Crestwood Church Blog

What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me. Psalm 116:12-13

What a tremendous question, what can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? Is there anything that we can offer to someone who has given it all in the first place?

The answer comes in the next phrase,

“I will lift up the Cup of Salvation”.

In Old testament times a priest or a family head would regularly raise a cup with an exaltation of praise to God. In the early church times the cup that was lifted was a bitter cup, a cup that had little to offer but was full of praise and as they lifted the cup in praise , as a symbol to God he would meet their needs and be a symbol of salvation, that God fills the bitterness and restores us with his joy. He brings deliverance and fullness though being united with him.

Phil 1:19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.

So how can we lift up our, cup of salvation today? The cup is you, give you lives to God, in all that you do,

The big question is? How much are we prepared to offer up our lives, to admit that the best we have is not enough and the only way to bless God, is to give him our lives, so that he can beautify them. On Sunday’s we can offer to God as we worship, we can sing from our hearts, we can pray from within and we can declare with our mouths. One of the greatest testimony’s we have as believers is to tell others what the Lord has done, we can share our experiences of God on Sundays, during house groups and whenever the opportunity arises, The Psalm goes on to say

“I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” v17

When we come together is this your attitude?

Labels: Cup, Offering, Sacrifice, Salvation

Without it-

Since we preach that Christ didn’t rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? Because there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. Christ has not been raised, therefore all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. we apostles are lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true there is no resurrection of the dead., then Christ has not been raised. Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. We who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. in fact, Christ has not been raised from the dead. No one will know the great harvest all who have died.

With it-

Since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. f Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Labels: Resurrection, Salvation, Saviour

Becoming a Christian, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, a follower, someone who is saved (or whichever title you want to use...), doesn't make you just another number in God's kingdom.

Jesus taught that "there is joy in the presence of God's angels when one single sinner repents" (Luke 15:10). Heaven is thrown into a godly party mode every time one of us comes to recognize the Saviour. You aren't a number but a treasured individual, who God wants to pour his grace upon and strengthen you as your new life unfolds.

Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matt 10:29-31

You are one of his very own children who has strayed into grave danger but now has returned, and the Father is delighted to have you back. His eye will be on you, making sure that you stay close. And if you do stray again he will guide you back.

Self worth is something that is yours, because the Almighty God of Heaven has now declared you worthy to be called his son or daughter.

Labels: Believers, Promise, Salvation, Shepherd

At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you, indeed the right time is now. Today is the day of Salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT

Thank God that the day we called out to Jesus to be our Saviour, he was there waiting to hear our cry.

Many of us today are not the most patient when it comes to waiting, in fact on average, we spend over one day a year waiting in queues! Romans 5:6 reminds us that "at just the right time Jesus died for us".

God knows what we need and when we need it. Our day of salvation can start today. No ifs or buts, right now. If only we would ask him to come and take residence in our lives. We can never be sure what lies around the corner. That is why we need to trust Jesus while we have today...tomorrow doesn't always come.

The wonder of the day we receive Jesus as our Lord, is that eternal life with God starts at that exact time. Jesus is far too wonderful to leave for another day.

Labels: Jesus, Salvation, Saviour, Time, Waiting