Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead

works to serve the living God?"

 

Freedom & opportunity are two sides of the same door! It is true in government and is certainly true in our relationship with God.

 

We are free from the power and penalty of our sins. This freedom is found in the sufficiency of the blood of Christ!

 

This freedom is designed to lead to a singular focus on ministry - for all of us! We are to serve the living God.

 

Today, let us celebrate our freedom in Christ with a unreserved commitment to serve God with confidence.

 

Remember - we are all "saved to serve!"

"And he (Jesus) went a little farther and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

 

The prayer of submission.

 

Jesus, hours before the cross, pours out His heart to the Father, acknowledging the difficulty that He was facing and the natural desire to avoid it.

 

Then comes the sweet prayer of submission.

 

The prayer begins with the word "nevertheless" and concludes with the phrase "as thou wilt".

 

The first (nevertheless) is the prayer of abandonment; willing to give up whatever plans we might have or hold dear to our hearts.

 

The second (as thou wilt) is the prayer of acceptance; willing to embrace the Fathers will as the best.

 

Today, let us pray the prayer of submission in word, in deed, and in response to the difficulties of the day.

 

If you are having your own "garden of Gethsemane", make a plan to spend some concentrated and extended time in the prayer of submission. You will find, as Jesus illustrated, the strength you need to fulfill the calling of God upon your life.

 

Pastor Tony

 

NOTE: "Pastor's enote" will be taking a two week break because Karen and I are on vacation. (April 9- 23) Looking forward to reconnecting afterwards.