Rescued and Redeemed!

A poodle named Maddy, a cat named Sammy, and a cockatiel named Andy! So what, you say! Well here is the story, Maddy was found along side of the road and taken to the animal shelter, her time would have been up on Monday, we rescued her on Saturday. Sammy was not a life or death matter, but he needed a home. Andy was the bird that never went home, thanks to my daughter, she just decided I would be a better "mom" to him. Now we already had another little poodle, Bailey, but we picked him. They all had different needs and some of their circumstances were quite serious. But they all needed someone to "save" them. Now do you see where I am headed? It sounds like us doesn't it? We are all headed for death and destruction unless someone comes to our rescue. I hope you aren't getting tired of me always talking about Gods' plan, but I have to repeat it again. God did have a plan, if He hadn't, we would be hopeless. He sent His one and only Son to die for our sins, so that we could have life and have it more abundantly! Maybe you know someone that needs God to rescue them! Reach out to them, be aware of their needs and pray for them, God is faithful when we bring our hearts desire to Him. Remember the most important thing to God is "People" What would happen to you, if you had not been rescued?

Praying for our Families!

As I have been studying this past week about Easter, there has been more of a burden in my heart for unsaved family and friends. We are in the greatest battle of our time! Let's start in the beginning and see if we can make sense of what this is about. God had a plan that was put in motion when sin entered the Garden of Eden. When the devil lied, deception happened, When the forbidden fruit was eaten, sin happened, and when Adam blamed Eve for the sin, accusation happened. All families came from this initial family, so we see a pattern developing for us. That is why we needed a Savior, we were cut off from Gods intended blessings! Was that the end? of course not! There is no member of our family who is beyond the promises of God's word. Because of Jesus we have hope! We are to lay hold of these promises knowing that God is faithful! Let's turn into knee soldiers with faith-filled prayers believing that what God said, He would do! We need to keep praying the cords of bondage will be cut away, and that light will come to their eyes. To break through the darkness and claim this deliverance is this battle. Ephesians 6:12 says "Brothers, we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against host of evil spirits in the invisible realm". It is time to pray and call upon God, heavens powers will be unleashed, and our loved ones will be saved.

Just Ask for Wisdom!

In 2 Samuel 16:10-12 tells a story of King David and Shimei (who was a member of Sauls' family) He was cursing and throwing stones at him, accusing him of murdering Saul and his family. Abishai was ready to cut his head off, so in verse 10: "No" the king said, "What am I going to do with you sons of Zeruiah! if the Lord has told him to curse me, who am I to stop him?" Then David said to Abishai and the other officers, "My own son is trying to kill me, Shouldn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it, verse 12: And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses." What does this mean? "the Lord has told him to do it", why didn't he resist? isn't it human nature to resort to, "let me cut his head off", so why was King David not "resisting"? Do you think he said "I am going to accept this, God, I don't understand what you are trying to tell me," do you think he prayed for wisdom? Everything that happens to us is Father Filtered! Our acceptance of what we are going through will bring Gods' wisdom! When we resist we can become offended with God! What if the only way blessings could come is by accepting this as part of Gods' plan for our life! (Now I am not talking about disease or sickness! our salvation, healing, and our peace was all taken care of on the cross) these are things that come at us, things we don't understand. Ask God for wisdom, don't bury your head in the sand, don't resist, just ask God "What are you trying to tell me?" Accept this as part of the plan He has for your life and expect God to speak to you, be patient and persevere!

Easter Sunday!

Even though it is raining here this morning, the importance of this day is not hampered. This is an amazing day! Christians from all over the world will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus! I am overcome with emotion as I try to relate the message of what He did for mankind! God gave the greatest sacrifice of all time, His only son,Jesus Christ! There is no other way for our sins to be covered except by the blood of one who was spotless and without sin. Jesus was willing to die for us so we could be saved! I believe that the term "saved" is used rather loosely, but I challenge you this week to look up the meaning and really ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of what Jesus did for us. It is overwhelming! Have a Blessed day, and remember the resurrection!

Good Friday!

Good Friday! How can a day that was focused on so much pain and suffering be referred to as good? It is very hard to really think about all that Jesus went through. I remember when "The Passion of the Christ" movie came out, I was shocked! You know it is one thing to know something, but to see it and experience the emotions that go with it was overwhelming! fast forwarding was the only way I could get through it and the rating was appropriate, it was violent! It was heartbreaking to know Jesus suffered like He did, and that we are the reason for it all. But we must never stop there in our minds, we need to go on and remember what was accomplished. If Jesus had not died for us, there would be no other way to have our sins forgiven, no peace, no healing. He made it possible for us today to have victory. The resurrection was real! God is real! Jesus is real! the Holy Spirit is real! So as we reflect on "Good Friday", (it really was) just remember there would be no hope for us, if it hadn't happened! Have a Blessed Holiday weekend!

Easter Dresses!

Two of them, just alike. Our mother always made us a new dress for Easter and we were so excited, I think we were like 6 and 8. Today was Easter Sunday and we was going to my uncles house. My favorite cousins, 5 of us girls all about the same age. It had been an exciting morning, mother had to go milk the cow, and my shoes needed polishing. (Oh my, it still makes me shudder even now) I already had on my new dress, but those shoes just needed a little more white on them. What was wrong with that lid I don't know, but the next thing changed the whole day for me. That lid came flying off and that white stuff went all over my dress. Now what, so best as I could figure out, I just needed to wash it out, so I ran to get the washpan and did get most of it out, but now it needed to be dried, so I just figured if I stood in front of the stove, it would dry. I guess I got a little to close and now I had a bigger problem. About that time mother appeared at the door. Well, the look on her face was about the same as mine, just a few minutes earlier, and by the way, my little sister was no help either, she was just waiting to see what would happen. There wasn't any time to do anything, but get in the car and leave. Thank goodness, one of my cousins had a dress that fit me, so by the time we got to church everything had settled down. This week as I am studying about Easter, memories have also flooded my mind, this being one of them. I got to thinking about that stained dress, my mothers reaction and how even a bad situation turned out ok and by the way the polish did wash out. We are so like that dress, stained with sin, needed to somehow be cleaned up. Isn't that what Jesus did for us on the cross? He took it all and washed it white as snow with His own blood. Now when God looks at us, all he sees is us being clean, a covering that only Jesus could provide. What a wonderful feeling to know we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. As we go through the rest of this week, please remember the greatest sacrifice ever made, and who it was made for!

The Biggest Event of All!

Have you ever thought about things that happened before a big event? Maybe it was your high school graduation, or when you were married, or a trip on a cruise ship, it was a big deal wasn't it? Seems like everything had to happen exactly on schedule and everyone involved had a part. Well, this week as I am studying about Easter, I can see the plan unfolding for the greatest event that ever took place. All the people involved with Jesus, the ones who knew Him and loved Him, and the ones who hated Him, were a part of Gods' plan for mankind. All of them had questions about Him, but only He and His Father knew the whole truth. From the beginning God had a plan for us, a plan to redeem us from the curse, a plan to set us free and a plan for eternity! What mercy and grace have been extended to us. As you read this week and attend your church service, please remember what a tremendous sacrifice that was made for us. Only the shedding of blood from our Savior could wash away our sins and only Jesus could make a way for God's plan to be fulfilled!