His Sacrifice

30 03 2015

March 2013 Picture IPhone 323Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed. I Peter 2:24 NKJV

On this Good Friday, we will recognize the tremendous sacrifice Jesus Christ made for our sins. He gave His life in order that we might have salvation. He suffered on Calvary for you and me, a gift of love that allows us to be in relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is hard to think of all the suffering that Jesus, the Son of God suffered on our behalf. This week we recognize His sacrifice and demonstrate our gratitude for the opportunity for salvation, deliverance and healing for anyone who calls Him Savior. We are so thankful for His life, His sacrifice and His Resurrection. We seek to serve Him with our whole heart in gratitude for His sacrifice.

This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls. I Peter 2:21-24 MSG 





A Safe Place to Be

27 03 2015

Sun RaysGod, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says.

Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not?

He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul,

An impregnable castle: I’m set for life.

My help and glory are in God —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—

So trust him absolutely, people;

lay your lives on the line for him.

God is a safe place to be.

Psalm 62:5-8 MSG





Bright Lights Shine

26 03 2015

Newport_Sun_Set3Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:14 – 16 (New Living Translation)

“This Little Light of Mine” is a timeless children’s favorite. The song has several familiar verses reminding us about the importance of letting our light shine. It is a vital message for the young and the old in today’s dark world. Just imagine if everyone were committed to being a light in their homes, work and relationships. What if we used our words to build people up, being a positive influence and eliminated complaining? Just as natural sunlight penetrates the darkness of night when the sun rises, it would transform the world we know.





Don’t Worry, Be Happy

25 03 2015
Terri in Barcelona

Terri in Barcelona

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.   Philippians 4:4-9

It turns out that “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” are not just words from a popular song from the late 1980’s. Consider the phrases in Paul’s letter to the Philippians – “Always be full of joy in the Lord’ and “Don’t worry about anything”. These things may seem like pointless initiatives when you have a particular concern before the Lord. You may feel anxious, stressful and even desperate to see some sign that God is moving on our behalf. This is one of my favorite passages that provide important guidance for each of us:

  • Be Full of Joy with double emphasis
  • Be gentle or considerate to every one
  • Know The Lord is near by
  • Don’t worry or be anxious
  • Pray about everything
  • Be grateful for God’s blessings
  • Keep your mind on the things of God
  • Do God’s Work

What is amazing to me is that taking these steps lead to God’s unexplainable peace even during difficult times.





His Vision and Our Purpose

24 03 2015

Crew (48 of 86)For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11  NLV

Our Heavenly Father created us with vision and purpose. We are not here to lead our lives according to the values of this world but we have an eternal purpose for His kingdom.   Each of us is uniquely built for what God has our hands to do.   It is amazing to think of the specific attention God places on who we are, our abilities and our experience to allow us to journey in His purpose for our lives. So many are searching for purpose and meaning. The purpose of anything comes from the One who created it. We may try to change that purpose but seeking God’s intent allows us to seek His vision and will that can transform the mundane into amazing. Aligning our vision and journey with His will gives us the ultimate peace, joy and wellness we desire. Our passage for today is a reminder that His plans for us are for good and not for trouble. As we make goals and commitments, ask the creator first for His will and direction. His response and our compliance to His direction will allow us to make progress toward fulfilling His vision and our purpose.





On Course

23 03 2015

DSCF0547You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. Psalms 119:1-2 MSG

I need a steady pace for my life that continues my path forward. Each day we want to make decisions that propel us closer to our purpose. It is so easy to succumb to procrastination, discouragement or weariness but they are heavy weights that we have to be careful to resist. Some of those feelings may have come to take up residence in our hearts and minds but it is a new morning and a new chance to renew our minds and our strength. With a thankful heart, we can seek Him for the what, how, who, when and where of our next steps. When we seek Him with a sincere heart, He is faithful to show us the path ahead. When we are committed to His will and His ways it makes the next steps clearer. It is time to seek Him. It is time to step out on faith. I am thankful for His leading that keeps us on course.

You’re blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set.
You, GOD, prescribed the right way to live;
now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
don’t ever walk off and leave me.
Psalms 119:1-8 MSG





Encourage One Another

20 03 2015

Rome Moving ForwardSo speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.   I Thessalonians 5:11 MSG

An encouraged heart gives me the motivation to keep moving and to keep pressing toward the mark.  We each need to guard our hearts from discouragement.  The enemy uses it to allow doubt and weariness to settle in our minds.  We can be assured that we have the hope and promise of Jesus Christ.  His grace and His love bring the gift of now.  We can move together in victory.  Constantly, being a source of encouragement for one another.  Building each other up with words of faith, words of encouragement and messages of “you can make it and I am here to help”.  Nurture encouragement in your heart and of those who cross your path.  Use your influence to build each other up.  We can work hard to make sure that no one is left behind.  Encouraged hearts empower us to keep moving forward together in victory.  Encourage one another. 





Decisions

19 03 2015

DSCF0176

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;     

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,     

and he will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.     

Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

 

I need to make good decisions every day.  All kinds of decisions big and small arise throughout the day.  They range from the mundane to the monumental.  Some of my choices will have implications for today and well into my future.  Making good decisions will help me to stay on target and focused on my journey into my purpose.  What to wear, what to eat, what to expose my soul to through my eyes and ears and how to spend my time will all be decisions for today.  I am thankful to God and the Holy Spirit for His leading and His careful guidance.  I am seeking guidance and nurturing the fruit of self-discipline to help me to stay on track.  The Lord will help us to make good decisions and to stay on the right path.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLT





God Size My Life

18 03 2015

Tulip_-_floriade_canberraThen the Lord answered me,
“Write the vision.
Make it clear on tablets
so that anyone can read it quickly. Habakkuk 2:2

We live in a world where many things are super-sized. Everything from large homes to fast food to huge containers of detergent is available in super -size portions. Our society places value on big things. As God’s Children, our aspirations and dreams should come to us God-sized. Our vision for every aspect of our lives should be lined up with what the Word of God says. When we visualize our family, health, finances, career and even our state of mind, it should be aligned with what the Bible says. The Lord has so many promises that are detailed in His Word. We often choose to settle for less than God’s best because our vision is aligned with what we think is possible. If we select a vision and write it down concerning the important aspects of our lives based on God’s Word, it would help us to move in faith toward a God-sized vision for our lives. I was encouraged by a minister who spoke about developing a vision for your life. She encouraged us to write down our God-sized vision for our lives. A vision that is based on God’s Word and requires His presence in our lives. What a powerful tool to have our vision before us based on God’s Word.





Excellent

17 03 2015

Yellow TulipsO LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Psalm 8:1

Our God is Great!

When we think about our Father who is the creator of the earth, the oceans and the stars above, we know He is truly a great God! He created all of these things and still listens to our daily prayers. What a great God that He is able to sit High and look low to meet us in our circumstances. God is worthy of our honor and our praise! His name is excellent!