Chrissy Siggee

TO WANT NOTHING

Chrissy Siggee — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:20:51 +0000

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

How should we view the trials that we go through? First we should reflect on the reasons why we are facing them. Unfortunately, for most of us, our questioning comes from our human form of questioning of the—‘why me?’ aspect. This is of course is just questioning God. Often this type of thinking easily moves into anger. This is the exact opposite of how we are directed to respond.

We are told to “count it all joy.” Now that’s seems a strange statement. If someone were to teach me to do that when facing trials, I would be tempted to call him an idiot. This would of course reveal only an immaturity and the unbiblical nature of my biblical and spiritual thinking.

We should view our trials with joyfulness, knowing what is really happening. That is, when we are being tried, our faith is being tested. What does that mean? When we face a challenge, do we respond by what we see and feel—or by what we believe to be true? If we are being tested it should increase our stability, our steadfastness and our faith.

How does that matter?

When steadfastness is developed in us we are complete— that is to want nothing.

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

RESURECTION SUNDAY – THE TRUTH

Chrissy Siggee — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 06:01:49 +0000

1 Corinthians 15:14-22 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (NIV)

Christians worldwide celebrate the resurrection of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Easter Sunday. Christianity teaches that the author and creator of the faith is alive today. No other religion of the world makes such an amazing claim. Other religions may claim that the “spirit” of their founder lives in his religious teachings, but Christians declare that Jesus Christ lives today—bodily.

True biblical Christianity teaches that Jesus really died AND really rose from the dead–physically. Jesus rose bodily as well as spiritually from the grave. He then appeared alive to a variety of people on many different times over a period of 40 days. Christianity further teaches that after these indisputable “physical” appearances, Jesus Christ “physically” left this earth and promised to return “physically” some day.

John 14:1-3 says, “Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.

Acts 1:9-12 describes what the disciples saw on the Mount of Olives: “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. (NIV)

If there was no foundation for the Christian faith, if Jesus Christ did not die on the cross, if He didn’t rise from the dead, then the whole basis of the Christian faith would be—empty.

Christian faith holds that Jesus was resurrected from the dead bodily, ascended into heaven bodily, lives today in glory in a body, and will someday return to this earth bodily.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Father, thank you for dying on the cross for us that we may be saved from eternal death. We praise you this Resurrection day for the faith of the Christian church and the hope of your return. Amen

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated.

HIS HANDS AND HIS SIDE

Chrissy Siggee — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:19:21 +0000

John 20:18-20
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.

Jesus never hid his scars from His disciples, nor does he hide them from anyone today. He bears the marks of His passion. They prove His identity, proclaim His victory and are the emblems of His authority as Savior and King.

The cross is not only the symbol of atonement but of excellence and goodness—an exquisite example of love. It whispers peace within but calls for effort without. It has a purpose as well as a message for the sinner.

Christ died for all that they may no longer live unto themselves but unto Him who for our sake died and rose again.

It is remarkable that His scars were the only thing Jesus showed His disciples after His resurrection. By His scars they recognize Jesus in the breaking of bread at Emmaus, even when they failed to recognize him on the road in His appearance, His speech and His features. – Luke 24:13-16

By His scars, Thomas was convicted of His unbelief a week later and cried “My Lord and my God.” – John 20:28-29

His scarred hands and His side are the token and seal of our peace with God and irresistible call of service and sacrifice.

Our Lord and our Savior, we thank You for giving up your life for us on the cross of pain and shame. We thank You that You took the beatings and bore the nails for us so we may be saved. Amen.

“And we will know Him by the nail prints in His hands” – Unknown

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

STANDING IN THE SHADOWS

V1
Are your crosses too heavy to carry;
And burdens too heavy to bear?

Are there heartaches and tears and anguish;
And there’s no one who seems to care?

Chorus
Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus,
He’s the Friend who always cares and understands.

Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find Him
And you’ll know Him by the nail prints in His hands.

V2
Are there shadows of deep disappointment,
And trusts that have proven untrue?

Has the darkness of night settled round you
Has your hope and your faith wavered too?

Chorus
Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus,
He’s the Friend who always cares and understands.

Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find Him
And you’ll know Him by the nail prints in His hands.

V3
Has the storm over shadowed your sunshine,
And life lost attraction for you?

Have the dreams that you cherished been broken,
Is you soul filled with bitterness too?

Chorus
Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus,
He’s the Friend who always cares and understands.

Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find Him
And you’ll know Him by the nail prints in His hands.

- Author Unknown

THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD – The devotion

Chrissy Siggee — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:41:57 +0000

Mark 15:25-28
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

We have covered already the cruelty of inhuman treatment of Jesus by the soldiers, servants and the people, who assembled to witness his beating. Much can be said again about the unwarranted punishment my Lord received prior to His crucifixion. We have also read and heard repeatedly of the death of Christ. Many of us have seen the “Passion of the Christ” movie. Without playing down the significance of the crucifixion itself in any way, let’s move on to the mysteries of His death.

