IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TODAY'S BLOG, "God's been faithful," please scroll down to the devotional beneath this one! THANK YOU!
Would you like to put all of your hope in Jesus today?
If so, please pray with me:
Dear God, I know you love me and I love you too. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and that you raised him from the dead! Please forgive all of my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I want my whole life to declare your praise and glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
"And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets. Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you from your own people a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you. And it will be that everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be utterly rooted out of the people.' And all the prophets, as many as have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, also predicted these days. You are the descendants of the prophets and of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors, saying to Abraham, 'And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."
DEVOTION
Today’s scripture says that Jesus is the Messiah and that we must listen to whatever he tells us!
The word "Messiah" means one who saves or delivers. According to our scripture, Jesus saves us by wiping out our sin and refreshing us with the presence of God.
I don’t know about you, but I am so glad that Jesus has the power to wipe out sin. See, I couldn’t do that for myself. No matter how “good” I tried to be, I just kept messing up.
I simply don’t have the ability to love God and neighbor perfectly. Some days start off just fine, but then someone gets on my nerves, or my pride gets in the way, or I get too busy or anxious to even think about God.
I—like you—am human and therefore I am beset by a terminal dis-ease called sin-sickness. It is a condition of the soul that means that I miss the mark time and again causing me to be separated from God.
But, here is today's GOOD NEWS! Jesus is able to heal our sin-sickness. Jesus has triumphed over this life-threatening condition. Jesus gave us a “blood transfusion” when he donated his blood to us on Calvary’s tree.
Because Jesus died on the cross, he is now able to “wipe out our sin” making it possible for us to eternally dwell in the presence of our God.
Aren’t you glad that God has promised never to leave us or forsake us? Aren’t you glad that Jesus is called, “Immanuel,” God with us? Aren’t you glad that God possesses such Amazing Grace and Unconditional Love? Aren’t you glad that God has always had a salvation plan for humanity, which was revealed in parts by the many Hebrew prophets, and was made fully manifest in the person and divinity of Jesus Christ?
Wow!
Peter said that we must listen to whatever Jesus tells us! My mama told me that a person’s actions speak louder than his words. So, what did Jesus tell us with his actions?
God loves, gave, and saves! God loves us so much that he gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and to gift us with eternal life.
As Jesus allowed himself to be nailed to an old wooden cross, his actions declared, “God loves you.” As Jesus bled, suffered, and died, his actions declared, “God gives me to you as a sacrifice.” As Jesus hung his head and died, his actions said, “God is determined to save you at any cost!” When Jesus resurrected from the dead, his actions said, “You are saved! Your sins are wiped out! Enjoy the refreshing and eternal presence of the Lord!”
Oh Hallelujah!
Isn’t God amazing? Isn’t God’s only begotten son wonderful? Isn’t our salvation the most wonderful gift you could ever imagine?
Nobody has ever—does—or will ever--love you like Jesus! In my tradition we say, “Cain’t nobody do me like Jesus!”
God has been faithful to humanity down through all of the generations! God has been faithful to us, even when we did not know—or appreciate it! God will be faithful to every generation to follow us. God is just faithful!
Salvation really is very simple. All that is required is that you believe that God loves you and proved it by allowing Jesus to die on the cross and be resurrected from the dead.
Won’t you put all of your hope in Jesus today?
If so, please pray with me:
Dear God, I know you love me and I love you too. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and that you raised him from the dead! Please forgive all of my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I want my whole life to declare your praise and glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their faith in Jesus! We are so excited about your newfound faith in Jesus! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
DEVOTION
Today’s psalm reminds us of the importance of praising the Lord! First and foremost we are to praise God for who God is! Notice the psalm starts by saying, “Praise the Lord!”
About six years ago, a college student said to me, “I pray that the day will come when I look for God’s face, rather than God’s hands.” Wow! That statement was so powerful!
When I asked her to say more, she explained to me that she was concerned that most people seek God because they want something, not because they really desire to be in God’s Holy Presence.
I think the Psalmist knew this when he started the psalm by saying, “Praise the Lord!” In other words, praise God just for being God. Adore God’s face. Appreciate God’s love and friendship. Exalt in God’s attributes and characteristics.
