UpWords with Max Lucado

UpWords with Max Lucado

Crosswalk Home  |  Devotionals  |  Bible Study Tools  |  More Newsletters

Friday, December 10, 2010  Email    Facebook Twitter    Print

Week of December 10 No Accident by Max Lucado It has all the ingredients of a good sermon illustration. It's emotional. It's dramatic. And it's a story that'll break your heart. Heaven only knows how many times preachers have used it. There's only one problem. It's not accurate. Maybe you've heard it. It's the story of an engineer who operated a drawbridge across a mighty river. With a control panel of levers and switches, he set into motion a monstrous set of gears that either lifted the bridge for the river traffic or closed it for the oncoming train. One day he took his young son to work with him. The fascinated boy hurled question after question at his dad. It was not until the span had opened to allow the passage of a ship that the father noticed the questions had ceased and his son had left the room. He looked out the window of his control cabin and saw the young boy climbing on the teeth of the gears. As he hurried toward the machinery to get his son, he heard the whistle of an approaching train. His pulse quickened. If he closed the bridge there would be no time to retrieve his son. He had to make a choice. Either his son would be killed or a trainload of innocent passengers would be killed. A horrible dilemma mandated a horrible decision. The engineer knew what he had to do. He reached for the lever. A powerful story, isn't it? It's often used to describe the sacrifice of Christ. And it is not without its parallels. It's true that God could not save man without killing his son. The heart of God the Father did twist in grief as he slammed the gears of death down on Jesus. And it's sad, yet true, that the innocent have whizzed by the scene of the crime oblivious to the sacrifice that has just saved them from certain death. But there is one inference in the story that's woefully in need of correction. Read this quote from the first sermon ever preached about the cross and see if you can find the revealing phrase. Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. (Acts 2:22-23) Did you see it? It's the solemn phrase in the paragraph. It's the statement that rings of courage, the one with roots that extend back to eternity. It is the phrase which, perhaps as much as any in the Bible, describes the real price God paid to adopt you. Which phrase? "God's set purpose and foreknowledge." The Revised Standard Version calls it "the definite plan and foreknowledge of God." Today's English Version translates the phrase, "In accordance with his own plan." Regardless how you phrase it, the truth is ever so sobering: The cross was no accident. Jesus' death was not the result of a panicking, cosmological engineer. The cross wasn't a tragic surprise. Calvary was not a knee-jerk response to a world plummeting towards destruction. It wasn't a patch-job or a stop-gap measure. The death of the Son of God was anything but an unexpected peril. No, it was part of a plan. It was a calculated choice. "It was the LORD's will to crush him." (Isaiah 53:10) The cross was drawn into the original blueprint. It was written into the script. The moment the forbidden fruit touched the lips of Eve, the shadow of a cross appeared on the horizon. And between that moment and the moment the man with the mallet placed the spike against the wrist of God, a master plan was fulfilled. It was no accident—would that it had been! Even the cruelest of criminals is spared the agony of having his death sentence read to him before his life even begins. But Jesus was born crucified. Whenever he became conscious of who he was, he also became conscious of what he had to do. The cross-shaped shadow could always be seen. And the screams of hell's imprisoned could always be heard. This explains the resoluteness in the words, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord." (John 10:17-18) The cross explains ... Why he told the Pharisees that the "goal" of his life would be fulfilled only on the third day after his death. (Luke 13:32) It adds gravity to his prophecies, "I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:15) * This is why the ropes used to tie his hands and the soldiers used to lead him to the cross were unnecessary. They were incidental. Had they not been there, had there been no trial, no Pilate and no crowd, the very same crucifixion would have occurred. Had Jesus been forced to nail himself to the cross, he would have done it. For it was not the soldiers who killed him, nor the screams of the mob: It was his devotion to us. So call it what you wish: An act of grace. A plan of redemption. A martyr's sacrifice. But whatever you call it, don't call it an accident. It was anything but that. * Matthew 16:21 From the newly released  God Came Near: Deluxe Edition Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1987) Max Lucado Online Bible Study Tools Read through the Bible and other Bible study resources: biblestudy.crosswalk.com •  Great Deals on Bible Studies •  Pick your classroom with Liberty •  Christian Private Health Care •  Write a Note to an Orphan •  Publish Your Book Crosswalk.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: • Oneplace.com • LightSource.com • ChristianJobs.com • CrossCards.com • SermonSearch.com • Christianity.com

Send a FREE Ecard! More FREE Ecards Because of Him Joy, Hope, Peace A Birthday Prayer Christmas Peace

