Day 141 Where did he go?

They looked for him in the tomb. He was supposed to be there, because a body does not just dissapear, or does it? The women that walked side by side with Jesus, served him their best food, laughed with him at their house, now was no where near the place where he was buried. I can not imagine the confused look on their faces. They knew they would get to at least mourn over his wrapped up body one more time, but they were in for a surprise. Not only was he not there, but he was completely whole. Not battered and bruised, but holding the keys of death, hell, and the grave. Standing in front of some of his diciples, they didn't even believe him. It had to be halarious to watch them almost fall over from shock. I probably would have been the one to actually touch his hands and feet to make sure. Why? Because sometimes we want to see it to believe it. But God doesn't want us to be weak with faith, but strong. Believe what you cannot see, know that he is the risen Lord, who went to hell and took the keys of death for you and the world. For this did he die...to have a relationship with us. How awesome is that. He is not dead like Mohammad, or Buda, he is alive, he can hear you. He is not a statue, he is not an image, but a real God who is waiting for us to come running back into his arms repenting and loving him. Yes, it is hard to believe and not see, but try it. See how amazing he can be to you. Step out of the world's view for a minute and dive into what the bible is really saying, it will change your life!

Day 140 Almost over...

Ok, this is really, really interesting. First of all I have to commend my preacher friend Pastor Cronin for speaking directly into my heart what I needed to hear from God. He was talking about the linear line of events that happen in our lives. One after another. We are so caught up in what is happening now, and sometimes we think we might not make it. But listen to this. God has other things that he has planned for us, and the events will keep happening. So we must believe and know that God will get us through what we are in right at this moment. God speaks to us from the future, he is calling out, step forward, don't look back! How exciting to know that the struggles and stresses of today will go away eventually. Looking into the future we know that we will make it by the grace of our mighty God, because he wants us to make it. We have so many things to look forward to. So stop looking into the rearview mirror wishing you could change the past, put the gas on and drive forward into the awesome future that God has for you!

Day 139 The facts...

In the Psalms David sang his heart out, in every circumstance in life. While reading the Psalms stop to think about where he was when he was singing them, or writing them. Some of the time he was in a cave hiding from the enemy, other times he was repenting for giving into his lust, and then there are times when he sang to God because he just loved him so much. In Psalm 73 David envied the 'arrogant' because they were living life to the fullest and then they made fun of God saying he did not know anything. Then he goes on to say he was grieving and foolish and ignorant and like a beast before you(he probably felt like he had no self control, he was obviously not making good decisions). Ok we have to stop right there to reflect on all those emotions that just happened! He was at a low, low spot where he felt stupid and like he wasn't doing anything right...ever been there? I sure have! Just feeling like God might be dissapointed in you, and that he might not be listening to you and he might have stopped caring. So then the powerful word NEVERTHELESS (In spite of that; notwithstanding; all the same) so David is comparing the fact that he is at his lowest emotional state in life and in spite of that he pushed past what he was feeling and stated the facts that.....Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. So in verse 22-24 David is reminding himselft that God is always standing right there beside him no matter what his circumstances are. It is really exciting to see the change in the way he is talking through this Psalm! Remember that when you need counsel, remind yourself that he will counsel you, he will hear your prayers, he does care about every part of your life no matter what your feelings or circumstances are saying to you....remind yourself of the facts!

Day 138 Friendship...

Such a powerful word, because inside of it is the stirring of many different emotions. It might remind someone of a friend that once was, passed away, decided to quit talking to the person, once betrayed them, ignored them, did not stick up for them. Or this word could extract a beautiful bundle of wonderfulness. Kind, loving, has integrity, always knows the perfect advice, listens very well, gives great hugs, calls just to say hi, knows your dirty laundry but no judment ever comes from their mouth. These are just a few of the characteristics of friendship. I guess my favorite place in the bible about friendship is when God called Abraham his friend. Wow. There is not much to add to that. The very God that breathed and there was light stepping out of nothingness, life came from dirt, the heavens and the earth were created by just his words. Think about that for just a moment. Friendship is something God designed for us to have with him, the purest of friendship. His unconditional love for us, forgiving our sins while we were still in sin, forgetting about our sin, redeeming us as though we had not sinned, and inviting us to have the most amazing friendship with his son Jesus. Jesus spoke that we should forgive those that have wronged us, wow how hard is that. I mean sometimes it is just not fair....well, but Jesus said do that anyway, just let it go. God is the judge and we have the power to pray for that person, love them, and move on with our lives. God will send us other friendship to draw us closer to him in a great way. I pray that God would reveal his ultimate friendsip to you one step at a time, and first he is introducing himself, what kind of first impression do we have of him? What kind of first impression did he get of us? Will the conversations be awkward? Will I want to hang out again? The most amazing thing about forming a relationship with him is this simple thing, he will never fail us, we can always count on him. He also loves to talk with his children, and he loves to listen to us all at the same time!

Day 137 Authority

Because God gave us dominion...we are allowed to exercise it. Everyday. In normal situations. We can change the course of actions because we are speaking the word of God that is sharp, powerful, and is life giving. Into the dark places we will speak light. Into the sick places we speak healing. Into the depression of our situations we speak joy. Into the future we speak prosperity. Into our past we know we are forgiven. Into the now we speak progress. All because we have the authority in Jesus name, we inherited kingship from the King of Kings, we own it! God wants us to use it. Proclaim it boldly.