Becoming More Like My Superhero

Most people have a hero, someone he or she can look up to. From childhood to old age, most of us have someone that we admire and what to be more like. Whether it be an imaginary childhood superhero like Superman or a larger than life civil rights leader like Martin Luther King Jr. the truth is we all have that inner want to become greater. The world has its heroes but there is one who rises above the rest.

As a Christ follower, I want to become more like my Superhero my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, all true believers have the desire to grow and become more like Jesus Christ. God the Father (Abba) placed that desire in us, through the Holy Spirit, when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Although this desire has been placed in our inmost being it can be difficult to grow and become Christ-like if you don't follow three simple rules.

The first rule to follow would be to immerse yourself in God's word, the Bible. Studying the word of God every day helps to keep you on your toes when the enemy or Satan comes around to torment you. With the verses of the Bible pressed into your memory, it is easier to ward off the attacks of Satan. Reading the word of God is also very important in learning what God expects from you and what our rights are as children of God. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 explains, “As for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scriptures is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (NIV).

The next tool to becoming more like Jesus Christ would be prayer. Praying not only lets your request be known to the Father but opens the doors of communication with our Creator. God loves us and wants us to enter into a real relationship with Him. Praying for others is one of the best ways to feel the presence of God in your life. Paul expresses this in Ephesians 6:18 when he stated, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people (NIV).

Finally, serving others is a tool that is most overlooked by many but one of the most important. To become more like Jesus Christ you have to take the servants position. As Mathew 20:27-28 states, “Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (NIV). In Ephesians 6:7 Paul also states, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (NIV). Believe me, once you began to serve others, especially the poor in spirit and those who lack material goods, God will begin to pour out blessings on you that you could never imagine.

With that said, I am as weak as the next person when it comes to keeping my “Spiritual” tools in shape, but if I just try and incorporate a Bible reading plan, daily prayer, and servitude into my life I might just become more like my Superhero and Savior and less like me.

I'll leave you with another of my favorite verse, 2 Corinthians 3:18, “We are all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, and being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. From this comes the Lord who is the Spirit” (NIV).

Your Sister in Christ,

Jacque Barnes

The Many Faceted Creator

God has many different names that can help us know Him better. In the Bible, these names reflect different characteristics of God. When I started a study on the names of God I was amazed at how these names have helped change my perception of Him during both trying and good times in my life.

The first name I always think of is Jehovah, which many people use to address God. Jehovah means “Lord”, but not to confuse it with Adonai which also means Lord. Jehovah refers to God as He made the earth and the heaves and who is seeking relationships with His children (Genesis 2:4, Bible). Adonai, on the other hand, is plural and is used to refer to YHWY (YAHWEH) the name of God that according to the Jewish people was to never be spoken. Deuteronomy 3:24 demonstrates this, “O Lord [Adonai] God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours (NIV). After these distinctions, I would like to share a few of God's many names.

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Many of the names of God start with El which simply means God. To begin with, the name Eloah means God is mighty, strong. or prominent In line with this the name Elohim is the plural form of Eloah and also means God is mighty, strong, or prominent, but reflects more than one. Elohim (in my own opinion, but certainly not everyone) gives reference to the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Genesis 1:1-2 states, “In the beginning, God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters (NIV). Genesis 1:26 states this plural meaning a bit clearer, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in our own image, after Our likeness (ESV). As I have explained, El (God) has many characteristics. These characteristics give us a better idea of God's love for His children.

El Jireh, or “The Lord with provide” was a name given to God by Abraham when God provided a ram to be sacrificed instead of Abraham's only son Isaac. In Genesis 22:12-14 an Angel of God called out to Abraham saying, “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide (NIV). Today this name also gives us reassurance that the Lord will provide for us when we are in need.

