Death Has Been Conquered

As I sat in church this morning for Easter service, I was watching as a little 3 year old girl who was in her daddy's arms and hugging him tightly around the neck. We were singing and it suddenly felt like Jesus opened the door and I ran in to my Father and embraced him with a hug of sheer joy and love just as this little girl was hugging her daddy.  This is what Easter truly means. Jesus took that last lock that is on the doorway to the Kingdom of Heaven, the lock called death and conquered it. With that key, he has opened the doorway to the Kingdom of Heaven. Now, it's our turn. Do you run in towards your Father thrilled at being with Him again or do you freeze in place, turn away? He gives us the choice because He loves us. Thank you Jesus for unlocking the doorway and allowing us to be together again with our Father.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 125 & 126

Our Easter message from our pastor was so simple and yet had so much meaning in our world today. With our busyness and all the complications that come our way in life, it can be difficult to remember that our faith is not busy or complicated but simple. Our pastor quoted from a well-know theologian Carl Bart who was asked if you had to just say one thing about Christianity what would it be? He started to sing the beloved song
“Jesus Loves Me This I Know”. This was in my recent class that I took on Christian counseling. Many of us get wrapped up in the complexities of life and religion. To stay connected to the Lord and really grow we have to be centered in that original belief of Jesus loves me, this I know. I have said this before and will say it again and again because it is the truth. All is because of one thing, love. He loves you, me, the gunmen who slays children, the husband addicted to porn, the woman wrapped up in her self, the lonely, hurt and poor. He loves us all no matter what we do and all we have to do is believe in him to have all the sins of our past, present and our future washed away. Keep your child-like faith in knowing that Jesus loves you.

1John 4:13-16 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 135

He is Risen! Today is the day we celebrate our salvation. God gave us hope in his son Jesus. We can go through our lives with the Holy Spirit guiding, helping, strengthening and growing us. Jesus has overcome the world! We, too, can overcome the challenges that life will throw at us with Jesus by our side. Hope is Alive! Jesus is Alive! Thank you Lord for the greatest of all gifts. Have a blessed Easter and may you keep the celebration of your salvation in your hearts, souls and minds throughout everyday of the year.
1John 4-5 And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 134

I came home last night to a yellow official looking note from school. UhOh. Apparently, Faith went along with what a friend told her to do which was to sit on a boy's legs as the other girl was sitting on his back. Faith made the wrong choice and sat on his legs. She had been sent to her room until I had come home and ended up cleaning her room and making me a love note among other things. She was downcast about how I would react. I could see that in the end she understood what she did wrong and what would have been the better choice. It almost seemed appropriate timing to have her do something not good to make the point of Easter that much more. As I contemplate her sin, I am going to spend some time reflecting on my own sins, ask for forgiveness and praise God for sending his son, Jesus so my sins could be washed away.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 105

Spring is definitely on it's way. We have had a couple of days of fabulous warm weather. No coats needed, no icy roads, no freezing wind chills, just the wonderful warmth of the sun on your face and the comfort in the air. Of course, it will all change back to cold but for a breif time we were given this blessing. It is an analogy for hope. The warm weather gives us a glimpse of the better days to come. Jesus and the cross our our hope of better days to come. With Easter approaching, it seems so appropriate to have Easter in the Spring although I am not sure that is accurate to the actual timing of Calvary. In any case, praise God for the hope he gives us and hold onto it during those freezing wind chills and icy roads that life will bring.
Isaiah 40:31 ...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 102

I attended a church service at Sunrise Methodist Church last evening. I went to pick up a couple of books on scrapbooking bible studies and decided to stay for the service. The sermon was about the ten commandments. The first question was could you name them all? I think I could have done that although they may not have been in the order they are written in the bible. The pastor discussed how you can go by the letter of the law or as you read it like 'do not kill'. Got it don't kill anyone or as the very funny video they showed us said 'don't pull the trigger'. The pastor pointed out that there is also the intent of the law which is not the act of doing it but the thoughts and feelings of doing it. Ultimately, we are all sinners. I have realized I am sinning much more than I would have thought. I think when you put a magnifying glass over your life and look at each thing you do you will find that you are sinning more than you want to realize. So, I am intensely grateful for the gift of Jesus. He has freed us from the bondage of these sins. Although, I am free and saved that doesn't mean I shouldn't put the magnifying glass over my life and become more aware of the sins I am doing so that I can ask the Holy Spirit specifically for help in whatever area I need it. Take a look at the ten commandments over the next couple of weeks as we prepare for Easter and become aware of all your sins. It will make Easter morning be that much more glorious.
Exodus 20:1-3 And God spoke all these words: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me."