Who can compare with you Almighty God? There is no one like you. You are awesome. You are supreme. You are omnipotent.
I join with the psalmist in saying: ‘what is man that you are mindful of him?’ Yet I am so glad that you not only loved this world and loved me but you also sent your Son to this earth to die for us, making it possible for whomsoever believes and whomsoever will, to be reconciled to you… to become intimately acquainted with and worship you.
Today, I celebrate the resurrection of your Holy Child Jesus from the dead, which bears testimony to your miraculous power.
Hallelujah!
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge you as the Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, the one who was dead but is now alive and lives for evermore.
Hallelujah!
Holy Spirit, thank you for your anointing that teaches me. Grant me revelation knowledge regarding the outworking of this same resurrection power that resides within me. Help me to walk with confidence in this newness of life. Enable me to walk in the authority and dynamic power of Jesus, my Saviour, my Lord and my soon-coming King. Amen.
—–oooooo000oooooo—–
The above prayer is an extract from my book, Petitions From My Heart. If you are looking for a resource that will help and encourage you to develop a consistent and confident prayer life, please don’t hesitate to check out the links below.
Did you enjoy reading this post? If so, please share your thoughts in a comment box below. Do you know someone who would benefit from its message? Then please don’t hesitate to share it. Thank you.
I am sure it would not have escaped the notice of many of you who regularly read my posts, that I published a book of prayers last year, called Petitions From My Heart.
The prayer below is an excerpt from this book, which I share with you all, given the season of Easter.
I hope you will be blessed in your reading but I also hope this excerpt will serve as a sample of my book’s content and (if you have not already done so), will encourage you to explore its content further, even perhaps spur you towards a purchase!
Happy Easter!
—–oooooo000oooooo—–
Father God,
I thank you for sending Jesus to this earth to die for me and for every individual in the world, so that we might be redeemed from the hand of the Enemy and redeemed from the curse of the law.
Thank you for your perfectly executed plan, which not only satisfied your wrath against sin and demonstrated your mercy in providing an atonement but also outwitted the Prince of Darkness and his cohorts. Hallelujah!
Lord Jesus, you willingly relinquished your position of majestic power and prestige. Thank you for humbling yourself and assuming the limitations of human flesh in order to both identify with me and implement the will of the Father.
Triumphant Saviour, as I reflect on how you were betrayed and delivered into the hands of the Scribes and Pharisees, help me to learn from your exemplary conduct and your total commitment to the Father’s will. I thank you for your intercessory role and ministry and I pray your petitions will pave a path of humility in my life, enabling me to follow your example.
Holy Spirit, I acknowledge you as the one sent to walk alongside and assist me. Help me to walk worthy of the vocation to which I have been called. When occasion demands, bring back to my remembrance the relevant scriptures and motivate me to put my fleshly inclinations and desires to death and faithfully follow Christ. I thank you Holy Spirit for empowering me to take up my cross daily and follow Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
With love,
Carol (aka Lady Cee)
Author of: Petitions From My Heart
Did you find the above post useful? Are you looking for a resource that will help and encourage you to develop a consistent and confident prayer life? If so, don’t hesitate to check out the links below.
I’d love to know your response to this post. Please share your thoughts in a comment box below. And if you know anyone who would benefit from a boost to their prayer life, please don’t hesitate to recommend my book and share the purchase links. Thank you.
The freeing of humanity from sin by Christ’s death on the cross
—————————————————————————————————-———-
The Bible encourages us to do so but when last have you uttered this important truth?
What truth?
The amazing fact, the absolute reality that you have been redeemed!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
I try to declare this regularly, even several times a day.
Have you acknowledged?
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy
(Psalms 107:2)
Today, as I consider the story of Easter, as I remember the resurrection of Jesus, as I celebrate my redemption and He who has made it possible, I can only humbly lift my hands and say: I am redeemed.
And whilst I declare this fact with triumph, I’m reminded that my redemption came at a price:
Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold […] but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
(1 Peter 1:18-19)
The shedding of blood requires death. And in the context of our Easter story, only Jesus’ death would do.
But Hallelujah! Jesus is alive.
Have you appreciated?
The joy of our Easter message is that he was dead. He was buried. But today, he is alive!
I can face tomorrow no matter what tomorrow, or even today brings.
Even if my future holds abandonment (like Christ’s disciples), betrayal (like Judas), denial (like Peter), fickle love (like those who spread palm leaves in Jesus’ path then later cried “crucify him!”), rejection (like that of the scribes and Pharisees), or reluctance to side with me openly (like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea)—I can (and I have determined in my heart that I will), face today, face tomorrow with faith, with boldness, with an unwavering commitment to follow Christ.