After you get steeped in God’s love, grace, and goodness, praise God for God’s provision! Isn’t God good to us? Doesn’t God provide everything that we need? Wasn’t God supremely gracious when God made provision for our sin to be forgiven and for us to inherit eternal life?
If you start counting your blessings and naming them one by one, you will quickly find that you can’t recite all of the good and all of the blessing that God has poured into your life. On a daily basis, we are encouraged by the psalmist to praise God for mighty deeds and surpassing greatness!
Don’t take your blessings for granted my friends! Remember it is always polite to say, “Thank You!”
Finally, as you make loving, adoring, and thanking God a part of your daily routine, please remember that it is always in order to praise the Lord!
The psalmist told us many of the musical instruments that can be used to praise God, but I believe that there is an even greater lesson here! I think the psalm reminds us that we are to use anything—and everything—we have to praise the Lord!
In 2009 we might say:
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord at work; Praise the Lord at home! Praise God for who God is; Praise the God for what God has done! Praise the Lord on your cell phone; Praise the Lord on your Blackerry! Praise the Lord on your computer; Praise the Lord on your Facebook and Twitter accounts! Praise the Lord as you Google and watch YouTube; Praise the Lord as you jam to your Ipod and watch TV! Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord! Praise ye the Lord!
See?
We can use all that God has gifted us with, to share the GOOD NEWS with others! As we live into an attitude of gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving, God’s Name will be exalted everywhere that we go!
As we share our GOOD NEWS testimonies with our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, our joy will become contagious!
As we bear witness to The Truth that God loves, gave, and saves, we will become God’s partners, sharing the love of God which gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!
Now, let me say one last thing. Praise is not to be reserved for Sunday. Praise is not to be reserved only for people who are leaders in the church. Praise is not only for when things are going well and we are happy! No, no, my friends!
Praise is what we do 24/7/365... Praise is simply who we are…
If you are a Christian then you have reason enough to praise the Lord! Even if God never, ever, did anything else for you, sending Jesus to the cross would be enough.
But, aren’t you glad God isn’t finished blessing us! Today, we are living and breathing! Today, we have the activity of our bodies and minds! Today, we have the gift of our family and friends!
Today, we are abundantly blessed!
Come on everybody! Let’s say it together!
PRAISE THE LORD!
Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!
Will you make up your mind to praise God today?
Hallelujah! You are worthy of all of my praise! How I love you, my God! You are so loving and so good! Thank you for all of the many ways that you bless me day, after day, after day! I can’t even begin to list all of the many benefits that you have shared with me. Please make me bold to share my GOOD NEWS testimony with others! I love you and I want others to love you too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
I will return again to my place
until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face.
In their distress they will beg my favor:
"Come, let us return to the Lord;
for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;
he has struck down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth."
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes away early.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets,
I have killed them by the words of my mouth,
and my judgment goes forth as the light.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
DEVOTION
Oh my! Today’s Bible passage from Hosea is a vivid reminder of what life would be like if we had to live Law apart from Gospel.
The Law of God is righteous and states that, “the wages of sin are death.” Sin always equals death, damnation, and punishment in the eyes of the Law.
BUT, thank God for Gospel! Gospel simply means GOOD NEWS and the GOOD NEWS is simple! God loves, gave, and saves.
God loves the world so much that God gave Jesus to die upon the cross to save us from our sin and to gift us with eternal life.
This is wonderful GOOD NEWS my friends because Law without Gospel is pretty ugly, in fact, it looks just like the Hosea passage above.
Look what happens in the absence of Gospel. Our sin causes us to be separated from God, distressed, lost, punished, judged, and killed. YUCK! What terrible bad news.
But, Law--with Gospel--means that Jesus has already paid the price for our sin. He has taken our maxed out credit card and paid it in full. He has paid off the mortgage on our house, just as it was going to foreclosure.
Come on somebody! That deserves a “Hallelujah Praise!”
When Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day, we were revived, raised up, and given New Life in Jesus!
No longer do we have to live guilty, distressed, and ashamed. God’s Amazing Grace and Unconditional Love revealed on the cross is more than enough to bring us into a right relationship with God.
Today’s reading says in essence that God desires for us to be in a love relationship with God through Jesus Christ!
