Easter

Jesus came in the flesh.

 Eternal Life

And this is the promise that He has promised us: everlasting life. 1Jh. 2:25

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

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also will reap. For he sowing to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh. But he sowing to the Spirit will reap life everlasting from the Spirit. Gl. 6:7,8

And

To show the way for man to reconcile with God.

 Salvation

And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish, and without charge in His sight, Cl. 1:21,22

(Jesus) And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Ac. 4:12

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the eternal times. 2Tm. 1:9

To

Then Jesus died for our sin.

Everyone who truly

For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jh. 3:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Rm. 1:16

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1Tm. 2:3,4

Repents

Therefore repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Ac. 3:19

The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pt. 3:9

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Mt. 4:17

(12 Apostles) And they went out and proclaimed that men should repent. Mr. 6:12

But Jesus rose again. He is no longer in the grave- giving us hope of eternal life.

In short: We are all sinners in need Jesus who came to call us to repentance.

for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, Rm. 3:23

All have gone aside, together they are filthy; there is none who does good, no, not one. Ps. 14:3

Therefore, even as through one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed on all men inasmuch as all sinned: Rm. 5:12

(Jesus said) I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners. Lk 5:32

In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, Ep. 1:7

Thank You Jesus for all You've done for us!!!

I feel vomitous…

       Okay, I don’t think that’s a word, but it still applies.  I could claim it’s worldly afflictions or that someone made me this way (bad food); I could claim it’s the devil attacking me or a sensitive stomach due to stress, but the truth is I ate too many unhealthy things today.  Sure my mom ordered a chocolate truffle cheesecake for me, but that was only some of the chocolate and candy I had.  Then there was ice cream when I got home from the restaurant and that last chocolate bar around 10:00pm.  No wonder my stomach is rolling L.

       Tums helps, but not as fast or as much as I’d like it to.  So here I sit feeling all yucky, regretting what I’ve done and hoping it’s over soon.  Isn’t it weird how we put ourselves into all kinds of messes, end up in the consequences of those choices, feel miserable but then blame God for not fixing it or blame others and or the devil for making the bad things happen.  We should expect if we eat unhealthy, we will feel or be unhealthy.

Have you found honey? Eat only .as much as is enough for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit it Pr. 25:16

       That’s kind of the same in other areas of our lives.  We wonder why we are depressed but we read depressing news, watch depressing shows, listen to depressing music, and do nothing but moan and groan over the unfairness of life.  We wonder why our relationships are falling apart but we never eat, work or have fun together, spend time communicating with each other, and actually put all our devices down when doing all this.  Busted! 

       We wonder why we have no spiritual power in our lives but we don’t pray, read the Word, submit to God, obey Him, spend time in His presence, etc.  Instead we relegate Him to a small piece of our life.  We wonder why we are still struggling with sin and can’t stop but we continue to do the things that lead us into sin (hang out with drinkers, watch stimulating movies, check out that one site…) instead of drawing closer to God.  It’s a vicious circle, but what we put into us will saturate our beings and cause negative consequences that become unpleasant.  And we have no one to blame but ourselves.

       I ate a bunch of junk today, now I feel sick.  It is unlikely I would feel the same if I had eaten well.  Junk food is okay within reason, but it doesn’t make it good for me.  “All things are lawful to me, but not all things profit…” (1Cr. 10:23)  And we are not to be like the world that we seem to desire to be like so much.  “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1Jh. 2:15,16)

 

       We need to take a good look at where our problems are coming in to see what part we play in it.  If we are making poor choices that are having negative consequences, then we need to take action to rectify the situation.  Talk about God in action instead of complain about our misery.  Communicate with the kids instead of watching everyone play on their devices.  Choose to read the Word instead of watching movies that depict sexual acts.  Spend some time in God’s presence instead of picking up that adult magazine.  Eat fruit instead of sugar.  Choose the good.  Choose God.  Choose life.

I call Heaven and earth to record today against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live, so that you may love Jehovah your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days… Dt. 30:19,20

Generosity

       Sometimes I get a little behind on inputting our finances into the computer.  We (I) like to keep track: of all our expenses to see where we spend our money, our accounts, and bill paying.  All the finances are left on my shoulders and that’s okay because the Lord has given me talents in that area and most of the time I enjoy working the numbers.  Though I consider myself fairly generous in life it becomes more difficult to give when you see the bank accounts dwindled down, the money flying out the door for two ‘new to us’ vehicles, a bathroom in severe need of major fixing and knowing the roof plus needs to be redone.

