Greetings Christian friends! Spring has sprung and that causes our hearts to spring up and out with abundant amazement in our Creator’s wisdom, power, and handiwork Surely no one can question the divine ability of our God to do anything given the revelation which springtime brings with it. Just a few weeks ago the grass was brown and the trees were bare and dormant. But just look now! Is there a God or not? There is, and what a mighty God too! Every season, in nature and in life, is from God and it seems that every season is the best one and comes at just the right time. But spring is especially wonderful because its appearance comes so suddenly and involves drastic changes. Most of us don’t appreciate change like we should. However, everybody looks forward to and welcomes the warmer weather and the beauty of nature which spring brings.

The change at spring is a good thing because it’s a God-thing. There is a time and season for everything and God knows what we need, when we need it, and how best to get what we need to us at the very time we need it the most. Although the gift of eternal life is forever and constant, God knows we need to experience spiritual seasons so to speak to produce the spiritual fruit in our lives He wants us to produce. Our Heavenly Father is a wonderful husband of our souls and we should all be encouraged with what He is doing by the springtime both in the earth and in our spiritual lives. We should be confident to be in such good hands of powerful grace no matter what season we’re in!

My times are in thy hand:  deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Psalm 31:15

God is the greatest giver and even though everything comes from Him, we often are not aware of these gifts of grace. God does disguise some of His greatest blessings, but springtime is not one them. It is certain that we cannot outgive God, but springtime sure makes us want to give more. Giving is an action word and the present revelation in nature is nothing less than a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and of our poor, dead, wretched unworthy souls also. The spring of spring is a catalyst for us to get up and do something. I’m not talking about doing something so that God will like us and save us, but doing something because God loves us and has already saved us. If we think we can do something today to impress God and pay for our sin, we are more than a dollar short and a day late. Our sin debt has already been paid in full. And we don’t even need to keep up the installment payments.

All of this beauty brings renewal to our lives both spiritually and temporally. The sudden appearance of the profound power of innate providence causes us to want to do a “spring cleaning” both in our souls and our natural lives. This time of year just makes us want to give. Give God more of our time and attention, give others the right kind of help, give ourselves a rest from worry and never give up believing and trusting in God. Every day is a gift from God and how we live that day is our gift back to Him. Faith always pleases God, so living each day by faith makes God happy and us too. Our giving is really a righteous symbol of faith, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. There are times when we may not know what God is doing, but by faith we can trust that He is doing something, and it will turn out just right, just like the beautiful springtime. Every spring day is not sunny and bright; neither is every day God gives us. Yet, it is true that April showers bring May flowers. So the troubles we’re going through now means there’s something beautiful and warm coming soon. God can make the vilest sinner clean. If that’s hard to believe, just look at the spring!

For the past couple of years, I have been using the alphabet as a guide to “Keys for the Kingdom,” with each letter from A - Z as the first letter in the Kingdom Key. Remember, God has a kingdom on earth and it’s important that we live right here before we go there to His Heavenly Kingdom. This month’s Kingdom Key is not all that easy to signify by an alphabetical letter because this month’s letter is “X.” I cannot find a word in my Bible concordance or subject index which begins with “X.” Even though there was a Persian king by the name of Xerxes mentioned in the book of Ester, it’s hardly a catching Kingdom word. But there is a long and sacred history of the use of “X” to symbolize the name of Christ. This symbolism’s context is about Christians becoming known as Christians. The challenge is for us all to take on this identity in the living out of our Christian lives for God’s glory and for Christ’s sake.

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, the a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11:26

In Greek, the word Christ looks like this: Xpiotos. Because ofthis, X has been  used as an abbreviation for Christ very early in Christianity. The so-called Jesus fish symbol comes from an acronym that incorporates X as a stand-in for Christ. When we see the word X-mas, the letter used in the abbreviation is not actually the English letter “x.” Rather it’s the Greek letter “chi” and is the first letter of Christ. Far from a symbol of secularization, X-mas carries echoes of the cause of Christ dating back to Constantine and the battles which led to the establishment of the Christian empire. The XP or Chi-Rho sign as a symbol for Jesus was carried on the shields of soldiers in these early Christian battles. According to the Webster’s Dictionary of English usage “X- tian” has been used as an abbreviation for Christian since the 1400’s.

