Simple Heart

Hebrews 2:6 — New Century Version (NCV)- It is written in the Scriptures, “Why are people even important to you? Why do you take care of human beings?

Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

Life is a gift from God. Adam became a living being by the breath of God (Gen.2:7), and if God were to withdraw his breath from humans, they would perish (Job 34:14-15). Since life belongs to God, humans do not have absolute autonomy over their own lives but are stewards of the life given to them by God. The lives of all humans, both their own and others’, are to be cherished and guarded.

The value of human life is intrinsic, for it derives from God, who made human beings in his own image

In the mind and heart of God, people are His foremost concern. Job makes the same observation, but with a different emphasis. “What is man that you are mindful of him?” celebrates the dignity and esteem of humans in the eyes of God despite their seeming insignificance. Even in our lowly state, God honors us greatly, so much so that He gave us authority over creation. What’s more, we learn that we are the center of His attention, the apple of God’s eye (Psalm 17:8).

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

New Living TranslationThree different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Why is Easter Celebrated

There is no celebration of the resurrection in the NT. Easter is celebrated by Christians as a joyous holiday because it represents the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament and the revelation of God’s salvific plan for all of humankind. In commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus, Easter also celebrates the defeat of death and the hope of salvation. Christian tradition holds that the sins of humanity were paid for by the death of Jesus and that his Resurrection represents the anticipation believers can have in their own resurrection.

The Date of Easter And Its Controversies

Fixing the date on which the Resurrection of Jesus was to be observed and celebrated triggered a major controversy in early Christianity in which an Eastern and a Western position can be distinguished. The dispute, known as the Paschal controversies, was not definitively resolved until the 8th century. In Asia Minor, Christians observed the day of the Crucifixion on the same day that Jews celebrated the Passover offering—that is, on the 14th day of the first full moon of spring, 14 Nisan (see Jewish calendar). The Resurrection, then, was observed two days later, on 16 Nisan, regardless of the day of the week. In the West the Resurrection of Jesus was celebrated on the first day of the week, Sunday, when Jesus had risen from the dead. Consequently, Easter was always celebrated on the first Sunday after the 14th day of the month of Nisan. Increasingly, the churches opted for the Sunday celebration, and the Quartodeciman (“14th day” proponents) remained a minority. The Council of Nicaea in 325 decreed that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21). Easter, therefore, can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25.

In 325 the Council of Nicaea decreed that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21). Easter, therefore, can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Orthodox churches use a slightly different calculation based on the Julian calendar. As a result, the Orthodox Easter celebration usually occurs later than that of Catholics and Protestants.

Psalm 73:26 (NASB)

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the [strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 34:18 (NASB)

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 18:2 (NASB)

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my savior,

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

John 14:27 (NASB)

Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.

He did it again, He kept me

Psalms 103: 1-3

Bless the lord, oh my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgives all my iniquities, who heals all my diseases, who redeems my life from the pits, who crowns me with steadfast love and mercy. who satisfies me with good so that's my youth is renewed like the eagle.

Psalm 144: 1

Praise be the lord, my rock, who trained my hands for war, my fingers for battle. She is my loving God and my Fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge.