April 5 - He is Risen Indeed!

 

“Don’t be alarmed,” the angel said,

“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.

He has risen! He is not here.

See the place where they laid Him.”

(Mark 16:6 NIV)

 

I don’t need an earthquake or angels to show me the dead are gone. All those things in my life I am ashamed of are forgiven and gone! His death took my punishment, guilt, and shame. April 3 AD33 is believed to be the day Jesus died. So today, April 5, is His Resurrection Day! I will celebrate it every day. I hope you will, too! 

April 4 - My Shield

 

“But you are a shield around me, O Lord;

you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”

(Psalm 3:3 NIV)

 

A friend reminded me, “Yahweh lifts His face toward you. That is attention. He carries you through what you cannot walk through alone. That is strength. He bears the weight of what should have crushed you. That is sacrifice. And He forgives by removing what He bore. That is freedom. That is Nasa (נָשָׂא) Pronounced: nah-SAH.” I will lift up my face to my heavenly Father and praise Him. I hope you will, too! 

April 3 - Watch and Pray

 

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

(Mark 14:38 NIV)

 

A deliberate chunk of my prayer life is spent over a laptop keyboard. I type words in a love letter to God. I am focused on spiritual connection and seek a hallowed response. It is faster than snail mail or email, and I am immediately filled when I write and when I listen. No matter what the method is, I surrender all to Him. I hope you will, too!

April 2 - When

 

“You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your heart.”

(Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

 

When will you come again, Lord? When will this struggle end? When will I find peace? When will you reveal yourself to me? When will I stop thinking of myself? “When you seek me with all your heart,” He replied. My only task is to look for Jesus, to reach out for His hand, and to talk to Him nonstop. I choose to make my When > NOW. I hope you will, too!

April 1 - Not a Fool

 

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,

and discerning if he holds his tongue.”

(Proverbs 17:28 NIV)

 

The first day of April is observed as a day to play practical jokes and make fools of family and friends. Jesus came to help the wise understand their foolishness. He came to save and not destroy the weak and foolish, not make fun of them. I will keep my mouth shut today and ask God for wisdom to respond with love to cover every offense. I hope you will, too!

Straighten Up

 by Macy Johnson

“Then He put His hands on her,

and immediately she straightened up

and praised God.”

(Luke 13:13 NIV)

 

As a young girl in my parent’s home, my mother would often shake her finger at me and admonish, “You had better straighten up, young lady!” Fortunately, I often got the message the first time. I could almost hear Jesus speak through her, then and now.

March 31 - ASK

 

Ask and it will be given to you;

Seek and you will find;

Knock and the door will be opened to you.”

(Matthew 7:7 NIV)

 

Ask, Seek, Knock - ASK! Jesus taught His followers how to live and commune with our Heavenly Father. If I stay in the center of His will, nothing will be impossible for me. I must humble myself and acknowledge my need and His provision. I cannot do anything apart from Him. I will ask and know that He hears and will provide for all my needs for His glory. I hope you will, too!