Hallelujah Christ Arose!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.1 Peter 1:3

This is probably the second most important time in history the  first being Christ born to a virgin then his resurrection after being dead three days. 

An old hymn lyrics say ‘Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph over his foes, he arose a victor from the dark domain and he lives forever with His saints to reign.’ There is no fear in death. There is sadness which is understandable but for a believer nothing to be scared of. Death is part of life, you are born you die. 

Satan doesn’t want people to go to Heaven, he wants them to have false security that they are ok if raised in a churches home or go once a week. My friend Jesus wishes none to perish but ALL to have eternal life. Are you ready? 

PRAYER: I pray for anyone who is agnostic, atheist, has been  lied to by Satan or tricked by man. I pray anyone I know who truly isn’t right with the Lord makes that a priority. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Holy Saturday-The Waiting Begins

 

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.Luke 23:55

There is much said about Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter but what went on all day Saturday at the Crucifixion site? No eyewitnesses alive to tell us so documents and Holy Scripture recall this day. 

For the Jewish the Sabbath was Saturday so they were to rest. The women were going to go to the tomb Sunday to anoint his body with spices and oil but He had risen just as He said. 

Perhaps today is a time to reflect. Watch Passion of the Christ again. Make Easter Sunday special. Don’t stress with cooking and so forth but try to take time to ponder what this weekend is about. 

PRAYER: Lord I ask you help me stay humble and grounded and grateful for all you have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I Can Only Imagine

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; John 11:25 NIV Bible Gateway

I love the song by Mercy Me entitled ‘I Can Only Imagine’ and the movie of same title starring Dennis Quaid. Today marks the agonizing day of Jesus being forced to carry his cross to the hill where he would be crucified. What is ‘good’ about that?

Jesus was to become the final and complete sacrifice for the sins of the world and those who mocked him at the cross would be amazed with His resurrection 3 days later the day known as Easter.

Even though mistreated, whipped, beaten, spat upon, mocked, and insulted the scripture says “He opened not his mouth.”

As a matter of fact He said at the cross “forgive them for they know not what they do”. Could you do this?

PRAYER: Father God you have done so much for us and I am certain your heart breaks when your children mock you even today. Open the eyes of spiritually blinded people to find a place for you in their hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

#BG2

Do You Need To Reconnect With God?

 

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.Mark 14:22-24

Easter week day 4 was when Jesus had the last supper and celebrated communion and washing of feet with His disciples. This would be the last day of any kind of joy. He knew what awaited him. 

You and I often don’t know what awaits us but you do know that Jesus’ died a horrible death beyond imagination all for us. He paid once and for all for all of our sins past, present, and future. 

It breaks His heart I am sure when those who once knew Him and followed Him get caught up in believing the lies of the modern culture instead of the truth in God’s word. If you have a family member straddling the fence keep praying and believe the Holy Spirit is at work. Don’t cave in to worry. Pray for eyes to be open, ears unstopped and His voice clearly heard. 

PRAYER: Help people realize Easter is not about baby chicks, egg hunts, bunnies, and pretty clothes. Lord forgive me when I fail to appreciate the magnitude of this most Holy day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Alone

 

So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV Bible Gateway

“Not tapping out tapping back in” was what one contestant said on Defy TV series entitled ‘Alone’. My husband and I are hooked on it. Ten people are placed in various wilderness situations and must live off the land and the one remaining wins big money.

Loneliness is not fun. If you can drive and have money for gas you can go somewhere where there are people. You can choose to go visit someone less fortunate than you.

On this show it may not be the fear of a wild boar, puma, or bear killing them or not being able to find edible leaves and plants or catch fish or find a mouse to eat, but the sheer loneliness of their situation. That is why one contestant said he was not tapping out but tapping back into the world. How about you? Do you have friends and family who love you? Be grateful. Jesus spent time alone and rejected but he opened not His mouth. Would you be able to do that?

PRAYER:Help me Lord not live to please myself. Show me someone who needs kindness and help me to be an instrument if that kindness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

#BGblogger;#BG2

If You Love Me, Keep My Commands

 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.John 15:10

With Resurrection Day fast approaching I was just pondering how you show Jesus you love Him. By loving Him and loving other people. 

For a list of the Ten Commandments go to Exodus Chapter 20:2-17. Read them. Let them enter your soul. 

Walk with the Lord daily, talk to Him in prayer and pray for those who don’t care to live for Jesus and create their own version of the bible. Jesus loves you even if you don’t give Him the time of day. 

PRAYER: I choose this day and every day to love you by loving others. Loving others doesn’t mean I agree with sin but that I love without judgment and will allow Holy Spirit to do the convicting. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail-NOT!

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Matthew 28:5-6

One week til Resurrection Sunday the day Jesus Christ after suffering a horrible flogging and crucifixion was risen from the dead just as He said. This is not bunny day, daffodil day, spiral ham day but a day to rejoice that our savior came back to life and is alive today!

Even non believers know there is something significant about this most Holy day. The traditions like wearing new clothes and an ‘Easter bonnet’ are all fine and good but I am not sure how a bloody death on a cross is commerorated with all the frills. 

Tell children about Jesus. There are ways to make it appropriate depending on age level. I have a display on my mantle of an open tomb with an angel and a cross. Pray that those you know far away from God will fall on their knees in repentance on this day reflecting all Jesus did to forgive our sins. 

PRAYER: Father I love you and thank you for this Easter week and all it means. In Jesus’ name. Amen.