John 3:16 ERV; Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.

I John 3:16 ERV; This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for each other as brothers and sisters.

Look at what I found! Another treasure in the Word this morning. We’re all familiar with John 3:16, but how about I John 3:16. The first showed the love of God given to us, the second reminds us of the gift and that we should give our lives for others. I wonder if the writer knew they would break both those books down to chapter and verse and how they would play out? Probably not, but I’m sure God did.

My take from this is that Jesus as always, is our example. What he did, we are to do also. He was the ground breaker, the path forger, the one who went before us, the firstborn of many brothers. If we don’t know him, how can we possibly follow his example? It’s not enough to just be a Christian and go to heaven. His plan was to take many with him, and although he is the way to the Father, we are to be a light for others to want to follow.

Love is an action. You can’t just say it, you must also do it. The action in these verses show a sacrificial life of love. That’s to love even though it’s not reciprocated. To be the first to love and the last to love. To take love to a ‘whole nutha level’! Not as the world loves, but as only God can love. When was the last time you loved like that? I Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.  Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it.  Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth.  Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.”

Father, I thank you the love I experience each day with you. So often I screw up and get it wrong, but there you are, patiently showing me a better way. How sweet of you to send your Holy Spirit to help me love, to remind me to submit to your way of loving, unconditionally and completely. May my life do what it is suppose to do; stay in the background with your love in front. I surrender to this life of love. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 20:19 ERV; “They will hand him over to the foreigners, who will laugh at him and beat him with whips, and then they will kill him on a cross. But on the third day after his death, he will be raised to life again.”

As I read this verse, I asked the Lord what the significance of the ‘third day’ was and looked up the significance of the number ‘3’ in the bible. What I found was extremely interesting so I thought I’d share:

THREE:  In sacred Scripture the number three represents that which is solid, real, substantial, and something in its completeness.  This number usually indicates something of importance or significance in God’s plan of salvation by identifying an important event in Salvation History.  This number operates as a “sign-post” in Scripture study for the reader to “pay attention” to the significance of the next event.

Notice that it is a sign-post to pay attention to the significance of the next event. What followed the third day? One would say the resurrection! After all, Jesus completed his mission. He took back the title deed to the earth from satan. Took the keys of death, hell and the grave (another 3), and gave the authority back to man. WOW! We really should pay attention to the significance of that. We need to stand in our rightful place, the place of ownership that was first given to Adam, and reign in the victory that Jesus stepped out of the grave with.

But I believe the most important event following the third day was the Holy Spirit, the third person of the God-head. He was the gift of God to help us, counsel us and lead us into all truth, Extremely misunderstood, the prayer language of the Spirit that was poured out on the day of Pentecost has been under attack since the day it happened. Great persecution of the church. Many say it ‘passed’ with the apostles, but they are so wrong. This wonderful gift was given to all who would receive Him. Just as Jesus was rejected by the religious, so the Holy Spirit has been rejected by much of the church. Why? Because once again, satan doesn’t want us to walk in victory. He doesn’t want us to walk in the healing provided on the cross.

Oh Spirit of God, take your place in me! I give you freedom to reign in my life. Thank you for revealing to me the plan and purpose of God in this beautiful number ‘3’. You are the gift Jesus gave when he left the earth so that we’d never be alone and we’d always have a teacher. You cause me to grow in wisdom and favor with God and man. I’m so thankful that you’ve given me a language that prays the perfect will of the Father directly from my heart to His, without even fully understanding what it is. I ask that Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on this earth, just as it is in Heaven. That you would give me this day, the daily bread of your Word. That it would satisfy my life with good things so that my youth is renewed like the eagles. It’s in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen

Matthew 20:17-19 ERV; Jesus was going to Jerusalem. His twelve followers were with him. While they were walking, he gathered the followers together and spoke to them privately. He said to them, “We are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the leading priests and the teachers of the law, and they will say he must die. They will hand him over to the foreigners, who will laugh at him and beat him with whips, and then they will kill him on a cross. But on the third day after his death, he will be raised to life again.”

