No Cross No Crown

NO CROSS:NO CROWN Remarkable Testimonies of Faith in God During Unfathomable Crises

IS GOD TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING?

Some among us believe that God in his own unique way has destined us to do something great in life. In fact, I often hear preachers talk about being called to become a servant of the Lord and to preach his word. Some even say that he speaks to them regularly, preventing them from making unwise decisions, even guiding them to do great things in His name.

I do believe that God talks to us. I am afraid, however, that in too many instances we are unable to interpret or understand his communications to our spirits. I believe that any of us are potential vessels, which God can use for His divine purposes. I also believe that in some instance He communicates in His own way to let us know that no matter what we are going through, if we place our faith in Him, everything will be all right.

This was certainly the case pertaining to a crisis I experienced several years ago relating to being unjustly terminated by my employer of more than 20 years. When this occurred, I felt that my life was ruined. After receiving near perfect employee performance evaluations year after year, I was fired. Not only was I faced with the loss of income but I was also personally humiliated. For nearly a month, I was unable to get a full night’s sleep and retreated from communication with family and friends. I desperately wanted to get even with those who had aggrieved me. For a while I felt betrayed by God. I allowed negative thoughts to consume me resulting in depression and anger. If I had been fired for incompetence or for other valid reasons, I would have understood.

I finally stood still and realized just how unimportant I am in being angry with God. He died for my sins and transgressions. I prayed for Him to forgive me. It was then that I understood that each person has to experience or bear a kind of cross and that “no cross” can mean “no crown.” I also realized just how weak I am in comparison to the cross that Jesus had to suffer for me that I might live. After coming to this realization, I had my first night of restful and uninterrupted sleep. I had put all my troubles in God’s hands to take care of for me. One night in a dream the scriptures Psalm 3: 1-4 (NIV) appeared to me. The next morning, I immediately went to my Bible to see what the passages would reveal. I was again, thankful to God for watching over me. I knew after reading the passages that He had heard my prayers and would continue to protect me in the face of my worldly problems. I was humbled by what I had dreamed:

1Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” 3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, My glory, the One who lifts my head high. 4 I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. (NIV)

The passages above which came to me in my dream had to be God speaking to me because I had never heard of the Biblical passages. Without a doubt, I knew then, that I was going to be OK. Soon afterwards, I had to go to court to redress my grievance against my former employer. On the day of court, I kept repeating Psalm 3:3 (NIV):

3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

YOU KNOW WHAT? I won my case against my employer. All I had to do was be still and place my problems in God’s hands to experience victory and peace.

Less than a year after my victory, the husband of the Executive Officer who caused my termination, was killed in a tragic hand-gliding accident. Regrettably, she too, died several months later of cancer.

As a kind of epilogue, my former employer became involved in the biggest public education cheating scandal in the United States, resulting in major State and Federal investigations into racketeering under the Rico Act.

Did I wish these things on the people who harmed me? Without equivocation, I can say “no.” I could never wish tragedy on anyone, not even an enemy. I simply want to share a real story about a life and career-changing crisis in my life that I had to place in God’s hands to be guided by his almighty wisdom.

When problems or tragedies occur in our lives we are normally so overcome with grief and sadness that our tears slow us down and cloud our judgment. If the tragedy is caused by another, we want to get even causing them too, to experience our pain. These are occasions when we need to take our problems to the Lord in prayer.

IT HAPPENS TO ALL OF US IN OUR LIFETIME... Unexpected tragedy or disappointment which can be so devastating that it causes us to put our life in perspective and define things as before or after such an occurrence. We live such phenomena daily in our lives. If they are tragedies we assume these are our crosses to bear in life. We know that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us with his Crucifixion for our sins and that no matter how awful we believe our cross is to bear, it can never measure the sacrifice He gave so that we may be free. Some of us, even Christians, can become weakened when a tragedy occurs and wonder why God allows horrible things to happen to us. These are truly crises which test our faith. They are moments when we truly understand the meaning of the song Peace Be Still. A moment that you wish you could turn back the time to a happier period where there was peace and no sadness. A time when we are tempted to ask God- Why Me, Lord? This is when you want Him to wrap you in His mighty arms for protection and solace to speak to us and say, “I am the Lord, thy God, Fear Not.”

This book was written to be a source of inspiration to others to never give up trusting in the Lord. He will save you and provide you comfort in your time of despair.

I believe that God had his hand in my writing these stories. Something spoke to me each day to complete them. I am hoping that this book finds its way into the lives of persons who need to know that with faith in God, tomorrow will be a better day.

I hope that you enjoy them. May God Bless and Keep You.

PREPARE FOR A BETTER DAY-IT IS COMING!