HE Is Risen!

Do you understand- the grave could not hold Him. That very big stone in front of Christ’s tomb simply just rolled away. The Roman soldiers with their staves and clubs and spears were paralyzed, not only was the stone rolled away but their prized possession that Satan was rejoicing about is gone. All that was left behind was the linen clothes He wore and the cloth covering his face which was neatly folded.
Can you hear Satan summoning his angels to an emergency meeting? As a matter a fact, he has fired a bunch of them, reassigned some and sentenced some to hard times. How could they allow this to happen? As Hell’s rejoicing came to a sudden halt, Heaven stood at attention two Angels were standing at their posts in the empty tomb waiting to redirect all those who would be coming to the tomb.

Mary Magdalene and two other women were the first to arrive at the tomb, preparing to properly anoint Christ’s body as they were not able to do so on Friday. Can you imagine there surprise when they arrived and saw that the stone was rolled away? At first they thought that His enemies had stolen the body to further humiliate Him and His followers.
As they entered the tomb the two angels greeted them. The women were frightened but they were assured:
Do not be afraid. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he laid. Then go quickly and tell his disciple that Jesus has risen from the dead. Matthew 28:5-7.

These three women were the first to give the good news to everyone they met including the disciples – “He is Risen- Jesus was alive. These women did not question the fact although they did not see Jesus, they believed. Later and throughout the day Jesus appeared again and again, first to Mary Magdalene, then to Joanna and Mary the mother of James. That evening he appeared to two men walking to Emmaus and showed up unexpectedly in the room where ten of the disciples were hiding. It took about 1400 years to complete this work that God started to redeem mankind, but it was finally accomplished. Death’s icy hand was pried open, and Jesus conquered death, not just for himself, but for anyone that would bet their soul on God’s Passover Lamb.

Reflection: Just as He rose from the dead, so will you and your situations that seem dead and buried come back to life. Have Faith that He who has started a good thing in you will see it to completion. He is Faithful- Walk in His resurrection power. It’s not over-till God says it’s over.

In His Service,

Vilma

Not just mere words

One of the first prayers that most of us learned growing up in a Christian home was what we called the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer we later learned was actually the model prayer which was taught by Jesus to His disciples. This prayer is still very relevant today and one that we should use to pattern the way in which we approach prayer. Most of us have become so familiar with the words of this prayer that we simple race through it without thinking about th...e words we are saying.

This prayer in case you forget is found in Mathew 6: 9-15 and begins with the words “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name”. Yes that’s the one I’m talking about. This entire prayer is profound, but I would like to focus our attention on verse 12. Here is what this verse says-“And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"

What does this verse means? Here are a couple interpretations. Father forgive me of all of my debts/trespasses/transgressions as I forgive the people who have transgressed or wronged me here is another way in which I interpret it. Lord the same way in which I refuse to forgive my children when they are disobedient and take me for granted, I want you to do the same with me when I do not do the things you ask and when I take you for granted. Father the same way in which I hold on to the grudge I have for my ex-husband for leaving me for another woman, is the same way in which I want you to remember the many times I left you to worship and admire other things and people instead of you.

Another interpretation that I have of this verse is this- Lord it is so hard to forgive and forget the many people who have wronged me over the years, but it is not worth holding on to un-forgiveness so with your help I choose to forgive them all, knowing that you will do the same for me as well.
Verse 14 explains very well, why we need to do this: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you”. I think this makes so much sense.

I realize that left to me I would choose who and what to forgive instead of extending forgiveness to everyone. So the next time you say the model – prayer remember to pay attention to the details, it will make a difference.

In His Service,

Vilma

Narcissism or confirmation of the word of God?

As I was getting ready for work a couple of days ago I overheard a portion of the news, where the question was being asked if parents are creating narcissists by praising their children for everything and telling them that they are deserving of certain things. The report continued to say that parents who do so are creating children who will not accept "no" for an answer and will not be able to manage well in the real world.
 I do hear what they are saying, but I also think about those children who can never do anything good enough in the eyes of their parents, those who are told that they do not deserve a better life and that they are inferior to another sibling. What or who are we creating?  Are we creating children who have low self-esteem, not willing to try at anything because they already feel that they will fail?

Unfortunately I tend to see things according to the word of God. I believe that we should encourage and commend our children whenever they make an effort at doing something. I do believe that they should know that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  I do believe that I should let them know that they are “above” and not “beneath”, that they are the “head” and not the tail”. I do want them to understand that what is within them is greater than what is in the world. I want them to know that it is not by might or by power that they do these things, but by the Spirit of the Lord. I do believe that God’s children are already victorious because Jesus Christ has already overcome the world. 

Who or what are we developing when we do this? I believe we are developing men and women who know exactly who they are in Christ Jesus and who will conduct themselves in a way pleasing to God. I believe we are developing children who will make a positive difference in the world. Children who will not be followers, but instead leaders, children who will not be looking for love in the wrong places; children who will not need a gun to make them strong or important, but will use the word of God as their sword.

In His Service,

Vilma

Not by Might or by Power

Sometimes we get overwhelmed by situations in our lives, by tasks that we may be asked to do, not seeing how we could ever pull it off.

The bible tells us of the story of a man by the name of Zerubbabel who was commissioned to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem.  This temple was destroyed by the Babylonians and was left it in ruins for about 70 years.  Not only was there a lack of man-power, but there was no resources with which to rebuild the temple.  To Zerubbabel this was a seemingly impossible task. 