X-tian Marks the Spot

An “X” is often used to designate the place where something is about to happen. A board is measured and an “X” is placed right on the spot designating where it is to be cut. A site for building or an area for hunting is often pinpointed with an “X” on a map or sketch.

What makes X-tian such a powerful kingdom key is that every day, in every situation we should let the world know we are X-tians. The time and place to do that is right now, right where we are. We don’t need to wait until we feel better, do better, or look better because neither of the three are likely to happen.

“X” marks the spot to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Put an “X” on your day planner so that any spot you are in will be the spot to talk about just how great the Lord Jesus Christ really is. Our most powerful witness will not be with words; rather, it will be with our actions and/or reactions. Just as a wedding ring is a symbol of the marriage vow, so is X-tian a symbol of one’s faith and devotion for and to God. Have a good Bible verse in your heart and on your mind at all times because you never know what sort of spot you’ll have an opportunity and need to place an “X” on. Remember that “X” is used in algebra to solve problems. Solve for “X” is sure to show that God’s Word has the answer to every problem and really clears up the equation for living life right. Never think you have to be a preacher to share God’s word. “X” is also the symbol for a multiplier and when we mark the spot to share the Gospel, even if it’s a tight spot, we can expect God, through the Holy Spirit, to gain great blessings right on the spot.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:  it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

X-tian Means the Savior

“X” is a sign for the cross where Christ was crucified, or for Christ Himself. The cross of Calvary is the center point of the Christian faith. No matter where the verse in the Bible, it is best understood and applied by taking it cross country and hooking it to the cross of Christ. X-tian is an important Kingdom word then because it symbolizes the cross of Jesus and without the cross, there would not be a Kingdom of God. The cross also implies there is a Savior, and because we are all sinners, we desperately needed saving and that’s what Jesus did on the cross. We cannot help but glory in the cross because it is so very vital to our eternal life and our sanctification here in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes religion tries to paint Christianity as being “cool,” but an X-tian knows better. Had not Jesus died on the cross for us, we would all burn forever in hell.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

“X” as a symbol or marker can also be understood as a “crossing over” to another dimension, a transcending transformation caused by God’s amazing grace. The X-tian not only appreciates what Christ has done for them but also appreciates what Christ has done to them. God not only removes the penalty for our sins, He also changes our principles. The X-tian hates sin more than ever though he or she still struggles with the unredeemed flesh. The X-factor is a God factor and results in conformation to the likeness of Jesus Christ. An X-tian feels out of place in this world and will often require a “Jesus fix” by repenting of sins, attending a church service, or kneeling in prayer. Yes, the X-tian is not perfect, but is a work in progress in the hands of the Master Potter and Perfecter. None of us are yet what we want to be, but all of us are grateful we are not what we used to be.

X-tian Makes It Simple

Many years ago I sold a track of timber for a man who could not read or write. At the closing in the attorney’s office, all the man was required to do to receive the benefits of the sale proceeds was mark an “x” in the signature space. Also, many years ago there was a blind man whom Jesus gave sight to. When asked by the crowd who gave Him sight, he answered that he did not know, all he knew was that he was blind but now he could see.

“He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25 The letter “X” holds a somewhat mysterious connotation and the X-tian knows that great is the mystery of godliness. Nevertheless, the simplicity of the gospel rings clear and simple: We are great sinners and we have a great Savior! Actually, the letter “X” can stand for evil or toxic. Christ became sin for us. That is, all of our evil was placed on Him. 

So much so, that His Holy Heavenly Father had to turn away from Him and we hear Jesus cry from the cross, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me.”When I started this newsletter and determined to use the letter “X,” I had a hard time thinking positive thoughts about the letter. I think it was because I remembered so many red “X’s” on my test papers in high school. But the simplicity of the X-tian shows most brightly not by good works done, but by the goodness and righteousness imputed to them by the cross work of Christ on Calvary. No doubt, if we are trying to do something to work our way into God’s favor, we’ll miss the mark and our Heavenly Father will put an “X” by every endeavor that is shaded with self righteousness. The X-tian knows not to make life nor the gospel complicated. Keeping the gospel simple is truly a key for the Kingdom because it gives the X-tian balance. The cross mark “X” is a mark of balance. It’s good to know that God named His only begotten Son and our Savior with a simple name—Jesus. And God insists on an honest and balanced life to have fellowship with Him. The X-tian rests near to the heart of God because the salvational scales of Grace are perfectly balanced.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Only God can make something so great and easy too!

Brother Randy