Easter Archives - Sherry Stahl

Easter

The HOPE of Resurrection Life

Easter is an amazing time! I love hearing the story of Christ’s resurrection, but Good Friday is a difficult day for me. It felt like the saddest day of the year yesterday. Normally, family gatherings help to lift my spirits, but in another year of Covid Lockdowns, it was rough. Listening to the horrors that Jesus had to face on my behalf are almost too much to bear, but…then I turned my focus to Resurrection Sunday… and thought, not even a Covid Lockdown could have kept Jesus in the grave!

“Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
Anyone who believes in me will live,
even after dying.
Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.
Do you believe this, Martha?””
John 11:25 NLT (italics & bolding added)

The HOPE of Resurrection Life

It’s shocking to think that Jesus, the Son of God was resurrected, but to comprehend that you and I can one day experience RESURRECTION LIFE is mind blowing!

This verse in John makes it clear that anyone who believes in Christ will live…after dying! Jesus had to ask Martha if she believed His statement because, it’s just so hard to fathom.

Christians, we don’t need to fear death because God’s Word promises us WE don’t actually die.

If we don’t need to fear death, then what on earth is worth worrying about?
Nuh-thing!

The GREATEST Hope

This gives us the greatest hope and the greatest confidence. We live after dying and so do those who believed in Christ before us. We will one day be with those who have gone on before us. A blessing that the life-giving power of Christ’s resurrection provides for our RESURRECTION LIFE experience!

Prayer

Father…God I thank-you that your resurrection power is at work in ME! It’s overwhelming and wonderful! Help me to live in a way that exudes resurrection life in all I do! May it cause others to want what I have— RESURRECTION LIFE in YOU! In Jesus Name…Amen.
1. John 11:25
2. Romans 8:11
3. John 3:16
4. John 1:4
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Easter and The Number Seven

Today’s post was written as I reflect on Jesus sacrifice and a piece of my hubby Todd’s art this Good Friday afternoon. It’s all about Easter and the number seven.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
~John 1:29 NIV

Every year, we celebrate Good Friday, that doesn’t seem like a good day for Jesus. We’re taking time to remember the day Jesus willingly gave Himself up, allowing them to beat, mock, disfigure, and eventually crucify His body on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins… for my sins… for yours.. Every Good Friday I’m overwhelmed by all that Jesus endured to provide complete salvation for my sin. I really don’t understand it. I struggle to comprehend how my life was worth the cost… but it was.

To Jesus, your life was worth the sacrifice.

And what a sacrifice it was. By the time Jesus offered His body on the cross He had already given us so much.

Jesus’ first sacrifice was leaving heaven to come down to earth. He left the most perfect place of complete unity to experience ultimate rejection; a position of power to acquiesce his rights; ruling as King to serve as the saviour. Jesus gave extravagantly even before He went to the cross.

JESUS WAS THE PERFECT, SPOTLESS, SACRIFICE

But you know that he [Jesus] appeared
so that he might take away our sins.
And in him is no sin.
1 John 3:5

A couple of years ago, Todd created a piece of art that hit me powerfully and I hope it does the same for you. It was one of those pieces he felt God inspiring him to create. This artwork conveys the power, perfection, completeness, and victory in Jesus sacrifice on the cross as the image of Christ is represented in the number seven.

For some meaning behind the art, I’d love to share a few insights from Todd that might make this artwork even more impactful for you.

The Art of Seven

“During the sketch stage, I believe God gave me a few key elements to combine that would create a strong visual of who Christ is.”
~Todd Stahl

The Story Behind The Art

• The crown expresses Jesus identity as the King of Kings.
• Jesus is the Lion of The Tribe of Judah
• Rings symbolize covenant, favor, authority, and affirmation
• The framework of the cross is comprised of the word seven in various sizes.
• The fact we all have individual various stories and backgrounds is the reason why I drew the body of Seven in mosaic pieces. No two are the same.
• The number Seven is found 735 times within the Bible.
• Seven is the number of completeness, rest, blessing, victory, and perfection; which is a representation of Christ on the cross.
• The actual number seven on the cross is such a strong statement.

