Matthew 28 - The Mary's

I love love love love love this chapter in Matthew.

Let me first start by talking about how important it is to us as women that Jesus appeared to the women first. As we all know women were low in the order of important people in society. Men were clearly above them. Just like the shepherds, they were probably not likely to be believed.

But Jesus set us up for great works here. He sent the message loud and clear that women can be used by him to spread the great news. Thank you Jesus for this beautiful picture of your love and compassion for us as women. We delivered the news of his resurrection!

The empty tomb is the second topic I want to talk about today. THE TOMB IS EMPTY! Jesus said it, it was prophesized  in the Old Testament and it was done. The emptiness of the tomb filled the world with hope, grace, mercy, forgiveness, eternal life...

The empty tomb was proof for us as humans, as doubters and unbelievers that Jesus was Lord and he did what he said he was going to do. Even after this he was still doubted. My first reaction is how stupid could they be? Didn't they have all of the facts and proof they needed?

Well, Mandey, ask yourself the same questions. Here I sit convicted again. He gives me all of the proof I need but I still question.

This year I am going to lay it all down. Self, career, family, money, health, friendships. I am laying it all at his feet. His word is true. He does what he says he is going to do. I am giving him my all and I can't wait to see what he uses me for to further his kingdom.

Happy New Year sweet sisters in Christ! Thank you for your love and prayers this year. I cant' wait to see where this year takes each of us.

Matthew 27 - Hope

Sweet friends, It is so easy for worldly things to steal my hope and my joy. I obsess about things I can't control and I make excuses for the things I can.

The truth is that nothing here on earth should have that power over me. The truth is that our hope is found in the emptiness of that tomb. The death and resurrection gives us the ultimate hope. One day we will be in his presence and be reunited with those who have gone before us. There will be no more sickness or pain.

It is so easy to get bogged down in the day to day living. I know that there are bills to be paid, long hours at work, health concerns, etc.

There are also lots of distractions. I focus on what I don't have, the size clothes I don't wear. the accolades I never get...

Here is the truth.

We must focus each day on the hope of the empty grave.

I am going to focus my thoughts and actions in  different way this coming year. I am going to stop putting my hope in what is here but rather my treasure in heaven. We are not promised tomorrow and i am refusing to continue living like this is all there is. This is not the best that he has for me. It is all to come when my time on earth is done.

Lord God, help me to focus my eyes, heart and mind on you. Help me to see that hope that you have given through the resurrection of your son Jesus Christ. Father help me have a biblical perspective on what trials come my way. Help me focus on what you are teaching me through those times. Lord I praise you for all of the good and easy times. I know it is so easy to focus on the difficult times I face but I know your goodness and mercy is more than I deserve. Lord help me to see others in need. Help me to be the light. Thank you for your love that is more than sufficient. -Amen

Matthew 27 The Centurion

What a changing day in the Centurions life and in the lives of all future generations!

I wonder what the darkness was like? What did people do? Was their panic and fear?

I know I often forget about the several hours of darkness during the period of judgement of sin. The reality is that after the darkness came something beautiful. The veil was torn from top to bottom and we were instantly in direct communication with God. We were given a personal relationship with him. What a beautiful gift in itself. Not to mention eternal life and forgiveness of our sins.

Many times when we are in the dark we are consumed by it. It is hard to see that there may possibly be something so beautiful on the other side. Something we can't begin to imagine.

Father, thank you for sending the darkness in our lives. Thank you for teaching us things we would never know otherwise. Thank you for your guiding hand in the darkness. I pray that in this new year we see the light so much that the darkness will not consume us when it comes. I pray that we shine your truth and love to others in their darkness. Help us to live for you and help us let you live through us. Thank you Lord for all that is coming in 2016. We don't know what the year holds but we do know that you love us and that you are with us. God with us. Every day. Amen.

FAQs

For those who are new to this here are some FAQs.

Where do you find this daily study?
-Our group uses the First 5 app from Proverbs 31 Ministries.

How do you get this app?
-You can download it from App Store or Google Play. Visit First5.org for more info.

Can I comment on these posts?
-YES! I actually encourage this. We are all here to learn his word. I love hearing what you see in these passages we study. God speaks to us in different ways.

How can I contact you?
-My email is mandeycollins@att.net. I love hearing from people! Please feel free to email me anytime.

Mathew 27 - The Message

I have read this passage numerous times. I have never stopped to reflect on the message that Pilate's wife sent to him.

"Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." Matthew 27:19

Jesus was being tried for the truth he proclaimed. This very truth that Pilate's wife so urgently told him about in this desperate message. She felt conviction and shared the message with him.

I try to think about her as a wife of a powerful governor. I am sure that she was stepping out in pure faith in sending him this message. We don't know much more beyond the 30+ words. Was he angry? Did he believe her but just didn't have the courage to do something different? Was this the first time in history where someone said "Honey, you were right and I was wrong. I am sorry.".

Some readings suggest that they had a close relationship and that he probably agreed with her message but was too concerned about what the people would think of him.

I think the take away here is that we must follow those stirrings in our heart. I know that God found favor with her.

We have to stop being Pilate. We have to stop worrying about what people think about us. We need to surround ourselves with people who love God and we have to keep our hearts open to the Holy Spirit. We have to be willing to stand up to "the people" and do what we know is right.

I know in my life this looks like...

-Walking away from events that I should not be participating in.
-Speaking up in conversations happening around me that are not honoring God.
-Praying for specific people and how I can be the light or reveal God's light in their life.

I think this is a perfect time to reshape our mindset. We can start the new year off with a new focus on how to live without fear. We can be free in our faith and step out.

God has a plan for us. Let's be in prayer that his perfect plans will be clear to us. We are already in the mission field. We need to receive his message for our assignment. Truly he is the Son of God!

Welcome

My name is Mandey and I am a sinner. I fall short of God's glory on a daily basis. 

My name is Mandey and I am a child of God. I love him and strive to do his will. 

I have been leading an online study for women on Facebook since August. God has really been working in my life and in my heart. 

I am real. I type what God gives me. I have lots of typos through my tears at 4:30 am each morning. 

I am starting this blog in response to many of my friends who want to participate in the study but do not use Facebook. 

I hope you experience the love of Jesus here. I hope through this blog his light shines a little brighter.