Welcome to the cross where God hangs welcoming humanity with arms outstretched inviting us to come through Jesus’s flesh to experience God. It’s upward pole inviting us to a higher life impossible to live without His power and strength. This is the only way to God, our only hope.

Without the cross we are helplessly lost. Our salvation was paid for by Jesus at a terrible cost, and now it is the place where all our benefits of Psalms 103:2-14 are drawn from. It is the place of surety of a Christ to come.

It was from the beginning of humanity as a tree in the garden, a place to go to for life and pardon; but it had no beauty to draw Adam and Eve unlike the tree of knowledge which will only deceive. Real eternal knowledge can only come from this “life” tree, where a God man laid His life for you and me.

In the Book of Revelation 22:2 this tree of life’s leaves contain healing, this gruesome tree to the eyes is unappealing. It’s to all the nations, to those who will come and eat, It is all that will bring pardon at the judgment seat. This judgment seat of God’s Holiness demands death, but this act of God on a tree says pardon can be obtained by me.

God’s glory is His goodness, Exodus 34:5-10 shown to you and me, never more clearly seen than seeing Jesus hung on a tree. God’s plan for you and me, so that we can be “free”. Free of judgment to come, freedom from the bondage of sins we have done, freedom of fear from a God who invites us to come near. From a tree Jesus calls to us come and dine. Eat my flesh, my bread, my words I have said. Drink my blood – its water and wine these will be the ties that bind. For He desires we and Him to be one; for us also to reign; for us to be a son.

Jesus is the one who came by water and blood, not in the water only but with water and blood calling come unto me I will give you rest – learn to live in me and you will be blessed. The cross is not an abstract idea or appeal but God’s call to put it on our shoulders and carry everyday. In our doing so it will show others Jesus is the only way.

Into my life I must receive Christ dying on the tree, I Cor. 15:3. Then Romans 6:6,5 I must become intimately acquainted with the fact that my old self was crucified with Him and I am no longer a slave to sin for I have become united with Him in the likeness of His death so also I am united in the likeness of His resurrection. I am to consider by the cross I am dead to sin, Romans 6:11-13, by the cross a new life I win, sin doesn’t have dominion over me again.

The cross must be a yoke to me, joining me to Christ, bonding us together to mutual work in His fields. My life no longer my own, I am no longer bound to my tree of my own wisdom and knowledge. Its only by this tree of life can my greatest weakness and sin can be humbled, my pride. Matthew 11:28-30; 23:11,12.

God showed His lack of sinful pride by humbling Himself to become man, then naked He died upon the tree. Hebrews 5:8,9. As a son Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered and having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.

Where does our obedience begin everyday? Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23-26. I must assume the work of the cross in my life just as God assumed our humanity and died the horrible death of a felon for our sins and crimes. Psalms 85:8-13 in the cross we have a revelation of an angry God. Romans 1:16-18, His holiness demands judgment but on the cross we see righteousness and peace kissing one another for God put on humanity to pay the price of judgment so we may have peace, shalom and loving kindness and truth knit together in our lives.

God can not be understood by law, or rules which are our works, but only when we see God who gave Himself. Colossians 1:19-23; 2:2,3,9-17. This Jesus in whom “all the fullness of deity dwells” and we have been made complete in Him by the cross, burial, resurrection, and His glorification in the heavenlies.

By the cross we are to set our minds on things above for we have died and our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Christ has become our very life Colossians 3:1-11. Sin is too much of every man’s make up to be overcome by “self effort”:, we would only become proud in our imagined humility but we must reckon ourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ. Romans 6:11 who is our Lord, Ruller, Master, by our co-crucifixion with Him.

Jesus died not only for sin but unto sin Romans 6:10. As Christ was resurrected from this death, He gave us “His Spirit” to live a new life with. Romans 8:1-19. If we were born Americans but wanted to be true Frenchmen we could not become French by self effort or struggle. But suppose we died and were re-born to French mothers; now French attitudes would be easy, so it is by the cross.

We must be reborn by first dying with Him on a cross “I am crucified with Christ” Romans 6:6, Galatians 6:14, and by His spirit be reborn to a new life, a God natured life, allowing our lives to be controlled by God’s life spirit in us.

Satan was defeated by Jesus Christ on a cross, he has no power over us unless we take on Satan’s selfish pride and self infatuation, but we are crucified from this so we can have God’s nature, His glory so we might show forth His goodness, His forgiveness, His mercy, His tenderness. Exodus 34:5-10. Slow to anger, keeping loving kindness, gracious to all. The cross gives us the potential for victory but we must turn of our own volition against our old master, the devil and choose to place our selves under the rule and reign of the true King, Jesus Christ the Lord, the author and finisher of our faith.

Jesus rebuked Peter in Matthew 16:23 saying he was of Satan, a stumbling block for not setting his mind on God’s interest but man’s interests. Another time Peter wanted to use God power to call down fire to punish people and Jesus let him know of what spirit he was of. But we must be of the spirit of the cross, for the cross is the power of God and the wisdom of God. I Corinthians 1:18, 24; 2:2.

