(CS4U) God

RISE AND SHINE CHRISTIAN SERVICES April 8&9, 2011 Discover yourself to reclaim your destiny Meditations for your quiet moments God Will Never Turn His Back on You For six whole hours, the Son of God was suspended between heaven and earth. And at the height of His suffering on the cross, He cried out in the deep darkness, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:45–46. For the first time, Jesus addressed His Father as "God". The Father had forsaken the Son. As Judge of the universe, God had to turn His back on His Son, who was carrying the filth of the world's sins, for His eyes are too pure to behold evil. Habakkuk 1:13. If the Father had not turned His back on His Son, He would have to turn His back on you today when you call out to Him in your hour of need. But because Jesus has taken your place, today, you take His place, and you have God's face smiling on you always! Right now, God's face is smiling on you. His countenance is shining on you. I can stand before you and declare, "The Lord make His face shine upon you." Numbers 6:25–26.  And it is all because Jesus has paid the price for God to never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5. As Judge, God turned His back on His Son. But as Father, He cried. His heart was broken because Christ was never more pleasing to Him than when He was on the cross. Christ's suffering was a sweet-smelling aroma to the Father. Ephesians 5:2 Do you remember what Jesus said? "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again." John 10:17 If you are a parent, you love each one of your children equally. But when one of them does something special for you out of love, it touches your heart, and you just want to run to him and hug him. That was what happened at the cross, except that the Father could not embrace His Son. Instead, He had to turn His back on His Son because our sins had to be punished in His Son's body. Beloved, when you cry out to the Father for help today, know that He hears you and will surely help you. Because of Jesus, He will never turn His back on you! Jesus — King and Lord Over The Storm Are you going through a dark, difficult moment in your life? Perhaps the storm just rages on with no let-up and you are trembling in fear. You feel that any time now, you may just cave in and go under because you cannot beat this storm. Be comforted that Jesus sees what you are going through and He always comes to where you are in your darkest hour. He did that for His disciples one stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus came, walking on the stormy waters, walking on top of the problem that was threatening to overwhelm them. He is indeed the King and Lord over the storms! When your eyes are on Christ, even though the storms are raging and the winds are blowing, you will know that you are above your troubles and circumstances. When people ask you how you are doing under the circumstances, tell them, "I am not under the circumstances. I am on top of them because my God is above all!" Don't be fearful. He will come to you walking on the stormy waters. Hear His comforting voice telling you, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And as you behold Jesus, you become like Him. You will find yourself doing things you did not know you could do. You will, like Peter, walk on water. This happens when you are occupied with the person of Jesus, with His resources, love, wisdom, ability, power and majesty. My friend, even during the times when you take your eyes off Jesus, He never takes His eyes off you. And when you cry out to Him, He will immediately stretch out His hand to catch hold of you. You will not go under. There may be times that you are not able to find your way back. Jesus will then hold your hand and walk you back to the boat. And like Peter, you will realize that with your hand in His, the storm will come to a standstill! Share this with a friend Send us your Prayer Requests Feel free to unsubscribe risetoshine@hotmail.co.uk