Stay Woke

                               

Luke 23:32-34 is of Jesus praying on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

I like the declaration many are using in the justice movement today, "Stay Woke." In spite of all that is going on around us, we must not become so overwhelmed, get too busy and distracted, or become so comfortable that we lose consciousness of what is really going on around us and fall asleep. Certainly, we must remain alert at all times. The enemy prowls like a roaring lion seeking to kill, steal, and destroy. We must "stay woke," especially and particularly to the presence of God in our lives. Prayer is the foundation of our spiritual consciousness. Jesus prayed persistently to the Father. He was always conscious of the presence of the Father in his life. Even on the cross, where I would have understood if Jesus was unconscious or asleep, but, he was not. He stayed woke praying to the Father for his enemies, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing."

Stay woke, sisters and brothers to your opportunities to forgive others who have mistreated, hurt, or wronged you, particularly in the household of faith, and experience the reconciliation, love and the peace of God in your life. Stay woke to your chance to mend fences, repair broken relationships, and clear up misunderstandings from so long ago. Understand that we must forgive others to be forgiven. Unforgiveness is like a cancer. It eats at the soul and mars the container of your mind, body and spirit. Don't let bitterness and unforgiveness destroy you while the other parties have gone on with their lives. The power to forgive and live again is available to you through Jesus' saving victory on the Cross. This is one of the important reasons why we celebrate the Resurrection. Jesus saves!

Back to Work With Joy!

ack to Work With Joy!

We can best celebrate the birth of Jesus by returning to our every day duties with joy! This is what the shepherds did.  The shepherds had just seen angels, heard their marvelous music, and had seen the Christ child. After all this, we read that they "returned glorifying and praising God...." With joy the shepherds returned to their common, everyday duties of attending sheep. Christian joy, unlike worldly joy, fits one for duty. This is because Christ brings joy; Christ brings joy into the performance of duty.  He gives strength for the assignment because the joy of the Lord is our strength.

No doubt as they went about their tasks, those shepherds were joyful a very long time, if not the rest of their lives thinking about what they had witnessed. Shepherds were the least in the community, and were relegated to work on the outskirts of town because of the smelly, dirty job they did tending sheep. That they would be visited by angelic hosts, that the LORD would reveal himself as a baby to the likes of them, oh, what joy!  We should understand that Jesus doesn't come in "showy" ways, but in "lowly" ways. He was born not in a palace or a mansion, but in a stable in a manager.   He appeared not before kings and dignitaries, but before shepherds in a field. He came to extend peace and goodwill not just to certain pious people, but to all people (v14).  You can return back to work filled with joy not just after Christmas and the holidays, but on Mondays and on any day of the week knowing Jesus Christ was born. And because he was born, died and rose again, salvation is available to all who trust in him.  Jesus appeared to shepherds tending sheep, and He can show up on our jobs, even at school, on any day at any time in answer to prayer. He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is present.  His name is Jesus, the hope of the world (Matt. 12:21).  His name is Immanuel, God with us (Matt. 1:23)   His name is Jesus, the One who saves his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21)!  Jesus saves!

Contrary to popular belief the way up is not up. The way up is down. Jesus took off his robe and wrapped a towel...

Posted by Angela Lee Price on Thursday, October 29, 2020

This Week's Guest on Jesus Saves Ministries Live - Rev. Rhoda Hunter

Join me Thursday for Jesus Saves Ministries Live 9:30-10 am, 1240 WLLV for our highlight of the International Sunday School lesson. The lesson for November 1st is entitled Loving By Serving, John 13:1-15; 34-35. My guest will be Pastor Rhoda Hunter, Pastor of Fresh Wind Ministries, Louisville, KY. We will talk about what it means to be humble in loving one another as Christ loved us. Listen from your mobile device at wllvonline.com or to the podcast. Jesus saves!

Posted by Angela Lee Price on Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Jesus Saves Ministries Live - Sunday School Highlight October 25th

Here is the link to this week's highlight of the International Sunday school lesson. This lesson for October 25th is...

Posted by Angela Lee Price on Saturday, October 24, 2020

Prayer: And Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Prayer: Lead Us Not Into Temptation Heavenly Father, We pray today, on this Labor Day weekend for the power to resist temptation. We pray that portion of the Lord’s Prayer, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Forgive us, Father, for we have yielded to temptation and sin. Forgive us for the times we ran ahead of you and your will for our lives. For you did not lead us into temptation. We led ourselves. Empower us, Heavenly Father, with greater determination to submit to you, resist evil and do what is right. Help us to hide your word in our hearts so we won’t sin against you (Psalm 119:11). Help us to heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit who knows what's best for each of us. Forgive us, Lord. There is violence, murder and mayhem not only in the streets, but also in our homes, workplaces, schools, institutions, and the highest levels of government because its in our hearts. Help us, Lord in the battles we face against the world, the flesh, and the devil to be victorious. Help us to be victorious over the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. For your word declares that each one of us is tempted when, by our own evil desires, we are dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (John 1:14-15). Father, we thank you that in the time of testing that you will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. Father, we thank you that you will provide a way of out so that we can stand up under it (2 Corinthians 10:13). We stand now on your promise that you will bless those who patiently endure testing and temptation and give us the crown of life (James 1:12). Most of all, we thank you for your Son Jesus who resisted the devil in the wilderness, and endured suffering and all manner of temptation and did not sin (Heb 2:18 & Heb 4:15). We thank you that He paid the wages of sin at the Cross that we might have relationship with you and eternal life (John 3:16). In Jesus name. Amen.

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