GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why My Response Matters Week 4, Day 5

S:  2 Corinthians 5:20-21 So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.  We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"  For God made Christ, who never sinned to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

O:  Christ's ambassador.  Speak for Christ.

A:  What a great commission.  Being Christ's ambassador and speaking for Christ.  A very tall order for a sinner.  I am not always an example of a very good ambassador for Christ.  Thankfully He has covered me and takes away the filth.  I need to remember all my actions need to be Christlike and the words that come from my mouth need to be ones that will let others know who I belong to.

P:  Father, I never really though about how I am your ambassador.  My mouth does not always say things that would speak of your greatness.  Please forgive me.  I am ashamed to have been a terrible example for you and what you have done for me.  Guide me in ways to show others I belong to you.  Let them see something in me that will make them want a life in you.

~Amen

FFF:  I have been praying how I can help a friend with a big benefit she has planned for her nephew who was born with a heart defect and needs to have surgery next month.  She did not know that I wanted to help her in some way and was not able to financially support her.  She came to me yesterday and said my husband told me I should ask you to be our banker for the benefit.  (I am the financial rep for our employer)  You wouldn't be interested would you?  I was praising God for her asking.  What a joy that He worked this out.  I am so honored!!  Please pray for this little guy.  His name is Declan.

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why My Response Matters Week 4, Day 4

S:  Romans 3:21-24 But in our time something new has been added.  What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened.  The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us.  And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him.  For there is no difference between us and them in this.  Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners, (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us.  Out of sheer generosity he puts us in right standing with himself.  A pure gift.  He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be.  And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.  ~The Message

O:  FAITH is my response.

A:  I don't typically use The Message for my scripture, however I do refer to it when studying.  I like to look at a few versions.  Today this passage struck me.  This week is about why my response matters.  My response to this is my FAITH.  Without out it, I could choose not to believe in what God has done for me.  He sent Jesus as a PURE GIFT.  He set things right for me so I can be restored to what God wants of me.  Thank God!  I am a mess but with Jesus I am made right with God.

P:  Father,  I know I am a mess.  I know I fall short of your glory each and every day.  You freely gave your Son up as a PURE sacrifice for my sin to make me what you always wanted.  Forgive me.  I am humbled by this gift.  As my birthday approaches, I realize that no earthly gift has ever been or will ever be as generous a gift as yours to me.  JESUS.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why My Response Matters Week 4, Day 2

S:  You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life.  But the scriptures point to ME!  Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

O:  Search the Scriptures.  Scriptures point to ME!  Refuse and you will not receive eternal life.

A:  I need to remember as I read and search the Scriptures, why is it I am reading?  What am I gaining? Head knowledge or heart knowledge?  Is is to become smarter like reading and learning from a text book or is it to learn and grow with my Savior?  To strive to be more like Him, change my life and find my eternal home.

P:  Father, I pray every day that your Word becomes embedded into my heart, seared into my soul that I would at all times be able to reflect on your word.  I not only want this to KNOW you, but I want this so I can commune with you.  I want to live in a way that others see you in my.  By reading your word, I do want it as knowledge, but I want it more so I can become more like you and find my eternal home and rest with you.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~Why the Resurrection Matters Week 3 Day 5

S:  Luke 24:45-48 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.  And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.  It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.' You are witnesses of all these things.

O:  Opened their minds to understand.  It was written.  All nations.  There is forgiveness for all who repent.  Witnesses.

A:  For a long time I would read scripture and not get it.  I have friends that say how God speaks to them through their readings.  I couldn't understand why I didn't hear his voice.  When I started to ask God to reveal his word to me, a whole new understanding came to me.  With this knowledge, I am a better witness for his kingdom.  I am far from being a perfect witness, but I know he has equipped me with the tools I need.  I need to continue to pray for his guidance and understanding to go about his work.  Afterall, I am here for His purpose first and foremost.

