I am the Alpha and the Omega

 I found this sermon when i "googled" my verse for the week ( Moravian daily texts)


And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:6-8
Dr. John Piper:
In Revelation 21:6 God identifies himself as “Alpha and Omega.” Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and omega is the last letter of the alphabet. In other words God is “the beginning and the end.”
But God isn’t speaking about alphabets. He is speaking of reality. God is absolutely the beginning and absolutely the end. Everything that is originates ultimately in him. And everything will somehow end with him.
Isaiah puts it like this: “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god” (44:6). In other words, since everything comes from God and nothing will outlast God, therefore God has no final competitors. “Besides me there is no god!” God has the first word and the last word in history. All other attempts to have the last word will fail. The pottery has no beginning apart from the Potter, and in the end it will all serve the purposes of the Potter.

Alpha

I can’t urge you too often to meditate on the staggering truth that God is the absolute Alpha. Find some serene moment of your life and let the truth take hold of you that God is the FIRST—the BEGINNING. Before him there was nothing. There was no “before him.” Just think of it! For millions and billions and trillions of unending years God existed and never had a beginning. He is the beginning. From everlasting to everlasting, he is God (Psalm 90:2). There never was a time when he was not.
We might marvel that God is infinite, eternal, and unchanging in his justice, wisdom, power, goodness, and truth. But when you pause to think that he never chose to be this way, nor did anyone else choose to make him this way, it staggers the mind. The justice and wisdom and power and goodness and truth of God areis reality. God did not emerge out of many possibilities. Everything emerged out of him. He determines all possibilities. God is not a piece of reality that you try to fit in with other pieces. He is the first and the last and the all-encompassing reality: “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). eternal reality. The character of God is not what reality brought forth. It

Omega

But the truth that I want us to focus on this morning is that God is Omega. I think that is the focus of our text in Revelation 21:6. The statement, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,” comes in a passage dealing with the end of history. So the special focus in this text is on God as the omega of all things.
What does it mean that God is Omega, or the end? Let’s read verses 5–8. “And he who sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true,’ And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’”

How God Is the End for those Thirsty for Him

This text makes plain that God is the Omega, or the end, in two different senses. For the thirsty (it says in verse 6) he is the end in the sense that he will be the source of their life forever. He will be their God and they will be his children enjoying his inheritance forever and ever. He was the fountain of their life in creation, and he will be the fountain of their life in the consummation.
For those who conquer, for the thirsty, God is not the beginning and the end the way a river begins with a spring and ends in an ocean. An ocean is supplied and filled up with the rivers that flow into it. God is not supplied or filled up by the thirsty saints that come to him in the end. No, for the thirsty, God is the beginning and the end the way a desert caravan begins at an oasis and ends at an oasis. God is a fountain of life at the beginning, and he is a fountain of life at the end—forever.

How God Is the End for Those Not Thirsty for Him

But there is another group of people mentioned in verse 8. These are the people who were not thirsty for God. For these, too, God is the Omega, but not in the same way. God is their end in the sense that they will finally meet God as Judge. They have their beginning in God’s oasis of life. Then they take the forbidden southern route by the shallow streams of faithlessness, far from the narrow path of God. But the end of every road is God. And in the end they come to the other side of the desert. And they meet God. But instead of an oasis of eternal life, they find a lake that burns with fire.
To read or listen to the rest of the sermon, click here:

THANKFUL THURSDAY ~ The LOVE of our Father......~

1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

This week i am THANKFULL to see , feel and draw strenght from THE LOVE OF GOD that He has lavished on me by giving His Son Jesus Christ for "little ole me..." Jesus overcame LIFE and Death...I can over come........with Him this "Dance of Life..........God's Love Jesus must give the rhythm in my Life in your life and i am You are the music......!!


I am Thankful for the tangible blessings we got for taking over allot of furniture and different stuff we can use in our home from an neighbour .


I am thankfull God spoke to our spirit to go together as an family to Nigeria for my MIL's "celebration of her life" in some weeks time.....And He is providing ALL the neccesities to travel....like he had planned all before hand already.....


I am thankful for the strenght i mentioned above what i draw these week out of His Word.....
The beautiful Nigerian worship songs i found and other praise and worship songs ......The "Aaronic blessing verse " in word and music......


I am thankful for the high temps no coats.....no boots.......Thank You Lord for this vibrant and beautiful spring season echoing ...New Life...New Hope.......

Joining Greg and Lynn with thisThankful Thursday post.

In case i am not able to make another "TT" post due to juggling next week work and packing to travel..I meet you all back in the 1st week of June

Blessings!

