WELCOME TO HIS PLAN AND PURPOSE MINISTRY (JER. 29:11-13)

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With God’s divine wisdom comes understanding as His Spirit illumines truth in our heart and mind. This understanding gives us spiritual discernment as to how we should apply the knowledge and wisdom gained through scripture and prayer. This is available to every child of God because of the indwelling Holy Spirit and can be received as we apply scriptural truths. With this understanding we acknowledge our need for God’s direction, power and presence in our life. “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” (Prov. 2:6-7)

This understanding is broad and can cover many areas of our lives. But our reliance upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance helps us focus on God’s will and desires, instead of our own. Such reliance requires our abiding in the Savior and His Word abiding in us as we filter everything through its principles. Jesus said: “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” This is possible only when our will is aligned with His through our mutual abiding. 

When we are aligned with our Savior, our actions will show it. We live to honor and glorify His Father. Godly wisdom and understanding cause us to carefully consider our actions, the motives behind them, and the possible consequences. Our thoughts are not just for ourselves, but others and those that may be affected by these actions. We can only align our life the Lord Jesus when we are attentive to what He has to say to us. “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;” (Prov. 2:2)

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:..But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (I Cor.  2:7, 10)

 “My son, keep my words, And lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; And my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, Write them upon the table of thine heart.” (Prov. 7:1-3)

Throughout Proverbs the personification of wisdom emphasizes the dire need for its rule and guidance in the life every Believer in Jesus Christ. This wisdom is divine and comes from God alone. It comes through intake and application of His holy Word (Col. 3:16); by way of His people to whom He imparts these treasures for the purpose of instruction, edification, and reproof (2 Tim. 3:16); and it is embodied in the life and examples of His Son, Jesus Christ (I Cor. 1:30). 

To become a recipient of God’s wisdom requires a personal relationship with the Father, by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ and His shed blood for sin. What an amazing privilege we can share as God’s children, to have access to His wisdom. He avails it to us freely (Jas. 1:5-6), because He knows we can accomplish nothing apart from His divine guidance. What we choose to do with it determines our peace (Phil. 4:7), our destiny (Jer. 29:11-13), and the fruit we bear now and for eternity (Jn. 15:1-5). It makes all the difference as to whether we impact the lives of others for Jesus Christ. Nothing is of more value than the eternal benefits gained by seeking and serving our Savior here and now. May we not waste a moment as we humbly ask, seek, and knock.  May we receive and experience all the blessings that follow in the path of wisdom. 

  2 Cor. 5:19 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

God in His infinite mercy had His plan for our redemption in place long before the offense occurred in the Garden of Eden. In eternity past, even before Lucifer committed the sin that caused a third of the angelic host to follow in his diabolical path, the act necessary to reconcile sinful man was in the mind and heart of God the Father. The word of reconciliation would not be possible without the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The cleansing blood ~ It’s available to who ever will acknowledge their sinfulness and turn to Jesus Christ in faith.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“ (1 John 1:9)

The redeeming blood ~  We no longer have to be slaves to sin. Christ has paid the price in blood to buy us from the depravity of sin and hell. No longer in the grips of eternal death, which is what God’s holiness required. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.“ (Galatians 4:4-5)

The life-giving blood ~ Not only are we rescued from spiritual death and hell, but the blood of Jesus Christ affords us life eternal, sealed and secure by His indwelling Holy Spirit. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ (Romans 6:23)

The blood of restoration and hope ~ Through Christ we have a hope fixed on the Savior and bearing His fruit in our life, of peace, joy, strength, and blessings beyond human comprehension. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.“ (Romans 15:13)

The design of the family by our heavenly Father is a magnificent and ingenious creation that only God can build and hold together. Our efforts are futile without the Master Designer. Scripture instructs us: “Therefor shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Gen. 3:24) God’s faithfulness is evident in the lives of mothers when taking into account the promises and power He gives from womb to birth; throughout growth, training and all the answered prayers well into adulthood. “ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come…She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

God’s grace is sufficient for the early years needed to nurture, mold, instill within young hearts those things vital for character, confidence, and a future commitment to Jesus Christ. These truths are instructions for both mother and father, yet the continual input would fall upon the mother in the Jewish culture, as she would spend the most time with the children. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. (Deut. 6:6-9)

