JESUS...NOT JUST FOR EASTER!

What a joyous day this is for Christians everywhere!! This day is one
of my favorite. I have many happy memories of celebrating Easter. It
is not about egg hunts, pretty clothes, and crowded churches. It is
about a man who came so that we might have life and died a horrible
death on a cross for what? So we could ignore Him for 364 days and
come to church one day a year? So we could do our own thing and
disregard what scriptures say? So we could only cry out to Him in our
desperation? No matter what we have done or how we have treated or
mistreated Him, he is forgiving and wants you to come to Him and accept
Him into your heart. How many humans do you know who could be treated like Jesus was and just turn the other cheek? Not very many probably.

If we name the name of Jesus we are to try to follow in His footsteps and be Christlike and holy. Many times we get caught up in what is popular in the "world" and sort of leave Jesus out of the equation. This is what is happening in America today. Too many of us are complacent about our walk with Him and compromise so many things. Sin is still sin. The Bible has not changed. Hebrews 13:5(NIV) says 'Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever.' Proverbs 18:10(ESV) says 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous man run into it and are safe.'

The busier we become the less time we have for things that matter. One of our priorities as a believer should be saturating ourselves in Bible teaching. How do you expect to win the battle against Satan unless you are properly "armed" with the promises in the Bible?

Why not try to get excited about Jesus on all the days of the week? He should be first place in a believers life. What do you need to do to make the feeling of Easter last throughout the year?

PRAYER: Lord I confess that at times I have not studied your word enough and may be tricked, deceived, or sucked into one of the schemes of the enemy, Satan. I purpose in my heart to put you and your word first. I know Satan will throw things in my path to distract me but help me resist and run the race to win! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a powerful worship song:
http://youtu.be/X_2qG22SPwU

EVIL FOR EVIL? NOT!!

Here we are one day prior to the celebration of Easter Sunday. I think today of the evil forces in this world that hate Jesus and God and hated him so much back then that they hung him on a cross to die. Even when all this torture was going on what did He do? He wanted us to forgive those soldiers who hammered nails into His hands and feet, put a crown of thorns on Him and treated him so horribly. In Luke 23:34(ESV) it says 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do'.

Evil for evil, no way. God is good, and Satan is evil, the king of evil and lies. He is at work overtime even in the lives of Christians to trick, deceive and lie to them. That is why it is so essential that we saturate ourselves with the truths found only in God's word, The Bible. Do you study it and take time to "know Jesus"?

Do you ever catch yourself saying you do not like someone or even utter the word "hate"? Maybe someone has hurt you, been mean to you, or just treated you poorly. In Matthew 5:43-48(NIV) says 'You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?Are not even the tax collectors doing that?And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.'

Try an experiment. Try actually forgiving people who have wronged you. Even if they are no longer around and you are unable to do it in person. Try just loving for a change. Ask God to transform the hate you may feel into His love for them. Only Satan wants revenge, not God.

Memorize this verse below if you can, found in 1 Peter 3:9(NIV). '

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.' When you start to get mad or let your thoughts dwell on being mad, turn it into love instead. PRAYER: This is the day you have made for us to enjoy and serve you. I know Lord at times I allow the enemy to capture my thoughts and start wrong thinking. I allow hate and anger in when I should instead be allowing your transforming power of love. Help me Lord as I seek to stay on the path of love and forgiveness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link before and enjoy this Easter melody.

http://youtu.be/Li8Ld8KWTbA 

BUNNY OR THE CROSS?

The celebration of Easter Sunday is upon us in two days. This is the
day people crowd churches who do not normally attend anywhere or at

any time. Somehow these "lily Christians" as an Air Force Chaplain

friend called them, know it is the right thing to do so hurray for

them! Church at Easter is not about bunnies, new clothes, and colorful

eggs. It is about the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Today marks
Good Friday when Christians commemorate the Lord's crucifixion and
death upon The cross. This is a sad day for some but a solemn day
leading up to Easter and Jesus arising from the dead!

Who do you serve? What is important to you? Is Easter just an excuse
for a new dress or suit? Does this Holy day mean a family portrait for
some? Regardless of what you do on this day you can not deny that
Jesus died a cruel death on the cross for you and I? Many choose to
totally ignore Him and go their own way. Even many who claim to be
Christians rarely get into the Bible and study it. "It is boring or
too deep for me" you might say. "Why do I need to know the Bible?" is
another possible response. "Look get off my case because I go to
church don't I?" is another verbal response. Remember it was said
"going into a church won't make you a Christian any more than going
into a garage will make you a car."

For some the only Bible verses they may know by memory are John 3:16
and the 23rd Psalm. The first verse is recited time and time again to
little children in Sunday school. The 23rd Psalm is often read at
funerals and therefore many are familiar with it. Does it go beyond
there? Would you like it to? If you answered "no" then possibly ask
yourself if you truly ever did ask Jesus to be Lord of your life.

Psalm 51:10(ESV) says 'Create in me Oh Lord, a clean heart and renew a
right spirit within me.' Can you make that your prayer today and
every day?

PRAYER: Lord I am thankful for your word, The Holy Bible. I am
thankful in this nation to be able to worship freely. I know many
countries people can not. I ask that you help we in thus nation not
take you or your Holy Word for granted. Forgive me Lord if I have ever
let other things get in the way of knowing you better. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

DO NOT GET THE LAST WORD

In watching "The Bible" mini series these past few weeks and seeing the actor portraying Jesus always being peaceful even when insults were being hurled at him, it led me to believe we too are supposed to emulate Christ if we claim to be a Christian. How many of us could stand idly by while someone mocked or insulted us? Human nature is to strike back and return insults or defend ourselves. Jesus did nothing to deserve his treatment.

1 Peter 3:9(NIV) says '.

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.' Perhaps someone has tried to start a shouting match with you. The big thing is to diffuse this type of behavior by keeping calm and peaceful. It usually drives the person "attacking" you crazy as they are trying to start a fight. Just because someone is hurting you is no reason to treat them the same way. Proverbs 20:22(NIV) says 'Do not say I'll pay you back for this wrong but wait for the Lord and He will avenge you .' 1 Peter 2:23(NIV) says 'When they hurled insults at Him , he did not retaliate and when He suffered He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.'

Think of Easter for just a moment, since it is upon us this coming Sunday. Imagine if you possibly can, experiencing the type of painful torture and mocking that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ endured. Isaiah 53:7 says 'He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its' sharers is silent so he did not open his mouth.' This is only a "God thing" to be able to remain silent in the face of unjust torture and accusations.

Perhaps you are not being hung on a cross like Jesus to suffer a horrible "temporary" death, but your issue is something much smaller. Maybe you were hurt by a spouse with a verbal tongue lashing. This should never occur but if it does stay cool and be Christlike unless you are being threatened physically. Maybe your cruelty is at the hands of a boss. Once again do the right thing and remain calm and Christlike. Did a friend hurt you or betray you? Whatever it is run to Jesus and give up the idea you want to get them back.

Let me leave you with this verse from James 1:20(NIV) which simply says 'For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.' Remember your real enemy is not mere man but Satan.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus during this Easter season we think of you and the awful way your were treated. Lord help me to imitate you in my words and actions if I am ever mistreated by someone. Show me how to love like you with a super natural love. In Jesus name. Amen.

"SELF" MONSTER

Selfish, self centered, self absorbed? Those are some of the monstrous
members of the "self family". What each of us needs to learn is how
to take "self" off the throne and learn to put others first. Children
may be born into this world and can be extremely self centered as they
know no better. But as we mature we are to learn it is not all about
me. Also we need to learn "self" control in many areas of life so we
can control bad habits that can hurt us and others. In order to tame
this "self monster" you have to "die to self".

The world we live in encourages us to be self absorbed with things
like looking out for number one and things like Facebook which if not
used properly can almost become narcissistic in a sense. This world
tends to get your focus off other people and onto you with different
advertising gimmicks. If not careful it is every easy to fall into
the trap of self importance and "me first." There is a shampoo
commercial that ends by saying "and I'm worth it." That always smacks
of a little ego there. Now I am not saying to hate yourself but to
consciously be thinking of helping others and not just yourself.