As I’m reading this passage where Jesus told his disciples what was getting ready to happen, I’m always amazed that they were taken off guard when it actually did happen. But what I’m taking away with me today is the fact that Jesus knew. He knew what was going to happen before it did. You might say, “Well of course he did, he was the son of God so he knew everything.” I disagree. You see, Jesus became like us in every way. He grew up hearing the stories of his conception from his mother, so he believed he was the son of God, but I’m sure satan was right there trying to convince him otherwise. He had to learn to cultivate his ability to tune into the Spirit of God just as we do.

Jesus cleared a path for us to the Father. I John 4:17 says, “If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus.”

Did you see that? We are like Jesus in this world. A light in the darkness. Healing the sick, raising the dead should be a common occurrence for us. Going about doing good and healing all who are oppressed should be as normal as breathing. Communing with our Father all day, everyday, should be second nature to our spirits. We should know things! We should not be surprised at anything! We should clearly hear what Gods plans are for our future. If we don’t, perhaps it’s time to clean out our ears of all the noise pollution around us and tune into the Holy Spirit and see what God wants to do in and through us today.

Father, thank you for this reminder today. Every morning, I take a Q-tip to my ears so there won’t be wax in the way of my natural hearing. Today, I clear out my ears so that I can hear your sweet voice. No distractions to my eye-gates or my ear-gates. It’s just You and me sitting on my balcony this morning in the dark. I’m just wanting you to know how much I love you. I want to thank you for the gift your Son gave to me, allowing me to come sit on your lap, hug on your neck and whisper my love in your ear. I may not be much in the flesh, but in the Spirit, I’m Yours. You have my ear this morning, Lord. As I go out into the world today, I know you accompany me. When I declare Your Word, You back me up. It’s who You are in me. I will never cease to give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen

Psalm 14:2 ERV, The Lord looks down from heaven to see if there is anyone who is wise, anyone who looks to him for help.

So God equates wisdom with those who look to him for help. Those of us who look to men or ourselves for help, we must be very foolish. “I’ve got this!” or “I don’t need anyones help!” have got to be phrases that make God shake his head. I know that I’ve said these things! Regrettably, there have been many times that I’ve dove into the shallow end of the pool with a deep dive, injuring myself and others around me.

When Davids son, Solomon wrote Proverbs, the emphasis was to seek wisdom above all things. Who knew that wisdom was merely looking to God? Read this passage from Proverbs 1:22-32:

“Fools, how long will you love being ignorant? How long will you make fun of wisdom? How long will you hate knowledge?  I wanted to tell you everything I knew and give you all my knowledge, but you didn’t listen to my advice and teaching.

“I tried to help, but you refused to listen. I offered my hand, but you turned away from me.  You ignored my advice and refused to be corrected.  So I will laugh at your troubles and make fun of you when what you fear happens.  Disasters will strike you like a storm. Problems will pound you like a strong wind. Trouble and misery will weigh you down.

“Fools will call for me, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me.  That is because they hated knowledge. They refused to fear and respect the Lord.  They ignored my advice and refused to be corrected.  They filled their lives with what they wanted. They went their own way, so they will get what they deserve.

“Fools die because they refuse to follow wisdom. They are content to follow their foolish ways, and that will destroy them.  But those who listen to me will live in safety and comfort. They will have nothing to fear.”

When I read this, I saw something that had escaped me before; when disaster strikes us like a storm,  problems pound us like strong wind and trouble and misery weigh us down, it’s merely the Father trying to reach us and teach us to call on Him. Most of us only call on him when we’re desperate. A plea for help from a sinking ship. But wise is the child who asks, ‘How should I pursue? What do you think I should do?’ There is wisdom in calling out to God before the ship sinks and all is lost.

Father, I don’t know where I would be if I had not learned to call on you. Probably on some remote island, waiting for my ship to come in and rescue me. I know that I am not wise, but you are, and I’ve learned to come boldly to your throne of grace to obtain understanding. I’m thankful that at an early age, I learned to listen to your still small voice. I may be directionally challenged at times, but you’re so patient with me, teaching me to walk with you and talk with you and allow you to direct my steps. There’s no one I’d rather be with then you and you are with me always. I speak peace into the lives of each person reading this post today. May you be to them the kind and loving Father you are to me. It’s in the name of your precious Son I ask this, Amen

“Fools die because they refuse to follow wisdom. They are content to follow their foolish ways, and that will destroy them. ³³ But those who listen to me will live in safety and comfort. They will have nothing to fear.”

