Jesus - our only hope

But emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross Phillipians 2:7-8

Photo credit: Krystal Cartwright
Blue Tango plant, local Bahamian plant show. 

In the spirit of this beautiful Easter season we must all take a deeper look beyond the commercial holiday hype to what Easter is all about. Easter is the time of year we as Christians celebrate and honor the Son of God who was sent down from heaven to be sacrificed for our sins. It's all about JESUS. Jesus, the name above all names. Who is mighty to save us. The greatest truth in the Bible, the greatest act of love by God. Sacrificing His begotten Son to stand in for us, to take our pain, sins, filth, shame, fear, wickedness, darkness on Himself, to bear it all and pay the penalty - death. To ransom our hearts from the death and destruction of sin. And all we have to do to receive this atonement, to reap the benefits of this sacrifice is to confess our sins and turn to God. Wow! Would you bear the consequence of a crime for a friend? Would you go to the judge and say "I will stand in for him and I will be punished in his place"?, would you still do it if the punishment was death? Jesus was a beautiful, compassionate person. He spoke life to all, embraced the broken-hearted and cried with the weeping. He was perfect in His doing, he never sinned and He reached out to all in love. Telling people of forgiveness, of living a righteous life, of believing in God who loves them. This gentle Son of Man was beaten, spit on, mocked and crucified - though He didn't deserve it. Jesus did this for us! He did it for you and me and everyone before us and after us. He did it so that you would have freedom from sin! "and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him"​ Hebrews 5:9 So that you will no longer live in the darkness of shame and guilt of sin, but that you might be free! Your forgiveness is not based on your merit it does not weaken or wane when you make a mistake Jesus' blood purchased a perfect, indestructible bond of perfect love. God does not see your mistakes, once you accept Christ He sees you in His glory, perfect, holy and His. God's forgiveness never falters because Jesus never faltered. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL Hebrews 10:10 Even if you are a Christian and you sin, simply confess. Do not shy away from God in guilt and shame, confess quickly and do not let the devil keep you down. Admit to God you have sinned, confess and move on. Always move on, the fact is, while we are still on earth we will always sin, our human nature is constantly fighting our spiritual nature. Even Paul said "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing" Romans 7:19. But be encouraged, Jesus came and eradicated the power of sin over you, trust Him if you battle with a particular sin, pray and ask for His guidance and strength. But always be encouraged, Jesus is always before us, pleading our case to God and constantly forgiving us. He knows our hearts and loves us through it all.


Dear Jesus,
Thank you for your finished work on the cross. You endured hardship, betrayal, pain and torture all for our sakes. You stood in for me and you took my punishment, you destroyed death and call me to a life of freedom. Thank you for continually washing me clean, for presenting me holy to God. Help me with this particular sin, forgive me and guide me to follow your will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

You Can Be Healed

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD. Jer 30:17

 

This verse is short and simple and can be taken literally. As Jesus walked upon the earth doing God's will - he healed many people. "He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men" Psalm 107:19-21. God sent Jesus in to the world to save us, to heal our every hurt. Not just physical pain, but emotional, mentally and spiritual healing. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147: 3. The Lord God who made you, can heal you and cleanse you of all sickness and disease. Jesus' stories of healing people in the Bible are not mythical, magical stories from the past, this is a truth that you can take hold of today. "For I am the Lord, I change not" Mal 3:6. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". Hebrews 13:18. I think everyone at some point asks the question, "Can God really heal me?". Even small things - if you have a headache in the morning, is your first response to ask God to remove the headache or show you what is causing the headache, or do you automatically reach for a aspirin. Sometimes Christians are not sure about the question on medicine or seeing a doctor. For example, one might think, if I am asking God to heal me should I show my faith by not taking my medicine and wait for God to heal me? God wants to heal you, He wants to bind up your wounds and release you from the bondage of sickness. God gives doctors and scientist the knowledge and wisdom to produce medicine, procedures and treatments that help us heal, be strengthened and cured. I think God treats each of us individually and lovingly, every case is different, ask Him to establish your steps and help you. If you pray and seek God for answers for a on-going problem you have, there is no doubt He will guide you to truth and put people in your life that can help you."If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" James 1:5. Inquire of God, hold fast to His truths and believe that He can do miracles in your body and mind just as He has done before and is doing today. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10 And in the end, let God's will be done, we can not question His ways but I do know He is in charge and will comfort you and love you no matter what the circumstances are. I pray blessings, peace and good health to you in the Name of Jesus. Amen. Don't stop believing.