Knowing what Zerubbabel was thinking God had to remind him through His prophet Zechariah that things are not always done by our might or power, but by God’s Spirit ( Zechariah 4: 6-).

Like so many of us do, Zerubbabel was relying on his own physical strength and ability to carry out this job of rebuilding the temple instead of relying on the inner strength of the Holy Spirit for guidance. 

Most times we shy away from things we are asked to do because we feel inadequate to do so. We look at our muscles, we count the amount of money we have in the bank, how large or small our homes are, how well we can dress, or talk and then make the decision.  God is saying it is not about what we are able to do; instead it is about what He is able to do through us.  Every day we should wake up with a Phil 4:13 kind of attitude: I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.

 What or who has God called you to rebuild, refurbish or refashion that has been broken down and left in ruins.  Is it your relationship with Him; is it the salvation of your loved ones? Is it the relationship with your children or your parents?  Perhaps it’s an overhaul in your life, could it be to make some needed changes in your home, or changes in your community.

 The work that God has given you will not be accomplished by mere human resources.  Sometimes the best laid out plans will fail.  God sometimes allows failure to happen so that He can use it as a teachable moment for us, to understand where our resources are.

In His Service,

Vilma

 

Pray without ceasing

Are you ready to quit? Are you tired of me always encouraging you to pray for your children? Have you even tried praying once? Or do you just read what I say, agree to it because it sounds good but leave it there? Maybe things have turned around for your child or children and so you think you can take a break and relax.

Well just in case you did not get it, here I go again. Prayer is the most important weapon that we have as Christians and especially as mothers to use to fight for our children. We cannot afford to put it away and allow it to get rusty or dull, but we must keep it sharp and oiled by always using it. The more we use it the easier it becomes to use.

As mothers we do know that there is only so far we can push the tricycle before our children ride off on their own — and go where they will, running into some obstacles that they may not be able to properly negotiate. However they have no control over us praying for them. They cannot ride off far enough for our prayers not to impact their lives. God’s eyes are everywhere on this earth and always know where they are and His arms will always be able to reach them.

As mothers we are encouraged to pray not only defensively- when something is going or has gone wrong, but we also must pray offensively to ward off some things that may have been aimed at them.

Won’t you pray with me? Father I thank you for my children, I pray for continued covering and protection under your blood. I pray that their eyes will be opened to recognize who you are, that their ears will be opened to hear your still small voice and that their mind is renewed that they will be obedient to follow your lead. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

In His Service,

Vilma

 

 

Taming the tongue- difficult but not impossible

I grew up hearing and saying this phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."  After I got a bit wiser I realize that this is really not the truth.  I have had people say some things to me that were so hurtful that I wished they had broken one of arm or leg. You see, it is easier to get a cast applied to the broken limb than it is to heal a broken heart or spirit.

Proverbs 18: 21 tell us that: Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  In the book of James – chapter 3 we find some incredible information concerning the tongue and how difficult it is to tame it.

 James talks about it being easier to break a wild horse by using a “bit” or steering a big ship with a small rudder, than it is to manage the tongue (v3-4).  The fact that the tongue can be so damaging, should caution us to be very careful how we use it.  This is more so true to mothers who can sometimes take out our frustration and anger on our children by saying things that are hurtful.

For this year let us resolve to use our tongues wisely, let us refrain from gossiping, lying and tearing people down. Instead let use build up, correct lovingly, exhort and affirm.

I was on the internet and came across a sermon by Rick Smith about taming the tongue and here is something that he said that I think we will all benefit from. Before you speak, think. Here is the acrostic he used for think.

T - is it true?
H - is it helpful?
I - is it inspiring?
N - is it necessary?
K - is it kind?.
If what you are about to say does not pass this simple test, then don't say it.

In His Service,

Vilma

Spiritual Fasting

Many of us welcome the month of January to shed the many pounds that we accumulated over thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of us join the local gym and work out, and many will participate in various types of "Fasts" depending on how quickly they want to shed those pounds.

  Many Christians individually or collectively with their churches also participate in a Spiritual fast at the start of the New Year. For many of us it is the 21-day Daniel Fast.  There are approximately 99 verses in the bible that refer to "Fasting" and hence I do believe that fasting is very important.  Although God commanded fasting of the Israelites in the Old Testament, we do not see Him commanding fasting in the New Testament nor do we see him forbidding it.

Many early Christians did practice fasting and prayer as a part of their spiritual lives and truly belief that we should also take some time out to participate in a time of fasting also. Having said  let me caution you not to participate in a Fast just to say you did a fast, but make sure that you Fast with the purpose of gaining spiritual strength, a deeper understanding of God and a closer relationship with Him. Sometimes we need clarity from God concerning what our next steps should be. Sometimes when we need a breakthrough concerning situations in our lives (our health, issues with our children, our marriages or our career) it is necessary to spend some time seeking God’s face.

When we fast it is not about the length of time, but rather it is about the effectiveness of your Fasting. Although fasting is generally abstaining from food, you can also abstain from other things that will require some sacrifice such as watching your favorite television show.  If you have never fasted before and want to try it, you should start with a partial fast- such as abstaining for a few hours at a time and not for an entire day. As you get more comfortable then you can adjust the length of time. If you have special dietary needs, make sure that you seek the advice of your health care provider and avoid complicating your health problems.
 
 In His Service,

Vilma