Remember those days in elementary school when everyone was friends with everyone? I sure do. Those were some good times, but I look back and often think "That's not reality". We think people are suppose to like us because we think that we deserve that much recognition. Let me share with you what I've learned this past couple of weeks.
We are not on this earth to be liked or have friends. We are here to spread the word of the One True God and to reverence Him with our lives.
So often, we forget that our purpose on earth is not to achieve a degree, or success according to our standards, or be happy, or to sulk in our misery. We are here to have a one-on-one relationship with our Heavenly Father, the one who created us and loves us so much that He gave us a gift. That gift is His son, Jesus Christ, the one who was beaten, bloody, and had nails in His hands and feet for OUR sake. Do you think that your loved ones or your best friends would do something like that for you? In their minds they may think they would, but at that moment the nail was about to go in, they would back out, just like any other human being. But Jesus' pain was so much less of a priority than the saving of our lives, so that we may have eternal life.
Passover started this week and we often forget the meaning of Passover or just forget about it completely. Passover was when Jesus has His last meal with the disciples. The shedding of Jesus' blood for our sins so that we may believe in Him and live according to His will is the essence of Passover and in return we are lifted into Heaven and receive an eternal life granted to us by the One True God. Yahweh knew what was coming yet he was calm. He knew the pain, betrayal, and spiritual battle that was coming, but yet he was calm. He knew those things were to come and he embraced the suffering for the sake of those who believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He endured the suffering of this world, the ridicule, the exhaustion, the betrayal of his friends. He did all of this knowing that it would be a way to save those who believe in Him.
We must not take His crucifixion for granted. We often see a cross, but many forget the reverence that is due because of that cross. Jesus' body was later put in a tomb and closed off with an extremely heavy and huge stone so that no one would be able to remove the body. But three days later his body was not there? Wow. Now who would steal a corpse? Gross. But that's the thing, no one did stole it. Jesus rose three days later by the power that had been bestowed within him since His birth. He is alive! We have that to rejoice in. He has risen and is no longer dead. According to the power of God, Jesus rose with the promise of new life for those who want to believe and who are believing. We have that promise. God will not go back on it. He will not decide to take it away from us because we have chosen to go off the path or sin again and again. He has freely given us His life so, that our lives may be fulfilled and that we may one day rise as well in to the Heavens and rejoice with God.
Reverence this gift God has given us. Reverence Him, who has saved you from death and hell. Reverence in such a way that it shines bright into this dark world, helping others see the love and grace He wants them to receive. Reverence El Elyon, the Lord most High, with the way you live your life. We are no longer enslaved to sin, but are set free by the blood of Jesus that was shed for us. So, I challenge us to live our lives according to His will and His commandments, not by the ways of the world. Stand firm in His presence and go against the crowds. We have the power of Jesus Christ within us, let us use it! He will provide, strengthen, and prevail through us. We just have to let Him. We choose to let Him in. He has made His ways known and His love known to us. He has given us the gift of eternal life and all WE have to do is decide to CHOOSE His will and not our own. We make the decision of following Him. It's not always a fun and happy journey, but it will be well worth it in the end. Remember the world hated Him so, therefore they will hate us also because we are God's children. So, we may make a few enemies and not everyone will like us, but we can rest in His arms of protection and press forward for the goal of eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord.
Challenges:
Challenges:
- verses 13-17 are powerful!
- Stand firm. You will soon be delivered from your iniquities. Stay strong. Call on the Holy Spirit for His power.
Live for Him, He died for you.
Peace & <3,
Samantha