El Rapha, or “The Lord who heals” was first mentioned in Exodus 15:26 when God said, “I am Jehovah who heals you, both in body and soul. In body by preserving from and curing diseases, and in the soul by pardoning iniquities (NIV). Amazingly this verse was prophesying how Jesus, the Son of God and our Savior would give healing to our bodies and forgiveness for our sins. The healing came by the flogging and beating Jesus received before His crucifixion and the forgiveness came by the spilling of His blood as he died on the cross. The perfect Lamb of God was sacrificed. 1 Peter 2: 24 states, "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." (NIV).

El Shalom or “The Lord our peace” is a name given to God by Gideon after seeing the Angel of God. Judges 6: 22-24 states, “When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face! ”But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”So Gideon built an altar to the Lord here and called it The Lord Is Peace (NIV). Today we can still have the assurance of His name, El Shalom. In John 14:27, Jesus stated, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (NIV).

Finally, I will leave you with my personal favorite El Shaddai or God Almighty, the mighty God of Jacob (Israel). God is all-powerful. In Genesis 49:24, El Shaddai is described like this, “his bow remains steady, his strong arms stayed limber because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob (El Shaddai), because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel” (NIV). Today we can rest in the name El Shaddai because God is still our strength and our steady and strong arm. There are many more names that characterize God, and I would recommend you do your own study. Not only will it help you discover God in many new ways, it will give you a better understanding of your relationship with the Creator of all things.

Thank you, Father, for Your many-faceted and all faithful existence!!

Enjoy this music video from Amy Grant "El Shaddai"

Have you Experienced a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

A Wolf in sheep's clothing refers to anyone who does not present themselves in truth. This phrase has referred to many people but my topic today is anyone teaching the word of God in an untruthful way. In Mathew 7:15, Jesus Christ states, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (NIV).

These days you cannot turn on your television without someone giving his or her opinion about what is right or wrong. Many of these people are preachers who are supposed to lead people to the truth about Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation. 2 Peter 2:1 explains this, “But there were false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord” (NIV). This verse goes on to explain that many will follow these false teachers and the “Truth” will be disrupted. These false teachers will exploit people and make up stories, but they will face destruction (2 Peter 2, NIV). These verses are not talking about other religions or cults, it is talking about the Church then and now. There was in the beginning and still today many who claim to be true Holy Spirit filled preachers of the word of God who are wolves in sheep's clothing. With that, I must remind you there is not a perfect church on this earth, But the truth of God will stand firm. 

Jesus taught that the wheat (true believers) and the tares (unbelievers) are being grown together so there will always be opposition. In Mathew 13:30 Jesus stated, “Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn” (NIV). So as you can see true believers may be surrounded by unbelievers. Jesus goes on to explain in Mathew 13:38, which states, “The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the Kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one” (NIV). So how do we know what is real and what is false? I found an article by Colin Smith who is with The Gospel Coalition (TGC) that has helped me spot false teachers.

The first question to ask is about the teacher's source of information he or she is sharing? Is the source the word of God or is the source from somewhere else (Smith, C. 2013).

The next thing to look for is a “Different Message”. Is Jesus Christ the center of the message? If not beware! (Smith, C. 2013).

Number three would be the position you take as a result of the message. The true believer will make solid efforts to change if the message is true. If the message is from a false teacher the message may leave you questioning your motives to change (Smith, C. 2013).

The fourth trait to look for is the character of the people the preaching is producing? Are the people pursuing the fruits of the Holy Spirit like goodness and self-control or are they marked by gossip and backbiting (Smith, 2013)?

Number five would be, does the message have a different request or appeal. The true believer will appeal to the Holy Bible for his or her message. The false teacher will appeal to the human nature (Smith, 2013).

The sixth concerns the fruits of the spirit that are being produced. Is the message resulting in a life lived for Jesus Christ? The results of false teaching is a lack of change where people still seek after earthly desires instead of the desire to be near to the Father (Smith, 2013).

Lastly, does the message lead you to a life with Jesus and a love for others? Does the message explain the only way to life everlasting is through the Lord Jesus Christ (Smith, 2013)? In Mathew 7:21, Jesus explains, “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the ones who do the will of my Father who is in heaven” (NIV).

