Made To Crave Bible Study ~ Peace

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not

destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Romans 14:19-20

Have you ever realized that nothing tastes as good as peace feels?

Maybe you are thinking that is true but - how do you get to taste this portion of peace.

I shared with our group from my own discoveries and personal journeys that I am filled with peace when I am obedient to what I know is truth. The truth that I am talking about comes Gods Word. It is His Word that brings knowledge and wisdom into my heart and mind and fill me with Truths. These Truths help guide me and empower me to make right choices in every area of my life. The Truths have set me free from guilt and shame!

In this chapter on from Guilt to Peace I examined a particular area of my eating habits and challenged myself to take a break from daily snacking on chips & dips.

Now that might not sound like a big deal to you but to me and my family - it is a daily festival for us to partake in! We love us some Chips & Salsa or Chips and Dip!!

I am proud to say that I went 6 days without any chips and since then I have even cut back and have become more aware to my intake of this habit of snacking.

My husband has also joined in on cutting back!

The material we are learning about in Made to Crave has helped me to accomplish going on a 6 day fast from any chips. You may not think that this was a big challenge but to my family this is a big deal. We consume so many bags of chips and salsa & dips a week that we are known for it!

I am grateful that I have become aware of this and have learned truths that strengthen self control and give me the courage to deny unhealthy desires throughout my day.

Our bible study group is becoming more aware of this and each of us are growing into women of peace!

Jesus Came With Healing In His Hands

When Jesus came into the world one of his missions was to bring healing.

Healing both physically and spiritually from sins, from sickness, from harm and from heartache.

Over my lifetime I have experienced every one of those healing provisions from him.

During this Easter Season I am grateful & jubilant as I remember not only what he recently provided for me through the diagnosis of breast cancer but all the numerous times he has healed my wounds and worries in the past. With each journey I have come to realize just how extravagant the dimensions of God's Love really is for me. The Word of God says in Ephesians that as we are rooted in Him that we have access to this extravagant love. A love that is so wide, so long, so high and so very deep that it surpasses our human knowledge and understanding! I can honestly say it blows my mind!!

That kind of love has the power to provide peace in the midst of a diagnosis!

That kind of love has the power to provide healing for what ever you need to be healed.

That kind of love comes from the One and Only Yahweh Rophe - The Lord Who Heals!

Rophe - means heal, cure, restore or make whole.

Do you need His Healing touch today?

For I am the Lord who heals. Exodus 15:26

Christ suffered and died so that disease and misery would be temporary.

He came to die to heal us from moral and physical ailments.

He did it for me...He did it for you,,,He did it for love.

Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

He healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases." Matthew 8:16-17

Here is a song that explains how amazing His Healing touch is.

If you have an area in your life that needs His Healing touch I pray that as you watch this video that you will experience His Healing Love being sung over you today. Please let me know how we can be praying for you. You are not alone.

Click on the title of the song to listen.

HEALING IS IN YOUR HANDS

Christy Nockels

No mountain, no valley, no gain or loss we know
could keep us from Your love
No sickness, no secret, no chain is strong enough
to keep us from Your love
to keep us from Your love

How high, how wide
No matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong,
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands

Our present, our future, our past is in Your hands
We're covered by Your blood
We're covered by Your blood

How high, How wide
no matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands

Be Inspired By His Love!

Vern

Remembering The Stations Of The Cross

Year after year people journey to Jerusalem to retrace the path that Jesus took,

carrying his cross, on the way to his crucifixion.

This path is known as the Via Dolorosa - The Way of Grief or Suffering.

As a child I remember staring at the church walls and being fascinated by the pictures that portrayed the stations of the cross. They were beautifully moving to me although I did not totally appreciate and understand at that time exactly what my Lord did for me. It was not until I was older that the significance and power of that journey transformed my heart and hope.

Today I wanted to share with you those stations and encourage you this Good Friday to reflect and remember the steps that Christ took for all of us.

These steps unite all believers - past, present and future.