P:  Father, thank you for your written word.  Written for ALL nations.  Thank your for your forgiveness through death on a cross, taking away the sins of the world.  I am not worthy, but accept the salvation so freely given.  I come before you broken, a sinner, repenting of my sinfulness.  Help me to begin each day anew to go about your work, to further your kingdom.  Even if I touch just one, it is worth it.  Help me see the opportunities you set before me.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~Why the Resurrection Matters Week 3 Day 4

S: 1Peter 1:3-5  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance - an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.  And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

O:

• Praise God!
• Great mercy
• Born again
• Because of Jesus
• Great expectation
• Priceless inheritance
• Pure and undefiled
• FAITH
• Salvation
• Last day
• For ALL to see
• New life
• A future

A:  This is a powerful, packed full verse.  So many things jump right out at me.  Praise God for Jesus Christ and his power to overcome sin and death.  Praise God for our new life and our future.  I am so thankful this is not the end.  This life is just the beginning.  Our eternity is in heaven with Him who is perfect and blameless.   He was raised from the dead for us to have this future.  ALL will see but those of us with the FAITH to believe in salvation have the great expectation of the last day where we will join Him there.

P:  Father, thank you for this new life.  Thank you for the hope you give me in Jesus.  Thank you for the faith to keep me striving for that future in heaven with you forever.  What an inheritance.  Nothing on this earth even compares.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~Why the Resurrection Matters Week 3 Day 3

S:  Romans 6:8,14  And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.  Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law.  Instead, you live under the freedom of God's Grace.

O:  Died with Christ.  Live with Christ.  Died to sin and death.  Live in freedom.  God's grace.

A:  When I read this, I think of all my favorite sins that I may think are not that big in comparison.  But in comparison to what?  I need to free myself of these things.  Become accountable.  I need to strive for that finish line.  My goal of victory and win that race in the best shape possible in ALL areas of my life.  I need to not be lacks in any area.  No favorite sins of mine are making me better.  Christ died to save me from my sins.  I need to remember this and think of his blood shed for me, every time i try to go back to my old way of living.

P:  Forgive me Father for my sins.  I know I can do better at being your child.  Guide me in your path.  Thank you for showing me your ways.  I love you.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~Why the Resurrection Matters Week 3 Day 2

S:  1Corinthians 15:57-58  But thank God!  He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.  So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.  Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

O:  Thank God!  Victory.  Be strong.  Nothing is useless.

A:  How many times I think I am not making a change for the better.  How many times am I not thankful.  But thank God he gives me strength and the motivation to go forward.  When I don't feel like working harder or enthusiastically,  I need to remember what Jesus did for me.  He died and rose from the dead!  Hallelujah!!

P:  I am strong and thankful and nothing I do to further your kingdom is useless.  Thank you for reminding me.  There is victory in Jesus!  Striving to enter your kingdom and abide with you forever.  Thank you Father for loving me that much.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~Why the Resurrection Matters Week 3 Day 1

S:  I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me.  Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.  He was burried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.  And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.

O: Most important.  Died.  Buried.  Raised.  If not, faith is useless.

A:  I know that my Redeemer lives.

P:  Thank you, Father, for not only giving me your Word, but showing it to me.  I am so grateful for the faith you have instilled in me.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Crucifixion Matters Week 2 Day 5

S:  Hebrews 10:11-12  Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the alter day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins.  But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time.

O:  Standing and doing it again and again.  Single sacrifice for all time.  Sitting at a place of honor.

A:  Today's scripture finally brings this week's passages home for me.  It is so like us in our humanness to continually try again and again to please God.  We can't without that one single sacrifice.  The Greatest Sacrifice of all.  Jesus.  He did it all.  We labor and labor, standing and tiring.  While Jesus completed the task and sat.  He sat down at a place of honor with God.  God is so proud of his son and his death he finished it.  Our work is no good.  This does not mean we can keep on sinning. We need to be obedient until his return.  We need to be changed.  We need to turn away from our sins.

