To help prepare our hearts for Easter, let's reflect on the "highlights" (The Triumphal Entry, The Last Supper, The Garden, The Courtyard, The Trial, The Cross, & The Resurrection) and remember that we are loved...Amazing love, how can this be, that Thou my God would die for me!

God made each of us unique, so let's lay aside anything holding us back from following and serving Him in the specific way He has called us. Fix our eyes on Jesus & go!

Paul continues in his arguement of freedom in Jesus Christ vs. bondage of the law. He also explains the purpose of the Law.

After he found himself in great distress, David finally surrendered to God and made the following wise decisions: 1) he strengthened himself in the Lord 2) inquired of the Lord 3) obeyed the Lord & 4) imitated the Lord by showing grace. Even though David was in complete compromise, God spared his life as well as all those under his leadership. Likewise, even when we are foolish, God is faithful when we totally surrender to Him. A beautiful picture of restoration!

Ephesians 5:21-6:4

Taken from Paul's letter to the Ephesians, five signs of a "healthy" (God-centered) family are 1) an attitude of service 2) intimacy between husband & wife 3) parents who teach & train 4) husbands who are loving leaders 5) children who obey & honor parents. There is no such thing as a perfect family, but we can all start somewhere. Let's be effective witnesses to the world by loving our families through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Both David and King Saul found themselves in desperate situations as a result of aligning themselves with something other than the Lord. David avoided the Lord's voice, while King Saul sought the Lord, but didn't get an answer. Who are we aligning ourselves with? For the sake of ourselves and those around us, let's make sure we are seeking and obeying the Lord alone.

"Blessings & Curses" - Those who do not keep the entire Law of God perfectly are cursed. However, Jesus became a curse for us in order that we may be blessed if we put our faith in Him as our Savior and Lord. 

After David chose to trust in the Lord by refraining a second time from taking King Saul's life into his own hands, he made the mistake of listening to himself and took refuge in the land of the Philistines, where he fell into compromise and ultimately shed innocent blood. When David's eyes were on the Lord, he made wise decisions and was blessed, but when he looked to himself, he fell into despair and sin.