Isaiah 53:7-12 ERV,  He was treated badly, but he never protested. He said nothing, like a lamb being led away to be killed. He was like a sheep that makes no sound as its wool is being cut off. He never opened his mouth to defend himself.  He was taken away by force and judged unfairly. The people of his time did not even notice that he was killed. But he was put to death for the sins of his people.  He had done no wrong to anyone. He had never even told a lie. But he was buried among the wicked. His tomb was with the rich.  But the Lord was pleased with this humble servant who suffered such pain. Even after giving himself as an offering for sin, he will see his descendants and enjoy a long life. He will succeed in doing what theLord wanted.  After his suffering he will see the light, and he will be satisfied with what he experienced. The Lord says, “My servant, who always does what is right, will make his people right with me; he will take away their sins.  For this reason, I will treat him as one of my great people. I will give him the rewards of one who wins in battle, and he will share them with his powerful ones. I will do this because he gave his life for the people. He was considered a criminal, but the truth is, he carried away the sins of many. Now he will stand before me and speak for those who have sinned.”

It always fascinated me that Isaiah so accurately told of the death and resurrection of Jesus so many years prior to it happening. It’s amazing to me what one can hear when they spend time listening to the voice of God. It wasn’t just to the prophets of old, it is for us also. It was the purpose of Jesus’ death to carry away all the sins of the world and put us in right standing with God, so that we could once again commune with Father God.  Ever since Adam was separated by the sin of disobedience, so the obedience of the one man, Jesus Christ, drew us back to that place of intimate fellowship again.

What a price He paid. It’s like someone purchased a perfect, very expensive gift for us and we’ve placed it carelessly on a shelf to collect dust, not realizing that it contains everything we need for life. Healing is found there. Peace is found there. Joy is found there. Complete love, found there. Prosperity, wisdom, favor, you name it, it’s all in that one gift. You can throw away all the other ‘things’ you’ve accumulated in your lifetime and take the gift of God, open it up, use it daily and your life will be changed forever.

Father, I love that I can come to you at anytime, anywhere and you bring such sweet fellowship. My life is complete in you. I don’t need a man, money or fame to be satisfied because my soul is satisfied in you. You know me because you made me, and having made me, you know what I need. I’m thankful that you complete me and completely satisfy me with good things. I always look forward to these times when I can ask you questions and you give me answers or show me where to find them. I love you Lord. Thank you for your sacrifice. For the pain you bore, the humiliation and shame, the things you endured so that I could be adopted into the family and enjoy family dinners with you. My soul delights itself in you forever. It’s in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Jeremiah 29:11-14, I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.  Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.  I will let you find me.” This message is from the Lord. “And I will bring you back from your captivity. I forced you to leave this place. But I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have sent you,” says the Lord, “and I will bring you back to this place.”

Yesterday while I was cleaning the condo we’ll move into tomorrow, I received a message from a dear sister in the Lord and former manager of mine. She wrote, “Hi Sandy – Just wanted you to know that I started praying for you a few minutes ago and the words “God is the God of Better Plans” came out of my mouth. I wonder if God is saying he has better plans for you than what you were hoping for?” Can I just tell you that those words echoed deep in my spirit all night long. ‘God is the God of Better Plans!’

Sometimes your circumstances don’t line up with the vision or dream God has given you. Sometimes your dreams are so dead that you bury it in the ground and have a funeral session over it. But let me tell you what God says in John 12:24; “It is a fact that a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die before it can grow and produce much more wheat. If it never dies, it will never be more than a single seed.”

You may have buried your dream, but God knows where it’s buried. He has not forgotten you at all, he is merely giving it a chance to grow. This is where you must trust him to keep what you’ve committed to him. This is where you trust the soil it’s planted in to produce a ‘miracle grow’, bumper crop. The fertilizer (words) you use will either kill it, or cause it to yield 100 fold return. Watch what you say during this season. Keep your eyes on God and speak what he says, do what he tells you to do, go where he tells you to go. There’s purpose in everything, even when it makes absolutely no sense at all.