I will, because the Word of God tells me that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
I will, because Jesus is worthy.
I will, because Jesus and Father God have done so much for me, and provided all the spiritual resources I could ever need, in order to triumph, in order to walk victorious in life, in order to combat the pernicious lies of the Enemy, in order to stand strong against his unrelenting attempts to undermine my confidence in God, to unleash the forces of evil, destruction and hatred within and against my life, within and against the lives of my loved ones, against the people of God, against God’s good and perfect will for the world he created.
Yes.
I am redeemed!
I. Am. Redeemed.
Have you appropriated?
I’m redeemed from the hands of the Enemy and I’m redeemed from the curse of the Law. When Jesus died upon the cross he became a curse for me, and for the entire world. It was all part of God’s great and grand plan of salvation. Jesus became a curse, so I, so the entire world (if they choose), may be freed from that curse and enjoy the blessings, favour and protection of God.
Now, I don’t want what God has freely given to me (his generous salvation package of redemption, restoration and eternal life), to not be fully appropriated in my life. I don’t want Jesus’ supreme sacrifice to be in vain, or for God’s resurrection power to not be fully activated in my life, just because I’m living less than I could, or should.
I want to honour him. I want to demonstrate my love and gratitude to him – ALWAYS! Not just when I’m experiencing the ecstatic highs of being in his presence during praise and worship. Not just when all is going according to my plans. Not just when the present scenarios of my life look picture perfect.
God demands that I love Him with all of my mind, heart, soul and strength. This may seem extreme, or even egotistical. And to the unregenerate heart, such a command may even seem a little controlling.
But why would he ask for anything less?
I mean no disrespect but my God is an all or nothing guy. When it comes to our commitment to him, He is a jealous God! And why shouldn’t He be? He has given his all. Furthermore, He sent his only son to give his all. So, why should I do less? How could I?
Have you affirmed?
When I examine and analyse and meditate upon the breadth and length, depth and height of God’s love for me that he would send Jesus to die for me; when I do so with the measure of understanding that I have as a mere mortal, and when I consider the cost to my Father God, the cost to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ—how can I live any longer purely for myself? How can I ignore the ultimate price that was paid?
Nay. I cannot!
Only ignorance would do so. Only complete and utter selfishness would do so. Only arrogance would even consider doing so.
I cannot! I will not. This Easter, I am realising afresh that I am not my own. I’ve been bought with a price. A high price. A terrible price.
And so, today I cry out to you Father God. I cry out to you with a heart full of gratitude. I cry out to you in wonder and amazement. How is it that you love me so? How is it that you chose to redeem me at such a costly price as the precious blood of your only begotten Son, Jesus?
“…Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
“My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb… ”
(Genesis 22:7-8)
Father God, I bow my knees. I bow my heart. I submit my life, my hopes, my dreams, my future to you afresh. You are amazing. Your love is amazing. Your sacrifice is astounding – in fact, it is beyond comprehension. It is beyond words.
Thank you Father God. Thank you my dear, sweet Saviour and Lord.
Dear reader, Jesus is very much alive and because he died, because he now lives—I AM REDEEMED!
Hallelujah!
—–oooooo000oooooo—–
WoW friends and followers, if you agree with the sentiments expressed in this post, if you are grateful for Christ’s supreme sacrifice, if you’d like to join me in responding to God’s extravagant and unconditional love, please say “Thank You Father God” in a comment box below.
Happy Easter!
CREDIT: The above CC0 images come courtesy of Pixabay.com
Now, within the church circles to which I belonged, we never celebrated this day and the first time I knew it even existed was through my husband. As a civil servant, he is given an extra half-day holiday in recognition.
So what is Maundy Thursday?
Glad you asked. Because of my Easter-themed blog hop and to satisfy my curiosity, I decided to do a little research.
Maundy Thursday (aka Holy Thursday) is the day before Good Friday. It is the day when Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples.
That final meal shared together, is now known as the Last Supper and it was at this meal that Jesus broke bread and passed around a cup of wine, instituting a new covenant.
Today, Christians commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus by this same symbolic act of sharing bread and wine, traditionally known as Holy Communion.
And on this same day, Jesus, the Son of God (King of kings and Lord of lords), washed each of his disciples’ feet, as an example of humility and selfless service.
Maundy Thursday is also the day when Judas Iscariot, betrayed Christ.
As mentioned above, Maundy Thursday did not feature in our church programmes. So after many years as a Christian, once I became aware, even though I didn’t know what Maundy meant, I tried to make an educated guess regarding its definition.