The message of the cross is indeed a mystery. The message can be learned through the Scriptures, movies and witnessing. Prophecies and teaching was recorded throughout the Old Testament; including the Psalms.

“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:4-10

Yet…it’s not only that we see in the death of Jesus the highest demonstration of God’s love, but also of His infinite sorrow and compassion. The mystery of the depths. “But as far as the east is from the west, so shall he remove our sin”. (paraphrased) Not even an earthly father can pay the penalty of his child’s transgression, nor can any man pay the price of sin of another.

When Paul speaks of the suffering of Jesus on the cross, he deals with facts so awe-inspiring that he calls them: “the depths of God”. (1 Corinthians 2:10) These mysteries are so deep that they are unfathomable of all human thinking – even more unfathomable as the deepest, unreachable, bottomless ocean. This act of love is beyond measure. But, by His Holy Spirit, God reveals it to even the youngest of children, the most simple minded, and the educated. His love for us is infinite. Although we cannot understand these mysteries, we thank Him with absolute gratefulness and humility.

My hope, my strength, my redeemer, my God, my King and my all…they crucified my Lord.

THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD – The Poem

Chrissy Siggee — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:37:04 +0000

Beaten and humiliated,
They led my Lord away
To the mount of death—
He was nailed and hung
On a wooden cross—
Naked and shamed
Like a common thief.

They mocked

They cursed

They laughed

Bleeding head hung low,
Nail ripped hands and feet
A body slashed and torn—
Blood flowed down
Onto the rugged ground—
Pain and dread
Painted on His face.

Shame

Sorrow

Shunned

Blamed and disgraced,
All purity discredited
Guilt and sin He bore—
My beautiful Jesus,
You did this for me—
You bled and died
So I could live.

They seized His clothes

They pierced His side

They crucified my Lord

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

Chrissy Siggee — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:11:32 +0000

Did you know that the words Lamb of God, as a title of our Lord, occurs twice in the Gospel of John and once in the one Peter?

However, John uses the same title in Revelation about 30 times. It’s clear that The Lamb of God would have meant a great deal to John who leaned on Jesus and knew the secret of His Redeeming love… perhaps better than any of the twelve disciples.

John 1:28-30
These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, after me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

Peter doesn’t use this title directly, but in speaking of our redemption from sin. In 1 Peter 19 – 18 he says “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ…

With all the names of Christ used throughout the Bible, The Lamb of God would without a doubt, touch me the most deeply. None speaks more strongly of our deliverance from the slavery of sin. I can only capture a glimpse of how John felt about our Saviour.

Is it redemption that we desire? Then it must be redemption by the blood.
The cross of Christ is the only hope of the world. A world that often declare things like “Behold our new methods”, “Behold our human-brotherhood” of even “behold this new opportunity” and forget the only real cry that needs to be boasted. “Behold the Lamb of God.”

John 3:16 says
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Father, thank you for the most powerful act of love to mankind: giving us your only Son to bring deliverance to all. Thank you for the redemption of our sins so we may be saved by Grace. Amen

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

“MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?

Chrissy Siggee — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:09:10 +0000

Both Matthew and Mark recorded these words cried out by Jesus on the cross. These same words occur interesting enough in the opening verse of the Twenty Second Psalms. Yet neither Matthew nor Mark referred to them as a fulfilment of prophecy and after six hours of agony in body and soul on the cross, this cry escapes from our Saviours lips. There were not many words spoken by Jesus while he was on the cross. The words He spoke were recorded specifically.

His first words were “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”—-a prayer for pardon.

His second proclamation made was a promise of peace.

“Today you shall be with me in Paradise’

His third was one of kindness to and for his mother.

“Woman behold thy son….Son behold thy mother.”

When the darkness had fallen, three last announcements where uttered. They followed in rapid succession.

“I thirst”

“It is finished”

“Father into thy hands I commend my spirit” –

Then, there was this cry of sorrow.

“My God, my God, why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

There is something of extraordinary power and feeling in these words of Jesus on the cross. This is obvious from the fact that both Matthew and Mark have diligently given the words in the language our Lord used.

“Eli Eli, lama Sa-bach-thani”

Nowhere else in Scripture do we find this recurrence of these words except in the Twenty Second Psalm? The cry expresses suffering that was never at any other time felt in this world and I believe, never will again.

To the historian, to the poet or the theologian, the description and the language of these words in Psalms 22 might suggest it could have been either history or prophecy.

Matthew and Mark may have not recognised the connection. However, Jesus, a learned scholar of the Scriptures from a very young age, would have known the Psalms well. He said many times through out His ministry “it is written”.

To the believer, nevertheless, this cry is a revelation of the deep suffering and anguishes our Saviour bore, and a proof of His infinite love for sinners.

