The Cross

Today, as I was cleaning house, I began to reflect on the many crosses that we have hanging throughout our home. I love crosses and have them hanging in almost every room. I have them in our home to remind us each and every day of the sacrifice that our Savior made for us.

However, I think all too often we look at the cross as simply decoration or jewelry. We have minimized the huge significance of the cross. I often see people on TV or walking down the street wearing the cross but doing things that would not be pleasing to God. Don't you know that it breaks the heart of our Father to see that what meant so much has come to mean so little in our culture?

When I think about that day - that terrible, yet beautiful day, I can't imagine how anyone could look at a cross without being extremely grateful. The cross reminds me of the pain, the suffering, and the unbelievable sacrifice that Jesus made for us. I can't help but think of His mother Mary and the pain that she must have endured that day. Knowing that God's heart grieved for His only son as He watched Him go through such a terrible death, brings my heart grief. But knowing that God loved me that much brings me joy and a heart of thankfulness.

Thinking about the cross can be overwhelming. Knowing what Jesus went through that day is almost too much to conceive. However, as Christians we know that our Savior did not stay on that cross. Our Savior did not stay in the grave. Instead, our Savior lived and is alive today. You see, just as His Father had promised, Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended into Heaven to be with His Heavenly Father.

1 Peter 2:24 says "He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!"

Wow! The cross carries so much meaning. As I sit here writing this, looking at the cross on my wall, I realize that it stands for death, it stands for life, and most importantly it stands for the relationship that I am able to have with the Father all because of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.

So next time you see a cross hanging on a wall or in a jewelry store, take some time to reflect on what the cross truly means. Remember the sacrifice that was made for you and take a moment to thank your Savior for giving His life so that you could have yours. Thank Him for enduring the pain and torture so that you could experience forgiveness and eternal life. Don't allow the significance of the cross to become minimized in your life. Realize the reality of what Christ did for you and thank Him for it every day!

Some Things to Think About:

1. How often do you see crosses throughout the day?
2. Have you seen crosses so often in society that it has lost its meaning or do you realize the significance and reality of the cross?
3. Have you ever take the time to truly reflect on what Christ endured that day? Have you truly thanked Him for the sacrifice that He made so that you could receive eternal life?

Words of Worth:

"God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed His blood, sacrificing His life for us." Romans 3:25

"He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!" 1 Peter 2:24

"God so loved the world that He gave his only son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life." John 3:16

Quiet Moments

Is it Sunday evening already? It always amazes me how quickly the weekends FLY by! It seems like when I just begin to get things done, it's Monday and time for another crazy week!!

For my 30th birthday, one of my best friends gave me a beautiful framed quote. It is hung over my bathtub and reads, "Take time for the quiet moments as God whispers and the world is loud."

Every night when I have my "me" time, I look up and realize just how true that statement is. The world can be almost deafening at times! There are times when I finally relax at night and realize that I haven't taken the time to hear God at all. I have listened to screaming kids, honking horns, loud music, and the constant sound of the television, but not the Lord Almighty who has been trying to get my attention all day long.

It breaks my heart to know that so often I choose to hear all of the things of this world instead of listening to the sweet whispers of my Father in Heaven. So often I know that He has tried to give me direction, advice, and love. However, time after time, I choose listen and receive those things from other people in my life.

I've often found myself thinking, "Lord, if you could just be a little louder, maybe it would be easier for me to listen." HA!! I know, it's amazing the things that we say to the God of the Universe.

Every time that I have asked God to respond in a louder, clearer way, He reminds me that it is up to ME to listen. It has to be my choice to block out the things of this world if I want to hear what He has for me each and every day.

Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God." This verse tells us that quietness helps us hear God's voice. We have to be still in order to be able to fully listen to our Father.

God wants to speak to us. He wants to talk to us and give us the wisdom that we need. But in order to hear Him, we have to stop and make time to shut out the world and listen to what He is saying.

Take time today to stop and ask God to speak to you. Listen to the whispers of God instead of the loudness of this world. As you go through your day, make a point to find quiet places where you can meet with God. Ask Him to speak to you in a new way and reveal His heart in your life.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Things to Think About:

1. Do you have a time each day that is set aside to meet with your Savior?
2. Do you have a place that you can go where it is quiet and you can be still?
3. What part of your world is really loud right now? In other words, what is keeping you from hearing God?

Words of Worth:

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

"Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:3

"Come here and listen to me! I'll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise." Proverbs 1:23

Fall Brings Change

I love this time of year...Leaves begin to change, the weather begins to cool off, and I can start pulling out jackets and my favorite, comfy warm up suits! Okay, okay ~ so it's not quite time for all of that yet, but it's getting close. My husband always gives me a hard time because I start wearing my warm ups around the house way too early in the year. But something about fall just makes me feel a new vigor for life!