I thought perhaps Maundy was an old-fashioned spelling for “mourn” and that the day was in fact a “mourn-day”. And when you consider everything that happened on this fateful day, I believe my ascribed meaning seems appropriate.
To begin with, Jesus appears to be in a state of mourning and trepidation. He knew that his hour had come.
Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour (John 12:27 NKJ).
Again, when he got to the Garden of Gethsemane, we read Jesus was in a state of agony. We learn his disciples were filled with sorrow over their Master’s revelations that he was leaving them… that he was about to die… that he was about to be betrayed by someone within their circle.
And then the unthinkable happens. The traitor in their midst is revealed. The hostile religious leaders have their day in court and the Son of God (the promised Messiah) is sentenced to death – “Crucify him!”
As Jesus is led away to Calvary, women “mourned and lamented him” (Luke 23:27 NKJ).
I guess you can see now where I was coming from.
However, the word Maundy (as I discovered), does not mean “mourn-day” but has its root in a Latin word meaning “command”. It makes reference to when Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment to love each other, as he had loved them (see John 13:1-35).
For the past few weeks, as I’ve spent time in God’s Word, as I’ve read and reflected on various passages relating to the cross, relating to God’s amazing love for the entire human race generally and for me specifically; as I watched two YouTube videos on the crucifixion and resurrection, I cannot help but feel overcome with emotion, with wonder, with gratitude, and with a greater desire and determination to love and serve God to the best of my ability and live an authentic Christian life, which pleases and honours him—because he (my Father-God), is worthy. Christ is worthy.
And between them, they’ve gone to an awful lot of trouble, unimaginable pain and selfless sacrifice to make me worthy.
Jesus suffered so that I can be redeemed from the hand of the Enemy. So I can be reconciled to God. So I can become a part of his illustrious royal family. So I can share in the spiritual riches of his kingdom. And so I can enjoy an abundant, joy-filled and liberated life.
After all my Father-God and Saviour have done for me, how can I not?
What say you dear reader?
—–oooooo000oooooo—–
CREDIT: the above CC0 image comes courtesy of Pixabay.com
Given that this blog is celebrating an Easter theme this week, I’d like to share a post originally written for my other blog – A Purpose-driven achiever.
Best wishes,
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
John 13:3-5 (NKJ)
In recent weeks we’ve been looking at life metaphors. One of mine is that life is a journey. I believe most of you would agree with me that we are all on a journey of some kind—a journey towards our dreams and aspirations, towards God’s purpose for our lives and ultimately towards our eternal destiny.
In biblical times it was the custom for hosts to wash the dust and grime from the feet of…
You are invited to share your new posts, or re-purpose old ones, including artwork, book reviews, craft ideas, memoirs, poems, photos, recipes, songs, stories and travel anecdotes. Your content must however be Easter-related.
This blog party will remain open from now (24 March) until Easter Monday (2 April 2018), so you have 10 glorious days to party.
Help yourself to pastries, chocolate or cake. There’s plenty to go around!
Here are the rules:
Posts advertising my party is not necessary but if you do, please link back to this page and use the following tag: “LadyC-Easter Blog Hop”
Please share links to your Easter-related content in a comment box below. You can come back as often as you wish but please leave only one item per comment box. Thank you.
Links should direct visitors to a specific Easter-related post – not your home page.
Visit at least 3 participants. Why? Because 3 is the number of blessing. As you bless others, you’ll be blessed yourself!
Leave a “like” and a comment
OPTIONAL: I’d just love it if after your comment you left the following calling card in the comments section of each blog you visit: “I bounced over from Lady Cee’s Easter blog hop” (humour me!)
Family-friendly content only please
Be a blessing and promote this party to your social networks (pretty please)
Have fun. Make friends. Share the love!
—–oooooo000oooooo—–
Psst: Have you been good? Have you participated? Have you followed all the rules? Then here’s your reward!
Have you been naughty? Then no more cake or chocolate for you but do help yourself from the tray below!
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
(Do come again)
CREDITS: the above CCO images are all courtesy of Pixabay.com
It is any situation that calls for you to die to the dictates, desires and demands of your flesh… that requires you to take the route of suffering knowing that death to your flesh will enable you to minister God’s life-giving spirit to someone else.
The “flesh” represents not just your body but also your appetites, inclinations, impulses, negative and contrary responses.
Now the cross we are expected to carry, the path we are expected to tread will be unique to each one of us.
In my case, crucifying my flesh requires me to remain silent in the face of lies, false accusations, scorn and ridicule. It demands that I walk humbly through the gates of self-denial and submit to the punishing nails of humiliation as my name, reputation and self-esteem are nailed mercilessly to my cross. It also demands that I bear this cross of perpetual shame with the right attitude, knowing that my Father God knows my thoughts and sees my heart.