All these components come together to fuse a visual impact.

Praying you have a blessed Easter focussed on Jesus the perfect, sinless, spotless, sacrifice who gave it all for you

Much love,
Sherry
xoxo

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8 (CSB)

See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.
Revelations 5:5 NIV

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

You know that Christ appeared in order to take away sins, and that there is no sin in him.
1 John 3:5 GNT

You can check out more of Todd’s art on his website: http://www.toddstahl.ca
To Learn More About Christ’s Sacrifice, Watch Joe Amaral’s Good Friday Online Teaching.

Related Soul H2O Devotions

My Resurrection Story https://www.sherrystahl.com/resurrection-story/
Celebrating Passover And Communion https://www.sherrystahl.com/celebrating-passover/
My Resurrection Story
How To Let Go and Live Free https://www.sherrystahl.com/how-to-let-go-and-live-free/

{PASSION WEEK} Jesus Knows What I’ts Like To Go From Cheers To Jeers https://www.sherrystahl.com/passion-week-cheers-to-jeers/

Why You Can Trust God https://www.sherrystahl.com/why-you-can-trust-god/

Why I’m Always Overwhelmed on Good Friday https://www.sherrystahl.com/why-im-always-overwhelmed-on-good-friday/

Want A Great Idea On How To Observe Lent? https://www.sherrystahl.com/want-a-great-idea-on-how-to-observe-lent/

Jesus Was Full of Passion https://www.sherrystahl.com/passion/

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How To Let Go and Live Free
```
Then Simon Peter drew a sword and
slashed off the right ear of Malchus,
the high priest’s slave.
~John 18:10 NIV
```
LIVING A LITTLE TOO FREE

During Easter, it’s always great to read through the story of Jesus’ week of trial and crucifixion. It’s a great way to keep the focus on Christ and not the Easter bunny! This year, as I read, the one part that caused me to really pause and take stock of my life was the little detail given about Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest’s slave.

It’s such a crazy story and I’m always amazed at how God isn’t afraid to include the most outlandish stories in His book. The Bible often reads like a TMZ show script. {Now back to the story} Peter was so impetuous, so bold, so brave… so stupid! He allowed his passion to override his purpose and the purpose for which Jesus’ came.

I think Peter got too confident in his position and seriously, who can blame him?

He was just coming off a ministry high where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after four days… which confirmed Jesus as The Messiah! Then they rode into town and history calls it The Triumphal Entry where the people followed Jesus with shouts of

“Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus’ then throws over the money-changer tables in the temple, It appeared that Jesus was this unstoppable leader, defeating every obstacle. So, when the church leaders come to try and arrest Jesus, Peter jacked up on the events of the previous weeks, goes all Rambo and cuts off the servant’s ear. Peter’s action says to Jesus,

Let Me Take Care of That For You.

Peter stepped in where he should have stood back.

LEARN TO LET GO

Sometimes we have to exercise self-control to not take over a situation for others. We can’t always jump to their rescue because it might not help them. Sometimes, easing someone’s pain or fighting their battles can impede the plan of God for their life. If they don’t go through the struggle they’re facing, they won’t learn the tools needed for future issues… tougher battles. Jesus had to go through the suffering of being mistreated, betrayed, falsely accused and ultimately crucified so you and I could have eternal life. Sometimes, there has to be suffering for salvation to come.

Without Christ, Peter’s action would have caused irreparable damage to the man’s ear and quite possibly, God’s plan of salvation for the world. Our incessant trying to fix things can really break things, often making situations worse.

[tweetthis]Our incessant trying to fix things can really break things, often making situations worse. [/tweetthis]

As believers, we need to learn How To Let Go and Live Free because even when it doesn’t look like it, God knows what He’s doing, and He has a plan!