Also here are some great books I read on healing:

 - Healing Promises by Joseph Prince

 - Christ the Healer by F.F. Bosworth

 - Be Healed in Jesus' Name by Joyce Meyer

Desires of Your Heart

"Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's"

Psalm 103:5

Photo source by me (Krystal H. Cartwright) Taken in Nassau, Bahamas (Eastern part of the island)

In today's world there is so much focus on desire, money, power, lust, sex, pleasure and gratification. Married couples fall off the foundation of "keeping the marriage bed holy Heb 13:4" and into the "excitement and thrill" of affairs. Young people subject their bodies to sexual lusts that leave them unsatisfied. People use mind alternating drugs, which leave them miserable after the high has faded. We have all put ourselves in jeopardy in some way or another in pursuit of unbridled happiness. Drinking the night away, waking up saying "Oh I'll never drink again", sleeping with people who don't treat us right just for the physical pleasure or just simply for the fleeting comfort. We search and search, we give ourselves away to our lusts, leaving a piece of ourselves in each unfulfilling pleasure. The only true pleasure, the only true love, the only real satisfaction and contentment you will ever experience is in God and God alone - not in a career, another person, money or material things. "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" Psalm16:11. It is only in our Creator we have that peace of being enough just the way we are. Come to Him and open your heart up to that exhilarating truth and love that only He can give unconditionally. "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37:4. God knows the desires in your heart, come to Him, learn of Him, in His word and your heart will be restored and grateful. "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14 You were not made to live apart from God, you were made to be loved and it is God's love that will sustain you, cleanse you, release you from the world's harshness and bondage. Spend time in His Word, make an effort to pray every day and see for yourself how those pleasures of the world that seemed so important and vital before, can never compare to what you will find in Him. "Casting the whole of your care -- all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all -- on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully" 1 Peter 5:7. Spiritual freedom, supernatural provision, freedom from anxiety and worry, powerful protection, contentment and rest in knowing you are completely loved.

-Krystal H. Cartwright

(broken to chosen)

Revengful, hurt, angry?!

 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you”. Luke 6:27-28

 

Whooooa those enemies! This is definitely one of those controversial statements that Jesus made to the people during His ministry. Love your enemies! Pray for those who hurt, abuse, curse, treat you horribly, take advantage of you and make fun of you. Pray for those people! Pray for them to be successful, safe and happy. After recovering from the initial shock of reading this verse we tend to consider who our enemies are. Our minds fly to the office bully, the frienemy that stays in our life even though they continual hurt us or even a family member who puts you down any chance they get. We are taught to love these people, not just tolerate them but love them. Do nice things for them, speak highly of them, be nice to them and respect them. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” Ephe 4:32 I think this is a powerful and beautiful lesson. Jesus endured torture and a horrible death by His own people, but with blood in his eyes and nails in his hands, He looked up to God and said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34. Mocked, beaten, ridiculed, betrayed and abandoned – Jesus turned around and prayed to God to forgive those same people. Jesus’ words are profound “forgive them, they do not know what they are doing”. The people who upset us most times don’t know the effect they have on our feelings. When we pray for them and love them anyway, we open the door for God to take care of the situation while leaving you in peace, “if your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you” Prov 25:21.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you are my perfect example. Your life was one of love and forgiveness. Teach me and change me to love others despite the way they treat me. Help me to be your representative on earth so they may see You in me. Help me Lord to give you my battles, to not sit in bitterness and plot revenge. You are My God and I know you will protect and care for me. Thank you Lord for the freeing truth of your love.

Quality Time

Spending time in God's Word is so restoring. It is packed with true stories of sorrow and triumph, epic wars and victories, heroes and justice with His love and forgiveness prevailing over all. He cleanses us with the Truth of His love for us and the knowledge of His grace. There are so many resources out there that can help with your Bible reading - reading plans, Bible Apps, even a small Bible that can fit in your pocket can be a window of hope when things get hectic at work or if your stressed out in a situation and you can't find a quiet spot. Let Jesus and His love for you be your quiet spot. But if you do have time to spend with God - do it! Don't get distracted, spend that time, read the Word and whisper a prayer. You will feel so light and relieved afterwards.

Also for my people out there who don't really like to read, there is a awesome line of comic/ graphic novel Bibles that are reader friendly and are guaranteed to keep and peak your interest, the graphics are awesome! 

Light & love,
Krys