Hot Cross Buns are linked to Easter and to Christianity, however this was not so in the beginning in reality, they have aa history that is prior to Christian origins. Saxons would bake buns marked with a cross at the beginning of spring in honor of the goddess Eostre a Germanic Goddess of Fertility, after which the season of Easter is named. Eostre was a attractive female, always depicted surrounded by little birds, bunnies and other baby animals, as well as spring flowers. Cross Buns were baked for the spring festival to celebrate this Goddess. The four quarters of the cross on top of each bun were said to represent the phases of the moon, while the cross itself symbolized rebirth after winter. Then the bun (differing somewhat to what we have today) may have originated at St Albans, in England, where, in 1361, Brother Thomas Rodcliffe, a 14th-century monk at the Abbey, developed a similar recipe, and would distribute them to poor people on Good Friday. The cross of course represents the high price that Jesus pad for salvation while the spices within are to represent the spices used to embalm him in the tomb.
Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns.
One ha’ penny, two ha’ penny,
Hot cross buns!
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons
One ha’ penny, Two ha’ penny,
Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients
3/4 cup warm Milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup white sugar
3/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 egg white
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3/4 cup dried currants
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
Glaze
1 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons of apricot preserves
Crosses choose either: flour/water method or confectioners sugar method
Directions
1.Put the warm milk, butter, vanilla extract, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, egg, egg white, flour, and yeast in a mixer, knead for 1 minute.
2.Add currants and spices. Knead for six minutes. Allow to rise to twice it’s size. Punch down and allow to rise a second time.
3.Punch down on floured surface, cover, shape into 12 balls and place in a greased 9 x 12 inch pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place till double, about 35-40 minutes.
If Using Flour Crosses
- 1/2 cup (63g) all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 6–8 Tablespoons (90-120ml) water
Whisk the cross ingredients together, starting with 6 Tablespoons of water. You want a thick paste that will pipe easily. Add remaining water if needed. Spoon paste into a piping bag, pipe a line down the center of each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses.
5.Mix egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water. Brush on balls.
6.Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20-22 minutes. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.
7.Mix glaze and brush on buns while hot.
If using confectioners’ sugar crosses:
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons milk
Mix together the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and milk. Pipe an X on each cooled bun.
The Cross, It’s Blessings, It’s in You
They Are In You
Grade two, do you remember yours, I certainly remember mine, in fact, it was so interesting I decided to stay there for a second year. Life during those two years of grade two was hard, harsh, lonely, hurtful and full of hurt. Yet I believe that one of the greatest events of my life happen in grade two. As a Jehovah’s Witness we were required to remain out in the hallway of our classroom while the morning exercises were taking place, the Lord’s Prayer, the singing of the national anthem, God Save The Queen, a scripture reading, daily announcements and then the singing of a hymn.
One day before school had begun once again, I had been beaten, actually this day tied to a fence near the school and whipped until I bled with a weeping willow branches, (both the tree and I cried that day.) It is very hard for a young eight year old child to understand why he is hated for his religion but even more difficult for that little one to be brutally beaten day after day. We hear today very much about bullying in the media, being bullied would have been far better than what I endured during my years at C.R. Judd in Caperol . As horrible as these years were (and still they would become worse), something would occur that not only would give me the power to endure, but would be the seed for something of far greater and be the most important event in my life. So this day began like so many others (not well) as soon as the teacher dismissed me out to the hallway, I began to cry for I knew that soon recess would be here and that meant a time of hiding and avoiding others not wanting to suffer another beating. The principal came on the schools PA system and began the morning exercises, “Let’s all stand for the Lords Prayer, now all sing God save the Queen. Now open your Gideon bibles to Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Now finally please turn in your hymn books and let us sing George Bennard’s:
The Old Rugged Cross.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain (Copy write. George Bennard 1913)
When this song ended, I shook, something very deep within me had occurred and I knew that I knew I was changed. All the hurt and hateful emotions I had for my tortures seemed healed and I knew that God now had something very important for me to do. I was only eight but I knew I was changed. (Hear Dallas Holm’s version at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfziScGwdkg&feature=related) That Cross they sang about had something to do with it and I would spend many years afterward seeking exactly what it could have been. A difficult task to say the least for a person who was being raised in a religious belief that does not believe in the cross or the power therein.