[tweetthis]I can Let Go and Live Free because I trust, God has a plan… and His plans for me are good! Jr. 29:11[/tweetthis]

Prayer

Father… I thank You for putting up with impetuous me. Please fill my heart with trust in You, so I don’t try to take over the steering wheel and crash… or stop; messing up your plans for my life. Help me to follow Your lead, watch for Your ways and be sensitive to Your cues leading me to wisely walk in Your ways. In Jesus Name…Amen

If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
1. John 18:10
2. Galatians 5:22-23
3. James 1:4
4. Jeremiah 29:11
WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

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Your Family of Believers All Over The World
```
Stand firm against him {the devil},
and be strong in your faith.
Remember that
your family of believers all over the world
is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 
~1 Peter 5:9 NLT {info added}
```
News this Easter was heartbreaking for Christians. An unimaginable horror took place on Easter Sunday morning at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Forever the memories of Easter morning will be marred for those families and friends affected by the bombings.

BOMBINGS IN SRI LANKA

I was away celebrating Resurrection Sunday and Easter Monday with family and only heard of these atrocities a day late when I opened my inbox to read an email from my friend Peggy Kennedy who has been ministering in Sri Lanka for over twenty years. From there I went online to learn more of these insidious attacks on the innocent; many of whom were children.

FOLLOWING JESUS’ EXAMPLE

At first, when you hear news like this, you want to get mad at the group responsible for this attack but that wouldn’t be in line with the heart of our Christ, nor the message of Easter. Jesus’ example is found in His words on the cross after being abused by the soldiers,

Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what they are doing.”
~Luke 23:24

Today’s verse is encouraging you to stand firm against the enemy—the devil, not get mad at your offenders. Peter’s advice is to stand firm and be strong in the understanding that if other Christians can get through hardship, so can you. We minorly experience the same kind of suffering here in Canada with the political climate turning against Christians but our struggles pale in comparison to the devastation experienced in Sri Lanka. When I read Peggy’s email, my heart ached,

“So sadly, many of the casualties were children as (per my understanding) they were on the move from the main service to children’s church. Some of the youth from this church also attended Pastor Woody and Melanie’s recent History Makers’ youth conference. Other reports coming in yesterday from leaders on the ground remind us that these are real people, facing real tragedy and loss…”

Do you recognize that
these real people are members of
YOUR family of believers all over the world…
YOUR family of believers in Sri Lanka?

MY SRI LANKAN CONNECTIONS

I feel connected to the people of Sri Lanka because as a teen, my church brought over the Kulathungam family from Sri Lanka. Niran and his brother went to youth group with my sister Lori and I. Niran and I went to the same Bible College where his dad taught us Apologetics.

If you’ve been reading Soul H2O Devotions for a long time, you might remember that my grandmother ran the We Share/We Care ministry at our home church? Through it, she was intimately involved with helping meet the needs of this refugee family. In appreciation, the Kulathungam’s gave my grandmother a stone from Sri Lanka and my grandfather had it placed in a ring setting. When my Gram passed away, she left me that ring.

Then, 22 years ago; when Jack and Peggy announced at my church in Orangeville that they were feeling called to go to Sri Lanka for the first time, I was more than happy to help support their trip.

So, I do have ties to Sri Lanka, but even if I didn’t, even if you don’t… if we are truly adopted into God’s family as I talked about a few weeks ago HERE, then we are still family with this body of believers in Sri Lanka… and family takes care of family.

FAMILY TAKES CARE OF FAMILY

I was brought up that as Christians we’re called to Go, Pray or Give. Not many of us can get on a plane and go to Sri Lanka, but maybe you can? Maybe God will call you to go. Not everyone can give, but maybe God is calling you to give? You can pray… I can pray… we all can pray. If you do know someone who is Sri Lankan, you could even send them a word of encouragement. Call and pray with or write and let them know you’re praying for them.

Today, I encourage you to take time out and pray for Your Family of Believers All Over The World, especially those in Sri Lanka. Why not join me below?

