. While printing the quarters, a machine malfunction imprinted the quarters with the words, “In God We Rust.” The faint imprint of the “T” can barely be seen.
There is a significant difference between rust and trust. Rust occurs because of several factors, but we are familiar with rust because of an object not being used or not being cared for properly. As Christians, are we using what we have been given? Are we using our talents? Are we using the blessings given to us by the Creator?
Let us trust in God, not rust in a pew. Let us trust in God, knowing that He has given us today, He has given us life, He has given us our abilities, and He has given us hope.
This year, the 110th anniversary of the Titanic’s dreadful night fell on “Good Friday,” April 15th. The date of April 15th is better known as Tax Day, so the reminder of the Titanic is often overlooked. However, it is one of the great lessons of the past two hundred years.
On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic left Southampton, UK on April 10, 1912, on its maiden voyage to New York City, USA. After stopping at Cherbourg, France and Queenstown, Ireland, the captain turned the ship toward New York.
As the RMS Titanic approached Newfoundland, the Titanic hit an iceberg at 11:40 pm on April 14, 1912. The ship SS Mesaba had given warning to the RMS Titanic of drifting ice along the path, but Capitan Edward Smith ignored the warnings. A little later, the Titanic stuck an iceberg, buckling the seams in the hull and creating a series of holes below the waterline.
The RMS Titanic was considered to be unsinkable. The name Titanic comes from the gods or the Titans of Greek mythology. However, the term “unsinkable,” when applied to the Titanic, referenced the watertight compartments in the hull. The compartments were designed to seal in case of a hole in the hull.
While the watertight compartments were designed to seal, the interior walls were not designed to hold all the water. As a result, when the outer seams busted, allowing water into five of the compartments. When the bow of the ship dipped forward, the water spilled from one compartment to another. The result was the ship continuing to fill with water, and finally sink to the bottom of the ocean.
What can we learn from this tragedy? Remember Proverbs 16.18, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughty spirit before a fall.” We must be aware and beware of the situations around us and heed the warnings of others, yet we fall.