A bitter pill to swallow?
Yes. Absolutely!
Now whilst studying the Bible, or listening to stirring sermons, God’s Word may at that time rejoice my heart. However, when later required to walk that word out, when faced with the reality of practicing God’s kingdom principles in the context of hatred, rejection or sabotage, the sweet experience of hearing that word or receiving that revelation, can become bitter.
Bitter because I’m now required to chew, swallow and digest an unpalatable portion. Bitter because God’s word is no longer a neat theoretical discourse filed away in my mind but a distressing practical experience to be suffered, to be endured.
I wonder how many of us choose instead to spit out the offending morsel. Love your enemies? Nope! Don’t fancy that! Rejoice during persecution? Sorry – no way! Turn the other cheek? You’re kidding me – right?
I wish I was but I’m not. I wish carrying my cross was as simple as fastening a piece of jewellery around my neck. But it’s not. Carrying one’s cross is not easy.
Yet carry it I must, since this is what Jesus did for me (and for you) from the time he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane to the time he was cruelly impaled upon that cross at Golgotha.
Whether you believe it or not, whether you care or not, the truth is Jesus willingly suffered so that we can be reconciled to God, so that we can be free from the clutches and influence of Satan and, so we can be delivered from spiritual death – the devastating penalty of SIN.
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:19-21 NKJV).
So are you prepared to follow Jesus’ example? Are you willing to obey Christ’s command?
…If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24 NKJV)
And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:38)
The choice is yours whether you eat God’s manna of obedience, or consume the meat of self-indulgence.
As his disciples, Christ expects us to take up our cross daily and follow him. Have you picked up your cross, or are you avoiding and disobeying his command?
Without the cross there can be no crucifying of your flesh (please note I am speaking metaphorically here). Without crucifying of self, there can be no experience of Christ’s resurrection life and power, and therefore no partaking of his glory.
…we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:16-17 NKJV)
Dear readers, be aware that between the stages of grace and glory lies a road of personal pain and self-sacrifice. Those who choose to skip this route will not be seen as overcomers in God’s eyes. Those who refuse to walk this narrow pathway will not earn the victor’s crown.
Spiritual warriors, prayer interns, brothers and sisters in Christ, your cross will be specific to the path and purpose God has ordained for you. Have you decided to emulate Jesus? Then pick up your cross!
Wishing all followers and visitors a happy Easter!
Dear reader, do you know Jesus loves you? Do you accept that he loved you more than his own life? That is why he died for you and for me. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ but would like to, all you need to do is ask. You can do so in your own words, or you can say the following prayer:
Father God,
I want to have a relationship with you. Thank you for loving me and sending your son Jesus to die for me. Jesus, I invite you into my heart. I invite you into my life as my Saviour and my Lord. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
If you have prayed the above, welcome to the family of God! May I encourage you to visit my other blog and read my post: (Paradise Lost or Paradise Regained?). This will help you understand more about the step you have taken and provide links to help you with your recent decision to accept Jesus into your life. I wish you God’s strength, peace and favour during the coming days.
And to those who have already made Jesus their Lord, are you enjoying the abundant life for which Jesus died, so we may have? As we continue to walk with him, may we remember daily the price he paid… may we remember we are not our own, that we have been bought with a price (His precious blood) and may we be motivated daily to walk as victorious overcomers!
Women of Warfare (WoW!) followers and visitors – have a wonderful Easter break.
I write for another blog site but for some obscure reason my posts from there do not appear in the Reader. Consequently, I have no means of driving traffic towards this other blog, or making potentially interested bloggers aware of its existence.
I am therefore resorting to advertising my new posts through my Women of Warfare! (WoW!) blog and appreciate your forbearance.
Image from Benno Oosterom – Pixabay.com
In recent weeks we’ve been looking at life metaphors. One of mine is that life is a journey. I believe most of you would agree with me that we are all on a journey of some kind—a journey towards our dreams and aspirations, towards God’s purpose for our lives and ultimately towards our eternal destiny.
In biblical times it was the custom for hosts to wash the dust and grime from the feet of their guests. It was an act of hospitality but also seen as an act of servitude. To wash someone else’s feet requires humility, as demonstrated by Jesus when he laid aside his garments to wash the feet of his disciples.
And so, today I cry out to you Father God. I cry out to you with a heart full of gratitude. I cry out to you in wonder and amazement. How is it that you love me so? How is it that you chose to redeem me at such a costly price as the precious blood of your only begotten Son, Jesus?
Image from József Kincse – Pixabay.com
Image: Katrin Schulz – Pixabay.com
Women of Warfare! (WOW!) 