Isaiah 53:4-5 Yet it was our sicknesses that he carried, it was our pains that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But, he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
On April 19, 2007, Jon and I were called in and told I have cancer. Seven years ago our life changed in an instant, and we had no comprehension at that moment what all it would entail. Surgery on my broken neck was the first order of business, then years of chemotherapy drugs. Some of the drugs were fabulous and gave me long stretches of time when I felt really great. I would say that five, almost six years, were mainly tolerable. Considering my odds of living past five were low, I am thankful for the miracles that God worked on my behalf to have the extra years.
God works in mind boggling ways, and He has blessed me with the ability to have a Blog and share my faith during my struggles with stage 4 cancer. This has been a great ministry for me, and I am so thankful to read comments from people all over the country who have allowed me into their hearts, and have searched for a closer relationship with God.
Of all the years, my anniversary has never landed on the same weekend as Easter. I feel so grateful this year to be quietly celebrating seven years on Saturday, but celebrating an eternal risen Savior on Sunday. It is truly what this journey is all about for me. My suffering, my meager years of existence, are nothing compared to the life of Jesus, His suffering for us all, and the endless days of being in His presence here on earth and always.
On this Good Friday, I pray that you ponder the events that led to Jesus's death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection that we celebrate on Sunday. I love the story of the thief on the cross next to Jesus as told by Pastor Rick Warren.
“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
In Luke 23:42, one of the criminals hanging next to Jesus on the cross prayed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (NIV).
Notice that he didn’t ask Jesus to stop his pain, although he would have been in excruciating pain on the cross. By that time, Jesus was famous for doing miracles, but the man didn’t ask Jesus to save him from death, either.
He said, “Jesus, remember me.” Why? Because he knew that his deepest need was salvation from sin — not just salvation to get into Heaven. He believed in Jesus.
The Bible says in Acts 16:31, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (NIV).
So how do you know for sure that you’re saved? How do you know you’re going to Heaven when you die? How can you be certain? How can you eliminate your doubt?
Your assurance of salvation is not by your works, because you can’t earn your salvation. Your assurance of salvation is not by your feelings, because feelings come and go.
What is your assurance of salvation? The promise of God’s Word. If God says it, that settles it, because God cannot lie. You can trust the promise of God’s Word. You can rest in it.
Jesus replied to the criminal hanging on the cross, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NLT).
Your assurance of salvation is the same: God’s promise that you will be in Heaven with him one day if you believe in faith.
Love,
Sandy
