The Lord is risen. Hallelujah!
Just last Friday, with the crucifixion and death of our Lord Jesus, we faced seeming defeat, and darkness was over the whole land (Lk 23:44). Grief filled our hearts. Hope for a better future seemed gone.
Then yesterday everything was quiet. The frenzy of the other day had gone. Grief remained in our hearts. We contemplated what had happened, and we thought about what was to come. We took comfort in Jesus’ words about resurrection, about new life, about his deep love for us, that led him to offer his life on the cross. But still, he was gone.
But today … The stone has been rolled away! The tomb is empty! And the most incredible news: Jesus is risen! He is alive! He has been raised from the dead. And suddenly we remembered his words, that he would be crucified but rise on the third day (Lk 24:7-8). Still we were incredulous. Peter had to see for himself. He went home amazed at what had happened (Lk 24:12).
We too are amazed.
What great love God has for us, to sacrifice His own Son who died a horrible death, to redeem us from our sins! If God has done this for us, can we do less than offer back the totality of our life to Him?
What great power God has, to conquer death, darkness and Satan! If this is the God whom we serve, can anything, by His grace and power, be impossible in the mission He tasks us to accomplish?
What great mystery this has all been! I cannot begin to comprehend the height or depth of God’s workings among men. I am a wretched sinner, who sent Jesus to the cross. I repent in dust and ashes. I am unworthy. I am humbled.
But such is the greatness of God’s love. Jesus died for me, even when I rejected him. The Father wants to take me back to Himself, worm that I am. The Spirit empowers me to proclaim this good news of salvation in Jesus, even as I continue to sin and fail God.
Who is like thee, O Lord! Great and wonderful are you. And we are your servants. Our lives belong to you. We will serve you until the end of time.
The Lord is risen! Let all the earth, and the heavens as well, praise and glorify Him.
Happy Easter. God bless you all.
frank
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Worthy Brief - 3/21/2008
CFC, be an Encourager!
1 Cor 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
A survey asked mothers to keep track of how many times they made both negative and positive comments to their children. The surveyed mothers admitted that they criticized at least ten times for every one time they said something favorable. Another survey taken in one city's schools found that the teachers were negative seventy five per cent of the time. This study concluded that it takes four positive statements to a child from a parent or teacher to offset the effects of one negative statement. Wow, when I think about how many times I've said negative things to people in my lifetime, I have some positive paying back to do!
Many times we justify our criticizing, hurtful words and actions by thinking we're right in a matter. But, in fact, the only one who's all right is the Lord! And He has called us to be the encouragers of the world! We have the gift of God residing within us, and we are ambassadors of the His love. We need to constantly remind ourselves to operate under that love in every circumstance - even the most difficult!
CFC, when we find ourselves getting ready to criticize, let's strive to stop in our tracks and say something encouraging instead -- not only to the world around us but to ourselves!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Currently in Pittsburgh, PA
<
1 Cor 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
A survey asked mothers to keep track of how many times they made both negative and positive comments to their children. The surveyed mothers admitted that they criticized at least ten times for every one time they said something favorable. Another survey taken in one city's schools found that the teachers were negative seventy five per cent of the time. This study concluded that it takes four positive statements to a child from a parent or teacher to offset the effects of one negative statement. Wow, when I think about how many times I've said negative things to people in my lifetime, I have some positive paying back to do!
Many times we justify our criticizing, hurtful words and actions by thinking we're right in a matter. But, in fact, the only one who's all right is the Lord! And He has called us to be the encouragers of the world! We have the gift of God residing within us, and we are ambassadors of the His love. We need to constantly remind ourselves to operate under that love in every circumstance - even the most difficult!
CFC, when we find ourselves getting ready to criticize, let's strive to stop in our tracks and say something encouraging instead -- not only to the world around us but to ourselves!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Currently in Pittsburgh, PA
<
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Worthy Brief - 3/11/2008
CFC, relax!
Matthew 8:26-27 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Whew! What must the disciples have felt back then as they saw the waves crashing against their boat? They we're being swayed from side to side in the deep dark sea. They were afraid for their lives! But our Lord was there all along. He just wanted them to trust.