Prayer

Father… Today I lift up my brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. They are hurting and broken. Many have lost family members or loved ones, many more have suffered great harm and loss. As a result, their lives will never be the same. Give them strength to stand firm in the difficult days ahead, placing their hope in you. I pray for supernatural peace in Sri Lanka. May the church in Sri Lanka not become bitter and seek to avenge but release forgiveness to those who have sought to destroy. Let those deceived by the enemy into being his henchmen find Your love, forgiveness, and salvation. As the enemy strikes to stop the people of God all over the world, may Your children unite and Your Kingdom advance! In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]FAMILY TAKES CARE OF FAMILY Can you take time out & join me to pray for Your Family of Believers All Over The World, especially those in #SriLanka? [/tweetthis]

If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
1. 1 Peter 5:9
2. Acts 14:22
3. Luke 23:24
4. Matthew 5:44
WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

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Why You Can Trust God

Praying you can trust God more after reading this devotion, especially after you listen to this week’s Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Episode 117 with Karen Ehman, talking about how her life led to the writing of her latest book, Trusting God – In ALL The Things.

Why You Can Trust God

One Easter, years ago I learned on a whole new level, why you can trust God!

You see, trusting that people are going to follow through on what they’ve said they would do isn’t always easy. Watching the news can cause you to become hard-hearted and distrustful of people. Life experiences often add fuel to this fire of doubt and soon you find yourself not believing God can be trusted.

It’s so hard not to attribute the character traits of those in our lives to God.

Jesus’ Death & Resurrection

When I read Matthew’s recounting of Jesus death and Resurrection, this week’s verse leapt off the page.

“He is not here. He is risen, just as he said.” Matthew 28:6 NIV

“… just as he said”.

That’s the real reason why we celebrate Easter
—the reason we can KNOW and TRUST God,
because He DOES what He says.

Scripture reminds you that, “God is not a human that He should lie.”¹ God is true to His Word! At all costs, the trinity stuck to the salvation plan they’d been telling believers about for generations. Each had a role to play; a job to complete. If one didn’t go through with their portion, the plan would fall apart.

The Father gave His Son.
Jesus gave His Life.
The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead!

For a long while before the crucifixion, Jesus had been telling His followers how He was going to die and then be raised to life again; but they just couldn’t accept hearing this truth. In their human thinking, death would equal defeat. They had no grid of understanding to grasp how this loss could produce freedom, but God’s ways are higher than our ways and His wisdom is perfect.

Don’t let the impact of Christ’s death and resurrection get packed away with the Easter decorations. Allow the knowledge of how God does what He says, free you to trust God on a whole new level.

Prayer

Father…I thank You for Your faithfulness. You are true to Your Word! I’m asking You to bring freedom to my life where experiences with people have caused me to doubt. Remind me of times in my life where You’ve been true to Your Word. Let me stand on that truth and not waver. I can trust You! In Jesus Name…Amen

Soul H2O Resources

Karen Ehman is on Episode 117, Why You Can Trust God. This show will help open your heart to trust God – in ALL the things!

You can find Soul H2O Journal Pages, inspirational graphics to share, deeper insights, and information about our guest on today’s Show Notes at http://www.soulh2o.com/117

[tweetthis]Don’t let the impact of Christ’s death and resurrection get packed away with the Easter decorations.[/tweetthis]

If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

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Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

ENDNOTES
1. Numbers 23:19
DRAWING FROM THE WELL
1. Matthew 28:6
2. Numbers 23:19
3. Matthew 16:21
4. Acts 2:24
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland ,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie ,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

Originally published: March 26, 2018

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Turning Your Knowing Into Doing

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”
John 13:17 NIV

Last week’s devotion talked about how Jesus was strengthened during the Passion Week by knowing His position with the Father and the power His Father held. Jesus was fully aware that God the Father gave Him all power and authority, yet understood and faced the reality of His current situation. Jesus discerned that soon it was time for Him to go back to Heaven by way of the cross. During the Last Supper, Jesus turned His knowing into doing by washing His disciples’ feet.

It’s when we start turning our knowing into doing that we begin to see the blessings of God in our lives!