The Cross is not just a Christian symbol that has become, as the song says “so despised by the world”, it is in fact the very essence of Christianity. Without the deeds that took place upon the cross, Christianity would not be. The Cross was the very plan of God, a secret held only to the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:7-9 (NKJV) 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
The Devil and all his hordes could not, would not be able to cease the plan that God had placed in motion on the Cross to provide life eternal to those who would choose Him as their Lord and Savior. Becoming born again into a brand new life in Him and entering into that eternal life at that very moment, no loner needing to wait until heaven but at very the moment of receiving Christ, the cross was the beginning not the ending. When He was on the Cross He had you on His mind. (listen to Kenneth Copeland sing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULRlE95OHIo&ab_channel=KennethCopeland-Topic.)
I Peter 1:3-5; 18-23 (NIV):
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Colossians 1:15-17
15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
“By Him all things consist” nothing exists except through Jesus, He is not only the one who has redeemed us, He is God. From this one scripture we see that nothing can be except through Him. Here Paul tells of many differing realms and that fact that all realms are created realms, none can be without the power of Christ holding them together. As we see in John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Take special note of the words “In Him was life” In Him the life that Jesus wants to give, is one of victory over the works of Satan, one of health and healing, one of prosperity. He placed all those “In Him” then via the cross He placed that life “in us”. John 10:10, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
This life could come to us, but by only one way, that of the cross. The cross that Jesus gave His life for foiled the plans of the devil and brought to us the plan of redemption into our very beings. 1 Corinthians 2:8-12, Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. The Cross becomes the symbol that the enemy hates the very most, it is the reason so much opposition is made against.
The cross contains some very powerful benifits for us. Beyond marking time BC (before the cross) and AD (after death upon the cross). The English word ‘crucifixion’ comes from the Latin, the language spoken by the Romans. The Latin word ‘crucifixio’ means ‘to fix to a cross’ and it is formed from the prefix ‘cruci’ from the Latin word ‘crux’ (‘cross’) and the verb ‘figere’ (‘to fix or attach’). This was such a horrendous death that a Roman citizen guilty and deserving a death sentence was spare by law of being put to death in this manner.
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross has benefits to mankind because:
- It deals with sin and its consequences (Romans 6:23; Romans 6:11; 1 Peter 2:24).
- It delivers us from God’s wrath (Romans 5:9).
- God redeems and forgives us (Colossians 1:14; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 17:11).
- It breaks Satan’s power (Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15).
- It brings physical healing (Isaiah 53:5).
- It ultimately delivers us from physical death (2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:9).
- It reconciles us to God and to others (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 1:13-20).
- It gives us access to God (Hebrews 10:19-20).
The Works and Words of The Cross
Upon the cross, Jesus, gave His life as ransom for many – Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45; For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. I Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. This word “ransom” is used twice in the New Testament and carries with it the following meanings, 1) the price for redeeming, ransom, a) paid for slaves, captives, b) for the ransom of life, 2) to liberate many from the misery and the penalty of their sins. So we find liberty and freedom from the enemies of God and ourselves, but freedom too from that which torments us inside. How great was the price that Jesus paid upon the Cross for this freedom, the ransom paid, no longer are we slaves to the whims of those who desire only death and destruction for our lives. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The ransom paid, the life abundant now ours, take hold of it and enjoy.
This redemption from death, hell and grave was hid from Satan and he could not see what was about to walk into his realm and bring utter destruction to him and his hordes. Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. The Cross was the tool from which Jesus would bring such destruction, take a look at swords of the time. Shaped like the Cross so any who would wield it would bring the same destruction that Jesus brought against the devil upon the Cross.
We know that the Word of God is referred to as the Sword of God. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. As Jesus walked into hell with the Sword of God He absolutely knew He could not fail and brought destruction upon the very enemy who would torment those for whom He had just paid the ransom price for. So we need but adorn ourselves with the amour of God and Satan will see Jesus and he trembles with the memory of that day the ransom was paid. Therefore he flees, seeing only the armor. knowing not who wears it, it is God’s and that is sufficient for him to tremble in great fear. Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
From the cross Jesus exclaimed, “It is finished” – John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. In the Greek translated here these three words are actually only the one word “finished” the work of redemption now complete, freedom for all who would choose to partake therein. The fight for man now complete and completely won. Justice served, the price paid, no longer could any charge God or any of His followers with the cost of anything that was lost at man’s fall. All that was lost at the fall of Adam was regained in one word uttered by Jesus, finished, now the plan of restoration could begin. That man could be bold to enter into the place that they could not go before, the Cross opened the very way to the throne room of God. Prayer now became what God had lost with Adams fall, fellowship, the walking, talking, strolling through life with the father , Son and Spirit all at our sides, indwelling us, loving us.