Oh Father, I’m so excited for what I don’t yet see. My dreams are so small and yours are so big. Help me to get on board with your plan, to jump up in your lap and allow you to open the eyes of my understanding. Give me clarity of thought and purpose. Help me to stay on task and not allow discouragement or doubt to drain my soil of nutrients needed for growth. It’s in the hands of the Master Gardener that I commit my hopes and dreams, and in the mighty Name of Jesus I trust, Amen

Psalm 3 NLV, O Lord, how many are they who hate me! How many rise up against me!  Many are saying of me, “There is no help for him in God.”  But You, O Lord, are a covering around me, my shining-greatness, and the One Who lifts my head.  I was crying to the Lord with my voice. And He answered me from His holy mountain.  I lay down and slept, and I woke up again, for the Lord keeps me safe.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who stand all around against me.  Rise up, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For You have hit on the face all those who hate me, and you have broken the teeth of the sinful.  It is You Who saves, O Lord. May You bring happiness to Your people.

There is nothing like betrayal, but betrayal by ones own son, that is so heart wrenching. David penned this prayer after his son Absalom, took over his kingdom and sent David and his followers into exile. Can you imagine? It’s bad enough he had to leave, but it was his own flesh and blood that turned the hearts of the people away from him. Do you see what David did? He spoke with God. In all of his battles, in all of his troubles, his heart was trained to turn to God.

How is your heart trained? Do you spend more time complaining about the problem or do you just hand it off to the problem solver? David acknowledged his pain and sorrow, but he refused to stay there. He knew the Lord heard him and he knew that God would answer. His confidence had been tried and tested from the time he was a shepherd in the valley facing the lion and bear, to the time he chose the 5 smooth stones and killed Goliath.

David was anointed king of Israel when he was a boy, but he faced constant struggle and trials before he sat on the throne. You’d think he had proved himself when he took off the giants head, but God knew that great leaders are formed by the battles they face and win, not by learning to wield a sword. David had to develop his listening skills, and that only came from spending time alone with the Commander.

Do you know that God sees you as more than a conqueror? When he looks at you, he sees you through his son, Jesus, who is standing in front of you. You never face any battle alone. The key here is, do you know His voice? Do you follow his bizarre instructions? It doesn’t matter if it’s one thing or many, there is only one way to overcome and that’s through the blood of the Lamb and the Word of your testimony. What are you saying of your God? Are your prayers based on fear or are they based on faith.

Father, the enemy has turned me away from what you’ve given me, although this looks like a loss, you’ve turned my sorrow into joy, my mourning into dancing. No one could see the sorrow in my heart but you, for I put on my game face and my lips gave voice to the song in my heart. Just when it looked like it was over and the enemy had won, you delivered me into a place of rest and peace. Like David, I cried to you with my voice and you answered me from your throne. My heart is overjoyed! Victory belongs to the King! I give you all the glory and praise for everything you have done. it is all for you and your Kingdom, in the name of your Son, Jesus, AMEN!

I Peter 2:9-10, However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  Once you were not God’s people, but now you are. Once you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy.

Years ago, there was a movie that came out called, ‘Fifty First Dates’. Great love story about a woman who was in a bad car accident and woke up with amnesia. Her fiance had to win her love every morning because during the night her memory was erased. They eventually got married and he made a short video of her life with him, their children together, to watch each morning to catch her up to date on their life together.

I was reminded of this movie this morning because like her, we seem to forget who we are. Unless we remind ourselves we are Gods beloved and chosen people each morning, we too forget who we are and forget our purpose. We were not created to live our own life, but to live life forever building the Kingdom of God. Our purpose is to love. Our purpose is to heal the sick and raise the dead. Our purpose is to show the world what true forgiveness looks like.

There is depth to us that the world doesn’t have. We’re not suppose to fit in! We’re to be like a square peg in a round hole. II Corinthians 6:17-18 TLB says; That is why the Lord has said, “Leave them; separate yourselves from them; don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you and be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.” Love the world but don’t be like the world. Put on your robe of righteousness and show what it’s like to be changed by the love of God.