Now, you may have tried other ways. Perhaps you tried to work your way into heaven. Perhaps you tried to “be good.” Perhaps you tried to bargain with tithes or offerings. Let me tell you something, my friends, none of it will work!
God says that it is not our “sacrifices and burnt offerings” that save our souls; rather, it is the love of God that gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.
Stop making salvation so hard, dear ones. God has chosen to make it easy! It's not about religion, it's about relationship!
Now, you may be thinking, “This is too easy. It can’t be this simple! I know there is a catch. God can’t really love and forgive me. I’m just too bad.”
My friend, God does love you and God does forgive you. There is nothing that you have ever done that will make God stop loving you and there is nothing that you can do to make God love you more!
You are precious to God and God’s never-ending-never-give-up-unconditional-love-that-will-not-let-you-go is REAL, REAL, REAL!
All that God requires of you is to believe that God loves you and that Jesus died and rose again for you! It’s that simple.
Since it is that simple, why not put all of your hope in Jesus today?
Please pray with me:
Dear God, I know you love me and I love you too. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and that you raised him from the dead! Please forgive all of my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I want my whole life to declare your praise and glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. For the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors and they shall take possession of it.
These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah: Thus says the Lord: We have heard a cry of panic, of terror, and no peace. Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor? Why has every face turned pale? Alas! that day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be rescued from it.
On that day, says the Lord of hosts, I will break the yoke from off his neck, and I will burst his bonds, and strangers shall no more make a servant of him. But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
But as for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob, says the Lord, and do not be dismayed, O Israel; for I am going to save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and no one shall make him afraid. For I am with you, says the Lord, to save you; I will make an end of all the nations among which I scattered you, but of you I will not make an end.
DEVOTION
There is an awful lot in today’s scripture, but the over-riding theme is that God is able to rescue, save, and grant peace in the midst of very terrible situations.
I believe that someone needs to know today that God is on your side. God made us and knows us. God is always wanting the best for us and working for our good.
Although bad things do happen—even to good people—God is still good and God is still in control.
Now, let me tell you the truth. I have had a few days where the pain, oppression, depression and/or betrayal in my life have been so great that I wanted to cuss God and die. I pushed God away from me, refusing to pray, read scripture, or even take Holy Communion.
I told God that I no longer believed in God’s existence. I erroneously thought that if God was real, God would not allow me to be in so much pain.
Now, there are some who may not appreciate my honesty. There are others who believe that because I am a clergywoman, I don’t know about real problems, but nothing could be further from the truth. All of us humans share a common experience—joy and pain, laughter and tears, faith and doubt.
I know--in the core of my being--that all human beings have crises of faith. All of Adam and Eve’s offspring have “dark nights of the soul” where we wonder if God truly really cares about us.
The truth is, for reasons we do not know, sometimes God allows things that we consider "bad" to happen to us. We know that God is all powerful. We know that God is in total control of everything that occurs in the universe. We know that God could keep all bad things from happening. But, God does not.
We don’t know why this is true. There are simply some mysteries in life that are too big for us to fathom.
I used to believe that if I just thought hard enough, I could make sense of anything. If I studied the right book or had the right experiences, I would be able to ascertain the ways of God and of the universe.
Well, let me tell you, I was wrong my friends. There are just some things that are mysterious. In my tradition we say, “I’ll understand it better by-and-by.”
While we’re waiting for that day when all of our life experiences will make sense, let us take courage from the fact that God knows and understands the twin realities of pain and grief.
After all, God stood by as God's own beloved son was captured as a common criminal, beaten and tortured all night long, affixed to a wood cross with metal spikes, and taunted until he died in excruciating pain.
God does understand our pain and is intimately acquainted with our sorrows. If even Jesus, the Son of God, endured hardship, pain, and betrayal in his earthly body, then it is clear to me that we will too!
Earlier, I told you about a time I tried to shove God out of my life. I was angry at God and wanted to be done with our relationship.
Do you know what happened? God would not leave me. God would not forsake me. God would not abandon me.
Even when I asked God to leave, God would not do it. Even when I abused God with my words and actions, God would not give up on me. That is the nature of God's Amazing Grace!
Aren't you glad that God’s love is unconditional and that God is strong enough and compassionate enough to be with us in every situation?
