For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him

shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Volume 15, Episode IV

April 2014

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. PRAYER: For a RENEWED understanding regarding the CROSS. For Gods BLESSINGS upon students of CLASS ADT 2014. For an authentic HUNGER for Gods WILL. For true AMBASSADORS of the CROSS. For spiritual DISCERNMENT. For spiritual and material SUPPLIES for the ministry in 2014. Amen!

The POWER of the CROSS

Motto: For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). My wife and I were having our devotion one morning and the cross was brought again to the forefront of our minds. None of us are gifted musically but, whenever it is possible, we like to listen to some worship songs. Sometimes we even try to sing these powerful songs together with the professionals. That particular morning we found on YouTube FROM the INSIDE OUT a collection of good worship songs. From this collection Lead us to the CROSS ministered to our hearts in a special way. Check it out yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_24IdbJ0Tw If you listen and watch it carefully you will notice that at one point into the song there is an image with three crosses. This was the tipping point for me. We know that when our Lord Jesus was crucified two robbers were crucified with Him as well. Matthew writes, At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left (Matt. 27:38). This image is powerful! Think about the fact that on the hill of Golgotha referred to as the Place of a Skull (John 19:17) were three crosses. Do you see this? Jesus hanged on the middle cross and on His left and His right side there were two criminals. Doctor Luke gives us a very important detail, which for whatever reason is not mentioned by the other gospel writers. One criminal (I am assuming it was on Jesus left side) mocked Him saying: Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us! (Luke 23:39). What is interesting is that the other criminal, (I am assumPlease PRAY for these ing he was hanging on the right side of MISSION TRIPS: Christ), had a different attitude about India: Mar. 24 Apr. 8, 2014 the situation. He rebukes his friend Italia: Apr. 9 Apr. 15, 2014 saying: Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong (Luke
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Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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VOLUME 15, EPISODE IV

23:40-41). Two things I would like to you to notice here: First is that the criminal on the right side repented he admitted that he is being punished for his wrong deeds. The second thing is that he believed in Jesus he confessed his faith in Christ. And he was saying, Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom! (Luke 23:42). If you pause and think about it for a moment, you will realize this is powerful stuff! The attitude of one of the criminals made all the difference in the universe. Think about it He became the first fruit of the Cross. He was saved. Jesus said to this criminal Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:43). What a powerful illustration of salvation by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. But why is this passage so magnificent to us? Very simple, at any given point in Gods economy there are DONATE ONLINE three different crosses: The CROSS of [ Using Visa or PayPal ] Christ, my cross (your cross), and the cross of someone else (a spouse, a brothGo to urfm.org/ er or a sister, a neighbor, a friend, or a stranger). Jesus is the only ONE Click << DONATE >> who suffered unjustly. He is the Lamb of God. Christ is the Redeemer. It is Fill out your information extremely important to realize that we have a choice regarding the CROSS Follow the instructions my cross or your cross vs. Christs CROSS. We can declare out loud that We indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this MAN has done nothing wrong and, based on this unchanging reality, URFM offers Advanced Discipleship decide to accept the suffering with a good and Training (ADT) over the INTERNET. positive attitude. Or we can kick and scream Any person, anywhere in the world, and throw a tantrum mocking the Lamb of God by saying contentiously Are You not the can benefit from this lifeChrist? Save Yourself and us! The choice is transforming training. Get READY! ours; but the difference between the two attitudes is like day and night. Contact us to ENROLL!!! Now can we see how powerful the CROSS is? By the cross we have been saved, but in my opinion, it is even more important after we are saved. This is precisely what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:18, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being There is power in saved it is the power of God. Now can we comprehend why the cross is the CROSS. the power of God for those who are saved? No wonder the Word warns us that by our words we will either be condemned or saved. Matthew writes, For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matt. 12:37). Therefore, lets choose life. Give heed to the Scriptures. See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants (Deut. 30:15, 19). I pray and I hope that the three crosses will be a vivid image in our minds every time we are facing our crosses. Lets be reminded that there is power in the CROSS. Are you facing a facet of the cross in your life today? What will your attitude be? Please feel free to share I would like to hear your thoughts
With LOVE in Christs Service,

Valy Vaduva
Spiritual Mentor / Life Couch