Father, I will remember who I am today; I am your daughter. You have adopted me, bought me by the blood of your son. Everything you have is mine, and everything Jesus was, I am. You have placed me high above principalities and powers, everything that tries to defeat me, you have defeated for me. No weapon formed against me will prosper and every tongue that rises against me in judgement, you will put it down. That means I’m no longer under the curse but I’m under your Love. Your love that defeated sickness and disease, lack and poverty. I am forever changed. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in me and makes alive my mortal body.

I will remember this day that I have a job to do. It’s not the job I was hired to do for man, but the job You have commissioned me for, to be a witness, a light in a dark place, a mirrored reflection of your love and power. I am plugged into you by remote access. What you say I will hear and do. I will keep my eyes on you so that what I see, I can be. It’s in Jesus’ name and for your glory. Amen.

Psalm 127:1-2 NKJV, Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Since we are the temple of the Lord, and bread is referred to as the Word of God, then the bread of sorrow must be the word of the world, or perhaps the news. When I read this verse, I think of how much we listen to the world on how to take care of our body, when the Lord made us and knows what each one of us need. How many know that mans research will only take him so far, but God can give wisdom and understanding that is way beyond what this world can offer.

The problem is this, we’d much rather someone else do the research and give us the information rather then spend time with God and get it for ourselves. This was the problem the children of Israel had with Moses in the wilderness. They wanted Moses to hear from God and spoon feed them rather then have a personal relationship with God themselves.  They grumbled about this and that, wanting what was promised without getting to know the giver.

What you habitually do, determines what you will become. If you’re in the habit of watching t.v. to catch the news each morning, you’ll begin talking about the news, believing the news, being fearful of what’s happening in the world. The first thing out of your mouth will be, “Did you see what happened last night?” You’ll be up on current events, yippee for you, but that’s just like the world.

But if you start your day with the Word of God, thinking on his promises and feeding on his faithfulness, then regardless of what you hear or what you see, you remain confident in His ability to keep you. And when the world is falling apart around you, it won’t affect you because you’ve spent time in the secret place of the most high God and no evil will come near you.

The world doesn’t need more current event reports, the world need the report of the Lord. The world needs hope, healing, deliverance, provision, peace, but we can’t give them what we don’t have.

‘Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way.’ Thank you Lord that you’ve given us a better way. Father, may I be filled with your Word and your presence so that when someone comes to me thirsty, I can draw from the deep well in me and give them to drink of you. I want to eat of your Word and drink of from your blood of forgiveness. I ask that my words glorify you today in all I do and say. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

I Corinthians 5:17 ERV, When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! NKJV reads, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

In Florida, we know spring is here because the flowers are all in bloom. Everywhere you look, bright colors are everywhere. Even though we’re always green, it’s so beautiful seeing all the vivid colors. Being from Michigan, those long hard winters could be brutal, but I always looked forward to the snow melting, trees budding and the tulips and daffodils blooming. My Grandmother loved tulips and had almost every variety planted in her front and back yard. Sweet memories of spring.

Just as the earth becomes new each spring, so are we made new in Christ. When we have received him and made him Lord of our lives, it’s as if the cold, hard winter times of life are gone and spring has arrived in our hearts. We’re new, clean and made beautiful again, just as if we’d never sinned. What a beautiful thing that Jesus has done for us.

If you want to fully enjoy spring, you must forget about winter. Turn your back on it and leave it where it was. Stop talking about how rough winter was and plan those cookouts, vacations and look forward to living again. You can’t enjoy one season while talking about another. It’s the same with life in Christ. Stop talking about the way you were and begin talking about the way you are. Your sins are gone, you’ve been forgiven, stop bringing them up all the time. Jesus doesn’t remember them! His forgiveness comes with an eraser.

Father, I’m so thankful for the blood that Jesus shed. He took my place and died for my sins so that I could be free. Free to live for you, not for myself. Free to love, to give, to extend the same grace and forgiveness you gave to me. I love you so much! I’m no longer a prisoner of my past, I’m living in a garden filled with the beauty of your love. My old life is gone! The old me doesn’t exist anymore! Spring has arrived forever in my heart and I will be in constant bloom for you. I give you glory and praise, Amen