Power Point with Jack Graham

Power Point with Jack Graham

Crosswalk Home  |  Devotionals  |  Bible Study Tools  |  More Newsletters

Friday, December 10, 2010 Forward to a Friend   Free Newsletters   Print

How the Holy Spirit can show himself through you December 10, 2010 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:37-38 I spoke with a man awhile back who had been on several mission trips to Latin America. He was telling me that in the summer, the heat and humidity can be almost unbearable in some areas. But the rivers are almost ice cold year-round because they come from melted snow in the mountains. So the people in these countries jump in the cold rivers for relief from the severe summer heat! Now isn't that just like the Holy Spirit? When we believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, the Spirit of God comes and dwells in us. And because of that, rivers of living water flow out of us that are remarkably different than the world around us.   And that's really what it means to live a spiritual life! The Christian who lives spiritually will say and do things that are so different from the dying world around him that people will notice. God's Spirit allows us to breathe refreshing life into a harsh world!   So instead of conforming to the world, live a life that is characteristic of the Holy Spirit inside of you. And your thoughts and deeds will be like a cool stream in a dying world.   ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO WORK THROUGH YOU AND BRING LIFE TO THE LOST AND HURTING WORLD AROUND YOU.   For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org and Listen to Dr. Jack Graham's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com. Watch Jack Graham and Powerpoint Ministries Video Online. MY GIFT TO YOU! Straight Up Dear Friend, I sincerely hope you will request my 10-message series called Straight Up, where I tackle 10 tough questions we all face. Like "When Does Life Begin?" and "Can Love Last a Lifetime?", "Can You Trust the Bible?", and "Are All Religions the Same?" After listening, you'll be more equipped to live a confident life, knowing the truth and trusting the promises of Christ!  Thank you for giving to help PowerPoint continue to share the transforming power of Jesus!!  --Jack Graham    Online Bible Study Tools Read through the Bible and other Bible study resources: biblestudy.crosswalk.com •  Save Up To 85% on Devotionals •  Affordable online degrees •  The Christian Private Health Care Option •  Encourage an Orphan •  Publish Your Book Crosswalk.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: • Oneplace.com • LightSource.com • ChristianJobs.com • CrossCards.com • SermonSearch.com • Christianity.com

Send a FREE Ecard! More FREE Ecards Because of Him Joy, Hope, Peace A Birthday Prayer Christmas Peace

"Super Taiko Concert" with renowned players from Japan, Mar 5

Cultural News Email Daily   Cultural News Email Daily is edited by Shige Higashi of Cultural News in Los Angeles, California. The goal of Cultural News is to tie together with enthusiasts of Japanese culture in Southern California. The indexing at www.culturalnews.com is most comprehensive source of Japanese culture in the region. This is a membership site. Join Cultural News Club! "Super Taiko Concert" with renowned players from Japan, Mar 5   The Taiko Center of Los Angeles announces that former Kodo soloists, Shuichi Hidano and Hiroyuki Hayashida will perform at the Super Taiko Concert on Saturday, March 5, 2:00 pm at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Plaza in Little Tokyo.    Also featured in the concert will be odaiko (big drum) expert, Jun Takada and the Taiko Center of Los Angeles.   Advance tickets are $20. At the door tickets are $25.   For information, call (213) 680-3700 or (626) 484-5184. Shuichi Hidano Hiroyuki Hayashida Jun Takada

Forward email This email was sent to omsstravel.1234@blogger.com by editor@culturalnews.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Cultural News | P.O Box 48678 | Los Angeles | CA | 90048

TH Daily - December 10 - Michelle Malkin, Brent Bozell, Jonah Goldberg, David Limbaugh, Oliver North and More