Let us be determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The cross is the altar where the sacrifice of the “new covenant” was offered. Here a sinless man offered Himself as a sacrifice to make a covenant with a Father God and we join ourselves to this man therefore coming into this new covenant. Hebrews 10:5-20. We enter this covenant through Jesus Christ having boldness (confidence) to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus (v 19) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh (v 20). Hebrews 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered Himself without spot or blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:15 and for this reason He is the mediator of the new covenant, by means of His death, for the redemption of the transgressions of the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

It’s in the cross, Hebrews 2:9-11, that we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons of glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies (sets apart) and those who are being sanctified are of one, for which He is not ashamed to call us brethren. It’s the cross that gave Jesus the right to have children Hebrews 2:13 and for us to have the right to receive “the spirit of adoption” as God’s sons, with the spirit coming into us crying Abba Father Galatians4:4-7.

All of this seeing the value of the cross is of no effect unless the spirit of love that drove Jesus to this cross becomes working in us. The glory of the cross was God showing His attributes of Exodus 34:5-7, showing true agape love. When I show forth true Agape love of I Corinthians 13:4-7, then my daily taking up the cross will shine forth to others.

When I was in my twenties, I worked in a manufacturing plant where there were lots of smoke from chemicals being burned. I developed white lumps that were just under the skin as well as many internal problems. The doctors diagnosed my condition as severe chronic erethyma nodozem. It usually affected areas below the knee. I was affected all the way to my face. After much consultations with various doctors in several states, I was told to quit my job because it was killing me. The doctors gave me about a year before I would be in a wheel chair.

I had two little girls and I did not want to die or be in a wheel chair. Though I didn’t know the Lord well at that point in my life, He had mercy on me and healed me. Little did I know that this would only be the beginning of sickness and healing for me. Years later I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At this point I was in church and had built a relationship with Jesus. Though I had a wonderful pastor at the time, he said he didn’t know how to help me other than prayer.

When you have no one to help in the natural you always have a comforter, and teacher ready to help. I turned to the Holy Spirit and He began teaching me how to walk through this disease. One of the first things He taught me was to watch the words of my mouth. There is power of life and death in the tongue. He told me not to say I had M.S. because if I did, I was taking ownership of it and it had a right to be in my body. I didn’t want to own it but I didn’t want to lie, so I asked the Holy Spirit how to speak. He said say you were diagnosed with it, are fighting it, or dealing with it. He also told me to be wary of who I asked to pray for me. He said many didn’t understand and would speak things back on me. I then let Him guide me as to who I told and who I didn’t. Healing is a process and it took nearly two years to walk through M.S.

Next I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. A few years after that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Each time I walked through a disease I learned more about healing. I believe that I learned in order to help others.

Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” I Peter 2:24 says, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.”

These scriptures will sound familiar if you have a relationship with Jesus. We were taught this same scriptures when we were taught about salvation. Jesus provided the way to salvation and healing at the same time. We receive Christ as our Savior by confessing our sins and asking Him to be Lord and we receive it all by faith. We receive our healing by faith as well.

Healing is the restoration of our health. The Bible tells us that healing can come through many avenues. Healing can be the result of :

Intercession (Num. 12:10-15)

Repentance (I Kings 13:1-6)

Prayer (James 5:14,15)

Faith (Matt. 9:20-22, John 4:46-53)

God’s Word ( Ps. 107:20)

We all know that the power to heal comes from God. The Bible says it was given to Jesus in Matthew 4:24 “Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them.” Also in Matthew 8:16,17 “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”

This same power to heal was given to the apostles. Matthew 10:1,5-8 “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans, But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

The Holy Spirit also gives this power to believers at His will. I Cor. 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit. Spiritual healing is also provided for the emotional side of man. The Bible calls it the brokenhearted. (Ps. 147:3).

Healing is necessary because of man’s:

Sin (Ps. 41:4)

Backsliding (Jer. 3:22)

Spiritual sickness (Is. 6:10)

I once had difficulty with allergies. All that I had done in the past was of no effect this time. I did all the natural things I knew to do and all the spiritual. I spoke to them with authority, faith, and confidence in the name of Jesus. But nothing happened. I continued to apply all I knew to do with still no success. Then I asked the Lord what the problem was. Why could I not get my healing? I had received it so many times before. This one is a spiritual problem the Lord told me. I had to pursue this issue for several weeks before gaining understanding. I found I was carrying guilt around that was not mine to carry. It was a situation I had absolutely no responsibility in. When I repented to the Lord for carrying this guilt my allergies immediately vanished. I learned from this experience about spiritual roots that can cause sickness. I later came across another spiritual root when I was dealing with cancer. I had been carrying a broken heart and when I repented not only did I feel much lighter emotionally but every lump in my breasts disappeared. Further study of the issue convinced me that most diseases have a spiritual root. But that is for another study. It would take a book to go through all of them.

