Can you imagine not being able to feel the presence of God and feeling abandonment? The story of the crucifixion always has me in tears because I can’t ever comprehend just the amount of love this act took. I cry every time I get to the verse Matthew 27:46 when Jesus cries out saying My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Jesus in this moment is having to go through the agony of separation from God because He is carrying the sins of the world through His sacrifice. I never want to take for granted the pain and suffering that Jesus went through for me. Because of His great act of love for us we are given the gift of salvation if we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ. Each and every one of you are given the opportunity to live eternally in Heaven with the Father. The alternative is eternal separation and eternity in hell. Don’t let this gift pass you by.
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One of my favorite Bible stories is Esther. I have often pondered could I be as brave as she was? In this passage a wicked man Haman has devised a plan to rid the kingdom of Jews all because his pride was hurt. After some correspondence with Mordecai, he tries to encourage her telling her that she may have been placed in this exact situation to be the one to rescue her people. Every time I read the book of Esther I can see more and more how God is behind the scenes working everything out just so. This was His divine plan. In 4:16 the line that always sticks out to me is… and if I perish, I perish. Esther was willing to risk her life to save her people. In my Bible it explains that we may not ever be faced with saving God’s people from total eradication, however, we all encounter situations that God placed us specifically to carry something out for Him. Spend time in God’s presence, listen for His voice, and act in obedience with His will. He has given us each a purpose and a path we are to follow, so live for God.
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There is absolutely no one that values life more than God. Every single one of us is precious and valuable in His eyes. He breathes the breath of life into each of us. Psalm 139:13-14 tells us that God covered us in our mother’s womb and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that He knew us before we were formed in the womb. This should make you feel so much love. Our Creator took the time to create each and every aspect that makes you unique. He thought the world needed you and has given each of us a purpose. Never think that you don’t matter because you do. Your Heavenly Father loves you unconditionally even if you think that no one else cares. God is always there for you.
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Jesus came and carried your sins and shame for you to the cross. He died for you so you could be saved. Get your life right before the door shuts.
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I saw a post online that says the closer you get to God the weirder you will seem. It stated that the enemy’s strategy is simple make sin look normal and righteousness look weird. I want you guys to remember we are called to live differently. This place is just temporary for believers, our citizenship is in Heaven. Anytime light and truth are present you will make evil and darkness uncomfortable. Matthew 6:24 tells us that we cannot serve two masters. You love one and hate the other. It states we cannot serve God and money. You cannot have one foot in God’s camp and one foot in the world. Our enemy owns that fence, so don’t get distracted and the door shut and you be eternally cut off from God. The enemy is gonna try everything he can to make the things of this world look pretty and comforting. This is a lie! Matthew 16: 26 asks us what will we profit if we gain the whole world, but we lose our soul. And the most haunting question, what are you willing to exchange your soul for? What do you count as success? The enemy will tell you that it is fame, fortune, and pleasure. As believers success should be that our name is in the Lamb’s book of life and being apart of furthering the kingdom. The enemy doesn’t get a second chance and wants to drag as many people down as he can. Don’t be apart of that group. Live for God. Be a light so bright others want to know Jesus and how to get to Heaven. Change your perspective of success. Only God’s opinion matters. No one else’s will ever hold any merit.
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Luke 15:11-32 tells us about a younger son who asks for his inheritance and leaves his father. This son immediately squanders it and ends up being a servant for someone else. He eventually comes to the conclusion that he would be better off as a servant for his father and still be well taken care of. When this younger son sees his father he tells him he has sinned and is not worthy to be called his son. But the father welcomes the son with open arms and tells his servant to bring the finest robes and to ready a party for him. Can you imagine how scared this son was to return, admit his wrong, and ask for forgiveness? But we see the father welcome him back no problem. Guys this is our relationship with God. We may mess up and think we know better, but God is waiting for you with open arms when you return. Later in this passage we see the elder brother and he basically says its not fair, but the father explains that the son has everything the father does. The father also tells the eldest that the other brother was lost but now is found and it should be a happy occasion. Earlier this week I saw a clip of a preacher asking how different would it have been had the younger brother ran into the eldest brother on the way home. That hit hard because I have a similar situation and I don’t always have the father’s perspective in the story. This same preacher said don’t be the reason they don’t come back. Our opinion on what should happen doesn’t matter only God’s opinion does, and He wants all of his sheep to return. Never think you are too far gone to be apart of God’s family. Jesus died for you so through him you can be reconciled to God. Run!!! Run back to your Father’s arms!!!
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Anyone that knows me knows that I am very introverted and never want to put myself out there. So when my husband got out of the army and we decided to go back to church; we kept hearing how important it was to be apart of a connect group. My natural response to this was a hard no because I didn’t need anyone in my circle. I didn’t like the idea of having to speak and being scrutinized for not knowing anything. But then my husband and I wanted to join the church, and the same day the pastor takes us to a connect group and just leaves. My immediate thought was well I guess were doing this, and point taken God. That same day I am being asked to join a bible study and I just jumped right in. Let me tell you that it was the best thing that God took my hand and plopped me right where I needed to be. Since then I have made some of the best friends. I think the most helpful part that I got from this was having a group of prayer warriors. It honestly feels like you have a weight lifted off of you nowing you have others going to bat for you. In Mark 2:1-12 we are told about a group of friends that carries a man with palsy, somehow gets him on a roof, tears the roof open, and plops him right in front of Jesus. This passage tells us that Jesus saw their faith and told the man he was healed. Do you have an inner circle willling to do all of that for you? The environment we put ourselves in and the things that we feed our soul show others what we tuly live for. Create a community that helps carry your burdens and hold you accountable when needed. I encourage you to find you a group of friends that are willing to tear off a roof and plop you right where you need to be.
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While I was online the other day I saw a post that said the test of loving like Christ is not loving Jesus, but loving Judas. I personally felt very convicted because I have been in situations where I had so much bitterness towards a person I think my face and tone probably gave it all away even though I told myself I was being better to them then they had been to me. I had never really thought about it before that even though Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, Jesus still broke bread with him and washed his feet. It’s hard to think about the hurt someone caused you and still not condemn them for it but show kindness. Matthew 5:44 Jesus commands us to love our enemies, bless them that curse us, be good to them that hate us, and pray for them that use and persecute us. This is very hard to wrap my human brain around, but if Jesus was willing to lay His life down to give everyone a second chance, well then I guess I should be willing to show people grace and love as well. Also along those lines it is very easy to get along with people that have the same views as us, however, we are called to teach the gospel and reach those that don’t. Matthew 5:46 says that if we love those who love us what is our reward? I hope that as we grow with our faith that we all shine our light bright enough that it brings all kinds of people wanting to know what makes us different. Jesus. Show compassion, love, and grace because that is what Jesus did for you when He took your place on the cross
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His life for mine
If you died today do you know where you would spend eternity? John 14:6 Jesus states that He is the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Him. No one can enter into the kingdom unless you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God our Creator never meant for us to be separated from Him, however, sin entered into the world. God then sent his only Son to be the perfect sacrifice to save the world from eternal separation. Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose three days later defeating death. Isaiah 53:5 states that he was wounded for our transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Can you imagine loving the world so much you endure excruciating pain and being mocked to reconcile the relationship between God and the believer? Romans 10:9 states that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is our Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead then we shall be saved. So to be saved you are to admit you are a sinner, ask for forgiveness for your sins, and surrender your life to Jesus Christ. This is truly the best gift you could ever receive. Let’s make Heaven crowded. The Lord is knocking and asking to be a part of your life.
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FaithfullyFiredUp 