Four groups of people at the cross
As Jesus hung on the cross, we find four different groups of people who were there to see the Son of God die. Out of these four groups, one discovered that grace changes everything. At the cross, we find…
- The religious leaders, who were quite satisfied in getting their way, sneered at him.
- The people, probably some of them had just days earlier cried “Hosana!”, stood there as spectators.
- The soldiers mocked him, divided his clothes and cast lots for them.
- And then there were two criminals crucified with Him, one on each side.
They all challenged Him to demonstrate that if He was God to save Himself and come down from the cross — but if He had, we’d have no hope for salvation. None of them believed that Jesus was Christ, the Messiah. In fact, when a person was crucified, they nailed a sign over their head that stated what their crime was. Jesus’ crime was being exactly who He said He was – “King of the Jews.” They simply didn’t get it. But in the midst of all the people jeering, staring, sneering, and mocking, there was one who did get it. Only one figured out that Jesus was who He said He was. And for, him, it made an eternal difference
The one who rejected grace
Of the two criminals crucified with Jesus, two very different things happen with these men. One of them only thought of himself and how to get out of the situation he was in. He called out to Jesus saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” He really didn’t care if Jesus saved Himself or not. What he really wanted was for Jesus to get him out of his own predicament. In the end, this criminal died and then realized the truth of who Jesus really is when he found himself in Hell for all of eternity – just one breath too late.
The one who found grace
However, hanging on Jesus’ other side, is a story of grace and redemption. The other criminal came to realize and understand the difference between his own guilt and Jesus’ innocence. At some point, he made the realization that Jesus is the Messiah and He asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom. Jesus’ response was to promise that on that very day, he would join Jesus in Paradise. This criminal found grace that made an eternal difference. Where the other criminal went to hell, this criminal would spend eternity in heaven.
Have you discovered the grace of Christ?
Everyone of us must choose for ourselves who Jesus is. In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” And He’s asking you the same question today. How will you answer? Have you discovered his grace that forgives sin and gives the free gift of eternal life?
The redemption story of the criminal who chose to believe that Jesus is Christ, shows us that even in the last moments of life we can still choose to believe and accept Jesus as our Savior. However, we don’t always know when that last moment will come and you may not have the chance to decide then. Now is the day the salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” There is no sin too big that God can’t forgive. His salvation is a gift that you only need reach out accept. What will you do Jesus?
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
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We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
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Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan
With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!
One Year Bible Reading Plan
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The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.
Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.
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This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:
Revive Us Again, God bless the USA and Honor the Sacrifice
Our freedoms come from the sacrifice of many. Memorial day is the day we remember and honor those who sacrificed. It’s also a good time to come together as a nation and pray for God to Bless the USA.
See our graduation tees and products:
Graduating Seniors, Class of 2021, #Done2021, and Tassel worth the Hassle
Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:
God bless the USA and Honor the Sacrifice
Our freedoms come from the sacrifice of many. Memorial day is the day we remember and honor those who sacrificed. It’s also a good time to come together as a nation and pray for God to Bless the USA.
See our graduation tees and products:
Graduating Seniors, Class of 2021, #Done2021, and Tassel worth the Hassle
Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.
Jesus is our Peace 
Fight on my knees 
Godfidence 
Walk by faith 
I’m only talking to Jesus today 
Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God 
2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine 
Large view 2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine 
Grace wins 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Way Maker 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
Print Unstoppable God 
Unstoppable Force 
Steps of a Good Man 
Something New 
Seek and Find 
Revive Us Again 
Resist the Devil 
Raise a Hallelujah 
Prayer Warrior 
Beloved- Mr and Mrs 
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan 
Man of God 
He Left 99 for Me 
Cast All Your Cares 
Giants 
Faith over Fear 
Don’t Worry 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Quit 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
All Things New 
Anything is possible 
With my song I will praise Him 
Names of God 
All things are possible 
Run with perseverance 
Blessings head to toe-hearts 
Revive us again, Lord 
Isaiah 41:13 
Blessings head to toe – roses 
Jeremiah 29:11 
Blessings head to toe 
Be Still 
Blessings head to toe – floral 
God’s starting point
Canvas art and posters are available in the Teespring store. Many of our Christian Tees are also available at Teespring.
To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints
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God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
- Conversation Starters.
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
- Romance Builders.
- Relationship Builders.
- Personal reflections.
- Date ideas.
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
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God, Love and Marshmallow Wars: This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. 