P:  Father, thank you.  Thank you for showing me in your word what you have accomplished.  Thank you for your son.  Thank you for his death on the cross.  Thank you for washing me clean.  Thank you for helping me realize through this weeks studies that it is finished.  There is nothing left for me to do.  I can stop spinning my wheels like the priests did before Jesus came.  Forgive me once again for the sins of mine that nailed you to that tree.  Help me walk in your ways.  Help me be your witness in this dark world.  Let me be your light, that one small spark seen in a dark place.  I am humbled by the work you are doing in my life.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Crucifixion Matters Week 2 Day 4

S:  Colossians 1:21-22  This includes you who were once far away from God.  You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.  Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body.  As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

O:  Me the enemy, separated from Him by my evil thoughts and actions.  Jesus my rescuer has reconciled me through his death on a cross.  I am now holy, blameless and without a single fault.

A:  This is hard for me.  This week has been hard.  I don't feel holy or blameless or without fault.  Jesus came as a sacrifice, my sacrifice.  He truly is Holy, Blameless and Without a Single Fault.  He took my place.  I am unworthy yet forgiven.  He set me free.  This morning I was reminded of Romans 8:38-39. My sins, my faults are what nailed him to the cross, but his love was enough to save me.

P:  God, I can't even begin to understand why you love me.  I can't begin to understand why you sent your Son in my place.  I am wretched.  I am unworthy.  But I am not unforgiven.  I accept your gift of salvation.  Help me to understand and appreciate what you have freely given to me.  Let me not be so flippant and go about my way without fully feeling your love and forgiveness and not take these things for granted.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Crucifixion Matters Week 2 Day 3

S:  Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last.  And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.  When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, "This man truly was the Son of God!"

O:  Torn from top to bottom.  This man truly was the SON of God!

A:  I remember the first time this passage struck my heart.  I had read it many times before but I never really meditated on it.  I actually could hear that curtain tearing and falling with a big WHOOSH to the ground.  Can you hear it?  Can you hear God's heart breaking?  Can you hear his huge sigh of anguish?  He sent His only Son to die, on a cross who was completely blameless for you and for me.  He made it possible for us to come to him and bare our burdens.  Even in our filth, He loved us.  I am amazed at His love and the way He has given us every avenue directly to Him.  I am beyond ashamed of myself.

P:  Father, your precious, spotless Son, was sent to save me from my wretchedness.  Forgive me.  I am not worthy, yet you constantly remind me that you love me anyway, EXACTLY how I am.  Help me to realize I am what you wanted me to be.  Help me to be a better version of myself to serve you in the way you made me.  That curtain, torn from top to bottom is a huge reminder of showing me I can come directly to you with anything, because you know even before I come.  You just ask that I come.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Crucifixion Matters Week 2 Day 2

S:  Romans 5:7-8  Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

O:  Unworthy.  Great Love.  Christ died for me while I was unworthy.

A:  I don't know about you, but I have a hard time grasping how much love it took for God to send his ONLY son to die for me!  I am unworthy.  I am a sinner.  This is where grace and forgiveness help me accept this love.  I am forgiven and free.  He loves, even me, in my unworthiness.  Praise be to God.

P:  Father, even though I cannot grasp the magnitude of your love for me, I am so grateful for your love for me.  I would be nothing without you and your love.  Help me to show others even a tiny glimpse of that love you have for me with all those I come in contact with, my family, friends, co-workers and even the strangers at the grocery store or library.

~Amen

Ladies~Life has shifted for me.  I didn't realize how this puppy would change the way I do things.

Lucy sleeping on my water bottle filled with ice

I almost let the enemy win.  I thought oh, she is going to take up so much of my time I won't be able to get my studies in.  Well, I did not let that happen.  I moved my study area, which I should have done a long time ago and things are working out just fine.

My new study area

So today, for my THANKFUL TUESDAY, I am thankful for another victory in Jesus.  Yes, she takes up time, but I need to remember what and who is most important and it is my time with my Lord and Savior.

Have a beautiful day and remember, April showers bring May flowers!!

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Crucifixion Matters Week 2 Day 1

S:  Isaiah 53:4-6  Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.  And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!  But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.  All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God's paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

O:  Our weaknesses.  Our sorrows. Our rebellion. Our sins. Be whole. Be healed. 

