Jesus Christ | Craig T. Owens

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Do Not Let The Cross Go

April 5, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

I shared this quote from Andrew Murray in my message this morning, and some people have asked for me to share it. I am happy to do so!

“We long for full victory. And we find it as we more fully enter into the fellowship of His Cross. The Lamb obtained His greatest victory with His hands and feet nailed to the Cross. We abide in the shadow of the Almighty only so long as we abide under the shadow of the Cross. The Cross must be our home. There alone are we sheltered and protected. We first understand our own cross when we have understood His. May we desire to get so close to it that we not only see it but we also embrace it, take it up, and make it our own. Then the Cross asserts itself in us, and we experience His power—to the point that we do not faint under it but carry it with joy. What would Jesus be without His Cross? His pierced feet have bruised the head of the enemy, and His pierced hands have spoiled the devil’s tactics completely (Matthew 12:29). What are we without the Cross? Do not let the Cross go, but hold it securely.” —Andrew Murray

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Andrew Murray, Cross, crucifixion, Jesus Christ, quotes. Leave a Comment »

Links & Quotes

April 4, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

“Based on the vitriol directed towards Indiana, one would never know that 19 states and the federal government already have a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) virtually identical to the one passed by the Hoosier state. One governor, Malloy of Connecticut, blasted Governor Pence even though Connecticut’s RFRA potentially goes further than Indiana’s in offering protections to people of faith. Companies such as Apple speak of boycotting Indiana while simultaneously opening stores in China and Saudi Arabia, places of real enslavement and discrimination. While most of the rhetoric is designed to intimidate other states from following Indiana’s lead, it is disturbing to see how many Americans places greater importance on sexual freedom and economic prosperity than they do on freedom of conscience.” ―Michigan Family Forum

Here’s a great infographic explaining how the RFRA really works.

The Barna Group has some research showing what Americans believe about Jesus.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Here are 5 signs that someone may have been (or is being) abused.

Interesting: research is showing that you might be healthier not getting a blood transfusion.

Seth Godin says, “Being really good is merely the first step. In order to earn word of mouth, you need to make it safe, fun and worthwhile to overcome the social hurdles to spread the word.” Read more in his post The Selfish Truth About Word Of Mouth.

[VIDEO] J. Warner Wallace and Bobby Conway discuss when you should stop looking at other religions…

The Crushing Weight Of Sin

April 3, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

As we remember Christ’s awful and glorious work on Calvary this Good Friday, I am reminded of these sobering words from a Charles Spurgeon sermon—

“See Him; like a cart pressed down with sheaves He goes through the streets of Jerusalem. Well may you weep, daughters of Jerusalem, though He bids you dry your tears; they hoot Him as He walks along bowed beneath the load of His own Cross which was the emblem of your sin and mine. They have brought Him to Golgotha. They throw Him on His back, they stretch out His hands and His feet. The accursed iron penetrates the tenderest part of His body, where most the nerves do congregate. They lift up the Cross. O bleeding Savior, Thy time of woe has come! They dash it into the socket with rough hands; the nails are tearing through His hands and feet. He hangs in extremity, for God has forsaken Him; His enemies persecute and take Him, for there is none to deliver Him. They mock His nakedness; they point at His agonies. They look and stare upon Him with ribald jests; they insult His griefs, and make puns upon His prayers. He is now indeed a worm and no man, crushed till you can think scarcely that there is divinity within. The fever gets hold upon Him. His tongue is dried up like a potsherd, and He cries, ‘I thirst!’ Vinegar is all they yield Him; the sun refuses to shine, and the thick midnight darkness of that awful mid-day is a fitting emblem of the tenfold midnight of His soul. Out of that thick horror He cries ‘My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’ Then, indeed, was He pressed down! O there was never sorrow like unto His sorrow. All human griefs found a reservoir in His heart, and all the punishment of human guilt spent itself upon His body and His soul. O shall sin ever be a trifle to us? Shall I ever laugh at that which made Him groan?”

May I never treat my sin which took Christ to the Cross as a trifling, laughing, inconsequential matter. May I always strive to live holy, and to live eternally grateful for the price Jesus paid for my sin!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary, Charles Spurgeon, Cross, crucifixion, Golgotha, Good Friday, Jesus Christ, sin, torture. Leave a Comment »

Good Friday Communion Service

April 1, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Join me this Friday, April 3, at 6pm as we remember what Jesus did for us on Calvary. We will be reflecting on Christ’s sacrificial death in a meaningful time of Communion.

