​“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, *said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” John 19:28-30 (NASB)
 
Another day, another crucifixion. Another reminder of who is in charge. One action against the law, one word of rebellion, and a person could find himself hanging on a wooden cross between heaven and hell for hours until death finally claimed its victory.

Each criminal labeled by his crime – murderer, thief, King of the Jews….. Crimes against the state for which there is no defense, only a declaration of “Guilty!”

But this day would bring a change to the routine. One Man would change up the meaning of this ignominious death. This Man would bring Grace to it. Provision. Forgiveness. Promise. Freedom. Love.

Jesus, fully human and fully divine, suffered tremendously with the physical torture and beating. He was deprived of sleep and food and water. Never once did He utter a word of defense for Himself.
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He simply walked the road of redemption step by step with one goal in mind: THIS is why He came.

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

His perfect actions changed the game for sinners under the bondage of sin and the weight of the law.

His perfect reactions displayed wholehearted devotion to His Father’s desire to buy back the precious creation that had been stolen by the enemy through sin.

In a voice that was loud and triumphant Jesus declared, “It is finished!”

Death and Hell are vanquished!

The ransom is paid in full. Jesus’ life blood washes us clean from the corruption of sin.

The Father’s plan of redemption is completed by the Son.
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This post is brought to you by the word "routine" and the writer's community at Five Minute Friday. If you'd like to know more about it, click here. 

This post is brought to you by Five Minute Friday and the one word prompt of the week - provide. If you'd like to find out more about this caring and supportive community of writers click here. Set your timer for five minutes on Friday and see what happens ......
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Nehemiah 9:15 "You provided bread from heaven for them for their hunger, You brought forth water from a rock for them for their thirst, And You told them to enter in order to possess The land which You swore to give them."

No question about it, God is our provider.

He is Jehovah Jireh - the God who Provides.

Provision is His middle name….. okay, forgive me for that.

It’s not a question IF He will provide. It’s a matter of trusting in His Word and His goodness.

Bread from heaven? Woah.

Water from a rock?! Really! WOW!

Walk faithfully into the land God has designated and BOOM! It’s yours. AMAZING!

God said He would provide and He did, in mind-boggling ways. He only asks that His people rest confidently in His Word and trust Him to do it. And He did it often for Israel but often they forgot.

Do I ever forget that God has provided for me? Do you? Honest answers, please.

Yes, I do forget. Just like my teenage boys asking for something to eat 20 minutes after we had finished dinner. I had provided a sumptuous feast…….. well, maybe it was mac and cheese, but I DID prepare it for them. My sons' neediness ruled the day and quite often they forgot about what my hands had provided JUST AFTER provision had been given. They did eventually grow out of this phase. Praise the Lord!

Do I realize how my appetite for satisfaction dictates the success or failure of God’s provision in my life?

My flesh will always scream out, “More!”

But the Spirit within me will declare, “Content and happy in Jesus!”

May my neediness decrease as I grow in my trust of God.

Remind me, O Lord, that there is nothing beyond Your realm of provision.

You alone know all my needs.

I rest in You.

[This post was written for the one word prompt of 'tired' given to the Five Minute Friday Link-up community of writers. Click here if you're interested in finding out more. A timer is set for 5 minutes and the flow of consciousness is released......]
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With every tick of the clock my energy trickles away.

Heavens, I even wake up tired. Why is that?

But more than this, my brain is tired of processing the fallenness of this sin-sick world. I cringe at the headlines on my computer’s home page. Just when I think it couldn’t get any worse, I find that indeed, it can. I’m tired of the ravages of sin and the devastating effects it produces.

What will wash away this sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Sin is a debt that grows exponentially, with compounding interest, fines and fees instantaneously applied for non-payment. Who can bail us out? Where will our help come from?

I can only cry out to Jesus.

Jesus, infinite God, who stepped out of eternity into a finite mess of a world to set things right. He is the complete answer to my why’s and when’s. The how’s I’ve learned to leave up to Him. It is enough to know that He has come and has paid the price for all sin. My sin.

/Stop/

My sinfulness makes me tired.

Ironically The Bible equates sinfulness with the process of gestation. Just the thought of 9 months of mandatory weight gain and vital support for the life within me makes me tired. But, when the time came for me to be delivered of my burden I end up holding a precious bundle of life in my arms as my reward!  In contrast James 1:14-15 says, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” (NASB)  All that labor just to bring forth corruption and deadness. What a waste!

And yet, there is Hope.

The Word of God gives living hope. James 1:21 “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” (NASB)
Life-giving Life comes from the Word.
Receiving it.
Giving it place in my life.
Nurturing it along so that it will increase and as I do I find that it strengthens me and nurtures me to maturity.

I am revitalized. I am refreshed. I am renewed.

So, back to the headlines of doom, despair, and destruction: the outcome of sin. What can I do? Though I cannot change the world, I can pray.

Psalm 118:4-6 “Oh let those who fear the LORD say, "His lovingkindness is everlasting." From my distress I called upon the LORD; The LORD answered me and set me in a large place. The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?”

Pray Truth – God is God and He is to be feared. His lovingkindness is everlasting. He is a prayer away. He answers prayer. He will hold me steady when I trust in Him. When I side with God, He is for me. I have no need to fear.