WFW ~ Numbers 6:25 ~

( Picture credit)
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine
upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:25

You can find McLinky at our hostess  Susan @  http://susan2956.blogspot.com/
next week our hostess will be Penny’ @  pennyraine.com/blog

MORNING WORSHIP (NIGERIAN)

Bishop Paul Morton - Be Blessed

" APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS"

Well it's  already "mid" of April and i was wondering where the days went ........
Days goes fast mostly when a lot is happening....
Just like in this picture ALOT of showers  "figurarly" fell those last days......
Showers of emotions when the message from Nigeria arrived that my mother in-law passed away Easter morning
Showers of blessing when we noticed God's hand to provide all we need to make traveling to Nigeria possible as an family next month.......I know those "showers" will really bring "May Flowers....." when we will join my in-laws........God is ALWAYS going before us and know our tomorrows...........
Pray for us that my Mil's dead will workout God's purpose for my husbands family.........I believe there is an message in her dead quietly in her sleep Easter morning........on the age of 70th years
An MESSAGE of LIGHT and HOPE what is in believing and following Jesus Christ!
I know my family when visiting our extended family in Nigeria will be an witness of this message and bring all Glory to God for our life and being able to join them.


The coming weeks will be hectic for me just like the last weeks .........
When i see time to blog i will do this otherwise i will take an blog break untill life will come back in it's normal ritme in June i expected.


Take care my blog fiends
Blessings

In the times i come back to my blog i will post in this"announcement post"
i lingered this weekend in listening to above Nigerian music and linked this post also up with Amy's blog for TSMSS  and SPIRITUAL SUNDAY...
Leave you with my dayverse,and be blessed!

Today's Old Testament Verse

My heart exults in the Lord.
1 Samuel 2:1

Today's New Testament Verse

Philip baptized the eunuch. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:38–39

Today's Prayer

I will rejoice in you always, Lord, for you have done great and marvelous things. In you I have life with love, forgiveness, and grace. Thank you for such wonderful gifts. May I continue to rejoice in all that you have done. Let me share that joy with everyone I meet on my journey today.  Amen.

WFW ....Song @ daily reading..~ VICTORY......1 Corinthians 15: 57 ~

You can find McLinky at our hostess Penny’ @  pennyraine.com/blog
next week our hostess will be Lori  @  www.allyouhavetogive.com

Wednesday, April 7


Psalm 45:1-9 Exodus 40:24-Leviticus 1:17; Mark 1:1-8

My spirit abides among you; do not fear. Haggai 2:5

Christ says, "It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go
away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to
you." John 16:7

O holy Advocate, you are God who has come among us. Bless us, comfort
us, heal us, and empower us to feel your presence. Move us to act on
your behalf. Hear us as we say, Amen.

Today's readings

Tuesday, April 6


Psalm 44:17-26 Exodus 39:32-40:23; Matthew 28:1-20

Today's Old Testament Verse

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

Today's New Testament Verse

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
Ephesians 4:26

Today's Prayer

Lord, too often we put our own attitudes and motivations above the
feelings of our fellow people. Let us know that we are all yours, and
the path of peace is what you desire for us.

Forgiving God, I’m grateful for the many ways that you gently speak words of forgiveness and light into my life. I’m sorry that I can be quick to respond to others with harsh words and an angry spirit. Today, help me to think before I speak so that I don’t provoke anger. Let my words encourage peace instead.  Amen.

Easter Christian Comments
Myspace 2.0 Layouts


Easter Christian Comments
Myspace 2.0 Layouts

Was thinking this morning.....

About Jesus.....
The road He had to go for our sins( my sin)
Wow what an suffering....what an picture of LOVE and OBEDIENCE our Lord and Savior showed to go through this heavy road and trial....
He knew His Father will give HIM Victory.....
Yesterday i posted the musical  "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR" When you hear the name it can come over at first maybe disrespected........
I remember my "granny's" where a little hesitating about the musical and the sound and the effect on me and the picture it will give to me about Jesus.......


But it helped me to admire and respect Jesus...
Stirred in me the desire to follow and learn about His teachings....To understand how He could stay obedient and How he could Love so much.......How He could be so bold.......
Indeed He became and stayed "My SUPERSTAR"....for an long time....
My heart was stirred and captured........










I surge for more scenes from the "1973 film" that stayed for ever on my mind eyes...., but did not find them .yet on you tube. The teaing of the "curtain in the temple"........Yes Jesus dead openend the way to our Father...We can enter freely " The Holy of Holies" through the blood of Jesus....
Jesus His Passion and LOVE to do His Father will and to make others to know the Father is what stayed on my mind.....
This video when He was on the Cross with the thieves beside Him and the thoughts of the thieve seeing Jesus hanging there........
Let us look at Jesus and thank Him and follow Him.





For today also when thinking of being Fearless Friday
“They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.” ~ Psalm 112:7-8




I was picturing Jesus His struggle in Getsemane and staying obedient to God.
Read this morning an blog By Love and Obedience You Can Go Through the Trial
This incouraged me on this good Friday and hope it will do the same to you!
Don't know if an post will go up on Free Spirit Haven with prayer request for today but over at Angela's you can post your prayer requests always on friday's.