The heart of God for man is fellowship, His desire is just to meet with. to walk and talk with you and I. Given that Jesus is everything and that He created all things (which means you and I) and in Him all things exists, then this fellowship should utterly be as important to us as to Him. John 1:1-6 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend [a] it. (NKJV) Colossians 1:16-18 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (NKJV)
The answer to everything is within the fellowship you have with Him and if it had not been for the death He experienced upon the Cross then that fellowship would never, could never have happened. You have a father who freely gave up that which He loved most so that you may be brought into that same level as Jesus on the throne, that you may have the most intimate fellowship with God, far beyond that which you may have had with any other. 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (NKJV) Completely finished was the plan, a work wrought in perfection, a plan to bring you back to God, great was the cost that Jesus paid for the completion of that plan upon the cross. Yet you receiving Him granting you enteral life,
Paul uses the word “cross” to refer to “the finished work” of God in Christ. What is it that is finished, the extracting of the power that flowed from the cross to us. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God And what power it is this, here is the Greek word Dunamis which carries the following meaning:
1) Strength power, ability
2) Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
3) Power for performing miracles
4) Moral power and excellence of soul
5) The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
6) Power and resources arising from numbers
7) Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
The power of the Cross brings to us the victory over the enemy, it brings strength to us when we are weak, it infuses the Love of God upon our hearts and raises us up to the highest places both on earth and in heaven. Ephesians 3:14-20 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Now look to definition number 2, (Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth) the very nature of the Cross was torture and death but the power of that brought to us the best in life. First Jesus endures that horrible scourging, one lash for every disease known to man (we are the healed see a list at https://chefk.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/angels-watching-over-me/) Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (NKJV) The power of the Cross was the freedom, the conclusion of our newer more abundant life. Look at this verse in context from the Message Bible (MSG) Isaiah 53:2-6 The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, though the was scum. But the fact is, it was our pain she carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him.
This power touched the heart of a grade two student banned from partaking in a song, yet the song and the message of it still reached in and tugged on a small heart which would lead to a redemption of a soul, a life, 12 years later. I could not escape that experience, many times I would think of this experience and wonder, yet no one would explain the cross to me in discussions.
The power of the cross is locked in our hearts and cannot be taken away from us in fact we find there are certain molecules within our body that cause each cell to adhere the other, they are actually shaped like the cross. That molecule is called “laminin” and is described as part of a family of proteins that “hold us together.” Webster’s Medical Dictionary defines it as a “glycoprotein that is a component of connective tissue basement membrane and that promotes cell adhesion.” Take a look,
Is it possible at creation that God knew that the power of the Cross would be required, so He implanted us with it? Look at the right hand side illustration, you have three strands interwoven around a fourth, a great way to look at this is God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) interwoven around you, becoming impossible for you to be separated from the Love of God. Right into the your very being, held completely together by the power of the Cross. Read again Colossians 1:12-20 then get ready to shout for this is the power of the Cross. We need to be totally convicted of this truth, so much so that it is impossible for anything to divide us on this power, on this love. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The crucifixion of Jesus upon the cross draws us into a life that frees us from all sin, sickness and disease, like our laminin molecule we are held together in the spirit to Jesus. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Think about all that is unholy, unworthy, and unwanted, that which brings you into a place where there is no joy, no hope or without that which may be good and healthy for you. Then think all this destruction was nailed to the Cross in the body of Jesus and there He destroyed it all, crying aloud “FINISHED”.
Notice, both John and Paul tell us when this life is to be lived, it is now, in the flesh, not when we get to heaven, or in some sweet by and by, but right now. Just as the laminin holds us together in the body, the crucifixion holds us together in life to live in this body. Your faith in God is what ignites the power to perform what is required when it is required. His love for you, prefect without flaw allowing us to live just as He is, we don’t wait until someday to experience it, we partake fully, completely in that love, now, here in this world. 1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (KJV)
Another view of the laminin molecule (and that of the Cross) could be an example of the doctors symbol known as the caduceus.