Jesus chose to have his actions follow what he knew about Himself and about His Father; not letting His actions follow what His life circumstances where revealing. Jesus didn’t wait till every situation was worked out in His life before He started to do what was right.

While knowing that He was going to be betrayed and die on a cross, Jesus chose to do kind things. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet; even the feet of Judas who Jesus knew was going to betray Him. It’s not that Jesus was emotionless and didn’t care. John 13:21 tells us that “After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”

[tweetthis remove_url=”true”]Jesus didn’t wait till every situation was worked out in His life before He started to do what was right. [/tweetthis]

Jesus chose to have his actions follow what he knew about Himself and about His Father.

To live in freedom you need to go beyond what you know about your circumstance…understand who God is…take hold of your position as His child, and begin to do something for others.

What can you do today that would start turning your knowing into doing? Act on whatever idea God gives you and complete the task.

Prayer

Father…I thank You for leading the way to freedom in practical acts of kindness. Help me to see the ‘footwashing’ opportunities you place before me and let me start turning my knowing into doing by actions, not words. Your Word says that faith without works is dead.¹ May I learn to put into practice those things I say I believe so I can truly live! In Jesus Name…Amen

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Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1. James 2:17
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis ,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie ,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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(PASSION WEEK) How To Live Ruled By What You Know

“Jesus knew the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal…and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet…”You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”……For he knew who was going to betray him.”
John 13:3,11 NIV

LIVE RULED BY WHAT YOU KNOW

I love how unshakeable Jesus was throughout the Passion Week. It started off on what we call Palm Sunday with people waving branches of Palm trees, singing His praises and declaring Him the Messiah; but the tide of popularity quickly changed, as it so often does. Jesus knew that He was headed into the storm of His life. I admire how Jesus didn’t live in the applause of men, or the attacks of them either.

[tweetthis]Jesus didn’t live in the applause of men, or the attacks of them either[/tweetthis]

Then, at the Last Supper Jesus doesn’t let the reality of his troubles overrule what He knew. I long to be ruled by what I know, not what I’m living!

[tweetthis]I long to be ruled by what I know, not what I’m living![/tweetthis]

WASHING FEET

These verses make it clear that Jesus knew His position with the Father. Jesus knew He had all power yet displayed humble submission through servant leadership and washed the disciples’ feet.

Jesus wasn’t in denial to His circumstances; he was fully aware of the situations surrounding Him; but instead of letting the situations rule His actions, Jesus chose to act on what He knew from the Father. Oh to be like Jesus!

You need to make conscious decisions to not live a life based on your circumstances but based on what God the Father has said about OU in His word and the promises He’s given you. You need to KNOW, with steadfast assurance what God has revealed to you and let that be your guiding force.

So, what do you KNOW?

Prayer

Father… The enemy wants me to base my knowledge on the facts of my current circumstances. Help me to know Your truth. Guide me in Your Word to passages that will strengthen my knowledge of what You say, so I can silence the information of the enemy in my mind and live in Your truth! In Jesus Name…Amen

#DareToShare Make a Comment in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis ,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie ,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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Believing Without Seeing

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29 NIV

In Grade 12 I took a course on ancient history. I remember at the end of one class my teacher saying something along these lines, “Next week we start a study on the life of Jesus Christ. I don’t want you atheists skipping class and I don’t want you Christians taking this time to evangelize in your comments. We are learning about a historical figure Jesus Christ. We study his life because there is more proof that Jesus Christ lived, died and rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar lived.” That last comment changed my life. I had struggled with the fact that people always said Christianity had to be followed with blind faith. I was beginning to learn that although I had to live believing without seeing, it wasn’t blind, uneducated or illogical faith. My faith had backing, beyond just my experience with God.

When Jesus spoke the words above recorded by John he was pronouncing a blessing on people like you and me. People all over the world who would have to come to faith in Him, believing without seeing. We live in a world where people are distrustful, with good reason. Politicians and preachers; family and friends make great promises, only to break them, often with consequences that affect the lives of others. We live in a day where people say ‘I’ll have to see it to believe it’. That’s why so many, myself included, have struggled with faith in God. We weren’t there to see Jesus live, die, raise from the dead and ascend to heaven, but the disciples were there recording, along with a group of other historians.