Blessings

THANKFUL THURSDAY ~ WORD...MOVIE@ MUSICAL...~

Matthew 26

Anointed for Burial

 ^1-2 When Jesus finished saying these things, he told his disciples, "You know that Passover comes in two days. That's when the Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion."  ^3-5At that very moment, the party of high priests and religious leaders was meeting in the chambers of the Chief Priest named Caiaphas, conspiring to seize Jesus by stealth and kill him. They agreed that it should not be done during Passover Week. "We don't want a riot on our hands," they said.
 ^6-9When Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper, a woman came up to him as he was eating dinner and anointed him with a bottle of very expensive perfume. When the disciples saw what was happening, they were furious. "That's criminal! This could have been sold for a lot and the money handed out to the poor."
 ^10-13When Jesus realized what was going on, he intervened. "Why are you giving this woman a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives, but not me. When she poured this perfume on my body, what she really did was anoint me for burial. You can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she has just done is going to be remembered and admired."
 ^14-16That is when one of the Twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the cabal of high priests and said, "What will you give me if I hand him over to you?" They settled on thirty silver pieces. He began looking for just the right moment to hand him over.

The Traitor

 ¹⁷On the first of the Days of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare your Passover meal?"  ^18-19He said, "Enter the city. Go up to a certain man and say, 'The Teacher says, My time is near. I and my disciples plan to celebrate the Passover meal at your house.'" The disciples followed Jesus' instructions to the letter, and prepared the Passover meal.
 ^20-21After sunset, he and the Twelve were sitting around the table. During the meal, he said, "I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators."
 ²²They were stunned, and then began to ask, one after another, "It isn't me, is it, Master?"
 ^23-24Jesus answered, "The one who hands me over is someone I eat with daily, one who passes me food at the table. In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures—no surprises here. In another sense that man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man—better never to have been born than do this!"
 ²⁵Then Judas, already turned traitor, said, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?"
   Jesus said, "Don't play games with me, Judas."


 The Bread and the Cup
 ^26-29During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples:


   Take, eat.
   This is my body.
Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them:


   Drink this, all of you.
   This is my blood,
   God's new covenant poured out for many people
      for the forgiveness of sins.
"I'll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I'll drink with you in the kingdom of my Father."  ³⁰They sang a hymn and went directly to Mount Olives.

Gethsemane

 ^31-32Then Jesus told them, "Before the night's over, you're going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me. There is a Scripture that says,


   I'll strike the shepherd;
   helter-skelter the sheep will be scattered.
But after I am raised up, I, your Shepherd, will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee."  ³³Peter broke in, "Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won't."
 ³⁴"Don't be so sure," Jesus said. "This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times."
 ³⁵Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing.
 ^36-38Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray." Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, "This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me."
 ³⁹Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?"
 ^40-41When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."
 ⁴²He then left them a second time. Again he prayed, "My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I'm ready. Do it your way."
 ^43-44When he came back, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open. This time he let them sleep on, and went back a third time to pray, going over the same ground one last time.
 ^45-46When he came back the next time, he said, "Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it? My time is up, the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the hands of sinners. Get up! Let's get going! My betrayer is here."

With Swords and Clubs

 ^47-49The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas (the one from the Twelve) showed up, and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leaders brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one—seize him." He went straight to Jesus, greeted him, "How are you, Rabbi?" and kissed him.  ^50-51Jesus said, "Friend, why this charade?"
   Then they came on him—grabbed him and roughed him up. One of those with Jesus pulled his sword and, taking a swing at the Chief Priest's servant, cut off his ear.
 ^52-54Jesus said, "Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords. Don't you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies—more, if I want them—of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready? But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?"
 ^55-56Then Jesus addressed the mob: "What is this—coming out after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. You've done it this way to confirm and fulfill the prophetic writings."
   Then all the disciples cut and ran.

THANK YOU Lord Jesus for all what  YOU did and went through to save me.... To give me an NEW Life now and EVERLASTING.

For the "bridge" you was and am willing to form between ME ( humankind ) and our Father God!

Jesus Christ came to pay for our sins

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:5-6

 

That You make Yourself known to me by touching MY HEART early with YOUR words of wisdom in the bible......and making yourself more known in the musical "Jesus Christ Super Star" when i was in my early teens.

I Thank You for every new day and every new change and oppurtunity  to grow closer in your love and mercy!

ThankYou JESUS!

What are you grateful for today? Join your grateful heart with ours over at LYNN'S place today. She is hosting TT for the month of April!

Lent reading 37 ~ See Jesus where He is right now ...~

 ( Photo Credit)

 

Lent Day 37: The Book of Hebrews

God says, see Jesus, still incarnate as a human but no longer on earth, still the crucified One with nail-scarred hands and feet but no longer on the cross, still resurrected but no longer visible among you, and still ascended but no longer ascending through the devil-filled heavens.

See Jesus where He is right now.

Where He is when you awake in a cold sweat at two in the morning.

Where He is when you're alone in a hotel room and tempted to watch what should never cross your eyes.

Where He is when you've been devastated by loss or rejection.

Where He is when your failure has brought you into the depths of despair.

My Son energizes you to reveal My goodness by the way you relate during difficult times.

He nourishes you, generating strength for you to believe, wait, and love.

(from 66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God that Invites You into His Story by Dr. Larry Crabb, ©2009.)