Jeremiah 17:1414 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Isaiah 53:5
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Psalm 103:2-3
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
1 Peter 2:24-25
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[a] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.A little over three weeks ago I had a tonsillectomy. I had heard horrendous things about having a tonsillectomy as an adult. I was told by several people that the recovery was so much worse for adults than for children. Several weeks before my surgery, I even had one doctor tell me that I was going to experience the worst sore throat of my life. Everyone was so encouraging, that I could hardly wait for this painful journey to get started. By the way, that’s a joke! And unfortunately, the truth is that all of these people were 110% correct! I can without a doubt report that it was no fun at all!However, the beauty in all of this is how day after day I noticed God’s healing power on display. Going from a throat that was so swollen inside that I could only have a liquid diet, to being able to eat a hamburger straight off the grill last night. Not only that, but by God’s healing hand I went from experiencing the most severe pain ever, to three weeks later feeling no pain at all.Yahweh Rapha means God who heals and He certainly does just that.Another aspect of healing is rest. I had been working so many hours the last few months and pushing a lot harder than normal, and my body just needed to rest. Through this healing process God also provided a time to rest my body. His timing was perfect.The good news is that just as God healed me physically, He also heals spiritually. Are you in need of healing today? Well let me tell you God is the Great Physician. Allow Him to heal you. If you are in need of spiritual healing, just surrender your will to His. He will heal and transform you. You will never regret your surrender, because with surrender comes healing and definitely a peace that will surpass all understanding.Blessings to you on your new health journey, whether physical or spiritual, just a touch of His garment will bring divine healing from the one Who heals, Yahweh Rapha!
Mark 5:24-3424 So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
The Refiner’s Fire
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire
Psalm 66:10
10 For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
Zechariah 13:9
9 This third I will put into the fire;
I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.
They will call on my name and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
Isaiah 48:10
10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
Proverbs 17:3
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
Isaiah 43:2
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Chemo Day
Chemo Day
Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Hello Sweet Friends
Today is my chemo day.
As I am sitting here I started to think about all of the things that God has taught me while I have been on this incredible journey. If it’s ok I would like share just a few of them with you.
1. God is in control. I may make plans, but it is truly God who orders my steps.
Proverbs 16:9
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
2. The Lord is my Shepherd and I am a sheep in His pasture. He has led me and guided me each step of the way. He is faithful.
Psalm 100:3
Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his.[a] We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
3. God is my protector. He has protected me and placed me in the hands of the best physicians for this disease that I am fighting. I truly trust His judgement for my life. He makes no mistakes.
2nd Thessalonians 3:3
3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.[a]
4. When I go through my storms and trials, God goes before me. He has people in place to support me and help me through the difficult times.
Deuteronomy 31:8
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
5. I should never take my family and friends for granted. They love me and they will be there for me when no one else will. I am so thankful for my support group.
6. Each and every day of life is a divine gift from God. Don’t even think about wasting it. So many didn’t get to see this day.
Psalm 90:12
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
7. Living my life with gratitude has helped me to see God in everything that I have gone through. Gratitude shuts the door to complaining. I could have it so much worse. I must remain grateful.
1st Thessalonians 5:18
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
8. God has blessed me to extend my ministry about His kingdom to doctor’s offices, Oncology Centers, hospitals, and even family and friends. In my most difficult time, God has used me in my weakness to experience and reflect His strength working through me. He has given me an opportunity to share Him with so many. My pain has purpose, but I have to stay close to Him for my purpose to continue to be revealed to me. Also there are facets of His character that I would not have ever seen or experienced had I not been on this journey.
9. I can be smart and do as my doctors suggest, but I don’t have to accept the diagnosis as my final outcome. I choose to not only to have faith that God can heal me but that I am already healed.
God said by His stripes I am healed and I choose to believe I am healed.
Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded[a] for our transgressions, He was [b]bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes[c] we are healed.
10. I must work and live my life each day with excitement and positive energy. I refuse to allow negative thoughts or negative people to cloud my judgement or cause me to doubt what God has already told me to be true.
11. I must continue to set goals and run the race that He has set before me. Because the battle is His and what a sweet victory it will be when my goals are achieved and more women’s lives are enriched.
12. I must be transparent with my story. If not who will grow from my testimony and my experience? And when I stand to tell my story trust me, God and only God will receive All of the glory.
Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
13. God has given me the strength for each new day. Thank you Lord! Only God could carry me through the unimaginable.
2nd Corinthians 12:9
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
14. God is a Master Encourager. He has gently whispered to me many times during this journey “Don’t be afraid”. Oh how soothing and comforting those words have been to me.
Genesis 15:1
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,[a] your very great reward.[b]”
15. God’s timing is perfect. I have seen it over and over through my journey. He is always right on time.
Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
16. He holds me in the very palm of His hands. He carries me through the storm. He’s got me. He will never leave or forsake me. Praise God!
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
17. Prayer works! God hears every single prayer. I have learned to give Him time to respond. His delay is not my denial. Prayer changes things, most importantly it has changed me. Thank you Lord!
James 5:13-15
13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
18. I am so grateful for the days years ago that I worked my business even when I didn’t feel like it. I am thankful for every sacrifice I made years ago and for every woman that said yes. and even those who said no. I grateful for the times that God gently whispered keep going. I am thankful that He encouraged me to push through. I am thankful that I obeyed. Who knew back then that my life’s journey would go this direction? I certainly didn’t. He was preparing me for the unseen.
Ladies work while you are healthy, strong and able. We don’t know what’s around the next curve. Most importantly
He has blessed me with an amazing group of women who have been there for me and cheered me on. I am truly blessed!
19. To have a wonderful Church Family is everything! Oh how I have been showered with prayers, Get Well cards, gift cards and food. I absolutely love my Church Family.
20. I trust God! I pray that when you encounter your trials that you will remember just how much God loves you, and that God is Always good whether you are on the mountain top or in the valley. His character is not changed by our circumstances Trust Him no matter what it looks like. Just know He has not forgotten you. He is faithful!
Love you and immensely grateful for you,
Marico
The Blessing Of Being With Family
3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
Peace Comes When We Surrender
Peace Comes When We Surrender
23 When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”
Mark 11:24
24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
Have you ever been rolling along pretty content, and all of a sudden out of nowhere you were thrown a curveball? Well that happened to me yesterday. I have a goal that I have worked on all year to achieve by June 30th. The news that I received would interfere with the timing of completing that goal. It means what would have clearly taken two months to accomplish, now has to be completed in one month. And did I mention it has to do with my job? So clearly that would mean it’s a bit important.
I became so frustrated by the news that I received, that I almost let it ruin my entire day. This news was regarding a medical procedure that I was told that I needed to have. I tried really hard to get it scheduled past my goal date, but I couldn’t. I even made phone calls and sent text messages in the portal, and the answer from my doctor’s office was, “you need to do this as soon as possible”. I had wrestled with it long enough. Something inside of me knew that I needed to listen and not fight it anymore and definitely not ignore it. I didn’t want to live with the regret that having a hard head can sometimes bring.
In the very moment that I decided to listen, I said “Lord I release it to you. The only way I am going to reach this goal is with your help”.
When I look back on it I now realize that I simply did not want to relinquish control of what I thought was my plan and my schedule. Once again God has shown me that I am really not in control of my life. He owns it all. My life, my time, my plans and my schedule. When will I learn?
Today I feel much lighter, as I have decided to trust God’s timing and His provision for this set of unforeseen circumstances. This will be yet another opportunity for me to see how God will masterfully work His plan for my life. I know that I will be stronger and wiser on the other side of it all. I will continue to work towards my goal, in the time frame that I now have to work within. And I will be ok with God blessing my efforts as He sees fit.
It is truly amazing how much peace comes when we surrender our will to His will. Have you been wrestling with something that you need to surrender to God? Trust me when I tell you, you will not have true peace until you do. When you trust His timing, His plan and most importantly His love for you, you can never go wrong. Because He always unselfishly does what is best for us. Take a deep breath. Now Surrender!
Acts 17:28
28 “for in Him we live and move and have our being..”
1 Peter 5:6-7
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Proverbs 19:21
21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Do You Pray Believing?
23 When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”
Mark 11:24
24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
6. Share your testimony. God loves for us to share with others how good He has been to us. It gives them encouragement and hope and it’s a reminder to us what he has brought us through.
15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
1 John 5:14
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.
