Dear Jesus, thank You! (Prayer and message!) :)
Thanks for dying on the cross for our sins, while we were yet sinners. You paid our fine, and it was paid in full. We are eternally grateful that You’ve demonstrated perfect love and justice, and continue to be a presence in the lives of those of us that allow You in. Thank You for all your provision, from the smallest of material blessings to the greatest of spiritual blessings (ie: salvation, grace, love, and forgiveness). Without these provisions we would all be doomed, but instead we know that we are assured salvation. We know that You took our place on that cross and shed your blood for us. This is something we should never forget, and always be grateful for. All the while you withstood through all the suffering You thought of each of us, knowing that you were rescuing us from the oppression of sin.
Please help us all to realize that true freedom is found under your shelter and in submission to you, rather than the illusion of freedom that is sin. The world wants to tell us that true freedom is in financial means, fleshly desires, and selfish pursuits. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Help me to draw closer to You rather than to the things that impede me from You. Help me to eliminate sin as much as humanly possible from my life, and beyond with your supernatural help. Lead me to take advantage of all the ways of escape that you provide from compromise. I have failed many times relying on the hopelessness of my own strength, but I trust that you’ve washed away all of those sins and forgiven me. I know this is not a license to sin, but an assurance that You love me in my current station. There is nothing I can do or achieve to merit anything greater, you’ve blessed me beyond measure and comprehension. Please forgive my limited human perspective and help me to be renewed in mind and purified in heart.
I pray blessings upon my followers on my blog, and the readers of www.fatherspiritson.com. I am honored to be used by you even though you don’t need me, and I know that the platform you have blessed me with, to provide testimony and scriptural truth, is of the utmost importance to my friend Jim and I. We pray that you help us continue to spread the gospel and practical advice of scripture for years to come.
Last, and certainly not least, this weekend I pray that You help us to remember what Easter is really about. Help us to remember that the eggs, chocolate, and bunnies aren’t the focus. The focus is and always should be on Jesus Christ and his death, burial, and resurrection in triumph over sin and evil. Words cannot justifiably express what an amazing triumph this was, and our celebrations of Your fulfillment of scripture and conquering death I am certain will echo from now into the depths of eternity. No greater gift has been given, and I am fortunate to be one of Your children who has humbly accepted the way you provided.
Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Help us not to be bogged down trying to find alternative ways to salvation, we should be happy you’ve provided us with one beautiful way. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone that we have been saved.
Let’s all take refuge in the fortress of our Savior and try our best not to question His plans. I am optimistic because God is with me even in the midst of the greatest storms and toughest challenges. Glory to God, without Him I am nothing.
Amen!