Good Friday

Isaiah 53:4-5, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (ESV).

Christ died for me.  He loved me enough to hang on a cross.  To be mocked and receive derision. He did it it for me and He did it for you.  

Because of His sacrifice we have life.  We have hope.  We have peace. We are healed.  

Today is recognized as Good Friday.  The day that our Lord and Savior humbled himself unto death.  The day that He became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God(2 Corinthians 5:21). In Him we have the free gift of eternal life because He paid it all.

Jesus made a way for us to connect to the Father.  He is the mediator of our faith(1 Timothy 2:5-6) Jesus is my all.  There are not enough ways to thank Him.  I want to honor Him with my life.  I do not ever forget the core of the gospel.  He died, but then He arose.  Hallelujah!

Lord today is a sacred day, but every day should be because You died for my sins that I might be whole again.  You died that I might be healed by your wounds and shed blood.  You died to give me life and then You got up with all power in Your hands.  Thank You Jesus.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Be Ready

 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,~1 Peter 3:15

I got a call out of the blue from a former student and now colleague.  She was in a world of pain.  I didn’t know why she chose me to call, but I had to be ready.  I had to let the Spirit lead me in the conversation.  I had to stop what was I doing and ask for guidance.  I had to be ready.

God gave me Psalm 34:18 where it speaks to the fact that He is near to the brokenhearted.  I am thankful for a God who sees our afflictions and who cares.  I prayed with the young lady and ended the call.  Before she hung up she sang a song about welcoming the Holy Spirit.  She is going through but she knows God.  She too was ready to give an answer for her hope.  God is good.

Father, You are the reason for my hope.  Your blood covers me and it covers all of your children.  Thank You for being a loving Father and such a great God. The only one.  In Jesus name. Amen

This Day

 

Psalm 118:24 ESV

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I love Friday's.  Friday's signify the end of the work week and tell me that I have made it.  God has seen me through.  But as I reflect on my carefree attitude I realize that this feeling of joy should be felt everyday.  My Monday's should be just as joyous because God has given me another day.  He has allowed me open my eyes to His brand new mercies.  He gives me strength on Monday  just like He does every other day of the week.  There is always a reason to celebrate.

Now, I go a little deeper.  I a human and Friday's do cause me to have an little extra pep in my step.  But I wonder if I looked at each day with an eternal perspective.  The end is almost here.  God is coming back. These days of toil and tears will one day soon come to an end. He will wipe every tear from my eye and all of our eyes.  If I celebrate the grace that God has granted me each day every day will feel like Friday.  I can smile wide and release the burden that I place on myself to carry the day because I know that God is the one doing the heavy lifting.  So the hope I have of rest is coming as I rest in Him.

Lord, You are a magnificent Father.  I thank You for Friday's and all the days in between.  I thank You for keeping me and for all the many blessings that You give me daily.  You have made this day and it is beautiful.  You are beautiful.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Search me God

 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.~Psalm 139:23-24

I need a tune up.  I need God to examine me and search my thoughts and heart.  I want Him to remove anything and everything that is unpleasing to Him. I want my walk, talk, and thought to align with His word and His will.

Examination means exposure.  Bringing things out of the darkness into the light, but I don’t have to fear this because walking in the light draws me closer to God.  I can experience the grace of His love as I acknowledge my sin.  I can acknowledge any self reliance or idols that I have let creep in. I can ask for forgiveness and be led by God into an everlasting way.

I want to live with an eternal mindset.  This means that I want to live for Christ.  I want to walk in faith and have my steps ordered by Him. I don’t want any bitterness to rule me.  I don’t want offenses to block my path.  So I invite God to show me my heart and my my thinking so that I can live an abundant life.

Lord, I know that perfect love casts out fear.  So I humbly request that You search me and reveal the ways in which I may be coming up short.  Help me to repent and move forward with an eternal mindset. In Jesus name.  Amen

Our portion

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.~Psalm 73:25-26

When I read this verse the first question that comes to my mind is who or what am I putting before God?  Is He my only desire?  Do my actions line up with the thought process that sole purpose is to seek God and His will?  

I then think about the grace of God because no matter what He is with me.  When I have no one else.  No one who might understand what is going on within the chambers of my heart, I have God.  He is my constant.

When I fall flat on my face, He is the one who lifts me.  When I can’t take another step, He is the one that carries me.  He is my strength and my portion. He is my hope. 

Father, I am amazed at your love for me.  Thank You for being my strength and my portion.  Help me to seek You first and to put nothing before You.  Touch my heart Lord.  In Jesus name. Amen