Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

As of yesterday, we've officially entered into Holy Week. This week represents the last week of Jesus' life on earth. Yesterday, my Pastor preached about the hope that the death and resurrection of Christ brings to our life. I try to watch the movie “Passion of Christ” every year around this time, to get a sense of what Jesus’ death was really like. This helps keep me centered, because I know He suffered all of that pain for me. This is the last week of the Lenten season, and I hope you've grown closer to Christ, because that's one the most important reasons for this forty-day journey. Jesus taught us how to have a stronger and deeper faith, as well as a trusting and open relationship with God. His death on the cross, over 2,000 yeas ago made that possible, and it's time for some self-examination. Jesus gave up His life for us, what have you given up for Him? Through this week, walk with Christ as He faces the end, and the beginning of His life. Yesterday, we celebrated his entrance into Jerusalem, which is called Palm Sunday. Maundy Thursday we celebrate the His last supper (day before death), Friday is "Good Friday" (crucifixion day), and Sunday is Easter (resurrection day!). There are many different ways to celebrate, and it's different with each denomination. Just know that Jesus' passion was love for all mankind, and that includes you. Have a wonderful day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about receiving our Eternal resting place in Heaven. The one thing we can count on, upon our death, as believers of Christ, is a mansion in Heaven. Jesus said: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3) From the beginning of the creation of the world, God has called us to be His children, and when we accepted His calling on our life, we were given a permanent place in Heaven. Through Christ we are all Heaven bound, and that's a reason to rejoice! By faith we can accomplish anything on this earth, because Jesus has already conquered death, so there's nothing else holding us back from victory. When we were old sinful beings, we had everything to fear, because sin was the weight around our neck, which caused us to drown in the world of deceit, lies, envy, malice, addiction, and any other evil we can think of. When Jesus died on the cross He took on all sin, once He was resurrected, He was renewed and restored. When we choose to believe in Christ, we receive “salvation”, which is the restoration and renewal of our Spirit, and includes the security of our Eternity. Paul wrote: In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Eph. 1:11-14) We’re “joint heirs” of the Kingdom of God, so when Paul refers to our “inheritance”, he’s referring to the promise Jesus made long ago. As long as we believe, we’re going to receive our “purchased possession”. Jesus paid the price on the cross, and we’ve been signed, sealed, and delivered into the hands of God, by His blood. His Holy Word says that this is a “guarantee”, and cannot be removed. We’ve been redeemed, and when our time is up on this earth, we’re going to His glory. God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son to die for our redemption. He loves us so much that He sacrificed Himself, so that we could live all eternity with Him in Heaven. He loves us so much that He’s forgiven every mistake we’ll ever make, and all He asks in return is our love. Heaven is far more beautiful than I could ever explain I’m sure, but as long as I’m with both God and Jesus, nothing else matters. Neither I, nor anyone else can offer you salvation, but I can show the way, through my Holy Spirit. The first step is to confess to God that you’re a sinner, and then ask Jesus to come into your life as Lord and Savior. As long as you believe that He lives, I look forward to seeing you in Heaven. Prayer, through Christ, is your only connection with God until you get Heaven, so do it earnestly, lovingly, and most importantly, often. My favorite verse today is: There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455285&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!