Having seen God’s never-give-up-never-walk-away-always-abounding love for me, I know that we can count on God.
There are many things that are mysterious, but here’s one thing that I do know--Trouble don’t last always.
God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins and to gift us with eternal life.
No matter what you’re going through, please know this. God loves you and God cares. God will not abandon you, no matter how hard the trial and no matter how angry you become.
God is determined to resurrect and redeem even the most hopeless of situations. There are two scriptures that comfort me in the time of trouble.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Romans 8:28a says, "We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him."
When I recite these scriptures, I am always reminded that God's ultimate plan is to love, prosper, and bless me! I may not always understand how God is going to accomplish my good, but I rest in the blessed assurance that God can and God will.
Remember, you are God’s beloved and nothing--and no one--can separate you from the love of God which has been revealed to us in Christ Jesus.
Have you been trying to push God away?
Loving God, I confess that there are days that I have been so angry and hurt because of the painful circumstances of my life that I have tried to push you away. I notice now, that you have never left me, nor forsaken me. Your love for me is amazing! I can hardly believe that you care for me so much; yet, the proof is in the cross! Thank you for Jesus, forgiveness of sin, and resurrection life. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will be empowered to do Your Will on Earth, until you come from Heaven. I love you God and it is well with my soul! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus" http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
"Peace be with you." They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you - that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
DEVOTION
Today is the Third Sunday in the Season of Easter! Once again, we meet the risen Christ as he appears to his disciples.
Isn’t it grand that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, just as he said? But, the disciples are still having a hard time wrapping their minds around this very profound and life-changing truth. When Jesus comes into their midst, they are “startled and terrified.” Have you ever felt this way in the presence of God?
There are many reasons why one might be startled or terrified. Some people feel terrified because they are ashamed. They worry that they will not be good enough or that God won’t actually forgive them for the mistakes of the past. They remember their sin and it causes them to tremble in the presence of God.
Others feel this way because they are not accustomed the work of Spirit. They think of God as someone far away, up in the sky, who isn’t concerned with the affairs of humanity. When God breaks into their daily existence through nature, song, experience, or the words and/or actions of others, it is startling.
Whatever the case, it is always a good thing when Jesus shows up! I love Jesus’ first words to the disciples. He says, “Peace be with you.” As he felt the fear and anxiety rising up in their hearts, he spoke peace into their lives.
I don’t know about you, but I need more peace on a daily basis. There is so much that disturbs our peace here on Earth. There are wars and rumors of war, conflict, rape, torture, and genocide. There is hunger, thirst, homelessness, joblessness, home foreclosure, and falling 401k plans. There are broken marriages, wayward children, sick and/or dying family members and friends.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point! We all have things in our lives that “disturb our peace,” and into the chaos of our lives Jesus enters saying, “Peace be unto you…Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?”
Oh hallelujah!
Because Jesus is risen, we live in ultimate victory. We don’t have to worry about the little battles, because the war has already been won. When Jesus died on the cross and then rose again victorious over sin, death, and the grave, we were guaranteed the great joy that comes from knowing, “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!”
Today’s scripture says that even in their joy, the disciples were still unbelieving. Now this may sound strange, but I’ve seen this happen. I’ve talked with non-Christian friends who may be willing to concede that God loves and that Jesus is risen, but they are still unable to believe that God loves THEM and that God has forgiven THEIR sins.
They say things like, “I don’t deserve the love of God. You don’t know what I’ve done in the past. You don’t know how I’ve hurt others…”
And my answer is always the same. I say, “I don’t know. But, God does and that is exactly why God’s great love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save you from your sin and to give you the gift of eternal life.”
Wow! Even me, Lord?
Yes, even you…
No matter who you are, or where you’ve been, God knows you and loves you with an unconditional-never give up-never walk away-always abounding-love that will not let you go!
That is why Jesus appeared to the disciples saying, “Peace be unto you.” That is why Jesus asked, “Why are you frightened and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” That is why Jesus allowed the disciples to see the wounds in his hands and feet and that is why he was willing to eat fish with them, soothing their worries and fears as they ate a meal together.
