Today is Palm Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.  Victory over sin was about to be obtained for all mankind!  The scripture tells us that as Jesus approached the city He wept.  He wept because they did not understand the way to peace.

True peace can only be found in an intimate relationship with Jesus - He is the Prince of Peace.  When you accept Christ as your personal savior He floods your heart with peace . . . the peace of knowing your sins are forgiven and heaven is your eternal home; the peace that comes from being reconciled with God, no longer His enemy; the peace of knowing He will never leave you or forsake you; the peace of knowing He will always meet your need according to His riches in glory; and most of all, the peace that comes from knowing He has loved you with an everlasting love - a love that would lay down His life for you!

When Jesus looks at you today, will He weep because you don't know the way to peace?  The cry of His heart is "How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace".  He loves you more than you will ever know and has done everything necessary for you to know the way to peace.  Unlike the people of Jerusalem on that fateful Sunday, it is not too late for you - the Way of peace is standing before you ready and waiting.  "For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you.  On the day of salvation, I helped you.”  Indeed the right time is now.  Today is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).  The words of the following song say it so much better than I . . .

The Savior is Waiting

The Savior is waiting to enter your heart
Why don’t you let Him come in?
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart
What is your answer to Him?

Time after time
He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you are willing
To open the door
Oh, how He wants to come in.

If you’ll take one step
Toward the Savior, my friend,
You’ll find His arms open wide.
Receive Him, and all of your darkness will end
Within your heart He’ll abide.

Time after time
He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you are willing
To open the door
Oh, how He wants to come in.

If you would like to respond to the Savior's calling, click here to know How To Get To Heaven.

I have been studying "30 Life Principles" by Dr. Charles F. Stanley in my personal quiet time and wanted to share some of what God is teaching me about Life Principle #26 - Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God. 

Adversity is nondiscriminatory - it is something all of us have to face as we go through this thing called life!  None of us is immune to the trials and tribulations that this life can bring.  Jesus even told us, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33).  When adversity comes, we have a choice to make - we can view it as a burden we have to bear, or as a bridge that will draw us into a closer, deeper relationship with God.

Adversity can be defined as a state of affliction, hardship, distress or pain.  In most cases it is unexpected and life altering.  It can come upon us suddenly and from sources we don't expect.  The intensity of adversity is varied, but we can all agree that when we are going through difficult times it is very intense to us!  Some adversity is the result of sin in our lives, but sometimes it is circumstances that are completely out of our control.  Regardless of the reason, we can be assured that God is in complete control (Psalm 103:19) and He will somehow work the circumstances out for our good (Romans 8:28).

The way we respond to adversity affects not only ourselves, but also those around us.  Others can be encouraged by the way we handle the difficulties of life, and some even brought to faith in Christ when seeing God’s faithfulness as a reality in your life.  However, how often have we heard the negative effects on a marriage, children, parents, jobs, etc. when someone plunges beneath the burden, giving up on life or falling into sin?  Likewise, the ministry God has called us to will be affected by our response.  Our testimony will either be strengthened and bring glory to God; or be damaged, making our ministry ineffective and even hurt the cause of Christ. 

When facing great difficulties in life I must ask myself, "is this a burden I want to bear alone or a bridge to a more intimate relationship with God?"

A burden by definition is something that weighs us down, a heavy load that is difficult to bear.  It can be a source of great worry, anxiety and stress that results in sadness, discouragement, weariness, depression and even physical illness.  In the life of a Christian choosing to view adversity as a burden can result in spiritual oppression.  Many people crumble under the burden of adversity.  They feel sorry for themselves; choose to escape by denial of the situation, or through addictive behaviors in an attempt to numb the pain; they feel hopeless; become bitter and angry; blame God and often turn their back on Him completely.

A bridge, on the other hand, provides passage over an obstacle, a gap or barrier; something that takes us from one place to another.  We can rise above adversity by refusing to allow it to become a barrier between God and us.  Instead, we allow God to use it for His plan and purpose, thus building a bridge that takes us into a deeper understanding of who He is and into a deeper relationship with Him.  The wisest choice when facing adversity is to surrender my will to His so that His purpose will be accomplished in my life.  This will result in my spiritual growth and a more intimate relationship with the lover of my soul!

• When adversity comes, I should turn to God immediately!

