Ryan Wilhite

“The Cross!”

We all know this life doesn’t last forever, but are we actually living like we believe that? 

Easter was this past Sunday and the church buildings were full. That is a great thing, but nothing beats a relationship with God every single day of the year.

Revelation 3:16 says “"So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth"

Sitting in a church pew on Sundays, living for the world the rest of the week or just going through the motions won’t produce any fruit. 

I lived that way for years and I’d never want to go back to my old life. 

I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to move and revival will spread like wildfire across the world. 

I put this cross up in my front yard at the farm a few years ago, for a daily reminder of what God did for us.

You never know who else may need that reminder.

It has lights on it and can be seen from the highway. I believe they are burned out right now, but plan on replacing them this spring.

Those burned out lights actually represent the chapter God has me in right now. It’s been constant spiritual warfare and attacks.

Just like the cross, I’m still standing and God has been moving in mighty ways in my life. 

These last two months, sleep has almost been non existent. I go to bed in peace, but still can’t fall asleep.

I’ve been exhausted and burned out from all of the attacks. I’m sure others can relate. God doesn’t promise us a life of ease, but He does promise to be there every step of the way. 

I’m grateful for what God is allowing me to go through. I know all of it will be used for a greater purpose and He has already shown me some of the reasons why.

He’s surrounded me with so many great brothers in Christ that have had a huge impact in my life. 

It’s been incredible some of the things He has done this winter. So many miracles and breakthroughs.

Constant refining and writing testimonies that will give others hope and point them to Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:18 says “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.”

I tried doing life on my own for many years and ended up being miserable and took me to rock bottom. 

I remember thinking to myself “Well the way I’ve been doing things has never worked, I’m gonna ask God into my heart and see what happens.” 

I needed to try something new and had nothing to lose. God has been cleaning up my life ever since. After about thirteen years I’ll say this. 

There’s absolutely no regrets with that decision and wish I’d started that relationship with God sooner. 

I’d grown up in church but fell away and had completely missed the relationship part. 

It was more of a routine and checking boxes growing up. When I finally realized how much God loves us, my life changed forever. 

There’s still been many hard times and have had my struggles, but God has never left my side and continues to help me every single day. He loves us more than we can comprehend. 

Just love God, love people and try to do better each day. This is only possible through daily surrender and letting the Holy Spirit guide you.

Our identity is in Christ alone and if you haven’t surrendered to Him yet, what are you waiting on?

We will all end up six feet in the ground. But there is one way to have hope for eternity. 

And that’s believing that God sent his son to die on the cross for us and asking him into our hearts. 

Surrender everything to God and start that relationship with Him, if you haven’t already. 

This life is so short compared to eternity. Someday my equipment will be sitting in a scrap yard and someone else will be farming my ground. 

So why get caught up in these worldly things? Focus on what’s most important.

Our relationship with God and sharing with others how good He is! Those two things are what change the future.

Billy Graham once said, “Some day you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” 

The thief on the cross was not a good man. But Jesus said “today you will be with me in Paradise”. The Bible says good people don’t go to heaven. Believers go to heaven.

We don’t have much more time on this earth. Some of us are closer to going home than others. But we need to prepare ourselves. 

We need to be ready because the Lord might call you today. Surrender and let God lead. 

Reflect on what the cross actually means. The cross is proof that even the hardest seasons or moments have a greater purpose. 

Life is, but a vapor. We aren’t even promised tomorrow. Fully surrender your life to Christ, not just on Sundays or on Easter and Christmas.

And don’t ever forget that God loves you!