Today's Moment

Living in the moment requires two things, a deep longing for the indwelling presence of Christ, and the surrender of self-will.  As we experience and embrace the love of Jesus we will be able to live in this, His moment.  In doing so, we cease claiming ownership of who we are and what we do.  We surrender our hours, minutes and tasks to live as though our lives belonged to another, because they do.

When we believed by faith that Jesus died on the cross for our sins a transaction took place.  Jesus paid the ransom for our souls. The deed to our soul changed hands from “me to Thee.”  We now belong to God in Christ alone.  

Let go of every independent thought and impulse, seek His guidance through prayer, the word, repentance, and reflection. By living in His moment, you will find peace for your soul.

“Be still and know that I am God.”  

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

How to Hold an Easter Celebration on Your Own

Steve and I often hold an Easter Sunrise celebration to watch the sun peek over the mountains and stream shafts of gold into the valley below. God's magnificent creation seems to praise Him with a tongue of its own. We give thanks to God for the precious gift of His son and His sacrifice upon the cross, rejoicing in the resurrection morning when Jesus rose from the dead.

As Believers we do not need to have somebody ordained by a religious organization or someone who holds “a priesthood” in order to gather together to worship the Lord. Those who know Him are all members of His royal priesthood, ordained by God at their spiritual new birth, which includes both men and women. (See 1 Peter 2:9, 2:5)

As Jesus told us, we are all equal before God, “Don't let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don't address anyone here on earth as 'Father,' for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. And don't let anyone call you 'Teacher,' for you have only one teacher, the Messiah.”
(Matthew 23:8-10, NLT)

Simply ask Jesus to join you and lead your group as you worship together. Your worship may take the form of a scripture reading, a song, a poem or some insight God gives to those present. Just be flexible. Above all, don’t print up an “order of worship!” Let God lead and guide. Don’t be afraid of silence, it is often when God whispers to individual hearts. If you feel so led, take part in a simple communion. Allow each to speak what God lays on their hearts as you partake of the bread and wine, or juice.

Whether it is one, or several meeting together, be grateful, be thankful for the gift of eternal life given you by God through the sacrifice of His Son.

Hallelujah! Happy Easter!

Do You Know Him?

Many people “know” or have some sort of intellectual understanding that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. But, truly “knowing” Him is a different matter altogether. It involves having a firsthand knowledge of Jesus Himself.

Just you and He.

Knowing Jesus requires a supernatural spiritual experience that surpasses mere intellectual assent and moves into the realm of relationship. It happens when you become aware of how much He loves you, and because of this love, died for you to blot out your sins in the sight of a holy God. The relationship begins when you respond to this love with a broken heart of repentance, love and awe.

Also essential to this relationship is surrender. Surrendering everything to Jesus, you hand over your right to yourself, your self-righteousness, your self-will, your goals, dreams and aspirations. You give everything to Him and all that you are becomes His. As His infinitesimal love shatters your carefully constructed walls, you kneel in faith before Him, recognizing His sovereign right to rule your life, because He died that you might one day live with God.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
John 14:6 (NKJV)

If you have never "known Jesus," may you too come to know Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, and rejoice as a newly redeemed child of God.

Kathy Sanders

Do Not Be Afraid

(John 6:20, Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50)

When Jesus sent His disciples across the lake, did he know they would encounter wind and waves too great for their man-made oars? Did he empathize with their fear of white caps and dangerous gusts? Yes. He understood everything looked impossible and dangerous to them, and how they felt out of control and helpless.

We now find ourselves on a churning sea of circumstances beyond our control. We feel exposed and helpless watching our jobs stripped away, loved ones perishing without goodbyes, friends and family separated by edict, churches closed, all our normalcy torn asunder.

Yet, there is hope. Jesus comes to us on the wind tossed waves and says “It is I; do not be afraid.” When he steps into the boat the storm tossed sea becomes instantly calm. Safety and serenity reign because the Master of the waves is with you, right in the boat beside you. Your heart quiets with the knowledge he is here and will be with you through it all.

Years later, you will look back and say, “When things were darkest, he was there beside me in the boat all the time.”

I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:4-5 (ESV)




Kathy Sanders