Leadership Tips & Training The Power of the Cross

It’s Easter this month and, of course, we see pictures and hear sermons on the cross.  There are crosses draped with purple in my community. There are old rugged ones and splendid ornate gold ones. There are crosses placed in yards with beautiful flowers surrounding them. In my church, the cross displayed is empty with beautiful clean lines.  In some of the Catholic churches of my sisters and brothers, there is a beautiful cross with a dying, suffering Savior hanging there.  Sometimes, I think it is much easier to look at an empty cross.  I understand what the empty cross depicts.  It shows that he is not there, he is alive and risen from the dead!  I love that, but I think there is still value in looking upon the cross that shows the suffering Jesus hanging there.  The power of such a scene is moving and yet, somewhat uncomfortable. It causes me to reflect upon the price paid for my sin.  It’s the power of the cross! 

I will praise You, O Lord, and I will not forget all You have done for me. You have forgiven my sins and crowned me with love and compassion. Thank You for Your unconditional love.  Psalm 103:3-4

Easter is a time to remember and praise Him for what he did for us on the cross.  Because of his great sacrifice we have so much!

HIS PEACE
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you I do not give to you as the world gives..  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27.  These are uncertain times.  I know myself that I have had trouble falling asleep more times than I care to admit.  The truth of the matter is that we have His peace and we will not find anything that compares to it anywhere in this world.  We get it directly through the Holy Spirit.  Many moms ask me, “How do you deal with your children being so far away?”  It is only by His peace that I can let them go.
 
HIS POWER
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me, will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. John 14:12.  Jesus demonstrated his power many different ways while here on earth and according to this verse, He is saying that we too have this same power and can do these things, and even more!  A few weeks ago I was skyping with Michael on the computer.  Skyping is a way of communicating over the Internet through a video feed.  It is awesome to see and talk to him.  During our conversation, he held up his hand and said “Mom, I think something bit me on my hand; take a look at this.” He holds up his hand and it is extremely swollen with red streaks running up his arm from a large sore! I say, “Michael, you must get to the doctor immediately; that looks like a spider bite.” He then informs me that there is no doctor to go to where he lives.  I am trying to remain calm so as not to panic him (and myself), but I know how dangerous an infected bite can be.  He tells me he will try and find someone to help him.  As I go to bed that night, I have two choices;  I can worry myself awake all night, or I can call on Jesus to heal Michael’s hand.  Honestly, I do not call upon him enough.  I prayed a fervent prayer that night for Jesus to heal him.  Two days later, he called me to tell me some other things and says, “Hey!  By the way, my hand is better.”  Duh!  Jesus has the power to heal; the power to help.  His power is totally sufficient for whatever I need. 
                                                                                                                                                                                

HIS PRESENCE
I will ask the Father and he will give you another counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth…But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17  I think we forget how near God is to us.  He is with us every minute--24/7.  I don’t have to go to the church, the temple or anywhere else we think he might abide.  He has chosen to taken up residence in our bodies.  What a comfort to know that anything I am going through he is experiencing it, too.  He knows. 

HIS GOOD NAME
I tell you the truth, my father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24.   He is telling us to be a name dropper and to use his name whenever we need to.  I sometimes have people help me out of situations and they say, “Just use my name and they will help you.”  His name is even more powerful!  One day “…every knee will bow…and every tongue confess that He is Lord!” Romans 14:17  In the power of the cross we find forgiveness, a new start, a new life, and redemption, just to name a few more.  He is the God of MORE.  I am praying you will experience MORE this Easter season. 

I am praying the power of the cross in your life and mine.  That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.  (Romans 3:10)

Stay Strong,

Vicki Heath
vicki.heath@firstplace4health.com

Vicki is our First Place 4 Health Director of Leadership Development. She also is a Body & Soul Instructor and is on our two First Place 4 Health Aerobic DVD's. She is one of our First Place 4 Health conference speakers and leads Aerobics and speaks at our Wellness Weeks each year.