Raise Your Sails

A sailboat needs wind in its sails to move; without the wind it floats aimlessly around an endless sea. You also require something to keep you from floating without purpose. In life, you can get wrapped up in so many things and drift from one thing after another, never quite finding the right direction. Our wind is Jesus Christ. Everything we're searching for and seeking can be found in Him. The longing that you have inside is made whole when you seek a relationship with Christ. He is the wind in your sails. He is the one who will guide you safely to your destination.

Don't let your own desires cloud the truth. Whatever is going on in your life today, whatever answers, wisdom, direction or hope you need, the Lord is but a prayer away. Open up the scriptures and read all that He wants to say to you. It is your life compass, directing you. Raise your sails and wait for His loving guidance to propel you forward, gliding you swiftly yet surely to His perfect destination for you; His safe haven, His comfort, His love. Your trip is short, don't waste another moment floating aimlessly; Jesus, your Savior is reaching out to guide you at this very moment...RAISE YOUR SAILS!

“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken." John 2:19-22 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Easter/Resurrection and You

Turning the corner to head to my sisters house for Easter dinner, I saw my nephew on his skateboard. He's been struggling with drug addiction for years now. My sister & brother-in-law had to make the difficult decision to kick him out of their home in order to save not only their family from his violent, drug induced outbursts, but also to save him & try to convince him to go into a rehab facility by taking away his daily comfort.

I hadn't seen him in a while so we honked, waved & pulled over to say hi. He asked if we could give him a ride to his friends house a few blocks away. While driving him it was obvious he was under the influence of drugs. He was ranting & raving about something. I began to silently pray for him. He needs to be set free of his addictions, he needs prayer for protection, redemption, freedom & peace found only in Jesus Christ.

As we pulled up to the house, I quickly jumped out of the front seat to run around and hug him before he left. I told him I loved him as I squeezed him tightly. My heart and soul breaking for the decisions he's making and the pain he's in because of drugs. I got back in the car and began sobbing. It's so hard seeing someone you love destroying their life. As I continued to cry, my husband grabbed my hand and we prayed together for Jason. Knowing the pain I was feeling, I thought of the Lord and His love for us; stronger, deeper, higher, and wider than our human minds can comprehend. I can't imagine the pain He feels for each of us and His heartbreak over our poor choices...we're His children. He wants us to come to Him with whatever we're going through. He wants to heal, restore and bring each of us into His loving embrace.

Don't let the enemy continue to lie to you & tell you that you're not worthy, you're not loved, you're beyond help. Let Jesus' unselfish, loving gift; His sacrifice for your sins not be in vain. He fulfilled God's will and took on the burden of your sins. He rose to life on the 3rd day...resurrected, fulfilling God's promise. He made it possible for you, I and my nephew to be free, saved, and forgiven so that one day we can be with Him for time and all eternity. Take the gift and accept Jesus Christ today. Let Him guide and direct you in your choices. Let Him set you free!

GOD LOVES YOU!

"And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Luke 24:38-39

Take The Gift

Take The Gift
by Lisa Petrarca

Crossing the busy intersection, there stood “Moses,” a local street preacher who received his name from the people in town. He can be seen on any given day at the Huntington Beach or Newport Beach Pier. He doesn’t shout out or yell at people as they pass by, he stands at the corner, while people wait for the light to change. He reads from the Bible, verse after verse, hoping that God will use him to touch someone’s life. He has chosen the life of a servant. He knows that people laugh, mimic, mock and call him a freak, but he just continues to read. He has sacrificed his own personal need to be accepted and focuses on others.

Directly across the street, a large group of people is circled around something. Pushing up through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd I peak through to see what is so interesting to hold everyone so captivated. There is a man, about the same age as “Moses” but unlike “Moses,” he must be a VERY important person to have so many people stop and take time out of their busy day to listen to him. I finally squeeze my way close enough to stand on my tippy toes to get a glimpse of this obviously VERY IMPORTANT person. The moment my eyes focus on his face, I hear him shout, “Everyone ready…here goes!” In his hand he is holding the largest, thickest nail I have ever seen. In his other hand he is grasping a hammer. He places the nail up into his nose and begins to hammer it in. The crowd responds with loud gasps and some even cover their eyes…only to remove them to watch again. I rapidly turned around and pushed my way back out.
Glancing across the street I see Moses still standing stoically alone, holding God’s word and waiting for the crowd to come his way.

In today’s world, the one who can shock and horrify people is the one who draws the crowd. The preacher on the corner is ignored…“He’s crazy!”

This Easter, remember that Jesus also had huge nails hammered into his body, Not for entertainment, not to draw huge crowds, but to save each and everyone of us. His ultimate sacrifice should not be taken for granted. Don’t waste this precious gift he has freely given you. We all sin…we all can be forgiven. TAKE THE GIFT!

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:13-15