Israel

I am not sure about you, but I have found myself so much more interested in Israel and God's chosen people.

If you did not know, Passover will be happening this weekend. This is the time when the Jewish people celebrate when God sent the Angel of Death and killed all the firstborn of the Egyptians. It also took on new meaning and depth when Jesus came as the new covenant.

While I am was reading in Romans 11 the other day, a verse just jumped out at me and I am not sure what to think of it.

It is Romans 11:25-27.
₂₅ For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery - so that you will not be wise in your own estimation - that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
₂₆ and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
"The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob."
₂₇ "This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."

Does this passage literally mean all Jews will go to heaven in the end? "All" seems pretty definite to me.

Isn't the Bible an amazing book? We could have read it for years and then all of a sudden something new jumps out at us and says, "Wait, you have missed me before. What do you think?" This is how I know the Word of God is alive. It seems to always be drawing me in to more.

Let me know if you have any insight into the Israelite question. Bless you this day.

Today with God

I love to spend time with God and have Him speak to me. Lately it just seems like He has been revealing more of Himself to me.

My pastor spoke on Hell this week and how we should allow the certainty of Hell to put within us an overwhelming burden for the lost. It was such a good reminder. At times, I can get so caught up in my life and how it is being lived, I forget to look beyond myself.

I just think it is so wonderful that when we are willing God speaks to us. He just has been speaking to me lately about His love for all. There is no person out there that the Lord does not love. He sent Jesus to cover all of our sins putting us in right relationship with the Father. How incredible is that.

At times, I become discouraged with myself when I think of all that the Lord has done for me and how often I take that for granted. I know I am going to heaven and I want to arrive there in a right relationship with the Father, but what the Father wants is to see me and the harvest I have brought with me.

Now don't get me wrong. This is not a bash Jessica thing I am doing. It is just a self-realization thing. I want to be in right relationship with the Lord, but I want to be doing His will during that process. I do not think we get to be perfect and then He tells us to do the work. I think we should be doing the work while we are in process, because our testimonies of the process can be very powerful.

Tonight I stand before you or have written before you, my desire for more of the will of God, the ultimate goal for the Father, which is that none should perish. All should know the love of the Father and be adopted into the family.

I give you a challenge. Be listening for the Lord to speak to you about the people around you. Are you walking in His will regarding them? Are you speaking the words He has for them? And I believe a lot of the time those words are just going to be words of love and encouragement. It think sometimes we scare ourselves over what we think evangelism looks like, but all it is, is love someone so they see the Light of Jesus in you and then telling them about it when you feel the Lord's leading. When we love someone nothing else matters, but knowing in the end we will be together.

Blessings on you this night.

Publishing Style

I cannot believe how long I can be kept away from this at times. Life can just be crazy.

I have to admit I am a little miffed right now. I write another blog and I was given some constructive criticism. I have to admit I would love to be someone who can handle constructive criticism, but I do struggle with it.

Anyway, the opinion was that changing the font, color, and alignment of test can be hard to read and confusing. I want your opinion. What do you think?

I understand that uniformity is easier to look at, but does it take away from the personality and creativity of the blog. Am I just being overly sensitive? I guess I just want some none biased opinions. Thanks.

Spring Reading Thing

I have just found out about this reading challenge. I am very excited about it. I am definitely planning on joining. The only bad thing is I get lost in books. I can get so caught up in reading that nothing else matters. I will just have to be careful I guess.

Why don't you join? Find those books that are part of the way done or make a list of new books you have been wanting to read and join the challenge.

It is being hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days. It is called the Spring Reading Thing and you should definitely join today.

Time Does Fly

I cannot believe how quickly it does. I was sure it had only been two days since I last posted. Obviously, that was not the case though.

Life has just been moving along for me. I learn everyday I have to fight for my time with God. I either have to fight myself or my circumstances.

I know the days when I have not been with the Lord right from the start. They are much more challenging. It seems like everything that will upset me does.

I am beginning to realize why this happens. It is not because those things were not happening before. It is because when I have the Holy Spirit flowing through me than I have a completely different view and approach on life. I do not have to struggle with things as much, because I am more in tune to Jesus and how he views them.

The word tonight is spend time with Jesus. He loves you and He is waiting, always. He is always there for you. Never will He not be available.

Katchy Kids Dancewear

The ladies' over at 5 Minutes for Mom are having another contest. They have found this great site that sells dancewear for the little dancers in your life. It is call Katchy Kids and I recommend you check them out and get in on the contest. The links on provided. What are you waiting for?

The Goodness of God

I have to tell you about a friend of mine. She truly is amazing to me. We are not best friends by any means, but I hold this young woman in high esteem. I see qualities in her that I dream of acquiring. She is gracious, giving, kind, and, I can honestly say, the list does go on and on.

The reason I mention her is because she is about to have her first child. She has been married for five years come April, I am mostly sure, and up until now her and her husband have lost two or three babies to miscarriages. This has weighed very heavy on her and all who have known her and her husband, Sean.

I have gotten to know this couple better by working with them at our local Healing Rooms. They have been faithful to come in week after week and pray for the sicknesses and hurts of other people. So now they are receiving a part of their blessing for being faithful.

They do not know yet whether they are having a boy or a girl, but I know that the child will be blessed above and beyond. Not just because he or she is going to have great parents, but because this is a child conceived in prayer. This is a promise child.

I am asking you tonight if you have promises that you desire see come to pass. Have you been long suffering and patient to see those come about? Have you given them to the Lord and allowed Him to move in His time table? Or when they did not come to pass in your time table, have you forgotten them?

My friends have shown me what true perseverance is? What it means to have true heartache and yet not let go of the hem of Jesus garment? To hold on to Him and say, I will not let go until you bless me?

Did you know you could do that? Did you know you could ask the Lord for all you need and be persistent about it and He will never turn you away?
You have to be prepared for the way He answers those prayers. They may not look the way you think they will, but He will never turn you away.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you neither leave us nor forsake us. You are always for us. Help me to be persistent in pursuing the promises You have given me.