Repentance, Renewal and Resurrection

Maybe 2020 is forcing us to step up.  .  . uncomfortable huh? Imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have nails pierced through your hands to help hold you up on a cross, while you rocked a crown of thorns on your head . . . way too graphic I know, but praise GOD that's not the case, I digress.

I remember in early January when someone said 2020 would be a great year for me, I agreed, but really became aware today, Resurrection Sunday in the midst of COVID-19, that all things, at each moment should be from the perspective of the plans GOD has for us as believers.

Listen to the full pod: "Repentance, Renewal and Resurrection" here. It's a bonus episode! Happy Easter!

Scripture References:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. - Isaiah 55:8

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and don't lean toward your own understanding; - Proverbs 3:5

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. - Romans 8:12-13

And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that so you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. - Revelation 1:18


Repentance Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior 

What Easter Plan Are You Reading In YouVersion?

Happy April! Welcome To The New Month! I don't wanna here any name jokes! I've heard the "APRIL, May, June" response when I tell people my name all my life . . . trust me, I'm good.

Anyway, let's talk Devotionals! Although, I have a physical devotional that I'm reading. YouVersion recently sent out their Easter Badge update. I got one last year and it felt good, so It's kind of a tradition now. Let's Get it!!

Yesterday I started the "Cross & Crown" devotional plan by InTouch Ministries. I made it public and invited friends, so I invite you to join me on this devotional journey to get your Easter Badge! You can join us in the plan HERE. Also, If you haven't already added me as a friend on YouVersion feel free to connect with me. 

We talk more about the Devotionals in the BOLD Facebook Group. Where I will also be doing more Check-ins, LIVE streams, and sharing more Inspiration.
 

If you would like to stay connected. Join the BOLD Prayer and Inspiration Group.

Don't Get Even, Heal

"DON'T GET EVEN. HEAL."

In the days leading up to Easter I've come across this post on social media a few times. It spoke to me deeply each time I saw it. "Don't Get Even, Heal". Four words with so much depth. As today is Easter and many celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I thought about the four words in the context of everything that Christ went through leading up to crucifixion on the cross. He didn't try to get even, and he did more than heal, He manifested so that we as believers could be whole. 

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. - Romans 4:25

 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5

Just letting that last part sink in: "By His stripes we are healed." Because Christ didn't think to get even, didn't think to fight back or get revenge, WE are healed. 

The world needs our WHOLE, HEALED selves. Being that Jesus was healed he knew and walked in his purpose. Although that may have been hard to carry out, his determination was stronger than his distractions. A life of peace and abundance is a focused life, where the focus is on GOD's will (our divine calling). I'm definitely grateful for the inspiration that Christ's story presents and the peace that I've experienced with focusing on GOD's will in my own life.

I pray that we continue to focus on our healing and wholeness that's promised to us as believers, in Jesus name. 

Happy Resurrection Celebration From BreathOfLifeDaily.com

Sweet Communion

(photo, my own, ADF)

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
 
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

-Matthew 26:26-28

Lent came to a close on Sunday, with the waving of palms and shouts of "Hosanna!". Easter is a few days away, and tomorrow is Good Friday, the heart of the Passion. Today is also a day of note for Christians who follow the liturgical calendar. It's Maundy Thursday. If you're unfamiliar with it, that's okay. I had no idea it existed until about four years ago.

On Maundy, or Holy Thursday, many Christians mark the day by having a service which includes washing of feet, reading of Scripture, and a Communion service.

I was fascinated by Communion as a child. Growing up in a small Pentecostal church, pastored by my late grandfather, Communion was a once a month, First Sunday ritual. All the women wore white, and they would dress the altar in white linens as well. My Papa, standing in the pulpit, would read aloud to the congregation about the very first Communion between Jesus and His disciples at the Last Supper. I would try to conjure up images of that scene, and invariably, they would all look something like this:

 

(Source)

Yeah, so not original. But I bet you thought the same thing. Anyway, first Sunday after first Sunday, year after year, after awhile, Communion lost it's specialness. I started to view it as the time that kept us in church fifteen minutes longer than usual. When I joined a non-denominational church after college, Communion was far less frequent, and unlike the wine and matza used at my childhood church, it was grape juice and crackers. I thought even less about an event that Jesus commanded us to do "in remembrance" of Him.

In the last few years, I've given much more thought to the practice of Communion, also known as the Holy Eucharist. I've read over the Scriptures devoted to it, and have come to have more respect and a new found reverence. Contemplating on the physical- Jesus sharing a final meal with His followers, who would all abandon Him in a matter of hours. He knew lies, betrayal, injustice, torture and death awaited. Yet, He sat down with the disciples and broke bread in the hours before His body was broken.

In those precious hours before His death, Jesus took the time to pray, not only for the disciples, but for all of us. His prayer is at the heart of Communion:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

-John 17:20-23

In the practice of Communion, we are to come together, in unity, as the Body of Christ. We- all of us Believers- are one in Christ Jesus our Lord.  United through His Blood, we are to show forth love to God, each other, and the world.

If Communion has become routine, I encourage you to read over the verses, and ask God to make it new again to you. Have a blessed Holy Week!

Alisha De Freitas blogs at East of Eden.