So often we find ourselves in that same boat, don't we? "Lord, are you there?! Don't you see these waves about to consume me?!
But He does! He sees all, hears all, knows all. He is the same Lord that calmed that storm two thousand years ago and He can cause the winds and the seas, and the trials of our lives to become calm in an instant! Ahh, but it's usually in the storms that He will display His awesome power!
CFC, let's renew our trust in the Lord today. God has great plans for those who will put their trust in Him.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Currently in Orlando, FL
Matthew 8:26-27 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Whew! What must the disciples have felt back then as they saw the waves crashing against their boat? They we're being swayed from side to side in the deep dark sea. They were afraid for their lives! But our Lord was there all along. He just wanted them to trust.
So often we find ourselves in that same boat, don't we? "Lord, are you there?! Don't you see these waves about to consume me?!
But He does! He sees all, hears all, knows all. He is the same Lord that calmed that storm two thousand years ago and He can cause the winds and the seas, and the trials of our lives to become calm in an instant! Ahh, but it's usually in the storms that He will display His awesome power!
CFC, let's renew our trust in the Lord today. God has great plans for those who will put their trust in Him.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Currently in Orlando, FL
Monday, March 10, 2008
Worthy Brief - 3/10/2008
CFC, become spiritually disciplined!
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
A foreign soldier was brought before his commanding officer and accused of communicating with the enemy. He had been seen emerging from an area where their troops were known to patrol. The poor man summed up his defense in a few words, stating that he had slipped away to spend an hour alone in prayer. "Have you been in the habit of spending an hour in private prayer?" demanded the officer. "Yes, Sir," he replied. "Well" said his commander, "never in your life have you been in more need of prayer than right now. Kneel down and pray aloud so that we all may hear you."
Expecting cruel punishment, maybe even death, the soldier dropped to his knees and poured out his heart to God. His prayer revealed a deep intimacy with God. His earnest fluency, humble appeal for divine intervention, and very evident trust in one who was strong to deliver, told without a doubt that he came regularly to the throne of grace.
"You are free to go," said the officer. "No one could have prayed that way without a long apprenticeship -- soldiers who never attend drill are always ill at ease for the review."
I heard a statistic not long ago, that the average Christian only spends about seven minutes a day in prayer. We need to practice prayer in our lives that we may be able to endure when trials come our way and stand strong against the enemy and his tactics!
CFC, let's ask the Lord to help us become disciplined in this area today. There's so much work to be done!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Currently in Tampa Bay, FL>
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
A foreign soldier was brought before his commanding officer and accused of communicating with the enemy. He had been seen emerging from an area where their troops were known to patrol. The poor man summed up his defense in a few words, stating that he had slipped away to spend an hour alone in prayer. "Have you been in the habit of spending an hour in private prayer?" demanded the officer. "Yes, Sir," he replied. "Well" said his commander, "never in your life have you been in more need of prayer than right now. Kneel down and pray aloud so that we all may hear you."
Expecting cruel punishment, maybe even death, the soldier dropped to his knees and poured out his heart to God. His prayer revealed a deep intimacy with God. His earnest fluency, humble appeal for divine intervention, and very evident trust in one who was strong to deliver, told without a doubt that he came regularly to the throne of grace.
"You are free to go," said the officer. "No one could have prayed that way without a long apprenticeship -- soldiers who never attend drill are always ill at ease for the review."
I heard a statistic not long ago, that the average Christian only spends about seven minutes a day in prayer. We need to practice prayer in our lives that we may be able to endure when trials come our way and stand strong against the enemy and his tactics!
CFC, let's ask the Lord to help us become disciplined in this area today. There's so much work to be done!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Currently in Tampa Bay, FL>
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Worthy Brief - 3/6/2008
CFC, trust Him!
Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arm shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
A group of scientists and botanists were exploring remote regions of the Alps in search of new species of flowers. One day they noticed through binoculars a flower of such rarity and beauty that its value to science was incalculable. But it lay deep in a ravine with cliffs on both sides. To get the flower someone had to be lowered over the cliff on a rope.