Directions to Calvary Assembly of God can be found by clicking here.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary, Calvary Assembly of God, Communion, Cross, crucifixion, Good Friday, Jesus Christ. Leave a Comment »

In The Shadow Of The Cross

March 30, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Some people really know how to find the deals when they’re shopping. They know where to shop, when to shop, where to find the coupons, and how to find the rebates.

Rebates have always amazed me. I wondered how companies could give away money and still make a profit. Then I read that often up to 70 percent of rebates go unclaimed. Some people say it’s too much work to fill out all the correct forms, others say it takes too long to get their rebate, and still others think the amount they get back isn’t worth the effort.

I’m concerned about Christians who slip into a rebate mentality with God. It seems some Christians believe that they need to “fill out the right forms” in order to claim all that God has for them. They seem to think that salvation isn’t enough, and that they have to add church attendance, offerings, good works, Bible reading and other activities to make sure they don’t miss out.

Not that there’s anything wrong with those activities, but there is something wrong with thinking we have to do something to keep our salvation at its full effectiveness.

If we have placed our faith in Christ’s work on an old rugged Cross, then all of our sins have been forgiven (see Psalm 103:1-5, 10-12; Jeremiah 33:8). This is a gift that is available to everyone (Acts 10:43).

But here’s when I think satan steps in to deceive us: It’s when we feel convicted by the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit is constantly refining us to make Christ’s image visible in us. But satan wants to twist and pervert this conviction into condemnation.

It’s only in the shadow of the old rugged Cross that I can see my sin correctly. Consider these four points:

(1) The Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin tells me that He desires for me to be more like Jesus―John 14:25-27.

(2) Sin isn’t my master any longer―Romans 6:1-2, 8-11.

(3) My sin never diminishes God’s love for me―1 John 1:8-2:2.

(4) Sin cannot condemn me―Romans 8:1-2.

As we remember and celebrate what Jesus did on Calvary for us, let’s also remember to stay in the shadow of the Cross. It’s only there we can see ourselves accurately from Heaven’s point of view.

If you are in the area and don’t have a church home, I would love for you to celebrate Resurrection Sunday with us! We’ll continue our look at what happened on the old rugged Cross.

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Poetry Saturday―And Can It Be Said That I Should Gain

March 28, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain―

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above

So free, so infinite His grace―

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray―

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own. —Charles Wesley

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Charles Wesley, condemnation, Cross, crucifixion, God's love, hymn, Jesus Christ, mercy, poem, poetry, righteousness, salvation, Savior. 1 Comment »

Links & Quotes

March 25, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

“Think lightly of hell, and you will think lightly of the Cross. Think little of the sufferings of lost souls, and you will soon think little of the Savior Who delivers you from them. God grant we may not live to see such a Christ-dishonoring theology dominant in our times.” —Charles Spurgeon

I share a lot of quotes from Charles Haddon Spurgeon, but perhaps you may not be as familiar with him. Here is a real short biography on a man called The Prince Of Preachers.

“From the moment a creature becomes aware of God as God and of itself as self, the terrible alternative of choosing God or self for the center is opened to it. This sin is committed daily by young children and ignorant peasants as well as by sophisticated persons, by solitaries no less than by those who live in society: it is the fall in every individual life, and in each day of each individual life, the basic sin behind all particular sins: at this very moment you and I are either committing it, or about to commit it, or repenting it.” —C.S. Lewis

If you are feeling tired, perhaps this will help: 9 Factors That Can Enhance Or Hinder Your Sleep.

David Wilkerson says, “God has given us a powerful weapon to use against any attack on our faith. ” Read more in his post The Great Cloud Of Witnesses.

Science becomes scientism when it is more speculation and theory than it is facts. Here is a case in point: this article about climate change talks about trying to get people to not just look at data, but tries to sell its model/simulation.

I love this! Stop trying to perform for God. It’s holding you back.

