The Necessity of the Cross

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15 NIV

What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.

Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.

But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.

Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.

from Dr. Charles Stanley

TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL SPONSOR:

Do You Know For Sure...

Do You Know For Sure That You Have Been Given The Free Gift Of Salvation?
Have you ever wondered why your life lacks true meaning?
The Lord Jesus Christ is the answer! And we would like to share with you the following basic steps to believing what God has told us.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Believe this and be Saved:
1. Realize you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 and Romans 5:12
2. Realize you can't do it yourself. Eph. 2:8-9 --Eph. 1:7
3. Realize that Christ died for your sin. 1 Cor. 15:3
He DIED in OUR place. Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
JESUS is the WAY to new Life. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor 5:17
HE GIVES INNER PEACE Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified (ACQUITTED) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
HE GIVES FREEDOM John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
HE GIVES ETERNAL LIFE John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
REST, FOR HE HAS DONE IT ALL
4. Realize He has done it all, now walk in Him 2 Cor. 5:21, Colossians 2:6
THANK God that He has RECONCILED YOU TO HIMSELF, receive HIM as your SAVIOR.
To commit yourself, to allow Him to have His way, Pray this.
"Heavenly Father, I have seen that I am a sinner, still in the life of Adam, and that I have committed sins. I believe you sent your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die in my place for my sins. I also believe He rose again, now lives, and right now I receive Him into my spirit as my Savior. I surrender all that I am, all I have, and all I shall be to you Lord. Thank you for having taken care of the sin problem at the cross, and for making me a new creation in Christ. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me. Amen."
If you have just allowed the Lord Jesus Christ to become your Savior, please allow the Lord to direct you to a Bible Believing Church Near You...

DAILY SMILE:

The $50 Cruise

Submitted by Jenmo1

A man sees an ad for a $50 cruise on Craigslist. Despite his better judgment, he grabs some cash and makes his way to the address given in the ad.

He opens the door to a small office and is knocked unconscious from behind. He wakes up tied to a barrel floating in the Atlantic Ocean. "Well, this really stinks" he said out loud.

A second man floats by, also tied to a barrel. "Tell me about it," the second man replies. "This is worse than last year."

Twice Baked Potato Rounds

from http://susanrecipe.com/2017/03/twice-baked-potato-rounds.html

Ingredients:
• 4 large potatoes, cut into 1/2 slices (used russet & yukon potatoes)
• 1/4 c butter, melted
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 Tbsp garlic, minced
• 8 slice bacon cooked, crumbled
• 8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 c green onions,chopped
• sour cream

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Brush both side of potato slices with butter, add salt, pepper and garlic; place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides, turning once (I did forgot to turn them one time, and they were fine).
3. When potatoes are ready, top with bacon, cheese, and green onion; continue baking until the cheese has melted (I just turned the oven off and let the heat melt it all).
4. Serve with sour cream if desired and Enjoy!!