Caduceus Symbol of Medicine, is a connection that can be traced back to 1902, when the U.S. Army adopted the caduceus as the insignia of its Medical Corps, which had previously used the cross. The symbol was first representative of wisdom, eloquence, and communication, thus became the common logo for those in the health profession.
In Numbers 21 we see how Moses was instructed by God to create what may be considered the beginning of the caduceus, a serpent wrapped around a pole which brought life to an inflicted person. 8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
The pole of the caduceus is representative of an individual (you and me). On the top is a round helmet. Helmets were of course worn as protection, the easiest killing blow comes against the head thus the helmet provided a measure of protection against such blows. The killing blow stopped by a helmet meant one was saved from death thus salvation was earned. Life gained, the ability to live on and fight to victory. Greek and Roman helmets often had metal covering most of the face. This was to protect the nose, cheeks and temples but still provide visibility during combat.
Scripture admonishes us to take the whole armour of God to face the battles before us, and the helmet of salvation is a very important part of that armour Ephesians 6:16-18 Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
We mention how the cross looks also like the sword, notice we are to take the sword of the spirit, a powerful sharp sword that can divide the soul from the spirit and do great destruction to the enemy. Our laminin molecule also takes on the same appearance. So the body is infused with the power of the cross to do the battles that are required, and to defeat the works of the enemy.
For the Romans, the caduceus served as a symbol of moral equilibrium and of good conduct. The wand represents power; the two snakes wisdom; the wings diligence; and the helmet is the emblem of lofty thoughts. The wings of the caduceus are said to those of the dove, the spiritual symbol of Grace. Gods grace, giving the ability to to overcome whatever one may be facing. It is the strength from which man may draw from in a time of great need. The Grace of God is all that sufficient for you. When you face hardships, or that which seemly just won’t leave you. Look to the Cross and the Grace of God which come with it. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NKJV)
The Greek word for Grace is “Charis” which has these meanings attached to it:
1) Grace, a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2) Good will, loving-kindness, favor, a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3) What is due to grace,
- a) The spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
- b) The token or proof of grace, benefit
- c) A gift of grace
- d) Benefit, bounty
- e) Thanks, (for benefits, services, favors), recompense, reward
Why would Paul boast in his infirmities, with grace he knew that his victory in these was already complete. How, when Jesus spoke the word Finished upon the Cross. So fly high with the wings of the caduceus since it is the Grace of God which lifts you there.
Charisma, and is also defined as, “a gift of grace.” In ancient Greek, it was a phrase that a conquering general, giving a gift to the people he had just conquered as a symbol of their dependence upon the conqueror, would use. When Christ died upon the Cross He departed into the Satanic realm and utterly defeated death, hell and the grave conquering all that stood in His way. His Charisma gift to us was the ability to also defeat all that and those which were crushed, the defeated enemies. all circumstances they would throw against us. Paul takes joy in this Grace because he knows it works, it works because of the gifting of that granted through the cross.
Powerful are our weapons that we use in the battle against Satan. 2 Corinthians 10:2-5 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
I’m sure you have seen the word Grace used as an acronym (Gods Riches At Christ’s Expense) it is the pouring out of God’s favor upon you because Jesus bought and paid for that favor upon the Cross. It is not God who is against, but Satan.
Who is Really Behind all Your Troubles
Who really is behind all your problems in life. Many believe that God is the one who causes things to go wrong. Others believe that although God did not make the problem he certainly knew about it and he should have put a stop to it, but because he did not, it had to be okay by him. others claim it is God doing this so may learn something from Him, sickness, disease, tragedy all from God as a lesson. The only lesson that we learn is that God is a cruel and harsh task master willing to inflict as much pain as possible just for a lesson. Wouldn’t that be child abuse, no God is not the evil one, Satan is the father of death and destruction, begin to place the blame and fault squarely where it belongs, on the devil. We have been redeemed from all this and the Cross is the symbol that reminds of that redemption.
Psalms 46:1-3, To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
How is it that a God who is a help in a time of trouble could possibly be the same one that causes the trouble. Wouldn’t that mean He would be of two minds. Which of course is impossible with God.
