Mark Saunders – Page 16

If There’s Anything The World Desperately Needs It’s Men To Accept The Work Of The Cross In Their Lives

We don’t like to loose. We’re taught to stand our ground and defend our rights.

The Christian life though is a “lost life” if we want to walk in the fullness of God’s plan.

Jesus said he is the way the truth and the life. His life is not just a story, it’s a message, and a pattern for us. His purpose was to do the will of the Father and this came at a price.

The price was his own will. The will of God led him to lay down His rights and position… even His life for us even though we don’t deserve it.

We can expect to be led, like He was, “to the cross” if we want God’s will above our own.

An example …a husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church. See where it’s going..? Even though a husband has a God given authority in his home, we are called to be ready to loose our rights for the sake of our wife. If I want to carry the heart of God for her there’s a price to pay – it’s being ready to “loose my life.”

Being ready to accept the work of the cross did not diminish Jesus’ authority. On the contrary, it established his spiritual authority.

If there’s anything the world desperately needs it’s men to accept the work of the cross in their lives. Being ready to loose for the sake of carrying the life of Christ, to be examples of God’s own heart in their homes.

Here’s the thing – this isn’t works. It’s too hard to sustain if it’s my works. It’s only possible by His grace which he makes available to anyone who truly desires it.

The message of the cross doesn’t make sense to our natural reasoning but truly it’s the power and wisdom of God!

Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Mark Saunders

Faith Truly Is A Gift That Comes From God

Stock markets have fallen. Investments have been shaken. The world is not the same place it was just weeks ago.

man reading newspaper while sitting near table

But the Lord never changes. We can bank on that! The unwavering faithfulness of God is the basis of our own faith.

Faith is not something we ourselves can generate. The Bible tells us that faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God. Faith is imparted into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Faith leaps over barriers that reasoning can’t get past. Faith always accomplishes God’s will.

Faith isn’t positive confession, although faith does speak and act. But sometimes it’s silent faith that perseveres through hardship, sickness or persecution. Faith is not a way to avoid troubles, but a way to go through troubles.

Faith truly is a gift that comes from God.

Jesus himself asked that when He returns will he find faith on the earth? Or will he find us positively confessing our own desires and expecting God to act because we have spoken?

Lord, increase our faith!

Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Corinthians 12:9
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [a]the same Spirit

Luke 18:8
Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Hebrews Ch11

Mark Saunders

We All Fall, Need To Repent, Get Up And Continue To Follow Jesus

I can believe and say that I’m an American (for example). But unless I have the American passport or ID, I’m not an American… it confirms my belief and confession.

There is also a proof of our identity as Christians.

Faith or belief and reliance on Jesus Christ, especially for salvation, is essential. The word of God says that whoever confesses the Lord Jesus with his mouth and believes in his heart that God raised him will be saved.

But there needs to be evidence that my words are not empty and that my belief is real. Jesus said even demons believe and shudder. The apostle James challenged to say that our faith must prove itself with our works.

Let’s be clear, we’re not saved by works, we’re saved by grace – but our belief in Christ will prove itself to be genuine or not.

It’s not possible for a Christian to want to practise a sinful lifestyle.

Sure we all fall, need to repent, get up and continue to follow Jesus… but practicing sin (like practicing soccer) and “improving” at it is different.

There are so many temptations around us that easily draw us in and “help us get better” at things we know are wrong. Especially on the internet and social media.

Prove your belief and confession by turning your back on these temptations.

There’s nothing that pleases a father more than having a clear relationship with his children. Don’t stay away. Come back – even if you’ve messed up.

Romans 10:9

… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

James 2:17

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Acts 26:20

…that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

Mark Saunders

Sow To The Spirit And Reap Life

There’s a natural law that says you reap what you sow. A farmer can’t sow corn and hope to harvest wheat.

Our Christian walk is the same. If we sow to the flesh (our fallen carnal nature) we will reap the fruits of the flesh. We need to rather sow to the Spirit and reap life.

But here’s our dilemma, all of us are flesh… just like Apostle Paul wrote… what I want to do, I don’t. But, what I hate I end up doing. Ever been in that place?

He came to the conclusion that sin dwelt in his flesh and wanted to take him a captive. He knew that wages of sin was death – eternal separation from the love and goodness of God.

He understood he needed a deliverer from the eternal consequences of sin and from his own flesh (sinful nature).

His revelation was that Jesus Christ crucified had not only secured our eternal life when He paid the full price for sin but He had also shown us a way to deal with the present, earthly reality our sinful nature.

The cross needs to deal with our flesh too. God didn’t intend for it to be an event 2,000 odd years ago but a daily reality for a Christian. Unless the cross deals daily with our flesh we will struggle to walk in the spirit.

Romans 8:12-13

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 6:7-8

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Galatians 5:24

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Mark Saunders

We’re Often More Ready To “Be Blessed” Than “To Pay The Price”

Accepting authority can be difficult. There’s something in us that doesn’t like it because it means that we’re not in charge.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given by God to Jesus and that’s where we struggle. It’s easy to accept miracles and blessings but much harder to accept His authority in our lives. Why? Because it costs us.

Truth be told, we’re often more ready to “be blessed” than “to pay the price.”

Jesus confronted a large crowd following him one day with the same thing. Many left him. He turned to his disciples and asked them if they too wanted to go.

A man in silhouette with his arms spread cheering the good news of the gospel

The gospel is good news but it’s piercing – living and active – discerning the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

John 6:67-68

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

What do you want?

Mark Saunders