Over the many years since High School I‘ve been diligent to add fact to my faith. I’ve studied and confirmed for myself that the Bible records the truth about Jesus; from birth to death. The question is, will you receive the blessing Jesus spoke and live believing without seeing?

Prayer

Father…I’m filled with gratitude that you sent Your son. Jesus, I’m overwhelmed with Your love. I’ll never understand why you would leave the glories of heaven and come here to earth for sinners like me. I don’t deserve what You did, but I’m so thankful for Your sacrifice. Please open the eyes of my spirit, so I can live believing without seeing while growing in my knowledge of Your truth. In Jesus Name…Amen

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Jesus Was Full of Passion

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
Luke 19:41 NIV

True love wells up passion in your heart that’s impossible to keep inside. Passion bubbles up and spills out! It’s the force inside that compels people to greatness despite adversity; an emotion that propels us. Passion is aroused from either a great love or hatred. One motivator brings about increased love, while the other produces hurt. Passion motivated by hatred caused Romeo and Juliet’s parents to try and break up their love, while passion motivated by love made the couple willing to die for each other.

During Passion Week, Jesus was heartbroken over how the people of Jerusalem were rejecting the God who was doing everything to reach them and show them His love. The most religious of cities, yet their lack of faith in God brought Jesus to tears. Jesus passionately loved the lost people of Jerusalem even though they rejected Him. Like Romeo and Juliet, He was willing to die for the sake of love. This love caused Jesus to passionately pursue God’s plan for His life. Nothing and no one could stop Him from fulfilling His mission to restore us to right relationship with the father.

When I read how Jesus lived and loved, I want to follow suit. I don’t want to live my life with a ‘get by’ mentality. I want to live with passion and reach the world with the love of Christ! I want to see each day as an opportunity for adventure and ‘seize the day’! This Easter, let the passion of Christ renew your passion to love and serve Him more!

Prayer

Father…I cannot thank You enough for sending your son. Jesus I thank You for the way You lived Your life with passion because of Your love for me. That thought is overwhelming. I don’t deserve your love, but I’m grateful for it! Help me to passionately pursue the life You have planned out for me so others can know the depths of Your love. In Jesus Name…Amen.

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Unleashed

“…Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
Matthew 21:1,2 NIV

This week I am preaching three times in three days. I couldn’t be more excited! Friends can’t understand me and think I’m crazy, but for the first time in my life, I feel I’m truly beginning to walk in the destiny that God has called me to, since I was 19 years old. I hate to compare myself to a donkey; it’s not a very flattering thought, but as I read this verse, I too feel like someone has unleashed me to reach my potential.

Just before Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he instructed two of his disciples to untie two donkeys; a mom and her colt because ‘the Lord needed them’. Being used by God is exhilarating, but it doesn’t mean you’re anything special. God often used donkeys; a lowly animal, for His glory! Balaam’s donkey talked and Jesus first important donkey ride was inside his momma on the way to Bethlehem. Mark and Luke record that this colt would be one “no one has ever ridden.” He was so young he hadn’t ever left his mother’s side. This donkey had never reached his potential. He was bound and Jesus set him free to be used for the Father’s glory! As the colt was unleashed, so was his mother.

Today, God needs you like he needed the donkey. God desires to untie the leash that is keeping you bound so you can fulfill your God-given destiny. As you move forward, your freedom will affect the people closest to you so you can all live…unleashed!

Prayer

Father…I thank-You for sending Your Son to set me free! I’m bound in so many more ways than I realize. Help me to not fear, but let you ‘cut me loose’ so I can fulfill the destiny you have for my life. May I live unleashed as the vehicle You use to bring Jesus to this lost world. In Jesus Name…Amen.

#DareToShare …Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

[tweetthis remove_url=”true”]Being used by God is exhilarating, but it doesn’t mean you’re anything special. God often used donkeys![/tweetthis]

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