Proverbs 27:2 (NIV) is an excellent verse to commit to memory. It says
'Let another praise you and not your own mouth. An outsider and not
your own lips.' It is necessary to constantly be on your guard to
stay humble particularly if you do something the "world" looks up to
or have a "gift" that is special. James 4:10(NIV) says 'Humble
yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.'

One cure for taking yourself off the throne of "self" is to practice
putting others before yourself. The acronym J.O.Y. simply means "Jesus
First, Others Second, Yourself Last.' John 3:30(NIV) is another great
verse which says 'He must increase and I must decrease.' Think of ways
you can put others before yourself. I encourage you to stop a moment
and ponder building up and encouraging others around you and not be
thinking of what you want for a change.

In 1 Corinthians15:51(NASB) it says 'I affirm brethren, by the
boasting in you by which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die
daily.' This simply means make an effort each and every day you get up
to put Christ first before your own selfish desires and think of ways
to get self out of the way and put others needs before your own.

Get rid of that old self centered nature and replace it with a God
nature of thinking of serving those close to you and even strangers.
Galatians 5:16(NIV) is a reminder and it says 'May I never boast
except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

Where are you today? Do you have any work to do in this area of
"self". Call unto God with a humble heart and He will help you.

PRAYER: This is your day Lord. I thank you for giving me another day
of life. Forgive me when I complain and am not thankful. I have so
much to praise you for. Help me today to be a blessing in somones
life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link and enjoy the video clip below:
http://youtu.be/3X7jy3ToFRU

COPY CAT

 When you were a child did you ever play that game where you copied
everything someone did? It can get very annoying having someone do
this.

There is one person who we are supposed to copy and that is Jesus! 1
Corinthians 4:16(NIV) says 'Therefore I urge you to imitate me.' You
may be able to recall a few years ago when the "What Would Jesus Do"
campaign came about otherwise called "WWJD". A very catchy way to
remind ourselves that if we name Jesus' name we are to be imitating
Him.

Ask yourself a simple question each day and that is 'Is what I am
doing setting an example for Christ and drawing people to Him or
turning them away and causing doubts?' If you claim to know Him then
you should want to be like Him and set a good example.

Psalm19:14(ESV) says 'Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of
my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord my Rock and my redeemer.'

PRAYER: I choose this day to be a good "copy cat" of you Lord. I want
my life to reflect yours and stay on the path you have set before me.
Help me and give me strength and courage to do this. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS ON GOD

 

This is Easter week. Many people are thinking of pretty clothes, spring, Easter egg hunts, candy, baskets and all those "worldly" things that go along with this religious holiday. On this very Holy week our thoughts should be on God and things of the Lord. What a happy day it was when Jesus rose from the dead after three days in a tomb. We are to be joyous and celebrate His gift to us. When you focus on Christ you tend to get less caught up in the "world" too. This coming Sunday is not about an Easter bonnet, a cantata, a new suit, and an annual visit to church for many,but it's about the risen King who came that we might have life and live it abundantly.

Do you know Him? Do you think about the things of the Lord often or are you caught up in your earthly endeavors? Is Christ a real part of your life or do you just say "hi" to Him one hour each week on Sunday? Do you want to spend more time with Him but look at your Bible and think it is hard to understand or boring? Do you "talk" to Him about decisions in your life?

Philippians 4:8(NIV) says '

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.' If you are constantly consumed with worldly affairs and stressed about everything you hear on the news then you might not be listening to the voice of God. His goal for us is joy and peace. These can not be achieved by feeding on a diet of "worldly" things. In Romans 12:2 it mentions not 'being conformed to the pattern of this world but being transformed by the renewing of our mind'. Why not start today and get your focus off the world and cares and concerns around you. Make it a daily habit to spend time alone reading the Bible and shutting out the chaos around you. Only then will you be able to think like Christ. Isaiah 26:3(NLT) says ' You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!' Fix your thoughts on Him today. PRAYER: Lord Jesus the world around me is constantly distracting me with all of its' pleasures. I thank you Lord for being able to get alone and equip myself each day by reading your word. Forgive me when I have put you last or not at all. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link and listen to a wonderful song. http://youtu.be/sChJUaU5W9I