Isn’t this amazing, my friends? Jesus has just been resurrected from the dead and yet he is willing to do something so simple, mundane, and HUMAN, as to sit and eat dinner with his friends!
I am so honored that although Jesus is fully God, he is also fully human. That humanity and that divinity reaches out to us, meeting us right where we are, and loving us just as we are, until we come into a saving faith in Jesus Christ!
I am so glad that Jesus is so patient with us! As Spirit speaks to our hearts and minds, opening up the scriptures so that we can understand them, we become witnesses to the Truth. God loves. God gave. God saves. As this profound Truth takes up residence in our hearts and minds we become willing and eager witnesses in our homes, neighborhoods, work places, and communities.
Jesus has said, “You are witnesses to these things.”
Jesus Christ saves and He saves to the utmost!
Alleluia! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Who will you share Jesus with today?
Risen Savior, how I love you! Thank you that you speak peace into every storming situation in my life. Thank you that you chase away my worry, fear, and doubt. Help me to be full of faith and bold in my witness. You are surely resurrected from the dead! Please help me to share this GOOD NEWS with others! In Jesus Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus" http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
"You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
MEDITATION—Today is Saturday Psalmody! Today, the meditation is offered as a psalm from my heart. If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)
AT THE VERY LEAST...
Daddy says
when I grow up
I need to be
SOMEBODY.
So I make it my life’s work to be the best
I need to be stronger
Smarter
Brighter
Bigger
Better
Badder
Richer…
Richer…
Richer…
And everybody better know my name
I walk into the room
And I am surprised
If they do not know who I am…
Do they not know me?
HOW could they not know me?
I’ve spend my whole life making sure that
EVERYONE
Knows
Who
I
Am…
But then I hear a still quiet voice
It is hushed
It is whispering
It is insistent
WHAT DO YOU WANT?!
I’m busy being the best
The brightest
The smartest
The richest
The most famous…
Serve me…
Serve me?!
Serve me?!
Have you lost your mind?
I am servant to none!
I am king!
Queen!
Ruler!
Bow to me!
I bow to none, yet I serve all
What
kind
of mixed up
Crazy
Wanna-be
King
Bows to none, but serves all?
Follow me &
I will show you
I will give your life TRUE MEANING.
Follow me…
No
thank you
very much
I do not wish to serve others
I already know how that story ends
On my knees
Wrapped in a towel
Washing stinky feet
Touching the untouchable
Cast aside
Betrayed
Nailed to an old wooden cross
FORSAKEN.
FORGOTTEN.
ALONE.
Yes.
But, the least shall be greatest and
The leader, the servant of all…
How can this be?
This is not what I was taught
I don’t know how to serve
To be humble
To esteem others
higher than myself.
I don’t know how to
hide
in the background
To take credit
for NO-thing…
This flies in the face of everything
EVERYTHING
EVERYTHING
THATI WAS SO CAREFULLY TAUGHT.
And Yet…
Your way means peace
Your way means rest
You way means that I am always good enough
Never striving
Always loved
Always
Always
Unconditionally
Loved
LOVED
For who I am &
Not what I do.
LOVED
Just for me…
The real me…
Not the false me
Created to please others
But, not pleasing to myself.
LOVED
The little one
Hidden away
Wanting Daddy’s love
But,
NEVER
EVER
GOOD
ENOUGH
You are good enough
Follow me
Serve me
Serve others
Be faith-FULL
One day
All your dreams
Will
Come true
DO YOU PROMISE?
I Promise
Only
Serve
ME.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
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Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
135 people have put all of their hope in Jesus on the good news blogs since February 1, 2009. We celebrate this good news and promise to hold each of you in love and prayer! Peace be with you!
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About Me
Pastor Yolanda Lehman
I am writing this blog from St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA where I am blessed to serve as a pastor. I earned my B.A. at Wesleyan University with a double major in African American studies and Religious Studies. I went on to earn my M.Div. at Harvard Divinity School where I wrote my thesis on holy hip hop. I am blessed in my life to be called wife, mother, daughter, sister, pastor, evangelist, teacher, and friend. My greatest passion in life is to make GOOD NEWS easy to read and fun to share! This blog is an extension of that passion. I want the whole world to know and believe that God loves us and to share that GOOD NEWS with others...Thanks for reading!
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