[VIDEO] Kids tell us what love is―

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: biography, C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, climate change, Cross, David Wilkerson, encouragement, health, Hell, idolatry, Jesus Christ, kids, pseudo-science, quotes, Savior, scientism, sin, sleep, spiritual warfare, video. Leave a Comment »

Charles Spurgeon On Prayer

March 25, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Some great quotes from Charles Spurgeon on prayer…

“We are not to tolerate for a minute the ghastly and grievous thought that God will not answer prayer. History, as manifested in Christ Jesus, demands it.” —Charles Spurgeon

“Be pleased to visit your Church with the Holy Spirit. Renew the day of Pentecost in our midst, and in the midst of all gatherings of Your people, may there come the downfall of the holy fire, the uprising of the heavenly wind. May matters that are now slow and dead become quick and full of life, and may the Lord Jesus Christ be exalted in the midst of His church which is His fullness—‘the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.’ May multitudes be converted; may they come flocking to Christ with holy eagerness to find in Him a refuge as the doves fly to their dovecotes.” —Charles Spurgeon

“Lord, educate us for a higher life, and let that life be begun here. May we be always in the school, always disciples, and when we are out in the world may we be trying to put into practice what we have learned at Jesus’ feet.” —Charles Spurgeon

“Sometimes we think we are too busy to pray. That is a great mistake, for praying is a saving of time.” —Charles Spurgeon

“If I neglect prayer for never so short a time, I lose all the spirituality to which I had attained; if I draw no fresh supplies from heaven, the old corn in my granary is soon consumed by the famine which rages in my soul.” ―Charles Spurgeon

“Sins creep from their lurking places when the darkness reigns; I must myself mount the watch-tower, and watch unto prayer.” ―Charles Spurgeon

“If you would reach to something higher than ordinary groveling experience, look to the Rock that is higher than you, and gaze with the eye of faith through the window of importunate prayer. When you open the window on your side, it will not be bolted on the other.” ―Charles Spurgeon

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Charles Spurgeon, church history, history, Holy Spirit, importunity, Jesus Christ, prayer, quotes, sin. 1 Comment »

Links & Quotes

March 23, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

“The Son of God suffered (really suffered!) to deliver me from sinning. I cannot believe He suffered to make me miserable. Therefore, what He died to purchase must be more wonderful than the pleasures of sin.” —John Piper

“They who are Christ’s are kings. Take care that you wear your crown, by reigning over your lusts.” ―Charles Spurgeon

“Human beings are story-making engines, and when we’re confronted with randomness, we make up an egocentric version of what happened, and it involves us. So when things randomly go well, we give ourselves a pat on the back, a reminder of why we deserved it. And when they don’t, we seek out the ghost in whatever machine did us wrong and come up with a reason. … All the time we spend inventing reasons is probably better spent responding to what occurs.” —Seth Godin

Helpful medical health information: 9 Signs Of Improper Blood Circulation.

Here is another good reason to quit smoking.

[VIDEO] A heart-touching story of a family who adopted a beautiful girl names Sunflower―

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: adoption, cardiovascular, Charles Spurgeon, Christian, crucifixion, Down Syndrome, egocentric, family, heart, Jesus Christ, John Piper, medical science, physical health, quit smoking, quotes, Seth Godin, sin, storytelling, victory, video. Leave a Comment »

The Ministry Of Reconciliation

March 23, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

When couples are divorcing, their most common complaint is summed up in two words: irreconcilable differences. The couple is saying that things have gotten so bad―and the distance between them has gotten so vast―that there is no hope at all of ever patching things up.

Sometimes we might be able to say that both husband and wife shared some of the blame. But this isn’t true in a spiritual divorce. When we are separated from God, it’s all on us. Paul describes us as powerless sinners, unholy enemies of God (see Romans 5:6, 8, 10). We did the leaving; we are the problem.

But in the desire to bring reconciliation, God puts it all on Himself―more specifically, on the death of His Son Jesus on an old rugged Cross. In Romans 5 Paul says our reconciliation was through Christ five times in just three verses (vv. 9-11).

As if it weren’t amazing enough that Christ’s death on the Cross saved us, justified us, and reconciled us, giving us a brand new start (2 Corinthians 5:16-17), God then gave us the same ministry that He undertook through Jesus: the ministry of reconciliation (vv. 18-19)!

What Jesus purchased for us on an old rugged Cross allows us to “become the righteousness of Christ” (v. 21). Not reflect His righteousness, not talk about His righteousness, but actually become His righteousness!

We have the supreme privilege of being able to bring the message of reconciliation to others who used to be where we were: powerless sinners, unholy enemies of God!

We have the awesome joy of being God’s righteousness to people who think their irreconcilable differences will keep them from God!

The greatest act of serving you could ever do for anyone is telling them that they can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ’s work on an old rugged Cross!

Absolutely amazing!

We’ll continue our look at the Old Rugged Cross next Sunday, and I’d love to have you join me at Calvary Assembly of God.