A:  I cannot even comprehend the pain and suffering he endured for my sins. But He knew and took up that cross anyway. 

P:  Father, I am not worthy. I am weak and a rebel.  Thank you for making me whole. Thank you for healing me. Keep me on the right path. I'm tired of straying.  

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Last Supper Matters Week 1 Day 5

S:  1Corinthians 10:14, 21 So my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.  You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too.  You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too.

O:  FLEE from idols!

A:  Struggling today.  I know I put so many things before my relationship with God.  I need to realize there is nothing more important than He is.  I need to make Him my priority.  He took on my sin and covered me with His blood.  How could anything be more important or get in my way of worshipping Him?

P:  Father, forgive me for putting so many things in my life before you.  Help me not forget your sacrifice.  Keep me mindful to the point of bringing me to my knees when I put anything before you.  In Jesus name.

~Amen

FFF:  Tomorrow we will be adding a new member to our family.  A sweet baby golden retriever.  I will share pictures when we get her home.

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Last Supper Matters Week 1 Day 4

S:  Luke 22:19-20 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it.  Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This IS my body, which is given for you.  DO THIS to remember me".
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people - an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you".  (emphasis my own)

O:  Broke the bread.  Given for you.  Remember me - An awareness, call to mind.  Another cup.  New covenant - agreement.  Confirmed with his blood.  Poured out.  Sacrifice for you.
Sacrifice~An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something regarded as more important or worthy.

A:  I need to remember to give thanks.
      I need to remember communion represents HIS body and blood, broken and shed for me.
      I need to remember He did this for me.
      I need to remember He sacrificed HIS life for mine.

P:  Father I am in tears at this time of remembrance.  Realizing again what you have done for me, an undeserving sinner.  You came to pour out your life for mine.  To cleanse me.  To free me.  Forgive me for not giving thanks in all things.  You have sacrificed everything.  Taken a cross to die for me.  Oh, Father, oh Father.  My heart aches in knowing what you came to do and that you have conquered death.  Keep this covenant in the forefront of my mind not just during this Easter season, but keep me ever mindful of the sacrifice you made for your people.  I am humbled.

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Last Supper Matters Week 1 Day 3

S: Matthew 26:24 The son of man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the son of man!  It would be better for him if he had not been born.

O:  Must die - as declared by scriptures long ago.  Betrayed.  Never born.  Jesus knew - accepted it anyway, even washed his betrayer's feet.  Betrayal of a friend hurts more.  Love anyway.  We all think, 'Not me.  It couldn't be me!'

A:  This brings 'Fear of the Lord' to the forefront of my mind.  I am just as guilty of walking around thinking 'not me'.  Just like Judas.  I am so convicted of needing to pay attention to my actions and words.  I may try to please the Lord in all I say and do but betray him daily in my sins.  

P:  Father forgive me.  I come to you and ask forgiveness for my betrayal.  Thank you for your word that convicts me to my core.  I am thankful for your guidance every time I come to your word.  Help me to not just put it on my heart, but brand it there.  Sear it into my soul that I would serve you better.  Oh Lord!

~Amen

GMG ~ Why Easter Matters ~ Why the Last Supper Matters Week 1 Day 2

S:  John 13:14-15 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. 

O:  Lord and Teacher.  Set an example.  Do as I have done for you.

A:  Jesus set an example for us to follow.  He humbled himself, out of love, to serve others.  This was a solemn time for He and his friends.  What a loving servant.  That I should follow in His footsteps and follow His example.  I need to remember HE set the example.  There is no other example as good as His.  I need to remember in all I do and in all I say, I am a professing Christian and must display the example He set.

P:  Father, I am in awe of your example.  You did not set yourself up, but took yourself low, to the ground to wash the feet of your friends.  What an example of humility.  I pray that I may be your humble servant and never feel that I am too good to sit at the feet of the least of these to serve you by serving others.

Today is thankful Tuesday Ladies:  I am thankful for my Mom.  She gives to much and shows unconditional love every single minute.  I hope to be like her, even just a smidge. :o)

Have a beautiful day!