So as you can see true believers need to be careful of who they trust to guide them. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to protect you from the lies of these false teachers and you will learn to spot that wolf before he or she causes damage.

I'll leave you this week with 2 Timothy 2:19, which states, “Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn from wickedness” (NIV). It may take some time, but the desire is there and The Holy Spirit is always trying to guide you in the right direction.

Have a Wonderful week making sure you are nowhere near that “Wolf in Sheep's Clothing”!!

Your Sister in Christ,

Jacque Barnes

The Choice is yours...

I have often thought about what happens when we shed these dirt suits and rejoin Jesus. To be apart from the body is to be with God is what the scriptures tell in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 which states, “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and be at home with the Lord” (ESV). The scriptures also talk of places called Heaven and Hell and what it takes to live an eternity in these places.

Mathew 13:44 explains Heaven this way, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (ESV). Heaven is the most precious gift a person will ever receive, but to receive this gift you need to believe in the One who paid the price for your life. Jesus Christ, God's only Son was born into this world to do just that, to pay the price for our eternal life in Heaven. God Loved you and me that much. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal Life” (NIV). This is the best news for those of us who have made that decision to stop trying to live life in a fallen world and give it back to the one who created us and loves us. But for those who ignore the facts of an afterlife and chose to live life on their own terms away from the Creator another place has been prepared, a place called Hell.

The bible seems very clear about the subject of Hell. Hell is as real as Heaven and as wonderful as Heaven is, Hell is the polar opposite, to paraphrase, it is a lake of fire that never goes out. In Mathew 13:49-50 Jesus explains Hell in a parable, “This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous, and throw the wicked or unrighteous into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (ESV). I want to be found righteous when the time comes, don't you?

To be righteous is to be under to authority of the Father, to be set apart from the world and to be Holy. Not saying the righteous don't sin, we do. But our wrongdoings are covered by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ when we repent or ask for forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 puts it like this, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful the just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (ESV). Our names are written in the Book of Life when we make the choice to live for Christ Jesus. In Revelation 20:15 Jesus proclaimed, “If anyone's name was not found in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Hell)” (ESV). 1 Corinthians 6:9 also states, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous (not saved) will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Heaven)” (ESV). There is no gray area here, its black and white, Heaven or hell, no in between. The saved go to Heaven the unsaved end up in Hell.

Apart from the Creator, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit there is no love, Joy, or Peace. Apart from God, there is only evil, pain, rejection, hatred, and misery. Hell is real my friends. So today why don't you make the choice to let Jesus Christ become your salvation through faith and acceptance of Him as God's Son. The One who paid the price by dying on that cross and defeating death by coming back to life just so we could spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Don't be the one who Jesus says, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Mathew 7:23, NKJV). To be apart from God is not a good choice to make. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 explains, “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might”(ESV).

I will leave you this week with some verses that may help you make the right choice. Revelation 21:3-8 states, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them and they will be His people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away”. And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold I am making all things new”. Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true...” (ESV).  

Have a blessed week.

Your Sister in Christ,

Jacque Barnes

Mountaintops and Valley Floors

Do you ever feel like you are always either halfway to the mountaintop or sliding to the valley floor? I do, but being diagnosed bipolar many years ago it is normal for me. When I do have those times when everything seems to be leveled out I begin to feel, somewhat, out of place. No really, I have learned to enjoy these times and pray thanking God for the rest He is giving me.

Whether the times in your life is going good and you are making that steady ascend to the top, or you are discovering that life is not fair, no matter the hard work you have put into it, God expects us to appreciate Him. In fact He expects us to praise Him and thank Him. In Deut. 31:8 it states, “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (NIV). God understands that life can be hard. Isaiah 41:10 states, “Do not fear for I am with you, do not be anxiously looking about you, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (NIV). People we need to build our faith in God's promises!

