Hope

Posted byshariwarnoldPosted inUncategorized

When I think about Easter and Jesus on the cross…I also think of the other two crosses. They each hung a criminal on either side of Jesus. I have always thought this a very significant piece of our scriptures. To me it reveals the simplicity of the gospel of Christ. For those of you who don’t know the story its in the New Testament of the Bible in Luke 23: 39-43.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “Since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

We learn from this we need to “fear God” …that’s it. Some of you may ask, what does fearing God mean? To me its an immense feeling of respect and adoration towards God. Its nothing flippant. Its like our earthly relationship with our own mother or father in that we love and respect them. We want to (usually) please them out of this love and respect. Not out of fear of punishment.

There are many Christians that aren’t sure if there loved ones are in heaven. To me this scripture is a message of hope. And that is exactly what Easter is….Christ died on the cross for us so that when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we too will one day live with Him in heaven.

Theres not a “list” of to do’s with God…Keep it simple. “Fear God.” And “you will be with me in paradise.” There are so many things as believers we can’t know until we are in heaven with God. But scripture gives us many things we can know. Looking up to heavenly things has lead to much soulful healing for me. One devotional I read today said that when we do that…it keeps our eyes off of ourselves. And I believe it.

Keep your eyes on God…our eternal HOPE!

*And for those of you that want to know about the photo…I took it last February when I was in Lourdes, France.

Published by shariwarnold

I was born in North Dakota and lived there until I headed to college in Abilene, Texas at age 17. I met my husband the first class of college in August of 1979. We dated about four year before marrying August 19, 1983. We both had graduated that summer...me in nursing and he as an electrical engineer. We have two kids, a daughter that lives in Nashville, TN with her awesome husband. And a son that resides in heaven now. I have been a believer in Jesus Christ since I was a young girl. When I started staying at home with our kids I would go to women's Bible studies for my spiritual growth as well as social. I am very grateful for every study I have ever done. I know it has helped me greatly in my healing of life struggles over the years. My prayer is that God's glory will shine as I share about what I have learned over the years. I pray that it may help others in their healing. Life trauma's are never easy to walk through but with God's help...it can be done. One step at a time.

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