Rise Above

If everyone could take the following and run with it, what a world it would be...

"Finally, ALL of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate, and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with Blessing, because to this you were called..." 1 Peter 3:8-9

To be a blessing to another  person even when the flesh is insisting that you react in discord is a feat well worth the task. In other words rise above the insults, you may suffer the insult, but you will also feel your spirit soar...

As we think about what occured on this day so many years ago, can you imagine what it must of been like for Him to take all the abuse and insult and speak not a word against them, but instead to say, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

Can you imagine the disciples thoughts, after seeing all the miracles, can't you imagine them thinking, "ok, Lord, when are you going to let loose and get them back with all your power?" Can you imagine that even Judas himself may have thought when he took that money and turned Jesus over, that there was no way anything like what happend to Jesus could happen. They saw Him do the miracles, they knew He was their King, but oh boy, their idea of how He would obtain that position was not even close to being in line with God's plan.

Think about your reactions today...do they align with God?

May you be abundantly blessed on this Good Friday...may forgiveness rise up within your soul like a beautiful sunrise sparkling over the waters...

Thank you Lord for forgiveness...

History of Easter

A Spiritual House

We have talked about this before. Christ the Lord is the precious Cornerstone. We ourseleves are living stones placed upon a secure foundation in Christ. Notice that cornerstone and capstone are both used to reference the Lord in the structure. Look up the meaning of these two in regards to placement in a structure. What is revealed to you by this?  Read chapter 2:1-10 again...

Lord, I pray that my life is always a beautiful stone in the structure, that it may always glorify you, the overseer of my soul...In your name Yeshua I ask, believe and receive...

The Ultimate Goal

The ultimate goal or end result of our faith is the salvation of our soul. Faith is our most valuable asset, more valuable than gold as Peter puts it.

"The Precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect...." Those who put their faith and hope in this are passed over because of that precious blood. We receive salvation/eternal life. On Sunday we will be celebrating the ressurection. Take time over the next couple of days to read the gospel accounts of what led up to that event. If you have not seen "The Passion" watch it. It is heart wrenching, but every believer needs to see it. We need to have a keen sense of what the price of salvation was.

Peter tells us to prepare our minds for ACTion in verse 13. In verse 22 he talks about being purified by obeying the truth. Read those two verses again...Read chapter 1 again...

Lord, Thank you for loving me and paying the ultimate price for the ultimate gift for me....

Power of Prayer

"THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN/WOMAN IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE"

First, I supose what one would ask as I did, what does righteous mean? Someone who is living a righteous life is living a life that is pleasing to God. This person pursues God's will in all areas of of their life. Does this mean perfection? No...It means the heart is pure in it's pursuit of God's will. The heart longs for God and longs to please Him in every situation...When this person approaches the throne room of God with prayer, it is without doubt, powerful and effective...If your walking in God's will, does it not stand to reason that what you take before Him in prayer would be powerful and effective...

Maybe your asking, what is God's will? Draw close to Him and you will know...

Lord, I thank you for those who are living a life so pleasing to you that they can move mountains. I thank you for those who have come before you on my behalf...I have felt the power and effectiveness of their prayers...May my own life be pleasing to you all the days of my life...In your name Lord Jesus I ask, believe and recieve...

Drawing Near

The one concept in James chapter 4 that should grab your attention is this, "Come near to God and He will come near to you" Grab on to that and do not let it go, let it roll through your heart. These words are fail proof...Drawing near to Him draws Him near to us...Think about this when you take a step towards someone they are that much closer to you...when you are going out to meet with someone, the moment you see each other, you begin to move toward each other. When we spend time meeting with Him in prayer, quiet time, bible study, worship, praise etc...the same thing happens...If you are reading this you are drawong close to Him and He drawing close to you now...

Lord , I cherish our times of meeting and drawing close. Thank you...

Passover

What a day to be still and reflect on who Christ the Lord was/is and who we are in Him...

See  & reflect on Exodus 13:9. We are bought with the blood of Christ and sealed with His spirit...Like an invisible mark that only the eyes of heaven can see...Through the obedience of one man we are brought out  of the bondage of  darkness into His glorious light...

A Divine Bit & Heavenly Wisdom

The scriptures say that all kind of beasts can be tamed but no man can tame the tongue. With man this is impossible but with God it is possible to control the tongue. It requires knowledge and understanding that come from above.... "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered." Proverbs 17:27....

Verses 3-5 indicate that it is through divine obedience that the tongue can be controlled. Think of it as having a divine bit in place. We allow the Holy Spirit to have full reign in our life, but unlike a horse and its owner, we have the ability to choose to remove the bit. The tongue can be controlled, we just have to surrender it to Him...Have you ever had a moment where you open your mouth and garbage falls out? I have and it greived my spirit. This brings me to the point that is made in verse 2...We all stumble...The world may not be there to catch us but praise God He is..
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Who is wise and understanding?

What is wisdom?

Wisdom is a deep understanding of people, things, events or situations, empowering the ability to choose or act to consistently produce the optimum results.Wisdom is comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action.

Heavenly wisdom is comprhension and deep understanding that come from heart knowledge of the things of God, not head knowledge. It gives us what is needed to act accordingly...When one is acting with heavenly wisdom intact, you will see  a person who does not harbor envy and selfish ambition, but one who is peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit (Galations 5:22), impartial and sincere...

What do you see in your heart? Are you operating with earthly wisdom or heavenly wisdom?

Lord, root out all bitterness, envy and selfishness...Help us to operate and act on wisdom that comes from you...In your name Jesus I ask believe and receive....