THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

God of mercy and love, bless this reader in all that he or she faces today. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Paul writes: 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

When you strongly believe in something, you will discover that not all believe like you. When you hold something to be true, not, not everyone will believe like you. When you believe something is truth, some will say it is false. Paul discovered, and this urged him on even more, that not all people believe in the message of the cross. That was why the Church celebrates Lent. Lent is a time to strengthen our faith in Someone in Whom not all believe; but our job remains sharing the Good News with the hope that one day all will believe. Did you stop to notice that nowhere in the Bible does it say, "Well, we'll try and do the best we can, yet one day just us will bow down at the Name of Jesus"? It doesn't. The Bible affirms that one day "at the name of Jesus all will bow." Ours is to plant the seed, God will do the rest, but the key is in the "seed."

The seed is how we share our faith. Do we live and act like we believe in the "message of the cross?" Or are we one of those who, claiming to be wise, have set aside the truth for a lie?
Live your life today as one who believes and who wants others to come and believe!

PRAYER: God of the cross, help me to live my life in a way that plants the seed of Your love and truth. As You and I journey together during our Lenten Journey, make my faith stronger. Help me to help others come to faith in You. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Study Guide: tuesday Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 18-25 tells us that we may have some friends who consider the Cross foolishness. Read this passage and see what Paul has to say about them.

PRAYER UPDATE: Dylan Joseph Leal has been moved to Valley Baptist Hospital where he is in ICU, Mother, Natalie S. Leal remains in Harlingen Medical wanting to be released today so she can be with Dylan. Please be in prayer for Dylan, Natalie, and Ricky. May God heal Dylan to fullness and may God's peace be with Natalie and Ricky and all of their family.