Faith grows during times of anticipation. When we are on the valley floor and just can't seem to climb one more step our hope is in our Lord and Savior who builds our faith when we trust in Him. Paul said it this way in Romans 15:13,“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”( NIV). The Holy Spirits will overflow you with that hope if you trust in Him to be there for you!! And when we are on that mountaintop and things can't seem to get better we will enjoy that overflow of hope from the Holy Spirit that built the faith that helped us to keep going, AMEN...

So as you can see, God deserves praise when we are on the valley floor as well as on the mountaintop. As for those times when all is leveled off and things are quiet? Do as I have learned to do, rest and enjoy but always give God all praise.

Please enjoy Tauren Wells preform "Hills and Valleys"

Have a Wonderful week Thanking The Creator and seeking level ground my friends!!
Your Sister in Christ, 
Jacque Barnes

An Everlasting Love Story

When I ask God to forgive me of my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, God made a covenant with me. He made a solemn promise to be my Heavenly Father and adopt me into His family. I was bought and paid for by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ, but that's not all. In John 3:16 Jesus explains, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him would never perish, but have eternal life” (NIV).

Since Jesus used the word “world” in John 3:16 He is offering this gift to all people, not just the elect. If we accepted this gift of Love and declared our commitment to God by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord we start a new life with Him forever and ever. This “forever” does not start when we get to heaven it begins the moment we take His hand in faith. Each new life with Christ is the start of a beautiful eternal existence. A true love story begins when we give our life to Jesus. We become, let's say, “Engaged” to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ.

God begins to prepare us for the wedding to end all weddings. Isaiah 61:10 tells of this great love, “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Bible). Isaiah 62:5 goes on to state, “As a young man marries a young woman, so will your “Builder” marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will God rejoice over you” (NIV). How beautiful is this image of a bride adorned with the eternal promises of salvation and righteousness and waiting to walk the aisle to meet her bridegroom? These promises are for us when we say Yes to Jesus!!

As we wait to walk that aisle there are a few things you can do to help keep your engagement or love story fresh and exciting. The first would be to take the time to get to know your Lord Jesus Christ. Each and everyday read His word (Bible) and pray asking Him to reveal Himself to you more and more through His words. Next praise Him and thank Him for all the blessings and gifts that He has given you. Sharing with others your love story is another way to give Jesus Glory. Being in love naturally make one want to tell anyone who will listen. Next, meditating on the goodness of God and the beauty of His creation helps to keep your commitment strong through the trials of life.

Now I know there is a bit of difference between an earthly engagement and the engagement we have with our Heavenly Father. Jesus will never leave you or call the engagement off. He is steadfast and faithful to the end. So rest assured, Jesus never goes back on His word. Jesus loved us from the beginning and is preparing a place where we will be with Him forever. The love story will never end. Be encouraged brothers and sister!!

Please enjoy The Casting Crowns Wedding Day!!

The Only True Choice

Whether we realize it or not God is in control. We can make choices, good or bad, but God has His hand in everything. We make bad choices, He gives us options to set things straight. We make good decisions and He is there to put the stepping stones down that leads to other positive outcomes. God is good all day every day!! 

Although we make mistakes that can cause devastation to ourselves and our families God is always there to help us get back on the right track. Psalms 37:23-24 explains it like this, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (NIV). God is always there ready to make your path straight, you only have to let Him. Refusing God's help never leads to a good conclusion.

If a person goes through life refusing and ignoring God, he or she cannot expect to have His best in life. In fact, God is such a Gentleman that He would never be so rude as to push Himself on an individual who did not want Him. God gives us free will to make our own choices. The choice is a life without a Savior, or a life lived to the fullest with a Savior. Joshua after finally settling in the Promised Land spoke to the children of Israel about his choice, “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, NIV). It's really black and white, no gray line here folks. Choose the Lord or keep ignoring Him.