       There are four large trees that need removing and a bathroom wall with a gaping hole which might have to wait another year.  In other words, there are many projects we’ve put off due to 3 ½ years layoff that we’ve not recovered from even with about two years back to work.  With all these needs, you’d think we aren’t able to be generous.  Truthfully, I do let it hold me back sometimes.  I still see the numbers, but hubby sees other’s needs.  He doesn’t let our needs stop him.

       Some of the most generous people I know don’t have a dime to give away.  Instead of cash, they give of their time in help, making things, support, finding deals, fixing things, teaching skills, etc.  Peter displayed this kind of generosity at the Temple, “…Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Ac. 3:6)  I bet that man was very happy to have use of his legs over a bit of money- he could make a living again!

“…It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Ac. 20:35

Give*, and it shall be given to you, good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over, they shall give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you again. Lk. 6:38 *give something, bestow, gift, supply, reach out, even minister

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Pr. 11:24,25 ESV

        There are so many Scriptures concerning generosity, but those above are a good sampling.  The idea is that God meets our needs, so we should be helping to meet the needs of others.  Do we need to have money in the bank when others are in need?  Yes, I guess that would be nice, but not necessary.  That money in the bank doesn’t go to Heaven with me, but it can help someone find Heaven through me.

 

       Does it give God more glory by generously giving or by hoarding to ourselves?  If we are to follow Jesus’ example, did He give generously or was He concerned with His own needs?  Did He focus on making sure His house was fixed, He had enough food, had money in the bank, or did He concern Himself with others’ needs?  We know that answer.  Jesus was always most concerned about others.  Are we not to be like Him?

"…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 

1Cr. 10:31

Are our generous hearts showing the glory of God in our lives or are the world’s attitudes on self stifling God’s glory?  

Let everything we do bring Him glory…

Fear at the Hoodoos

        Yesterday I went to a woman’s meeting and the speaker did a great job speaking about fear and what to do about it.  At the tables we discussed times in our own lives when we had to face fears.  I’ve had many, but one of the worst in which I felt in extreme, imminent physical danger was in 1989 when Albert and I went to the Canadian Rockies.

       We were walking along the established trail to the Hoodoos when my husband noticed an unmarked trail over the railing.  He convinced me to go onto this other trail which looked reasonably safe at the time.  I should have known better as Albert had once taken a photo looking down the Grand Canyon with his feet literally half over the canyon wall- no railing!  Anyway, we started down this trail which continued to become narrower until it basically disappeared.  By then, our feet were sliding on the small rocks that made up the sides of the hill.

       I looked down.  It was a loooooong way down!  There was nothing to catch our fall.  I looked up.  It was a loooooong way up and seemed to be about an 80% incline with loose gravel.  Fear and panic consumed me and I froze.  I was sure if I moved I would plummet down the mountain never to be seen again.  Albert tried to get me to turn around and that seemed to take forever. 

       At some point, I remember yelling and crying that I couldn’t do it when I heard people from up on the trail cheering me on, saying, “You can do it.  Keep going!”  Albert kept telling I could do it and sometimes I was brave enough to take his hand and move a greater distance ahead.  Eventually, it was him staying in front of me holding out his hand reminding me to keep looking at him and inch forward that helped me along.  Bit by bit we worked our way back up and the relief was incredible.  I did not think I would survive, but I did.

       In my life’s journey, I have also been in dark places of great fear, even for my life.  In many of those times I lost focus on the Lord, only seeing the potential disaster around me, and I couldn’t hear the voices of family and friends cheering me on.  Those were difficult times.  But when I’d eventually regain my focus on the Lord and His goodness, when I’d bypass my fear and take hold of His hand, and when I’d look only at Him (not up or down at the mountain) and move forward no matter the size of the step, it was those times I made the best progress.

For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death. Ps. 48:14

…let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God. Hb. 12:1,2

        looking- aphorao- to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something

        author- archegos- one who takes the lead

        finisher- teleiotes- completer, perfector- by own example

       So I have learned to fixed my eyes on Jesus to get me through the tough times of life, and I now know He is with me all the way (Is. 43:2) as I walk on this journey.  He doesn’t leave me or fail to be here for me (Dt. 31:8).  He faithfully (1Cr. 1:9) leads me on the treacherous ground to the path He wants me to walk on.  And there, in the safety of His arms, I am able to do all He calls me to do for He is my Strength (Ps. 28:7) and Tower of protection (Pr. 18:10).

Thank You Lord for always being one step ahead of me- to lead me!