Fall for me is a lot like my relationship with Jesus. He changed my life just as the leaves change. He gets rid of the dead things in my life and brings new life in ways that I never knew possible.

I feel comfy with Jesus. I know that when I need something, I can just sit at His feet, get comfy, and pour out my heart.

Fall represents change. So many of us are afraid of change and feel that change is a bad thing. God has really been teaching me that change is His way of getting our attention and making our lives what He wants them to be.

I think that many of us are afraid of change because we think that our ways are the right ways. Our pride holds us to our same old lives, day in and day out. However, our Father in Heaven will shake things up when we stop growing. He will use change to give us the opportunity to grow in our relationships with others as well as in our relationship with Him.

As Christians, we cannot expect to have a life with no changes. For many of us, our lives change faster than those leaves each fall. However, we can expect our Savior to give us the wisdom and the amazing grace to face those changes head on.

We can face changes knowing that there is a purpose. We can rest in knowing that Jesus will walk us through every change that we endure in our lives, no matter how large or small they may seem.

How do you face changes? Do you run from them or do you attempt to face them on your own? Think about changes in your life. Ask God to allow you to face them with a new and exciting attitude. Face the changes in your life knowing that the Father has a plan and a purpose for each and every change that you endure.

Have a wonderful week!!

Blessings!! ~
Andi McNair
www.andimcnair.com

Freedom In Christ

Do you ever feel like you are dragging around a ball and chain? Do you ever feel completely buried beneath unforgiveness, jealousy, fear, worry, anxiety, or worldliness?

I definitely have days when I feel like I am simply a slave to the world. It's so hard sometimes to live a life that glorifies God when Satan makes us feel like we are captive to the feelings and experiences that take place in this life.

I often feel like I just need someone to ride in on a white horse and just rescue me from myself. I need someone to make me feel like a princess, help me forget all of my fears, relieve my anxiety, and give me the unconditional love that we all desire. Sounds like a fairytale, right?

It might sound like a fairytale, but for us Christian gals, it's a reality. Our Savior is that prince that will ride in and sweep us off of our feet just when we feel like we cannot make it one more day. He will give us more love than we ever imagined possible if we will just cry out to Him.

We've all heard the saying, "Freedom comes at a price." Our price for freedom in Christ was paid in full the day that our Savior hung on the cross. He set us free from bondage, yet some of us still choose to let those chains hold us captive each and every day.

John 8:36 says, "So if the Son makes you free, you will be truly free."

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I think so many of us search for freedom in the world. We have been taught that we can free ourselves or others can help us find freedom. But the Word of God says that the only way to be TRULY FREE is through the Son, Jesus Christ.

Isn't it wonderful to know that true freedom is our reality in Jesus? He has paid the price and set us free. However, it is up to us to step out of those broken chains and walk in the freedom that He has given.

I want to encourage you today to walk in the freedom that Jesus has given you. Don't stay in the chains that have already been broken. Step out of those things, girl, and live the life that God has given you.

Some Things to Think About:

1. What are some things from which you need to be set free?
2. Do you truly believe that you can be set free?
3. What chains are keeping you from being totally free?

Words of Worth:

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be truly free." John 8:36

Blessings,
Andi McNair
www.andimcnair.com

Focusing on Your Family

Well, it's that time of year again. School is starting and the lazy days of summer will soon be gone.

For many of us, this means busier days, evenings, and even weekends. I know that for our family, a new school season brings many new challenges. One of the most challenging being making time for one another.

As a family, it is often difficult to keep our priorities straight. We often begin putting events, obligations, and other people before the people that we love the most.

How often have you passed up a relaxing evening with your husband to go shopping with your girlfriends? How many times have you missed out on a precious moment with your child because you were in a hurry to get to school that morning?

I know that I am guilty of both. However, lately I have tried to really focus on making my husband my top priority, second only to my relationship with my Savior. And believe it or not, the more I focus on him, the more he has focused on me.

In putting each other first, we have learned what marriage truly should be and are gradually learning that that friendship that we had when we first married doesn't have to wither with time.

Each day that I spend quality time with my children, I realize that each of them uniquely bless my life. They truly are gifts from Heaven and deserve to be treated as such.

So, I want to encourage you to take some time this week to focus on your family. It doesn't matter if you are married, single, a mother to two kids or ten kids - take the time to make what God has given you a priority.

Some Things to Think About:

1. Does this time of year bring challenges your way?
2. Are there some practical things that you can do to allow you spend more time with your family?
3. When was the last time that you came home ready to leave the world outside and simply focus on your family?

Words of Worth:

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." Proverbs 31:10

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." Proverbs 12:4

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 21:38

Have a wonderful week!!!

Blessings~
Andi McNair
www.andimcnair.com