Homegrown Hate Crimes Against our Troops Michelle Malkin: When jihad-bent American Muslims target American soldiers on American soil, why does America yawn? ... more The Diseases of Pornography Brent Bozell: Derrick Burts, 24, started working as a porn-film actor in June. By October, he'd contracted the HIV virus. The AP story on Burts contained a jaw-dropping sentence. ... more When Words Fail Jonah Goldberg: Most theories for why the president came unglued like a papier-mache doll in a steam bath during his press conference this week center on the fact that he can't stand having his liberal bona fides questioned. ... more There's Compromise, and There's Compromise David Limbaugh: There's a lot of noise today about promoting political squishiness to a virtue and endorsing the notion that compromise for its own sake is noble. I uncompromisingly dissent. ... more Protecting Our Protectors Oliver North: It's a tough time to be a member of the U.S. armed forces. Those serving in our all-volunteer military -- and their families -- are stretched and stressed by more than nine years of war. ... more The Making of a President Pat Buchanan: If the Pelosi-Reid liberals are in a hissy fit over the tax-cut deal negotiated by Barack Obama, they have only themselves to blame. ... more The Mitch Daniels Dilemma Mona Charen: A parade of political professionals, pundits, and scribblers (including me) has trouped to Indianapolis because the modest, humorous, and mild-mannered Daniels may well be the best chief executive in American government. ... more Midwives to a New Nation Michael Gerson: The Obama administration, elsewhere challenged by Iranian nuclear ambitions and North Korean brinksmanship, is on the verge of a major diplomatic achievement in Sudan. ... more The Daniels Dilemma Mona Charen: Mitch Daniels was elected governor of Indiana in 2004. He was re-elected in 2008 (when Obama carried the state), winning more votes than any candidate in the state's history. ... more The Dream and the Nightmare Linda Chavez: The Dream Act is amnesty in the most meritorious sense. Many of those eligible to participate came as babes in arms or as young children. ... more Debunking the Millionaires and Billionaires Tax Cut Rhetoric Matt Towery: According to Bloomberg News, an overwhelming percentage of the people being called "the ultra rich" come nowhere near to earning $1 million dollars a year. ... more GAO: 'Unclear' If Airport Body Scanners Will Detect Underwear Bombs Terry Jeffrey: Even though TSA has put these so-called Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners through both laboratory and operational testing, Congress's own auditing agency says it "remains unclear" that they can actually do the primary job they are intended to do. ... more Hillary's Unexpected Good Fortune Suzanne Fields: There are villains aplenty in the WikiLeaks scandal, but nobody looks better for it than Hillary Clinton. ... more No, We're Not No. 2 -- Yet David Harsanyi: A new Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor poll -- accompanied by a piece charmingly titled "We're No. 2" -- reports that the attitudes of Americans are about what you'd expect. ... more Obama Outmaneuvered in Tax Cut Battle Donald Lambro: President Obama went before the White House press corps Tuesday, blaming the Republicans for boxing him into a very difficult position that forced him to cut a deal to extend the Bush tax cuts. ... more The End of Books Paul Greenberg: News item, July 8, 2010: "The periodical shelves at Stanford University are nearly bare..." ... more Wikileaks Spurs Big Brother to Strike Diana West: WikiLeaks is exposing the way our government conducts "business." It is not a pretty process. Sometimes Uncle Sam limps along like a powerless giant, as when secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton vainly plead with China to stop facilitating the military rise of Iran. ... more		Foes of 'don't ask, don't tell' say fight not over Obama to meet with former President Clinton Federal judges urged to quit private group's board Democrats delay action on young immigrants bill Recall News Lots O'"Hostage" Talk Carol Platt Liebau DADT Repeal Fails Katie Pavlich IS THE "F-WORD" PROGRESS FOR POP MUSIC? Michael Medved Obama Forced to Defend Tax Compromise Lefty Infighting: MSNBC Liberals Scream at Each Other Debate: Is the Death Tax Fair? Bill O'Reilly Discusses the Far Left in America CCAGW EXPRESSES OUTRAGE OVER HARRY'S HANDOUT TO HARRAH'S Read My Lips... No New Spending! Obamacare Waivers Point to Its Unworkability, Lawlessness Lunch With Heritage Online Chat on the Drilling Moratorium Protests, cyber-skirmishes rage over WikiLeaks APNews AP Enterprise: FAA loses track of 119,000 aircraft APNews Serbia reverses Nobel boycott APNews Police capture wanted Indonesian terror suspect APNews Empty chair left for jailed Chinese Nobel laureate APNews Pole dancing holds world championships APNews Treasury: Financial bailout income at $35 billion APNews Iran to air new footage of woman in stoning case APNews Top Israeli rabbi slams anti-Arab edict APNews Report: Sinopec to buy Occidental Argentine assets APNews Elder: The WikiLeaks Vindication of George W. Bush Coulter: Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Call Our Troops Homophobes Barone: While His Base Rages, Obama Faces Tax-Cut Reality Goldberg: Politics Without Labels? What a Silly Concept Thomas: Questions for Democrats Gingrich Cushman: The Obama Administration's Flawed Foundation Hewitt: Kill 'the Deal' Dick Morris: The Republican Senate Sowell: Walter Williams' Memoir Benson: Fiscal Hawk May Finally Land on House Appropriations Committee
Connect with Townhall Share Townhall Daily Forward this Email Link to this Email Share on Facebook Tweet this Submit to Digg Townhall Magazine Get Townhall Magazine Give the Magazine as a Gift About the Magazine Contact Us