I'm Getting a Complete Body Transplant!

Romans 8:18

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

Lord, I read this as I'm sitting here dealing with sinus pain and pressure yet again. Lord, I get so weary of being sick so much. I am so glad that I have that hope of a new body. My-Hero and I joke that I need to get a head transplant because of the migraines and sinus issues I'm always having. But the reality is that I am going to get a brand new body that is not corrupted by sin and death.

Romans 8:23

And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait in eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

I find it humorous that minutes before I read this, I was thinking about what I'd heard about some doctor being ready to attempt head transplants. Then I realized that for me to get a head transplant, I would instead be giving someone else my body. I can just see that person asking, "Umm, can I not get a newer model?" Lord, you knew that I would be having those very thoughts right before reading this. It is no coincidence that this is where I am in reading through the word!

I love you, Jesus! I love how you make me laugh. I love how you comfort me with the assurance of my new body. I so look forward to the day when I will join you in glorious freedom from death and decay. In Jesus' name, amen.

MEMORY VERSES

God Has a Purpose

John 10:10

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

John 10:10

God Has a Purpose

God Has a Purpose

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Philippians 4:6-7
God Has a Purpose

I Am Your Bride

Matthew 24:36

"However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows."

John 14:1-3

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."

According to Wildolive.co.uk in ancient Jewish custom, when a couple became betrothed, the groom would tell his bride, "I am going to prepare a place for you," and "I will return for you when it is ready." Most often that place was in his father's house. It was a special honeymoon room. The groom's father would oversee the work on this room. He had to give his OK before the room was considered finished and the groom could collect his bride. If curious friends or family asked the groom when the wedding would be he would answer, "Only my father knows."

Lord, I am part of your bride the church. It thrills my heart to know that you are preparing a special place for me. Help me to always be ready with oil for my lamp, which represents the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus, you gave your very blood as the bride price for me! Help me to keep myself pure and undefiled so that I will be not be ashamed when you come for me. In Jesus' name, amen.

This Week's Memory Verses

Jeremiah 17:5

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts from the LORD."

Hosea 6:6

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Gentiles Included in Salvation

Proverbs 6:4

Don't put it off; do it now! Don't rest until you do.

Proverbs 6:4

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 8:10-11

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel. And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world -- from east and west --and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Lord, I praise you that I will be one of those Gentiles!! I'm so glad that you came to save the whole world, not just the Jews! I thank you for giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and teach me, just like you gave him to the Jews who believed in you. I can't wait to spend eternity with you, Lord Jesus!!

Acts 10:45

The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too.

Acts 11:18

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, "We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life."

Romans 1:16 NIV

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:  first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

I've Been "Circumcised"

Romans 12:1

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Romans 12:1

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Exodus 12:48-49

But no uncircumcised male may ever eat the Passover meal. This instruction applies to everyone, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner living among you.

Here is yet another part of the Passover that points to the Cross. We must apply the blood and we must have our hearts circumcised to participate in the Passover.

Colossians 2:11

When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised" but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure - the cutting away of your sinful nature.

Lord, my sinful nature tries to convince me that it is still a part of me. I praise you that it has been cut away and no longer has any power over me! I have been "passed over" and the second death will not touch me! Now I get to spend eternity in heaven with you! I praise YOU for your infinite wisdom. In Jesus' Name, amen. 

A True Jew?

Deuteronomy 33:26

There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.

Deuteronomy 33:26

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes - the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

Romans 2:28-29

For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Lord, last night at the Freedom Workshop I was getting a little high on praise from my sisters who were seeking to encourage and build me up. Then during the worship I heard this voice in my head trying to tell me, "You're such a fake! You have everyone convinced, including yourself, that you are so righteous." I thank you, Lord, for helping me to Immediately realize that was a baldfaced lie. I am NOT a fake, because YOU are changing my heart! Your Spirit is in me transforming me into a new person by changing the way I think. You are helping me to care more about praise from YOU than from people. Thank you for this confirmation that I belong to YOU! I AM being made into something beautiful. It's by hiding your word in my heart and spending time talking with you. You are making me look more and more like you. And there is NOTHING more beautiful in this world or in heaven than YOU! I praise you that you want to be friends with me. I praise you that we DO have conversations and sweet fellowship together. Lord Jesus, I can't wait for the time when I will get to see you face-to-face!! I love you so much!! Amen

Keeping My Head in the Clouds

Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.

Romans 12:2

Lamentations 3:37

Can anything happen without the Lord's permission?

Lamentations 3:37

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Colossians 3:1-4

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Lord, it's so cool that we were talking about keeping our thoughts on heaven just last night. Then this morning these are the verses I was assigned to read. You are so amazing Lord! I love how you work these things out. I love how you speak to me through your Word. 

It's also cool how you call it "the realities of heaven". We tend to think of heaven as something yet to be...not quite real yet. But it is already real and we will get to live there for all eternity if we know and follow you! Please help me to think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. In Jesus Name, Amen