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'The Man on the middle cross said I can come'
The Cross - Alistair
Begg by Solus Christus (10 min 35 Sec)
“And two others also, who were criminals, were being led
away to be put to death with Him. And
when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the
criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
“And one of the criminals who were hanged there was
hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other answered and rebuking him said,
‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of
condemnation? And we indeed justly, for
we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing
wrong.’
“And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in
Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘Truly
I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’” Luke 23:32-33,
39-43
It was the Sunday before Easter. As I entered the church hall a lady, I did
not know, approached me. She told me
that our pastor had spoken with her about my despair over my Mom. It was the start of Mom’s fifth week in
hospital struggling to breathe. She was
defiant about embracing the Lord Jesus Christ.
The lady shared a story with me about when her father was
dying. She was so anxious and eager to
ensure that he was saved regardless of how resistant he was.
The key to her wise advice was so simple: ‘Let her know you do not need to know her
decision.’
After church I rushed back to her hospital room and gave her
a big hug and let her know I didn’t need to know because the Lord would
know.
Then she told me why she resisted. She believed she could not be saved because
she had to be baptised and take communion!
I asked her if I
could read something to her from the Bible and she nodded. I read the passages above, assuring her that
the thief on the cross, never had a chance to have communion or be baptised
either. And left it at that.
My brother and I had shared the Gospel with her many times, so she knew the way. I told her if she needed some help I was there, but that I never needed to know whether or not she reached out to Jesus.
Her rich green-brown
eyes teared up and, even though she was no longer able to speak without the aid
of a ‘buzz box’ held to her throat, she said she wanted to hear the message
again. I walked her through the Gospel
and said she could pray to Jesus anytime she wanted.
She asked that we pray right now.
I held her hands, prayed the Lord would speak through me and carefully prayed with her. Saying she wanted to accept that God loved her so much He sent His only Son to die for her.
That His saving grace was hers to claim, but
that she had to admit she was a sinner and realise her need of a Saviour --
that no amount of going to church, being baptised, taking communion every week,
giving money to the church, serving dinners to the needy and poor was what Jesus
wanted from us.
Jesus wanted our humble dependence, trust and faith in Him
alone – He wanted our hearts. She
squeezed my hands as hard as she could as we prayed together and thanked the
Lord for saving her and coming to live in her heart -- as He had done with the
thief on the cross – wholly dependent on Jesus only.
She insisted I call my brother immediately, so she could try
to tell him, and she did. For the next
six days not one person entered her room without her sharing the joy of her
salvation. On Easter Saturday she went
home to glory and I could only imagine her joy – ‘Because the man on the cross
said I could come!’
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you each day)
PS: Find my
statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you
will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). You can easily
find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay
Devotion’. (Also, there is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app
you can download to read them on your phone.
Not sure about Apple.). For the
books, go Amazon
books.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
- Barbara – (my sister-in-law) recovering
from surgery to remove two cancerous growths. One became infected and she is now on
antibiotics but not well yet and for Tim who is caring for her.
- Elizabeth and Dan
- planning their wedding. Please
pray that they both are firm in their commitment to Jesus Christ as a
priority.
- Simon and Tamara and their children – Simon
(my pastor) has been chosen to support the Lord’s work in a new, more
far-reaching way. Help them prepare
throughout this year for the new challenges that await them. And when
Simon takes up the new role, let him fill it with the same grace, devotion
and love he has consistently demonstrated while at St. Marks. Strengthen the congregation to rejoice
with them and their decision.
- Christine – give her strength as she
journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives his heart to the
Lord.
- Family of Eric – Eric at 52 died suddenly
leaving his 47-year-old wife and three girls (ages 16, 19 and 23). Pray the Lord comforts the family through
this time of mourning. Pray for
their wisdom and for trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based friends to
support them.
- Peyton and Carter-
Grandchildren of Jeff and Rachael.
Payton is eldest granddaughter and now in her third year at
college. Carter is a senior in high
school. Both are exceptional
students and love the Lord. Please
pray they are not distracted by worldly things, that they continue do well
in their studies and that their love of the Lord increases with each day.
- Pat and Isobel –as they serve tirelessly
in challenging times. Pray the Lord
refreshes and strengthens them.
- Jasper and Bec – the new youth pastor. Still studying at Moore College and
living on campus there. Pray for
balance between academic studies and common-sense family focus.
- Elaine and Jim Pounder and their Little Church
ministry have begun a new work.
Continue to pray for their healing strength and time with family as
their ministry continues to spread around the world in a model of home
churches. They have begun a YouTube
channel Please consider
watching and subscribing to their sound teaching episodes. Website: The Little Church
World. And https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld.
- Jenny S– A woman who has served the Lord
as a Bible teacher at a local Bible school who has been called into a new
ministry. Give her courage and
strength as she finds her way in this new role. Give her a hungry curiosity under
change. Help her identify the
balance and value of her unique contribution. Pray the Lord maintains her health in
this time of stress.
- Audley M – In his 90s has just gotten
married. Pray for their union in
Christ and for their health and strength.
Pray for his wisdom and the effective growth of his wonderful radio
ministry (Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Indianapolis) as America hunger for
‘true meat’!
- Sophie– five-year old daughter of a
friend is chronically unwell and frail. Please pray for her, her parents and
health carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
- Hans– a dear friend in Germany, continues
his battle lung cancer and financial difficulties. Pray his new social worker will be able
to help him through this time. Pray
for his patience and God’s mercy. Pray for his healthcare providers and
that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who
will support him through this journey. Pray for his Mom (age 84) -- that their
time together is filled with extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
- Callilah- a lost child. Pray the Lord will capture her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never
compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity,
strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile
health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in
practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this
challenging time.
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