The verse says that He is our refuge, this means that He is our escape, haven, resort, retreat, sanctuary and shelter. Which is exactly what one would seek in the midst of trouble, not the source of the trouble.
Notice too, the word “Selah” this word means, stop, wait a moment and contemplate, view the trouble from all points of view. Get a clear picture on the situation before making any kind of decision.
Back in verse 1 the next word we need to examine is the word strength, He is our energy, courage, fortitude, effectiveness, concentration, foundation, and our ability.
“A very present help” always near, why? To enforce His word against the trouble that you are in. From where will His word proceed, from your mouth of course. If you speak that God has done this trouble to you then how is He going to solve it, for then you will be siding with the one responsible for your problem, Satan.
“Therefore we will not fear”, we are not alone in this problem. God is with us leading and guiding us, what can cause us to fear in the very presence of God? Nothing, Romans 8:37-39 sums it up in another way. We win.
Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So then if it is not God who is responsible for all the problems that we face on the earth today, and if is not God who allows them, then who? The word of God declares the troublemaker to be Satan, the god of this world system. We must understand that there is a difference between an instrument and a culprit.
Mark 8:31-33 Peter was the instrument, Satan the culprit.
Luke 13:10-17, Satan had bound this daughter of Abraham 18 years.
John 6:70, Judas was an apostle with all the power and abilities of the apostle (Matthew 10:1) yet Satan could take him.
Acts 5:1-11 Ananias & Sapphira spirit filled members of the first church, yet lost their lives because they became instruments of the devil. In some cases it is not enough to just blame the devil, we need to own up to our own involvement with him so that we might get free.
2 Corinthians 12:7 A messenger of Satan sent to cause Paul trouble.
1 Timothy 5:9-15 Women who turned aside after Satan, called silly.
1 John 3:8, If you commit sin it is of the devil.
WHEN YOU BEGIN TO BLAME SATAN FOR YOUR PROBLEMS THEN YOU ARE ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.
But why all the problems, the answer is simple, jealousy, Satan is jealous of man, because of all God has given to man, all of what was once Satan’s. That he took through subterfuge, deceiving Eve and Adam then willing following and falling into sin, gifting to Satan all of Adams dominion.
Ezekiel 28:11-19: (Lamas Translation ) Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: You were the seal of wisdom and the crown of beauty. You have been in Eden, the Garden of God; you were decked with every precious stone, the sardius, the topaz, and the emerald, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire and pearls; and have filled your treasuries with gold and your chests with precious stones; you had all these things from the day you were created. You were with the anointed cherub that shelters; and I have set you on the holy mountain of God; ad you were safe in the midst of the stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created till iniquity was found in you. By the multitude of your merchandise you have filled your land with iniquity and you have sinned therefore I will cast you from the mountain of God; and I will destroy you, O sheltering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Since your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, now your wisdom and your beauty are corrupted; I will cast you to the ground before kings, that you may be a spectacle before them. By the multitude of your frauds, and by the iniquity of your traffic, you have defiled your sanctuary; therefore I will bring forth a fire from the midst of you, and it shall devour you, and I will reduce you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all those who see you. All who know you among the people shall be astonished at you; you shall be brought to destruction and you never shall be any more.
As Satan twisted his purpose, he also twists the reason he was created from sheltering to bring destruction. That was the reason for Jesus to come and bring back the anointing to man.
Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
The anointing releases you from all your troubles and come to bring you into life, not just the get by kind of life, but the ZOE life of God. The God kind of Life. All burdens and yoke are destroyed and you walk in victory. Isaiah 10:27
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
John 8:30-32, As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
It is not the truth that makes you free, it is the truth that you know that will make you free. So go to the light of the world and use His words and come to know them, then you truly will be free. You have the power to render the trouble that Satan brings in your life destroyed. Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Move that common, “when the enemy comes, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Like a flood the works of the devil are washed away by the Spirit of God, which you gained access to through the Cross of Jesus.
Luke 10:19
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Speak the word and Satan must obey. It is the speaking and living in the Word, that God uses to bring you into victory.
Mark 16:15-20
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
We have read it before, but read once again showing us the power of the Grace, the power of the Cross.
Romans 8:37-39. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Cross is the pathway to heaven for any who desire to journey there, without the sacrifice that Jesus made thereon no one could ever or would ever find their way into the realm of heaven.