God’s grace is sufficient for the later years of growth into adulthood. The gradual independence and discernment necessary to make wise choices and learn from the foolish ones, are vital and promising when established upon the principles of Scripture. Eventually there comes the excitement of higher education, real life experiences through employment, starting their own family, or any combination of these situations.  “Train up child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6) “…teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.” (Tit. 2:4)

By God’s grace and His indwelling Holy Spirit, we (as mothers) can ingest and cherish godly wisdom woven throughout scripture, personified in the Lord Jesus Christ, and shared through the testimonies of other godly women. This wisdom is necessary in every role and stage of life, but especially in how we pray for the delicate parts and plans of the precious lives God has lent to each mother co-laboring in love. Considering the heart and humility of Hannah regarding the precious gift God entrusts to each mother’s care: “For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.” (I Sam. 1:28)

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!! HALLELUJAH!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!!

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matt. 28:6)

Because Jesus Christ arose from the dead on the third day, as He had promised, we may know with all certainty that we have eternal life. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I Jn. 5:13) This is true for all who respond in faith to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to accept the free gift of salvation. Not because of our works or spiritual pursuits, but because of work of Christ on the cross, the power of God, and His indwelling Holy Spirit. 

Jesus promised His Spirit to all who trust Him as Savior. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Eph. 1:13) We are, therefore, sealed eternally as a child of God. This is the assurance that gives us peace and hope that remains solid as we reflect upon the resurrection power that produces it. 

We know that His word is reliable since all that He says comes to pass. Have you placed your trust in the risen Savior? Tomorrow is not promised to you, but this very moment is when the Spirit may be calling you. “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”  (2 Cor. 6:2)  If you already know Jesus Christ as Savior, then tell someone what the resurrection means to you and how it could change their eternal life. Today has nothing to do with the Easter bunny, it’s all about the risen Christ! May our hearts be as Mary’s was when she said: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” (Lk. 1:46-47) 

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 Jn. 2)

Prospering in our soul begins with receiving Jesus Christ as Savior.  "...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Jn. 3:3b) This continues by walking in sweet fellowship with Him as we adhere to all He reveals in our heart. "truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." (I Jn. 1:3b) 

Our soul is enriched by His presence, power, and wisdom as we continually feast upon His Word and sit at His feet in prayerful submission to all that He desires to impart to our weary heart.  Jesus says: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me." (Jn. 15:4)  

We can never become too rich spiritually and sharing these riches with others is what increases its eternal value.  Our heavenly Father desires that we testify of His mercy and goodness, that others may experience eternal life.  "Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples." (Jn. 15:8)   

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (I Cor. 3:11)

“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, And in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now in the day of salvation.)” (2 Cor. 6:2)

God alone established the Church for His eternal purpose and glory. Therefore, our  ONLY acceptable foundation is Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit and His precious blood salvation has been made available to all mankind. Not by our church membership or religious label. Not our water baptism or acts of service. Nothing else has the power to cleanse our sin and close the chasm which separates us from holy God…nothing but the blood of Jesus! "In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise," (Eph. 1:13)

Have you trusted Jesus Christ to save your soul? Are you washed in the blood? Today could be the day!  

 All of us are seeking something or someone. Those goals or pursuits can change with the different seasons and spiritual growth in our lives. What determines the outcome of our quest is whether our Savior is at its center. Seeking the Lord Jesus Christ brings divine perspective on what we are searching for. More importantly, it shapes our desires so that they bring honor and glory unto Him. This makes all the difference in the world and the world to come. 

He gives His Word for us to glean from. That we may know His mind, His character, His will for all of life. Because scripture is alive and powerful, it produces life through the power of His Holy Spirit. “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit…” (Heb. 4:12) God’s word provides promises that reassure us of His great power and matchless love, which can build us up and sustain us for all eternity. The hope we gain as we grow is not easily shaken if we maintain the Sovereign Savior as our focal point. “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6)

He gives wisdom for our day and His eternal perspective becomes our priority. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…” (Jas. 1:5-8)

He gives peace beyond that which the world tries to provide. Once our view is on all-powerful God, nothing the enemy brings our way can take the “peace that passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7) Such peace garrisons our heart and minds, so that distractions and deterrents are only momentary, not the norm of life. Jesus assures us: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (Jn. 14:27)