B Encouraged: Where Shame Would Inhibit Us, The Cross Encourages Us (1/6/2022)

Paul writes, "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored." Likewise, we as well are empowered by the gift of the Cross and the access to God's warm welcoming presence that Christ has given us. In a world that shames, disinvites, and precludes; God defies these lies with His welcoming, gracious presence - allowing us to know God's love in the midst of any circumstance.