Good Friday

We just had an amazing time of reflection this morning together.
We took our time and each explained what Good Friday means to us.
Hearing my kids talk about Jesus and the cross.  The sacrifice and
their own sin.  The veil being torn.  The pain of betrayal in Peter
and Judas, yet the forgiveness found.

We are OVERWHELMED by His grace for us today.
I don't know where I would be without my Savior.
When I consider my life, the pain I've been through - although not
near what some have felt - I can't imagine how I would have gotten
through it without his everlasting arms. 

He crowns my life with tender mercy and loving kindness.
Bless the Lord oh my Soul......

Kadin - Matthew 17

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. (Matthew 17:14, 15 NIV)

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ” (Matthew 17:20 NIV)

Kadin said if you have faith in God he will make you strong and nothing will be impossible for you. We need to come to Christ like the man who was concerned for his son and believe that He can!!!

Devin - Ephesians 4:26,27

“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26, 27 NIV)

Kadin said you never know when it might be your last breath so you should be careful.

Daddy reminded us that anger is not a sin it's what you do IN your anger that can be sinful. That's the warning.

Livia said its important to resolve things with people before you go to bed. Work it out. Sleep in true peace.

Devin reminded us that if we take our guard down that the enemy would like to get in and mess things up.

Tim - Psalm 96:6-8

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord , all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. (Psalm 96:6-8 NIV)

Awesome descriptions for our God this morning. Where is the temple ( sanctuary) now that Jesus came? In us!!!! His beauty and strength is in us!!

We want to give God what He desires which is what ? Us!!! Our offering is our lives. Full surrender and obedience. Our whole heart.

Gina 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 NIV)

This scripture is my life verse for 2013. It speaks so much truth to where I'm at and where I've been.
It's a bit 2 fold for me. For the first time in my life I have had a physical issue that has affected me deeply. I have experienced true physical weakness.

Along side that I have talked, taught and encouraged others to embrace this truth in their lives. To lean hard into His strength and not our own and yet I admit I'm not sure I've experienced true victory over my own weakness as I should. This year I want to embrace this truth in my life and let the power of Christ rest on me in a fresh new way

Devin - 1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7 NIV)

We are always being cleansed. Our savior sees the darkest acts of our lives. He chooses to clean us up if we will accept his mercy and grace. We should have that same heart towards others when forgiveness is needed. Give it freely as he did for me.

Tim - Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

This answer spoke from Jesus' mouth is a great example of how we should respond to every situation in our lives. And not just the ones we want His input on, but seriously everything.

Psalm 139

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7 NIV)

God is all around us.
He sees every move, every motive , every thought , every word.

We now humbly bow before our all knowing God and pray to be servants of Him. Lord use us, let us get out of the way with our pride , selfishness and vanity!!!

Devin - Romans 6:22

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22 NIV)

What does it mean to be a slave?
Kids: to be owned by someone and to work for them.

What does it mean to be a slave to God?
Kids : to give our lives to sharing the love of Jesus to choosing the better way, to living a life that pleases God.

If we love Him we will obey him.

Tim - Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

Jesus washes his disciples feet. One by one. Jesus knows the future of these feet. Some will run from him, betray him and leave them. He wants them to remember he forgives before they even thought of sinning. While we "were still" sinners Christ died for us.

We had a very hectic, crazy and emotional week. Alot going on with each of our lives. It's good to sit here this morning and say "we survived" , "we did it" together and God carried us. Living In forgiveness as Christ forgave us helps each day in our relationships to forgive quickly like our creed says.

Recognizing that we have all sinned, we've all been wrong and it does not help our relationships to keep record or to withhold forgiveness or worse yet withhold apologizing.

Our goal - be the best servant to each other and forget about ourselves!!

Tim - Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)


http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=oMv3bTpP9zg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoMv3bTpP9zg



We watched Curtis this morning from American Idol. We were all moved and inspired. He sang I believe I can fly and we were so glad to see the world respond to the hope that only God can give. We rejoice this morning in our God, no matter what happens in this world His praise will continuously be on our lips. Thank you Jesus!!!

Gina - Psalm34:1-3

I will exalt The Lord at all times. His praise will continuously be on my lips. My soul will boast in The Lord, let the afflicted hear and be glad. Glorify The Lord with me let us exalt his name together!!!

This scripture reminds us to praise God no matter if we are doing great or doing really bad! Our God is good and worthy of our praise. This scripture is one we have memorized so that in the middle of the day his "praise will continuously" be on our lips. Let it be that our god is glorified no matter how we feel everyday of our lives.

Proverbs 5

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
turn your ear to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion
and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
6 She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
7 Now then, my sons, listen to me;
do not turn aside from what I say.
8 Keep to a path far from her,
do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you lose your honor to others
and your dignity[a] to one who is cruel,
10 lest strangers feast on your wealth
and your toil enrich the house of another.

So since we (the WESSEL kids) don't have a spouse yet!! Let's consider how sin can be this type of enticement - luring us away from our first love - God. It's a great example of what sin will do to your life. The Bible will keep you from sin. Sin will keep you from the Bible. What will it be?

Kadin - 1 Corinthians 2:9

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”– (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV84)

Can you imagine that God could say to you "thank you for letting me use you to give others hope. I'm so proud of your faith."


It takes being intentional to love people who are not nice to us. To give from what we have. To sacrifice so that others experience God's undying love.

His love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me.