The right to choose a savior was the reason God sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world. John 3:16, which is familiar to many states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV). Jesus came to this Earth to serve and save us from ourselves. God knew that we could not live a life that would be righteous enough to have a relationship with Him so He sent His son Jesus who was sacrificed so that we would have the right to choose a relationship with God the Father. As you can see, it is a choice.

If an individual makes that choice to let God lead them, He takes over and gives that individual all the mercy and grace he or she will need. Giving God control of our life is not easy at times, but is worth it when the outcome is clear and God's best is front and center. God becomes our main focus and is Glorified through our submission to Him. 2 Peter explains, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own Glory and Goodness” (NIV). God does not make mistakes. God loves us through the storms of life. God is Lord and He is Good. The best in life comes from the Lord Jesus Christ and no other.

Have a Wonderful week being thankful that you have made the right choice.

Your Sister in Christ,

Jacque Barnes

Are You Malnourished?

God uses different symbols to help people understand Him and what He wants for us. Throughout the Bible, God uses symbols to give the main idea a deeper meaning. For instance, a perfect lamb may represent Jesus or the “Prodigal Son” may represent man as he or she returns and ask forgiveness of God the Father. Today I want to look at what bread and wine represented, before and after Jesus Christ.

Bread is food and is symbolic of life, without food man cannot survive. In the Bible, bread represents the promises God made to the Israeli people. In Leviticus 24: 8, God explains, “This bread is to be set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant” (Bible). God made a covenant with Abraham the father of the Israeli people. God promised He would make a great nation through Abraham's seed and gave him the land that would become known as Israel. So as you can see bread represents the promise of life and God's words of truth, which never returns void. The blood represents life as well, but also forgiveness.

In Leviticus 17:11 God explains the meaning of the use of blood, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life” (Bible). The atonement or forgiveness of their sins would come through the blood of a sacrifice being spilled on the altar.

When God sent His only Son Jesus Christ into the world He sent Him to heal and restore. Jesus Christ had told His disciples on numerous occasions, that the only way to experience eternal life was through Him. After Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected many things started to make sense to the disciples. One of which was the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup of wine which was symbolic of the blood of Jesus Christ.

During the last supper, Jesus Christ explained how bread and wine represent His body and blood. As Jesus and His disciples were celebrating the Passover meal Jesus took the bread and broke it and told them to eat. This was to be symbolic of His flesh that would die as a sacrifice for their sins once and for all. By eating the bread, or the flesh of Jesus, the disciples were symbolizing their belief in an eternal life through His sacrifice. Jesus explains this in John 6:51 which states, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever” (Bible). From the beginning, Jesus was symbolized using bread.

Next, Jesus Christ picked up the cup. The cup of wine Jesus raised was to symbolizing His blood that would be spilled during His sacrifice. The blood of Jesus Christ would wash away the sins of the believers who would put his or her trust in Him as their Savior. In John 7: 37-38 Jesus stated, Let anyone who is thirsty (needing forgiveness) come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living waters will flow from within them”(Bible).

The bread and the cup are symbolic of the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus stated in John 6:35 & 55, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks of My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true (spiritual) food and My blood is true (spiritual) drink” (Bible).

So I will leave you this week with a question. Are you a little malnourished spiritually? Do you need to make some changes in your spiritual diet? By adding the bread of life and the cup of forgiveness you will never be hungry or thirsty again.

Have a Wonderful week feasting and getting your fill of the Word of God, Jesus Christ!!

Your Sister in Christ,

Jacque Barnes

The Only Life-Giving Savior

Mathew 28:6 

He is not here; He has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay

As the two women came closer to the tomb they realized that the large stone had been rolled to one side. The women had been discussing earlier, during their walk, about who would help them roll the stone back so they could enter and finish the job of preparing Jesus' body for burial. As they stood in wonderment they hear a voice declare that the one whom they were looking for, was not there because He had risen from the dead and left the tomb.

