We have a Backstage Pass to the Father, Through Jesus

This thought was ringing in my ears recently: We cannot overemphasize the importance of the cross. Seriously, in our daily lives, in world history, for all humanity.  

Christ Showed us the way by walking among us

Scripture says of Jesus, "He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible ... all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things and in him all things hold together ... For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things ... by making peace through his blood shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:15-20, NIV).  The Amplified Bible reveals verse 19 as "For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of all the divine perfection, powers and attributes) should dwell in him permanantly."

The Cross is the hinge of history and the decision point of every one of our lives

Futher in Colossians 1:26, Paul calls Christ's human birth, physical death and bodily resurrection, "the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but .. now disclosed to the saints ... this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Peter proclaims, "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things" (1 Peter 1:10-12, NIV).

In Ephesians 3, verses 4-12, "The mystery of Christ.  [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed ... [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings [the gospel] ... Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus ... This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which he has realized and carried into effect [in the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord, In Whom, because of our faith in him, we dare to have boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear)" (Amplified).

From a ministry partner:
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Mission Trip Mentality

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Strength in Numbers