By Max Lucado
“I have written your name on my hand! Isaiah 49:16”
Romans 8:31 asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Indulge me a moment. Four words in this verse deserve your attention. God is for us.
Say it out loud. God is for us.
Repeat it, emphasizing each word. Come on, you’re not in that big of a hurry.
God is for us! GOD IS FOR YOU.
Your parents may have forgotten you, your teachers may have neglected you, your siblings may be ashamed of you; but within reach of your prayers is the maker of the oceans. God!
God is for you! If he had a calendar, your birthday would be circled. If there’s a tree in heaven, he’s carved your name in the bark.
Isaiah 49:16 says, “I have written your name on my hand!” No one can defeat you. You are protected. God is for you!
Let ME fill you with MY LOVE, JOY, and PEACE. These are GLORY GIFTS, flowing from MY LIVING PRESENCE. Though you are an earthen vessel. I designed you to be filled with heavenly content. Your weakness is not a deterrent to being filled MY SPIRIT; on the contrary, it provides an opportunity for MY POWER to shine forth more brightly.
As you go through this day, trust ME to provide the strength that you need moment by moment. Don’t waste energy wondering whether you are adequate for today’s journey. MY SPIRIT within you is more than sufficient to handle whatever this day may bring. That is the basis for your confidence! In quietness (spending time alone with ME) and confident trust (relying on MY sufficiency) is your strength.
2 Corinthians 4:7, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels; that the Excellency of the POWER may be of GOD, and not of us.
Isaiah 30:15, For thus saith the LORD GOD, the HOLY ONE of Israel; IN RETURNING AND REST SHALL YE BE SAVED, IN QUIETNESS AND IN CONFIDENCE SHALL BE YOUR STRENGTH: and ye would not.
The message I received today:
Today is a day to rejoice and be glad. Today is a day to take heart because your SAVIOR lives and reigns forever and HE has taken up HIS abode in the heart of HIS people who are the TEMPLE of the LIVING GOD; and GOD has redeemed the CHURCH from the curse of the world; so be not a part of the world while abiding in the world. I have taken the world out of MY people through sanctification. I say unto all, be not your own adviser or teacher, but be taught by the HOLY SPIRIT who holds all wisdom and knowledge. HE abides in complete LOVE, and HIS people are complete in HIM. Draw near unto HIM and seek HIM in fullness for HE is your gift from the FATHER.
All that are in the Church are not of the CHURCH for one must be born again into the CHURCH. It is only through a Spiritual rebirth are you of CHRIST’S CHURCH; therein alone is your sanctification. Rejoice in HIM for HE is GOD, and there is no other but FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT.
Alleluia
This is the day the LORD hath make let us rejoice and
be glad in it.
Let us live everyday like a
new Easter
Inspiration
Christ enters our lives, often when we least expect such an experience. Our sins of failure, unbelief, and disobedience are no match for His atoning grace. Forgiven, we are called to new patterns of living. Old values are relinquished in the light of His resurrection, our summons to a new life.
LET US REJOICE IN
HEARING GOD’S VOICE
Acts 4:32-35
1John 1:1, 2:2
John 20:19-31
Psalm 133
It is the peculier nature of faith to deal with, and to believe, that which is not present. For what is present, need not be believed; one feels and sees it, But that man is really a believer who, without anything on hand, nevertheless clings to God’s Word.
These words from the pen of Martin Luther echo the words of Jesus in our lesson for today. Thomas claimed that his senses had to be satisfied before he could believe Jesus was alive. And with patient understanding and pity, Jesus provided that proof, turning doubt to faith.
The doubting spirit of Thomas is still common today. When it comes to actually putting our faith in Jesus, many refuse unless Jesus gives us evidence that we can see with out own eyes and experience with our senses. We haven’t had the privilege of seeing the glorified Jesus.Our fingers haven’t touched His hands of side. But we live by faith, not by sight.
For that reason Jesus calls us blessed. We are blessed because the power of divine grace is working and sustaining faith in our hearts through the gospel. The gospel never changes. It is based on the work our Savior did some two thousand years ago, and no one can undo what He did for the world. The message of God’s love never changes. No mater how well or poorly our lives are going, God’s love remains constant. Thankfully, our faith does not rest on our senses, feelings, emotions, or reasons. These things change. Rather, our faith is created, sustained, and clings to God’s Word.
Thank God for this saving faith to see Jesus as our LORD and Savior now, so we can behold Him face to face in eternity.
Surely the Apostle Peter was speaking of us too when he wrote: “Though you have not seen Jesus, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”
God, give me the faith of a little child
Who trusts so implicitly,
Who simply and gladly believes Thy Word,
And never would question Thee.
‘FAITH SEES THINGS THAT ARE OUT OF SIGHT’
PRAY -Grant, almighty God, that we who have celebrated the mystery of the LORD’S resurrection may by the help of Your grace bring forth the fruits thereof in our life and conduct; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
The Bible is God’s given Word.
It’s often read. It’s often heard.
It’s there, for us. Lord knows we need it.
Yet many people just won’t read it.
The only Bible many see
Is what it’s done to you and me.
How our lives have been affected.
Proof of us, and God, connected.
How quickly we wander towards distractions.
Our Words mean nothing without our actions.
People watch us very closely.
For any sin! The smallest dose!
That’s why we have to have firm roots.
Take off our weathered, sinful boots.
Start walking down the paths we choose.
In Holy, Saintly, Christian shoes.
We can’t say one thing, do another.
We have to focus on our brother.
But even more, the Christ that died.
God’s hand was present! Not Jesus’ pride!
With that, I think you must agree.
The only Bible some will see.
Is the one that’s written on our face.
Proof of the Savior’s promised grace.
The world’s a stage. We have our mission.
To walk, talk and act like a Christian.
There shouldn’t be a lot of bending.
Unless, of course, you’re just pretending.
This role should be our heart’s delight.
To serve our Lord, with all of our might.
As heirs to his kingdom, let’s act that way.
So He can be proud, and proclaimed each day.
There’re many who won’t read God’s book.
Yet, we can make them take a look.
Keep in mind this dire need.
You’re the only Bible that they may read!
Thank You, For creating Me as I AM
Thank You, For feeling my feelings
Thank You, For I found you
Thank You, For your Will
Thank You, For all the joys along life’s way
Thank You, For every morning
Thank You, For making me able to serve you
Thank You, For my family
Thank You, For leading me through trials and fears
Thank You, For hope and faith
Thank You, For trust and love
Thank You, For changing my life
Thank You, For saving my soul
Thank You, For creating me whole
Thank You, For being my friend
Thank You, For speaking to me
Thank You, For watching my back
Thank You, For holding my hand
Thank You, For making me strong
Thank You, For creating Everyday Anew
Thank You, For having plan for my Life
Thank You, For hearing my voice
Thank You, For being YOU
Thank You, For accepting me as I AM
Thank You, For taking me under your wing
Thank You, For my friends
Thank You, For coming in peace
Thank You, For keeping me warm
Thank You, For your loving touch
Thank You, For your golden hand
Thank You, For your rays of hope
Thank You, For your sunny smile
Thank You, For my Home
Thank You, For giving me your voice
Thank You, For speaking through me
Thank You, For showing up every time
Thank You, For sharing your heart
Thank You, For allowing me to feel
Thank You, For I AM alive
Thank You, For breathing life in me
Thank You, For making every second count
Thank You, For creating Everyday the beginning
Thank You, For Your Blessings
One of my favorite songs! I can not listen to it enough.