It challenges us, with all the saints, to be strong to understand what is: ‘..the length and breadth and height and depth of the love of God”…

If the cross is the fundamental Truth of the New Testament, this cry is the heart of this truth and its inmost expression. This is the Holy of Holies to the reverent reader of the story of the passion.

by Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

…THEY PARTED HIS GARMENTS

Chrissy Siggee — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:43:44 +0000

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. Mark 15:24

This stripping of Jesus was so appalling that it was referred to in all four Gospels.

Matthew, who observed that this occurrence was a fulfilment of Psalm 22:18 “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

Mark, who himself fled naked from the mob in the garden.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
John also refers to the Psalm, as Matthew did, but also gives the most detail and accurate description of the whole agony of the crucifixion.

The Christ lived in purity and dignity of manhood. Almost all pictures of the crucifixion give us the view of a dignified Jesus. But one gospel records the scene—“They stripped Him,” John said. Naked He came from His mother’s womb, and naked He hangs from a tree.

Adam experienced the shame of nakedness in Eden because of his transgression. So too, the Son of God took our sinful flesh and the shame of our nakedness upon Himself.

I believe there were two elements to the crucifixion; one of the physical and the other of the mental suffering. Jesus was despised and rejected, even by His own friends. He was oppressed by sinners, held in contempt by the soldiers, cursed my men and stripped of His garments.

His garments. His seamless robe. A garment fit for a king. His clothing wouldn’t have been a beggar’s rags.

But when I read Psalm 93:1 “The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.” It put a put a whole new perspective and horror to the story. They parted His garments and cast lots…

AND…HE REMAINED BOUND

Chrissy Siggee — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:12:43 +0000

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Matthew 27:2

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. Mark 14:65

From the garden of Gethsemane, to the mock trial and on to Golgotha, we learn from the Gospel of Luke the horrendous brutality and damage done to the human body of Jesus by the cruel guards and servants of Gaiaphas.

I can find no other incident in the Bible of such a malicious assault on a helpless person. These soldiers were brutal and full of unjustifiable hatred. They spat spittle and profanities with every slap, whipping and blows. Yet…Jesus stood bound.

His hands where bound together; the same hands that once crafted furniture and toys in wood. The same hands that made a blind man to see and placed on the heads of children as He blessed them. These hands multiplied fish and loaves to feed a multitude. They were the same hands that washed the feet of His disciples and wiped them with a towel.

These bound hands also broke bread; His body, soon to be broken. Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

They were the hands that held the cup of thanksgiving. Mark 14:27-28 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

His body, soon to be broken, had already endured significant abused by the hands and weapons of this crowd. Blasphemy spewed from their mouths. And…He remained bound.

And Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:11

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible.

“AND THEY BLINDFOLDED HIM”

Chrissy Siggee — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:47:55 +0000

And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? Luke 22:64

The death and resurrection of Jesus is completely in the past. It’s history. He died for sin once, and He will die no more. Death has no power over our Lord and Savior. But spiritually, the death and resurrection of Christ is ever present. Spiritually it takes place repeatedly in the very nucleus of humanity. We crucify Him again and again. Jesus Christ is betrayed, abandoned, spat at, mocked and crucified every moment of the day, every day. Every part of the passion story is characteristic. In a mystical sense, we were there when He died for our sins.

The verses related to the blindfolding of Jesus are often read as part of the story as a whole. Sometimes these verses are not even included in Easter Bible readings at all. I find that this particular incident is significant to the soldiers’ behavior toward the ministry of Jesus. There also doesn’t appear to be any recorded that Pilate directed them to carry out this specific treatment. These soldiers repeated mocked and struck Jesus while His face was covered.

I often wonder why renowned artists, past or present, have never attempted to paint this appallingly tragic scene on canvas. At least I’ve never seen one. I understand from my own research that this incident took place in the courtyard of the palace of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, in the very early morning before dawn. There would have been an open fire burning, perhaps a full moon and eerie shadows. But one thing I’m sure of is that Jesus would not have been the only one unable to see in that courtyard. Our blindfolded Jesus, Christ our Lord, would have been surrounded by a group filled with blind hatred: servants of the Sanhedrin, those hired by the high priests, witness of Jesus’ miracles, and all from His own Jewish race. But Jesus remained silent…

This portion of the passion adds more emphasis on the repulsive behavior Jesus endured before the cross. Is this what Peter witnessed and where he denied His Lord? The last face Jesus looked upon before he was blindfolded was Peter’s so one assume it was. No wonder Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus suffered for us not only to redeem us from sin and curse, but suffered to leave us an example that we should walk in His footsteps. In every incident of the passion, Jesus cries out for us to follow Him. We need to live boldly and completely for Him, without hesitation of the consequences of those who ridicule and scoff. Accept the mudslinging and hateful rejections. Be silent before your accusers, and for His sake and the gospel, do no grow weary in doing good. (Galatians 6:9)

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10