A curious young boy was watching nearby, and the scientists told him they would pay him well if he would agree to be lowered over the cliff to retrieve the flower below.
The boy took one long look down the steep, dizzy depths and said, "I'll be back in a minute." A short time later he returned, followed by a gray-haired man. Approaching the botanist, the boy said, "I'll go over that cliff and get that flower for you if this man holds the rope. He's my dad."
His whole assurance was based in the fact that his father was trustworthy.
CFC, our Heavenly Father wants us to place our entire trust in Him and is pleased to show His faithfulness, we can trust Him to hold us even when it seems we are on the very edge!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Currently in Thomasville, GA travelling to Tampa Bay, FL
Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arm shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
A group of scientists and botanists were exploring remote regions of the Alps in search of new species of flowers. One day they noticed through binoculars a flower of such rarity and beauty that its value to science was incalculable. But it lay deep in a ravine with cliffs on both sides. To get the flower someone had to be lowered over the cliff on a rope.
A curious young boy was watching nearby, and the scientists told him they would pay him well if he would agree to be lowered over the cliff to retrieve the flower below.
The boy took one long look down the steep, dizzy depths and said, "I'll be back in a minute." A short time later he returned, followed by a gray-haired man. Approaching the botanist, the boy said, "I'll go over that cliff and get that flower for you if this man holds the rope. He's my dad."
His whole assurance was based in the fact that his father was trustworthy.
CFC, our Heavenly Father wants us to place our entire trust in Him and is pleased to show His faithfulness, we can trust Him to hold us even when it seems we are on the very edge!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Currently in Thomasville, GA travelling to Tampa Bay, FL
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Worthy Brief -3/5/2008
CFC, how are your clothes fitting?
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
As we seek to serve the Lord, we need to love to eat His word. We need to be in a place where we can't get enough time with the Lord, worshipping Him, studying, praying fervently! We want to outgrow our spiritual clothes!
We have been given a calling by the Lord which seems all too huge -- clothes too big! We are called to be part of a royal priesthood, set a good example to the world around us, love our neighbor as ourselves, share the good news of Messiah, and later to sit at the Lord's right hand and rule with Him! I would say that those are big clothes to fit, but this is the Lord just showing us that we need to grow into our calling -- we need to grow into our royal positions! These tasks may seem too large for us but the Lord wants us to grow into the ministry He is calling us to!
CFC, don't worry if your clothes seem to large now. Spend time in prayer and worship -- leave sin and the power of sin over your life behind you -- be filled in His power to live out your calling. You will soon fill the clothes that He has prepared for you! There's so much work to be done!
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
As we seek to serve the Lord, we need to love to eat His word. We need to be in a place where we can't get enough time with the Lord, worshipping Him, studying, praying fervently! We want to outgrow our spiritual clothes!
We have been given a calling by the Lord which seems all too huge -- clothes too big! We are called to be part of a royal priesthood, set a good example to the world around us, love our neighbor as ourselves, share the good news of Messiah, and later to sit at the Lord's right hand and rule with Him! I would say that those are big clothes to fit, but this is the Lord just showing us that we need to grow into our calling -- we need to grow into our royal positions! These tasks may seem too large for us but the Lord wants us to grow into the ministry He is calling us to!
CFC, don't worry if your clothes seem to large now. Spend time in prayer and worship -- leave sin and the power of sin over your life behind you -- be filled in His power to live out your calling. You will soon fill the clothes that He has prepared for you! There's so much work to be done!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Unemployed Graduate
An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was P50. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.
He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket.
With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin.
The young graduate said to them "you need the prayer more than I do".
With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.
He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.
By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.
This is what the note said: "You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin" Signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30
Have you given all to Jesus Christ? If you haven`t, do so today a! nd he wi ll surprise you.
He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket.
With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin.
The young graduate said to them "you need the prayer more than I do".
With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.
He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.
By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.
This is what the note said: "You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin" Signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30
Have you given all to Jesus Christ? If you haven`t, do so today a! nd he wi ll surprise you.
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