—
The Lord Will Fight Our Battles
14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
1 Samuel 17 46-47
46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
Yesterday, I found myself in a situation that could have really gotten out of hand had I not chosen to hold my tongue. In my younger days, I would have probably lashed out in response to the negative and almost hostile treatment that I was encountering.
As I have grown spiritually, I have come to realize that I don’t always have to respond when I am being treated unfairly. I can fight on my knees, by going to God in prayer. When I take this approach, God actually steps in and fights for me and I come out victorious every time. You see I now realize that when these attacks just come out of nowhere, it’s Satan using another one of his tactics to throw me off my game, by upsetting my day. Well, my new response is “Not Today Satan”!
I can tell you that God did not delay this time. Within an hour, the problem was resolved, and the other person’s whole outlook had changed regarding the situation. And if that wasn’t enough, they were sending me a text being extremely kind, as though nothing had ever happened. When I tell you that God can flip the situation, believe me, because He truly can and He did.
Just think how differently things would have turned out had I chose to take matters into my own hands. What if I had blown up in response to the other person’s ugly behavior? I can assure you that I would have felt disappointed in myself as well as I would have been embarrassed before God, because I know better. Not only that, it could have brought a significant amount of damage to the relationship.
My whole point in sharing this with you today is to encourage you to trust God to work on your behalf when you are going through tough relational situations.
Pray, Pray, Pray! God will fight for you if you let Him, but it will require that you truly release it to Him.
There are times when speaking up for yourself or on behalf of others is the appropriate thing to do. Just know that the Holy Spirit will prompt you when it’s that time. Then there are other times when we just need to be prayerful and quiet, and truly, that’s when we will see the salvation of the Lord!
The Account Of The Death, Burial And Resurrection Of Jesus
JESUS BETRAYEDMatthew 26:14
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priestsMatthew 26:20-25
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”Matthew 26:47-56
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[a]
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.JESUS ARRESTEDMatthew 26:57-68
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[a]
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said,
JESUS DENIEDMatthew 26:69-75
69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.JESUS CRUCIFIEDMark 15:21-41
21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.
27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] [a] 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[b]
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,[c] he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph,[d] and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.JESUS BURRIEDMark 15:42-47
42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.JESUS IS RISENLuke 24:1-53
24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Living In Uncertain Times
Living In Uncertain Times
Psalm 1211 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Be sure to make praise a part of your daily routine, and although your circumstances may not change right away, your perspective will. Be blessed and be encouraged, God is with us and He is not sleeping!
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you,
“You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Peaceful Sleep And Sweet Dreams
Psalm 4:88 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 23:1-3
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Matthew 11:28
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
In my lifetime I have had many restless nights. There have been times when I tossed and turned all night, only to realize that morning had come and I had not rested or slept at all. Stress and worry of course, are the culprits when this happens.You see, the enemy wants us to feel tired and defeated. He wants us to think that whatever we are worried about will not be ok, and that there is no hope. Don’t forget he is the deceiver, he will lie to you. Be clear, his main strategy is to get you to doubt that God will come through for you.As I have matured spiritually, my faith in God’s ability to protect, provide and take care of me and my family, has definitely increased to a whole new level.Now, when I have situations that arise that are out of my control I simply say, “God will be up all night so I will let Him worry about it”. This may sound crazy but it really does help me to release whatever I am worried about to Him, so I can rest.The other thing that I do is journal every night before I go to bed. When I get my concerns out of me and on paper, I feel lighter and not as weighed down. I also pray and read scriptures every night before I go to bed and that gives me a very peaceful sleep. Prayer + Scripture Reading +Journaling = Peace.This is truly another way to have joy in the midst of your storm. Being able to function each day is very important, and in order to do so, we all need to get our rest. Don’t let the enemy rob you of your peace or your rest.I have provided a list of questions below that may help you, if life currently seems overwhelming. Please take a few minutes to answer these questions.1. Do you currently feel worried or overwhelmed about something?2. Are you having a hard time releasing it?3. Have you prayed about it but you have not totally given it to God?4. Do you stay awake thinking about your problems at night?5. Do you wake up tired or exhausted?6. Do you have a consistent prayer life?7. Do you consistently read your Bible?8. Would you be open to journaling to process your feelings?9. Do you have a wise Christian sister that you can talk to?10. Do you truly trust that God will help you?Praying that your nights will be very restful, and that your dreams will be very sweet!