Points of Grace

BECAUSE OF THE CROSS - THERE IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

2012-02-01T08:45:00.000-08:00

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tunes without the words -
And never stops - at all.
- Emily Dickinson

In the game of T-ball little guys and girls stand ready to hit a baseball perched on a T-stand. All they have to do is swing the bat and knock the ball off the stand. Incredibly, many of these little folks swing and miss a perfectly still ball. Yet, they continue to swing with the hope that someday they will hit that ball. Perhaps more incredibly, some of these little guys grow up to be professional baseball players, their greatest hope realized!

Just as these children's hope is steadfast, so is the hope we have as believers. This future hope alights in our souls when we first believe. The full potential of our hope for the future is realized as we stand at the Cross and "connect" with it.

STEP UP TO THE CROSS! YOU CAN'T MISS!

BECAUSE OF THE CROSS - EASTER IS EVERY DAY

2012-01-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

"Christ also suffered. He died once for the sins of all us guilty sinners, although he himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that he might bring us safely home to God. But though his body died, his spirit lived on." - 1 Peter 3:18

"The dripping blood our only drink, the bloody flesh our only food: in spite of which we like to think that we are sound, substantial flesh and blood. Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good." - T. S. Eliot

The same Christ who walked the earth 2000 years ago.
The same Christ who performed miracles, healed the sick and cast out demons.
The same Christ who loved the unlovable.
The same Christ who forgave the sinner.
The same Christ who taught His disciples.
The same Christ who was unjustly despised and convicted.
The same Christ who hung dying on a Cross one dark and terrible Friday.
The same Christ who rose from the dead three days later.
The same Christ who is in the world today.

BECAUSE OF THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS, THE JOY OF EASTER IS EVERY DAY.

BECAUSE OF THE CROSS - I CAN LOVE OTHERS

2012-01-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" - Romans 12:10-11

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" - John 13:35

"Love is most divine when it loves according to needs, and not according to merit." - George MacDonald

The love we have for our spouses, children, parents, families and friends is often a love based on who they are, what they mean to us and how they make us feel. The Cross changes that love. It becomes a deeper, unconditional love that loves even when those we are closest to hurt us or make mistakes. It loves at all times...in all things...regardless of how we feel.

BECAUSE OF THE CROSS WE CAN HAVE THAT SAME LOVE FOR OTHERS WHO TOUCH OUR LIVES, OFTEN FROM A DISTANCE.

We can love the ungrateful, the unfair, the unjust, the imprisoned, the lonely, the homeless, the liar, the cheater, the thief, the murderer, the abuser, the adulterer, the addict, the disgruntled, the opinionated, the unlovely, the unloved.

Only through the Cross is it possible to love...and be loved...unconditionally.

BECAUSE OF THE CROSS - I HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN

2012-01-03T13:26:00.000-08:00

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in Heaven." - Luke 6:23

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

In a rural community a couple purchased a little home. The previous owner, now deceased, had owned a local movie theatre for decades. While remodeling, the old wallpaper was torn away to reveal treasure hidden within the walls. Vintage movie posters had been used for insulation throughout the entire house. One was worth a small fortune!

Treasure had surrounded the previous owner and sadly he missed it. Sadly, many souls will also miss the treasure of Heaven.

BECAUSE OF THE CROSS WE CAN HAVE TRUE RICHES GREATER THAN ANYTHING ON EARTH.

Heaven's treasure is found the moment we make our decision for Christ. Our old self is torn away and the new is revealed! Don't miss it!