There is no credit, honor or praise given to those who patiently endure the consequences of their actions.  At least, according to scripture, that is not what we should expect.  But as I ponder the first part of verse 20 -   "Of course you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong" - I realize our society does not apply that simple truth.  Quite the opposite, how often do we reward or praise little Johnny for sitting in the time out chair without a temper tantrum? Or how about when we have warned Susie she will lose her phone for the weekend if she talks back again - when she surrenders it willingly after the next infraction, do we give it back after a few hours because she didn't throw it and yell "I hate you!”  And then what about criminals - don't we give them time off for good behavior during their imprisonment?  I know I have been guilty of giving credit to my children for their "good attitude" when consequences have been endured patiently by relenting from imposing the entire "sentence".

Does that mean I should not extend mercy in some cases?  On the contrary, in the parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matt. 18:21-35) we learn we are to have compassion and mercy toward those who have wronged us, just as God has shown us mercy.  We have just failed to communicate that mercy is extended because of grace - it is undeserved favor granted at the mercy of the one in authority.  It is not a "right"; it is not deserved and therefore should not be expected!  When I do wrong, I deserve to suffer the consequences.  I should accept responsibility for my actions, and even be thankful for the discipline.  I cannot say that as a child I was very thankful for the spankings and punishments I received, nor do I remember suffering patiently or silently!  I am, however, thankful for them now.  They not only showed me my parents loved me enough to correct my wrong behavior, they were opportunities for my character to grow.  But how about unjust punishment or unfair treatment?

God is pleased when I patiently endure unfair treatment.   This is when I truly reflect Christ to others.  God calls me to do good even when I am treated unfairly or suffer injustice.  Jesus did not retaliate when He was mistreated - instead He prayed for those who mistreated Him.  He committed Himself to His Father knowing His will is perfect and He always judges fairly.  Most of all He remained focused on His purpose - to seek and to save those who were lost.  Jesus gives me the perfect example to imitate when I encounter unfair treatment and/or persecution:

• He did not allow the persecution to distract Him from His purpose - Many times the enemy will use the unfair treatment inflicted by others to try to derail me; or get me to quit, but I must not grow weary - I must stay focused and persevere. The author of Hebrews said it well, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up." (Heb. 12:1-3)
• He did not lie, become angry or sin - ever - but especially while going through persecution - In His humanity, Jesus could have become angry at the injustice He was suffering or that God would allow such to happen to Him.  He chose to trust His Father regardless of the circumstances.  He did not lie to get out of the situation - He could have denied whom He was or given the High Priest the answers he wanted.  Jesus stood firm and was faithful to the truth because He is TRUTH.  I must not allow the convenience of deceit to influence me when persecuted, nor succumb to anger in the heat of battle.

• He did not retaliate or threaten revenge, but endured the mistreatment - This is not at all the way we, as humans, would respond.  The world teaches us to stand up for ourselves and for what is right, not to turn the other check.  But Jesus lived as He taught, even in the face of death.  In Matthew 5:38-41 Jesus taught, “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.  If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.  If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles."  Additionally, Jesus knew His Father was a God of justice and vengeance belonged to Him alone.  "I will take revenge; I will pay them back.  In due time their feet will slip.  Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them." Deuteronomy 32:35 God will, in His time, make all things right – I am not responsible for how others treat me, I am only responsible and accountable for the way I respond.
• He prayed for and forgave those who persecuted Him - From the cross He prayed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."  My first line of defense should always be to pray for the one who wronged me, then I must forgive them and release them to God to change their heart.  In Matthew 5:43-44 Jesus says, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.  For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike."  And in Matthew 12:21-22, Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.  There is no limit to how often or how many offenses I should forgive.  As a follower of Christ, I should forgive as I have been forgiven, I should love my enemies, and I should pray for those who treat me unfairly.  This is how others will know me to be a Christian . . . not by what I say, but how I treat others.

It is easy to be kind and love those who love me, but my flesh raises its ugly head against those who treat me harshly.  I desire to follow the example of Jesus, so I must choose love in all circumstances - " Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.”  (1 Cor. 13:4-8) This kind of love is not a feeling or emotion; it’s an act of my will.  I choose to love even if I don’t feel like it, I choose to love even if it’s undeserved, I choose to love when everything in me wants to hate.  I can never be wrong by choosing to love, because that’s what Jesus would do! 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing . . . James 1:2-8