If you have heard of the name of Jesus Christ but do not have a relationship with Him - It is my prayer that you would surrender to Him today. I encourage you to read the Stations of the Cross, watch the video and pray for forgiveness and receive Him as Lord of your life!

"If you cannot contemplate high and heavenly things, take refuge in the Passion of Christ, and love to dwell in His Sacred Wounds. For if you devoutly seek the Wounds of Jesus and the precious marks of His Passion, you will find great strength in all troubles."

Thomas 'a Kempis

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

1. Jesus Is Condemned To Death

A just and sinless man judged, betrayed and sentenced.
For everyone who will suffer, bleed or be unfairly punished...He suffered for you and for me.
He makes the ultimate sacrifice.

2. Jesus Receives His Cross

He carries the weight of the cross on his shoulders and upon that cross is heaped the weight of all our sins. This is what he came to do...take away the sins of the world.

3. Jesus Falls For Under The Weight Of The Cross The First Time

The weight of the cross is too much. He falls to the ground and experiences what it is like to feel defeated, and weak...yet he knows he must go on.

4. Jesus Meets His Mother

Since birth she has been with him through for every step of his life and now she is there to comfort him on his most difficult day.

5. Simon Of Cyrene Helps Jesus To Carry The Cross

He allows Simon to help him. Today that is a reminder that he relies on us to bear the cross for his names sake.

6. Veronica Wipes The Face Of Jesus

A compassionate friend, wipes the spit, blood and sweat from his face.

7. Jesus Falls A Second Time

The weight is too much and Jesus falls for the second time.
The soldiers force him to continue.

8. Jesus Meets The Women of Jerusalem

The women show gratitude to Jesus for his generous love towards them.

9. Jesus Falls A Third Time

Broken and devastated, Jesus falls again.
He is so weak the soldiers have to help him and push him up the hill.

10. Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments

In his life he gave up all earthly possessions to preach the gospel of Good News.
As if the crucifixion was not enough he is violently stripped of his clothes and whips tear at his back.

11. Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross

Huge, sharp spike were hammered through his wrists and feet. As he struggles for each breathe the soldiers below him gamble for his clothes.

12. Jesus Dies Upon The Cross

Every breath is a struggle but somehow he whispers - "Father, into your hands I command my spirit." A soldier penetrates a spear in him to test that he dead. The Savior is indeed dead. The price is paid, and we are redeemed.

13. Jesus Is Laid In The Arms Of His Mother

Since he was a baby his mother has held him and cared for his wounds. This day she holds his naked, blood crusted - dead body...she weeps in her helplessness and sorrow.

14. Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb

His body was laid in a stone cold tomb - sealed with a massive rock and guarded by Roman soldiers.

15. RESURRECTION Of Jesus!

Easter Sunday Morning - The tomb is empty!

The word goes forth that He is Risen!

Jesus is victorious over death!!

Go here to watch this Stations of The Cross video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwkznTGOFAc&feature=related

Next to Jesus on the Cross there were two criminals...one who joined in the mocking and cursed Jesus...the other acknowledged
he was indeed the Son of God and Savior of the world. (Luke 23:39-43)

During our Easter Services this weekend my Pastor is asking this question...

Which one are you?

I pray you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and loves you so very much that he died on that cross to pay for your sins and that He alone has the power to transform
you and your future!

“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

Admit You Are a Sinner

In the Bible - Romans 3:23 tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In other words, sin has infiltrated the human race, and not one of us has escaped its effects.

Repent of Your Sins
To repent means to “change” or to “turn.” It’s like driving down the highway, pulling a U-turn and heading the other direction. More than simply being sorry, it is a word of action. Many people feel remorse for their sin but never truly repent. Remorse is being sorry; repentance is being sorry enough to stop.

Generous in love - God,give grace!

Huge in mercy - wipe out my bad record.

Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry.

I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down.

Psalm 51:1-3

Invite Him to be your Savior

Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe & trust that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

May God Bless You On Your Journey!

Be Inspired!

Vern

Resources: The Amplified Bible, Message Bible, New International Bible,
Six Hours One Friday - Max Lucado, The Sacred Way - Tony Jones