Can you imagine hearing those words, He is not here for He has risen from the dead and left the tomb. I would be looking around wondering if I was at the right place. But the words of the Angel rang true Jesus was not there, only his grave clothes were there. Where had He gone? Was this some kind of cruel joke? Had someone taken His body away? As all these thoughts bounced around in their heads a man appeared. At first he appeared as a stranger, but as He continued to speak He became known. The man was Jesus!! He was alive, He had come back from the dead! The one and only God of creation had done the impossible! John explained the encounter in John 20: 14-16, which states. “At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was a gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get Him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward Him and cried out Teacher” (NIV).

The actions of Jesus that Passover weekend paved the way for our salvation. As Jesus hung on the cross, He took all our sins and sicknesses upon Himself and presented Himself as a perfect sacrifice to God. In the same way, the Jewish High Priests would sacrifice a spotless lamb to cover the sins of the people of Israel every year before the Passover. This custom was set in place by God before the Hebrews were released from slavery in Egypt. The blood of a spotless lamb was to be sprinkled over the door of each Hebrew house to protect them from the Death Angel that would be coming to kill all the firstborn in Egypt. Exodus 12:7 explains, “Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and top of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs” (NIV). The “Blood” protected then and it protects now! The precious blood of Jesus is life to anyone who believes in what He did on the cross and in the tomb. His blood has covered us once and for all, for an eternity. No more payment is due, no more lamb sacrifices, Jesus Christ's sacrifice was the last one needed. 

As Jesus Christ walked out of that tomb He defeated the Death Angel who was set to take all life. But the Death Angel would have to “Pass Over” everyone who was under the protection of the blood of Jesus Christ. The ones who call Him Lord and Savior, have ask for forgiveness of their sins and given their lives to Him. Jesus Christ is the only one who can give true life that cannot be taken.

The message of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection is the most important message anyone could ever hear. Resurrection Sunday is the high holiday of the Christian World and celebrated each year around the same time as the Jewish Passover. It is easy to get lost in the celebration, but if we take anything away from His actions we should remember that although Jesus did this for all of us, we should take it very personally.

Jesus died for... ME. Jesus rose again to defeat death for... ME. He is my personal Savior and He is closer to me than a brother. I love Him more than life itself because He is the only giver of Life. Amen...

Please listen to Elevation Worship preform - Resurrecting (Live)

Have a Wonderful Day and Week making Jesus Christ personal to YOU. He is the Most Precious, Lifegiving, Savior you will ever know. 

Your Sister in Christ,
Jacque Barnes

It is Finished!!

 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.- John 19:28-30 (NIV).

The last words that Jesus Christ spoke before He died on the cross were, “It is finished.” Have you ever thought about what those three words meant as the Son of God was dying? I understand that His death was a payment for my sins and that if I would only, as John 3:16 states, “Believe on God's only Son I would not die but live forever with Him, but what did these words mean to Jesus?

Jesus was aware that he had completed the work God the Father had given Him to complete. Jesus knew that all people would now have a choice, to enter into Heaven with Him or to enter into Hell without Him. Jesus also understood the world would never be the same. What I did not understand is the words, “It is finished” meant more to Jesus than I could ever imagine.

Leading up to the death and resurrection Jesus had much to do. He had to prepare and teach the Apostles. Jesus had to speak to the Jewish people about not only loving God but loving each other. And He also had to “Throw a Wrench” into the Pharisees lavish way of life. Although Jesus had many devoted followers who believed Him, He had many enemies. Jesus Christ had to begin a movement that still has momentum to this day. His Love has never died.

So you see, the last words of Jesus Christ were very powerful indeed! Although giving the human race the choice to accept the Son of God as savior or not is of significant importance, the work that went into God's plan that led up to the sacrifice of His Son had to be done. A plan was in place for God's Words to be fulfilled and for His Son Jesus Christ to be revealed as Messiah. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, It's all about Jesus!

Have a wonderful week reflecting on the goodness of God the Father and the sacrifice it took to led His Children back home. Thank you Jesus...

                                             The Heart of Worship - Micheal W. Smith

Your Sister in Christ!

Jacque Barnes