Crimson Sky

Greetings!!!

What was your sunrise like this morning? On our knoll the horizon was beautifully washed with crimson and vermillion. It only lasted a short time. Then all was gray.

The moment I saw the red sky, passages from Exodus 12 came to mind. "Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, 'On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers' household, a lamb for each household. Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall it in haste--it is the LORD's Passover. For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments--I am the LORD. And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:3, 5-7, 11-13

Did you know that whether you are Jew or Gentile, Protestant, Catholic, Pentecostal, Atheist, or Agnostic, Jesus is your Passover Lamb? When God the Father sees the blood of Jesus applied to your life, His right and just judgments of sin in your life will not be ministered. Instead, as in Egypt, when God the Father sees the Blood of Jesus covering your life, He will pass over you and judgment will not fall upon you.

Have you believed and received the sacrifice that Jesus made to redeem your life from sin and death and provide your way to eternal life with Him in heaven? Just as in the Exodus from Egypt, there is no other way to be spared from the judgment of death. Only this death is not just the death of the body. It is eternal death--complete separation from the Father and His glory in heaven. Have you asked Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Savior? Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"

The LORD bless you with recognizing the Way to heaven.

I love you,

Ruth

A Reprieve

Greetings!!!

Isn't it wonderful to have a reprieve from the extreme winter weather? Even if it is only for today, it felt so good this morning to walk down to the bus stop with Thomas. The wind was still. The air was crisp but not bitter cold. The snow and ice was already melting at 7:40 A.M.. This break reassures that spring is not far off.

Are you facing struggles in your life that are causing you to wonder if there will ever be a reprieve? May I suggest that you change your focus? 1 Peter 1:3-9 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."

Do you realize the value of your faith? It is more precious to God than highly refined gold!! Do you know how gold is refined? By fire. Do you know how the goldsmith knows when the refining process is finished? When he can see his reflection in the gold. Whatever you are facing, God wants to use it to refine your faith. He will not stop until He sees His reflection in you. Let God use the struggle you are facing today to make you more into the image of Christ.

The LORD bless you with resting in the Father's work through your struggles.

I love you,

Ruth

Extravagant Gift

Greetings!!!

Have you ever received an extravagant gift, something that may or may not have been expensive, but was extravagant because it was so lavished with love? The extravagance was in what it cost the giver. You alone may understand the value of that gift. It is very humbling to realize how much you are valued and loved when you receive a gift like that.

Do you know that God has an extravagant gift for you? Here is what John 3:16-21 says (I am making it a little more personal for you), "For God so loved the you, that He gave His only begotten Son, that if you believe in Him, you should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son to you to judge you, but that you should be save through Him. When you believe in Jesus, you will not be judged, but if you do not believe you are judged already, because you do not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light is come to you, and you loved darkness rather than light; for your deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But if you practice the truth, you will come into the light, that your deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

Do you realize how valuable you are to God? He has given you the most extravagant gift He could give. What are you going to do with it? Will you let go of everything you are clutching in your hands and receive God's gift of life? Will you step out of your darkness of sin and shame and step into the light of His forgiveness? Will you run to His arms of love, and allow Him to minister to your brokenness? If you choose His gift, there is a life of love, joy, and peace that awaits you, and you will be able to face every difficulty that arises knowing you are safe in His hands.

The LORD bless you with choosing His extravagant gift.

I love you,

Ruth