HALLELUJAH! HE IS RISEN!!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

The Way of Sorrow led Jesus into Jerusalem, into the hands of those who would crucify Him. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for God to “take this cup” away, but He yielded to the Father’s will (Luke 39-44 NASB).

In Old and New Testaments, God’s anger is referred to as “the cup of His anger” (Isaiah 51:17, Revelation 14:10 NASB). This cup is God’s judgement against sin. Our sins are represented in that cup. Jesus is the only person who ever lived and did not sin. Yet, He took the cup of our sins to the cross. He could have said “Hey, Dad. You know that thing you want me to do? I think I’ll go boating instead.” His obedience to God the Father provides redemption.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB

Jesus understands human pain. He experienced heartache more than once, especially when betrayed and denied by a few disciples. Physically, He was beaten with a flagellum, a torturous whip, which took His breath away and left gaping wounds and bruises. Then, He was forced to carry the very cross on which He would die.

He died a pauper’s death, but Nicodemus bought enough spices to embalm Jesus (appropriately) as royalty (John 19:39-40 NASB). Resurrected on the third day, Jesus conquered death and sin for us.

On this celebration of His Resurrection, let’s lift praises, songs, hallelujahs, hands and voices of devotion to Jesus! He is more than worthy! lg

His is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10 NASB

Father, thank You for Jesus saving us! May we walk in Your light everyday! May others see You through our words and deeds. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

HALLELUJAH! HE IS RISEN!!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

Do You Need a Hearing Aid or Earplugs?

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28 (NIV)

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Do you hear when God speaks to you?

How good are you at tuning into God’s voice? Are you distracted by your surroundings?

When someone’s hearing is diminished, they seek help from an audiologist and perhaps get hearing aids. Seeking God through the Bible and meditation is our aid to hearing His voice.

But sometimes life’s noise is too loud and distracts us from focusing on God. We need earplugs to block out enough of the chaos to concentrate. Prayer is our earplugs to provide the fine-tuning into God’s frequency.

In the busyness of daily life, it is sometimes difficult to carve out time to sit and hear God.

the kids are calling
the dishes need washing
we must rush to work
all the things.

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. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

How can God fill us with His joy, peace, and grace if we don’t come into His presence seeking it? Paul told us to focus on that which is pure and lovely. If we are intentional to seek those things, we will find God. In the quiet meditation of His goodness, we can be still enough to hear His voice.

Some find it best to have this quiet meditation first thing in the morning. Others may choose noontime or evening or both. The point is to choose what works for you.

A room, a closet or a cozy chair – He will find you there.
A rocking chair looking out the window to the forest – He will find you there.
A special communion with God during your daily commute – He will find you there.
A local coffee shop or a walk in your neighborhood – He will find you there.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 (NIV)

I am easily distracted by worldly frenzy. One time I found myself asking “God, where are You in all of this?” I might have missed His answer, but He sent three people at different times that day to tell me where to look for the goodness of God on earth.

The first message was “I see you and the Kingdom work you are doing.”

The second message was “You are a vital part of My work. You think it is a small part, but it is still needed.”

The last message was “You are My beloved. Store this treasure in your heart.” He used those three to speak for Him.

If we focus on the evil in the earth, we risk stumbling into the pit of despair. God knows we must focus on the good, pure, and praiseworthy to keep ourselves from darkness. If we don’t take the time to meditate on His Word and seek His voice, how will we hear Him?

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

Where is you favorite place to commune with God? Share here or on FB.

Are You Missing the Signs?

Are you missing the signs?

Psalm 91:11-12 (NASB)

For He will give His angels orders concerning you,
To protect you in all your ways.

On their hands they will lift you up,
So that you do not strike your foot against a stone.

In my life, I have had two miraculous healings.

In 2015, I fell gravely ill while hiking in Yosemite and was life-flighted to a California trauma center. The Search and Rescue team’s proximity was pivotal to saving my life. The Yosemite doctor instinctively knew how to treat my hyponatremia (over-hydration). There are many more signs of God’s hand being over my life during that crisis.

Fast forward to March 2023: a ruptured brain aneurysm threatened my life. Once again, God directed the help I needed, including top-notch Neuro-surgical care for emergency surgery. Immediately, praying friends lit up their phones enlisting others to pray. Most patients who survive this type of event are left with lifelong impairment(s). I did not need rehab of any sort. My husband had the opportunity to visit with other patients’ family members and give them encouragement. Divine appointments.

How many times can we look back on a crisis and see God’s hand in the details? Why don’t we see them in the day-to-day humdrum or in that moment of difficulty? The signs are there if we tune in to them. God’s smiles (a friend calls them “God-winks”) are all around us every day.

On the day you couldn’t find your car keys and were delayed, did you come upon a fresh motor vehicle accident? God’s protection.

When you didn’t have gas money, you found money in your jacket pocket. God-winks.

After a bad day, were you greeted by a smile and a huge hug from your child? God-winks.

Look at the dawning of a new day. A glorious sunrise or fluffy clouds bustling overhead. Listen to the joyful birds waking up and feeding their peeping babies. The smell of the morning dew. All these things are reminders of the Artist who created the universe.

We are meant to be in constant communion with God. He is there in everyday events as well as emergencies, but do we see it? Or are we consumed with the next task? Getting to work? Waking the kids? Making lunches? Let’s not miss the signs of God’s presence.

Tell us your God-winks. Leave a comment here or on Facebook.