We must not leave out the things we can do and should do in the natural to maintain our health. Amazingly many of these the doctors will also tell you.

 Exercise

(I Tim. 4:8) An individual should exercise at least three times a week. This is not activity. Exercise is something that raises your heartbeat for a duration of at least 20 minutes at a time.

Food

(Acts 27:34) All food needs to be in moderation with all our daily nutrients provided.

Temperance

(Jer. 35:5-8) Hard alcohol and social drugs are not good for you. The Bible says we can have a little wine for the stomach. Moderation again is the key.

Obedience

(Prov. 4:20-22) Disobedience can take us out from under our umbrella of protection from God.

Cheerfulness

(Prov. 17:22) Laughter and a merry heart is like a medicine. It does good to our bodies.

God does not supersede our will. If we choose to abuse our bodies, He may not heal us. However, we know that it is His will that we walk in health because Jesus bore those stripes for our healing. If we take care of ourselves, we can expect to walk in health and if disease does strike our body we can grab hold of that healing that is already provided and bring it into our bodies. How do you do that, you ask? I believe everyone has to work out their own just as we work out our own salvation. However, from my own experience I can tell you that you must be positive. You need to make the decision that you are the healed and act accordingly. When I had breast surgery twice in one week, I never missed a church service. During the time of fighting cancer , I continued to fulfill my commitments. I didn’t take on anything new and I had to have extra rest each day.

There were times when I would be throwing up and I would say, “I am healed in the name of Jesus” and then throw up some more. I learned scriptures that applied to healing and repeated them often.

I also believe it is important for you to take charge of your own health care. I highly respect and honor the medical profession. We need them. However, they do not know what God does. They have knowledge from experiments, testing, and the average person.

Each person is different. We need to seek God on every area of treatment before submitting to it. There are medicines that are good for a body and some that are not. Each individual is unique. I would listen to my doctors and then pray and ask God if I should do or take what they suggested. Mostly I followed the doctors orders but sometimes God would tell me not to. It always showed up later that God was right.

May I suggest that when you tell this to your doctor that you be very meek and humble. It is sometimes hard for them to understand that you heard other instructions from God.

God will never fail you. There were times when He told me not to take treatment and times when He said to proceed. I always checked out what I heard from God thoroughly before repeating it to the doctors. The medical profession has their knowledge because God gave it to them. He also approves of the medical profession. I believe they are there for the unbelievers and for believers who are involved in accidents and those who for whatever reason are not able to receive their healing directly from God. No matter how we receive it, all healing is from God. He loves us so much He does not want us to be sick. He wants good for us.

Jeremiah 29 : 11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

As a little girl my mother taught me not to talk to strangers or accept rides with people I didn’t know. At the age of six, I was raped by a relative. These things combined to cause me not to trust anyone. I was very shy and though I had lots of friends, I kept my thoughts to myself. Close relationships were few and marriage was difficult.

When I became a Christian, I decided I needed to trust others until they were proven to be untrustworthy. Sounds Christian. I found I was often disappointed and discouraged by people. One day as I was complaining to God about someone who had become untrustworthy and disappointed me. He said, ” Stop trusting people. Trust me and love my people.” It took me a few minutes to let this sink into my spirit. Then it hit with a tremendous force of liberation. I found when I trusted people, I had this list of expectations. When I loved them there were no attachments or expectations. Loving them became easier and the hurts and disappointments became fewer.

The Bible tells us trust is not to be placed in:

1. Weapons: Psalm 44:5, Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.

2. Wealth: Psalm 49:6-7, Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches,

3. Leaders: Psalm 146:3, Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.

4. Man: Jeremiah 17:5, Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.

5. Works: Jeremiah 48:7, For because you have trusted in works and your treasures, You also shall be taken. And Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, His priests and his princes together.

6. One’s own righteousness: Ezekiel 33:13, When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die.

We can find trust is to be placed in God’s:

1. Name: Psalm 33:21, For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.

2. Word: Psalm 119:42, So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.

3. Christ: Matthew 12:17-21, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: behold, My Servant whom I have, chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory. And In His name Gentiles will trust.”

When our trust is where God wants it there are benefits attached.

1. Joy: Psalm 5:11, But let all those rejoice that put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.

2. Deliverance: Psalm 22:4-5, Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

3. Triumph: Psalm 35:2-3, Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation.

4. God’s goodness: Psalm 31:19, Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!

5. Loving kindness: Psalm 32:10, Many sorrows shall be tgo the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.

6. Provision:  Psalm 37:3,5 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

7. Blessedness:  Psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

8. Safety:  Psalm 56:4, 11 In God I will praise His word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

9. Usefulness:  Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.

10. Guidance:  Proverbs 3: 5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

11. Inheritance:  Isaiah 57:13 When you cry out, Let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.

What a divine revelation this has been for me. Trust placed in the right areas brings about God’s peace. We are to labor to enter the rest of God.

I believe this is a key to entering the rest. Trust in God’s word, His name, and Christ and love His people.